Chapter 954: Family Misfortune, Brothers Fighting (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Even though Xun Ding had some understanding of the Gongxi clan, he would still be astonished by their strange and unusual characteristics from time to time.
"When you say that, I feel like we're from different worlds." He took out a piece of candy and put it in his mouth. The hawthorns from this candy shop were coated with a thick layer of glistening sugar, and they were sweet and sour, very appetizing. "Brother Shaobai, you should try some too."
Xun Ding stuffed one into his mouth without giving him a chance to argue, and kept nagging, "Alai used to love eating this, but after she got pregnant she could only watch me eat it. There's a water shop over there. It has the most authentic Longwu specialties. Brother Shaobai, have a taste too."
Ji Moqiu was dragged in and out of various shops.
Before long, the two of them were carrying large and small bags.
Ji Moqiu found everything fascinating: "When I came yesterday, Thirteen was pestering Brother Fang and the others to eat and drink everywhere. I thought that was all there was to Fengluo. I never imagined there were so many hidden gems. Fengluo City is unlike anything I've seen before."
Xun Ding laughed and said, "This is nothing! When you have time in the future, I'll treat you to more fun things."
"You don't have to work shifts or accompany A-Lai?"
“Isn’t there marriage leave? I still have my land leave and clothing leave from this year. Even if I didn’t have any leave, there aren’t many things to do in Yaoguang Guard… There’s no war going on right now, so it’s quite leisurely… As for Alai, she’s busier than me; I can’t find her every day.”
Gong Xilai hasn't been sitting around living off his savings all these years.
Although Gongxi Chou left behind an estate that she could never spend in several lifetimes, he also left behind over a thousand former followers, all of whom needed to be supported. Gongxi Lai took it upon herself to disband them and arrange their separate homes. However, some of them were disabled and homeless, with no one to rely on. She couldn't simply give them a sum of money and send them on their way. After all, it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish.
After careful consideration, she led these elderly people to start a business.
At first, I just collected some mountain products.
After becoming profitable, they explored other sectors.
Even while pregnant, she showed no signs of stopping: "However, she'll be able to relax after she gets married."
Ji Moqiu's tone turned serious: "Women in the clan don't confine themselves to the inner quarters. There's nothing wrong with Alai doing business. You don't agree?"
"Brother Shaobai, please don't kill an innocent person by mistake."
Xun Ding wished he could raise his hands and shout that he was wronged.
He sighed, “Alas, it’s not that I don’t want her to be busy; it’s just that the laws of Kang have specific provisions. I am the Grand General of Yaoguang Guard, and after Alai is married, she will be my wife. Whether you are a civil or military official, your family members are not allowed to engage in business. If that were allowed, I don’t know how corrupt Kang would become. Even if we weren’t married, Alai wouldn’t have been able to do this before, as she is still my second brother’s sister. Although my second brother doesn’t hold a real position in the court, he does have the nominal title of Grand General, and fortunately, he has received special permission from the King.”
Gong Xiqiu himself is not in Kangguo and has no real power. Gong Xilai is his sworn sister, so it wouldn't be a problem for him to find a loophole and grant her special permission to do business. Now that Gong Xiqiu has returned and Gong Xilai is going to marry Xun Ding, she can no longer handle these businesses herself.
It can only be done by someone who is not related to you.
Otherwise, if the Censorate found out, how could they let go of this opportunity to find fault with Xun Ding and make things difficult for Xun Zhen? Xun Ding knew even with a brain that the Censorate would not let him go. They would either say that he was not managing his household properly, causing unrest in the family, or that he could not control his wife, or even worse, that he and his wife conspired to amass wealth. If the scope of the attack was wider, they could also criticize his father, Xun Zhen, for failing to educate his son properly.
The memorials submitted by the father and son could fill the Lord's desk.
Those people in the Censorate are afraid of no one and dare to criticize anyone. If they go any crazier, they might even drag Gongxi Chou into the fray and start criticizing him too.
Gong Xilai is so busy because he has to deal with these minor issues, hand over the business properly, and try not to leave any evidence against him.
Ji Moqiu never expected it to be for this reason.
He shook his head: "I don't know much about worldly affairs, but—since it is the king's will, there must be a deeper meaning."
Xun Ding sneered: "Yes, money, power, and influence—having just one of these is enough to live a life of glory. If you're greedy and want to have two or even three, then don't blame me for bringing disaster upon yourself."
He first escorted Ji Moqiu back to his temporary lodgings, and only after watching him go inside did he turn and return to his residence. He had barely stepped onto the stairs when the gatekeeper came over and whispered that his father had been waiting for him for quite some time.
Xun Ding's smile froze: "Father is back?"
He then asked, "How does Father look?"
The gatekeeper also lowered his voice again.
"The parents seem to be in a good mood."
Tomorrow is Xun Ding and Gong Xilai's wedding, and the entire Xun household is busy preparing for it. The decorations are complete, everything is red, and servants are busy with the final preparations. When Xun Ding arrived, Xun Zhen was standing in front of the main hall, lost in thought.
"Father, did the trip go smoothly?"
