Lu Yanzheng looked at her with a smile, without urging her. He wanted to see how a woman like her would react to something like treason.
Jiang Qinyu suddenly raised an eyebrow, "If we don't overthrow this kind of court, are we going to keep it around for the New Year?"
Before Lu Yanzheng could speak, she continued, "Before you came back, almost everyone in Dingshui Village was hungry, and very few people could go a whole year without having a full meal."
This is true not only in Dingshui Village, but also in Yongshan County, and even the entire Yukang Prefecture.
"They don't provide disaster relief, they don't help the people with grain, and they even embezzle and misappropriate the army's pay. How can the people have a good life under such a government?"
"In addition, after learning that there were high-yield grain varieties that could feed the people, the court did not send experienced officials from the Ministry of Agriculture to be in charge of research and promotion. Instead, it put someone like Liu Ruyi, who knew nothing about planting, in charge of the matter."
"In a court like this, anyone who plots a rebellion will not be beheaded. How many people do you think would rise up in revolt?"
Even if rebellion is punishable by death, the people still complain in private. Who doesn't secretly wish for someone to lead them to a better life?
Lu Yanzheng was surprised by her words. The smile on his face slowly disappeared, and his eyes gradually became deep.
At this moment, Lu Yanzheng had no doubt that if Jiang Qinyu were a man and had enough strength, he would definitely rebel!
"Do you really think someone will rebel?" Lu Yanzheng suddenly asked.
Jiang Qinyu blinked, looking at him with confusion, "Isn't it you who wanted to..."
Wait a minute, Lu Yanzheng didn't seem to say he wanted to rebel just now. He just asked her if she would be afraid if he rebelled.
Well, I've been tricked by this person again.
“I am aware of the problems you mentioned regarding the imperial court, but my ambitions lie elsewhere,” Lu Yanzheng said earnestly, looking at her.
"Then what do you want to do? Now that the emperor suspects you and wants to kill you, are you just going to keep hiding?" Jiang Qinyu blurted out, even more puzzled.
Even if Lu Yanzheng keeps hiding, the imperial court will still send someone else to take over the border troops; it's impossible to leave this place unattended.
What should Lu Yanzheng do then?
Lu Yanzheng smiled faintly, "That's why I said those things to the Seventh Prince."
“Seventh Prince…” Jiang Qinyu frowned, her mind racing, then looked up in surprise, “You mean…”
Lu Yanzheng nodded. "Although he seems simple, kind and unassuming, judging from how he concealed his skills and how he knew about the palace so far in advance, Xiao Rui is definitely not as simple as he appears on the surface."
Even at the fastest speed, it would take more than three days to send a message from the palace to the border town. Then, it would take at least ten days to half a month for someone to be sent from the capital to capture him and Xiao Rui.
The fact that Xiao Rui received the news so early suggests that he might have already returned to the capital to meet the emperor before the emperor's men even arrived at the border.
This is one of the reasons why he said that to Xiao Rui.
If Xiao Rui wanted to rebel, he would be willing to support him to some extent.
As long as Xiao Rui can maintain his composure, he can ensure that the entire Yongshan County area, extending to the border town, remains under their control, and the imperial court will have no way to get involved.
At that time, it was naturally Xiao Rui who rebelled, and he could only be considered an accomplice.
He had no interest in becoming emperor; he preferred to immerse himself in nature and travel the world.
In particular, if there are no more wars in the future, he can travel all over the country with Jiang Qinyu, and return to his roots when he gets old. That would be enough for him in this life.
"When...when did you get this idea?" Jiang Qinyu didn't believe it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Lu Yanzheng remained silent for a moment before saying, "When Marshal Qin died."
When Marshal Qin was murdered, he suddenly realized that no matter how capable you are, if the person above you wants to harm you, you will be unable to defend yourself.
He did not want to get involved in the court's infighting; he simply did not want to see the border city fall, the foreign cavalry trample the land of Great Yue, and the people displaced.
And those brothers in the border army, they are not only themselves, but also other people's sons, husbands, and fathers...
"Marshal Qin..." Jiang Qinyu didn't know whether she should ask.
But Lu Yanzheng felt it wouldn't hurt to tell her these things. "Marshal Qin was my benefactor. He was like a father, a friend, and a teacher to me, but he died because of the treacherous schemes of villains."
Seeing Lu Yanzheng's expression turn somewhat gloomy, Jiang Qinyu quickly said, "If you don't rebel, you have to solve the current problem. If the court sends someone to replace you, and the Seventh Prince hasn't rebelled..."
“He will,” Lu Yanzheng said with certainty. “Given the emperor’s suspicious nature, no matter how he tries to explain himself, he won’t get away with it this time.”
He suspected that Xiao Rui's return this time was not to demand an explanation from the emperor, but rather to make some preparations.
As for what preparations to make, that goes without saying.
Jiang Qinyu certainly didn't know as much about the political situation as he did, and after hearing this, she had a basic understanding of it. However, she wouldn't make that assumption until something actually happened.
She simply said, "No matter what he does, we ordinary people still have to live our lives as usual."
"Not angry anymore?" Lu Yanzheng put aside the bad things in his mind and returned to his previous state, looking at her with amusement.
Jiang Qinyu rolled her eyes at him. "You've already said so much, how can I continue to be angry?"
I've told her all the pros and cons. If she still gets angry, wouldn't that be just being unreasonable?
"It's okay, if you're still angry, I'll keep coaxing you," Lu Yanzheng said good-naturedly, looking particularly honest.
Jiang Qinyu was speechless. She waved him away and pushed him out, saying, "Hurry up and catch the train. It's so hot. We need to go back early."
Who talks about these things on the way?
Well, that explains why Lu Yanzheng didn't reply to her earlier. Of course, such rebellious words shouldn't be said in public.
...
In Dingshui Village, Village Chief Li and others are still diligently farming.
Chen and Old Man Lu were about to go to the fields when Yunzhu, Amber, and Aping quickly stopped them.
"Grandma, Grandpa, let's go to the fields. You two should stay and watch over the young master and young lady," Yunzhu advised.
Chen was still a little awkward about this form of address. "How can that be? You've never done any work in the fields. I'll go with the old man, and you guys can stay at home. It's hot, so you can go into the cellar to hide when you have nothing to do."
Her family also dug a cellar, but because there was no ice, it wasn't as cool as Jiang Qinyu's place.
“Grandma, we can do the work in the fields too, you just stay home and rest…” A-Ping picked up his hoe and went out.
Old Lu hurriedly followed, saying, "Even if you want to go, I need to show you the way!"
As they were talking, they went out, but Yunzhu and Amber were left behind by Madam Chen.
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