Behind him was a group of capable and sturdy followers, all of whom were holding weapons, full of vigor, and walking with murderous intent.
The whole place was unusually silent.
The first thing Du Shaoxuan saw was Mu Wanqing in the crowd. She was still wearing a neat men's suit, and her pair of black eyes were sparkling, vivid and lively, just as he remembered.
"What's going on?"
The officer whose palm was shot was very nervous. He could not wait to complain, "Young General, these people are exiled prisoners. They actually poisoned civilians and dared to go against the government with the intention of rebellion..."
As long as he could nail the other person to death, he could escape safely.
Before he could finish, Du Shaoxuan frowned slightly, "Mu Wanqing, why don't you use the token I gave you when you encounter problems?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the official's face turned pale and his lips trembled.
MD, who can tell him how the young general knew Mu Wanqing? Her tone sounded familiar?
He was cheated, he must have been cheated!
Mu Wanqing was a little surprised. Why did he appear here? Also, why was he called the little general?
She casually pulled out the token from her neck and shook it. "I can handle this kind of small situation, and I don't want to cause you any trouble."
One asked naturally, the other answered casually, and the two seemed to be accustomed to this kind of getting along.
However, the pupils of the Du family members who were watching around were shocked.
Oh my god, such an important token was given away? What is their relationship?
Also, why didn't Mu Wanqing take it out earlier? If she had taken it out, there wouldn't be so many troubles.
Brother Du Jiu was the most frustrated. His face looked extremely ugly and he wanted to pound the ground.
Du Shaoxuan walked up to Mu Wanqing and looked at her steadily, seeming to disagree. "Have I shown you the Art of War? I want to test you."
Mu Wanqing was speechless. How could this be possible?
Du Shaoxuan did not wait for her to respond and directly asked the question, "Warfare is the art of deception. Use profit to lure people..." Note (1)
Mu Wanqing subconsciously continued, "Take them when they are in disorder, prepare for them when they are strong, avoid them when they are strong, frustrate them when they are angry, make them arrogant when they are humble, tire them out when they are idle, separate them when they are close, attack them when they are least prepared, and surprise them when they are least expected." Note (2)
She knew them by heart, having grown up reading these books.
Du Shaoxuan's expression eased a little, "Then why are you still being stupid? You are so weak and frail, but you actually got into a fight with someone. You used your weakness to fight a reckless man. Are you stupid? You should learn how to outsmart others, or surrender without a fight."
He starts lecturing as soon as he opens his mouth, but behind that is full of concern.
As for those officers, he didn't even look at them, as they were all irrelevant people.
The Du family felt even more complicated. The young general was the kind of person who wanted those he loved to live and those he hated to die. He was particularly caring towards the people he cared about, even though his words were sometimes not very pleasant to the ears.
For people I hate, I will just kill them without even looking at them.
Obviously, Mu Wanqing caught the young general's eye.
I just don't know how they knew each other?
Mu Wanqing couldn't help but roll her eyes. He really treated her like a soldier and scolded her. "I have already made arrangements for the backup plan...ah, here it comes, but it's a step too late."
A group of soldiers rushed over, led by Jiang Tongzhi. He shouted angrily, "No one is allowed to cause trouble. I want to see who dares to disobey the orders of the Dusi Mansion. Well, you have all learned to disobey in secret. Arrest them all."
As soon as he received Mu Wanqing's request for help, he brought people here in person, and he was very angry.
These people are trying to turn the tables. They have been openly disobeying orders from above time and time again. It seems they must be severely disciplined.
Du Shaoxuan turned around and greeted him, "Brother-in-law."
Jiang Tongzhi was stunned. "Zedi, you're back? When did you come back? Why did you come here?"
What else does Mu Wanqing not understand after seeing this? The young general is the only son of General Du, the future commander of the Du family army, and the heir to the Dusi Mansion.
Her mood was a little complicated. She couldn't say she was surprised, but there was only a hint of disappointment.
According to her original plan, she was going to use Jiang Tongzhi to severely punish everyone and shock them.
And the person who jumps out to cause trouble at this moment is naturally the chicken to be killed to scare the monkey.
But Du Shaoxuan suddenly appeared and ruined her plan.
"Isn't your name Du Shaoxuan?" She doesn't like lying!
"Du Yuze, courtesy name Shaoxuan." Du Shaoxuan was very frank, he did not lie to her.
Jiang Tongzhi looked at this and that, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, "Do you really know each other?"
Du Shaoxuan nodded slightly, but before he could say anything, Du Jiu, who was standing beside him, saw that the situation was getting worse and worse, and couldn't wait to jump out, "Brother Ze, she shot your sister-in-law with an arrow, and she has been bedridden ever since..."