Xun Zhen snapped out of her daze and first checked Xun Ding for any external injuries. Seeing that he was alright, her expression softened, but she quickly hardened again and scolded, "You're about to become a father, and you're still so unruly? Instead of staying home and preparing for your wedding, where are you running around?"
"Naturally, I'll accompany my elder brother to familiarize him with Fengluo."
"Where did you get your older brother from?"
"He is Alai's older brother."
Gong Xichou searched for his older brother for nearly ten years.
Xun Zhen then asked, "When did the Gongxi Chou brothers arrive?"
Xun Ding poured himself a large cup of tea.
"It must have been yesterday."
Xun Zhen glanced at her son secretly: "They came yesterday, so did they beat you up last night?"
Xun Ding: "..."
His biological father has become more and more like a stepfather in recent years.
Xun Ding abruptly changed the subject, unwilling to recall the beating he received last night, and carefully smiled apologetically: "Just now I noticed Father's brows were furrowed, is something troubling you? Or did this inspection not go smoothly?"
Xun Zhen rarely brought his work-related emotions home.
"A little bit of both."
They declined to elaborate on the specifics.
Xun Ding, being sensible, didn't press the matter further. He just chuckled and rubbed his hands together nervously, asking, "Then, will the master come up tomorrow?"
Xun Zhen said calmly, "He will definitely come. Even if we don't consider our father-son relationship, he'll come just for A-Lai. You said Gong Xi Chou arrived in Fengluo yesterday..."
If it were anyone else, they would probably think that Xun Zhen's words implied that Shen Tang and Gong Xi Chou had an unusual relationship, but Xun Ding heard something different: "Father means that there is going to be a war?"
Xun Zhen stroked the teacup, lowered his eyes and sighed: "It's either with the Northern Desert or with the Gao Kingdom, the former is more likely."
If war is to break out, it is even more important to pay attention to generals who show favor.
Xun Zhen was unaware of Shen Tang's connection with the Gongxi clan—even if Shen Tang did not show any favor, Gongxi Chou would still fight for her—but this explanation from Xun Zhen's perspective made sense.
"I can understand the Northern Desert, but why would the Gao Kingdom do that?"
"The news is being kept under wraps for now, but it won't stay hidden for long. You'll find out then." Xun Zhen's mind was in turmoil. Once war broke out with the Northern Desert, the Ministry of Revenue would have to allocate funds to prepare provisions and supplies. It wasn't that the national treasury didn't have the budget, but rather that the budget wasn't as large as expected. The few days of relative comfort they had just enjoyed would soon be back to a state of financial strain.
"Wu Zhaode, what a disgrace to his later years!" Xun Zhen suddenly exclaimed, glancing at his own unfilial son as he spoke. Although he was a bit rebellious, he was at least less troublesome than Wu Xian's sons, and thus spared the family from misfortune.
Xun Ding: "..."
The grain that disappeared in the "Ghost Stealing Grain Case" and the large amount of wealth gathered in the "Golden Chestnut Official Debt Case" vanished when they passed through Gao Kingdom. Or rather, the news was leaked when Shen Tang wrote a letter to Wu Xian, and he was double-crossed.
Wu Xian's attitude toward this matter was very ambiguous.
He outwardly wrote a letter to Shen Tang apologizing, saying he was sorry for failing her trust and that he would definitely catch the culprit and recover the losses. However, he took no stern action, only making a lot of noise. Everyone here is a seasoned shrew; who couldn't see through his charade?
This news left Kangguo with no choice but to prepare for the worst.
What are your plans?
Naturally, this means fighting on two fronts.
To counter the pincer attack from the Northern Desert and the High Kingdom.
Meanwhile, at the royal court.
Shen Tang carefully read the reply, which she could almost recite by heart, several more times. Her anger was raging, but she didn't vent it; the atmosphere in the hall was oppressive. It wasn't until the inner palace maid announced that Luan Xin was requesting an audience that she composed herself and said, "Let Gongyi in."
Luan Xin, who was waiting outside the hall, slowly walked in.
Shen Tang asked, "How is your leg injury healing?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The physicians of the Medical Bureau are exceptionally skilled, and thanks to their meticulous care, there has been some improvement. However, it is an old injury that has been there for many years and has damaged the tendons and bones, so a full recovery will still take time." Luan Xin had a slight smile on his face. Looking closely at his leg, his movements were much more agile than a few years ago. After exchanging pleasantries, they got down to business. "Your Majesty, these are some messages sent back from the Gao Kingdom."
In addition to the four departments under the Ministry of Personnel, there was a little-known special department that specifically managed the internal agents sent to various places.
The inside agent and the secret agents in the Ministry of Personnel communicated only one way.
Unless otherwise specified, it will be bidirectional.
The messages in Luan Xin's hands concerned whether Shen Tang should attack Gao Kingdom and Bei Mo together, or attack Bei Mo first and then Gao Kingdom. If possible, she hoped for the latter. Although she had vigorously promoted and recruited many capable generals in recent years, the pressure of fighting on two fronts was still too great. Too much wind and waves could capsize the ship.
|ω`)
I'm taking a day off today; the plot is so badly stuck I'm completely numb.
I'll sort out how to connect the plot points tonight.
(End of this chapter)
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