Chapter 144 Return to Beijing

The information is too cluttered.

Jun Qiulan was stunned for a moment.

All kinds of information filled his mind.

Master Qingheng encountered a time traveler with a similar situation decades ago.

Judging from the age, Yan Jing’s grandfather should be right.

Moreover, Master Qingheng had told him before that the predecessor who had traveled through time before had already laid a solid foundation in the modern era.

The Yan family is relatively low-key, unlike those so-called famous wealthy families, but they have a deep foundation. Fu Xiao mentioned before that the Yan family is actually ranked among the top in the country.

Also, he had just guessed a few days ago that Grandpa Yan was the 'friend' that Master Qingheng had asked to help with his identity information.

To his surprise, Grandpa Yan didn't seem surprised.

After all, he is so old.

Even Yan Jing, a director with a wild imagination, was shocked beyond words the moment he learned the secret of his time travel.

The only possibility is that Grandpa Yan himself has had a similar experience?

It's simply incredible.

Let’s talk about the Yan family here.

Several decades ago, the Yan family was wiped out overnight. Almost no one knew about it, and those who knew a little kept it a secret.

Even the descendants of the Yan family, such as Su Changxun and Yan Su, may not know everything.

What kind of secret could make the late emperor assassinate such a prominent family?

Perhaps some 'new ideas'?

Calculating the time, it almost matches Grandpa Yan's age and the time when Master Qingheng saved the time-traveling senior.

I had never turned a corner before.

It really is a case of being blinded by one leaf.

Maybe it’s because Grandpa Yan behaves very “modernly” and he has a happy family.

Jun Qiulan shook his head, feeling quite helpless.

Incredible, absolutely incredible.

The predecessor who traveled through time was Yan Jing’s grandfather.

What kind of fate is this?

Yan Jing had already gone downstairs with the letter written by Manager Yan.

"Lanlan." Yan Jing's heart skipped a beat when he saw Jun Qiulan standing there in a daze.

In his heart, Jun Qiulan has always been smart, if he had some understanding of the Yan family's experience here before.

I'm afraid I can guess some of it.

Yan Jing remained calm, and said, "I'm sorry, Grandpa."

He didn't say that himself. It was obviously Jun Qiulan's own guess.

"Let's talk about it when we get back." Yan Jing said.

Shopkeeper Yan also came downstairs. He bowed and said, "Young Master."

Jun Qiulan returned the greeting and said with a smile, "I'm sorry for wasting the shopkeeper's time."

"That's all right." Shopkeeper Yan said, "Mr. Yan and I hit it off right away and chatted for a while."

Yan Jing said nothing more, "Let's have tea together again if we have the chance. It's getting late today, so let's go first."

"Goodbye." Shopkeeper Yan also felt emotional.

He has lived for most of his life, and today he has finally found a solution to the things that his family elders have entrusted him with.

I don’t know if Uncle Huai will ever come back.

Yan Jing followed Jun Qiulan out of Yan's Bookstore again.

As they walked, Yan Jing waited for Jun Qiulan to ask so that he could explain.

Unexpectedly, Jun Qiulan didn't ask any more questions, and just like before, took him to visit this ancient world like a tour guide.

On the way, we also went to a famous restaurant here and tasted the delicacies of that era.

His attitude confused Yan Jing again.

In fact, it’s not that Jun Qiulan didn’t want to ask, but he really didn’t know where to start.

Grandpa Yan is much more powerful than him, and he has kept the secret of time travel hidden for a lifetime.

Looking at Yan Jing's expression, it is not difficult to guess that Yan Jing, his own grandson, probably only just learned about this secret.

Then he felt a little embarrassed.

The downfall of the Yan family is ultimately inextricably linked to the royal family.

No matter what his current situation is, or how distant his lineage is, it still cannot change the fact that he was once a member of the royal family.

He didn't waste time on himself and didn't take the blame for past events, but he still felt a little embarrassed.

