Chapter 115: Reward The little prince kissed his lover earnestly, "Concentrate...
Chapter 115
The rain stopped, only water was still dripping from the eaves and treetops. A rainbow appeared in the distant sky, dispelling the depression brought by the winter rain.
Lin Zhiqi grabbed the leather jacket Lin Zhiyi had placed beside him and said with a smile, "Your leather jacket is nice. It's windproof, rainproof, and snowproof."
"If you like it, give it to my second sister. I still have two sets."
Lin Zhiqi tried it on and it fit perfectly. She felt that she was very handsome. After putting on the leather jacket, her figure became more majestic and upright. With a long spear in hand, she looked very dashing and domineering.
"Okay! Then thank you Yuanyuan very much!" Lin Zhiqi readily accepted the gift.
Of course, she didn't ask for it for nothing. After instructing her personal female guard A Mian to put away the spears and bows and arrows, she pulled Lin Zhiyi to her room.
On the display cabinet outside the screen in the inner room were several weapons she brought back from the Western Regions, including scimitars, long swords, short bows... their shapes, materials and weights were different from Dayan's weapons.
Lin Zhiqi smiled and pushed Lin Zhiyi towards the counter: "Take your pick! Take whichever one you like!"
She had wanted to ask her brother to choose weapons for a long time, and today was the day he was free!
Lin Zhiyi had the dagger Jingyue had given her and the hidden arrows her fourth sister had given her. After thinking for a moment, she picked up the scimitar and weighed it. The weight and feel were quite good. "This one will do. Thank you, second sister!"
"You're welcome~ As long as you like it!"
After Lin Zhiyi returned to Bitong Courtyard, he also became interested and tried out his newly acquired scimitar in the corridor.
Lin Song and Ji Feng were both very impressed: "Young Master can actually use a knife, and his knife skills are quite good."
Lin Zhiyi studied at the Imperial College - the Imperial College offered a wide range of subjects, covering all kinds of martial arts, and the students were proficient in all of them.
Just focus on what you are good at and what you like, and then study that subject in the future.
But initially, martial arts classes will present them with a variety of weapons to broaden their horizons.
The original owner of Lin Zhiyi's body was best at using a sword, and Gu Tingxuan was good at using a spear. After she came here, she was actually good at using fists and feet.
However... thanks to Jing Yue's encouragement and sparring, her martial arts skills have gradually recovered and improved by 50% to 60%.
She can occasionally pretend that she is proficient in all kinds of skills.
After practicing with the sword, Lin Zhiyi felt relaxed all over, and the depressed mood that had been pent up for two days was released. She thought that since she was already in it, the change of power was inevitable.
Only by accepting this change can we better protect our family.
It's a good idea to divide the military power, so that the security of the Lin family can be greatly improved.
I just don’t know if Dad will be disappointed.
I'm sure...
Lin Shuo was indeed filled with regret.
However, he always maintained a carefree and indifferent smile on his face, as if he didn't care about it at all.
The damp, cold winter rain triggered a flare-up of his old injuries—years on the battlefield, with injuries of varying sizes, often leaving hidden ailments even after healing. His knees, for example, would become sore, stiff, and painful whenever the cold rain hit.
There was a charcoal basin next to his knees. The doctor in the mansion had just finished giving him acupuncture. Mu Hanyan handed him a hand warmer and said, "Put it on your knees. It will give you some relief."
"Madam, please use it." Mu Hanyan's health wasn't very good either. She was pregnant with five children and was busy with the daily affairs of the palace, which was very exhausting.
On the other hand, although Gu Tingxuan also fought on the battlefield and was injured, she did not have as many years on the battlefield as Lin Shuo. In addition, she had never married and had children, and she had practiced martial arts since she was a child. She also knew how to take care of herself - she was the only one in the Gu family, and she learned to love herself the most - she is still energetic and healthy.
Especially when she stood next to Mu Hanyan, the contrast was even more obvious.
She is much more energetic and spirited than Mu Hanyan.
"Don't look so sad," Lin Shuo said with a smile, comforting his wife and friends. "The children are all back safely and have found their own homes. We should enjoy our old age and have grandchildren."
"How can you say you're old?" Gu Tingxuan, still young at heart, was the first to retort, "Brother Lin, this is not like you."
"Don't think he makes it sound easy. He still tosses and turns and can't sleep at night." Mu Hanyan exposed her.
