Chapter 269: Wu Xian's Three Visits [Three Thousand]
Wu Xian felt wronged.
He was truly, truly, truly wronged.
Back then, he visited Yan An with generous gifts and utmost sincerity. To demonstrate his ambition, he talked at length about the situation in Xin and Geng. When it comes to this, the most important figure that cannot be ignored is Zheng Qiao.
Zheng Qiao's dark history is more numerous than the thick hairs on his head. If you don't step on him and draw a line between yourself and him, how can you show that you are a completely different and virtuous person? This is the most basic operation, and Wu Xian is no exception.
Zheng Qiao, what a great collection of wrong questions! As long as you avoid his mistakes, you generally won't make too many blunders.
So Wu Xian went on and on.
As he got excited, he became even more animated, feeling that he had performed several percentage points better than usual. As a result, Yan An's previously composed smile gradually disappeared. Although he didn't do anything impolite, a hint of displeasure was revealed in his tightly pursed lips. Wu Xian, unaware of why, thought that his performance had failed to win Yan An's heart and felt somewhat disappointed.
However, he did not give up after one defeat.
Two months later, I visited again.
This time, he did his homework thoroughly, even having someone ghostwrite and polish it repeatedly, resulting in an exceptionally well-written "self-introduction." He memorized every word, every pause, and every nuance of tone. He was determined to highlight his talent, family background, reputation, and depth, making it immediately clear he was a good boss and a good leader! He set off with high spirits and great confidence!
Yan An listened with a smile, nodding approvingly from time to time, and his gaze softened considerably, a reaction that greatly encouraged Wu Xian. Then—he started criticizing Zheng Qiao again, and Yan An politely asked him to leave for the second time.
Wu Xian: "???"
Which landmine did he step on this time?
After returning home, Wu Xian once again reflected deeply on his past mistakes.
After some self-reflection, he did his homework thoroughly and even considered using "wife diplomacy"—but the Yan family was still in mourning and prohibited from entertainment for three years, so he reluctantly gave up—a month or two later, just as heavy snow blocked the mountain, he visited them for the third time.
Yan An greeted him for the third time.
Wu Xian started off with a phenomenal performance and was in excellent form. He could clearly sense that Yan An was already smitten. But when he started dissing Zheng Qiao, and even went so far as to diss him even more, Yan An, suppressing the throbbing veins on his forehead, simply asked him to leave, citing that he was still in mourning.
Wu Xian: "???"
no--
This approach is clearly wrong.
Why is it that when someone visits a wise man's thatched cottage three times, he gets the man's wholehearted assistance, while he was kicked out after visiting him three times?
Wu Xian said he couldn't understand it at all.
However, he wasn't stupid.
He clearly sensed that the problem might lie with Zheng Qiao, but despite his investigations, he couldn't pinpoint the issue. Just then, he encountered Qin Li, which greatly comforted his wounded heart, and he temporarily forgot about his "white moonlight"—later, when he rose to prominence and Yan An had yet to enter officialdom, he would "look around" again!
I refuse to believe that I cannot shake this "heart of stone".
result--
Has Yan An taken up an official post as Zheng Qiao?
These two are actually fellow disciples?
Wu Xian covered his face with his hand, looking even more aggrieved. Qin Li thought he was feeling unwell: "Is my lord feeling unwell?"
"Sigh, it's a long story."
Wu Xian stammered as he recounted his experience of "three visits".
Qin Li: "..."
There were some things he kept to himself and didn't say aloud.
Given Wu Xian's "foolish" behavior, the fact that he wasn't kicked out by Yan An three times but was instead politely invited out shows that Yan An was quite satisfied with Wu Xian—except for his dissing of Yan An's favored junior brother, his performance was quite perfect.
He burst out laughing without any restraint.
Wu Xian changed from covering his face with one hand to covering his face with both hands.
