Chapter 55 The Truth, Twenty-One!
Chapter 55
Yan Danqing finally managed to divert everyone's attention and let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.
As he explained his thoughts step by step, everyone's expressions grew increasingly solemn. They didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded emphatically to show their attitude.
Bai Chengguang asked in bewilderment, "Chizhan Lance is now in the hands of Daliang, and the conspiracy has been exposed. The situation is not yet dire, so why is General Yan in such a hurry?"
“Delay will only bring trouble, and time waits for no one. Today is already the fifth day of the third month…” Yan Danqing shook his head, “We can’t delay any longer.”
Ye Xiren's heart skipped a beat.
Others might not know, but she does.
The imperial court is hiding a secret and insists on peace talks. What potential risks lie ahead? It's already the fifth day of the third month. How long can the soldiers at the Huai'an Canal hold out? Does the court's eagerness for peace talks indicate that the secret they're hiding cannot be delayed any longer?
Thinking of this, Ye Xiren let out a long sigh of relief, rubbed her tired brows to relieve the pressure.
"We should not delay and should begin the investigation as soon as possible." Zheng Wenjue trusted Yan Danqing's intuition and said solemnly, "Whether or not there are peace talks, we must reach a conclusion as soon as possible."
Yan Danqing noticed the fatigue on Ye Xiren's face out of the corner of his eye and softened his voice: "It won't make a difference if we wait a little longer. The esteemed officials haven't rested yet. We can continue the investigation after dawn."
He looked at Ye Xiren, his eyes filled with worry:
"Miss Ye has been working very hard these days. She should rest well today and not overwork herself."
Ye Xiren felt a warmth in her heart and nodded.
She did feel quite tired. She didn't know why, but when she was busy, she didn't feel it. But once she relaxed, she felt like she was being swallowed by darkness. She was so tired that she couldn't even lift her hands. She felt weak all over and desperately needed to rest.
"I'll see you off," Yan Danqing said again.
Ye Pei suddenly spoke up, a fake smile on his face: "No need, I'll take Xixi back myself. General Yan is a busy man, so I won't trouble you with my daughter. Farewell."
After saying that, he dragged Ye Xiren away, clearly still upset about what had happened earlier.
Yan Danqing wanted to say something, but after opening her mouth, she swallowed it back. She took a few steps forward, her eyes fixed on Ye Xiren's back, her expression gradually becoming dejected, and her heart filled with unease.
Lord Ye...
It seems I've started to dislike him less?
See you later.
Yan Danqing immediately became happy, his lips curled up, he nodded emphatically, and took a few more steps forward until he could no longer see Ye Xiren's back.
On the other side.
Ye Pei led her into the carriage, turned to look at Ye Xiren, wanting to say something, but stopped abruptly when he saw the other's furrowed brows.
I didn't want her to get involved, but she's already embroiled in it. Yan Danqing doesn't tell them everything, but Xixi knows it all, so she's definitely at the center of the storm.
Judging from the current situation, Yan Danqing was able to get out, and the crisis in Daliang was resolved thanks in no small part to Xixi, who also did a lot behind their backs...
"As a father, I always hope that you will not get involved in dangerous things, and you will not have to work so hard."
Ye Pei finally patted her head and said softly, "But I don't know why, looking at you now, I can't help but feel sorry for you. My Xixi must have gone through a lot to become so courageous."
His face was full of heartache and worry.
His daughter is about to leave home and take flight, and the outside world needs her. What can he do? Besides feeling heartache, all he can do is carefully support her...
Ye Xiren felt a warmth in her heart, shook her head, and revealed a bright smile, "Father, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? Even if there was some danger before, it's all over now."
If there is a next cycle, even if she explains everything, Ye Pei will forget it again.
Why add to your worries?
Originally, he could have gritted his teeth and endured the pain brought by the cycle on his own, but now that Yan Danqing is joining forces, there is nothing to be afraid of. They have resolved the crisis and successfully entered the fifth day of the third month.
Ye Pei's eyes still showed concern, and he sighed silently, "Get a good night's sleep. You don't need to worry about tomorrow... no, I should say today's events. Wait for our news."
Ye Xiren's smile remained unchanged, and she nodded obediently.
March 5th, Chen Shi (7-9 AM)
Inside the carriage, Ye Changming was speechless: "Didn't Father tell you to stay home today? You can't help with what they're doing, so what are you doing out here?"
Not only did she get up very early in the morning, but she also dragged him out of bed and forcibly brought him out to help...
