Chapter 166 Imperial Edict to Return to the Capital!
"Sister Zhao, what are you going to do next?" The younger sister of the Huang family began to worry about Miss Zhao.
Among the group of boys and girls, the Zhao family girl was the oldest. She came from a wealthy local family and lived a comfortable life, so she usually had a fiery temper. Last year, she even personally beat up the annoying Yang family member. But this spring, she seemed to have changed drastically, and there seemed to be some reason for this.
The youngest sister of the Huang family was curious.
“My family has already arranged a marriage, but we haven’t made it public.” Miss Zhao didn’t seem to care at all. She just held Huang’s younger sister’s hand and whispered, “My father has been confused these past two years. He made me go to a girls’ school so that I could meet Prince Rui by chance. Now that’s all over. We can only arrange a marriage locally.”
“But I find going to school very interesting… It’s a way out for poor girls anyway. Only those of us who don’t have to worry about food and drink go there because of Prince Rui. Now that Prince Rui is gone, does that mean the higher girls’ school will stop? We should at least be of some use, so that it’s not like we went to school for nothing.”
Miss Zhao was quite indignant.
The younger sister of the Huang family listened, somewhat confused, but then realized there was some truth to it: "Then... what does Sister Zhao want to do?"
Miss Zhao was also worried when she thought about this: "I don't have a clue yet. I can only try my best to contact those who want to continue their studies at the Higher Girls' School. Once Prince Rui returns to the capital, I'm afraid 80% of them will disperse and go back to their respective places. As for the rest... let's discuss it together."
If Qi Chengming heard her words, he would surely be overjoyed. The seeds of thought patiently planted were finally slowly blossoming in the hearts of the local women of Liuzhou. Any system or policy that is solely driven by him will never be established.
It wasn't until several years later that the quiet development of Liuzhou Girls' School became a "surprise" and caught Qi Chengming's attention...
The farewell banquet has ended.
Just as the rumors circulating in Liuzhou were about to burst out of control, the secret letter that the old imperial physician had sent to the capital when Qi Chengming recovered from his poisoning also received a response—an official imperial edict had been sent from the palace to Liuzhou, stating:
Since the Second Prince was enfeoffed, Liuzhou has become prosperous and has undergone great changes. The Second Prince has the ability to govern and is of noble character. His Majesty misses him very much. After he recovers from his illness and spring arrives, His Majesty will summon him back to the capital and grant him residence in the Prince Rui's Mansion.
This confirms the long-standing rumor circulating in Liuzhou.
I wonder how many people broke down in tears after hearing this.
The wealthy families were lamenting the loss of their good marriage prospects, or perhaps they simply missed out on them. The stewards lived in constant fear; with the prince gone, there would be no more new opportunities. The common people wept, saying that with the prince gone, they had lost their protection… Whether officials would be good or bad in the future depended on their conscience; nothing was as comforting as having a good prince above them now.
Chief Steward Song could finally openly move the list and arrange personnel transfers. He instructed, "His Majesty's decree has been issued, but it doesn't specify when we should set off. This is a special favor. We must be busy for another month or two to make proper preparations before we set off, understand?"
"Yes." Xiao Dezi, Xiao Chengzi, Steward Liu, and Steward Hua all responded.
Those close to him knew that Chief Steward Song was deliberately dragging things out because he was worried about the prince's health. The old imperial physician had said that the prince would not be able to move easily after recovering from the poisoning and would need to rest for a while before setting off... So, naturally, the longer the better.
As this decree spread outwards, reactions came from all directions.
Prefect Lu was drinking in his luxurious mansion, his face flushed with alcohol, and said lazily, "Once this news reaches the capital, my matter is considered settled! They won't need me for the time being!"
It seemed that after His Highness returned to the capital, he had become far removed from the world and lost his value. But Liuzhou was, after all, the place where the new emperor rose to power, and he valued extraordinary individuals. If it weren't for a stroke of luck that he was brought to Liuzhou as a spy, what other good place could a nobody like him possibly go in the future?
