Chapter 39: I want to be the emperor after traveling thousands of miles!
"Me?" Zhao Yan scoffed, took away Yong Shaolan's hand that was supporting his chin, and leaned against him like a deflated ball: "Brother Lan, you think too highly of me."
Zhao Yan gave up on himself and said, "I am just a waste."
Yong Shaolan pursed his lips and remained silent. After a moment's thought, he forcefully grasped the young man's hand. "Zhao Yan, just tell me whether you want to or not."
Zhao Yan glanced at Yong Shaolan and found that he was serious.
In fact, Zhao Yan could sense that Yong Shaolan had always been serious about what he said to him. It was just that he lacked a sense of security and did not dare to truly believe it.
Zhao Yan slurred his words and said, "Brother Lan, can you help me kill Zhao Cheng?"
Yong Shaolan lowered his eyes and said affirmatively, "Be good."
"I can help you do anything you want."
Yong Shaolan spoke sincerely and firmly.
Zhao Yan met the man's golden eyes and felt a little uncomfortable from the heat. He lowered his eyes and asked calmly, "Brother Lan, are your eyes okay?"
Yong Shaolan nodded: "Yeah."
"I saved him," Zhao Yan lowered his eyes and collected his mother's handkerchief. "Brother Lan, I'll help you. Help me become emperor and kill Zhao Cheng to avenge my father."
Zhao Yan said seriously: "Is it okay?"
Yong Shaolan's eyebrows were furrowed: "..."
"Can."
Zhao Yan was in a very bad condition, but he himself didn't realize it, and Yong Shaolan didn't want to talk to him about it.
Yong Shaolan: "We need to return to Liaodong and discuss this matter carefully. You're emotionally unstable, so don't overthink it for now. Just follow me obediently."
Zhao Yan wiped away tears and choked up, "I know I'm in a bad mood, I can't control it, Brother Lan, don't blame me."
"I know."
Yong Shaolan said.
Go ahead, Yong Shaolan released Zhao Yan's wrist, "Don't cry, close your eyes and rest."
"It will be safe soon."
Zhao Yan closed his eyes slightly, "Hmm...Okay."
The quiet space and Yong Shaolan's affirmative answer gave the young man a place to rest his broken heart. Zhao Yan's tears flowed from the corners of his eyes, flowing down his thick eyelashes and landing at the corners of his lips.
Zhao Yan slept very deeply. When he woke up, he found that it was already dark.
Yong Shaolan sat beside him with his eyes closed, but as soon as he moved, the man opened his eyes: "Awake?"
Zhao Yan nodded, feeling a sore throat. "Where are we going? Liaodong?"
Yong Shaolan handed the water bag to Zhao Yan, "Well, we are now in Guanyang. After we pass Guanyang, we will go through Baicheng and the sea route and go directly to Liaodong."
"Okay..." Zhao Yan was confused. He swallowed and his throat felt better. He murmured, "Brother Lan, what happened after I fell asleep?"
Yesterday, he was too emotional, so Yong Shaolan fed him a tranquilizing soup, and his memory stopped at that moment - why did Zhao Cheng replay them leaving?
"The garrison stationed in Guanyang arrived, but His Majesty had already passed away. Zhao Cheng succeeded him and announced to the public that His Majesty had contracted a cold and died."
"The situation has calmed down. Your mother voluntarily gave up the position of Queen in order to allow Zhao Cheng to succeed to the throne legitimately. In addition, you are a Qilin child, and there are a group of censors around. He can't touch you and your mother."
"I took advantage of the situation and handed over the Liaodong Tiger Tally. Zhao Cheng then agreed to let you and Nangong leave the capital. Your mother went to Jinling, and the Queen asked you to go to the Northern Frontier."
Queen?
Was it Concubine Shu who asked him to go to the Northern Frontier?
What about Zhao Cheng?
Zhao Yan's eyelashes trembled. He didn't think too much about it. What was the difference between Concubine Shu and Zhao Cheng?
Zhao Yan: "Then shouldn't I be on my way to Northern Xinjiang?"
Yong Shaolan said, "The Seventh Prince is indeed on his way to the Northern Frontier."
"Fake?" Zhao Yan sighed, "Won't Zhao Cheng find out?"
"Probably not in the next few days. Zhao Cheng doesn't have time to take care of these things for the time being." Yong Shaolan put away the water bag, "but it won't be hidden for long."
Yong Shaolan held Zhao Yan's hand and said solemnly, "From Guanyang to Liaodong, there are more than 6,000 Yanli. You will have to endure a lot of hardships along the way."