To avoid embarrassing his lord, Qin Li deliberately changed the subject. His expression turned slightly grave as he said, "However, I didn't expect Yan An to have such a significant influence on Zheng Qiao. If Yan An can truly stabilize Zheng Qiao—it might be disadvantageous for us."
Upon hearing this, Wu Xian also lowered his hand.
He sighed, "This is indeed a problem."
If Zheng Qiao stabilizes the situation with Yan An's help, then Yan An, who commands tens of thousands of troops, would be seen as a "self-important" and "arrogant and domineering" rebel, who could easily eliminate him. Given Zheng Qiao's character, he might very well be capable of doing such a thing.
Qin Li reassured his lord once again.
"However, that's probably not very likely."
Wu Xian hurriedly asked, "What do you mean by that?"
"Sibling rivalry and fratricide are commonplace. Wasn't Zheng Qiao's biological father, the previous ruler of Geng Kingdom, murdered by Zheng Qiao and the Queen Mother? And what became of Zheng Qiao's siblings? Yan An and he were merely fellow students under the same master; the depth of their relationship is uncertain. Zheng Qiao is stubborn, ruthless, and hates anyone interfering with his decisions or tainting his power. The more Yan An interferes, the less he tolerates it. I fear—he will ultimately die at Zheng Qiao's hands."
Therefore, Qin Li couldn't understand Yan An's choice. Continuing to follow Zheng Qiao would likely mean certain death. However, it was precisely because of Yan An's presence that Qin Li was certain this time would be safe and his life would be spared, so he could relax for the time being.
Upon hearing this, Wu Xian felt relieved.
Gu Ren was also worried and didn't sleep all night.
However, Gu Ren wasn't worried about his own life—his sixth brother, as a former imperial physician in the Xin Kingdom, knew many old acquaintances and had a wide network of connections, so a little inquiry would give him an idea of the situation—he was worried about his other brothers. Half of these brothers had direct or indirect hatred towards Zheng Qiao, and upon hearing that Yan An had appeared by Zheng Qiao's side, they were so angry that they wanted to kill Yan An.
Even if Zheng Qiao becomes a so-called "enlightened ruler" with Yan An's help, can all the despicable things he did in the past be wiped clean?
The short-tempered seventh brother smashed the table.
"Brother, let me go and kill that Yan Xingning."
The ninth brother, standing to the side, said in a sinister tone, "Let me go!"
He was originally a petty thief, a master of tomb raiding and theft. Although he had retired from the business after being subdued by his elder brother Gu Ren, he had not lost his old skills.
If he were to act cleanly, he could kill Yan Xingning and then frame some innocent victim to muddy the waters!
Gu Ren rested his chin on his hand, looking at his sworn brothers, his head throbbing. He was ambitious, but if Zheng Qiao could repent and become a qualified ruler, his and his brothers' safety would be guaranteed, and he wouldn't mind returning to his hometown to live a peaceful life as a wealthy man.
However, he dared not voice these thoughts aloud.
Because he knew all too well the blood feuds his sworn brothers carried.
There's no other way but to fight Zheng Qiao to the death.
Take the third brother as an example.
Zheng Qiao enjoyed burning, killing, and looting every city he conquered, and he allowed his soldiers to commit atrocities. If the war was not going well, he would even massacre the entire city in a fit of rage. His third brother's family was wiped out in the massacre. His wife and daughters were humiliated, his young son was killed tragically, his parents' heads were hung under the plaque on the door of their house, and their bodies were trampled by horses. None of the servants and maids survived... Only he, who was outside, escaped the disaster.
In his anger, he attempted to assassinate Zheng Qiao.
The result, naturally, was failure.
He was barely clinging to life during his escape when Gu Ren happened to be passing by and took him in. He lost his memory for three months, and on the day he regained his memory, he almost had an emotional breakdown. It was only because of Gu Ren's sake, and after listening to his repeated persuasion, that the third brother temporarily suppressed his hatred.
How can this feud be resolved?
Therefore, Yan An deserves to die!
