Chapter 520 Lianghan's Unwavering Devotion
Qin Jingzhen was not putting on a show.
Plowing a rice paddy in a corner that's sunken into a muddy pit requires a certain skill.
Simply putting on a show or putting on an act for others wouldn't produce such skillful movements and patience.
At this moment, the tall old man in the rice paddies outside the village was doing a better job than most people in the whole process of interacting with the ox and plowing the land. Ouyang Rong was somewhat ashamed of himself.
He also had some knowledge of farming, mainly because he had some memories of the original owner riding an ox to the fields when he was a child.
In addition, when he served as the local official in Longcheng last year, he often went to the surrounding villages to conduct research and became close with many of the villagers. He learned from them during the autumn harvest and deeply understands the significance of farmland to the people.
However, Ouyang Rong was somewhat surprised that Qin Jingzhen, who came from the former Duke of Hu's mansion and had spent his life in the military, would also participate.
Looking around at the young and middle-aged military advisors from the central army's think tank, their movements were generally clumsy and awkward. Apart from a few who might also come from humble backgrounds, none of them were as skilled as Ouyang Rong.
He was clearly from a powerful and noble family, but all he knew was how to fight. He could only work in the fields and was forced to accompany the "willful" Grand General of the Jiangnan Road Army, Qin Jingzhen.
Seeing Ouyang Rong take off his clothes and boots, jump into the paddy field, and float closer, a young military officer took the initiative to make way for Ouyang Lianghan, the Jiangzhou Sima who had long admired him. Ouyang Rong skillfully helped Qin Jingzhen to hold the plow and continue tilling the land.
Ouyang Rong kept glancing at Qin Jingzhen out of the corner of his eye.
The tall old man also turned his head slightly and glanced at him.
Yellow mud splashed everywhere, some of it landing on Qin Jingzhen's wrinkled face covered in age spots.
The old man wiped the mud with his fingertips and glanced down at it.
"The soil in the paddy fields of Jiangnan is really good. With good mountains and good water, it can support many people. No wonder the people of the South are fair and delicate."
Qin Jingzhen rubbed the damp, yellow mud between two fingers, his eyes filled with emotion:
"Yellow mud is good. There is no mud in the northern borderlands. The soil is hard and full of grains of gray sand. The farmers there suffer. Good fields are hard to find, and they have to endure the harassment of the nomadic cavalry."
"Moreover, the sandstorms in the north are like knives, capable of ripping away youthful beauty and hair."
Qin Jingzhen's face showed a hint of reminiscence as he addressed those around him:
"This time, being able to come to the south to fight, and being nourished by these beautiful mountains and rivers, will extend the lives of us warriors by a few years. We should thank the Sage."
The young and middle-aged staff members who joined the army all agreed.
Qin Jingzhen glanced at Ouyang Rong.
Seemingly sensing that their Grand Marshal had something to say to Ouyang Lianghan, they tacitly walked away, leaving the two of them behind.
"Lord Qin."
Qin Jingzhen interrupted:
"Lianghan looks thinner. The last time I saw you in Xunyang City, you had a rosy complexion and were full of energy."
Ouyang Rong smiled sheepishly.
Qin Jingzhen turned his head and glanced at the beautiful figure in a white fox fur coat standing quietly on the ridge in the distance, holding a man's robe and waiting.
"However, Xie Shiqi Niang is becoming more and more radiant. Lianghan, a man's career is important, but matters of love between men and women should not be neglected. You must not let down such a beauty."
"Especially with such a like-minded couple. It's normal for a man to feel down. At times like these, he should look back and see the person who has been silently watching over him."
Qin Jingzhen said in a somewhat joking tone.
But no matter how Ouyang Rong listened, he felt that the words were earnest and meaningful.
"Yes. I understand."
He nodded vigorously.
Qin Jingzhen stared at Ouyang Rong's calm, resolute, and handsome face for a while, then suddenly patted his shoulder:
"Lianghan is so handsome. Putting aside his extraordinary talent, his appearance alone is dashing. If it weren't for Seventeen Niang and the Xie family getting there first, how wonderful it would be if Lianghan were my Qin family's grandson-in-law, hahaha."
Ouyang Rong was momentarily embarrassed, and hesitated before speaking: "Lord Qin, I..."
"It's nothing, it's nothing, I was just joking."
Ouyang Rong finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's alright if we can't be sons-in-law. Yanqing should have already mentioned the matter of the Chief Clerk of the Central Army on the way."
"What do you think, Lianghan? If there are no other problems, then don't go back. Stay here and help me quell this rebellion in the southwest as soon as possible. It would be a great deed for the country and the people."
"If we're talking about understanding Li Zhengyan and his band of rebels, I've never met anyone who gets it right as well as Liang Han. Many of the current strategies for the expeditionary army have some of the inspiration from Liang Han's brilliant ideas at the family banquet in Xunyang last time."