Zhao Yan cleared his throat and said, "Well, I'm not afraid."
He is not afraid. He wants to kick that bastard Zhao Cheng down!
"I want to avenge my father and protect my mother!"
Only then did Zhao Yan realize how naive his previous thoughts were! He had even felt that Zhao Cheng's duplicity was understandable. His father was too strict with him, which made him develop such a temper. Now he felt that Zhao Cheng was a complete bastard.
Dayan was founded only fifty years ago, and the bandit rebellion along the Jiangnan coast was difficult to suppress by the imperial court alone. Although the Nangong family had the Jinling Army, they were also responsible for the people along the entire Jiangnan coast. As for Brother Lan, there was no need to mention him. Although Zhao Yan did not know the situation in Liaodong, he thought that since his father valued Brother Lan so much, the situation in Liaodong was not much better than that in Jiangnan.
In Zhao Cheng's mind, these military powers would only restrain his troubles. He would eliminate everything that was not in his favor, and even kill his father and the king when he was already the successor.
Disgusting, so disgusting!
Worse than pigs and dogs!
Zhao Yan angrily said, "I'm going to lock up that bastard Zhao Cheng until he dies of old age! Or even sickness!"
Yong Shaolan: “…”
"Brother Lan," Zhao Yan sighed, looking at the silent Yong Shaolan, "I can't understand why Zhao Cheng would rebel at this time? Is it simply because he doesn't want you and me to be together, or is he afraid of your military power?"
"Well," Yong Shaolan said, "Do you want to hear the truth?"
Zhao Yan: "Of course."
Yong Shaolan: "Emperor Yuanwu doted on you too much, which sowed the seeds of disaster early on. He also failed to judge people well. Zhao Cheng's personality is very similar to his, jealous and suspicious. This is why he agreed to make Zhao Cheng the crown prince."
"Which of your useless uncles wasn't exiled to the frontier?"
"Emperor Yuanwu wants to give you the richest city of Hangzhou as a fiefdom."
"He's old and stupid. The better he treats you, the more wary the prince will be of you."
"It's not surprising that Zhao Cheng did what he did today."
Zhao Yan: “…”
Zhao Yan twitched his lips: "So, Zhao Cheng's feelings are excusable?"
"It is a fact that he murdered his father and his king," Yong Shaolan said, "It will be beneficial for you to raise an army to suppress him. As for his difficulties, they are not a reason for him to murder his father and his king."
"I want to say that there is no absolute good or bad in everything, so don't dwell on it, and don't feel burdened."
Zhao Yan understood. Perhaps Zhao Cheng did have his own difficulties, but he had to pay for his pain himself.
Then he should resist!
Zhao Yan said firmly: "I am a bad guy, I want revenge, I want to protect my mother and uncle."
"I want to fight this feudal society!"
"I want to be the emperor!"
"I want to be a good emperor!"
Yong Shaolan's gaze fell on Zhao Yan's determined little face, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face: "Yeah."
"You're a good fit."
"Ah?" Zhao Yan was puzzled: "Why?"
Yong Shaolan: "You are very well behaved and kind."
"He has the potential to be a wise and virtuous ruler."
Zhao Yan: “…Really?”
The car drove until late at night. Yong Shaolan got out of the sedan and called back Wen Quan, who was driving.
The sedan chair was cramped, and Wenquan was exhausted after traveling for a whole day and night.
Zhao Yan was not sleepy either, so he gave up all his seats and let Wen Quan have a good rest.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Zhao Yan put his fist on Wen Quan's shoulder and said, "From now on, we are brothers in revolution. Don't be polite. Just call me Zhao Yan."
Wenquan: “Yes!”
"No more talking, I'm going to learn how to drive from Brother Lan," Zhao Yan said, then he opened the curtain and sat next to Yong Shaolan: "Brother Lan."
"I am coming."
It was an autumn night, and a cool breeze blew gently. Zhao Yanfu shivered as he sat down. Yong Shaolan frowned, slowed down, untied his crane cloak, and put it on Zhao Yan: "Wear it. You can't get sick at this time."
"Hmm..." Zhao Yan was a little touched, but Yong Shaolan was indeed wearing thick clothes, so he didn't hesitate, "Brother Lan, you are such a good boyfriend."
"I'm really falling in love with you."
"Let me drive the cart. I can ride a horse, so I should be able to learn it."
"Okay," Yong Shaolan gave up his seat and gave Zhao Yan a few simple instructions. The young man quickly got the hang of it. "Not bad."
Zhao Yan tightened the reins and said, "I will learn more in the future."
Yong Shaolan rubbed the boy's head: "Yeah."
