Chapter 57 That's not how you handle things...
After the war broke out in the south, the entire capital city, from the emperor and empress to the concubines and officials, was forced to cut back on spending, which caused widespread discontent within the various government offices.
Yu Mingshu listened to their discussions about the war, but his attention was forced to focus on the battle situation thousands of miles away. He wanted to hear more detailed information, but these people knew nothing about it.
Xie Huaijin was her only connection in the court. These days, she had intentionally or unintentionally passed by the government office of the Secretariat and had run into Xie Huaijin quite a few times. When they met, they would go home together and chat for a while, and she could get some information out of him.
Xie Huaijin was no longer surprised to see Yu Mingshu's figure in the distance again when he finished his shift.
Fang, the manager who was traveling with him, was laughing and talking with him when he suddenly stopped talking, looked into the distance, squinted his eyes and looked back and forth, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
"This young Miss Yu has been coming quite frequently lately, Registrar Xie. Is she here to see you?"
"She came from Zuochunfang, it was just on her way."
"This doesn't seem like a chance encounter."
Fang, the steward, winked at Xie Huaijin: "Registrar Xie, do you think Miss Yu might have changed her mind?"
Xie Huaijin frowned and glanced at him: "Regret what?"
"I regret turning down that marriage proposal!"
Realizing he was being too agitated, Fang lowered his voice and said, "I heard that she hasn't been summoned by His Highness the Crown Prince for quite some time."
The implication is that she had no hope of marrying into a wealthy family, which is why she remembered Xie Huaijin's good qualities.
Seeing the man's sly smile, Xie Huaijin didn't feel flattered at all; on the contrary, he was extremely annoyed. His gaze turned cold involuntarily, and without saying a word, he strode away.
Fang, the steward, was unaware of what he had said wrong. He only felt that Xie Sanlang's temperament was somewhat unpredictable, and suddenly he turned his face away at him.
On the wider road ahead, Yu Mingshu met her target and was finally able to resume her normal pace. She waved to greet him, but Xie Huaijin grabbed her shoulder.
"Walls have ears, let's talk about it when we get back."
Back in Yong'anfang, Xie Huaijin invited her into his courtyard and brewed her a bowl of tea.
"These past few days I've heard you subtly trying to find out information, and there are some things I've wanted to say for a long time."
Yu Mingshu suddenly realized that the hot tea in his hand was a bit too hot, and he didn't know whether to drink it or not.
Xie Huaijin said, "You and He Erlang have a very close relationship. He is away on a campaign, so you can't help but worry about his safety... But there's really no need to worry."
Yu Mingshu quickly put down his cup and explained, "I'm not just worried about He Erlang! Since the war started in the south, many officials have complained about the shortage of money and food, and the situation of ordinary people will only become more difficult. Peace and prosperity are hard-won, and the world has been stable for only a little over ten years. I naturally hope that the war can be put to rest as soon as possible."
"It's admirable that you think so far ahead," Xie Huaijin said with a smile. "Don't worry, after General Cheng and his party entered the southern border, the rebel army was routed and the bandits surrendered one after another. He Zheng's detachment alone killed hundreds of bandits and captured three rebel generals alive. According to yesterday's latest battle report, He Zheng should already have his sword pointed at the rebel leader."
Yu Mingshu was secretly delighted. "Is the war going so smoothly? Does that mean the army will soon be able to return in triumph?"
Xie Huaijin hesitated for a moment, his thin lips parted but no sound came out.
Yu Mingshu's heart, which had just been at ease, jumped again. "Could there be another hidden story?"
Xie Huaijin smiled and shook his head, saying, "No, I'm just a little worried about this year's flood season. There's a war going on in the south, and if there's another flood, the national treasury definitely won't be able to handle it."
Yu Mingshu stared at the calm tea in his cup. Natural disasters are unavoidable, and it is the people of the world who suffer.
After a long silence, she sighed softly: "I only hope for favorable weather and peace throughout the world."
She didn't stay at Xie Huaijin's house for long; after chatting for a few minutes, she said goodbye.
It was a coincidence that I ran into Yuan Yi returning from the academy as soon as I stepped out.
Yuan Yi alighted from the carriage and his gaze fell upon Yu Mingshu. He looked her up and down and suddenly asked, "You've been in close contact with Xie Huaijin lately. When did the Bureau of Justice and the Secretariat begin to interact?"
"I just asked him about the war in the south."
After Yu Mingshu finished speaking, he noticed that the other person's gaze had become even stranger, so he recounted almost his entire chat history with Xie Huaijin.
