Chapter 51
As Wei Mingsu left the city, the sound of horses' hooves echoed behind him, and a group of people dressed in black rushed out of the city like lightning and squeezed into the city gate.
The guards stepped forward to stop them and inspect their route.
The group stopped, but their attitude was arrogant. They brandished their whips at the guards, and several guards were whipped several times in the face, screaming in pain.
Wei Mingsu frowned and glanced back.
The black-clad man on horseback, whipping his horse, saw him, his gaze suddenly turning cold, his face filled with malice. He jumped off his horse and strode towards Wei Mingsu.
Tong Jin and the other attendants rushed forward and stood between Wei Mingsu and the man.
Zhou Qin's entourage also rushed over, drew their swords, and confronted them.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, startling the guards. Not daring to offend either side, they could only give a wry smile and retreat to the walls on either side of the doorway.
“Governor Wei, I truly underestimated you.” Zhou Qin stared at Wei Mingsu across their confronting attendants, and sneered. “All my hard work turned out to be a trap. I kept to myself, yet you used me to subdue those Turkic tribes. Governor Wei, you are cunning and ruthless, adept at scheming. Without even stepping out of your quarters, you have the entire situation under your control. Even the Commander-in-Chief is willing to obey your orders. Such methods have truly broadened my horizons. I admire you!”
Wei Mingsu not only took advantage of Zhou Qin, but also put Zhou Qin in a dilemma, leaving him with a bitter pill to swallow.
Zhou Qin felt increasingly frustrated, his face growing even darker, as if he wanted to draw his sword and tear Wei Mingsu to pieces: "I, Zhou, have already yielded a step, yet Governor Wei is still pushing his luck. Governor Wei, you are far too disrespectful to me, Zhou!"
Wei Mingsu waved his hand.
Tong Jin and the other attendants all withdrew.
Zhou Qin waved for his entourage to make way, then rushed up to Wei Mingsu, whip in hand, and said coldly, “Governor Wei, I have already offended those tribes and dare not stay in Xizhou any longer. I can only return to Shendu. This is all thanks to Governor Wei. It is only polite to return what you have received. When I return to Shendu, I will definitely repay Governor Wei properly. King Wei and King Liang are also eager to experience Governor Wei’s methods.”
He brought out Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi.
Wei Mingsu remained calm and composed, saying, "I have written down all my actions in Xizhou and sent them back to Shangyang Palace in the capital. If the King of Wei and the King of Liang have any objections, they may raise them with His Majesty."
Zhou Qin's heart skipped a beat, and all his anger instantly turned into a chill.
Wei Mingsu raised his eyes and stared at the main city of Xizhou under the night sky. He said, "With the rise of Xiliang and the restoration of the Turkic Khaganate, the court was forced to abandon the four towns. The border states were invaded by the Turkic Khaganate. Xiliang launched a large-scale invasion of the Western Regions. If we lose Xi and Ting states again, Xiliang can bring its troops to the west of the Yellow River. Liangzhou is in danger, and the external threat to the north is imminent."
He looked away and gazed at Zhou Qin.
“Minister Zhou, I have come to Xizhou, and I dare not fail His Majesty’s trust. I have acted rashly, and I ask for your forgiveness.”
He said indifferently.
Zhou Qin understood the implication in Wei Mingsu's words and looked at Wei Mingsu with surprise, his face no longer showing any anger.
If the Empress knew everything Wei Mingsu had done in Xizhou, then no matter how much he exaggerated after returning to the capital, it wouldn't shake her trust in Wei Mingsu, and might even backfire.
He cannot act rashly.
Zhou Qin remained silent for a moment, then took a step back, a mocking look in his eyes: "Prefect Wei was indeed not demoted to Xizhou. Prefect Wei, I have indeed underestimated you."
The Tang army suffered several major defeats at the hands of Xiliang and was forced to abandon the Four Garrisons. The Empress sent Wei Mingsu to Xizhou with a specific request, most likely to re-establish control over the Western Regions and recapture the Four Garrisons.
Before today, Zhou Qin had discussed with his subordinates the purpose of Wei Mingsu’s visit to Xizhou many times. They had many guesses, and even wondered if Princess Taiping was interfering and teaching Wei Mingsu a lesson for not knowing how to be virtuous. However, Zhou Qin never thought of the possibility of recovering the four towns.