While taking small bites of breakfast, Ye Xiren mumbled a reply: "I suddenly remembered something last night when I was falling asleep. Yan Chunzhou and his team's investigation direction is correct, but to follow up on clues, you need to have a wide range of information. They investigate the official sources, but I also need to look at the private sector."
Where can I find a moment of leisure?
The truth is still unclear and the crisis has not yet been resolved. While official information is important, public information should not be ignored.
Ye Changming frowned, his eyes filled with displeasure. "Yan Chunzhou? Why are you calling him that so intimately?"
How did a young general whom he once admired and even idolized suddenly become "hateful" in the blink of an eye?
Yan Shuang drew her long sword and held it to his neck, her face expressionless: "Be polite to Miss Ye Er."
Ye Changming: "???"
This is my sister, my own sister!!
Ye Xiren paused in her eating of a steamed bun, suppressed a laugh, pulled away Yan Shuang's knife, and waved her hand: "Brother, hurry up and go to the grain store to ask about the current grain prices?"
"Fine, I can't afford to mess with them." Ye Changming wrapped his head around the long sword, stretched out his tall figure, jumped off the car, and obediently got to work.
His sister was very good at manipulating him and knew his "weaknesses," so he could at least put on a brave face.
Now she has Yan Shuang by her side, who is like a knife to her, pointing at her wherever she wants and not letting her be stubborn, forcing her to become an old servant, doing whatever her sister tells her to do...
They're becoming increasingly unapproachable!
Following Ye Xiren's instructions, Ye Changming visited four grain stores in a row. He got back into the car, carrying bags of grain, panting, and asked, "Twenty coins a liter, the price is the same as usual. What's wrong? Why are you asking about grain prices?"
Ye Xiren pursed her lips and didn't answer. She then pointed to the refugees lying on the side of the street and continued to instruct, "Brother, take some silver and have the refugees buy food."
Yan Shuang held a long knife to her neck.
Ye Changming shut up and obediently acted as an "old servant," taking the silver and getting off the carriage to buy grain from the refugees.
Ancestors.
They're all ancestors!
Even Yan Shuang found this arrangement a bit strange, but she was always silent, so she didn't ask if Ye Xiren didn't say anything. She just quietly protected Ye Xiren's safety and waited for Ye Changming to return.
This time the situation is different.
The refugees couldn't buy any food!
"The grain stores don't sell grain to refugees at all!"
Ye Xiren also became serious. She put away the oil paper package she had finished eating, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and her dark eyes darkened slightly. "Brother, find an ordinary person to buy grain."
Ye Changming nodded, then decisively picked up the money, jumped out of the carriage, and went to find someone.
Yan Shuang asked curiously, "What's going on? Why did Miss Ye decide to investigate grain prices?" Moreover, it seems she actually found something; there's something wrong with the grain prices!
Even if she didn't understand, she knew something serious had happened.
Ye Xiren let out a breath, shook her head, and replied, "On the first day of the third month, I was at home doing accounts with my mother when I learned that after the news of the peace talks came out, the previously skyrocketing grain prices gradually stabilized, falling from fifty coins back to twenty coins..."
At the time, my mother even exclaimed that the disaster would pass and life would get better.
But later...
On the third day of the third month during the eighth cycle, she took Ma Shan to find Lu Qian and asked to see Yan Danqing. Ma Shan mentioned that the price of grain was too high, having risen to sixty coins...
Ye Xiren was shocked and very puzzled at the time.
After many cycles, there were too many things to do, and it was not immediately clear what the connection was. It wasn't until yesterday, when Yan Danqing wanted to investigate the truth, that Ye Xiren suddenly remembered it after returning home, which led to today's trip.
"It's already gone up to seventy coins!" Ye Changming entered the carriage, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his expression growing increasingly grave. "I've been to several grain shops, and they're all charging this price, and it's all old grain..."
As he spoke, he almost instinctively looked at Ye Xiren.
Ye Xiren's face turned deathly pale.
There are actually three possibilities!
When the sons of officials went to buy grain, it cost twenty coins, and the price of grain was stable. When ordinary people went to buy grain, it cost seventy coins, and the price of grain had skyrocketed and was completely out of control. When refugees came in, they simply refused to sell to them.
Grain store...
Is there really any food left?
Ye Xiren gripped Yan Shuang's arm tightly and said, word by word, "Leave the city! Go out and see right now!"
-
at the same time.
Inside the tightly closed imperial study, Yan Danqing knelt on the ground, bowing respectfully.
“Chi Zhanlan Ce is absolutely not to be trusted. While he is still in Nandu, I will immediately return to Huai’an Canal and launch an attack while Northern Yan is unprepared! Your Majesty, military matters are of utmost importance. Do not hesitate any longer and issue the decree immediately!”
