Chapter 57: The general's decree will be announced to the world. Tell everyone...
At the hour of You, Yan Jing was urgently summoned into the palace.
The eunuch who led the way stopped in front of the imperial study and made a "please" gesture to him.
He stepped forward and knelt down to pay respect to the person at the main seat: "Your Majesty, I, Yan Jing, pay my respects to you."
"No need to be polite, Mr. Yan." Hua Cang rubbed his temples and raised his hand to signal him to stand up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yan Jing stood up and looked up, and immediately met several pairs of eyes staring at him.
He took a quick glance and found that all the well-known aristocratic families in the capital were present, as well as some decisive civil servants and officials. It seemed that this war was indeed extremely urgent.
"Who is guarding the border now?" Hua Cang tilted his head and asked the official beside him.
"Your Majesty, it is General Zhang Ding." An official replied immediately.
But when Hua Cang heard this answer, he felt a slight headache.
Zhang Ding is the younger brother of Gao Xuan's late wife Zhang Rong. He is brave but lacks wisdom. He can be a surprise soldier but not a general.
If the situation had eased a little in the past few days, Zhang Ding would have been more than capable of temporarily taking over and guarding the border, but the current situation is not optimistic and a replacement must be selected immediately.
But if it were really so easy to find talented generals, he would not have been treading on thin ice and employing Gao Xuan for three years.
"Your Majesty, my son is good at strategy and can lead the troops to the front line to solve the urgent problem."
As soon as someone recommended himself, someone else retorted: "Forgive me for being blunt, but your son has been away from home for a long time, and his so-called 'good strategy' is just talk. I suggest that we look for talents among the people, and there will be brave men if we pay a lot of money."
"Will this... take too long? The battle on the frontline cannot be delayed. I suggest that we choose a capable minister from the ranking of the previous years' archery banquet?"
Hua Cang, who had been listening with his eyes closed, slowly opened his eyes: "The Archery and Horseback Feast in previous years..."
Apart from the royal family whose ranking has no reference value, there are only a handful of people left. The most prominent among these people is the once famous "White Ranger" - Geng You, the son of the Luozhou County Magistrate.
He remembered that Geng You gave up his official career and lived in Yan's house as a retainer, so he looked at Yan Jing and said, "Mr. Yan, what do you think?"
Yan Jing nodded and saluted in response, saying, "I think what you all said makes sense, but it seems to be a bit limited."
“Limitations”… ?
Hua Junguang, who had been standing by for a long time, thought about his proposal and suddenly thought of someone.
If it is not limited to men and identities, then it is——
"You mean the daughter of the Gao family, Gao Lerong? I heard that she inherited her parents' talent for martial arts, but I don't know if she can lead troops. Moreover, her father's affair has caused a lot of trouble in the city. Letting her be a general is too risky."
Unexpectedly, Yan Jing shook his head slightly, raised the corner of his lips almost imperceptibly, and bowed to Hua Cang: "Your Majesty, the person I recommended is already outside the door. Can you allow her to come in?"
Hearing this, Hua Cang also became curious: "Let her in."
After getting the emperor's permission, the eunuch informed the outside world.
All I could hear was the sound of the eaves bells tinkling in the draft, a pair of soapy boots shattering the sunset glow that fell to the ground, and a cross-legged skirt sweeping past the door of the corridor, flickering in the flowing light and shadow.
All the officials in the room were looking forward to it, and then they saw the man walking slowly against the dusk, until he reached the center of the room, and knelt down neatly, like a sword drawn from its sheath piercing into the dim sunlight.
"I am Wen Ying, a commoner, paying my respects to Your Majesty." Wen Ying's voice was so loud and clear that it caused an uproar in the room.
They had all heard that Wei Quan had thoroughly investigated the injustice of the Wen family case, and knew that the Wen family would be cleared of all charges in the near future.
It’s just that Wen Ying has disappeared for more than three years, and I didn’t expect that she is still alive.
When Hua Cang heard the name, he immediately looked at the girl's lowered head. After a moment's silence, he slowly said, "Raise your head."