Lin Shuo: "..." He called out helplessly, "Madam, please give me some face."
Mu Hanyan smiled.
She was quite open-minded: "Ever since His Majesty chose Yuan'er as his consort, I've been waiting for the sword hanging over our family to fall - and now it's finally here. It's not a loss, actually. You're already a Duke, so be content."
Lin Shuo: "I have always been content. I just have a few regrets. Your Majesty, have you ever refused anything I want? He has been seriously ill, so his thoughts are bound to be complicated. I can understand that."
Perhaps, they should pray more for His Majesty and be thankful for their current situation - if His Majesty passes away one day and the prince ascends the throne, it is still unknown whether the Lin family can still have the glory it has today!
It might be a good move to step down from the limelight as soon as possible.
"It's a good opportunity to take advantage of this relapse of my old injury and hand over the military power."
Gu Tingxuan was relatively worried: "Warping up military power will be detrimental to the country."
Lin Shuo consoled him, "Now it's the world of the young. Your Highnesses each have their own strengths, and the Zhou family's sons are also quite promising. Perhaps things aren't as bad as we thought."
The next day.
Emperor Longshun rewarded several young people, both men and women, one by one in the court.
The King of Chu received some praise and will go to Qingzhou to take up his fiefdom in mid-May.
Lin Zhiyi still works in the Ministry of Revenue and is no longer solely responsible for tea and salt matters. He can use his expertise in agriculture and commerce to continue working hard to increase revenue for the national treasury.
Jing Yue received the most material rewards.
Zhou Bokai was promoted to Major General of the Southern Camp, and because he was about to get married, His Majesty personally granted him a mansion.
Zhou Mingyan received material rewards and could go to the Majesty's private treasury to choose a suitable weapon.
Xie Junxing was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Works, and could work in the Ministry of Works. Similar to Lin Zhiyi, he spent half a day at the Imperial College and half a day at the Ministry of Works.
Lin Zhihua was promoted from "Chief of Thousands of Machines" to "Chief of Thousands of Machines," a rank on par with the Minister of Works. Given her prolific creativity, she was solely responsible for creating novelties to benefit the nation and its people, leaving aside other trivial matters. Her colleagues, including the Minister of Works and the Deputy Minister of Works, would assist in the practical verification, optimization, mass production, and promotion of her creations.
Xie Junxing can assist Lin Zhihua in his creation.
Pei Nanyu was already the Minister of Works, a position just below the Minister of Works, so he had received numerous awards and rewards. Furthermore, Xie Junxing and Lin Zhihua both served in his department, making them his trusted confidants—this was Emperor Longshun reassuring him—that when the Minister of Works retired, he would be the next in line.
After all, the daughter of a duke and the son of a marquis all obey his orders. Who else can be as powerful as him?
Fan Haoping of Yuzhou was promoted to the governor of Yuzhou for his meritorious service in protecting the people, and Li Tiankuo was appointed the commander of Yuzhou. Other people who helped them in Yuzhou, such as Dong Cheng and Dong Yi, were also rewarded.
The Qingzhou governor Gu Heming, the Jizhou governor Xu Xingzhi, and people who had made contributions in the two states were each rewarded.
Where there is reward, there must be punishment.
After Tan Dasen and his accomplices were escorted to Beijing, they were jointly tried by the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple. Those whose crimes were serious, including Tan Dasen, were sentenced to immediate execution; those whose crimes were slightly less serious, including nine of Tan Dasen's confidants and two of his sons who participated in the rebellion, were executed in the autumn; those whose crimes were even less serious were exiled three thousand miles away.
The bandits who colluded with Tan Dasen and others to commit evil in the outskirts of Yuzhou were also wiped out by Zhou Bokai's troops.
Li Tiankuo and his group of "righteous bandits" who protected the people were rewarded.
Some joined the army and followed Li Tiankuo to become soldiers of the Yuzhou Duwei Mansion, while others settled down in Yuzhou City, ending their wandering and dangerous life and returning to peace.
On that day, more than a dozen imperial edicts were written to confer awards and honors.
It's already the end of January and spring will soon be here.
The agricultural tools, seeds, crops, etc. needed for spring plowing must be prepared.
Therefore, the task Lin Zhihua received was very urgent. After she and Xie Junxing returned to Beijing from Yuzhou, they had almost no rest and immediately plunged into busy official duties.