Liang Yue paused for a moment before saying, "This matter should be discussed with Prime Minister Jiang. The Crown Prince of Northern Yan is genuinely willing to negotiate with Great Liang. If negotiations are possible, why go to war? It would be a waste of resources and manpower..."
Yan Danqing raised his head and suddenly asked, "Is Your Majesty hiding something from me?"
Liang Yue stiffened, then forced a smile and said, "Why would I be hiding anything from you? Chun Zhou, you're overthinking it."
"Am I overthinking things, or does Your Majesty not trust me?" Yan Danqing pursed his lips, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "I remember Your Majesty said that on the day of my triumphant return, you would come to the Hushui River to welcome me..."
"Now I am willing to fight, regardless of life or death, just to win a sliver of hope for the Great Liang. Why won't Your Majesty believe me?"
Liang Yue's breathing was rapid, his hands gripped the armrests tightly, his fingertips turning white, and his voice was calm: "General Yan, the most urgent matter is peace talks. I entrust the Crimson Dragon Orchid Strategy to you. Do you have a way to finalize the peace talks?"
"He has no intention of negotiating!" Yan Danqing's heart burned with anger, his eyes reddening. "Even if he were sincere about negotiating, would Great Liang just let it go? From north to south, how many people have died in Great Liang? This land has been stained with blood and trampled by Northern Yan. How can we not fight back?!"
Invaders should be driven out, not hoped to be spared by the enemy.
who is she?
Who are they?
"The soldiers at Huai'an Canal are still hungry, and Northern Yan could launch an attack at any time. What should we do then?"
Yan Danqing's words were written in tears:
"Your Majesty, at least allocate grain to the Huai'an Canal first to save them!"
Huai'an Canal, grain, save them...
Yan Danqing's breath hitched.
In that instant, his heart felt like it was being gripped by a hand, and he even forgot to continue his questioning. Instead, his voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Your Majesty... who is A-Wan?"
"Who is Awan?"
He unconsciously murmured the name, but couldn't remember anything. His veins bulged, and he punched himself repeatedly, falling off the dragon throne and crashing to the ground.
"Your Majesty!" A eunuch rushed in, shouting anxiously, "Imperial Physician! Quickly summon the Imperial Physician! His Majesty has a headache again!"
Yan Danqing stood there, stunned.
What exactly happened? Who is this "A-Wan" that His Majesty speaks of, the one who caused him such pain?
Liang Yue was helped up, drenched in sweat, his eyes fixed on Yan Danqing, tears streaming down his face. He managed to utter, "It's not that I don't want to save him, it's that I can't! I'm powerless, I'm incompetent, the national treasury, the national treasury..."
He completely fainted, and the imperial study was in complete chaos.
Yan Danqing's pupils contracted upon hearing this.
The national treasury?
The Ministry of Revenue manages the national treasury, but nowadays, it is not entirely under Ye Pei's control. The national treasury is managed by Yu Youcao and Yu Zhize, Jiang You's confidants. They are at odds with Ye Pei and are staunch advocates of peace in the court.
The chief eunuch beside the emperor looked at Yan Danqing coldly, somewhat annoyed: "Lord Zhongyong, can't you speak properly? Why did you anger His Majesty like this?"
Yan Danqing did not argue, but asked anxiously, "How is His Majesty?"
"The imperial physicians are still treating him." The eunuch sighed and shook his head. "Until His Majesty wakes up, Marquis Zhongyong should kneel here and beg for forgiveness."
Yan Danqing bowed his head quietly. The crime of angering His Majesty could be serious or minor. He had to kneel here and wait for Liang Yue to wake up and deal with him.
On the other side.
Yu Zhize's eyes widened as he struggled desperately: "What are you doing? What are you doing?!"
Ye Pei smiled slightly: "It's nothing, I just wanted to talk to the adults and have a chat."
Beside him, Zheng Wenjue stood expressionless.
Yu Zhize: "..."
He glanced at the ropes binding him, snorted sharply, and said, utterly speechless, "Is this what chatting is? Ye Pei, you can't possibly be resorting to underhanded tactics now that you can't win against me, can you?"
He struggled a couple more times, but still couldn't break free.
It was tied quite tightly.
"Of course! My feud with Lord Yu is not something that happened overnight." Ye Pei smiled and squatted down. "So Lord Yu would better behave himself, otherwise, I don't know what I might do."
threaten!
Various instruments of torture were also placed around it.