In Zhou Qin's mind, they were a pack of dogs kept by the Empress. All dogs needed to do was protect their masters and bite people. Their mission was to suppress all forces that opposed the Empress. Whoever was the best at biting people would be the most favored. The affairs of the court were none of their business.
Wei Mingsu had rendered meritorious service in the Empress's ascension to the throne, and instead of staying in the capital to marry Princess Wu and enjoy wealth and honor, he did not stay.
However, he came to the border region, which was plagued by war, and judging from his tone, he was determined to pacify the border region and recover the four towns!
Is he crazy or stupid?
Besides this, Zhou Qin couldn't think of any other reasonable possibility.
Since Wei Mingsu is a madman, there's no need to lower ourselves to his level. This time, we can only return empty-handed. On the way back to the capital, we can visit those members of the Li clan and find out their mistakes; perhaps that can make amends.
Zhou Qin had a new idea. Looking at Wei Mingsu, his mockery deepened. He sneered, "Prefect Wei, once you've been a dog, you can't just hide your tail and fangs and pretend to be human again. You've worked so hard and devoted yourself to the recapture of the four towns, but the credit and fame have all gone to the Governor and Fan Hui. I'm very curious to see what kind of end awaits you, Prefect Wei."
Wei Mingsu and Zhou Qin looked at each other calmly, a faint smile on their faces: "I am the same kind of person as Minister Zhou and General Suo. Your fate is my fate."
Zhou Qin was furious. He stared at Wei Mingsu for a long time, his eyes filled with malice.
He gave a cold laugh and turned away.
The guards cautiously inspected their route and watched the two groups leave.
...
Wei Mingsu and Zhou Qin left Xizhou at the same time.
The soldiers returned to the Protectorate to deliver the message.
The governor stood with his hands behind his back on the steps, glanced up at the vast, dark night sky, and then turned and walked into the main hall.
Candles were lit in the room, and an elderly man with white hair sat at a desk, reading the official documents sent by Wei Mingsu.
He was the former chief secretary of Xichang who was imprisoned.
The governor walked behind the chief clerk and said, "Fan Hui used both kindness and force, only killing the eldest son of the Angxi chieftain. All those who surrendered were released back to their tribes. The chieftains of all the tribes were very grateful and took the initiative to identify the Xiliang and Turkic spies in the Protectorate. Your case is also closed. You just read the imperial edict. Wei Mingsu did not lie to you. He did not implicate your family or subordinates. Even Lai Shouzhong was only given a beating and then released. Now that Zhou Qin has been forced to leave by Wei Mingsu, and Fan Hui has taken over the affairs of Xizhou, there will be no trouble in Xizhou. You can rest assured."
After reading the official document and learning the whole story, the Chief Secretary was overcome with grief, tears streaming down his face. He sighed and said, "I never imagined that Si Jian was a spy. I was confused for a moment and was used by him. If I had really sent the Xu family to the Turkic Khaganate, the Turks would have definitely used this matter. At that time, Xizhou would have been thrown into chaos. Xiliang and the Turks would have joined forces to attack Xizhou. The situation would have been unstable, and a powerful enemy would have been at our gates... I deserve to die a thousand deaths!"
The governor sighed and said, "I knew there were spies in Xizhou, but I thought they wouldn't amount to much. I was too careless."
The chief clerk put down the official document and breathed a sigh of relief: "Now that the situation in Xizhou is stable and Fan Hui is assisting the governor, I can leave with peace of mind."
The governor remained silent.
The chief clerk said, “I have committed a capital crime, and it is a great fortune that I have been able to protect my family. Several times I wanted to commit suicide to save some dignity for myself, but I was stopped by Wei Mingsu’s men. I thought he wanted to use me to cause trouble in Xizhou, but it turns out I was just being paranoid... What he wanted was peace and stability in Xizhou.”
"His Majesty truly knows how to use people!"
The chief secretary smiled slightly.
"His Majesty was determined to recover the four towns and sent Wei Mingsu and Fan Hui. However, I made a mistake and was unable to join the Governor in reclaiming the four towns and avenging our defeat. I am destined to die with this regret."
The governor couldn't bear to say anything, so he lowered his eyes and turned away.