Unexpectedly, Du Shaoxuan's eyes lit up, and he was a little delighted, "You can also shoot arrows? You have such a skill?"
Sure enough, she is a good material for being a soldier.
Mu Wanqing looked at him several times and made sure that he was not interested in Du Jiu's accusations, and didn't even care about Jiu's sister-in-law's injuries.
This is very interesting. Logically speaking, they have a close relationship and can be considered family members. There must be something hidden here, which is a good thing for her.
"Yes, it has a sight installed, so every arrow hits the target accurately, and the impact force is huge, so it doesn't matter if the archer doesn't have much strength."
Her words were vague, but Du Shaoxuan was an expert and understood the trick as soon as he heard it. His eyes lit up surprisingly. "You designed it? How are you so capable? Can you... show it to me?"
He knew that this technology was top secret and would not be shown to others easily.
Mu Wanqing was quite generous to him. After all, he was her lifesaver. "I can give you one."
Du Shaoxuan was delighted. "Okay, old rules. I'll trade with you whatever you want."
He doesn't take other people's things for nothing.
The two of them were chatting happily and neither of them cared about other people's eyes.
Du Jiu was about to vomit blood. This little ancestor really couldn't tell the difference between inside and outside. "Brother Ze, she stabbed Li Baihu with a dagger and seriously injured him. She is extremely dangerous. Stay away from her quickly. Be careful that she will suddenly go crazy and stab you."
We must not let Mu Wanqing get involved with the future heir of the Du family.
Otherwise, they will never be able to turn things around in their lifetime.
Although they are all members of the Du family, they all depend on the direct branch for survival, and the direct branch's preferences determine their future.
Du Shaoxuan raised his eyebrows, "Who is Captain Li?"
Du Jiu was in a terrible state. He didn't even know this? This showed how indifferent he was to the people and things in the clan.
"Your sister-in-law's biological brother."
A flattering smiling face appeared in Du Shaoxuan's mind. It was him.
"Mu Wanqing, you said you wouldn't stab anyone."
Mu Wanqing silently hid the dagger behind her back, "This... is an accident. Believe me, it is really an accident."
"Once you give it to me, it's mine and you can't take it back."
Du Shaoxuan's mouth twitched. Is he that kind of person? "What kind of evil thing did that guy do?"
Mu Wanqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, "He hurt my eldest brother, not only did he want to steal my secret recipe, he also wanted me to be his bed warmer."
Du Shaoxuan's face darkened. "He deserved to be stabbed. He deserved to die. Is he dead? If he's not dead, investigate his past. If he's found to have committed a crime, we will not tolerate him. Brother-in-law, I'll leave this matter to you."
"Yes." Jiang Tongzhi responded readily.
He had long disliked certain people in the Du family, but he had too many concerns and was reluctant to punish them harshly.
Du Shaoxuan is different. He has the right to rule the country. He is not only a general of the Du family army, but also the deputy commander of the Dusi Mansion and the prince of the Cheng'en Mansion.
He possesses unrivalled love and power. In Xiliang, he is second to none and will be the lord of Xiliang in the future.
Du Jiu was in despair. What happened to him? Why was his arm bent outward?
His brother-in-law is also considered Du Shaoxuan's own man! He doesn't give him much face!
No, he couldn't just sit there and wait for death.
"Ze Di, did she tell you that she was a lowly exiled female prisoner? Her entire family had committed a serious crime and was exiled here by the emperor."
He knew that Du Shaoxuan hated criminals the most.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Du Shaoxuan's expression became serious and he said loudly, "Everyone of the Mu family, accept the order."
Mu Wanqing was stunned. "Ah, huh?"
Du Shaoxuan took out the bright yellow imperial edict and said, "Mu Wanqing, this is the imperial edict from the emperor. Kneel down and receive it."
All the members of the Mu family knelt down, the guests knelt down, the Du family members and the officials also knelt down.
The imperial edict represents the king.
Only Mu Wanqing was standing there, looking a little confused.
Master Mu tugged at her clothes and said, "Qing'er, stop being in a daze and kneel down quickly."
Mu Wanqing pursed her lips. She picked a flat place and knelt down, her heart pounding. She had a premonition!
Du Shaoxuan opened the imperial edict, and his clear voice rang out over the snack street.
"In compliance with the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The Mu family is virtuous, diligent, docile, and talented. I grant them one hundred ounces of gold and pardon the Mu family, allowing them to return to their hometown as civilians. However, the lineage of Mu Zhongde is not included in the pardon. The following three generations will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations or hold official positions. I decree this." Note (3)
He was an imperial envoy who issued the imperial decree. He had traveled all the way back through wind and rain to give her a surprise.
