Relief
The case of Marquis Xichang was finally announced to the world through an imperial edict issued at the morning court three days later.
The Marquis of Xichang was said to have lost his moral integrity, deceiving his superiors and subordinates. He falsely reported military achievements during the war in the western border and massacred civilians. He also colluded with the enemy, pursued personal gain, and smuggled weapons and minerals. He was also audacious and killed officials who had reported him. His crimes were too numerous to list, and he committed suicide in prison. His three clans were exiled to Lingnan, his property was confiscated, and his descendants were banned from officialdom for six generations.
At the same time, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel jointly requested, which was approved by the Cabinet, that the former commander of the Nanzhou Army, Song Yiping, be transferred to the western front and appointed as the General of Dingxi; and that the General of the State, Yin Song, be reinstated as the General of Dingnan and be appointed as the commander of the Nanzhou Army.
The imperial edict was sent to the two states by express horses through the post station. At the same time, the Yin family's convoy also quietly arrived in Beijing.
As the convoy entered the city gate, it stopped by the roadside. A young man in white clothes and a jade crown jumped out of the carriage briskly, stretched his slender limbs, and said in a relaxed tone, "We're finally here. I was almost sick from sitting in the carriage!"
He was Yin Song's grandson, named Yin Tong. He came to the capital to find Baili Hongyuan on his grandfather's orders, but in order to conceal his whereabouts, he was not allowed to ride a fast horse. Like a girl, he took a carriage for half a month to reach the capital.
He said to his attendant, "You guys take care of yourselves. I'm going to take a walk first."
The servants of the Yin family knew that their master was a carefree person, so they didn't dare to say anything. They only reminded him, "Young Master, please remember where we are staying. There is a welcoming banquet tonight, so don't miss it."
"I know." Yin Tong waved his hand and strode away with the crowd on the streets of the capital.
Although he had been away from Beijing for many years, he grew up in the capital when he was young and was very familiar with the road conditions here.
He followed his memory to the gate of Imperial College, glanced at the word "Taixue" on the plaque, and shook his head in dissatisfaction.
This place was previously known as the "Ji Nan Academy," meaning "saving the world from distress." It was an enlightenment academy founded by the Qin family's ancestors for the sick and orphans of fallen soldiers. As the school grew in size and teaching resources became scarce, the Qin family merged the clan school with the Ji Nan Academy, fully aware that their children would learn alongside the children of the poorest classes.
It was also because of this that Jiman Academy became famous and many famous scholars came to teach there. Within a few years, the academy produced many talented and famous people and became the most prestigious place to study.
But since the fall of the Qin family, the Jinan Academy was closed and turned into an official school, which only recruited students who passed the examinations and were sent from all over the country. Its nature was completely different.
But Yin Tong still wanted to come here and take a look.
He was a martial artist, and although he did not study here, when he was young, whenever he came out of the training ground, he would come here to wait for his friends to finish school. They would gather in groups of three or five, or parade around and have fun, or observe the people's sentiments, or study and discuss martial arts. If he was lucky, he would even see the person he loved.
That was the happiest time of his life.
However, things have changed.
There are several small restaurants opposite the college, which are specially provided for students to improve their meals or have small gatherings.
Yin Tong looked around at the door and saw that the shopkeeper was still the same old man. He felt a little warm in his heart and walked in with a smile.
When the shopkeeper Dong Bo saw the newcomer, he clapped his hands happily and said, "Oh, General Yin, it really is you!"
Yin Tong smiled and said, "Dong Bo still remembers me?"
Dong Bo nodded enthusiastically and said, "Of course I remember! When you were still in the capital, you helped me chase away the hooligans and hooligans on the street who came to cause trouble. How could I not remember?"
Yin Tong asked, "How has your business been these past few years? Have those scoundrels given you any trouble?"
Dong Bo sighed slightly and said, "Of course it's not as good as when the Ji Nan Academy was still around, but it's manageable. In the past, there were some idlers who came here to eat for free, but they were caught and punished by Lord Baili, so they don't dare come anymore."
"Master Baili still comes here often?"
Dong Bo sighed, "He's busy and doesn't come often, but he always comes at night, looking worried and alone. It's great to have you back, General Yin. Lord Baili must be very happy too! Please take a seat. Sang's Sixth Lady sent someone to ask if you've arrived this morning. I'll tell her right away; she's been waiting for you for a few days."
Yin Tong asked doubtfully, "Sang Liuniang?"
Dong Bo nodded and said, "Yes, it's the cousin who looks very similar to Miss Qin Er. She's also in the capital, and her clinic is on the street behind. Didn't you make an appointment with her?"
Yin Tong became even more suspicious.
He didn't tell anyone when he was going to Beijing, and he came to this restaurant on a whim. How could someone be waiting for her here?
But when he heard Dong Bo mention "Qin Er Niang", he still planned to meet this Sang Liu Niang.
"Then please go and ask for it."
Soon, several young women came together from the street. The woman walking in the middle was thin and small. She was wearing a cotton coat in late autumn and had a fox fur around her neck. Her small face was hidden in the fur and could not be seen clearly.
Yin Tong couldn't help but shake his head. How could she be like Qin Yousi? Qin Yousi wasn't that delicate.
Qin Yousi brought Gu Wu and Yu Huan to the restaurant. Seeing Yin Tong's wary face, he secretly chuckled and deliberately avoided greeting him. Instead, he said to Dong Bo, "Please make me one of your most famous crispy pork pancakes and a bowl of spicy spicy soup. The young general hasn't had a bite of this in years, so I'm sure he's indebted to you."
Yin Tong's eyes widened. This woman even knew his favorite food!
