Chapter 375 Meeting an Old Friend Again

"Lord Ouyang, go ahead with your business. There's no need to see me off. Focus on defending the city. You can prepare some wine and drinks so I can reward all the generals when I return victorious."

Early in the morning, the dawn light bathed the deck of the ship about to set sail, and below, red flags fluttered at the dock. On the deck, Wang Lengran, dressed in a scholar's robe, stood with his hands behind his back, a long sword at his waist.

This contrasts sharply with the fully armored Red Turban soldiers standing at the bow of the ship.

He was clearly dressed like a refined and scholarly general.

Governor Wang tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle, as if bathing in the morning sun, and spoke calmly to Ouyang Rong and his party on the shore below without turning his head.

Ouyang Rong led the way, standing at the very front of the group of officials, and couldn't help but glance a few more times at Wang Lengran's "glorious" back.

Okay, okay, I'll acknowledge your talent for showing off.

It's fine if you're showing off, but don't throw your life away and give away 2,500 elite soldiers for nothing.

Ouyang Rong suppressed his inner complaints and gave a slight bow:

"Waiting for good news from Lord Wang, by the way..."

He pointed to three large ships not far away. On the deck of one of the ships, Qin Heng's heroic figure, clad in battle robes and holding a dagger, could be vaguely seen.

Ouyang Rong reminded him:

"I have prepared some strong oil, which has been loaded onto three boats. This oil is special; it comes from the Hu region. With the right wind, it can burn fiercely on the river and burn enemy ships... It may be useful to Lord Wang."

Wang Lengran couldn't help but turn around and glance at Ouyang Rong, whose expression remained calm:

"I didn't expect Lord Ouyang to offer his assistance. Thank you for your kindness... Wasn't Lord Ouyang previously opposed to providing aid to Jishui County?"

Ouyang Rong nodded: "Attitude is attitude, and responsibility is responsibility. Let's keep them separate."

Wang Lengran observed his composed expression, nodded slightly, and reluctantly clasped his hands in a salute.

The lead boat, where Wang Lengran was located, slowly started moving.

The large fleet, fully loaded with Jiangzhou's elite troops, departed from Xunyang Ferry and sailed downstream towards Jishui County in the southeast.

Wang Lengran, along with his deputies Sun Yu and Qin Heng, rushed to the aid of Jishui County.

After they left, apart from the conscripted laborers and auxiliary soldiers, only five hundred elite soldiers remained to guard Xunyang City.

Ouyang Ronglong stood alone in the river breeze, watching the fleet disappear into the horizon.

As the chief official, he remained still, and the officials in Jiangzhou, including Yan Liulang, Chen Canjun, and Yuan Huaimin, dared not make a move first and waited patiently.

Yan Liulang glanced at the Mingfu's retreating figure.

The twenty barrels of Burning Heaven Dragon Oil, divided into three boats, were ordered by the Prefect to be transported overnight from Shuangfengjian and handed over to Qin Heng and the other soldiers of the Zhechong Prefecture who were about to leave the city.

Yan Liulang received this order last night and was somewhat puzzled.

However, the prefect said that Jishui was indeed in a crucial position, and it would be best if it could relieve the siege. But if there was a trap, and Wang Lengran lost everything, it would not benefit the entire army and civilians of Jiangzhou City. It would be better to burn more of Cai Qin and Zhu Lingxu's ships, or to bring back more soldiers.

"The magistrate is truly dedicated to his duties and prioritizes the greater good..."

Yan Liulang's heartfelt words and sincere admiration were evident in his eyes.

Ouyang Rong looked up at the sun, then suddenly turned back:

"Military Advisor Chen, immediately notify the city gate guards and the Xunyang Ferry Ship Management Office that at 2:45 noon today, all city gates and ferry crossings will be closed, and Xunyang City will be under martial law with strict control over entry and exit. Unfamiliar merchants and outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering the city..."

Ouyang Rong proceeded methodically and issued the order to seal off the city.

Now that Wang Lengran has left, Ouyang Rong is in charge of the entire Xunyang City, acting as the head of the Jiangzhou government.

"Yes, Chief Secretary!"

Chen You accepted the order and withdrew.

"Yuan Sima..."