This made it even harder for him to ask.

So he didn't know why Yan Jing was so anxious because of his condition.

Jun Qiulan thought about it and decided that he could put these matters aside for now and just take care of the important things first.

It would be more appropriate to talk to Grandpa Yan in person when I meet him in the future.

Yan Jing was nervous and wanted to bring it up many times, but he still couldn't open his mouth.

He was even a little confused. Could it be that his Lanlan didn't guess it?

This matter cannot be confirmed.

At night, the two returned to the modern era together.

The next day, Jun Qiulan was going to travel alone. Yan Jing packed a travel bag for him for the three-day journey.

"There are three days' worth of daily necessities in here, as well as emergency items and medicines." He kept muttering, obviously still worried.

Jun Qiulan couldn't help but smile. "Actually, just prepare some food and drinks. We'll set off tomorrow morning. If we can't find a post station at noon, we can still fill our stomachs a little."

What's more, he can come back at any time.

Song Xirong and Jun Shuwan also knew that he would be in the capital in three days, and they were worried.

For them, the capital city is now a place where people are eaten without leaving any bones. Their son's identity is special and he is bound to be surrounded by dangers.

"Mother, little sister, don't worry too much." Jun Qiulan said, "I came to the capital with the emperor's imperial edict. Since the emperor can give me this imperial edict, he can protect me."

Although he was old and had become very confused, he was still the emperor of feudal society.

If you really want to keep him, there is no way.

Even if we take a step back, the emperor might have another brain cramp and want to kill him. Wouldn't it be better for him to just come back?

Even if he lost his ability to move and was tied up, it had no effect on him. He only needed a thought to travel through time.

After several analyses, the mother and daughter felt relieved and talked about Mrs. Huo again.

Mrs. Huo has been living here for some time, waiting to take care of her mother-in-law and children, but she has not been idle.

In addition to watching TV dramas and the like, I also asked the mother and daughter many questions.

It’s about subsequent development.

After listening to it, Jun Qiulan was surprised to find that this famous Madam Ruan was indeed extraordinary.

In just a few days, without even stepping out of the door, you can understand many truths and the direction of future development.

Strengthen the country, enrich the people, and develop the economy.

These are what they were originally doing, but there are always mistakes. Mrs. Huo also put forward some suggestions and opinions this time.

One of them is the issue of compulsory education.

Nine-year compulsory education is free of tuition for nine years and is mandatory. If a family has a child who is unwilling to send him/her to school, staff from the relevant departments will visit the family in person to persuade the parents.

This policy is almost enough to make the entire population illiterate.

At the beginning of the year, they implemented a policy of waiving half of the tuition fees for girls, so naturally there were more female students in the school.

But compared to boys, it is still pitifully small.

There's no way, the border town is not rich.

Even though the prices of pens, ink, paper, and books have dropped a lot, for most people, it is already very difficult for a family to send a boy to school.

If we really want to ensure that every child can go to school, we probably have to follow the example of the world. Not to mention nine years of compulsory education, even two years is enough for them.

Even the dumbest person should be able to learn the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic in two years.

But in order to truly implement this policy, they must first fill their treasury.

Otherwise, without sufficient financial support, everything is just empty talk.

And how to fill the national treasury?

Normally, that's taxes.

But it is obvious that Jun Qiulan intends to reduce agricultural taxes, ease the burden on the people, and allow them to have more meals.

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. Once this policy is implemented, there will be no reason to regret it, otherwise the people will be dissatisfied.

After much thought, Mrs. Huo decided that commercial tax was the biggest expense.

Jun Qiulan pondered for a moment, "There's no rush for this."

Development must be achieved step by step.

He added, "When we return this time, we should confront the imperial court head-on. We should first capture more cities, and then gradually advance our policies and ideas."

Yan Jing listened for a while and said, "Decades ago, state-owned enterprises provided many basic jobs for the people. Perhaps we can follow their example."