The crowd was making a racket, their words becoming increasingly absurd, as they vied to commit suicide. Gu Ren finally spoke up to stop them: "Enough!"
Seeing that Gu Ren was truly enraged, his sworn brothers all fell silent.
They didn't say it aloud, but their faces almost betrayed their resentment, as if they wanted nothing more than to kill Zheng Qiao right now, or Yan An, who had suddenly jumped out to cause trouble. Gu Ren asked, "Do you still remember where you are now?"
He pointed in the direction of the imperial palace.
“We are right under Zheng Qiao’s nose right now.”
The seventh brother muttered, "Whoever is afraid of death is a coward."
What's wrong under my eyelids?
Even with Zheng Qiao right in front of them, they dared to make a move.
Gu Ren roared, “You’re not afraid of death, but I’m afraid of dying? If we could rush in and kill Zheng Qiao now, I’d be the first to raise an army! You all need to calm down! Zheng Qiao is doing a little better, and you’re afraid he’ll become a ‘wise ruler for all time’ and you’ll never be able to take revenge? Is being a wise ruler so easy? Even if he sacrifices his life, what can he salvage from Yan An’s death?”
Even if Yan An really had this ability, he appeared too late. Zheng Qiao had gone too far in everything, so there was no way back.
The group of sworn brothers remained silent.
Gu Ren sighed.
He said, "Tomorrow, except for the sixth brother, the twelfth brother, and the thirteenth brother, all the others stay here. Don't let any of them run around!"
The sixth son was once a royal physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau, so his connections are useful.
Twelve Chao Lian is resourceful, and thirteen Shao Chong is skilled in martial arts.
Plus myself—
Even if something bad happens, they can still rush out.
The other sworn brothers?
Stay and watch the house.
The seventh brother whispered, "Big brother, why don't we..."
Gu Ren said coldly, "You stay too!"
The seventh brother lowered his head silently after being scolded.
Gu Ren squeezed his aching brow and waved his hand.
"It's getting late, everyone go back and rest."
Despite being told to rest, Gu Ren stayed awake until dawn.
For a literary person, staying up all night is nothing.
"Mr. Wu".
“Gu Jun”.
On the way, he met up with Wu Xian and the others, greeted each other, exchanged glances, and felt a little more at ease.
The imperial palace was a temporary requisitioned palace complex, previously owned by a local aristocratic family. It covered a vast area and was exquisitely luxurious inside. Although it was not as extravagant as the "pavilion every five steps and tower every ten steps" type, it still had pavilions, towers, carved beams and painted rafters, and a continuous series of buildings.
only--
A family with such wealth and resources...
That's astonishing enough.
Inside the main hall.
The court officials, dressed in their court robes, lowered their heads, not daring to look at the handsome, effeminate young man at the head of the table. They were terrified of Zheng Qiao; let alone exchanging questions or words, even a glance between them made their hearts skip a beat, and they thought to themselves, "My life is over."
Zheng Qiao listened patiently to Yan An's report, then said in an unfriendly tone, "You can handle these trivial matters yourself."
Yan An disagreed.
"Your Majesty, this is no trivial matter!"
It clearly concerns the livelihoods of the people in the prefectures and counties under its jurisdiction!
As the ruler of the country, Zheng Qiao should take this matter to heart!
Yan An's only consolation was that the King of Zhi's rebellion occurred after the autumn harvest; had it happened before, countless people would have starved to death during the harsh winter! Of course, things aren't much better now.
Therefore, Yan An made the worst-case scenario preparations.
He planned to inventory the granary accounts and, depending on the situation, open the granaries to distribute grain to prevent people from dying of famine. As long as the people were well-fed, those with ulterior motives would be unable to incite them to rebel.
This will also buy more time.
_(:3」∠)_
Sogou says I wrote 17,000 words today... but after editing it only shows 5,500... I'll finish the rest in the early morning while I'm in a good mood, sigh...
(End of this chapter)
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