Chapter 98 Chapter 98 Xie Tingyu, are you going to fight again...
A BMW carriage with Xie's banner flying on it was parked quietly in front of the gate of Wang Garden.
The vermilion lacquered door suddenly opened, and Wang Lanzhi stepped out quickly, stepped neatly onto the shaft of the carriage, and suddenly opened the door, his eyes meeting with Xie Tingyu who was drinking tea in the carriage.
"I thought it would be the Emperor who sent someone to pick him up."
Wang Lanzhi stepped into the car with her long legs, and the door closed, instantly isolating the biting cold outside the window.
"If I come here, I can explain the current situation to you."
Xie Tingyu examined Wang Lanzhi carefully from head to toe. She was unusually dressed in a pair of draped emerald trousers, topped by a dark blue robe. Even more remarkable was her long black hair, all tied up in a dignified bun, a stark contrast to her usual dapper ponytail and military robe attire.
She thought for a moment and then asked, "Is General Wang in the mansion now?"
Wang Lanzhi nodded. "Grandmother has just returned from her travels, and tonight is New Year's Eve, so we should be very respectful." She looked at Xie Tingyu solemnly. "I just heard that General Huan, Yuan Wangshu, and others have already rushed to the imperial farm. What serious incident has occurred?"
"It's really a big deal."
Xie Tingyu placed his teacup on the table. A crisp sound rang out, startling Wang Lanzhi's heart. "Someone has gathered a crowd to rise up in rebellion and has already beheaded the Pengcheng Governor, Wang Ning. It's said his head is still hanging at the city gate for public display."
"Is this Wang Ning from your Langya Wang Clan?"
"Yes, she came to visit my grandmother a few years ago, and I met her once. But she was only a distant relative, not a direct descendant of my Langya clan."
Wang Lanzhi frowned, "Has this person ever done anything to arouse public anger?"
"That's a lot."
Although Wang Ning was born into the Wang clan of Langya, she was a concubine and was not valued within the clan. It was only through years of constant gifts and numerous scheming that she managed to secure the position of prefect of Pengcheng in the north.
Pengcheng is an important town on the northern border of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It is also a place where refugees, military households and aristocratic estates are intertwined, and it is of great significance.
However, upon Wang Ning's arrival, instead of focusing on pacifying the people and defending the border, he colluded with local powerful nobles, manipulating tax rates and profiteering, resulting in increasingly heavy taxes for the people. Furthermore, in recent years, refugees have flocked to the area, causing the household registration system to become fragmented. To address the situation, the imperial court established counties and prefectures to house these refugees, initially exempting them from taxes and labor service.
What was originally a benevolent policy designed to provide relief to the common people, in Wang Ning's hands, became a tool for amassing wealth. She colluded with the gentry, forged registers of undocumented refugees, and secretly sent them to profitable estates, where they became private slaves and tenants, forever depriving them of their freedom.
As a result, people were living in poverty and grievances were piling up, and the small boat secretly sailing in the underground river eventually capsized.
Under such exploitation, public resentment boiled over, becoming uncontrollable. Once the banner of rebellion was raised, thousands rallied, spreading like wildfire and unstoppable. On a night when Wang Ning was drunk and sound asleep, a slave girl, armed with a sharp weapon, broke into his inner chamber and struck down. From that moment on, Pengcheng was turned upside down, and a civil uprising had begun.
With the rumbling of wheels, the carriage drove into the imperial estate. Xie Tingyu and Wang Lanzhi got out of the carriage one after another and, guided by the palace attendants, walked quickly towards a meeting hall where the lights were still on.
Many high-ranking officials had already gathered in the hall. Under the dim candlelight, their faces were solemn, and their figures, intertwined and interwoven, were cast on the walls, making the atmosphere in the room heavy and oppressive.
But Ji Zhao was nowhere to be seen. Ever since the soldier barged in, Ji Zhao had thrown his cup in front of everyone, saying, "The Feng Pavilion must reach a conclusion tonight," and then left in anger.