Song Xirong’s girls’ school now has something similar in its meaning.

It provides jobs for girls and allows them to learn knowledge.

In order to develop the economy in the future, setting up factories is inevitable.

The money earned can not only fill the national treasury, but also allow the people to make money.

Jun Qiulan nodded: "These are all part of the plan. After all, we have to win the battle first before we can discuss subsequent developments."

Even though they have gunpowder now, it won't be easy if a real fight breaks out.

One is the issue of military strength.

They only have an army of hundreds of thousands, and they have to guard against the Rong and Di tribes outside the Great Wall. They will definitely leave some troops here later.

Even if the Rongdi were frightened this time, they were cunning by nature. Who knew if they would take advantage of their internal strife to suddenly attack their rear?

By then, we will be attacked from both sides.

Besides, the number of troops fighting against the imperial court was just over 100,000.

But the combined military strength of the entire Dasheng is several times greater than theirs.

Even if some garrisons were left in the other border cities and could be mobilized to fight them, the number of troops would be at least three times theirs.

Gunpowder, thrown into a crowd of people, is an indiscriminate attack.

After all, the imperial court's troops are the same as them, they are of the same ethnic group.

The psychological difference was from the previous killing of the Rong and Di people, and those soldiers were just following orders.

To be honest, those soldiers might have been hungry when they were fighting with them.

Jun Qiulan shook his head and threw away these overly merciful thoughts.

To those soldiers, they are now the rebels.

Those soldiers may not show mercy to them.

The best way is to win the battle at the lowest cost and then gradually recruit those soldiers.

Yan Jing also knew Jun Qiulan. "Perhaps you can also try psychological warfare. I'll check the information when I get back for the details."

Jun Qiulan nodded, "Thank you very much, Weixi."

He checked the time and said, "Everyone should get some rest early. I have to travel tomorrow."

The mother and daughter went back next door and continued to discuss the follow-up with Mrs. Huo.

Jun Qiulan raised an eyebrow and looked at Yan Jing: "Big Director, you don't plan to go home?"

From the beginning, for convenience, Yan Jing lived with him every day. In the morning, Tang Te would come to pick up Yan Jing to go to the crew.

Yan Jing couldn't help laughing: "What? The big star wants to kick me out?"

Jun Qiulan: "Let's go back and see grandpa and grandma."

I brought some snacks back today and gave some to my mother and younger sister. The rest are for Grandpa Yan and the others.

This snack can't be kept for long.

"I understand. I'll go back tomorrow. There's no need to rush today."

Jun Qiulan couldn't say anything.

He originally guessed that Yan Jing had contacted the Yan family and was going back to tell Grandpa Yan and discuss it, but he didn't expect that Yan Jing was not in a hurry.

In this case, he didn't say much.

The next morning.

Yan Jing held Jun Qiulan and kissed her for a long time, "Remember, your own safety is the most important thing."

He was always worried that he couldn't accompany Jun Qiulan on the journey.

Jun Qiulan: "The truth is still with me, don't worry."

Yan Jing: "If you come back, remember to send me a message immediately."

"You're being too long-winded, Director Yan."

Yan Jing was so angry that he laughed, and couldn't help but hold the person down and kiss him for a while.

"Go away." Jun Qiulan said with a hint of shame and anger, "Tang Te has been waiting for a long time."

Yan Jing then packed up his clothes and left first.

Jun Qiulan also tidied herself up and looked at her own lips in the mirror which were so red that she was speechless.

I immediately looked away and pretended not to see it.

Everyone was worried that Jun Qiulan would have to travel alone in the last few days of his trip.

But in fact, it was just as Jun Qiulan thought.

During the next three days, there was almost no danger.

At least no direct danger occurred, and the truth in his hands was never used once.

One of the Huo family soldiers who had dispersed earlier turned back and reported some things to him.