…
Around the hour of Yin, the carriage connected from the mountain path to the official road paved with blue-gray stone bricks. By this time, the sky was beginning to lighten slightly, and roosters were crowing in the surrounding towns.
Yong Shaolan glanced at the surroundings and patted Zhao Yan on the shoulder: "It's almost dawn. I'll catch the carriage. We must enter the city after the hour of Yin."
"Why?" Zhao Yan made way for Yong Shaolan. "Could it be that Zhao Cheng can tell now that the person going to Northern Frontier isn't me?"
"We'll find out sooner or later," Yong Shaolan quickened his pace. The horse moved much faster on the flat official road than on the mountain path. "For safety's sake, we'll try to travel day and night. We still have to go to the city to make purchases before noon."
Yong Shaolan then added, "We should be able to reach Guanyang County in a few more days."
"Qingshui Village?" Zhao Yan asked, "Are we passing by?"
"Well," Yong Shaolan said, "but you can't go find anyone, so I'll let you take a look from a distance."
Zhao Yan was puzzled: "What are you looking at?"
"You built the school," Yong Shaolan said calmly. "To thank you, the people of Guanyang County built a shrine for you."
Zhao Yan: "...Okay, I don't care about this. I won't watch it. It would be bad if it brings trouble to the villagers."
"Um."
As he spoke, Yong Shaolan drove the carriage to the gate of Guanyang City. Under the dark night, sporadic vendors began to enter and exit the city gate.
Yong Shaolan gave Zhao Yan some small change and said, "When you get off the car, tell the gatekeeper that we are salt merchants."
Dayan implemented a salt and iron monopoly, but the control was weak, and many small workshops were run by ordinary people. These salt merchants had their own rules: they traveled at night and paid tolls to the city guards along the way.
Zhao Yan held the bag of change and gave Yong Shaolan a thumbs-up: "Awesome, Brother Lan."
After Zhao Yan finished speaking, he got off the carriage and slowly lined up behind several carriages. As expected, he saw several merchants getting off the carriages in front of him and stuffing some silver into the city guards' hands.
"Sir, now that you've finished your duty, have some wine."
The defender weighed the money bag and chuckled, "Alright, let's go. No need to check."
As the carriage in front passed by, Zhao Yan also imitated the man and respectfully handed the money bag to the city guards: "Sir, let's have some wine after leaving the post."
The city guard weighed his money bag and glanced at Zhao Yan: "Why do you look so unfamiliar?"
Zhao Yan: “!!!”
My mind was racing: "The younger one is a newcomer, a newcomer."
"Hmph," the city guard sneered. Looking at the lively young man in front of him, he was in a good mood and did not embarrass him. He kindly reminded him, "Let's go. Remember, the new merchant's price is not this. Remember to prepare an extra copy for the next city."
Zhao Yan nodded and thanked him quickly. But after taking just two steps, he heard the city guards and his colleagues behind him say, "That young man has a really sexy ass. Which company is he from?"
Zhao Yan: “???? Shit!”
Zhao Yan got on the carriage and couldn't help but complain to Yong Shaolan about the city defenders: "That's so disgusting!"
Yong Shaolan frowned and looked at Zhao Yan's face: "What's wrong?"
Zhao Yan put his hands on his hips and looked at Yong Shaolan, "They said my butt is sexy! I'm offended!"
"His butt is the one that's horny! His whole family's butts are horny!"
"I'm convinced!"
Zhao Yan was already in a bad mood, and when he encountered this kind of thing, he vented his emotions without thinking at all. After he finished speaking, he remembered that he was also a homosexual.
Yong Shaolan said nothing, concentrating on getting on with his journey. Zhao Yan looked at the man guiltily: "Brother Lan, I didn't mean to say you were disgusting, I just..."
"It's okay," Yong Shaolan said calmly, "I don't mind."
Yong Shaolan: "There is an inn ahead. We need to feed the horses some grass, and then go to the city to get some dry food and medicine."
"OK."
Seeing that Yong Shaolan was really not angry, Zhao Yan felt relieved.
Damn it, I can’t always forget that Brother Lan is gay!
…
Yong Shaolan found an inn in a small alley that was just wide enough for the carriage to go in. Zhao Yan drove the carriage, and Yong Shaolan sat beside him. As they approached the inn, Yong Shaolan took out a veil and put it on Zhao Yan: "Let Wenquan go in first."
Zhao Yan nodded obediently: "Okay."
The carriage arrived in front of the inn. Wen Quan got out and walked in with great speed. Zhao Yan and Yong Shaolan were waiting at the door. After a while, Wen Quan took the keys to the two rooms and went out: "Your Highness, Your Highness, it's done."
