Chapter 1314: Whose Food Are We Eating? (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
When luck comes, there's no stopping it.
Including both good luck and bad luck.
As the commotion outside the camp grew louder, daylight broke.
After a simple breakfast, Luan Xin personally took Miao Ne to see Shen Tang. Since Miao Ne had agreed to go to court, he wanted to strike while the iron was hot and solidify the matter to avoid any further complications. As for the matter of requesting a pardon and investiture, it would be safer for Luan Xin to speak on Miao Ne's behalf from the sidelines.
"Ximin has finally decided to come back?"
I received news of Miao Ne's return late last night, which was a real relief. With the passing of the former ruler of Qi, the Southwest Allied Forces completely disintegrated, and the situation in the Southwest was in utter chaos. Although Miao Ne has his own means of protection, he is, after all, a scholar rather than a warrior. If he were to be surrounded and framed, he could easily be caught off guard and suffer a crushing defeat.
What should have been a journey of a few days was stretched into more than two months by Miao Ne.
Shen Tang was genuinely afraid that something might happen to her.
In the chaos of war, it was impossible to make contact.
Hearing Shen Tang's sarcastic words, Miao Ne shrank back guiltily: "It is I who have troubled Your Majesty."
She had only met Shen Tang in person a few times, but had spent a considerable amount of time with his avatar, Wu You, so she knew that Shen Tang always responded better to gentle persuasion than force. As long as it didn't involve principles, taking a step back was always the right thing to do.
"Considering your hard work and great contributions, I won't hold it against you this time. Just remember not to do it again." Shen Tang wasn't really going to hold her accountable; a half-serious, half-joking warning was enough to teach Miao Ne a lesson. "Don't you even think about how worried your teacher and your lord are about you..."
Unfortunately, Luan Xin was slow to react.
I've been worrying for so long that I've started to bottle it all up inside.
Miao Ne was quite surprised and glanced at Luan Xin's expression out of the corner of her eye.
She had previously told Xiang Zhao that she was only half a fellow disciple, and Luan Xin was half a mentor to her. This wasn't because she intentionally distanced herself, but because she genuinely believed it. The past events involving the Miao family had instilled in her a deep-seated inferiority complex, making her feel less worthy than average.
As the personal protégé of the Minister of Personnel?
A genuine, heartfelt worry?
Miao Ne dared not hope for more. Deep down, she always believed that Luan Xin's care for her was partly due to his regret towards Miao Shu. Although he and Miao Shu had the title of teacher and student, he had not fulfilled his responsibility to teach her. So he gave this compensation to Miao Shu's clansman, Miao Ne.
Luan Xin's gaze responded simply: "What else?"
When a child travels a thousand miles, what parent or teacher wouldn't worry?
Miao Ne was quite content acting as a righteous and chivalrous hero outside.
Receiving Luan Xin's gaze, Miao Ne felt inexplicably uneasy, a heat spreading from her neck to the top of her head, and a shy blush appeared on her hardened face. She hadn't felt this shy in many years.
"It's the student's fault for causing Professor Luan worry."
Noticing her change in address, Luan Xin's lips curved upwards.
Shen Tang, oblivious to the romantic atmosphere, interrupted the warm interaction between teacher and student: "The resistance in the southwest is no longer a threat. All obstacles can be cleared in March. Xi Min, what are your plans for the future? Do you intend to continue as before, or go to the court to help your teacher?"
The Ministry of Personnel was already extremely busy.
With the southwest incorporated into the territory, the number of officials will at least double.
I dare not imagine how much work the Ministry of Personnel's assessment will involve. Even if the four departments of the Ministry of Personnel expand their staff and work around the clock, they will still be extremely busy. If Miao Ne comes back, Luan Xin's pressure will be greatly reduced. Her abilities have been wasted somewhat by working outside the home.
You can go to Shen Tang's side even if you don't go to the Ministry of Personnel.
The chief minister secretly investigated and prosecuted, while the assistant minister monitored the officials and common people.
Miao Ne was deeply moved by Shen Tang's high regard and recognition of him: "I thank Your Majesty for your kindness, but I still feel that my qualifications are too shallow, and I am not qualified enough to be admitted to the four departments of the Ministry of Personnel. It would also bring shame to Master Luan and make him bear the stigma of nepotism..."
Luan Xin then spoke up to help.
So that the Lord might not misunderstand that Miao Ne was making a refusal.
"I intend to send Ximin to the prefectures and counties first."
"That works too. Where is Ximin planning to go?"
Shen Tang gave Miao Ne the choice.
Such treatment is almost top-tier.
Who doesn't rack their brains and sharpen their wits to get into officialdom?
The royal family isn't their own; how can they go wherever they want?
"The southwest is not suitable." Luan Xin believed that his lord understood the reasons better than he did. "Wouldn't Yuan Fu's side be just right?"
You mean Yuan Fujun?
Shen Tang dug out information about Yuan Fu from her mind.
She said irritably, "What kind of teacher are you? Transferring Ximin to Yuan Fu's side is just making her suffer."
She was not unaware of Luan Xin's plans.