"General, when you recover the four towns in the future, when you pay your respects during the Cold Food Festival, don't forget to send someone to pour a cup of wine at my grave."
The governor, with his back to the chief secretary, nodded and walked out.
He returned to his study, staggered to his desk, and slowly sat down.
A moment later, a cry came from outside the window. A soldier walked to the door of the study, wiped his eyes, and said, "Commander, the Chief Secretary has committed suicide."
The governor sat silently with his eyes closed.
He sat there blankly for a while, then suddenly opened his eyes, got up, picked up his sword, and drew it from its sheath.
This knife hasn't been used for a long time, but it's still as sharp as ever.
Just like him, he grew old and lost friends he had worked with for many years, but he did not lose his fighting spirit and could still lead troops into battle.
...
The howling of wolves came from not far away.
A gust of wind swept by, and something was lifted up and smashed onto the snow.
Tong Jin glanced back warily.
Behind me, the night was dark, and all I could see was the white snow.
A certain smell wafted into the air.
Tong Jin's heart tightened, and he spurred his horse to catch up with Wei Mingsu, whispering, "My lord, there's a smell of blood!"
He was worried that Nie Zijie might be nearby.
Wei Mingsu stopped and looked in the direction from which the howling came, saying, "That's where Zhang Yuan besieged Angxi."
Tong Jin paused, looking embarrassed.
It turned out they had just passed through a battlefield.
Wei Mingsu gazed into the distance. Although he could not see the snow stained with blood, the smell of blood in the wind and the sound of wild beasts gnawing on bones indicated that a fierce battle had taken place there.
Looking at the silver strands at Wei Mingsu's temples, Tong Jin recalled his conversation with Zhou Qin and couldn't help but whisper, "My lord, you told Vice Minister Zhou that you would suffer the same fate as them... How could my lord end up like Zhou Qin and the others?"
Amidst the turmoil, Wei Mingsu said calmly, "I deserve it."
The empress was a woman. Although she had held real power for many years before becoming empress, a woman who wanted to become empress would inevitably face fierce opposition from the people. Therefore, the empress appointed a group of cruel officials.
Wei Mingsu, Zhou Qin, and Suo Yuanli were all tools used by the Empress to intimidate ministers who opposed her, suppress dissidents, eliminate members of the imperial clan, and prevent rebellions.
The empress used them to eliminate the royal family, ascended the throne, brought peace to the country, and restored political stability. Their weapons were about to become useless.
When the Queen needed to appease the people, she would not hesitate to send them out to quell public grievances.
Such is the art of imperial power.
They all met tragic ends.
Wei Mingsu turned his head and looked up at the road leading to Liucheng in the distance.
His fate was sealed when he made his choice years ago; he sought benevolence and received it, and he accepted it with equanimity.
He had no regrets in this life if he could see Lu Huaying again.
...
The disturbances between tribes did not affect the lives of ordinary people in Xizhou.
On his way to Xizhou, Fan Hui kept in touch with Wei Mingsu to learn about the situation there. Wei Mingsu also wrote down his opinions on how to govern Xizhou and gave them to him. He benefited greatly from this and quickly became familiar with the duties of the Chief Secretary.
The case of Wu Yanxing has been completely resolved.
The situation in Xizhou stabilized, and Liucheng, under Xizhou's jurisdiction, also became peaceful. Shortly after Fan Hui arrived in Xizhou, a new magistrate took office in Liucheng. The new magistrate's surname was Yan, and although he was a new official, he acted in a disciplined and law-abiding manner.
The weather is getting colder.
That morning, Pei Jingyao was woken up by the cold again.
He sat up shakily and wrapped the blanket tighter around himself.
As dawn broke, voices could be heard coming from the courtyard outside the window.
Pei Jingyao leaned closer to the window to look outside.
In the courtyard, Lu Huaying and Chai Yong were practicing swordsmanship, each holding a saber.
Lu Huaying first demonstrated the movements slowly, explaining as she went. After Chai Yong remembered the key points, she then demonstrated a complete set of movements and asked Chai Yong to follow along with the knife.
Chai Yong learned martial arts from a young age. He didn't need to practice basic skills; he grasped the concepts quickly and learned very fast.
The two figures moved faster and faster until Pei Jingyao could only see two shadows, one red and one black, flying in the air on the snow, with two chilling blades flashing between them, their movements measured and balanced, combining strength and gentleness.