Wen Quan went to get the carriage, while Zhao Yan and Yong Shaolan walked down the street together. "Shall we stay here overnight?"
Yong Shaolan: "I won't stay overnight. I'll travel at night. I'll go back to my room and rest after I finish shopping."
Zhao Yan nodded: "Okay."
The early morning was humid, and walking down the street you could smell the fresh earthy scent, a chilly, gloomy air. Luckily, the breakfast shops along the street had already started selling their wares. As soon as the steamers were opened, smoke erupted, and the aroma of meat filled the air. Zhao Yan peered through his veil at the small shops along the street, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
Zhao Yan said from the bottom of his heart: "I really want to return to the life of an ordinary person, picking grass and herbs every day, and come back to eat the brown rice you make."
“It feels good.”
Yong Shaolan turned his gaze towards the young man: "Really?"
"You are easily satisfied."
"Contentment is the greatest happiness," Zhao Yan said. "By the way, Brother Lan, what should we buy? Do you have enough silver?"
"If I had known you were going to run away with me, I would have gotten more money."
"It's enough for now," Yong Shaolan brought Zhao Yan to a bun shop, "Wait here for me, I'll buy some buns first."
"Okay." The buns in this shop looked delicious. As soon as it opened, a few people came to line up. Zhao Yan sat down on the small stool in the breakfast shop and watched Yong Shaolan walk to the end of the crowd and line up to buy buns for him.
After Yong Shaolan finished selling the buns, Zhao Yan followed the man shopping while eating the buns. They bought some durable steamed buns, two warm cotton coats and some ointments.
They had almost finished buying things and it was almost dawn, so Zhao Yan followed Yong Shaolan to the inn.
"Brother Lan, why did you buy so many medicines?" Zhao Yan: "What are you treating?"
"Medicine to relieve body fever," Yong Shaolan frowned, "Zhao Yan, you'll be feeling unwell in a few days. Haven't you kept track of the date?"
Zhao Yan: “!!!”
"Oh my god, I really forgot. Thank you so much, Brother Lan."
"No need to thank me," Yong Shaolan said calmly, "Are you full?"
Zhao Yanxuan ate five steamed dumplings, which was just enough. "I'm full. I have two more for Wenquan."
"Yeah." Yong Shaolan: "Let's go back."
After the hour of You that day, the sky gradually darkened. Zhao Yan, who had slept all day, rubbed his eyes and followed Wen Quan and Yong Shaolan out of the inn, got on the carriage, and continued on his journey.
Zhao Yan sat in the carriage, listening to the master and servant whispering something until they reached the city. Wen Quan got off the carriage and left for half an hour before returning: "Everything is done, Your Highness."
Zhao Yan made room for Wen Quan and said, "Go in and rest."
"good."
Wen Quan got into the carriage, and Zhao Yan sat next to Yong Shaolan and hurried on with him. "What did you ask Wen Quan to do?"
"Could it be that Zhao Cheng has discovered us?"
"No," Yong Shaolan said calmly, "I sent him to the county government office to throw away the contraband salt. Salt dealers are rampant here, and the court has long issued orders to crack down on them, but to no avail. During this special period, someone openly provoked by throwing salt, which is difficult for ordinary merchants to purchase, in front of the government office. Local officials will think it was a salt dealer venting dissatisfaction over the division of the spoils. The salt was brought into the city today, with the date written on it. A quick check will show that the city guards who offended you tomorrow will at least be fined."
"Because today's salt merchants were all let in by this batch," Yong Shaolan asked seriously, "Does it make you feel better?"
"Huh????" Zhao Yan's mouth was so surprised that an egg could be stuffed in it: "No, I just said it casually, it's not that serious, right?"
"Don't do it next time, otherwise I won't be able to tell you anything. Thank you."
Yong Shaolan frowned slightly and replied calmly: "I know my limits. I won't punish him too severely. I'll teach him a lesson."
Yong Shaolan: "He looked at your butt."
"He said you have a sexy ass."
Zhao Yan: “…”
There is no need to repeat every sentence.
"I'm a man, so I can just watch. He didn't do anything." After Zhao Yan said this, he felt that there was no need to argue about this issue with Yong Shaolan. But then he thought, what if he didn't say anything, and Yong Shaolan retaliated every time he complained about others?
"I don't like you being like this, brother,"
"Do you mean that every time someone treats me badly, you take revenge on them?"
"Then I won't dare to cricket with you or anyone else."
Yong Shaolan frowned, as if thinking seriously, "Okay, I'll get your consent next time."
