Chapter 334 Brothers (Part 1)
"Li Mo's mother, You, was from Ningzhou. His father was a merchant. When she was young, You followed her father on business trips to Yizhou, where she lived for many years. She later married a man from Yizhou and gave birth to two sons. The man's surname was Luqiu. The eldest of their sons was named Luqiu Yan, and the second was Li Mo."
Sun Wei was talking about Li Mo's past when Sima Jun asked, "Why do two sons born to the same father and mother have different surnames?"
"That happened later. The two brothers originally had the same surname. Later, Youshi's husband failed in business and became increasingly violent. He often beat Youshi. Unable to bear the humiliation, Youshi took her youngest son back to her hometown in Ningzhou to live with her father, leaving only her eldest son with her husband. After returning home, Youshi was arranged by her family to marry into a family with the surname Li. This is how Li Mo's surname came about. However, not long after, Youshi's newly married husband passed away, leaving Youshi and her son alone to depend on each other."
"Then how did Youshi and Li Mo get to the capital?"
Sun Wei continued, "Jiang Yuan and Youshi were from the same hometown and had been friends since childhood. One year, Jiang Yuan returned home and reunited with Youshi. He was shocked to hear about her experiences over the years and felt pity for her. Furthermore, Li Mo was very intelligent since childhood, so Jiang Yuan was very fond of him. He immediately accepted Li Mo as his apprentice and brought Youshi and her son to Jiankang."
"It sounds like Jiang Yuan has a special affection for Youshi." Sima Jun said suddenly.
"I don't know that." Sun Wei thought to herself, she didn't realize that he also liked to inquire about these gossips between men and women.
"They lived in peace for several years. Li Mo began to show his talent under Jiang Yuan's guidance, but Youshi fell seriously ill. In the two years before her death, Youshi often spoke to Li Mo about Lu Qiuyan. She said that she was powerless and couldn't escape with the two children, and that it must have been hard on her eldest son. She had been worried about him for many years and urged Li Mo to find his brother and take good care of him."
Sima Jun said coldly, "You Shi probably never expected that her eldest son would be so capable and need no care at all."
Sun Wei said, "That's right. It's just that Jiang Yuan and his daughter never knew that Li Mo had already found his brother. His so-called training in Ruoye Mountain might have been to work for Lu Qiuyan. Now that I think about it, these two brothers have indeed been involved in several major events since I arrived in the capital."
Sima Jun recalled the past and it was indeed true.
"The Northern Palace Rebellion was a plan Li Mo proposed to Wang Han. The key figure in the plot, Cui Pan, was actually Lu Qiuyan's man."
Sun Wei continued, "Not to mention the Lu Ming case. Li Mo and Yao Rong's collaboration was also inseparable from Lu Qiuyan's mediation. As for the Three Immortals Sect case, Li Mo was very active in it. I wonder what kind of contribution Lu Qiuyan made."
Sima Jun raised his head, looked at the gloomy sky outside the door, and said, "Madam, do you still remember Liang Wen?"
"Of course I remember. He defected to Wang Hao and, with Wang Hao's tacit approval, became the governor of Guangzhou. That's why Guangzhou became Wang Hao's territory."
"Madam, do you still remember how you and I knew Liang Wen had taken refuge with Wang Hao?"
"It's because Wang Zhi and Li Mo suddenly arrived in Guangzhou, and Li Mo said in person that Liang Wen was his man, and also Wang Han's man..."
Sun Wei paused, and suddenly understood why Sima Jun asked this question.
"Prince, are you saying that we were misled by Li Mo?"
Sima Jun's expression turned serious. "He just didn't tell the whole story. Liang Wen is first and foremost Li Mo's enemy. If Li Mo and Wang Han were of the same mind, Liang Wen would naturally be Wang Han's man. But now you and I know that Li Mo is actually Lu Qiuyan's man, so Liang Wen is naturally Lu Qiuyan's man as well."
Sun Wei's expression changed: "Since Liang Wen is Lu Qiuyan's man, he might be protecting him."
Sima Jun nodded. "No wonder Lü Qiuyan disappeared for so long without anyone noticing. No wonder he had to flee from the East China Sea. It turns out a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Li Mo had already turned Guangzhou into Lü Qiuyan's lair."
Sun Wei's heart sank.
If this is the case, it will be difficult to deal with. Lu Qiuyan lost Jingzhou, but gained Guangzhou.
Although the status of the two cannot be compared, Guangzhou has its own advantages.
Guangzhou was surrounded by the Nanling Mountains, making it difficult for troops to advance northward. Similarly, troops from the north could hardly attack Guangzhou, making it an ideal choice for establishing a separatist regime.
"But this is just the prince's speculation. I'm afraid there is supporting evidence."
"I have no shortage of evidence," Sima Jun said. "Before, I encountered Yao Rong and burned her boat. After that, I asked Yin Wen and Zeng Fang to follow her secretly. After she escaped, she ordered another boat to go south. The boatman was from Guangzhou. She also fled to Guangzhou."
This is bad news.
"If so, what are your plans, Prince?" Sun Wei asked.
Sima Jun said calmly, "Lü Qiuyan is a man we cannot let go of no matter where he is. Besides, he's in Guangzhou, not too far away."
——
The sky was covered with thick clouds and a muffled thunder sounded on the ground.
Sima Jun quickly went to the East Palace to meet the prince before the rain got heavier.
"I thought you didn't want to see me anymore." The prince smiled and gave him a light support, helping him to stand up.
Sima Juan thanked him. The prince looked him over for a moment, patted his shoulder, and said, "How's your head injury healing?"
"It's much better now."
"That's good," said the prince. "Since you've come to the palace today, please stay. It's been a long time since we've had a meal together."
Sima Jun said, "I came to the palace today to discuss important matters with Your Highness."
The prince pointed to the couch and asked him to sit down.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"I know where Lu Qiuyan is."
"Oh?" The prince changed his sitting position and leaned forward. "Tell me quickly."
The rain outside was getting heavier. Although it was only the afternoon, the huge rain curtain seemed to connect the sky and the earth into a chaos. The lights in the East Palace were turned on.
Sima Jun explained the whole story, and the prince looked incredulous.
"According to what you said, Lu Qiuyan is actually in Guangzhou?"
"That's right," Sima Jun said. "He's still unaware of his whereabouts, so this is the perfect time to send someone to capture him. At the same time, I'd like to ask Your Highness to order the Ministry of Personnel to designate a new governor for Guangzhou. Once I've captured Governor Liang, the new governor should arrive at the same time to ensure peace in Guangzhou."
The prince stood up and paced twice.
"Who do you want to send to Guangzhou to capture Lü Qiuyan?"
"Chu Yue has just stepped down from the position of Governor of the Northern Prefecture. He is qualified for this important task."
"Hmm? Is he going to send some Northern Army soldiers?"
The Crown Prince looked reluctant. Sima Jun calmed down and said, "Jiangzhou is closer to Guangzhou. If we want to attack Guangzhou, it would be more appropriate to mobilize troops from Jiangzhou and Jingzhou. Don't worry, Crown Prince. I will make the arrangements for the troops."
"That's good." The prince suddenly understood. "I have no concerns about you handling the matter. However, I think it would be better if you went in person."
"I trust Zhuo Jing," Sima Jun said. "Although I have made this trip, I have just recovered from a serious injury, and the doctor has instructed me not to travel far."
"Oh? You're so cautious, but that's not like you." The prince smiled. "Could it be that you can't bear to leave the princess alone in Jiankang?"
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