However, the situation within Yuanfu's territory is not optimistic.
Nominally, Yuanfu County was under the jurisdiction of Kang State, but in reality, it was an exclave constrained by the central powers. This exclave dates back to the last time Kang State destroyed Zhen State. At that time, Kang State took over all of Zhen State's territory and used a series of warnings to instill fear in the surrounding powers, preventing them from easily launching an attack on Kang State, which had just experienced a major war.
As time went by, tensions eased, and there was a strong public demand to resume trade. To ensure smooth trade routes, Kangguo and the central powers agreed to establish a border crossing in the disputed enclave.
The presence of powerful central forces within the enclave prevented dispatched officials from fully seizing local power, leaving them constantly hampered and causing three consecutive terms to fail. The fact that none of the three died in office was a stroke of luck, but that doesn't mean there weren't assassinations.
The greater the friction between Kangguo and the central region, the more frequent the assassinations become.
Now things have completely broken down.
Yuan Fu was secretly instigated by others to stage two coups within his territory.
Sending Miao Ne there at this critical juncture is too risky.
Luan Xin looked at Miao Ne: "What does Xi Min think?"
"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask."
Looking at the teacher and student working together so harmoniously, Shen Tang immediately guessed that their plan to take up the post of governor of Yuan was something they had discussed long ago: "Since Ximin is so insistent, I can't refuse anymore. But you should think it through, because if anything happens to you on this trip, you may never return!"
"Please grant my request, my lord!"
Shen Tang had no choice but to agree.
Miao Ne said shyly, "I have another request. To stabilize Governor Yuan, we need more people, but I am short of money and have not saved much over the years. I am afraid that my regular salary from the prefectural government is not enough. Could Your Majesty please make an exception and grant me more?"
To take office smoothly, one still needs to make some connections.
Normally, this wouldn't be necessary, but Yuan Fu is an exception.
Shen Tang: "..."
She pressed her temples. Her insomnia last night was due to the excessive budget deficit this year, and Xun Zhen had added fuel to the fire by submitting a budget for rebuilding existing land in the southwest. If fully implemented, it would require overdrawing profits for at least the next five years. That Xun Zhen had also squandered her hard-earned private treasury; now her private treasury was poor, and the national treasury was even poorer.
Miao Ne's words were an even greater blow.
Shen Tang even considered giving up and abandoning her post.
Tell her you have no money, but you can take my life!
However, for the sake of the prestige of the ruler of the country, Shen Tang could only swallow these bitter tears: "Of course it's fine. There's still some time before you take office. You can go next spring and select some clever people to accompany you. Everything is for your safety."
Spring is almost over.
Miao Ne said, "I already have someone in mind."
"Oh, who is it?"
"She's the teacher's new student, junior sister Xiang Laiqu." The teacher said that Xiang Zhao was very talented and should be able to open her Danfu and condense her Wenxin before she took office. Miao Ne herself was a graduate of the academy and had teaching experience, so tutoring Xiang Zhao was no problem at all.
Shen Tang's expression was a little strange: "You mean Xiang Zhao?"
"Yes, Junior Sister agreed."
Shen Tang: "..."
She no longer needs to worry about Miao Ne.
Focus on hurting your wallet.
Miao Ne was unaware of Shen Tang's financial situation, but Luan Xin knew it perfectly well. He felt nothing but sympathy. But after the sympathy subsided, he had to get back to his work. A subject couldn't voluntarily forgo his salary just because his lord was poor.
The Lord is content with just one person eating his fill, while his entire family is not hungry; he has a family to support.
Therefore, all we can do is sympathize.
Shen Tang: "..."
Does Gongyi think he can't read his eyes?
Of the three, Miao Ne was the happiest.
Just as she was about to remark on her recent good fortune, she quickly stopped giggling, because an urgent message suddenly came from outside the tent.
The current ruler of the State of Qi has passed away.
Since being forced to defend the isolated city, opinions within the city split into two factions: one faction believed in the wisdom of the times and decided to surrender, while the other faction preferred to die rather than surrender, preparing to fight to the last man. Ultimately, the decision was made by the new ruler of Qi.
This new master was not a very courageous person.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, he had long since given up the will to struggle.
Her only thought was to use surrender as leverage to exchange for as much benefit as possible from Kangguo, ensuring her future wealth and honor. If Wu Zhaode of Gaoguo could achieve such an outcome after years of struggle against Shen Tang, there was no reason why she, who hadn't even had a chance to offend her, couldn't. However, this thought couldn't be easily proclaimed, because the Death Fighting Faction had already taken control of most of the city's defenses.
If they find out, the new master's life will be in danger.
Just when they were at their wits' end, the news somehow leaked out.
The die-hard faction was naturally filled with grief and indignation, but they remained silent, preparing to test the new leader's true attitude. What should have been an open and honest banquet turned into an incident where someone suddenly smashed a cup, someone drew a sword, and someone pulled out a knife. Both sides believed the other was responsible.
The scene was one of carnage, with heads rolling and blood flowing like a river.
In the chaos of battle, the new master died.