Lin Shuo took advantage of the fact that Emperor Longshun was in a good mood as he had rewarded many people. After retiring from court, he asked Li Shouchang for instructions and followed Emperor Longshun to the imperial study.
He voluntarily handed over his military power.
Emperor Longshun coughed twice, suppressed his excitement, and remained expressionless: "Lin Shuo, are you going to leave me?"
"Your Majesty, the young people have grown up and should be given more opportunities. Look, these children have experienced the snowstorm in the three states, and haven't they all carried out your Majesty's orders well?" Lin Shuo said with a smile. "I am old, and my legs and feet feel uncomfortable every winter. Even the acupuncture of Dr. Miao, known for his miraculous skills, cannot alleviate my ailment. The winter cold is so severe that my lungs cannot withstand it. I hope Your Majesty will be compassionate and give me a few years of leisure time."
Emperor Longshun hesitated.
He originally just wanted to cut off half of Lin Shuo's military power.
After all, Duke Lin's reputation is very useful among the northern barbarians, at the border, and in the countries of the Western Regions, even more useful than him as the emperor.
It’s true that Lin Shuo knows how to adapt to the times, but sometimes he is too adaptable...which makes it difficult for him, the emperor, to live his life as a human being!
Emperor Longshun pondered for a long time, and finally said, "Lin Shuo, give half of your troops to Xiuyuan and half to Zhuoran."
Lin Shuo looked up in surprise: "Your Majesty... Xiuyuan is still young, it is not appropriate to accept him..."
On the one hand, Xiuyuan, as the son-in-law of the emperor, had too many troops, which was not good for the court in Dayan.
On the other hand, he knew Xiuyuan was actually... his daughter, and he didn't want her to be too outspoken. She had finally gotten past the hurdle of being a "prince consort," and if she were to be dragged into unknown risks again, it would be a loss. As long as she could avoid the risk of being exposed, mediocrity was fine.
Besides, she already works in the Ministry of Revenue and has no energy.
Emperor Longshun said: "It's okay. He's your son. If he takes over, no one dares to say anything. Besides, he's married and not a child anymore. He's done a good job during this period. I'm not asking him to take over all at once, and you shouldn't abandon him right away. You should give them some time, right? How about a year?"
"...Yes. I obey your order." Lin Shuo decided to stop while he was ahead.
One year is enough time for him and Xiuyuan to find a way to deal with it.
No matter what, handing in half of it means I have completed my plan.
Lin Zhiyi, who didn't know that he was queuing in the center of the vortex again, was now in Jingyue's Lanyue Palace.
After hearing the news of their reward, they returned to Lanyue Palace together to pack their things.
As soon as he entered the inner hall, Lin Zhiyi was pressed against the sandalwood cabinet by Jing Yue and his lips were captured.
After three days of not being together, not only Lin Zhiyi missed Jingyue, but Jingyue also missed her very much.
What's more, although it was said to be three days, including the half day spent in the palace on the day of returning to Beijing, and the half day of attending court to receive the title today, it is already four days!
One day without seeing you feels like three years, four days without seeing you feels like twelve years have passed!
Jingyue's kiss was rarely so eager and domineering.
At first, Lin Zhiyi could still put her arms around his waist and pretend to fight back, but she was soon kissed until she was breathless and her legs became weak.
She leaned against the cabinet, her arms barely able to hold Jingyue's waist.
Jing Yue's hands clasped her waist tightly, steadying her body so that she wouldn't collapse. Then he kissed her slightly raised neck, and then her collarbone under her collar...
Lin Zhiyi's remaining rationality slowly emerged. She grabbed Jingyue's collar and said, "Baby...slow down...be careful not to be seen by people in the palace..."
They were in the princess's mansion, in Bitong Courtyard, in Qingzhou, in the carriage...it didn't matter.
Because I have been specifically reminded of this.
But Lanyue Palace... Although Jingyue didn't let anyone get close to the inner hall because he was dressed as a woman, he was alone at that time, and now the two of them are being intimate together... The sound is not right, what if someone saw them... What if Concubine Lan suddenly arrived... It would not be appropriate.
Jing Yue knew what she was worried about, curled her lips into a smile, and then gently bit her earlobe: "Relax, no one will come near. Youyi and the others are watching."
"What if mother comes?" Lin Zhiyi murmured.
Jing Yue: "I've said goodbye to her. She won't come." The little prince kissed his lover earnestly, "Focus, Pianpian."
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