Chapter Nineteen: People's Hearts Overflow with Joy and Fragrance
"You didn't come empty-handed this time, did you?"
The zither music seemed to hesitate for a moment, then slowly continued, "What do you mean by that?"
"You mentioned something about guarding against treacherous officials at the banquet earlier. You must already have a plan, right?" Yang Xiao turned to look at Qi Kun. "Right, Master?"
“You really can’t hide anything from me,” Qi Kun said with a hint of exhilaration in his music. “I do have some ideas about this, but it’s not the right time yet.”
Yang Xiao chuckled and sighed, "When is the right time? With the lord's power newly rising, it's perfectly normal for others to plant spies on him." She stood up and sat opposite Qi Kun, "Do you know that this is how the previous dynasty fell?"
“Of course I know, and besides, how can my lord be compared to a tyrant?” Qi Kun closed his eyes, looked up at the sky, and sighed softly. The music of his zither gradually faded. “My lord’s reputation is widespread. I have come here to test whether he is worthy of such a reputation. It will not be too late to offer my advice after I have seen through his true nature.” He turned to look at Yang Xiao.
“You and your martial uncle are exactly the same; you insist on verifying right and wrong for yourselves.” Yang Xiao smiled and pointed at Qi Kun. “Qi Lu went to Chang’an alone to make his way in the world before, but we don’t know what happened to him. Has he come home all these years?”
Qi Kun smiled and shook his head, then sighed, "Perhaps we are all born to disbelieve in superstition." He stopped playing the zither and looked up at Yang Xiao, "Back then, he used the excuse that going to Chang'an was to pave the way for you. But I knew he had his own ambitions."
Afraid of bringing up Qi Kun's painful past again, Yang Xiao suddenly stood up and slammed her hand on the table. "And what about you, Master? What concerns do you still have about the Lord?"
Qi Kun was startled by her sudden question. He chuckled and shook his head, "I have already witnessed your respect for talent and your treating your ministers like family. So, there's only one thing missing—"
"Is this the will of the people?"
Yang Xiao smiled and returned to her seat. "What our lord has in abundance is the support of the people. When we go to the outskirts of the city to look for flowers, we will surely encounter some commoners. Just observe their attitude, and you will know everything."
Before Qi Kun could say anything, Yang Xiao leaned forward and said, "If our lord truly loves the people, you must offer your advice immediately."
“That’s for sure,” Qi Kun nodded to her and smiled, “If this person is truly worthy of a wise ruler, I will present all my plans when I return, without uttering a single falsehood.”
"Is it a deal?"
It's a deal.
Looking at his serious expression, Yang Xiao relaxed and leaned against the pillar. "Play a little longer, Master. I haven't had enough."
A soft laugh drifted on the wind, and the sound of a zither slowly entered my ears.
Yang Xiao smiled as she gazed at the hazy moonlight, leaned comfortably against a pillar, and stretched languidly. She let out a soft sigh, closed her eyes, and listened to the melodious and expansive sound of the zither, as well as the whispering of willow leaves in the wind.
When Qi Kun was still in Qingzhou, he had heard about Zhongli An's rise to power in Jizhou, and he had also heard about Zhongli An's manners and conduct. In addition, Yang Xiao was also a general under Zhongli An, and his hidden desire to save the world was suddenly ignited.
However, as Yang Xiao said, he still had some concerns about Zhong Li's case and was unwilling to easily share his well-thought-out plan with him. Firstly, he had less trust in him, and secondly, he didn't know if Zhong Li would trust him as much as he trusted Yang Xiao and Bai Ming.
Zhongli An is currently riding high. In just two months, he has managed to seize Ji Province, capture Yan Province, attack Yu Province, and take over Qing Province, transforming himself from a mere governor into a regional overlord.
In this way, who wouldn't be jealous? Xiao Yan from the Northwest and He Yuan from the South are both like leopards poised to pounce, eyeing the land of Hebei, Henan, and Hebei with predatory intent.
Of all the troubles facing the world, none is greater than Hebei. Once Hebei is pacified, the path to hegemony will be complete. With Zhongli An's ambition of hegemony seemingly within reach, how can the other tribes remain inactive?
Although we dare not launch a direct attack, it is perfectly normal for us to send spies to disrupt morale and sow discord while the enemy is still establishing itself.
However, Qi Kun already had a plan in mind. He observed the flawless Zhongli case and awaited his final test for him—the will of the people.
Whether a wise ruler trusts or not is no longer important; as long as he uses what he has learned in his life for the good and for the benefit of all people, that is enough.
The recapture of Qingzhou will undoubtedly bring greater peace and happiness to the people of Hebei and Henan.
-
Summer Solstice arrived unexpectedly, and the outskirts of the city were filled with fragrance. Sunlight shone down, and the stream shimmered like a jade ribbon. Flowers bloomed all along the banks, and a few butterflies fluttered in the gentle breeze. The sound of hooves gradually rose from afar, and several warhorses, having lost their usual swiftness, galloped merrily across the grass, startling a flock of butterflies.
Three young soldiers rode their horses ahead, galloping freely. The joyful sound of their hooves swept past the houses, drawing out several curious heads.
The three people in front had already run far away, leaving only Zhong Li'an and Qi Kun behind, talking and pacing. Suddenly, a commotion was heard from the house. The crowd of people, seeing that Zhong Li'an had arrived, rushed forward and surrounded him and Qi Kun.
Qi Kun was startled by the scene and instinctively pulled back the reins. Looking up, he saw that Zhong Li'an had jumped off his horse at some point and was helping the bowing people up.
Qi Kun dismounted and stayed by Zhong Li'an's side.