Yuan Yi's expression softened slightly. "The leaders of this rebellion are nothing more than a group of tenant farmers, and the bandits who took advantage of the situation are also untrained. Naturally, they are no match for us and are easily defeated. His Majesty appointed Cheng Changde and He Zheng to lead the troops, not to deal with this rabble."
Yu Mingshu raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"
“There are rumors circulating that the King of Qi did not die back then, but instead fled southeast with several hundred elite soldiers, setting sail from Taozhou Port,” Yuan Yi said. “This has always been a thorn in His Majesty’s side.”
Yu Mingshu frowned slightly. "So, the army's southward march was actually to find the King of Qi?"
“This is just my guess,” Yuan Yi said, looking at her.
Yu Mingshu inexplicably thought of a famous historical figure who made seven voyages to the Western Ocean... although the claim that Zheng He sailed to the Western Ocean to find Emperor Jianwen is actually quite far-fetched.
It's even more absurd that His Majesty would send someone south to find the King of Qi.
A group of northern landlubbers, invincible on land, could they possibly defeat sea pirates in the water?
Furthermore, Zheng He's treasure ships were enormous, comparable in size to modern cruise ships. Did Daliang have such advanced shipbuilding industry? Did it have its own naval commanders?
"Are you very worried about him?"
The cool male voice beside her pulled her back to reality. Yu Mingshu glanced at Yuan Yi and suddenly realized that the question sounded very familiar.
Xie Huaijin asked that question earlier as well.
She nodded and admitted, "I am a little worried."
Yuan Yi was slightly taken aback, and his right hand, which was covered by his wide sleeve, clenched unconsciously, his fingertips digging into his palm.
Yu Mingshu didn't say anything more, but politely nodded goodbye and went into his own courtyard.
Stepping into the house, I found that there was nowhere to stand in my huge inner courtyard. The entire courtyard was covered with books and many manuscripts weighed down with pebbles.
Seeing her standing there in a daze, Wu Qiuniang quickly told Qingque to clear the middle of the road.
"The weather has been nice these past few days, so I took all the books out of the boxes in my study and aired them out inside and out to prevent them from getting damp and infested with insects."
Yu Mingshu had witnessed this scene once before last year, so he wasn't too shocked. He just suddenly realized that he had been living in this world for a year.
She knelt down to help pick up the pieces of paper, her gaze falling on them. After quickly glancing at a few words, she couldn't help but ask, "Is this the box of Father's manuscripts that He Zheng sent before?"
Qingque said, "Yes, Madam said this morning when she was airing the books that these manuscripts were too scattered and that she should pick a day to organize them and bind them into a book."
Yu Mingshu stared at the water management insights between the lines for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "I'm just idling around as a proofreader anyway, so I'll take over this job."
Qingque said happily, "It would be best if Miss could personally sort through Master's belongings."
After helping to tidy up the manuscripts scattered on the floor, Yu Mingshu walked into the hall and noticed a list next to her mother. It was covered with densely written small characters in delicate calligraphy, but from a distance, it was impossible to see what was written.
Seeing that she was looking at the list, Wu Qiuniang took the initiative to explain, "Sanlang's marriage is almost settled. This is the betrothal gift list I prepared. Please take a look."
"I won't watch anymore," Yu Mingshu quickly waved his hand and said, "Which family's daughter did Mother finally take a liking to?"
"Jiang Ru'an, the fourth daughter of Chief Clerk Jiang of the Ministry of Justice."
"Is she the niece of her cousin that Aunt Wang mentioned?" Yu Mingshu said, his brows furrowing slightly without making a sound.
Wu Qiuniang couldn't help but laugh: "You have a good memory; you can even remember such a complicated relationship."
Yu Mingshu said, "The matchmaker introduced so many girls before, why did Mother choose Jiang Shi in particular?"
“Wang Lanying is right. We can’t afford to associate with those wealthy and powerful families. When it comes to establishing a relationship between two families, it should be a marriage between people of equal social standing.”
Wu Qiuniang was too embarrassed to say that there was another reason. The families who had previously been so eager to curry favor had long since changed their attitudes, and when they met the matchmaker sent by the Yu family, they were all incredibly sarcastic.
Currently, only the Jiang family remains positive about the marriage and is willing to cooperate with the matchmaker in "asking for the name".
This "asking the name" is of course not just a simple matter of asking for a name; it also includes asking about the woman's birth date and time, as well as the specific circumstances of her family.
Seeing her daughter deep in thought, Wu Qiuniang continued, "I asked a high monk from Xijing Temple to calculate it. Miss Jiang's birth chart is very compatible with Sanlang's; it's a rare match made in heaven."
