Shanhe Festival 303. Persuading Mr. Xiuting

"General Longyang poured wine on himself and set himself on fire."

After hearing the soldier's report, Ye Li was stunned for a long time until Mo Xiuyao raised his hand and touched her.

"Ali..." Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and looked quietly at his peaceful wife in his arms, frowning slightly. Ye Li shook her head and sighed softly. After Zhu Yan died, another old general committed suicide in front of her. She could understand their choice both rationally and emotionally. Because if it were her, she would not surrender to the enemy. The two old generals were loyal to Xiling all their lives, and died to preserve their reputation. No matter if we are enemies or friends, we can only respect their character. But Ye Li felt that she couldn't stand it anymore. Maybe she had seen too many deaths these days?

"Ah Li, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?" Mo Xiuyao supported her and asked worriedly, "Let's go back first and talk about other things tomorrow." Ye Li supported his hand and shook her head, smiling soothingly, "I'm fine, and we don't have much time to stay in Biancheng. Send the order to bury General Longyang with the ceremony of a general. Just... bury him with General Zhu Yan."

Mo Xiuyao nodded and ordered, "Just do as the princess said. Go."

The soldiers took the order and left. Mo Xiuyao waved his hand to let the people behind him move aside. He held Ye Li's hand, supported her waist with one hand and walked slowly forward, saying softly: "Long Yang and Zhu Yan are dead, Ah Li is very sad?"

Ye Li shook her head and said, "I don't know what happened. Maybe the two old generals are too old. They are all over 70 years old, but... they can't help but feel a little emotional." Mo Xiuyao said softly, "If Ah Li is upset, stay in the army and don't worry about these things."

Ye Li smiled and said, "Does the prince really think I'm a delicate flower that can't stand the wind? It's just a momentary emotion. No matter what...the two old generals were loyal to the country and are now dead..." Mo Xiuyao said, "Do you think I would care about the dead? Ah Li said to bury them with honor, so let's bury them with honor. Ah Li, don't feel sad for others, okay?"

Hearing Mo Xiuyao's somewhat dull voice, Ye Li looked up at his fixed gaze. She couldn't help but smile, raised her hand and gently touched his slightly wrinkled brows and said: "In this world, you, Xiaobao, grandpa and uncle are the most important people to me. Apart from you, no one can really make me sad. So, Xiuyao, you must be well..."

"Of course I will be fine, and Xiaobao... I will protect everyone that Ah Li likes. I will never make Ah Li sad. So... Ah Li, don't pay attention to those irrelevant people, okay?" Mo Xiu Yao said in a low voice. Ye Li blinked, looked at Mo Xiu Yao seriously, and raised her eyebrows, "Irrelevant people?"

"Ah Li, aren't you sad about the death of Zhu Ling?" Mo Xiu Yao asked in a low voice, but Ye Li could still hear the gnashing of teeth when he said the name Zhu Ling.

"Zhu Ling..." Ye Li sighed softly, and said, "I just think... he is still very young. And my plan this time is inevitably a little shady." Of course she knew more than that. Ye Li was not a person who was slow in emotions. She understood Zhu Ling's feelings. However, not to mention that she and Zhu Ling were just acquaintances, not to mention their relative positions. In Ye Li's heart, there will never be any man who will be more important than Mo Xiuyao. It was doomed to be impossible from the beginning. She felt guilty because of Zhu Ling, not because she had any feelings for Zhu Ling, but purely because she had let him down. But there was no need to let Mo Xiuyao know the rest. Between husband and wife... it's not wrong to tell a little white lie occasionally, right?

"Ali did nothing wrong. If he finds out, he will kill her." Mo Xiuyao gritted his teeth and said, "But...Ali can't do these things secretly anymore. What if something goes wrong? If you really need women, the worst that can happen is to let Qin Feng and the others train a few."

"I understand." Ye Li rolled her eyes silently, knowing this would happen.

After confirming that Ye Li had agreed sincerely, Mo Xiuyao nodded contentedly and walked forward holding Ye Li's hand.

Mr. Xiuting lived on the Dragon Mountain in the east of the city. Because the Dragon Mountain Academy was temporarily sealed by the Mohist Army, some teachers and students who did not have time to escape were temporarily placed in a small garden outside the Dragon Mountain Academy. Although the Mohist Army was composed of soldiers, they were quite respectful to scholars. Since Mo Xiuyao did not embarrass these people, the soldiers who were ordered to guard them would naturally not embarrass them either.