"Aren't you afraid that the Emperor and Prime Minister Jiang will hold you accountable?" Yu Zhize asked incredulously, his eyes wide as if they could spit fire.
“Well, we have the adults to take the fall, so we’re not at a loss.” Zheng Wenjue smiled, his usually dignified face now showing ill intent. “We certainly don’t have the same relationship with the Emperor and Minister Jiang as you do. The national treasury is in your hands. Tell me, what exactly do you know?”
Yu Zhize spewed profanities and shouted:
"This is Nandu Prefecture. You can shout until you're hoarse, but no one will dare to come in." Zheng Wenjue picked at his ear, looking indifferent. He was interrogating someone on his own turf; who would dare to come in?
Yu Zhize's breath hitched.
Suddenly, Ye Pei said, "Could it be that you're being put in charge of the national treasury so you can help Prime Minister Jiang embezzle funds? Lord Yu, you've been skimming off a lot of money from the national treasury lately, haven't you?"
Yu Zhize was so angry he almost cried. His family was so poor, yet this old man Ye still accused him of embezzlement.
Who is being wronged?
"How much did you embezzle? Give us some, okay?" Ye Pei smiled, his eyes narrowing.
"You're the greedy one, your whole family is greedy!" Yu Zhize gritted his teeth, saying each word clearly, "Do you think I want to manage the national treasury? If you're so capable, then come and do it. I'll hand it over to you without hesitation and promise not to compete with you."
He had long wished to hand over the national treasury, which was originally Ye Pei's responsibility. Prime Minister Jiang dared not let anyone know the state of the national treasury, so he ordered Ye Pei to stay and oversee the Ministry of Revenue, and not to tell anyone.
Since he took over the national treasury, he hasn't slept well at all, and his hair is falling out in clumps.
Aside from the pressure and anxiety, there was no benefit whatsoever. Even so, outsiders said that he was backed by Jiang You, which made Ye Pei, the Minister of Revenue, feel suffocated. This really infuriated him.
Ye Pei's playful smile vanished instantly. He loosened the ropes binding Yu Zhize, his expression completely changing. "It seems there really is a problem here. His Majesty knows, Prime Minister Jiang knows, and you, Yu Zhize, know too..."
"But why are you keeping this from us? You were so focused on peace talks that you almost dragged the Great Liang into the abyss and destroyed the country, and now you're still keeping it from us?"
Zheng Wenjue shook his head, his eyes filled with disappointment:
"There was a problem with the batch of military rations that were sent to the Huai'an Canal. It has been two days since the incident, and the Yan family army has been without food for more than half a month. You still haven't sent any rations to the Huai'an Canal. Do you really want the Northern Yan to storm into the Southern Capital and destroy the Great Liang before you're satisfied?"
The two men pressed closer and closer.
Yu Zhize was released, but he didn't get up immediately. Instead, he slumped into the chair, looking as if all his strength had been drained. His taut back hunched over, making him appear ten years older in an instant, and his voice became hoarse.
"Do you think I wanted this? The national treasury is empty! Do you think I don't know that the Huai'an Canal is currently without grain? Don't His Majesty and Minister Jiang know? It's no use worrying until our hair turns white!"
Where can he conjure up food?
Every time he looked at the empty national treasury, he wished there was a piece of land in front of him so he could carry a hoe and cultivate it himself.
Ye Pei and the other man caught their breath.
The two men exchanged a glance and then hurriedly said, "The national treasury is completely empty! This is a critical moment concerning the life and death of the nation. Even if we have to requisition grain from the various states, even if we have to search everywhere for supplies, we must find a way!"
"Where are we going to collect grain?" Yu Zhize asked rhetorically.
"Neither Jiaozhou nor Xuzhou were affected by the war..."
"Do you think I haven't tried?" Yu Zhizhe interrupted with a wry smile, shaking his head. "I sent a letter to those two states every day, practically begging them on my knees, but it all disappeared without a trace, I received nothing!"
Imperial edicts and secret letters were sent one after another. Prime Minister Jiang even secretly dispatched an imperial envoy to collect grain, but the envoy has not yet returned. Of course, it is possible that the envoy brought back news, but Prime Minister Jiang did not tell him.
The two were stunned again.
How could that be?
Even if these two states want to shirk responsibility, surely they wouldn't just disappear without a trace and disobey the imperial decree? What exactly is going on?
outside the city gate
Ye Xiren's hand gripping the cloak trembled precariously. Her eyes were fixed on the person in front of her. She took two steps forward, her voice trembling slightly: "You just said, where did you come from?"
"Xuzhou".
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Author's note: See you tomorrow!
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