Qin Jingzhen said with a smile:
"Let's not even talk about whether you come to be the chief clerk of the central army camp. Just look at this military merit you already have. Wouldn't it be a pity if Lianghan didn't come and take it? If you don't stay on the front line, it will be difficult to ask for credit when you return to the capital."
Ouyang Rong was somewhat speechless.
After a moment's thought, as if about to speak, Qin Jingzhen patted Ouyang Rong on the shoulder to interrupt him, and repeated with a sigh:
"Lianghan is really handsome. He has the typical features of a southerner, refined and elegant, and you can tell at a glance that he comes from a family of scholars and officials."
"In the central army camp at the front, there are more northerners, all rough men. Liang Han, on the other hand, has the appearance of a handsome young man. If he were to serve as my chief clerk, at the age of twenty, walking in the military camp, managing a group of big men and valiant warriors, Liang Han would be outstanding in talent, skilled in military affairs, and thorough in all aspects... Just thinking about it would really add glory and brilliance, and it would surely become a legend."
"Now I understand why the Emperor appointed you as the third-ranked scholar and directly granted you an official position at the Apricot Garden Banquet in the first year of the Jiushi era. You did nothing, just stood there like a vase in the Emperor's court, among a group of ministers. The Emperor found it pleasing to the eye and happy just to see you every day, and he no longer found the morning court boring."
Facing the tall, smiling old man stroking his beard, Ouyang Rong blushed, coughed, and answered the question somewhat absentmindedly and inappropriately:
"As long as it can help the front lines, that's good. Didn't the sages say that a good warrior doesn't make a big fuss about his achievements? Let's just consider it as... my pride."
Qin Jingzhen chuckled.
Then, his tone became more serious as he said:
"Whether you stay or not, Lianghan, don't rush to answer. Let's talk some more. Anyway, it's still early, and it's not mealtime in the military camp yet. I'll take you to eat with the soldiers later. By the way, Qin Heng is here too. He was pleased to hear that you were here today, so he specially asked for a day off and rushed back from the vanguard army to see you. You two can have a good chat."
"Alright, I'll follow Uncle Qin's arrangements."
"Lianghan seems to have a lot to say, so please speak freely."
Ouyang Rong took a deep breath and asked seriously:
"Why is Duke Qin so kind and generous to a junior like me?"
"General Qin has come with such a generous invitation to me."
"Even if it's not exactly animosity towards the Wei family and Lin Cheng, it's certainly a bit of a dig at them. For someone as cautious as you, it seems unnecessary..."
"Because Liang Han is very handsome."
"..."
Before Ouyang Rong, who was frowning, could speak, Qin Jingzhen chuckled again:
"Actually, the answer is very simple: I am worthy of you, I deserve you."
“Lianghan, you are also a chef, but compared to Lin Cheng, the dishes you cook are more to my liking. Hmm, including the Dongpo pork at the family banquet.”
Ouyang Rong was speechless.
Qin Jingzhen clapped his hands, looked around at the soldiers working in the fields, and casually asked:
"Lianghan, do you still remember my theory about cooks?"
"Yes, I remember it vividly."
The old man nodded gently:
"Although I have been leading troops on the front lines, Yingniang has been sending me letters informing me of everything Lianghan has been doing in Xunyang City."
"Including the entire process of the conflict with Lin Cheng and Wei Shaoqi."
"Lin Cheng is capable, but too opportunistic and eager to curry favor with the emperor. His food is only to the emperor's liking."
“But you are different, Lianghan. Your food may not be to His Majesty’s liking, but I like it very much, and the people of Xunyang like it too. You are not a private chef of one family or clan. Private chefs are common, but public chefs are not common... It’s that simple.”
Ouyang Rong was speechless, staring blankly at the tall old man's unusually serious face.
"But Uncle Qin should know that I am a retainer of the Prince of Xunyang's household, right?" he suddenly asked.
"Of course I know."
"To outsiders, isn't this considered a private kitchen?"
“It’s different. What I see is that Lianghan can handle the relationship between the two.”
After saying this, Qin Jingzhen sighed and continued pushing the plow forward. After walking for a while, Ouyang Rong heard the old man's somewhat hoarse voice again:
"Although in my opinion, with Lianghan's talent and knowledge, he didn't need to get involved so early and take this risky path. There are many smart people who can achieve the same goals in the end... I wonder if Lianghan regrets it."
Ouyang Rong quietly pushed the plow, without saying a word.
Qin Jingzhen suddenly asked:
"Does Lianghan know about my father, the previous Duke of Hu, who was the founder of the state? Compared to other founding dukes of the same era, my father never received the honor of inheriting the title without reduction in rank, as bestowed by Emperor Taizong."
Ouyang Rong said softly:
I know a little bit about it.
Qin Jingzhen then asked, "Lianghan is also well aware of Emperor Taizong's deeds at Xuanwu Gate, isn't he?"
I've heard a little about it.
Ouyang Rong remained silent. The Duke of Hu was surnamed Qin. He was still the door god that thousands of households in the Great Zhou Dynasty posted. Originally, he was granted the title of Duke of Yi at the founding of the dynasty. However, he performed poorly during the Xuanwu Gate Incident of Emperor Taizong. In the subsequent reign of Emperor Taizong, he was gradually marginalized. After his death, he was granted the title of Duke of Hu, which was one rank lower.