Go back to the capital and try to seize power? High-ranking officials are all vying for the throne, eagerly awaiting the new emperor's return. He wouldn't gain much even if he fought tooth and nail. It's better to stay obediently in Liuzhou—as long as he dutifully guards the territory and takes good care of the prince's prized factories, that will be his greatest contribution!
Prefect Lu was extremely pleased with himself and couldn't be more satisfied with his position.
Lingnan.
Yu Zong, who was working hard on a hillside, suddenly stopped hoeing in a daze: "You said Prince Rui... is going back to the capital?"
His skin was now tanned reddish-black, and he had a full beard that he didn't shave. He was rough but intimidating, and he had also developed some solid muscles. Standing in the field wearing short, coarse clothes, he looked exactly like a genuine farmer.
"What will we do now that the Prince is gone..." the woman sighed worriedly. When she heard the news, she felt none of the joy she had initially felt. When she first arrived, she was filled with anxiety, fearing that Prince Rui would punish them; but after being protected by Prince Rui for so long, she was afraid of losing her current life.
"Don't be afraid." Although Yu Zong was also uneasy, he appeared much calmer. He was now capable of handling some things on his own, and he reassured his wife and children.
"Didn't Father say in his last letter that he would find an opportunity to repay Prince Rui? Perhaps this is it. Prince Rui has a good temper and is considerate in every way. Even if he leaves, this is still his territory, and we won't be bullied."
Youzhou.
The young man, using the alias Yang Shou, breathed on his chapped hands and sat lost in thought by the fire in front of the main tent. Although he was physically disabled, his spear skills were superb and he was highly regarded by the general—who had also received favors from the old Earl of Weiyong and his son many years ago.
In addition, he was quite capable and always managed to raise military supplies and provisions, so his soldiers all trusted him. In less than two years, Yang Shoucai established himself at an incredible speed, gathered back his old troops, and, with the help of his men, established better communication with his cousin's merchant caravan.
So, despite the bitterly cold weather, the soldiers wore cotton-padded clothes, and the number of people who froze to death in the army last year was a miracle compared to previous years.
The frozen, hard ground made little sound when stepped on. That meant Yang Shou's guard had arrived. He quietly slipped a note into Yang Shou's palm and sat nonchalantly on the other side of the fire, keeping watch.
Yang Shou stared at the words he had gleaned from the note, his eyes gleaming. He murmured, "Back to the capital..."
Has my cousin finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel?
No, the future holds even greater dangers; whether it will be bitter or sweet is still uncertain. This only proves that His Majesty has finally taken notice of his cousin; it's merely the first step in his rise to power.
As the older cousin, he absolutely couldn't hold his brother back; instead, he had to strive to achieve merit and support him. Even if it aroused the Emperor's suspicion, at least it would show that he and his cousin had the ability to be feared...
Yang Shou's expression hardened. He stood up with difficulty and called to his guards, "Let's go practice for a while longer."
Since his arrival and the rallying of his old troops, the battles here have seen alternating victories and defeats. Now that he has held Youzhou, the next step is either to counterattack Jinzhou to the north of Youzhou or to advance towards Yunzhou to the west of Youzhou. Whichever it is… he needs a resounding victory!
On the other side of the main road leading to the capital, a military corps was marching day and night.
Beneath the leading banner, the young man on horseback gazed into the distance toward the capital, a smile on his face. His deputy, seeing this, called out, "General! Shall we take a break? It looks like we'll be camping in the wilderness tonight."
"No, everyone's looking forward to getting promoted and receiving rewards. Do you think I don't know that? Resting here is a different story than resting in the capital!" The young man at the head of the group raised an eyebrow and smiled nonchalantly, and his subordinates around him immediately burst into knowing laughter.