When he arrived at the gate of the small garden, he unexpectedly saw an acquaintance, "Third brother, why are you here?" The person guarding this small garden was indeed Xu Qingfeng. With Xu Qingfeng's status as the leader of the Qilin Squadron and his relationship with the Xu family and Prince Ding's Mansion, it would be a waste of talent to let him guard this place. No one in the Mohist Army would let him do such a thing. The only possibility was that Xu Qingfeng asked for it himself.

Xu Qingfeng was very happy to see Ye Li, and smiled: "Isn't this Longshan Academy one of the three major academies in the world? I just... have heard of its great name for a long time, so I came to take a look." Ye Li shook her head and smiled lightly without exposing him. Although Xu Qingfeng was also raised by the Xu family since he was a child, he also studied in Lishan Academy for a few years. But he has always practiced martial arts, and he is most impatient to sit at the desk to read and write articles, so he didn't even go to the imperial examination. If he is interested in visiting the teachers of Longshan Academy, it is better to believe that his eldest cousin will get married tomorrow. Thinking about it, Ye Li also understood Xu Qingfeng's idea. He would definitely not agree with Mo Xiuyao's killing and captive people, but he would never convince Mo Xiuyao. So they could only turn a blind eye. Although Xu Qingfeng didn't like to study, he was born in the Xu family after all, and his respect for scholars and scholars was no less than anyone else in the Xu family. With him guarding here, no one dared to cause trouble.

"Is Mr. Xiuting okay?" Ye Li asked with a smile.

Xu Qingfeng shook his head helplessly, pointing inside and asking her to go and see for herself. Ye Li didn't care, and pulled Mo Xiuyao inside. This courtyard is not too big, just a two-entry courtyard, and the style is somewhat exquisite and elegant in the south of the Yangtze River of Dachu. I don't know what Longshan Academy built such an independent courtyard for. Before stepping into the gate of the inner courtyard, I heard the sound of reading aloud from inside. However, the content of the recitation was ridiculous, all of which were poems mocking the Mo family army and Prince Ding.

Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao stood at the door and listened silently, not going in to disturb him. The man sitting in the courtyard turned his back to the door and continued to recite one poem after another. For someone like Ye Li who was not familiar with poetry, he could recite so many poems with the same theme without repetition. If it weren't for the wrong time and place, he would have worshipped him as a god. When he read something like "ambition to dominate the emperor, blood flowed in Biancheng", Ye Li finally coughed lightly and smiled, "Mr. Xiuting is really in a good mood."

The person sitting with his back to the door was startled for a moment, then turned around and looked at the door. Soon, a flash of realization flashed in his eyes, "Prince Ding? Princess Ding?"

Ye Li only then saw Mr. Xiuting's appearance clearly. The old man, who was nearly sixty years old, had gray hair and a thin face. His temperament was elegant and he had a bit of the nobleness and arrogance of a scholar. He didn't look like a Xiling native, but more like a scholar from the south.

Ye Li pulled Mo Xiuyao into the yard, nodded and smiled, "That's right, I, Ye Li, have met Mr. Xiu Ting before."

Chen Xiu Fu looked Ye Li up and down, snorted and said, "I am not worthy of being called a junior by Princess Ding." Ye Li did not get angry, but smiled and said, "Mr. Xiu Ting is very talented and famous, and even my grandfather and uncle highly respect him. It is natural for him to be called a junior." Hearing this, Chen Xiu Fu was also somewhat moved, "Mr. Qingyun and Mr. Hongyu?" Although he had lived in Xiling for a long time, he had heard a little about Princess Ding's family background.

Ye Li smiled and said, "That's right."

Chen Xiufu was silent for a moment, and his vigilant and slightly hostile look at them softened a bit. He said calmly, "When I was young, I studied in Dongchu, and was taught by Mr. Qingyun. I also had some friendship with Mr. Hongyu. Of course..." His eyes slowly swept over Mo Xiuyao, and said, "I also visited the Regent King of Dongchu. I didn't expect that thirty years have passed... Mo Liufang and the descendants of the Xu family have become successful. It's a pity that I wasted my time and didn't even teach a single successful student."

Ye Li smiled and said, "Mr. Xiuting, you are joking. At least half of the civil officials in the Xiling court are your students. Why are you wasting your time?" Longshan Academy is one of the three major academies in the world, so it is certainly not a false reputation. Although Xiling values ​​military over literature, it is impossible to let a group of military generals who can't read a few words take charge of the government. Half of the officials in the Xiling court are indeed from Longshan Academy. However, Longshan Academy was established by Chen Xiufu, and it is a little less foundation than Lishan Academy and another Qionghua Academy in the south of Da Chu, so it can only be ranked at the bottom of the top three. But Chen Xiufu alone can achieve such achievements in Xiling, a place that values ​​military over literature, and Mr. Qingyun also respects him very much.