At this moment, the Kang Kingdom's troops stormed into the city, taking prisoners and persuading others to surrender. The body of the new Qi Kingdom ruler was transported to Shen Tang, along with the imperial seal he had barely held. Shen Tang immediately knew that someone was behind this.
Who is in charge of escorting them?
The guard said, "It is Cui Xiong of the Cui family."
Miao Ne felt a chill run down her spine and subconsciously turned to look at the teacher.
Should she avoid the situation for now?
Luan Xin said slowly, "What are you afraid of him for?"
The Cui family still held some influence in the southwest, but in Kang State, they were considered inferior. So what if Cui Xiong had a maternal grandfather named Cui Xiao? His students even had a tutor who was the Minister of Personnel. The Ministry of Personnel was his territory; until he stepped down and was transferred, the Cui family had to keep a low profile.
If it really comes down to a fight, we're not going to back down.
Miao Ne chuckled awkwardly, "It's not that I'm afraid."
I'm just a little guilty.
Cui Xiong was already waiting outside the tent. If Miao Ne went out now, she would run into him. If she used her incantation to conceal herself and was discovered, it would only make her look like she was trying to hide something. She pursed her lips, forced herself to put on the calmest expression, and clear her mind completely.
More than two months later, Cui Xiong had lost a lot of weight.
His cheeks were almost devoid of flesh, and they were visibly rough to the touch.
Cui Xiong didn't notice the person next to Luan Xin. He kept his eyes slightly lowered, as humble and polite as ever. It was also the first time Luan Xin had met this eldest son of the Cui family. Judging from his appearance alone, he was quite satisfied. His demeanor was impeccable, befitting his noble birth.
The voice sounded a bit weak.
When Cui Xiong presented the imperial seal, Shen Tang glanced at it to determine its authenticity, then waved his hand to absorb it into his dantian. He asked with genuine concern, "Young Master Cui, your voice sounds unwell. Are you ill?"
Cui Xiong bowed again before replying.
This isn't an illness; he's suffered internal injuries and poisoning.
Fortunately, he survived and is now out of danger.
How does one get injured and poisoned?
That was, of course, the internal strife.
Cui Xiong still seemed shaken when he recounted the incident, acting like an innocent victim caught in the crossfire, who would have been drinking the hot soup of oblivion if he hadn't been lucky enough to escape. Luan Xin, observing coldly from the side, concluded that Cui Xiong was lying, or at least not telling the whole truth.
Why are you so certain?
Cui Xiong's mind was completely silent.
This is one of the characteristics of being on high alert.
_(:з」∠)_
Using mind-reading and spiritual powers to probe the thoughts of others might be detected by a skilled opponent, but Gu Chi's scholarly approach avoids this concern. Although Luan Xin dislikes Gu Chi, he is adept at using the scholarly approach.
When Cui Xiong presented the Qi State Imperial Seal, Shen Tang couldn't be stingy. He first spoke kindly and then arranged for a physician to examine him. Young people shouldn't rely on their good health and act recklessly; it can easily lead to hidden health problems.
Cui Xiong bowed once more to express his gratitude.
As for the remains of the new ruler of Qi State that Cui Xiong sent?
He had only been in power for a little over two months, and the royal mausoleum hadn't even been started yet. It wouldn't be appropriate for him to share an underground palace with the previous ruler of Qi, and Shen Tang certainly wouldn't fund the construction of a mausoleum befitting his status. So, he simply found a scenic and auspicious burial site nearby.
Erecting a monument will make it easier for future generations to pay their respects.
Because it was a simple burial method popular in Kangguo, outsiders couldn't criticize Shen Tang, and Cui Xiong naturally didn't refute anything.
Of course, this was not the real purpose of Cui Xiong's trip.
The body was just a side trip, and the imperial seal was merely a token of loyalty. The real purpose was to test Shen Tang's intentions—Kang State's system was completely different from that of the southwest, the most obvious difference being local taxes, which also concerned the interests of various local powerful families.
Cui Xiong didn't really want to come, but he had no choice.
The others pushed Cui out to be the first to stick their necks out.
He had barely started when Shen Tang suppressed him.
"Let's not talk about this for now."
Cui Xiong murmured twice, then lowered his head and took his leave.
Luan Xin and his students did not linger in the camp.
When they came out, they saw the young man who was supposed to leave standing not far away, his gaze passing over Luan Xin and landing on Miao Ne behind him. Miao Ne immediately realized something was wrong when she saw that look.
No, she didn't say a word.
The last shred of hope vanished with Cui Xiong's greeting: "How have you been these past two months, Bao Jun?"
Miao Ne gave up struggling.
But her disguise was given to her by Qi Zhongshu; surely it shouldn't be so easily seen through? Especially since Cui Xiong couldn't even distinguish the color of lipstick: "Who told you my true identity?"
Cui Xiong looked at her and chuckled, his tone more bitter than usual: "It's been three years. I can still recognize your scent."
"Your name is Cui Xiong, but you're not a bear, are you?"
I never imagined that my identity would be exposed by my scent.
|ω`)
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