Chapter 347 The Yuan Clan of Northern Wei
Ouyang Rong recalled that while racking his brains for a solution these past few days,
He seemed to have mentioned Qin Heng and the soldiers returning north to their garrison to Xie Lingjiang, who was concerned and inquiring.
Unexpectedly, Xie Lingjiang took it to heart and even told Li Xian's family. Now, when they discussed it at night in the study of Juxian Garden, it was clear that they wanted to gather ideas from all sides.
"Has Lianghan made any progress on the matter of the soldiers returning north from Guizhou? After the imperial envoy persuades them to return, how can we protect them once they return to Jiangzhou?"
Li Xian asked with concern.
Seeing everyone's gazes directed at him, Ouyang Rong hesitated slightly.
Xie Lingjiang tugged at Ouyang Rong's sleeve, then turned and explained:
"Senior Brother is worried about affecting the Xunyang Prince's Mansion. This matter was entrusted to him by General Qin, whom he is on good terms with, and has nothing to do with the Xunyang Prince's Mansion. Senior Brother wants to handle it alone."
Li Dalang shook his head:
"We agreed to share weal and woe, Lianghan, please don't treat us like outsiders."
Li Xian nodded:
“Da Lang is right. We’ve come all the way from Longcheng together. There’s no reason for us to become estranged now that we’re in Xunyang. If there’s anything wrong, bring it up and we’ll figure it out together. We can’t act alone.”
Ouyang Rong could only helplessly say:
"Actually, I haven't thought of a good solution these past few days. My current plan is to go out of the city with Wang Lengran to meet the garrison soldiers when they return, and then we'll just have to adapt to the situation."
He paused, then added:
"We can call more people to go together; I doubt Wang Lengran would dare to openly call a deer a horse."
Li Xian pondered for a moment and asked:
"It sounds like a solution, but are you sure you can handle it, Tanlang? You know Wang Lengran is a despicable sycophant. What if he really dares to publicly accuse you of rebellion just to establish the authority of the Wei family behind him..."
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips: "We can only gamble, with about a 50% chance of success."
Li Dalang hesitated, then Li Xian patted his eldest son's hand and turned to ask first:
Is General Qin's relationship with you very important to my lord?
Ouyang Rong hesitated for a moment, then nodded and explained:
"It's not just about personal friendship and sympathy. General Qin is the Commandant of the Jiangzhou Military Commandery. He might be able to help us in a critical moment, so we won't be completely clueless about the Jiangzhou Military Command's surveillance of the Prince's Mansion in the future."
Li Xian nodded thoughtfully: "I see."
After a moment of silence, the wealthy-looking Prince of Xunyang suddenly spoke:
"My lord, what if the prince and I leave the city with Wang Lengran? With us as witnesses, we can keep him in check and make him hesitant to act rashly. I'm sure Wang Lengran will be more restrained."
Ouyang Rong looked somewhat embarrassed: "How could I let my uncle and eldest son get involved..."
Li Xian waved his hand:
"These soldiers were forced into mutiny, and most of them are innocent. What's wrong with them going home to see their wives, children, and elderly parents? They are also sons of Xunyang. This is my fiefdom, so this is what I should do."
"Of course, I also have my own selfish reasons for befriending General Qin."
Ouyang Rong shook his head:
"A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. If General Qin and the soldiers of the Third Regiment of the Zhechong Prefecture knew of the Prince's concern and care, they would surely be moved."
Li Xian smiled wryly: "I just don't know if my son and I can intimidate Wang Lengran by going out of the city to greet him. Also, I don't know if it's appropriate to go out of the city rashly."
Xie Lingjiang pondered, "Uncle, it's inconvenient for you to leave the city without permission. Let's find an excuse, such as going to Shuangfengjian to inspect the statues and pick up the returning soldiers on the way."
Li Xian nodded: "That makes sense, that explains it, it's perfectly legitimate."
Before Ouyang Rong could express his opinion, Xie Lingjiang, Li Xian, Li Dalang, Wei Mei, and others gathered together and quickly discussed the general plan.
Seeing this, Ouyang Rong was both amused and exasperated.
"You've already finished discussing it, without even asking me?" she said, sounding a little annoyed.