As for the fact that Longshan Academy has no outstanding disciples, it is actually easy to understand. King Zhennan learned the lesson of Lishan Academy's influence in Da Chu, so how could he let Longshan Academy repeat the same mistakes? Chen Xiufu alone is far from the foundation of the Xu family's century-old scholarly family. Even if there were outstanding disciples, they were absorbed or dealt with by King Zhennan early on. As a result, Longshan Academy has no heir like Xu Qingchen who can support the school. If Chen Xiufu dies in the future, Longshan Academy will probably fall into the hands of King Zhennan or the Xiling royal family.

Chen Xiu-fu's expression eased a little, and he finally invited the two of them to come in and sit down.

After entering the flower hall, the guests sat down. Naturally, no one served tea at this time. Ye Li did not feel that it was a loss of status, so she ordered someone to bring water and personally brewed tea for Chen Xiufu and Mo Xiuyao. Since entering the courtyard, Mo Xiuyao had not spoken a word. Looking at Ye Li pouring tea slowly, a soft look flashed in his eyes. He glanced at Chen Xiufu with a warning.

Chen Xiufu drank his tea, noticed Mo Xiuyao's gaze, and snorted without any fear.

"Mr. Qingyun is over eighty years old, right? Is he okay?" Chen Xiu-fu asked after drinking tea for a while.

Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled, "Next year will be my grandfather's eightieth birthday. I hope Mr. Xiu Ting will come to the northwest by then."

Chen Xiufu paused with the teacup in his hand, and looked at Ye Li calmly. He understood what Ye Li meant, but unfortunately he could not agree. He shook his head with some regret and said, "It's a pity, I'm afraid I don't have the blessing to celebrate Mr. Qingyun's birthday. However, in recent years, my Longshan Academy has collected many rare ancient books. Please take them back to Mr. Qingyun as a gift from me. Mr. Qingyun... has a granddaughter like the princess, which is a great blessing in his later years. I will not add anything more to it."

Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Grandfather has never enjoyed any blessings from the younger generation. Instead, the younger generation has caused him a lot of troubles and worries. Thanks to Grandfather's kindness, he did not mind the troubles of us younger generations. Mr. Xiuting has spent his entire life's efforts on Longshan Academy. Does he really hope that Longshan Academy will be lost in the world?"

Chen Xiufu shook his head and smiled, "It is fate, we cannot force it."

Ye Li said calmly: "Isn't the so-called fate chosen by people themselves? Although I am a woman, I also know a saying... My fate is determined by myself, not by God! There is also a saying that character determines destiny, and choices determine life. Sir, you are not a coward, your choice determines the future of Longshan Academy. If you want it to survive, it will survive. If you want it to die, it will naturally die with you."

Chen Xiufu was slightly shocked, and stared at Ye Li for a long time before he sighed, "What a saying that my fate is determined by my own hands... What a saying that character determines destiny, and choices determine life... Princess Ding is so broad-minded, Prince Ding is so lucky, Mr. Qingyun is so lucky..."

"So... what is Mr. Xiuting's decision?" Ye Li asked.

Chen Xiufu lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice: "I will not return to the Dingwang Mansion. His Highness Dingwang is a hero in his life, but it is too cruel to kill hundreds of thousands of people in my Biancheng with a single move!" Speaking of this, Chen Xiufu's voice became more sad and hoarse. Obviously, he was very angry about Mo Xiuyao's behavior. Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and gave him a disdainful look. This king killed, what can you do to me?

Ye Li helplessly raised her hand and pulled Mo Xiuyao's sleeve, and Mo Xiuyao curled his lips and lowered his head to continue drinking tea. He himself knew that it was absolutely useless for him to convince someone like Chen Xiufu. Based on his behavior in Biancheng, Chen Xiufu would not believe him even if he told him all the stories. Even if he put a sword on Chen Xiufu's neck, this person might not buy his account. In this case, he would not bother with that. If Ah Li could convince this person, he would stand on Ah Li's side in the future, which would be a good thing for Ah Li. Although Mo Xiuyao always acted coquettishly in front of Ye Li, he thought about many things in a long-term way that even Master Qingchen might not be able to achieve.

After comforting Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li turned to Chen Xiufu and said, "This is exactly what I wanted to ask Mr. Xiuting for advice. Mr. Xiuting is very eloquent, but you can't slander my husband's reputation at will."

Chen Xiufu was first stunned by how easily Ye Li comforted Mo Xiuyao, and now he was even more confused after hearing Ye Li's words. He said with some displeasure: "What do you mean by that, Princess? When did I slander Prince Ding?"