Facing his suspicious gaze, Qin Yousi finally greeted Yin Tong: "Sang Liuniang has met with General Yin. I learned that General Yin was mediating on behalf of the old general in Beijing. I guessed you would come here to commemorate your old friend, so I wanted to meet you first. I am a friend, not an enemy. There is no need for the young general to be so defensive."
Yin Tong didn't believe her and said, "If they were friends, why would they follow her secretly and spy on her?"
Qin Yousi smiled and said, "I didn't mean to follow you. It's just that you've been spending money like water on this trip, and my bank had to go to Beijing to withdraw cash, so I found out. Then I calculated your distance and learned that you'll be arriving in the next two days, so it's not surprising."
Yin Tong was not idle on the way from Xizhou to the capital. He kept purchasing food and supplies and sending them to the western border to support Song Yiping in defending against the enemy.
Song Yiping was previously transferred from Nanzhou to Xizhou. He only had a temporary clerk in the Ministry of War. In addition, the influence of Marquis Xichang was still there, so all the military funds involved in the case were frozen. As a result, Song Yiping was restricted in his position and relied entirely on the support of the Yin family to hold on.
The amount of silver and money needed to support the front line is huge. Even if the Yin family has enough flying money, they still need the bank to exchange it continuously.
Thinking of Jiufeng Bank's full cooperation, even helping him find food and fodder resources, Yin Tong felt a little more confident and asked Qin Yousi, "Jiufeng Bank originally belonged to the Qin family. Do they obey your orders now?"
Qin Yousi said: "Although my surname is Sang, I am also the only half of the Qin family bloodline left."
"Miss Sang is anxious to see me today, why?"
Qin Yousi said, "I heard that some of your old friends in the capital will host a banquet for you tonight. General, can you take me with you?"
Yin Tong looked at her and asked, "Reason?"
The people invited to the banquet tonight are Yin Tong’s main connections in the capital, and he will not bring strangers with him casually.
"Young General, you are coming to the capital this time to help General Yin and General Song resolve the problems in the rear area and to address the changing situation in the Anxi and Southern borders. Besides that, don't you want to avenge my elder sister?"
Yin Tong's slightly casual expression suddenly became serious, revealing the inherent majesty of an iron-blooded soldier.
Qin Youjing, the eldest daughter of the Qin family, and Yin Tong were childhood sweethearts. Before the Qin family encountered trouble, the two families had just set a date for their wedding. They would wait for Yin Tong to return to Beijing from the western border to report on his work in the spring, and then they could get married. He would take Qin Youjing to Xizhou to become his general's wife.
But Qin Youjing did not wait for his return, and died in the palace even before the Qin family was convicted.
At that time, Qin Yousi's youngest aunt was the concubine of Emperor Sheng. Because she pleaded for the imperial physician Qin who was involved in the treason case, she was reprimanded and punished by Emperor Sheng. She knelt in the snow for two days, which caused her to miscarry and become seriously ill.
Emperor Sheng was angry and refused to allow the Imperial Hospital to treat the patient. It was the Empress Dowager who allowed the women of the Qin family to visit the palace.
Qin Youjing was the most knowledgeable and cautious among all the sisters. She was sent to the harem to visit Concubine Shu, but this time she was entangled in a case of poisoning the royal heir. She was tortured and forced to abdicate in the inner court, and was tortured to death.
Qin Yousi saw bloodshot in Yin Tong's eyes and knew that he hadn't let go of his grudge for so many years. So he said, "Young General, you can fight on the battlefield and kill enemies with swords and spears, but I'm afraid you can't do anything about the affairs of the harem. I will avenge the Qin family, but I need your help. The commander of the Imperial Guards was once a subordinate of General Yin. The adopted son of Eunuch Chang, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, is your sworn brother. And the husband of the female physician Cao E was once your close attendant. I need their help."
Qia Dongbo prepared the crispy meat patties and spicy soup. Looking at the hot delicacies, Qin Yousi said, "The young general loves to eat these. I heard it from my elder sister. Please eat them while they are hot. Please think about my request."
Yin Tong's fingers trembled slightly, not knowing whether it was out of sadness or excitement. He tore off the crispy meat pie and took two bites. He said, "At 12:00, Wangxi Tower, don't be late."
Qin Yousi clasped his fists solemnly: "Thank you, young general!"
She stopped disturbing Yin Tong from reminiscing about his old friends and left the restaurant.
On the way back, Gu Wu said, "The Governor has also been invited to Wangxi Tower tonight. Please tell the Governor and he will definitely take you there."
Qin Yousi said, "That's different. The lord's request and Yin Tong's genuine willingness to help me are two different things. Besides, Yin Tong has not married yet. If I don't let him avenge this, the knot in his heart will not be untied."
When Qin Youjing's body was sent out from the inner court, her waist was broken, her ten fingers were pierced by long needles, and her toes were crushed... It is hard to imagine how much torture the eldest lady, who had lived a life of luxury all her life, suffered in the inner court.
But even so, she was not forced to confess and did not say a word that was detrimental to the Qin family.
The Qin family did not dare to let the Yin family see the circumstances of Qin Youjing's death, but Yin Tong received a detailed secret report. After reading the heartbreaking description in the letter, Yin Tong rode out of the camp and galloped all night, but he was unable to relieve the hatred in his heart.
He hated himself so much, hated himself for not being able to protect the one he loved. He hated himself even more for being born in a loyal family and not being able to even speak the words of revenge for his lover.
He swallowed his anger and frustration, rubbed it into his heart, and engraved it into his bones.
At this moment, Yin Tong finally saw a glimmer of hope. Those outrageous things he had thought of might really come true.
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