Xie Lingjiang waved her hand:
"This is called pooling our wisdom and efforts, working together with one heart and one mind, and weathering the storm together. Senior Brother, don't say anything that is detrimental to unity. Reject the objection."
“…” Ouyang Rong.
Everyone laughed.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and scratched the tip of his nose.
Even so, Xie Lingjiang, Li Xian, Li Dalang and the others still looked over after the discussion, waiting for his statement.
“That’s fine, the Prince’s Mansion can get involved in this matter.”
Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment, then nodded with a somewhat helpless expression:
"However, it needs some refinement. Leaving the city without permission is still a major taboo, and the pretext of visiting the statues is not secure."
"How about this?"
"When the time comes, my uncle will submit an imperial edict, and I will also submit a joint memorial in the name of the Jiangzhou Grand Hall, reporting to His Majesty that the construction of the Buddha statue lacks some professional manpower and suggesting that these three hundred returning soldiers from the north be recruited to assist in the statue's construction."
"At the same time, it can also be considered a minor punishment for their unauthorized return to the north."
"After all, a complete pardon without any punishment is probably making the soldiers of the Third Regiment returning north uneasy and quite apprehensive. It could easily lead to suspicion of the government and increase the risk of unforeseen events."
Ouyang Rong sighed softly:
"This is also what I think is the most dangerous part of the many steps involved in this pardon and recruitment of the mutinous soldiers. It could very well lead to an irreparable mistake."
"However, with my uncle in Jiangzhou this time, the credibility of the Prince of Xunyang is still guaranteed, and his old superior, General Qin, is also involved."
Xie Lingjiang, Li Xian, and the others' eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Let Father issue an imperial decree, nominally giving the soldiers a chance to atone for their crimes and perform meritorious service..."
Li Dalang sighed:
"Tanlang is so thoughtful, he's filled in the gaps for us."
Ouyang Rong shook his head and glanced at his junior sister:
"No, it's all thanks to the collective wisdom and efforts of everyone."
Xie Lingjiang rolled her eyes at him.
Ouyang Rong reached out and snatched a carefully peeled pear from her hand, which was held by a woman with a stern face and a reluctant expression.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Half an hour later, the academy's nighttime conspiracy came to an end, and everyone prepared to disperse.
"Oh right, I almost forgot, there's one more thing."
Li Xian turned his head and said to Ouyang Rong, who was preparing to leave:
"My dear, are you familiar with Wang Junzhi? What do you think of him?"
Ouyang Rong paused, turning back to look at Li Xian, whose face was filled with curiosity and a desire for his opinion.
Xie Lingjiang, Li Guo'er, Li Dalang, and the others standing in front of the door also paused and turned to look.
Ouyang Rong nodded. "I know them, but we're not close."
Li Xian asked with concern, "I heard he came to Xunyang City with Li Zhengyan and the others. He and Li Zhengyan are very close?"
Ouyang Rong replied truthfully, "Li Zhengyan escorted him to his new post, so their relationship must be quite good. Why is Uncle asking this?"
Li Xian replied, "A few days ago, he asked Guo'er to introduce himself to Elder Yuan and deliver a letter to the Prince's Mansion... I inquired about it and heard that he is also acquainted with Yue Zi'ang. I am worried that he and Tan Lang may have a rift."
Ouyang Rong glanced at Li Guo'er, who was stroking the cat by the door, then looked away and shook his head, saying:
"There is no gap."
Li Dalang took the initiative to ask, "Does Tanlang think it's possible to recruit him?"
Faced with the questioning gazes of Li Xian and his son, Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes, seemingly pondering for a moment:
"Wang Junzhi is eloquent, good at socializing, and knows how to behave appropriately. Compared to Yue Zi'ang, he is a talented person. It is not without reason that Her Highness the Princess and Mr. Yuan recommend him because they value talent."
"However, talent is like a wing to the wing for some, but a burden for others. It depends on how our lord manages it. If you have confidence, Uncle, you can give it a try."
After a pause, Ouyang Rong smiled broadly in front of everyone:
"As Junior Sister said tonight, we should pool our wisdom and efforts and work together with one heart and one mind. If there is anything, we can discuss it together."