"Yes." Wen Ying slowly raised her head, her eyes stern.
Hua Cang paused for a long time and then asked softly, "Your last name is Wen, then who is your father?"
"Yes, my father was the cavalry general, Wen Jian, who died in the battlefield three years ago." Wen Ying looked directly at the emperor with neither humility nor arrogance.
Wen Jian was stripped of all his official positions three years ago, and should no longer be called the General of Cavalry.
But she called herself a commoner and refused to give up her father's official position.
This is the honor my father earned with his life. Now that the injustice has been cleared, the official position that originally belonged to my father should be restored.
Hua Cang did not refute Wen Ying's address, but looked down into the girl's clear amber eyes, and said in a low voice: "Yan Qing recommends you to lead the troops to fight against the sudden attack of the enemy. Are you determined to win?"
Hearing the familiar name, Wen Ying subconsciously glanced at Yan Jing, and when she saw the gentleness on the corner of his lips, she instantly withdrew her gaze and said, "Your Majesty, I have been patrolling the border with my father since I was twelve years old. I have experienced countless battles, large and small, entered the enemy camp, and killed enemy bandits. I know the dangers of the battlefield and the importance of using troops."
"My father has defended the border for decades and has made remarkable achievements. If Your Majesty trusts me, I am willing to follow the will of my ancestors and swear to drive the bandits out of the country to ensure the peace of our country."
Yan Jing's eyes were shallow, and he himself did not even notice that since the moment he saw Wen Ying, he had never suppressed the curve of his lips.
It seemed that he didn't notice the cold eyes in the corner.
"Okay!" Hua Cang nodded slightly, smiled and said loudly: "It is true that a good father will have a good daughter, and a hero is born young. In this case, I will appoint you as a general in danger, give you a tiger talisman, and go to the border today to resist the enemy. I hope you will live up to my expectations and return triumphantly soon."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Wen Ying showed no sadness or joy on her face when she received the order, she just bowed her head.
This imperial decree will be announced to the world.
It spread to those who were still unaware of the Wen family's innocence, to the hearts of those who were in despair because of Wen Jian's death in battle, and to the ears of the enemy who were terrified at the mere mention of the word "Wen".
Tell everyone that General Wen has returned.
·
Walking out of the imperial study, the moon had already climbed above the treetops, fading away the hustle and bustle of the day, and the chirping of insects at night seemed a bit lonely.
"Do you really want to go?"
The golden carriage moved forward steadily. Wen Ying looked at Yan Jing who had been staring at her for a long time and raised her eyebrows slightly: "What do you mean?"
"Literally." Yan Jing lowered his eyes to the girl's right hand. The rough callus was a medal of her diligence. "You hate that person, don't you?"
No matter what Hua Cang's considerations were, it is an indisputable fact that he ignored their friendship and imposed a false crime on her father.
The hatred of a broken family and the loss of loved ones cannot be cleared up with just a few words.
Wen Ying looked at Yan Jing's actions. He seemed to hold her hand in his palm as if it were a fragile object.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she brushed the back of her hand across the man's palm. She turned her wrist and held his hand, and whispered, "I hate him alone. It has nothing to do with the soldiers on the border, nor with the people of the world."
She can take her time to settle her blood feud, but the war on the border cannot be delayed.
Every day she went later, the risk increased.
Wen Ying was about to speak angrily, but suddenly she remembered something. She lifted the car curtain and looked around. After confirming that no one was approaching Yan Jing, she lowered her voice and whispered in his ear, "To be honest, I have lived longer than him, and I will be able to survive one day."
Yan Jing was both amused and annoyed, and took Wen Ying into his arms, imitating her and whispering in her ear: "Then I will endure it with you, and if we both do the 'great sin' together, perhaps our sins can be halved."
"Then we can drag Chuntao into this 'great sin' together, so that the sin can be shared more." Wen Ying counted on her fingers, wondering who else she could "drag into the water", but Yan Jing grabbed four of her fingers.
"Don't drag them into this. I'll take the responsibility with you."
Yan Jing's voice was so gentle and affectionate that Wen Ying couldn't help but look up at his expression and met his star-like eyes.
