Chapter 508 Let's not talk about the past.
The Lin family's residence was located on the main street, an area typically occupied by high-ranking officials of the first and second ranks.
The streets here are relatively quiet, and only occasionally will an exquisite carriage stop, with elegantly dressed nobles being escorted into the mansion.
Walking down this street, people will unconsciously quiet down and dare not speak loudly.
Zheng Wangfeng appeared on this street with his page. They had arrived in the capital a few days earlier and had been looking for an opportunity.
He spent a lot of money and went through many connections to find out that the He family was recruiting advisors. He wanted to come and try his luck. This Lord He was a high-ranking official of the second rank. If he could get Lord He's support, his official career would definitely be smooth sailing in the future.
"Young Master, look!" Zheng's page pointed to the house not far away, "Isn't that Young Master Cheng and Young Master Shen?"
Zheng Wangfeng looked over and, sure enough, saw Cheng Zhao and Shen Zheng, led by a young boy, stride into a huge mansion.
His gaze slowly moved upwards and landed on the words "Lin Residence".
Having been in the capital for so long, if he still didn't understand what the Lin family meant, then he would have lived in vain all these years.
"Young Master Cheng pretended to be aloof and unwilling to make connections before, but now, as soon as he arrived in the capital, he couldn't wait to go to the Lin residence." The page said indignantly, "And Shen Zheng, a low-ranking scholar, is it even worth making connections with him... Oh no, this is the Lin residence, the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty. With the Grand Tutor as a backer, there's no need to worry at all."
"Alright, that's enough. Say less." Zheng Wangfeng said coldly, "Last time in Yuncheng, if it weren't for Shen Zheng and Cheng Zhao, I would be a Juren who has been disqualified from the provincial examination. They have done me a favor, so be more polite to them in the future."
If he hadn't met Shen Zheng on the street that day, he would have definitely entered the school administration office, and then he would have become one of those hundred or so candidates.
He had narrowly escaped death and naturally remembered the kindness of Shen Zheng and Cheng Zhao, but that did not mean he was willing to be suppressed.
He looked up at the He residence: "Let's go in."
If he had been hesitant about whether or not to establish a relationship with the He family before, his mind became more resolute after seeing Cheng Zhao and Shen Zheng enter the Lin residence.
The master and servant presented their gifts and were led in through a side door by the doorman.
While the group was visiting Lord Lin and his wife, He Xiao took Zhao Sanniu to the military camp on the outskirts of the capital.
Every city in the Great Yu Dynasty has a garrison, with the capital city having a particularly large garrison, and military power is directly controlled by the current emperor.
Zhao Sanniu stood at the entrance of the military camp, looking at the neat tents and imposing guards, and was so excited that he didn't know what to do...
He once thought he wanted to join a security escort agency, but after practicing martial arts with his master every day, he realized that he wanted to join the army. He wanted to be like his deceased father, risking his life on the battlefield...
He Xiao said, "San Niu, you wait for me under this tree."
Many people came and went at the entrance of the military camp, including soldiers returning from outings and people delivering supplies. San Niu and Cheng Bing stood under the tree and were not conspicuous.
He Xiao turned around, covered his face with his sleeve, and when he took it off, it was a different face, but you could still tell it was him by looking at his eyebrows and eyes.
Zhao Sanniu's jaw dropped in astonishment: "Master, how are you so amazing? When can you teach me this move...?"
"These are unorthodox methods used only when you're out in the world of martial arts; you don't need them in the military."
He Xiao patted him on the shoulder and strode towards the military camp.
As they approached the entrance to the military camp, they were stopped by two guards who extended long spears.
He spoke a few words humbly, and one of the guards turned and went inside. A short while later, he came out with a man in his thirties.
The man was wearing armor, looking imposing and powerful. His eyes were fixed on He Xiao, and before he knew it, his eyes were red.
Although the person in front of him was disguised, he had spent so many years with this person, going through thick and thin together, how could he not recognize him?
He desperately wanted to rush over and hug the person in front of him.
"Commander Shao, may I speak with you in private?"
He Xiao spoke first and walked to the grove of trees on the southeast side of the military camp.
Commandant Shao followed him inside, and after confirming that no one was following him, he suddenly knelt on one knee with his hands clasped in front of him and said, "This humble general greets the general!"
“I am no longer a general, just a commoner. There is no need for you to kneel before me.” He Xiao bent down to help him up and teased him, “After I left, how did you go from a third-rank military officer to a fourth-rank captain? You’ve become lax since I wasn’t here watching over you.”
Shao Hua's eyes were bloodshot: "They initially framed the general for treason, then said he fled and committed suicide out of fear of punishment. I never believed it. I secretly sent people to investigate for a long time, but they were accused of disrupting morale and were demoted... General, it's so good that you're still alive. Why didn't you contact us, your subordinates, for the past year? If we had known you were still alive, we should have gone to find you..."
"Let's not talk about the past."
He Xiao sighed.
He was disliked from a young age and was sent away to learn martial arts. After completing his training, he wandered the martial arts world, unexpectedly joined the army, made meritorious contributions, and was unexpectedly appointed as a third-rank Zhaoyong General.
It was these unexpected events that made him the object of his elder brother's suspicion and distrust, which led to his current state.
"I have come here today to ask you for a favor."
"How could you use the word 'beg', General? If it weren't for you saving my life, I would have died long ago. I am willing to risk my life for you, General!"
He Xiao chuckled: "It's not that serious. It's just that the son of my savior wants to join the army for some training. Can you help arrange it?"
“What’s so difficult about that?” Shao Hua agreed immediately, then returned to the original topic, “General, you won’t leave now that you’re back, right? You must thoroughly investigate what exactly happened back then, and clear your name. You can’t just carry this stigma without knowing the truth… I’ll go tell everyone that the General is back. We are all loyal to the General and will definitely help you clear your name!”
He Xiao raised his hand: "It's enough for you to know about this. There's no need to cause any more trouble. You must take good care of the two children I've entrusted to you. Protecting them is the greatest expression of your loyalty to me."
He turned and walked out of the woods, pointing to a spot not far away, saying, "There are two kids over there, one named Zhao Jingyu and the other Cheng Bing. You can just go over there."
Shao Hua nodded: "And you, General, what's next?"
"I have important things to take care of." He Xiao walked in the opposite direction. "Remember, take good care of them for me."
His figure quickly disappeared into the woods.
The tears that Shao Hua had been holding back finally fell. He wiped his eyes, composed himself, and then walked towards Zhao Sanniu and the other man.
He stated his purpose directly, and Zhao Sanniu immediately became anxious: "Where is my master? Why didn't he say anything?"
Seeing how much Zhao Sanniu cared about He Xiao, Shao Hua breathed a sigh of relief. At least he still cared about the general's whereabouts and wasn't an ingrate. No wonder the general entrusted him with this task time and time again.
He said, "Your master will come to find you when he's done with his business. Come on, let's go inside first."
He was a fourth-rank military officer, in charge of many people. It would be too easy for him to place two people into the military camp. To ensure their safety, he simply had Zhao Sanniu and Cheng Bing guard his tent. He would make further arrangements after the two became familiar with the situation in the military camp.
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