Ouyang Rong turned his head as if to speak, but suddenly seemed to catch something out of the corner of his eye and fell silent.

Yuan Huaimin and other Jiangzhou officials noticed that Ouyang Rong slightly turned his head and glanced at the crowd of onlookers outside the dock, seemingly drawn to something.

"What is the Chief Secretary looking at?"

Yuan Huaimin and others were curious.

Ouyang Rong remained silent, watching the familiar Persian merchant's back disappear from the crowd.

This Persian merchant named Li Li, who was also a retainer of the Wei family and a former lackey of Wei Shaoxuan, actually came to Xunyang Wharf today. It seems that he was also there to see Wang Lengran off.

Just as Ouyang Rong turned around and noticed him out of the corner of his eye, the Persian merchant had already turned his back and walked towards the unassuming carriage waiting by the roadside... unaware of Ouyang Rong's gaze.

"It's nothing."

Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze and shook his head.

Immediately, he glanced at Yan Liulang, who, like him, had also noticed Li Li's figure and was looking sideways at the low-key carriage slowly driving away on the main street outside the crowd.

When they were in Longcheng, Ouyang Rong wore the Mirage Beast Mask, disguised himself as Wei Shaoxuan, and contacted and misled Li Li.

Later, Yan Liulang was also sent to investigate this Persian merchant.

Therefore, Yan Liulang also knew Li Li and knew his general identity.

Li Li was unaware that Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang had known him since Longcheng.

This may also explain why Wang Lengran came to see him off without any warning today.

Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang exchanged a knowing glance.

A moment later, Ouyang Rong, with a composed expression, led Yuan Huaimin and his entourage of officials back to the main hall of Jiangzhou.

Yan Liulang's figure disappeared.

No one knows when he retired or where he silently went...

In the main hall of Jiangzhou, Ouyang Rong patiently arranged all the meticulous preparations for the entire city. The officials below each had their own tasks, and even the old slacker Yuan Huaimin was busy.

Ouyang Rong then went to find Miaozhen.

Originally, I wanted to find Rongzhen, but this cold, palace-dressed girl came and went without a trace, and I couldn't find her or even know if she was in the city.

Ouyang Rong remained calm and requested Miaozhen to suspend the construction of the Donglin Buddha for a few days.

Once Governor Wang and his soldiers return and are safe, the work of building the statue can continue.

The latter glanced at him, his expression unchanged:

"Your Excellency should handle this as you see fit. The creation of the statue is a major event for the court; it should not be delayed for too long."

"good."

After discussing the matter, Miaozhen left without lingering.

Ouyang Rong was quite used to these aloof and haughty female officials.

Looking at the sun outside the door, Yan Liulang, who had gone to follow someone, had not yet returned.

Ouyang Rong left a servant behind to wait in the main hall, then turned and went out, boarded a carriage, and headed to Xiushui Workshop.

At the bustling entrance of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, Ouyang Rong alighted from his carriage and immediately spotted the figure of Magistrate Diao, who was lingering and waiting not far away.

"Your Excellency."

"Let's go inside."

Magistrate Diao looked a little nervous and glanced around: "It seems there are quite a few people visiting today."

"It's alright, it's been like this lately. The prince might not see them. Let's go."

Ouyang Rong glanced at Magistrate Diao, casually offered an explanation, and led the way into the gate of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.

The two entered the Prince's Palace amidst the envious gazes of the scholars and envoys who had come to visit them.

Magistrate Diao looked around with a mixture of curiosity and awe, like a country bumpkin visiting a grand garden.

When he encountered maids or servants, he immediately straightened his expression and kept his eyes fixed straight ahead.

As for the female officials and doctors who occasionally passed by, Magistrate Diao would give them cautious sidelong glances.

This solemn and majestic Prince's mansion of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which attracts worldwide attention, still retains a filter of supreme imperial power in the eyes of Magistrate Diao, who has long been working at the grassroots level of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Without a suitable person to introduce him, this is not a place a minor local official of the seventh or eighth rank could enter.

He asked cautiously:

"My lord, is the Prince free today?"

Ouyang Rong chuckled: "He and Dalang always have free time, they might even be fishing. Don't think they're too busy."

"Even if we're fishing, it's not right for us to just walk in like this without giving them a heads-up."