Indeed, everyone had won the battle, and this time they were going to the capital to see His Majesty and receive their rewards. Although their general came from humble origins, he was generous and never tried to steal credit. He led them as if divinely aided, and their military achievements were numerous.
"Boss, you should be promoted to Xuanwu General when you go back this time, right?" The sound of hooves suddenly quickened, and a familiar-looking soldier rode up and asked expectantly.
"Don't talk nonsense. How someone is appointed is not something we can speculate about," Wen Zhongnan patted him on the shoulder to stop him, but he knew perfectly well what was going on.
He joined the army under an assumed name, eventually attaining the minor rank of General of Martial Valor. Now, having accumulated merits, his true identity will be revealed once he returns to the capital to receive his rewards. With his distinguished lineage and the current stalemate in the northern campaign, there are few outstanding military officers left; perhaps his rank will be higher than just General of Xuanwu…
Wen Zhongnan's thoughts shifted slightly, and he stopped focusing on that.
Throughout his journey, he never ceased to keep a close eye on Liuzhou. Has Prince Rui been ordered to return to the capital to establish his own residence? Is he already on his way? Before returning to his post, during the time he spends in the capital receiving his reward, will he have any chance to meet with…?
They hadn't seen each other for so long.
Unaware of this, Wen Zhongnan lowered his eyes to look at his calloused hands, and pulled on the reins again: "Giddy up!"
Dust billowed, but the youthful spirit remained, and the sound of hooves on the convoy heading towards the capital grew ever faster.
In the capital city.
Grand Scholar Mu stared at the rim of his teacup and counted the number of elderly men sitting in front of him. The combined age of all of them was probably enough to make them all buried in the ground.
Everyone in the hall was silent; even the clinking of teacups was exceptionally clear.
Finally... finally, this day has come.
All those old fogies have spent so much effort reforming the officialdom, wasn't it all for this day to come?
"Next, it's time to present your pledge of loyalty," said Grand Scholar Mu, his voice slightly hoarse.
This matter had already been agreed upon and needed no further discussion. Therefore, the people present exchanged glances, their expressions tacit and calm.
“But the most crucial moment is yet to come,” Mu Jie said in a somber tone. “We must ensure that Prince Rui returns to the capital safely.”
The undercurrents in the court have been quite intense lately. Everyone can see that although His Majesty's attention is focused on his eldest and youngest sons, and he has forgiven his immature eldest son, he ultimately longs for the return of his second son.
The other party had now become a thorn in the side of the prince vying for the throne.
The opportunity to strike at the second prince... comes just in time for his return to the capital. Isn't that perfect?
But here's the problem.
Since everyone here is a civil official, there's not much they can do to contribute, which is why Mu Jie called everyone together to discuss this matter.
"I can start writing a letter to my friend..." The Imperial Observatory Director pondered. His friend was the head of a prestigious family and also one of his own. He could still muster a number of private soldiers if he squeezed together, but it was too taboo to talk about it.
“It seems that the son-in-law of my clan’s younger generation is a captain…” another person also racked his brains.
"I think it would be better to propose it directly to His Majesty?" Mu Jie pondered for a long time, unsure of His Majesty's current state of mind. He hadn't paid attention to this matter before, and many past developments were different from this one. Who knew if there might be new changes now?
The group looked at each other and said, "It's okay to suggest giving it a try."
If the capital had sent the Imperial Guards to protect them for a while, it would have saved them so much trouble.
A few days later, a government official in Beijing submitted a memorial proposing the matter, which was successfully approved.
The Imperial Guards in the capital were mobilized.
With such a show of force, who could possibly be kept in the dark? It has only fueled some secret plots.
...
Inside the palace.
The sixth prince left school feeling restless and agitated.
On his way back to the palace, he was surprised to find that the head maidservant of his mother was carefully guarding the entrance. The Sixth Prince, puzzled, quietly shifted his focus and went to a window on the side of the palace, where he heard snippets of conversation coming from inside…
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