"If Miss Wen thinks the burden is too much, then I can take on more."
The words seemed righteous, but also contained a hint of doting.
However, Wen Ying, who had been deceived by Yan Jing many times, only thought about it for a moment, then narrowed her eyes and came to a conclusion: "Yan Yunlang, are you childish? You are jealous too?"
"Huh? Exposed?" Yan Jing did not try to hide it this time. Instead, he smiled even more and ruffled the girl's hair. "Jie'er is getting smarter and smarter."
Grabbing the hand that was doing the wrong thing on her head, Wen Ying bit his knuckles as punishment and said dissatisfiedly, "Why do I always feel like you are raising me like a child?"
The place where he was bitten didn't hurt, but it felt a little itchy, which made Yan Jing's eyes dim a little, and his voice rose at the end: "Then what do you want me to treat you as?"
"I think..." Wen Ying was about to continue what he said, but suddenly realized that something was wrong.
No matter what she said, it was wrong to answer this question. Yan Jing was playing tricks on her again.
So she gently pushed the man's chest and said angrily, "Who wants you to support me?"
Yan Jing smiled and grabbed her hand that she stretched out to him. Instead of letting her push it away, he let her get closer. His voice was soft and low: "Do you want to hear my answer?"
Hearing this, Wen Ying looked at him in confusion: "What's the answer?"
Yan Jing smiled but said nothing. He just held her waist and waited for the carriage to stop. He said, "My answer is already in your yard. Go get it."
It must be said that Yan Jing's words did arouse his curiosity. Wen Ying glanced at him, then jumped off the carriage and walked quickly towards Qingzhuyuan.
Yan Jing walked out slowly behind her and couldn't help laughing as he watched the girl's hurried back.
I hope she likes it.
"Lord Yan."
Before the curve of his lips dropped, Yan Jing heard the call.
Unlike her usual arrogance and publicity, her tone was extremely light and calm.
He looked in the direction of the voice and nodded politely: "Ms. Gao."
Gao Lerong looked much thinner, and her pale face could hardly support her bright clothes, but her eyes were brighter than ever.
Gao Xuan deceived his superiors and subordinates and was suspected of collaborating with the enemy, but he was already dead, and provided important clues before his death, making up for his crime with merit; in addition, there was Miss Cui who was rescued by Gao Lerong at the riding and shooting banquet that day, and the letter from Yan Jing.
His Majesty granted Gao Xuan's last and only request in consideration of his many years of service to the country.
Give Gao Lerong, who is completely unaware of the situation, a chance to live.
Now Gao Lerong is a commoner, but Yan Jing still treats her as before.
"...Why did you take me to the Dali Temple dungeon that day?" Gao Lerong's voice was a little hoarse, as if she had cried until she was exhausted.
After her father died, she had a lot of free time, so long that she was a little dazed.
During this period, she no longer had to learn needlework, which she disliked, or read books, which she disliked, in order to please anyone.
This also gave me a chance to think about the ins and outs of this matter.
After her eager impulse to protect her father dissipated, she realized that the obviously wrong letter was a clue left by Yan Jing deliberately, in order to let her know that her father would be in danger of death.
"So that I can witness my father's death?"
Yan Jing looked at Wen Ying's shock when she pushed open the gate and saw countless red boxes and a wild goose. His voice couldn't help but become a little gentle: "It's not me who wants to lead you, it's her."
Gao Lerong followed Yan Jing's gaze and saw the girl in the yard see a scroll with red background and gold characters on the high table in the middle.
"She wanted you to know. Because on the day her father died, she had no chance or choice."
Gao Lerong stood there in a daze, unable to come back to her senses for a long time.
What Wen Ying gave her was the opportunity to save her father.
If she could defeat the Red Lock alone that day, then her father would be able to...
Wen Ying, who was being stared at by the two men, had no intention of caring about Gao Lerong's thoughts. She just stared blankly at the scroll in front of her.
There were only two words written on the scroll: [Marriage Certificate].
Is this Yan Jing’s answer?
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