Ahhh, it’s a pardon.
From today on, the Mu family is no longer exiled criminals, but civilians!
A warm feeling surged in Mu Wanqing's heart. She had succeeded. She had exchanged the cement formula for an imperial decree of amnesty.
From then on, she was no longer bound by her identity and could pursue her career openly!
The Mu clan members looked up in disbelief.
After an unknown amount of time, a cry was heard, and then the cry became louder and louder, until it turned into a loud wailing.
Countless people shed tears as if they were infected.
This is tears of joy! This is the ecstasy of seeing the light!
"I never dreamed that there would be such a day, our Mu family would be free!"
"Why can't I believe it? I must be dreaming."
"It's true, we are free! We can go back to the capital!"
Mu Wanqing pursed her lips and for the first time sincerely thanked the king, "Your Majesty is so gracious and wise. Thank you, Your Majesty."
She took the imperial edict from Du Shaoxuan and held it carefully, her emotions so complicated that they could not be described in words.
A thin imperial edict changed the fate of countless people.
Du Shaoxuan glanced at her for a few times. Her childish face was not suitable for such a heavy expression. He cleared his throat and said, "This is your favorite gold. The emperor specifically gave it to you."
This is the result of her achievements, it is glory.
Mu Wanqing thought about the gold, her eyes rolling around, "Can the gold given by the emperor be used?
Du Shaoxuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she had regained her former agility. "Others are just worshipping her."
"Will it work?" Mu Wanqing looked at him eagerly.
Du Shaoxuan had no way to deal with her. "Okay, gold doesn't have an internal mark."
Mu Wanqing suddenly became happy, "I want to make a set of gold jewelry, wear it every day, and bathe in the emperor's grace every day. If anyone bullies me, I will hit him with the gold jewelry."
Du Shaoxuan couldn't help but burst out laughing, what a clever little ghost.
The two of them smiled at each other, and the atmosphere was really great.
The Du family was in an uproar. It turned out that Mu Wanqing was not bragging. She really had an appointment with the king.
Listen, the imperial edict praised her highly, and she can be regarded as a role model for women.
It is both amnesty and reward of gold. There are few such treatments in the world.
So, how did she do it?
The Du Jiu brothers looked at each other with bitter feelings. They actually offended such a powerful figure.
They are blind!
Du Shaoxuan took out another brocade box and said, "This is a gift from the prince to you."
Mu Wanqing likes to receive gifts, but she has principles. "Why did he give it to me? We don't know each other."
"It's a thank you gift. The prince used your secret recipes and they were quite effective." Du Shaoxuan said it simply, but there were more hidden secrets that could not be told to outsiders.
Mu Wanqing suddenly realized that the frail relative Du Shaoxuan was referring to was the prince.
She thought it was her lover, haha.
"The prince is a rare gentleman."
She didn't open the box to look, but shoved it under her arm. "Have you eaten? I'll treat you to something."
Du Shaoxuan's eyes lit up. He had been busy traveling all the way and was exhausted, so he didn't eat or drink well.
"Did you make it yourself? I want to eat beef noodles. I ate it once last time and I've been thinking about it."
"There's no beef." Mu Wanqing asked with a smile, "But everything I cook is delicious. Do you want some臊子面?"
"Eat." Du Shaoxuan nodded without hesitation. Her cooking skills were amazing.
Mu Wanqing made a gesture of invitation, "Serve it with a dish of braised pig's trotters. They are soft, chewy and not greasy at all. Pair it with a few dishes of refreshing cold dishes, and the meal will be complete."
Du Shaoxuan's mind was hooked, and he followed Mu Wanqing without hesitation.
Tongzhi Jiang looked at the man and woman walking side by side and was stunned. Just left like that?
"Zedi, come back home and eat. The food outside is not clean. Everyone at home misses you and hopes you can come home soon."
Du Shaoxuan then remembered that he had a brother-in-law, and turned around and waved, "Brother-in-law, you go ahead and do your work. I'll go back home after dinner. Miss Wanqing's cooking skills are better than the imperial chef. If you miss out, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
"Well, if you eat it, you will miss it for the rest of your life, brother-in-law, you'd better not eat it."
Jiang Tongzhi: ...What a lousy brother-in-law! I can't keep him anymore!
The author has something to say:
Notes (1) and (2) are from the chapter on strategy in The Art of War.
Note (3) The praise for Mu Wanqing is taken from the example of the imperial edict in which Bai Niang was rewarded.
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