"The reason my father stood by and did not take sides between the Crown Prince and Emperor Taizong at that time was not because he did not know Emperor Taizong's prowess, but because he felt that the great cause had been established and there was no need to stir up any more trouble. My father had had enough of the division between the North and the South and did not want to take any more risks of division..."
"So even if it happened again, knowing the outcome for Emperor Taizong, knowing that he would fall from the glorious Duke of Yi to the Duke of Hu, my father would still be the same, because my father never cared about the emperor. The world has been in turmoil for a long time and is now at peace. Who the emperor is sometimes doesn't matter... Lianghan, what do you say?"
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips: "That makes sense."
At that moment, he saw Qin Jingzhen turn around, his face beaming with joy:
"Lianghan, do you know what my father found most enjoyable and happiest when he was retired at home in his later years?"
What is it?
"It is because his portrait can be displayed on the doors of thousands of households, serving as a door god to protect people from disasters and evil spirits. Although he has retired to his home, my father always said that no matter what his past merits and demerits were, this matter at least shows that the people and Emperor Taizong still trust his character and integrity."
"Having received such an honor, what more could I ask for?"
Ouyang Rong remained silent.
After a short while, he asked seriously:
"So, is that what you think, Duke Qin? What you want most now is not this overwhelming military achievement, but to inherit the ambition of Duke Hu, quell the war in the south, and reduce the suffering of the people? Is that why you retired in Yangzhou for two years, but then came out of seclusion again?"
Qin Jingzhen nodded, then shook his head.
"Everyone has selfish motives. I still covet military merits. For a warrior, only with military merits can one rise higher, thus preventing power from falling into the hands of despicable and contemptible people. However, if I only pursue military merits, I feel deeply ashamed before my father, and it is absolutely unacceptable."
The tall, elderly man's expression held a hint of sadness, but after a moment, he rallied, smiled, and said:
"I remember many people saying that I am an old stubborn man, with a temper just like that of the Duke of Hu back then, a rock in a latrine. But I never got angry, instead I took it as a compliment. Haha, they are right, like father, like son, hahaha, this is what it means to live up to the tradition of my Qin family!"
At this point, the old man burst into laughter, clapped his hands, and asked:
"So, Lianghan, what's your decision? Would it be alright if you took on the role of the new Chief Secretary and stayed to assist me? As long as I'm still here, Lianghan will never experience the frustration he felt in Xunyang City while in the central army camp."
Such sincere emotions moved Ouyang Rong.
After a long silence, he only uttered one sentence:
"The Duke of Hu has no regrets, and so do I."
...
At midnight, the moon hung like a hook.
Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang rode away from the front line.
They sped towards Jiangzhou overnight.
The two rode the same fast horse.
Ouyang Rong embraced Xie Lingjiang's slender waist from behind, and the two of them and their horse galloped across the desolate plains in the dark night wind.
The autumn night was filled with strong winds, which made Xie Lingjiang's white fox fur shawl flutter loudly around her slender neck. Ouyang Rong was close to her, and from a distance, it looked as if they were sharing a white fox fur shawl to keep warm.
They came as a group, but now they are leaving alone, just Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang.
Remembering the somewhat confused and reluctant look in Uncle Qin's eyes when he saw her off, Xie Lingjiang couldn't help but look down at the man's arm that was firmly around her waist.
Xie Lingjiang had many questions she wanted to ask.
"Li Zhengyan is bound to lose."
Ouyang Rong, who was standing behind him, suddenly spoke up.
"Wh...what?" Xie Lingjiang turned around in confusion.
Ouyang Rong lowered his head, feeling the warmth of Xie Lingjiang's soft, fragrant neck against his nose. He brushed aside a strand of hair that tickled his nose and whispered near a rosy earlobe:
"Qin Bo alone is enough; the front line does not lack me."
"That's why Senior Brother..."
Ouyang Rong changed the subject again:
“Dalang missed out on a good girl, a good girl from the Qin family. If he could marry a girl from the Qin family, it would be a blessing for Dalang, even if her surname is Li. It would be like the blessing of the Duke of Hu, a good minister, during the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Taiqian Dynasty. It’s just a pity… No, when we get back, we have to join Uncle and Aunt’s side and teach him a good lesson.”
His tone was somewhat wistful.
Xie Lingjiang turned around curiously.
They discovered that the eldest brother's eyes were unusually bright, like two stars in the human world.
As Ouyang Rong gazed at the lights of the early-rising fishing boats on the distant river, he recalled the question Qin Jingzhen had asked him with a puzzled expression after learning of his choice when he was plowing the fields that afternoon.
"If you go back to Xunyang, what can a mere Sima do?"
“Just like Duke Hu, who is now retired and living at home,” he replied.
"Same?"
"To be the guardian deity of the people of Xunyang."
(End of this chapter)
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