"It seems like there's a third party involved, or maybe several parties are facing each other and started fighting among themselves."

It's not impossible.

Several of the princes' relatives wanted to kill him, but they also wanted each other's lives.

But Jun Qiulan is more inclined to believe that the so-called third party should be the emperor's people.

In the previous assassination attempts they had encountered, judging by their attire and weapons, they were not attacked by the same faction.

It’s the same old saying, transportation is slow in this era.

There's no quick way to convey information.

The mastermind behind the scenes probably doesn't even know that those killers died at their hands.

Furthermore, they were assassinated just two days after leaving the border town. It seemed that this group of people knew that he was going to enter the capital a long time ago.

If you think about it carefully, the first team might also be the work of the emperor.

Maybe he just wanted to see if he still had this ability?

It's also very funny.

Jun Qiulan wanted to laugh out loud as he thought about it.

This emperor had some brains, but not much, and he became even more confused as he got older.

But there was also a problem. Jun Qiulan seemed a little serious. He was afraid that the events in the border town still could not escape the emperor's eyes and ears.

I think so.

After the other princes' relatives learned that he was unable to recover and no longer posed a threat, they probably wouldn't pay too much attention to his news.

But the emperor is different.

The border town is so big that even though Huo Lan and Duan Wen tried their best to wipe out a group of spies, there might still be some that slipped through the net.

Besides, they didn’t lock down the city, and there were many people from other places coming to do business.

You can enter the city smoothly by disguising yourself as a caravan.

It's not difficult to find out about their family.

Jun Qiulan's heart sank.

In any case, he didn't really return to Beijing to be the regent. He came to pick up General Huo's family.

If he hadn't wanted to get to the bottom of the court issues, he could have sneaked into the capital.

The gates of the capital city are still as magnificent as ever.

He didn't know if it was Jun Qiulan's illusion, but he always felt that the gate of the capital was not as tall as before.

It is no longer invulnerable.

As soon as we entered the city, a group of people came over. There were about a hundred of them, all wearing uniform clothes.

Looks pretty handsome.

"Your Highness, I respectfully welcome you back to the capital. I am here to bring you into the palace on His Majesty's orders."

Jun Qiulan thought, this is quite a big fuss, is he afraid that no one will know that he, the deposed prince, is back?

After all, I had lived in the capital for more than ten years and had spent a lot of time outside the palace.

He was later arrested and paraded through the streets, and many people had seen him.

In just a short while, someone recognized him as the deposed crown prince and started whispering to each other.

For a moment, Jun Qiulan didn't know whether this was the emperor's appreciation of him or a warning to him.

Jun Qiulan was more inclined to the latter, guessing that the emperor wanted him to know that even if the emperor was old and the situation was chaotic, the emperor was still capable of controlling the overall situation.

Thinking of this, he wanted to laugh even more.

If he could really control the overall situation, the current situation would not be what it is now, and he, the deposed crown prince, would not be summoned back to the capital.

He recognized the man in front of him, Huang Liang, the commander of the Imperial Guards.

In short, they were the emperor's personal soldiers.

Huang Liang said respectfully, "Your Highness, please follow me into the carriage. His Majesty is already waiting."

Jun Qiulan did not refuse, "Thank you, Commander Huang."

Huang Liang respectfully invited Jun Qiulan to get in the car and drove into the city.

I haven't ridden in a carriage for a long time, so I felt a little uncomfortable at first.

Even the roads in the capital are still very bumpy.

It's totally incomparable to their cement roads.

Jun Qiulan lifted the curtain and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar capital city.

It's really different from before he left.

The streets and buildings seemed to be no different, but the people on the streets walked with their heads down and in a hurry.

There were hardly any smiles on their faces.

It seems that the situation in the capital is more chaotic than they imagined.

After all, it was the capital of the emperor. Although the former capital city could not be compared with modern society, it was definitely the richest place and the people lived a comfortable life.