Zhao Yan: “…”
"Isn't it possible that you're angry when I say this, Brother Lan?" Zhao Yan looked into the man's eyes, unable to discern his emotions. He could only ask directly, "I know you're doing this for my own good, but doing this for my own good requires my consent. Only what I think is good is good."
"I want to be respected."
"Yeah." Yong Shaolan responded, "I'll consider it next time."
"Okay." Zhao Yan had never been in love before, and although he had never eaten pork, he had seen pigs run. He had seen many students in his class secretly dating, and everyone communicated very harmoniously. It was different from the novels, with all the mess and misunderstandings. "Hehe, Brother Lan, thank you for your love."
"I want to like you seriously too."
Yong Shaolan shifted his gaze away from Zhao Yan's butt: "Yeah."
"Let's put this aside!" Zhao Yan watched as the wide official road gradually turned into a rugged path. The sky gradually darkened and the surroundings became quiet. "Let me light a lantern."
As he spoke, Zhao Yan got a lantern from the carriage, lit it, and hung it in front of the carriage: "It seems to be brighter."
"Um."
After driving for half the night, Zhao Yan asked Yong Shaolan to drive. "You go and have a rest, Brother Lan. I can also get there by looking at the map."
"No need," Yong Shaolan said, "The mountain road is difficult to walk on. I'll accompany you."
"Alright." Zhao Yan glanced at the map Yong Shaolan had prepared. It was indeed a simple route, and it was easy to get lost if you weren't careful. Besides, it was still dark. "We probably won't be able to get out of the mountain road tomorrow, right?"
Zhao Yan: "Are there any wild animals in the mountains?"
"There should be wild boars," Yong Shaolan said, "Don't worry, Wenquan and I are here."
"The next stop is Guanyang County." Although Zhao Yan knew he didn't know where to find Brother Daniu, he still felt a little excited when he saw the place on the map. "There are a lot of wild fruits on the mountain in our village. Let's go get some when the time comes."
"Can,"
Wen Quan woke up in the middle of the night and said, "Your Highness, I'll drive the car. You two can go in and rest for a while."
"Well," Zhao Yan tightened the reins and stopped the carriage: "Thank you for your help, Brother Wenquan."
Wenquan looks simple and honest, but he is actually very sensible and smart. He is always polite and courteous: "It's not a big deal, it's what I should do."
"Go in and sleep for a while." Yong Shaolan interrupted the two of them, got into the sedan first, and looked back at Zhao Yan.
Zhao Yan nodded and turned around: "I'm coming."
The sedan was much warmer than outside, so Zhao Yanlai took off his coat and spread it inside the sedan: "It's uncomfortable to sleep sitting down, let's sleep half-lying down."
The sedan was only about 1.78 meters long, and there were a lot of miscellaneous items and benches inside. Zhao Yan turned the long bench over and put the cotton-padded clothes he had bought on it, which just happened to serve as a pillow. "Like this."
"Okay," Yong Shaolan helped Zhao Yan spread out two cotton-padded clothes, then knelt down and prepared the blanket: "Okay, go to sleep."
The space in the sedan chair was limited, and Yong Shaolan was too tall to lie down completely. Zhao Yan was much better off, as he could basically fit in with his legs curled up. He glanced at the half-lying Yong Shaolan and asked, "Brother Lan, are you uncomfortable like this?"
"It's okay. Just sit up when you feel uncomfortable."
"That's fine," Zhao Yan had slept for several hours during the day and was not very sleepy, but Yong Shaolan had no intention of talking to him anymore. He closed his eyes and it was unknown whether he was asleep or not.
No one spoke, so Zhao Yan simply closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.
It turned out to be useless. He would be woken up by the slightest bump in the carriage.
"Can't sleep?"
As soon as Zhao Yanfu opened his eyes, the man in front of him asked, Zhao Yan raised his eyes to see Yong Shaolan looking down at him: "Why aren't you asleep either?"
"You're still energetic." Yong Shaolan leaned over and pinched Zhao Yan's chin. "Do you want to kiss?"
"Ah...?" Zhao Yan said in a very low voice, "That's not good. Wenquan is still outside."
"It's okay, he can't hear it." As she spoke, her slightly cool lips gently touched Zhao Yan's lips, tasting them briefly, then pressing against them, and gently sucking on his lips without sticking out her tongue. Zhao Yan also relaxed a little and opened his mouth slightly to adapt.
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The author has something to say: Here we come! [Heart Eyes][Heart Eyes]
Thanks to the nutrient solution and ppinin Baozi’s mines!
Bow(#^.^#)Goodnight
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