Ye Li smiled and said, "I just listened outside the door for a long time. Mr. Xiuting said in every word that my husband killed innocent people. Isn't this slander?"

Chen Xiufu was immediately amused by this, staring at Ye Li and asking, "Could it be that those people that Prince Ding killed yesterday deserved to die?"

Ye Li lowered her eyes and said calmly, "When two armies fight, each has its own interests. I have never heard Mr. Xiuting say anything about how countries deal with prisoners of war. As for killing the prisoners... it is true that the prince is a bit cruel, but there are reasons for it. Is Mr. Xiuting's poem too much?"

Chen Xiufu stared at Ye Li with a cold face and said in a deep voice: "Are the people in the city not innocent?"

Ye Li blinked and asked in surprise: "What civilians? When did the Mohist army massacre civilians?"

Chen Xiufu was also stunned. He saw with his own eyes that Mo Xiuyao took all the people in the city to the execution ground. Although Longshan is not very high, the news of being imprisoned in this courtyard is not widely circulated. Naturally, they did not know that these people had been expelled from Biancheng by Mo Xiuyao. Seeing Chen Xiufu's surprised look, Ye Li smiled and said, "I am afraid that Mr. Xiuting's news is a little wrong. General Longyang used the people of Dachu as human shields when fighting. This is something a general would not do. Although the relationship between the northwest and Dachu has been clarified, the soldiers of the Mohist Army and the people of Dachu are still from the same lineage. My husband was angry for a while. But the Mohist Army did not harm any people in Biancheng. Please investigate this matter, sir."

After hearing what Ye Li said, Chen Xiufu was somewhat suspicious but also a little happy. Longshan Academy had been located in Biancheng for decades, and he naturally did not want to see those innocent people lose their lives. He stared at Ye Li carefully for a long time, and finally confirmed that Ye Li was not lying to fool him, so he breathed a sigh of relief. He stood up and bowed to Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, saying: "I am wrong in this matter, and I would like to apologize to Prince Ding and the Princess."

Chen Xiufu was different from Longyang Zhuyan. He had never served in the court of Xiling. When he was young, he traveled around the world and had a broad mind. On the other hand, he did not have a particularly deep obsession with the court of Xiling. The writing, customs and even blood of Dachu and Xiling were of the same origin. He opposed Mo Xiuyao more because of his brazen invasion of Xiling and his intention to massacre all the people in Biancheng. Now that he knew it was a misunderstanding, he naturally did not care to apologize to Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li in person.

Ye Li quickly stood up and supported him, saying, "Mr. Xiuting, there is no need to do this. Since you are staying on this mountain for the time being, you will naturally be cut off from the news."

Chen Xiufu sat down again and asked, "So... where are the people of Biancheng now? I don't think... anyone has returned."

Ye Li glanced at Mo Xiuyao and said with some shame: "All the people in the city have left." What does the so-called leaving mean? Chen Xiufu can understand it without explanation. He couldn't help but frown. Although he saved his life, hundreds of thousands of people were displaced and many people didn't even have time to take their belongings. The days ahead will not be easy. Shaking his head, Chen Xiufu looked at Mo Xiuyao and said: "I remember... the area of ​​the four states in the northwest is not very large. The prince's move... I understand it a little, but I can't agree with it."

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows but did not answer.

Chen Xiufu said, "Your Highness would not want to drive away all the people in Xiling and then relocate the people from the northwest or even Da Chu here. Please forgive me for being frank, but your Highness's move is probably even more inappropriate than massacring the city." Hearing this, Mo Xiuyao finally raised his head and asked calmly, "Why?"

Chen Xiufu said in a deep voice: "The people of Xiling have lived in these places for generations. If the prince only intends to occupy a piece of land, it's fine. If the prince intends to drive the people away all the way, where does the prince want to drive all the people of Xiling to? Once they have no way to retreat, even ordinary people without weapons will fight back. It is true that Xiling and Da Chu have a grudge, but the people of Xiling and Da Chu do not necessarily have any deep hatred. Thousands of years ago, Xiling and Da Chu were originally one family. If the prince wants the land of Xiling, he should know that he must accept the people of Xiling."

Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li looked at each other. With Chen Xiufu's relationship and position with them, he was already very close to them for saying such a thing. It even meant something special. Ye Li nodded and said, "Sir, you are right. We did not handle the incident last night properly. Please forgive us for what happened. In addition, we came to visit you in the hope that you can help us make up for it." The events of the past two days have had a significant impact on the reputation of the Mohist Army. False reputation is a small matter, but if the news of the Mohist Army's massacre is deliberately exaggerated, the Mohist Army's future expedition may encounter unprecedented stubborn resistance, and even cause completely unnecessary losses.