Yu Mingshu snapped out of his reverie and asked, "How many siblings does Miss Jiang have at home?"
Wu Qiuniang said, "Master Jiang has four daughters and two sons, all born to the principal wife. The backyard of the house is quiet, and there have never been any rumors of discord among the siblings."
They have a large and thriving family.
However, compared to the terrifying number of offspring in the Zhu family, six children seem to be quite restrained.
Yu Mingshu appeared serious, but in reality, he didn't know how to assess the other party's conditions. After much thought, he decided to let himself go.
Anyway, it's not like I'm choosing a wife for her.
A few days later, Wu Qiuniang discussed it with the Jiang family and set the wedding date for four months later.
In the golden autumn of September, the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, so the newlyweds and their guests can suffer less.
After the betrothal and engagement ceremonies were completed, Wu Qiuniang hired several servants to renovate the inner quarters of her house.
Every evening when Yu Mingshu returned home, he would see his mother leaning against the shadow gate separating the front and back yards, staring intently at the blueprints in her hands.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Wu Qiuniang sighed, "If I had known that Sanlang would get married so soon, I should have chosen a bigger house back then."
"Is five mu of land too small?" Yu Mingshu said with a smile. "There are so many empty side rooms in this back courtyard. They are usually used as storage rooms. Now we can clean them up and make the most of them."
Wu Qiuniang handed her the blueprints and said, "I'm thinking of dividing the back house in two, with a low wall separating them. My daughter and I will live on the west side, and the young couple will live on the east side. The north courtyard will be converted into a study, which will make it convenient for you two to study and work."
Yu Mingshu frowned and disagreed, saying, "How can we turn the main house into a study? The current layout is fine. Mother lives in the north courtyard, and Sanlang and I live in the west and east courtyards respectively, separated by a small garden, so we don't disturb each other."
Wu Qiuniang hesitated for a moment, "Wouldn't it be a bit cramped for the two of them to live in the same courtyard?"
Yu Mingshu paused for a moment before realizing what she was thinking.
Would you rather leave the most spacious room in the north courtyard empty than treat everyone equally?
That's not how you carry water.
She wasn't exactly angry; she just found it utterly ridiculous. "Mother, even though you've moved to the west courtyard to live with me, they're still sharing a courtyard, aren't they?"
Wu Qiuniang was speechless.
Yu Mingshu said seriously, "If they really think the east courtyard is not spacious enough, they can move out and establish their own separate household. This house was bought with our money, and there is absolutely no reason for us to make room for others."
Wu Qiuniang understood that her daughter's words made sense, but she was always worried that the new daughter-in-law would have some ideas after entering the family, and she couldn't make up her mind for a while.
The blueprints were crumpled in her hand, and Yu Mingshu could tell at a glance that her mother was still hesitant.
“The more time a sister-in-law and daughter-in-law spend together, the more conflicts will arise. If you move to the west courtyard, the new bride and I will see each other all the time, and sooner or later there will be trouble.”
She persuaded him from a different angle, and the effect was remarkable.
Wu Qiuniang finally understood. Thinking of the conflict between the aunt and daughter-in-law that Yu Mingshu had mentioned, she was still a little scared. She threw the blueprints aside and said, "You've thought things through."
When Yu Dan returned from the academy, Wu Qiuniang briefly explained the wedding date and arrangements. He stood there blankly, holding his rice bowl, without reacting for a long time.
Wu Qiuniang's heart jumped, and she asked anxiously, "Why aren't you saying anything? Is there anything you're unhappy about regarding this marriage?"
Yu Dan hurriedly shook his head and stammered, "No, no. I just... I just didn't realize it."
Yu Mingshu couldn't help but tap him on the head. "Have you thought this through yet? Don't wait until the bride arrives to say you haven't thought it through or are unwilling!"
Yu Dan winced in pain, clutching his forehead, and said, "Am I that kind of unreliable person? I just want to ask... will He Erlang be able to come back by the end of September?"
Wu Qiuniang said speechlessly, "You are marrying Jiang Shi, not He Erlang. Why do you care whether he comes back or not?"
Yu Dan gripped his chopsticks tightly, lowered his head, and poked at the rice grains at the bottom of his bowl, muttering, "But he is my best friend."
Yu Mingshu said, "Just write him a letter and you'll know."
…
A thousand miles away, the night was deep.
He Zheng, dressed in armor and with a long sword at his waist, stood with several personal guards at the port of Taozhou. A full moon was reflected on the undulating sea, and the sea breeze occasionally swept by, lifting the blood-red cloak behind him.