If we really want to talk about a place where we can live and work in peace and contentment, the former capital can still be considered one of them.

At least for their time.

But now, in just two years, the smiles on people's faces have disappeared.

He could sense someone was secretly observing their convoy.

I guess they are also the relatives of the princes.

The fact that he returned to Beijing alive and well this time probably shocked these people quite a bit.

This was a place where he was not welcome.

He may not like this place, but it makes the people here suffer.

The carriage wobbled all the way into the palace.

To be honest, Jun Qiulan's mood is still complicated.

The door to the palace that Huang Liang took with him was the same door that the royal relatives used to go through.

In the past, he went in and out several times, and all the generals guarding the gate were respectful.

No, that's not right.

Since the emperor had a biological son, the treatment of the crown prince has changed.

Some of the soldiers guarding the gate became increasingly perfunctory in their salutes to him.

But he didn't care at the time.

Now it is even less likely to care.

The carriage actually went straight to the emperor's bedroom.

This surprised Jun Qiulan very much.

After entering the palace, there is a short stretch of road where carriages can pass. When you arrive at this place, no matter who you are, you have to get off the carriage.

However, people with status like the emperor and empress, including Jun Qiulan in the past, could ride in sedan chairs after getting off the carriage.

This time, he actually took a carriage directly to the bedroom.

Jun Qiulan sighed and got off the carriage.

Huang Liang led the way, "Your Majesty has been wondering for the past few days when Your Highness will arrive."

Jun Qiulan thought to himself that his previous guess was indeed correct.

The first group of people to assassinate them must be the emperor's men.

It is even possible that someone has been following him all the way.

But what does it matter?

Jun Qiulan did not respond to Huang Liang's words.

Huang Liang didn't seem to notice Jun Qiulan's indifference, and even continued, "For two years, His Majesty has always been thinking about you. There was nothing he could do about what happened back then."

Jun Qiulan really couldn't help but chuckle.

Was there nothing that could be done about what happened back then?

Jun Qiulan was convicted of treason, but the case was decided without trial. Apart from the emperor, who among the foreign relatives at that time could have such a great ability?

Huang Liang was actually a little embarrassed.

Everyone knew what happened back then.

Huang Liang was well aware of the emperor's current situation. The court was in too much chaos. The emperor was old and unable to handle the situation.

Now, we have found a capable person.

Thinking back to the past, the young Crown Prince was indeed capable.

Before the emperor had a biological son, who wouldn't say that he was a qualified crown prince?

Jun Qiulan waited at the door for the eunuch to come in and report.

The young eunuch in front of him was no longer the imperial servant he was familiar with.

Even on the way here, he didn't see many familiar faces.

It is not difficult to imagine that the people serving in the palace have probably undergone a major replacement.

After a while, the eunuch respectfully invited Jun Qiulan in.

Huang Liang did not follow him in, but took his men to guard outside the hall.

Jun Qiulan was lost in thought as he walked in and saw the emperor sitting on the dragon couch.

Looks much older.

He vaguely remembered the last time he saw the emperor, which was before he was imprisoned.

The emperor was still healthy at that time.

My hair is almost completely white now.

Judging from age, the emperor is not much older than his parents, but now he looks like two generations older.

But strangely, Jun Qiulan felt that the emperor was in quite good spirits.

It's just that look that's a little strange.

No, to be precise, the color of the eyes is a little strange, an abnormal yellow.

Jun Qiulan didn't look at it any further.

Having been away from here for so long and in the world of equality for so long, he almost forgot that under normal circumstances, one cannot look directly into the Holy Face.

It is extremely disrespectful.

Jun Qiulan came back to do his job, not to provoke the emperor.

He saluted respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you and wish you a long life."

The emperor also stared at him for a long time, this young man who had called him father for eighteen years.

I feel complicated.

He didn't even know if this decision was the right one.

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The author has something to say: Thank you all for your support, I love you.