He immediately sent his confidants to investigate the soldiers who had faked their deaths, and carried out a major purge of suspicious personnel in the barracks.
General Zhou asked curiously, "Who is this person who gave you this letter? Can you trust him?"
Zhou Chengyu said, "Some time ago, the wealthiest man in Jiangnan, the legitimate son of the second branch of the Ling family, was confiscated. My grandson has seen that he is cautious in his words and deeds, so I think he is trustworthy."
"Oh, can you tell me more specifically?"
Zhou Chengyu sat down and told the old general about what he had seen and heard in Qingshan Village: "Grandfather, you don't know that the whole village is speaking for the Ling family, fearing that I would take the second young master of the Ling family away.
Their village was also very different, bustling with activity. I didn't ask what they were doing, as time was tight, so I didn't get to know them. I figured it had something to do with the Ling family.
The Ling family was also interesting. While others had their property confiscated and left them penniless, theirs, while not as luxurious, was not greatly affected. It was said that a loyal servant had provided them with money to allow them to live in a large, tiled house with blue bricks.
The Ling family grows a seasoning that they say is very similar to dogwood. They originally invited me to stay there for dinner, but this matter is of great importance, so I can only bear the pain and come here to report the news!
Zhou Chengyu pretended to be aggrieved and rubbed his stomach very deliberately.
Such an obvious hint made the old general laugh out loud, and he quickly asked someone to serve the meal.
“By the way, that kid from the Ling family still doesn’t trust me and only gave me one of the letters.
I thought, after I've pulled out the nails in the camp, I'll take him to see the gate. So that he won't suspect that I, the general's legitimate son, am a liar."
General Zhou raised his hand and nodded. "Don't tell me you really think so. I've already given you the letter, so who would doubt your identity? I think it's that kid from the Ling family. He has something more important to tell me."
Zhou Chengyu chuckled, "My grandson thought the same, so I didn't force him. We just need to prepare in advance. No matter if they come by force or by water, the Zhou family army is not to be trifled with."
Grandfather, the Third Prince's intentions may not necessarily reflect the Emperor's. We've been treading on thin ice in Youzhou these past few years, yet we still haven't been able to dispel their suspicions.
Grandfather, I'm afraid it's time for us to make a choice!"
General Zhou closed his eyes and thought, and even General Zhou beside him was eager to try.
They have been so frustrated over the years. Who wants to be inferior to others when they can be above everyone else?
There is a saying that goes, a golden unicorn cannot be kept in a pond, once it encounters wind and clouds, it will turn into a dragon!
I'm talking about the Zhou family!
As for Ling Jiheng, a time traveler, has he never thought about usurping the throne?
Well, he really hadn’t thought about it!
Not to mention that he did not have enough soldiers and horses, the emperor's four hours of rest a day was not something a human could do!
It is said that the emperor has everything he wants and enjoys the most blissful life.
But they don't know that the eunuchs eat the rice first, touch the wives first, and the tributes are deducted from time to time. Apart from the hard work, there is really no benefit.
His previous dream was to die of old age. Now his dream is to live in harmony with Chi Xingyue and die of old age!
After Zhou Chengyu left, Ling Jiheng also came to Rongsiyuan and asked Erzhu to bring some wine, preparing to toast with the yamen runners in the city.
The yamen runners, who had no intention of causing trouble, couldn't help but show more respect to Ling Jiheng when they saw Zhou Jiajun leave.
Ling Jiheng didn't rush to ask them why they came, and just treated them as guests at home.
"Is the room cleaned up? Are there enough quilts and other things?" He looked so busy that the yamen runners felt embarrassed.
After getting a definite answer, Ling Jiheng asked everyone to eat some cakes and pastries to fill their stomachs first.
Just as I was about to go to the kitchen, I saw Song Lizheng coming over.
He and the villagers carried two baskets filled with more than twenty crabs and a bunch of shrimps.
Ling Jiheng hurriedly asked everyone to take a break and stay here for dinner.
The people in Qingshan Village were somewhat tempted, but they were so scared that there were officials in the family that they could not possibly agree.
He waved his hand hurriedly and left, leaving Song Lizheng, the most prestigious person in the village, to accompany him.
Ling Jiheng asked someone to prepare the shrimps and crabs, set up the wok, and stir-fry the other side dishes first.
Soon, the side dishes were fried and the shrimps and crabs were cleaned.
Put it in the pot and stir-fry, then add the side dishes and seasonings, and a pot of fragrant spicy hot pot is ready.
The city yamen runner looked curiously at the red hard-shelled insects and shrimps in the pot and asked in surprise, "Can this be eaten?"
Before Ling Jiheng could reply, Song Lizheng couldn't wait to introduce them: "Of course, these hard-shelled insects are called crabs, and these shrimps are river shrimps. Don't be fooled by their strange appearance, they taste very good!"
As he spoke, he picked up some and put them in the bowls of the yamen runners: "We villagers didn't eat these before. It was only because the Ling family said they were delicious that we tried them. Don't be polite, officials, come and try them and see if they are delicious!"
Chang Wan nodded, picked up a piece of crab, but didn't know how to eat it.
Ling Jiheng also picked up a piece, slowed down and demonstrated.
A group of officials followed, and when they put the sweet crab roe and crab paste into their mouths, they felt like their souls were about to ascend to heaven.
Oh my god, how could this be so delicious? How much had they missed? This trip was worth it!
There are other ones that are fragrant and spicy, and you will want to eat more after eating them.
Seeing this, the Ling family also took action.
Chi Xingyue quietly retreated and asked Aunt Taohua to make another pot and send some to the head of the village and the families of the young men.
And there's Goudan, the clever little devil, who came to report the news, running out of breath and sweat. We can't treat this "little hero" badly.
When he finished his work and returned, he found that the pot was empty. Chi Xingyue suppressed his surprise and came out again to prepare tea for everyone.
Seeing this, Xiao He lowered her voice and said, "Second Young Master's Madam, I'll make you a bowl of noodles!"
Chi Xingyue waved her hand: "No need, you've worked hard today, I'll ask Baozhu to bring you some snacks later!"
Xiao He was flattered and quickly declined: "No, no, Second Young Master's Madam, these are what I should do!"
Chi Xingyue smiled and said nothing more.
After Chang Wan had his fill, he decided to discuss serious matters with Ling Jiheng.
Both parties moved to Qingfeng Courtyard, but the atmosphere this time was not as serious as when Zhou Chengyu was there.
Chang Wan said bluntly, "Second Young Master Ling, my prefect heard that an extreme cold weather was approaching and sent me here to investigate. I wonder if Second Young Master could tell me all the relevant information?"
Ling Jiheng sighed, "I'm sorry, some things are confidential and cannot be shared with too many people. However, I'm certain that the extreme cold will come and last for a long time. Lord Yu, please prepare in advance."
If possible, you should go back early, as it may snow at any time today."
Chang Wan looked up at the night sky. It was dark, the stars were bright. It was so clear, with no sign of snowfall.
Although it was indeed a bit colder this year than usual, it was not unacceptable. Shaking his head, he laughed off Ling Jiheng's warning.
But he raised his hand and asked, "I wonder if Master Ling could accompany me back to the capital to explain the situation to Lord Yu in person?"
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