Xie Qingyan heard footsteps, turned around and saw Xie Tingyu, pointing to the empty seat next to him, "Sit down."
Huan Zhanyue's hair was disheveled, her cheeks flushed, and as she approached, she could smell the strong scent of alcohol. While she was drunk, she suddenly heard the emperor's urgent decree. She gushed down two large bowls of sobering soup and galloped to the imperial farm.
Although still drunk, he was unequivocal in the face of the critical military situation and was the first to speak out: "The governor is dead, the situation is urgent, and we cannot wait until after the festival to go to war. We must immediately discuss the plan of the expedition!"
Yuan Zhaoyun's fingertips swiped across the map, and he said in a deep voice, "Pengcheng is a key defensive base in the north. If the Xianbei learn of this, they might take advantage of the chaos and launch an attack. I agree with General Huan's opinion; we must fight and resolve the situation quickly."
Yuan Wangshu stood up and said, "Mother, you are right. I will not refuse this expedition." As he spoke, he glanced at Xie Tingyu several times.
Xie Qingyan nodded in agreement, and the others also spoke in agreement.
Xie Qingyan nodded slightly, and the others followed suit. Just as everyone was deciding on the candidates for the expedition, Xie Tingyu suddenly volunteered, but Xie Qingyan, in a rare public act of opposition, objected.
"You are still recuperating. The journey will be long and arduous. Why don't you just..."
"Mother."
Xie Tingyu interrupted her without waiting for her to finish. "Since I hold the position of Senior Cavalry Commandant, I must make great achievements. How can I shirk my important responsibilities because of a minor injury?"
When she said this, her tone was calm, but her brows were filled with an unyielding determination.
Huan Zhanyue stood up at the right moment and bowed to Xie Qingyan. "Although Tingyu is recuperating, he commands the Northern Army. If he could help us, we would be even more powerful. Why not appoint him as the Guard Commander instead of the vanguard?"
The Guards, specializing in monitoring and protecting troops, held both command and responsibility for executing deserters and retreating soldiers. They worked behind the scenes, carrying a comprehensive and coordinated responsibility. Both responsibility and power were considerable. Huan Zhanyue's decision to personally offer Xie Tingyu this position clearly indicated his deep regard for her.
The position of Guard General is not for ordinary generals. This person must be at the forefront of the battle, able to coordinate the overall situation while also enforcing military law with lightning speed, slaying retreating troops and purging wavering hearts. He carries both power and responsibility, making him both the sharpest blade and the most central figure in the army. In front of all the generals, Huan Zhanyue handed this position to Xie Tingyu, a move that showed not only trust in Xie Tingyu but also high hopes for him.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room looked very strange.
Xie Qingyan raised his head and laughed heartily, which was rare for him. He clapped his hands three times in a row, "Good! Good! Good!"
They discussed in detail the deployment of the expedition and the allocation of food, fodder and equipment. In the midst of this discussion, Ji Zhao walked into the room with his hands behind his back. Everyone immediately stood up and stood in unison.
"His Majesty."
Xie Qingyan reported everything they had just discussed. Ji Zhao's expression eased slightly, but then he thought of the Pengcheng governor's audacity to act recklessly, taking advantage of the emperor's remoteness. He raged, and shouted, "I have devoted all my energy to the Great Zhou, yet such parasites have taken root in this place, profiting lavishly! Grand Tutor, simply suppressing the rebellion is far from enough to appease the indignation."
Xie Tingyu opportunely intervened, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe that now that Wang Ning has been executed, there's no point in further blaming a dead man. Our immediate priority is to muster our troops and march forth immediately. Once we achieve victory and quell the rebellion, we can then discuss how to appease the people and calm their anger. This matter requires further consideration."
Ji Zhao waved his hand and said, "All subsequent matters will be handled by Fengge. If you have any suggestions, please submit them in writing."
Then he raised his voice and said, "Huan Zhanyue."
"I am here."
