After the Lantern Festival, time seems to pass more quickly.
Yun Qing sometimes couldn't help but marvel at how adaptable people are. When she first arrived here, she found herself feeling uncomfortable in many ways, but now she could accept everything that happened with equanimity.
The gunpowder production was proceeding smoothly, and the assassins sent out rushed to the border to deliver the message to Li's parents, who then quickly began production.
It may be because it's so cold right now that things have calmed down a bit on the border, giving them time to rest and recuperate. But things might be different when the grass and water are plentiful after the New Year.
At the same time, preparations for spring plowing began in full swing. Following Yunqing's suggestion, Uncle Jiang made arrangements and specially set aside a piece of land to conduct an experiment on improving farming methods, to see if there would be any unexpected gains.
Another important matter is the departure of the Li family army to the capital. They have come all the way from Yuncheng and will eventually be stationed on the outskirts of the capital.
This was something Yun Qing had agreed upon beforehand with the Prince of Pingjiang, and it was also part of her original plan.
If the Li family army could be controlled by a small sign, then it wouldn't be the Li family army. They only recognize the descendants of the Li family and have nothing to do with anyone else.
This action finally alerted the eunuch faction, and Yun Qing, unusually interested, went to court once, bringing the little tyrant along to sit and listen.
"The Li clan once promised never to allow private soldiers to enter the capital... If I may be so bold as to ask, what is the reason for Grand Tutor Li's current actions?"
The one who spoke was Zhang Jing, the Vice Minister of War. He had switched sides with Liang Zhigong a long time ago, and now, perhaps thinking that he had a powerful backer, he showed no fear when facing Yun Qing.
Yun Qing scoffed.
[You always love to be the first one to stick your neck out; no wonder the little tyrant dealt with you the first time he came to power. Serves you right!]
Yun Qing slowly asked, "Then may I ask, has the Li family army entered the capital?"
Yun Qing had long known that someone would cause trouble here, so the location where the Li family army was stationed was just right, right on that line, which, strictly speaking, was not really within the jurisdiction of the capital.
Zhang Jing was speechless: "This..."
"Since you haven't entered the capital, how can you say you've violated ancestral rules? Is Lord Zhang perhaps getting old and senile, unable to even remember the boundary demarcation?"
Yun Qing had no desire to be polite to treacherous officials; he would deal with them one by one, sooner or later.
In any case, ever since she decided to stand behind the little tyrant, she was destined to have no other choice.
This is not a modern society where everyone is equal. If you show leniency towards the enemy, you will only end up hurting yourself.
[You really think I'm someone who respects the elderly and cares for the young? You're sorely mistaken. If it weren't for my image, I'd give you a good dressing down!]
Xie Rang sat behind the curtain, and even from such a distance, he could clearly hear what Yun Qing was thinking. He smiled and once again realized the hypocrisy of his tutor.
Moreover, his tutor seemed to know a great deal, not only what he was destined to become, but also the corrupt officials he had executed.
Xie Rang disliked situations where things were beyond his control, but he was confused by the Grand Tutor who cared for him in every way.
To my knowledge, this is the first time someone has stood behind me without hesitation.
While Xie Rang was pondering, the heated debate below had reached a fever pitch.
The Prince of Pingjiang chuckled and chimed in, "Since Lord Zhang is so dissatisfied, how about we let Lord Liang evaluate this matter?"
As the two sides fought, innocent bystanders suffered. Yun Qing, completely oblivious to being an insider, stood aside and listened to their lively argument.
When the late emperor was still alive, the Prince of Pingjiang only dared to raise private soldiers. Moreover, because his fiefdom of Li was far away, even if he could control most of the situation in the capital in a short period of time, he was still short of manpower.
In his eyes, this group of deserters was already his for the taking, so he would make them stay no matter what.
When Liang Zhigong was summoned, his expression was not good: "What Grand Tutor Li said makes sense. Lord Zhang, please don't dwell on this matter."
From the moment he failed to kill Li Yunqing, Liang Zhigong already knew that the situation that followed was no longer something he could easily control.
The late emperor was muddle-headed for half his life, but he was exceptionally clear-headed in his final days when he promoted Li Yunqing, which was already a trap set for Liang Zhigong.
Compared to military families with private armies guarding the frontier, Liang Zhigong was still a bit inexperienced.
The Prince of Pingjiang chuckled and turned his gaze to Zhang Jing: "What, Lord Zhang, do you have anything to say now?"
Zhang Jing felt a cold sweat pour down his back, realizing that his actions today had displeased Liang Zhigong. He trembled all over and said, "This humble official has no objection."
Yun Qing smiled inwardly.
[Hilarious! This dog owner doesn't seem to care about his henchmen at all. What's the point of siding with him? Is he hoping to get his head chopped off later?]
Xie Rang smiled slightly.
The discussion about this matter has temporarily come to an end.
However, the ministers' arguments did not stop.
At first, Yun Qing could still happily comment on their way of arguing, but as she listened, her expression gradually became serious.
The reality was far more brutal than history books describe.
We are currently in the midst of the Little Ice Age, and even though Beijing is located slightly to the north, winters are already unbearably cold. In places further north, the situation will only be more severe.
Not to mention the many people who froze to death, there might be even more refugees when spring truly arrives, heading towards the capital, which would be quite alarming.
At least until the young tyrant came to power, these circumstances did not change much.
History is inevitably limited by its present-day constraints. Who could have imagined that so many years later, the reputation of this little tyrant would change so drastically?
Yun Qing sighed deeply.
Beyond the swaying beaded curtain, Yun Qing's gaze seemed to meet Xie Rang's across the distance. The little tyrant sat on the dragon throne, with no servants around him. In fact, apart from Yun Qing, probably no one here cared about him at all.
Yun Qing sighed.
Your Majesty, grow up quickly!
This was the first time Yun Qing had called out "Your Majesty" so earnestly in her heart. Xie Rang looked up in astonishment, all his thoughts instantly pulled back to reality.
Was he also being anticipated?
Yun Qing had no idea what the little tyrant was thinking. After glancing at him, she turned away and listened intently to the farce unfolding in the court, while secretly identifying a few silent individuals in her mind.
They may be powerless at the moment, or they may not want to get involved, but their talent cannot be denied. In the future, they will all be people who can be won over.
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