"Uh, there was no notification. I forgot. I usually just go in directly; it's a habit."

Ouyang Rong, of course, didn't mention that he used to sneak in at night by climbing over the wall.

As for now, it's even more convenient. After the crisis that night passed, he can enter freely during the day, but he can no longer climb over the wall and has to use the main gate. For a while, he was still a little unaccustomed to it.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ouyang Rong glanced at a wall he was climbing over with increasing ease and smiled sheepishly.

Magistrate Diao was speechless:

"But for you, Prefect, to walk in directly is rather... cough, even the governor has to present a respectful letter of introduction, so you should avoid any suspicion."

“That makes sense, but we don’t need to now. The prince has taken on the job of the pacification ambassador for Jiangnan Province. As a pacification ambassador, what’s wrong with bringing you in to report on your work and letting him pacify the situation? Nobody can gossip about it.”

Ouyang Rong said in a very serious tone.

Magistrate Diao: "..."

What's with this inexplicable feeling that makes perfect sense?

Ouyang Rong gently patted Magistrate Diao on the shoulder:

"Lord Diao, don't think too much about it. The Prince and the Crown Prince have always remembered the auspicious omen you led the way in presenting it. It's just that they left in such a hurry that they didn't have time to thank you."

"Speaking of which, you're also an old resident of Longcheng, so don't act like an outsider."

Magistrate Diao choked up: "Your Excellency, the Prince's son actually remembers..."

Ouyang Rong nodded without saying a word; everything was understood without being spoken.

Magistrate Diao's expression was moved.

He looked at Ouyang Rong, who was walking ahead with ease and leading the way, and couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

I thought my life would end with being a lowly eighth-rank county magistrate, and that I'd grow old without ever moving from my post.

Unexpectedly, he met a true benefactor and virtuous man. He was half forced and half admired him, so he gritted his teeth and followed him to control the floods in Longcheng and defeat the Liu family. He was right to make the right choice.

Now he has not only been promoted to the head of a county, but has even climbed to the prince's residence, with a glimmer of hope that he will become the emperor's successor...

Having been personally designated by Ouyang Rong as an "old resident of Longcheng," Magistrate Diao couldn't help but straighten his back a bit as he walked along the solemn and noble corridor of the Prince's Mansion.

A short while later, upon entering the depths of the Prince's mansion, and noticing that there were fewer servants and palace maids around, Magistrate Diao leaned closer and whispered:

"Your Excellency, it is my incompetence that I was no match for the rebels. I do not have the ability of the county magistrate of Jishui. Although I escaped from Longcheng, before I left, I sent Miss Aqing and Mother Liu to a remote mountain village near Yunmengze and ordered people to take care of them. That place is isolated from the world and the war will not reach them."

Ouyang Rong nodded slightly: "Sixth Brother has already mentioned it, thank you for your hard work."

“It’s no trouble at all. It’s what I should do. It’s not just about helping the Ming family. Brother Ashan is a hero of Longcheng. We can’t let anything happen to the family of a hero.”

Magistrate Diao spoke solemnly, his tone wistful.

Ouyang Rong remained silent.

They traveled in silence until they arrived at the study, where Ouyang Rong, accompanied by Magistrate Diao, paid homage to Prince Li Xian of Xunyang and his heir, Li Fusu.

The father and son treated each other with great courtesy, which made Magistrate Diao feel flattered and devoted to them.

A short while later, at noon, only Magistrate Diao was left to eat at the Prince's residence. Ouyang Rong was busy and prepared to leave. Halfway there, Yan Liulang suddenly came looking for him.

"Your Excellency, it is indeed Li Li. However, he is shrewd, so I should not get too close to him. He left Xunyang City before the city was sealed off at noon. It seems that he went in the direction of Jishui County."

"Furthermore, I investigated the people living near his former residence and found out that Li Li has been in Xunyang City for at least two months. People often stay at that house, and sometimes Li Li's carriage can be seen near the governor's mansion, especially in the last few days, it's been particularly frequent..."

Ouyang Rong nodded calmly.

After a short while, Yan Liulang withdrew.