Pei Jingyao couldn't help but slap the table in admiration. After Lu Huaying and Chai Yong finished practicing their swordsmanship, Lu Huaying put on her clothes, grabbed her sword, and ran into the courtyard, wanting to spar with Chai Yong.
Chai Yong laughed heartily and said, "Alright, I'll spar with you using the sword techniques that Third Sister taught me!"
He drew his knife and engaged in combat with Pei Jingyao, who had jumped into the courtyard.
After about ten rounds, Pei Jingyao sheathed his sword and laughed, "I admit defeat, Sanlang. You've really improved rapidly these past few days."
Chai Yong proudly raised his head and looked at Lu Huaying with a smile, saying, "A great teacher produces a great student!"
Lu Huaying smiled slightly and said, "Sanlang has over ten years of basic skills, including footwork."
"I already knew the law, so naturally I learned it quickly."
Chai Yong straightened his back, his expression becoming increasingly smug.
Pei Jingyao couldn't help but kick him.
Lu Huaying sheathed her sword and said, "Sanlang, you've already learned the Azure Dragon Swings its Tail move. Tomorrow I'll teach you the Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers move."
She glanced around the courtyard and said, "The courtyard is too small; it's not good for practicing. Let's practice outside tomorrow."
“Okay, let’s go to the hillside on the south side. There’s a spacious open area there, and nobody goes there usually, so it won’t hurt anyone.”
Chai Yong has been strolling around with Pei Jingyao these past few days and is already quite familiar with Liucheng.
Lu Huaying nodded.
After they finished practicing their swordsmanship, Wang Yu, Xiao Suniang, and Lu Hongbi also got up.
Everyone ate breakfast together.
Lu Huaying had Big Ears bring out a huge mortar and pestle from the room, poured in the dried herbs, and pounded them into a fine powder. Wang Yu and Big Ears helped out.
Chai Yong and Pei Jingyao also rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to help them.
Big Ears took out a basket of beans from the room for them to choose from.
The two young noblemen sat in front of the stove, picking beans with wide eyes, their comical appearance making Wang Yu laugh.
After grinding the medicinal herbs into powder, Lu Huaying poured the fine powder into another mortar and pestle, mixed it well with the powder inside, and then poured it out into a box.
"Chen Er," Lu Huaying called to Big Ears, handing him the box. "Take this to the Ming family, and remember to collect payment."
A few days ago, Big Ears got a name.
After Big Ears recovered from his illness, he stayed. Lu Huaying did not send him away. He shamelessly asked Lu Huaying to help him choose a name. Seeing that he was very proud of his big ears, Lu Huaying named him "Chen Er".
Chen Er liked his name very much, responded, washed his hands, took the box and went out.
He arrived at Magistrate Yan's house and had just introduced himself as Lu San Niang's attendant when the magistrate's servants urged him to come in quickly.
When the magistrate's wife heard that Chen Er had arrived, she was overjoyed and urged her servants to hurry and fetch the money.
Chen Er remembered Lu Huaying's instructions: only after receiving the money should he hand the box to the Yan family's servants.
The magistrate's servant, beaming, said, "Madam says the Third Sister's facial powder is indeed very effective. Now, Madam and the young lady are both waiting for Third Sister's powder. Please send more next time. Just name your name, Third Sister, and I'll be there immediately."
Send it over!
Chen Er returned home and relayed the words of the county magistrate's wife.
Wang Yu and Xiao Suniang's eyes lit up, and they smiled at each other.
Xiao Suniang laughed and said, "Sister-in-law, am I right? The Lu family's face powder is much better than the ones sold in the perfume shops outside! No matter how much it costs, Madam Ming and the others don't think it's expensive!"
Everyone in Chang'an knows that the Lu family produces beauties, and the elixir formula they use was passed down from immortals and is priceless!
Wang Yu smiled and nodded, but then a wave of sadness washed over her as she recalled the former magistrate and his wife. She sighed and said, "Su Niang, all the noodles and medicines that Third Sister made these past few years have been taken by the magistrate's wife of Liucheng..."
Previously, the magistrate's wife had made things difficult for Wang Yu. Lu Huaying, for her sister-in-law's sake, offered her some fragrant powder. The magistrate's wife liked it very much and made a request: if Lu Huaying could provide a box of fragrant powder every month, Wang Yu could stay home to recuperate. For three years, almost all the fragrant powder used was ground by Lu Huaying herself.