Inside the tent not far behind him, Cheng Changde's face was solemn as he looked at the nautical chart, his gaze lingering between several islands.
The strategist sent by General Tao stood opposite the nautical chart, hands tucked into his sleeves, smiling smugly: "General Cheng, the rebellion has been quelled. The coastal pirates, hearing of the invincible reputation of the Liang army, have all fled in disarray, leaving by boat..."
Cheng Changde said in a cold and stern tone, "His Majesty ordered us to go south in order to eliminate future troubles."
The strategist frowned slightly, took a deep breath, and bowed respectfully to the front: "Your Majesty has great courage. It must have been hard for General Cheng to study the southern sea map by lamplight."
Cheng Changde pointed to several coastal villages on the nautical chart and said, "Go back and tell General Tao Zhou to have the fishermen in these villages stay on the shore and to prohibit anyone from going out to sea to fish or hunt until the army returns."
“We will obey the general’s orders. But I have something to say, though I’m not sure if I should…”
"Spit it out if you have something to say."
The strategist, probably unfamiliar with such crude language, choked for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "The sea is ever-changing. Without superior ships, even a large imperial army might not be able to return safely. Moreover, the sea is vast and boundless; how can the general know where those pirates might have fled?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the tent flap was roughly pulled open, and He Zheng strode in, his clothes damp with sweat.
"The strategist's words are reasonable. To do a good job, one must first have the right tools. If the court wants to conquer the southeastern seas, it must first build warships and train a navy. Being impatient for quick success is absolutely not advisable."
"How much does it cost to build warships? How many years does it take to train a navy?" Cheng Changde scoffed.
“As long as the southeast remains unsettled, His Majesty will not have a moment of peace. If General He is truly capable, he should submit a memorial to His Majesty to persuade him to rescind his order and stop undermining morale in the army.”
He Zheng looked at him and said, "Cheng Changde, can you swim? Have you ever been to sea? Do you really think you can dominate the seas just because you've driven out a few pirates?"
The strategist stared wide-eyed, as if he had seen a ghost.
Cheng Changde frowned, his gaze darkening. "He Zheng, who do you think you're talking to?"
He Zheng slightly toned down his tone, his expression becoming solemn. "We are soldiers, not fishermen. The weather at sea is unpredictable; one moment it's clear skies, the next it could be thunder and lightning. Even seasoned fishermen who frequently go out to sea can't guarantee they'll escape danger every time. General Cheng, your willful actions are playing with the lives of our soldiers."
"There are no cowards under my command," Cheng Changde said sarcastically. "If He Erlang is afraid of battle, he can request permission to return to the capital."
For the first time, He Zheng felt that communication was such a difficult thing, like talking to a brick wall.
He glanced at Cheng Changde, said nothing more, and returned to the seaside after leaving the tent.
The accompanying guard looked at him expectantly: "General, what did General Cheng say?"
He Zheng shrugged and said, "Let's wait and spend the New Year in Taozhou Port."
They might spend the Lunar New Year adrift at sea.
The expressions of the guards instantly fell, their eyes filled with undisguised disappointment. They all looked towards the dark horizon in the distance, sighing with sorrow.
Jinghong rode a fast horse and galloped over the harbor. When he saw He Zheng kicking a conch shell on the beach under the moonlight, he quickly reined in his horse, jumped off, and stood still.
"My lord, a letter has arrived from Chang'an!"
"Read it." He Zheng didn't even look up, kicking a fist-sized conch shell back into the sea.
Jinghong said with great excitement, "It's a letter from Miss Yu!"
His voice was quite loud, and the guards behind him who had been grumbling and complaining immediately stopped talking and looked at He Zheng with winks and grimaces.
He Zheng stopped what he was doing, turned to look at the letter in Jing Hong's hand, and after a moment reached out and said, "Give it to me."
He opened the envelope only after returning to his tent, and when he saw the familiar handwriting on the letter, a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
The letter was short, without any unnecessary formalities, simply wishing him all the best and informing him of Yu Dan's wedding date.
Concise and to the point is Ming Shu's style.
But he definitely can't go back for the wedding.
He could only hope that Yu Dan would be slow in his actions, lest he and his sister-in-law have already had a child by the time he returned to Chang'an.
Jinghong, who had witnessed the change in his husband's expression, couldn't help but ask, "What did Miss Yu say in the letter?"
He Zheng did not answer his question, but instead tapped the table lightly with two fingers and said, "Bring me paper and pen."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