Ouyang Rong frowned:

"The Wei family is providing assistance? What kind of powerful support could they be... So, is this the source of Wang Lengran's confidence... No wonder he looked so smug this morning, so confident?"

"The Wei family has gone to great lengths to seize the position of Grand Commander of the Jiangzhou Road Army, even putting the overall interests of the court and the safety and stability of Jiangzhou secondary..."

He lingered in place for a moment.

His face showed a thoughtful expression. After a while, Ouyang Rong did not leave the palace. Instead, he turned around and went to a certain courtyard, where he entered the boudoir.

"Why is Senior Brother here?"

Before seeing her, one hears her voice; the beautiful woman's voice is one of delight.

Xie Lingjiang emerged gracefully from behind the curtains of the imperial examination hall, looking as if she had just woken up from a nap. Her long, flowing hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, and her pretty eyes held a hint of languid drowsiness. She walked quickly over and naturally took Ouyang Rong's hand.

Ouyang Rong couldn't help but chuckle, then his expression turned serious as he instructed, "I have something to ask of you."

"Oh, so you won't come if there's nothing wrong?" She pouted her pink lips, squinted at him, and then nodded: "Okay, tell me quickly."

Ouyang Rong said somewhat embarrassedly, "Junior Sister, could you do me a favor and take care of something outside the city?"

"Where are you going? What's up?"

Sensing Ouyang Rong's serious attitude, Xie Lingjiang's morning grumpiness immediately dissipated, and she became much more awake.

But she didn't receive an answer. The next instant, Xie Lingjiang felt her delicate body being gently embraced. Xie Lingjiang's body went limp, and her pretty face flushed. Just as she was filled with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation...

Her long, black hair, draped over her shoulders, was lifted up by a large hand.

Ouyang Rong half-embraced Xie Lingjiang, the beauty limp in his arms. Ouyang Rong took out a red rope and carefully tied her hair up while saying solemnly:

"Junior Sister, go to Jishui County with Wang Lengran and the others. If there is any important military intelligence from the front, report it back immediately. I don't trust anyone else, so I still need you to go."

"But you must be careful on the road. If there is any danger, do not try to force your way in. Run away first, understand? Don't be afraid to save face. Safety is the most important thing."

He rested his chin on her head of black hair and kept nagging.

Xie Lingjiang listened silently to his rambling. Her small, delicate face, more beautiful than any flower, stirred within her, but she tried her best to suppress it.

"Okay, I know... I remember everything you said."

The two gazed at each other for a while, then couldn't help but embrace. They lingered tenderly for a long time before reluctantly parting. After separating, Xie Lingjiang lowered her head with a flushed face, first straightening her disheveled collar and then giving someone a light push, as if scolding him for his mischief. Yet her eyes were gentle, showing no sign of blaming him at all.

Before long, Xie Lingjiang changed into white men's clothing, tied her hair with a red rope, and went out with a sword.

Ouyang Rong watched them go in silence.

After Xie Lingjiang left,

Ouyang Rong couldn't help but lower his head and sniff his shoulder and fingers.

I belatedly caught a faint fragrance of orchids.

Fragrance has been associated with women since ancient times.

In this world, there are actually only two kinds of women's fragrance.

One type is a woman whose strong fragrance hits you as soon as you get close; no matter how beautiful she is, she is inevitably vulgar.

There is another type of woman whose fragrance is not noticeable when you stand next to her. Only after she leaves do you belatedly smell a faint, elusive scent. The beauty is left with only her back view, but the lingering fragrance lingers in your heart, leaving you with a sense of loss.

Ouyang Rong was somewhat distracted.

But suddenly, for no apparent reason, I thought of that slender, graceful figure in the underground palace, who had once sat with her knees drawn up to her chest on her long sword.

What kind of feminine fragrance does she possess?

Ouyang Rong shook his head slightly, feeling a little guilty.

Why are you suddenly thinking about this right now?

Immediately, he lowered his eyes:

"Should we tell Junior Sister about the embroiderer? It's not good to keep her in the dark. But if she finds out, will she be angry? But Junior Sister is broad-minded, she shouldn't be jealous... Okay, never mind that..."

As if remembering something, he shook his head and muttered to himself in a daze:

So, should I tell them or not...?

I couldn't help but feel guilty.

(End of this chapter)