Chen Xiufu was silent for a moment, then asked in a deep voice, "What does the princess want me to do?"

Ye Li said softly, "Please ask Mr. Xiuting to send a letter to inform the people of the world that Biancheng has returned to normal. The original Biancheng citizens who are willing to return can still return, and all their property will be returned. In addition, Longshan Academy will be reopened. I also ask Mr. Xiuting to recommend a few capable people who can help manage Biancheng."

Chen Xiufu stared at Ye Li calmly for a long time, but the two people facing him knew that he was not as calm as he looked on the surface. Ye Li's request seemed simple, but once he agreed, it would be like announcing to the world that Mr. Xiuting would return to Shunding Palace from now on. Knowing his hesitation and struggle, the two did not rush him and sat quietly drinking tea.

After a long while, a trace of determination and resoluteness flashed across Chen Xiufu's face. He looked at Ye Li and said, "I agree to your request, Princess, but please ask your Highness and Princess to agree to one thing for me."

Ye Li also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Mr. Xiuting, just give me your orders."

Chen Xiufu said: "Please ask the prince and princess to promise that they will not kill ordinary people in Xiling."

Ye Li smiled and said, "Of course, the Mohist Army is not a bloodthirsty and murderous wolf-tiger army, and has never invaded ordinary people, right?"

Chen Xiufu nodded and smiled, "I believe in the princess, and I hope that the prince and princess will not go back on their word."

"Then please wait and see, sir." Ye Li said with a smile.

After seeing off Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, the soldiers of the Mo family army who were originally guarding outside the courtyard also withdrew. This also showed the sincerity of Prince Ding's Mansion. In the small courtyard, Chen Xiufu looked at the tea that had already cooled on the table in front of him and sighed quietly.

"Sir, do we really want to return to Shunding Palace? This move will only be detrimental to your reputation. No matter how powerful the Ding Palace is, it will not be able to stop the people from talking about you." The young student behind Chen Xiu-fu asked worriedly.

Chen Xiufu shook his head, looked up at the sky above the courtyard, and said in a deep voice: "Fame and bad reputation are all false. Seeing these two people... I suddenly feel that perhaps the pattern of this world is really going to change." Da Chu and Xiling are the two great powers of the world. But every scholar will remember how vast and huge an empire once stood on this land a thousand years ago. That era was the peaceful and prosperous era that countless people admired. It is said that after a long period of unity, there will be division, and after a long period of division, there will be unity. This world has been divided for too long. When the two people were in front of him, he seemed to finally see a luxury that he had never dared to touch in his life, a dream of a real peaceful and prosperous era.

"But, didn't you say, sir, that Prince Ding's evil spirit is too strong and is harmful to the harmony of nature? Isn't this a sign of long-term consequences?" the student asked in confusion.

Chen Xiu-fu chuckled and said, "That's because I didn't see the other person. With her around, perhaps Prince Ding wouldn't have committed so many murders. This time... aren't the people of Biancheng safe? I was worrying too much. Mr. Qingyun is far-sighted, how could he not see this. Since Mr. Qingyun didn't stop Prince Ding from sending troops, it means..." It means that Mr. Qingyun is also optimistic about Prince Ding.

When he was young, Chen Xiufu had great ambitions. Unfortunately, his ambitions were not something most people could understand. Most people just thought he was just an arrogant delusion. After hitting too many walls, he finally became discouraged and settled in Longshan to teach and educate people. He hoped to pass on his ambitions and ideas. Later, the Emperor of Xiling was cowardly and incompetent, the King of Zhennan monopolized power, and Mo Jingqi of Dachu was suspicious and cruel. The entire Dachu seemed strong but was actually declining. All these things made him desperate and gave up completely. He even saw foreign invasions in his dreams at midnight, and the scene of Dachu and Xiling no longer existed. But he didn't expect that when he was nearly sixty years old, he would see a glimmer of hope again.

For the first time in his life, Chen Xiufu lamented that he had already passed his prime. If only he could be 20 years younger...

Looking up at the clear, cloudless sky, Chen Xiufu murmured, "I have accomplished nothing in my life, so it is not a pity for me to die. But now I only hope that I can live a few more years, so that I can perhaps see a truly peaceful and prosperous era in my lifetime."

A peaceful and prosperous age? The young student behind him was shocked. He didn't expect the teacher to have such high expectations for that person. Although he didn't see Prince Ding and his wife in person, he heard their conversation from behind. When he watched them leave, the young man felt that there was no one in the world more suitable than them.

"Sir, you will definitely see that day," the young student whispered.