Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Will you still have me in your heart?
When Xie Tingyu heard the words, "Are you really my Xie's child?", he almost spit out all the tea in his mouth.
Thank you, Dasitu, thank you, Dasitu, your words really came true!
Xie Tingyu wiped the tea stains from the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and said with a serious expression, "Everything has a precedent. Mother, this is not surprising."
Xie Qingyan's eyes were deep, the candlelight flickering beneath them into two clusters of dancing flames. "Seldom, I really don't want you to go. You are the only direct descendant of the Chenjun Xie family. You should be in charge of the clan school and bring honor to our family."
"But if I insist on stopping you, I'm afraid we'll become estranged. Well, if you're determined to go, go ahead. I just want you to take care of yourself while you're away and avoid overexerting yourself."
Xie Qingyan stood up, her skirt sweeping across the table. She walked to the carved window, raised her hand to push it open, and gazed at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky. Its light was faint, like a veil covering the courtyard steps.
"As the saying goes, people have joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, just as the moon waxes and wanes. When I sent you away, it was a separation. Now that you've finally returned, it's a reunion, and you've completely changed from your sullen childhood self. This is truly beyond my expectations."
Xie Qingyan looked at Xie Tingyu, her eyes filled with the hope of a mother for her daughter. "The reason I allowed you to join the Sirong Mansion and also promised you a position at the Tingwei Office is not because I want you to have multiple positions, but to give you a way out. If the Sirong Mansion doesn't suit your taste, you can stay at the Tingwei Office, or perhaps transfer you to the Situ Office."
"In short, you can go wherever you want." Xie Qingyan sighed and said with his hands folded: "The next day, when the Feng Pavilion discusses matters, whether as the Grand Tutor or as your mother, I will support this expedition."
Xie Tingyu stood up solemnly, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you very much, mother, for your help."
At noon the next day, the Fengge meeting was held as scheduled.
According to regulations, such important military and national affairs should be discussed in the Huagai Palace.
Huagai Hall is a side hall of Taiji Hall.
Ji Zhao had already taken off the court robes and tassels he had worn for today's meeting, leaving only a gold-threaded and pearl-studded crown. He knelt in the main seat in the hall in his bright yellow casual attire. On the right side of the table lay a pile of agenda items.
In the corner of the hall was placed a Suanni incense burner, which was slowly emitting camphor fragrance mist.
There was a rustling sound of footsteps outside the hall, and all the ministers took off their shoes and put on their socks, walking slowly into the hall on the paulownia wood floor.
Everyone stood in order of rank and saluted in unison: "Your Majesty, may you be well."
Ji Zhao lifted his sleeves slightly, and everyone took their seats one by one.
As a military commander, Huan Zhanyue was always the first to speak out when faced with matters of national and military importance. "Your Majesty, I have learned the other day that the refugee riot was linked to the Black Mountain Army entrenched in the Taihang Mountains. These bandits, under the guise of a house being destroyed and people being killed, are stirring up public resentment. Their intentions are punishable."
"I believe this threat is like a nasty ulcer, and we should use drastic measures to suppress and appease them. First, we should destroy their main force, then recruit the remaining forces and use them for our Great Zhou."
Generally, when a large army sets out on a campaign, it needs to consider a series of money-burning funding items such as food, weapons, vehicles, and camp construction.
While the Great Zhou could be considered stable, the treasury was somewhat strained. The reason for this could be traced back to the extravagant lifestyle of the previous emperor, who not only built numerous palaces within the palace but also sent people far and wide to search for delicacies, rare treasures, and even stunningly beautiful men.
With such extravagant spending, they naturally had no time to take care of the bandit problem, allowing the Black Mountain Army to grow stronger to this day.
After carefully reviewing the memorial submitted this morning, Ji Zhao raised his eyes to Yuan Zhaoyun and said, "Grand Minister of Agriculture, please first tell me about the current state of the national treasury."
Yuan Zhaoyun replied as instructed, "Your Majesty, although natural disasters continue to plague the north and refugees are migrating south, Jiankang has been forced to allocate 200,000 dan of grain for relief. However, last year's salt tax revenue increased in the Jianghuai region, and the Taicang granary currently has ample silk and millet, more than enough to sustain the war for more than a month."