The first priority in establishing a dynasty was to ensure the well-being of the people. After burning down the granaries in Yanzhou, he immediately sent people to return the grain and even built a new one. Taxes were pitifully low. Zhongli An himself had nothing luxurious in his residence, and even Yang Xiao's battle robe was tattered and unsewn. Yet, the lives of the people were becoming more and more prosperous every day.
Who wouldn't love such a ruler?
Looking at Zhong Li'an, who was dressed in plain clothes and was humble and polite, and the people who were vying to offer him fruit, Qi Kun immediately understood Zhong Li'an's character.
All his previous worries vanished, and he felt at ease, staying close to Zhong Li'an and helping to greet the people in front of him.
The noise reached the front of the woods, and the three generals turned their horses around to meet them. They dismounted and trotted over.
The old man looked at the three energetic generals and nodded approvingly at Zhong Li'an, "With such generals, how can we not be victorious?"
“Yes,” Zhong Li’an smiled as he looked at the three people running towards him, “Ever since they helped me, I have never had to worry about fighting.”
"My lord, strategist." Bai Ming, holding the reins, bowed to the crowd. Before he could finish speaking, Zhong Li Shuo put his arm around his shoulder. He turned around and saw Zhong Li Shuo smiling and looking up at Zhong Li An. "I was wondering why you two had disappeared. It turns out you ran into the villagers." He then smiled and cupped his hands to the people. "Gentlemen, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"This... must be General Yude?" The old man looked at Zhongli Shuo with a kind smile in his eyes. "I've heard so much about you. I just gave the magistrate some fruit. It was freshly picked. You should share it when you get back. It's absolutely sweet."
The people behind the old man also took out the fruit they had brought and stuffed it into Yang Xiaobaiming's arms.
Zhong Li'an looked down at the bag in his hand, overflowing with fruit crammed together. He closed the bag and looked at the old man, "Uncle, I appreciate your kindness, but..."
“Oh, my lord,” Qi Kun said with a smile, raising his hand to stop Zhong Li’an, “It would be inappropriate for you not to accept any of your uncle’s kindness. However, we cannot refuse everyone’s hospitality, and we cannot take all this fruit back with us.”
Zhong Lishuo nodded in agreement, stuffing the fruit he had collected into the hands of the villagers, saying, "That's right, folks, the harvest is hard-earned, so please save some for your families."
"Uncle and Aunt," Yang Xiao handed out the fruit that had inexplicably appeared in her arms to the people, "We came in a hurry this time, but we will definitely pay our respects next time we come here."
Zhong Li'an nodded and smiled as he looked at Bai Ming and Yang Xiao.
"Good, good, you must be General Yang Xiao, right?" The old woman in front of Yang Xiao took the fruit and looked at Yang Xiao with a loving expression. "Such a beautiful young girl has become a general. I wonder how much better she is than my son." She smiled and nodded at Yang Xiao, then raised her hand and patted her arm. "Good child, I have heard about your achievements. But you must take good care of yourself on the battlefield."
Yang Xiao smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Auntie, with us here, we'll make sure you're safe and sound."
The old woman nodded kindly, then looked at Bai Ming standing beside Yang Xiao. "General Bai is indeed as gentle and magnanimous as the rumors say," she said with emotion, looking at the three generals in front of her. "With such a general who loves the people, how can the country not be stable?"
“Who says otherwise?” The old man smiled at the old woman beside him. “Your Excellency is as gentle as jade, Mr. Qi is as resourceful as a genius, and the three generals are as heroic as ever… Today, I have truly witnessed what it means to ‘not distinguish between ruler and subject, but to be as close as family.’” The old man stuffed the fruit in his hand back to Zhongli An. “Your Excellency, take it. You can refuse what others have, but you must take mine.”
Zhong Li'an smiled and accepted the fruit. "Okay, Uncle, I'll take it." He looked up at the grateful people in front of him and felt a surge of emotion. He then pulled the old man aside and talked for a long time.
It took a while before the people reluctantly dispersed.
Yang Xiao mounted his horse, looked at the departing figures of the people, and smiled as he nodded at Qi Kun, "How was it?"
Qi Kun looked at her, then chuckled and shook his head, "I'm completely convinced."
The flowers in early summer are at their most beautiful. As soon as Zhong Lishuo saw the flowers, he ran forward with great joy and plunged into a sea of flowers.
Refined people say flowers are vulgar, but Zhong Lishuo never thought so. He has loved flowers since he was a child.
It lies dormant in the mud, sprouts from the soil in the spring rain, takes root several feet deep, and blooms in its most vigorous moment, displaying its most intense vitality to the world, even if it withers away.
It is just like human life.
The young man, dressed in battle robes, rode his horse into the flower bushes without appearing out of place at all.
He rode along freely, yet without feeling truly satisfied, so he simply waved and called Yang Xiaobai back. The group rode off, chatting and laughing all the way, enjoying the beautiful wildflowers in full bloom.
Yang Xiao also let loose and galloped forward on her horse. When she turned around, she was right in front of Bai Ming.
She suddenly realized that Bai Ming was incredibly handsome. The elegant young man in white was composed yet spirited, his ambition blossoming like a flower, and his age was the same as the flower. His face, as handsome as jade, was further accentuated by the blooming flowers, highlighting Bai Ming's refined and scholarly demeanor.
Yang Xiao was lost for a moment, then suddenly reached out and, without thinking, plucked a handful of flowers from the tree, turned around and rushed back.
A few petals drifted down from the bouquet in her hand, leaving Yang Xiao far behind. She spurred her horse and galloped up to Bai Ming, startling him.
"Lingyu, what's wrong with you...?"
"Don't move." Yang Xiao gently stopped him as she stood up from the bridge, smiling as she held the flower up to Bai Ming's face, tilting it slightly. "You're not allowed to scold me later."
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