After the New Year, Ji Mohan got busy again. Their friction with Huangzhou escalated, with both sides eyeing each other warily, and a clash could easily break out.
These past few days have been good for Jing Xi and Yan Wan, as their hot pot restaurant in Yunzhou is about to open. This is their first hot pot restaurant in Northwest China.
"Wan'er, we're heading back to Yunzhou today," Jing Xi said happily. She and Yan Wan couldn't stay outside Huangzhou City any longer; they needed to get back early to prepare for the opening ceremony.
"Yes, Jingxi, I've packed up. Let's go back and prepare as soon as possible. I might have to come back as soon as I'm ready." Yan Wan looked at the city gate of Huangzhou with some worry. She had to go and come back quickly. She had been feeling uneasy these past few days.
"Come back? The war is about to start, it's too dangerous here. You should stay in Yunzhou, it's safer there," Jing Xi sincerely suggested.
"No, Jing Xi, he's still here. I have to come back," Yan Wan said firmly.
It goes without saying that everyone knows who Yan Wan is referring to.
——
"Prince An, are you ready?" The Mongol merchant appeared behind Ji Mo An and asked.
"Of course, I believe we can definitely storm the capital and get what I want," Ji Mo'an said confidently, taking a sip of tea.
This time, everything will be foolproof.
"Very good, then wish us success. I will lend you a hand when the time comes," the Mongol merchant said with satisfaction.
Ji Mo'an stood up, and he and the Meng merchant exchanged a smile. Their grand plan was sure to succeed.
"Brother, I just received a letter from Father. He is personally leading troops on his way," Ji Mosheng said as he entered Ji Mohan's tent, holding the letter.
He was a little confused about his father's meaning. He and his brother were both in the Northwest, so why did his father lead the troops here in person? Did his father not trust him and his brother?
Ji Mohan paused in his writing, frowned, put down his pen, took the letter from Ji Mosheng, glanced at it quickly, and then slammed it down on the table with a thud.
It seems that the Emperor doesn't trust them and is afraid that they are colluding with Uncle An behind the scenes, so he came to keep an eye on the two of them in person.
“Father is gone, and the capital is leaderless. If someone causes trouble now, things will be in complete chaos,” Ji Mosheng said with some worry.
This was the last thing he wanted to see; they might be attacked from both sides, which would be extremely dangerous.
He didn't understand. Was his father truly unaware, or was he simply too confident that the capital wouldn't descend into chaos?
"It's no use talking about this now. Since Father has brought the army this way, I must leave," Ji Mohan said in a deep voice.
"Why? Royal brother, why don't you meet with..." Father? Before Ji Mosheng could finish speaking, Ji Mohan raised his hand to interrupt him.
“My fiefdom is in Yunzhou. If he sees me suddenly appearing here, what do you think he will think?” Ji Mohan said with a cold smile.
"I'll explain to Father Emperor later, Your Majesty, please believe me," Ji Mosheng said somewhat anxiously.
"No need. Do you think he'll believe that? He might even think we're putting on an act for him," Ji Mohan said sarcastically. His good father was the most suspicious person.
Ji Mosheng opened his mouth, wanting to say that his father wouldn't think that way, but he actually felt that his elder brother was right, that his father was no longer the father he used to be.
Ji Mosheng left dejectedly. Just after he left, Yan Wan came to Ji Mohan's tent to talk about her and Jing Xi's return to Yunzhou City.
"Hanhan, are you alright?" Yan Wan asked worriedly, noticing Ji Mohan's unhappy expression.
When Ji Mohan saw that it was Yan Wan, his composed expression eased. He got up and walked to Yan Wan's side, saying gently, "I'm fine. Why did you come? Are you done with your work?" He knew that even though Yan Wan was in Huangzhou City, she still had to take care of the shops in Yunzhou City. Sometimes, she was even busier than him.
Ji Mohan: What do I do when my wife is busier than me? Waaaaah~
Seeing that Ji Mohan seemed to be alright, Yan Wan was relieved. "Hanhan, Jingxi and I are afraid we'll have to go back to Yunzhou, so we came to let you know in advance."
"Hmm, perfect timing. I'll go back to Yunzhou with you." Ji Mohan thought to himself, "That's great. I can go back to Yunzhou with my wife. It seems that the old emperor's visit does have some benefits."
Yan Wan looked at Ji Mohan with some surprise, "You're leaving with us, but what about Huangzhou? What will happen after you leave?"
Ji Mohan said in a somewhat gloomy voice, "I have to leave. My father has brought his troops here." As a prince with a fiefdom, he cannot leave his fiefdom without the emperor's summons. If he stays here, he might be accused of some kind of crime.
"Father? He's come to the Northwest too?" Yan Wan thought, "They've gone mad, they've all gone mad, why are they running around everywhere without any regard for the consequences!"
"Hmm." Ji Mohan didn't want to continue bringing up that heartless person, so he changed the subject, asking, "When do you plan to return to Yunzhou?"
“Jing Xi said she’s leaving this afternoon,” Yan Wan said truthfully.
“Alright, let’s leave together this afternoon.” Ji Mohan nodded and said. If they left in the afternoon, there was still time to pack up. For him, the sooner they left, the better, for fear that his good father, the emperor, might suddenly appear in the northwest.
In the afternoon, after seeing Ji Mohan, Yan Wan, Jing Xi and the others off, Ji Mosheng returned to his own tent. He needed to think carefully about how to deal with his father's arrival.
Two days later, in Yunzhou City.
"Hey, don't miss out! Yan's Hot Pot is about to open! Everyone, young and old, brothers and sisters, come and see!" Yan Wan hired a few little beggars as waiters and had them hawk their wares on the street. They were all pitiful children, and she would help as many as she could.
The crackling sound of firecrackers rang out in waves. Yunzhou City hadn't been this lively in a long time, so many people came to join in the fun.
People looked at the newly opened hot pot restaurant with curiosity. Firstly, they had never heard of the name before, and secondly, very few outsiders had set up shop there, so many people came to join in the fun.
"Hey everyone, come look here! Our boss said that Yanji Hotpot also buys beef and mutton. Anyone who wants to sell beef or mutton can come to Yanji Hotpot. We'll pay 10% more than the market price." The waiter was still promoting enthusiastically.
His words immediately attracted the attention of the people around him, who all eagerly asked him if it was true. In Yunzhou, it was common for every household to have cattle and sheep. If it were true, their lives would probably be much better.
The waiter was surrounded by a crowd and wished he had eight hundred mouths to explain. In no time, the lively scene attracted even more people to watch, and Yanji Hot Pot became an instant hit in Yunzhou City.
"Jingxi, you're so clever to have come up with such a great idea. It not only brings convenience to the people of Yunzhou, but also allows them to buy beef and mutton here and then transport them to the capital to sell, ensuring a continuous supply of goods," Yan Wan exclaimed in admiration.
"Wan'er, stop praising me. If you keep praising me, I'll get carried away." Jing Xi had been praised by Yan Wan for almost half an hour. If she was praised any more, she would be on cloud nine.
She felt a little embarrassed but also happy; a good friend who provides emotional support is truly wonderful.
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