She paused briefly before continuing, "Furthermore, we could emulate the strategy of using bandits to support our army. The Black Mountain Army has been entrenched in the Taihang Mountains for many years, frequently looting and plundering. Their treasury must have accumulated a million copper coins. If we could obtain this money, we could use it to finance the Northern Expedition."
Xie Qingyan spoke up at the right time: "I second the proposal. The barbarians have repeatedly invaded the border this year, and there will definitely be a war in the future. We must first eliminate the internal troubles so that we don't have to worry about the future. Now is a good time to stabilize the country, so don't wait any longer."
Huan Zhanyue spoke again: "Your Majesty, our Great Zhou now has many elite troops and generals capable of shouldering important responsibilities. This battle can be fought."
As the sun sets, the ministers walk out of the palace.
Huan Zhanyue bowed deeply to both Xie Qingyan and Yuan Zhaoyun, "I never expected that both the Grand Tutor and the Grand Minister of Agriculture would approve of your daughter's participation in this expedition."
What she was referring to was the fact that when Xie and Yuan seconded the proposal, they both clearly stated that they would let their daughters go with the army.
Yuan Zhaoyun's expression was indifferent. "My ancestors of the Runan Yuan family have produced countless brave warriors, and even led the Qingluan Army. Why not join in? When national affairs are at hand, there is no need to retreat. We should step forward."
"The night before last, Tingyu expressed her willingness to serve as the vanguard." Xie Qingyan shook hands and replied, "General Huan, this is the only daughter of the Xie family's legitimate lineage. I hope you will take good care of her."
"Of course. Grand Tutor, there's no need to worry about this matter." Huan Zhanyue replied quickly.
Fengge's decision to attack the Black Mountain Army spread throughout Jiankang overnight.
At dawn the next day, officials, following orders from their superiors, had already posted proclamations inscribed in cinnabar at the notice boards in various neighborhoods and markets. The message roughly explained that the violent night disaster was the product of deliberate incitement by the Black Mountain bandits, who had exploited a natural disaster. Every word was a tearful indictment of the banditry, and the final words were blatantly inscribed: "The courts must be plundered and the fields cleared to restore the majesty of Heaven!"
Among the crowd of onlookers, a literate woman read the contents of the notice aloud. Everyone was furious after hearing it, and they all expressed that they must force the court to defeat the traitor and avenge their hatred.
News from the previous dynasty would naturally spread to the harem.
When Ji Lian heard that Xie Tingyu's name was on the list of people going to the expedition, he was stunned for a moment. Even though he was already on the Jade Stage, he still looked like he was in a trance.
The Jade Stage was built by the lake. The actors responsible for the performance came by boat. They first raised their hands to salute the maids in the harem, then went on the stage and began to sing.
This gathering of opera appreciation was led by Xie Helan, who invited everyone in the palace to attend.
Xie Helan hesitated to survey the expressions of those seated, his gaze lingering for a moment on Ji Lian's face, who bowed her head and remained silent. He then spoke, "The scorching heat is unbearable, so I've invited you all to the Jade Stage to enjoy a play to relieve your boredom. What pieces would you like to hear?"
This was just a polite remark. If Xie Helan, the noble lord, didn't order a play, how could those of lower rank than him take their turn? Everyone declined, saying that they wanted the noble lord to go first.
"Then I will order first."
The troupe leader respectfully took the play script from Xie Helan. After a few bangs of gongs, the curtain on the stage opened.
Xie Helan sat across from Ji Lian, taking in his dazed expression. Seeing Ji Lian still lost in his own thoughts, his expression cold, he didn't point it out. He simply stared calmly at the stage, occasionally glancing at the dazed person across from him.
Perhaps because he was about to go to war, Xie Helan chose a general as the protagonist of the play to suit the occasion.
People have always loved romantic love stories, and this play is no exception.
This story tells of a general who went to war. He was so brave and skilled in fighting that he killed many enemy generals on horseback. One day, when the general was out relaxing, he accidentally encountered an enemy guerrilla force.