Xiao Suniang comforted Wang Yu: "Sister-in-law, the new Lady Ming of Liucheng is not as shameless as the previous one. She wants to ask for the noodle medicine but has to pay first. Third Sister only agreed to make the noodle medicine for her after she received the money."
Wang Yu's expression softened a little as she bent down to pick beans from the winnowing basket.
The ladies of Liucheng had all heard about Lu Huaying's facial medicine from the previous magistrate's wife, and had seen its effects with their own eyes. They wanted to ask for the medicine, but dared not offend the magistrate's wife.
Now that Liucheng has a new magistrate, the ladies of the house have put aside their concerns. After Lu Huaying returned to Liucheng, they all sent servants to ask for the medicine.
Lu Huaying was thinking of ways to save money, so she agreed to help the ladies make noodles.
Wang Yu's health is better than before, and she can help Lu Huaying with some light work.
That evening, Lu Huaying sat in front of the oil lamp, took out the money that Madam Yan had given her for buying medicine, counted it, and asked Wang Yu to keep track of the expenses.
Wang Yu used to be the matriarch of the Lu family, and she was very good at managing the household affairs, keeping accounts, and so on. Lu Huaying asked her to manage the family's accounts.
She finished writing down the accounts, then raised her eyes to examine Lu Huaying closely.
Lu Huaying was counting money with her head down, a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth, a rosy complexion, and a much better appearance than before she went to Xizhou. Her dark eyes held a long-lost smile and radiance.
After meeting Wei Mingsu, Feifei became more cheerful.
Wang Yu felt a mix of emotions, and in a daze, she seemed to see Lu Huaying from four years ago.
She smiled as she recalled the fortune she had drawn at Dayun Temple. She knew that things would turn around and their lives would get better and better.
...
The next morning, just as the eastern sky began to lighten, Chai Yong arrived, stood outside, and spoke quietly to A Yu.
A short while later, Lu Huaying came out carrying a knife and went out with Chai Yong.
Ayu and Pei Jingyao followed behind, and Xiao Suniang, wanting to watch them practice their swordsmanship, pulled Wang Yu along as they went out the door.
Upon reaching the hillside, Chai Yong recited the incantation with Lu Huaying, then drew his sword. The two of them gripped their swords and spun from right to left, the cold light dancing in the snow.
Suddenly, a cold light flew from the dark figure's hand and flew towards the snow on the hillside.
The saber flew swiftly, like lightning, and where it passed, snowflakes fluttered down, just like a celestial maiden scattering flowers.
Just as Pei Jingyao and the others were about to cheer, they heard Lu Huaying grunt, and another cold light flew out of her hand, fell down, rolled down the hillside, and the red figure also fell to the snow.
The group was stunned.
Chai Yong immediately rushed towards her.
Lu Huaying sat up, looked up, smiled at everyone, and said, "I'm fine."
She smiled, but there was a hint of disappointment in her voice that she couldn't hide.
Chai Yong glanced at her and laughed, "It's all my fault for being such a clumsy apprentice. She acted on impulse and didn't follow the instructions when she struck the blade. She deserves to be punished!"
"The punishment is to make me retrieve the saber for Third Sister!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chai Yong rolled onto the snow and tumbled down the hillside like a spinning top.
Pei Jingyao and Xiao Suniang couldn't help but laugh as they watched him tumble away.
Lu Huaying was stunned for a moment, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Chai Yong rolled down the hillside, picked up Lu Huaying's dropped saber, and scrambled up the snow using both hands and feet. Holding the saber, he walked up to Lu Huaying.
Lu Huaying took the saber, suppressed her melancholy, and said, "Let's keep practicing."
Wang Yu stood to the side, looking at Lu Huaying, and sighed inwardly.
They practiced for a while longer, then went back together.
Wang Yu was somewhat worried.
Suddenly, Chai Yong's voice came from behind: "Sister-in-law, please wait."
Wang Yu turned around.
Chai Yong strode over, glanced at Lu Huaying's back, and whispered, "Sister-in-law... what happened to Third Sister just now?"
Wang Yu remained silent for a long time before sighing.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