Li Xian breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and nodded.
"Words of wisdom from a gentleman."
Upon hearing this, Li Guo'er paused in scratching the white cat's chin, looked up at the young strategist who showed no jealousy and smiled like a gentle breeze, and pursed her pink lips.
After leaving the study, everyone went their separate ways.
Ouyang Rong accompanied Xie Lingjiang for a walk for a while.
Hold her hand and stroll together along the corridor.
Because of the regular secret meetings held in the study at night, the mistress of the house, Wei Mei, dismissed the maids and servants from this area and forbade them from approaching it, so Ouyang Rong felt safe and uninhibited.
"I don't like Wang Junzhi. I always feel that he has a strong sense of purpose and some ill intentions."
Xie Lingjiang changed her approach from holding hands to pulling on Ouyang Rong's arm, tilting her head and leaning against him, pouting slightly as she spoke.
Ouyang Rong was quiet for a moment, then said, "Those who are now siding with the Prince of Xunyang's mansion are all just gambling on joining the emperor."
“This is different. He’s close to Li Zhengyan. Didn’t you say, Senior Brother, that Li Zhengyan and his group didn’t have good intentions when they went to see Uncle Li?”
"That makes sense. So what do you suggest we do?"
Xie Lingjiang squinted and thought for a moment, then suddenly nodded:
"Should I break one of his legs and interrogate him?"
Ouyang Rong widened his eyes slightly: "Junior Sister is being a bit too extreme."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"Also, help me break one."
"..."
Ouyang Rong said with a smile:
"It's better to guide than to block. Whether they're genuinely allied or just trying to reveal their true intentions, let's just observe. At least we don't have the same kind of trouble caused by Li Zhengyan's identity."
Xie Lingjiang asked curiously, "If it's the former, Senior Brother isn't worried at all?"
Ouyang Rong stroked his chin and pondered for a moment before replying, "He's not as handsome as me."
Xie Lingjiang puffed out her cheeks slightly and pinched someone's waist.
Ouyang Rong twisted it open.
After the two playfully teased each other for a while, Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around and said in a serious tone:
"Actually, I feel quite sorry for Wang Junzhi; he should be more careful."
"What do you mean?" Xie Lingjiang asked curiously, her pretty face showing interest.
Remembering the piece of intestine floating in the bowl of water, Ouyang Rong sighed:
"It's not so easy to connect with Li Guo'er. Wang Junzhi should be careful. Hey... By the way, isn't Li Guo'er usually quite ladylike and elegant at the poetry gatherings in Xunyang City?"
Xie Lingjiang nodded, looked at him and asked, "Hmm, by the way, do all you men fall for this kind of thing?"
"Nonsense, I'm totally falling for Wanwan's act."
Ouyang Rong, with a serious expression, raised his hand and announced "four".
Xie Lingjiang snorted twice, her expression disbelieving, but the upturned corners of her lips betrayed her.
Ouyang Rong, whose arm was pressed tightly against and linked with by the noble lady Xie, felt the increased pressure on her arm, which made him feel melancholy.
Xie Lingjiang quickly changed the subject:
"By the way, Senior Brother, at the banquet held by Sister Guo'er for the Chrysanthemum Poetry Society the other day, I saw an unexpected guest. You should know him."
She paused, then added, "It was brought by Wang Junzhi."
Ouyang Rong casually asked, "Who?"
"Yuan Huaimin".
Ouyang Rong immediately turned his head, his smile gradually fading.
...
The following morning, in the main hall of Jiangzhou.
Yuan Huaimin was still the same as ever, with dark circles under his eyes, hunched over, and sneaking into the main hall to report for duty. He sat down opposite Ouyang Rong, who was buried in his documents.
The old man, whom I hadn't seen for days, buried his head in his work, pretending to organize his books, as if praying that someone across from him hadn't noticed his lateness.
Ouyang Rong suddenly looked up and asked:
"I heard that Brother Huaimin joined the Juhua Poetry Society a few days ago."
"Ah." Yuan Huaimin was startled and asked in surprise, "Brother Lianghan, you're interested in this?"