"You will oversee all matters related to the expedition schedule, food and fodder allocation, and more. I will receive a detailed report within five days."
"As you wish."
After the discussion was finalized, everyone bowed and took their leave.
In the vast night, Xie Tingyu climbed up the eaves with ease and saw the window frames in the distance where lights were still on. He tapped his toes lightly and flew towards that place silently.
Strangely, the window was not closed tightly, but left a gap.
Xie Tingyu pressed lightly against the window pane, then with a slight push, he flipped over and entered, his steps as light as feathers, into the inner room. Passing by a glazed screen depicting a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix, he saw a man perusing a scroll, his head bowed, his fingertips softly caressing the corners of the pages.
"What are you looking at?"
A warm breath brushed his right cheek. Ji Lian turned his head suddenly. Xie Tingyu had already quietly sat beside him, his eyes fixed on the book in his hand.
Their knees touched.
Ji Lian placed the book on the table, took the hand warmer that she had prepared earlier and placed it in her palm, while covering her hand with his own. "It's just a casual book, to kill time."
Xie Tingyu stared at Ji Lian for a moment, then chuckled and said bluntly, "You're still not asleep so late, I'm afraid you're waiting for me to come in."
"yes."
Ji Lian answered straightforwardly, holding her fingertips with his backhand, "I think a certain thief would definitely travel thousands of miles, trek through mountains and rivers, and climb over the wall to get in after knowing which room I live in. Rather than letting her suffer in the cold outside, it's better to let her in."
"Thief? Am I a thief?"
"Yes, you are the arsonist of hearts. You stole my whole heart."
Xie Tingyu was surprised. "When did you learn to speak like this? Where is the Lianlian who used to blush and dodge after a few words?"
"As the saying goes, 'He who keeps company with vermilion becomes red, and he who keeps company with ink becomes black.' I learned this from you."
Ji Lian waited until Xie Tingyu's hands were warm, then took the initiative to lean over and hug her, "Xie Tingyu, are you going to the battle again?"
Hearing an affirmative response, he tightened his arms around her slightly, "Then you must take care of yourself this time."
Xie Tingyu sniffed the delicate green lotus fragrance on his body and said, "The amulet you asked for me last time is stained with blood and can no longer be used. Why don't you ask for a new one for me?"
"Actually..." Ji Lian's ears blushed slightly as she mustered up the courage to say, "Why don't I give you a few sets of newly embroidered undergarments? I can sew the amulet inside the garments to provide better protection."
"good."
The night candle gradually dimmed, the curtains dropped lightly, and two figures lay side by side on the couch.
Under the thick quilt, the two of them pressed their arms tightly together, their breathing sounds intertwined in the quiet inner room, blending into the sound of falling snow outside the window.
Ji Lian waited for a long time, but Xie Tingyu still didn't make any move. Feeling a little itchy in her heart, she quietly moved a few inches towards her. Turning her head, she bumped into those clear eyes.
"Are you feeling cold and want to be held while sleeping?"
Ji Lian's throat stagnated, half guilty and half expectant, and she whispered, "...Are you really here just to cover yourself with a blanket and sleep? Don't you want to do something?"
Xie Tingyu chuckled softly and leaned over to kiss his lips. After a long moment, she pulled him into her arms and lay down facing each other. "I don't want to do anything tonight, just hold you."
"After leaving the Imperial Manor tomorrow, I will begin preparing for the expedition, which will probably be very busy. By then, the expedition will take several months."
Ji Lian was stunned for a moment, as if something was gently tugging at her heart. After a long while, she spoke, "When you return, it will be spring and the flowers will be in bloom. By then, my Emperor's Mansion should have been repaired. Then I will invite you to admire the first lotus and stroll in the bamboo forest with me."
"Okay, it's a deal."
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The author has something to say: I went to a fortune teller before to find out when I would be in the best state to write, and the result was 5:00-7:00 in the morning. I said that writing in the afternoons and evenings recently is like drinking fake wine.
Be sure to go to bed early tonight.
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