The general was unable to hold on alone and had to ride his horse to break out, but he was hit by several arrows on the way. Although he hid his tracks in the dense forest, he was bleeding so much that he had difficulty moving forward.
It happened that at this moment, a handsome and elegant herbalist in his twenties passed by. He suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from behind the bushes. He pushed aside the branches and took a look, and was met with the general's blood-stained and fierce gaze.
Boom. Boom. Boom. As their eyes met, the herbalist's heartbeat quickened.
"What happened to you?" the herbalist asked, taking out a tinder from his arms. He shone the firelight and exclaimed, "Oh! You are seriously injured! I will stop the bleeding and apply medicine on you first. Don't move." He tore off a corner of his clothes to bandage him.
The gong on the stage suddenly sounded. Ji Lian, who was originally in a trance, suddenly looked up, his lips tightened, and he glared coldly at the actor dressed as a herbalist.
What's more, the herbalist lived nearby, so he struggled to help the general back to his own simple courtyard.
The general was taken care of by the herbalist for many days and unknowingly fell in love with him. The herbalist was also attracted by the general's heroic demeanor.
He was about to return to the camp after his injury healed, but there happened to be a heavy rain that lasted for five days, and the general had to stay in the hut.
When the herbalist saw the rain was easing and the general was about to leave, he could no longer hide his excitement. One rainy night, he undressed and took the initiative to approach the general.
It is just like the red waves on the embroidered quilt of mandarin ducks, and the love is so true that it is hard to suppress.
Upon hearing this, the ministers and attendants below the stage had already covered their sleeves and laughed softly, whispering to each other.
On the other hand, Ji Lian's face was full of dark clouds, and there was even a slight redness at the corners of his eyes. Upon closer inspection, there was a faint watery sheen, and he looked like he had the urge to question someone after this show was over.
Xie Helan took in Ji Lian's changing expression and calmly signaled the personal palace attendant behind him to pass the play script to the people below.
Ji Lian's face was filled with worry, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the handkerchief in her sleeve. "What if Xie Tingyu meets a young handsome man while she's away on the battlefield? If she's also attracted to someone else, will she forget me?"
"What if Xie Tingyu couldn't resist someone else's active seduction and had physical intimacy with them, and did it multiple times? What should we do then?"
Feeling a bitter taste in his throat, Ji Lian picked up the tea and drank it all in one gulp. He licked his lower lip and gritted his teeth, thinking bitterly, "What if she returns victorious with a man pregnant with her child? What should I do then? Xie Tingyu, oh Xie Tingyu, why are you so heartless to me? If he gets pregnant, where will you put me? Will you still have me in your heart?"
Thinking of this, Ji Lian felt that his idea was quite absurd and ridiculous.
Not to mention whether this man can get pregnant in just a few months, even if the concubine is extremely beautiful, as long as she comes from a humble family, even if Xie Tingyu forces her to marry her into the Xie Garden, she can only be a concubine at most.
What if she gave birth to a daughter? If she gave birth to a daughter, would she be promoted to concubine? What if she didn't give birth to a daughter, but twins, a boy and a girl?
Such absurd ideas are like wild horses that have broken free from their reins in the pasture, never to return, and they trample on someone's heart over and over again.
Thinking of this, my mood, which had just improved a little, became gloomy again.
Xie Tingyu, why are you so misleading, so romantic, and so promiscuous?
Just like what she did at Qingliang Villa, Ji Lian scooped up a spoonful of crispy noodles and bit the silver spoon hard with her pearly teeth, making a crisp sound when the silver collided with her teeth.
If Xie Tingyu really did bring back a young man, I would whisper something in your ear. If she truly loves him, then no matter how much the Xie family members try to stop her, given her personality, she will definitely not give in. If she is just impulsive, then we can only blame the young man for his poor luck and fate.
Thinking of this, Ji Lian was suddenly stunned.
It turns out he is such a bad person.
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Author's words: Mandarin duck embroidered quilt turns red waves - "Dielianhua·Fengqiwu" by Song Dynasty poet Liu Yong
My brother is a secret observer who tries to eat melons
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