Ouyang Rong nodded: "That's right, we've been waiting for your earth-shattering and tear-jerking poems to be published."
Yuan Huaimin looked a little embarrassed and sighed:
"Lianghan still trusts me."
Immediately, he excitedly recounted how he had caught a glimpse of Princess Xunyang's veiled beauty at the poetry gathering.
After listening for a while, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but interrupt:
"Brother Huaimin, are you very familiar with the newly appointed Jiangzhou Doctor Wang Junzhi? Why did he specifically recommend you?"
Yuan Huaimin sighed with a serious expression, "Perhaps he was attracted by my talent."
Ouyang Rong's lips twitched slightly, and he suddenly asked, "Are you old acquaintances from the capital?"
"How did you know, Brother Lianghan?"
Yuan Huaimin was surprised for a moment, then explained:
"Actually, I am more familiar with Du Shuqing. This Brother Wang was introduced to me by him a while ago. I didn't expect him to be so loyal and recommend him without hesitation."
Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes: "So, when Lord Li and the others were in Jiangzhou, they exchanged pleasantries with you."
Yuan Huaimin didn't notice the slightly strange tone.
He smiled without saying a word.
Ouyang Rong asked with a smile:
"Brother Huaimin is knowledgeable about fine horses, skilled in poetry and painting, and knows the Du family of Jingzhao. Brother Huaimin's family background is not bad either."
Yuan Huaimin, his weathered old face turned to the side towards Ouyang Rong, his head tilted back at a forty-five-degree angle, and sighed as he said:
"Fine horses and beautiful women, romance and fleeting pleasures, all of that is in the past."
"..."
Ouyang Rong's lips twitched, and he pressed on:
“The Yuan surname is rare, unlike the aristocratic families of Shandong and Guanzhong.”
Yuan Huaimin shook his head and said:
"The Cuoer clan is just a minor family, barely known in the two capitals, with a low social standing. However, their ancestors served as officials in the Qian and Zhou dynasties for generations, though not as prominent as the Nine Ministers and Three Dukes. They can be considered a low-ranking aristocratic family."
After saying that, he smiled:
"To be honest, when I was young, I followed the dissolute young men of the Five Mausoleums. It was during that time that I learned to appreciate horses, drink wine, and compose poetry. That's when I met Brother Du and his friends."
Yuan Huaimin's eyes revealed a look of reminiscence.
Ouyang Rong said calmly, "The Du family of Jingzhao is not a minor clan in Guanzhong. Brother Huaimin said that his family is only a minor clan, so it is not easy to get to know them."
Yuan Huaimin didn't hide anything and nodded, saying, "But if I had to say, my family is indeed a bit different."
"What's the difference?"
Yuan Huaimin scratched his head: "My ancestors were Han Chinese who came from the Xianbei people in the north during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. At that time, they didn't have the surname Yuan, and they hadn't changed their names yet."
"What was your surname before you changed your name?" Ouyang Rong asked curiously.
"Tuoba".
Ouyang Rong's expression changed slightly:
"The Tuoba clan of the Xianbei people?"
"Um."
He frowned and pressed on:
"Is it the Northern Wei royal family that established the first dynasty of the Northern Dynasties? The Northern Wei that defeated the Southern Song Dynasty in its Yuanjia era, sealed the wolf's lair, and forced it to retreat in panic?"
Yuan Huaimin seemed to have long been accustomed to people's surprise at his ancestors.
However, upon hearing a certain sentence that Ouyang Rong blurted out, he paused for a moment, chewing on his words:
“Yuanjia hastily sealed the wolf’s lair, only to win a hasty retreat northward… Interesting, Brother Lianghan, you rhymed so easily in a casual remark, you have great talent in poetry.”
"I read it in a book."
"Who said that?"
“Abandoning the disease”.
"Who is Qi Ji? Which dynasty did he live in? I've only ever heard of Qu Bing from the Han dynasty."
Ouyang Rong did not answer.
I wasn't in the mood to answer anymore.
He looked speechlessly at the Jiangzhou Sima in front of him, who was always slacking off and unreliable.
Your ancestors were far too wealthy.
Okay, okay, so you're going to arrange it like this, right?
(End of this chapter)
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