Chapter 220
The moonlight was as cold as white frost. Xie Chen walked into the tent while opening the letter. There was a dim light in the tent, and he read the letter carefully in the dim candlelight.
Zhongxuan, I am glad to see your letter.
It has been several months since we left Yandu. I wonder how the war situation in the northwest is? But with you in charge, I think there will be good news soon. The Xiongnu have been a nuisance for many years. I have always believed that you would be the hero who would drive the Xiongnu out of the border of Dayan and prevent our border from being invaded. But weapons on the battlefield have no eyes, so be careful and don't come back with injuries. I'm not a good doctor and I can't heal all your wounds.
Yandu is full of spring these days, and it is full of vitality. I miss the wind and frost in the northwest. I wonder if the northwest wilderness is also green at this time? Perhaps, you can take a look at this spring scenery for me.
When Xie Chen saw this, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowed. He stroked the handwriting on the letter, and Lin Shuge's movements and expressions when he wrote the letter appeared before his eyes. He felt Lin Shuge's concern and the smile on his lips deepened.
But as he looked at it, his expression suddenly changed and his smile faded a little.
If you hear any rumors in the northwest, don't take them seriously. They are just tricks of instigation by villains. I will deal with them. Don't get angry about these things. Military and political affairs are more important.
Xie Chen's grip on the letter gradually tightened. Rumor? What kind of rumor could make my brother write to me personally and tell me not to take it seriously?
Given my brother's personality, this rumor would definitely interfere with him. He also said that it would not affect the expedition against the Huns. Could it be true?
"Someone come here." Xie Chen shouted outside.
There were footsteps. Xie Chen was about to speak when he saw that it was He Xin. "You've come just in time. Let's check what rumors are going on in Yandu these days."
He Xin stood there without moving. Xie Chen looked at him suspiciously at first, then asked in a cold voice, "Do you know?"
"Sir, please don't get angry after hearing this," and don't run back in anger. He Xin swallowed and said, "I got the news that people in Yandu City were first spreading rumors about your relationship with Lord Lin, saying that between the two of you..."
Xie Chen frowned. He Xin looked at his face carefully and saw that he was not angry yet. He then said, "It was also said that you two have a close relationship. If you two join forces, I'm afraid you will become the next powerful official after the Ding family."
With a "crack", all the cups in Xie Chen's hand shattered. "So you deliberately hid it from me?"
He Xin knew that he would be angry. Since it concerned Lord Lin and was such a deadly rumor, he was really afraid that he would do something impulsive, so he chose to conceal it. It happened that Xie Chen was not in the camp recently because he was leading his soldiers to attack Huerke's army. Therefore, he never knew about this.
He Xin was so frightened that he knelt down and said, "Sir, I...it's my fault."
"Go and accept your punishment. If you do it again next time, I won't let you off easily." Xie Chen said sternly.
He Xin didn't dare to say much. He bowed and went out to receive his punishment.
Seeing that he was full of sorrow, Lao Zhang outside joked, "I heard that a letter came from Yandu today. It must be from Lord Lin. Our Lord must be in a good mood." Seeing that He Xin still had a sad face, he asked, "Why are you so sad? What are you doing?"
He Xin was so annoyed by him that she could do nothing but "Go and accept the punishment."
"What kind of punishment?" Old Zhang asked curiously, "Is it? I told you to tell the master earlier, but you insisted on hiding it from him and didn't let me tell him. The master is now in a different state of mind. Even if he is angry, he won't delay the important matter. Besides, our master is in the northwest. As long as His Majesty is not crazy, he will definitely not believe these fabricated things, nor will he touch Master Lin. He may even personally find out the person behind the scenes."
He Xin didn't say anything, so Lao Zhang said, "You are too concerned, Lao He, go and accept the punishment. I will prepare medicine for you."
He Xin gritted her teeth and said, "Thank you." Then she strode forward.
"Hey, wait for me, I have something to ask you." Lao Zhang chased after him and said.
Inside the tent, Xie Chen sat quietly at the table for a long time without moving. After a long while, he picked up the letter. Unexpectedly, Lin Shuge seemed to have anticipated his thoughts in the letter.
It's just a rumor. It can't hurt you or me at all. If you are really angry, you might as well think about how I can comfort you. When you come home, I will definitely compensate you.
The anger in Xie Chen's chest was like being blown away by a breeze, and the flame became weaker and weaker.
I tossed and turned last night, missing you for a long time. I wonder if you are thinking of me too at this moment? Xie Lang, without you by my side, the night suddenly feels as cold as water and long.
I heard that the Dragon Boat Festival in Yandu is very lively. When you come back, would you like to go with me?
Huaiting's name.
After seeing the following words, the flame in Xie Chen's heart had long since died down. He stared at the words "Xie Lang", but another flame was burning brightly, burning his throat.
Just as I was about to get up and pour a glass of water, I realized that the cup had just been broken by me. Since I couldn't drink the water, I simply went out to get some fresh air.
The night sky is full of twinkling stars, the moon is high in the sky, and the war situation is becoming clearer. I estimate that I will be able to return to Beijing soon and make plans then.
As daylight broke, Lin Shuge was confined to his mansion. Without the hassles of government affairs, he finally had some leisure time.
The sun was shining brightly, and he took out the books in the study to dry them in the morning. He accidentally found a travelogue that Xie Chen had given him. Now thinking about it, it must have been written by Lao Zhang.
Lin Shuge was lying on the couch, flipping through the book bored. Old Zhang had traveled all over the northwest in the past, and his deeds were written in a fresh and interesting way. He was fascinated by the book and wondered if he would have the chance to go there again in the future.
"Your Excellency is so free, but outside the city is in turmoil and everyone is in danger."
Lin Shuge took a quick look and saw that it was He Qingran. "You are so brave that you dare to come to me at this time?"
"I was originally your subordinate, who can say anything? Besides, everyone with a discerning eye knows that although His Majesty has confined you and suspended you from your post, he has not punished you. Instead, he has arrested many people because of the rumor. It is obvious that he does not want to blame you. Who dares to prevent me from meeting you at this critical moment?" After He Qingran finished speaking, he saw that Lin Shuge did not move, so he did not say anything politely. He sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. "The tea in your mansion is still the best."
Lin Shuge smiled and said, "Tell me, what big thing happened?"
"How did you know something big was going to happen?" He Qingran asked. He was shocked. "Could it be you again..."
Seeing that Lin Shuge did not deny it, He Qingran opened his mouth in shock, "Does your Excellency know that the mastermind behind this is the Lord of the Court?" His heart was in turmoil, and he looked up at Lin Shuge's calm appearance, "Does your Excellency really know? How did you know?"
"I guessed that the person behind the scenes had a style of doing things that was very similar to the one that made a fuss about Zhongxuan's life experience in the past. At that time, His Majesty asked Lord Ruan and Lord Tingwei to thoroughly investigate the rumors, but it was left unresolved. I thought about it later and realized that investigating myself would naturally yield no results." Lin Shuge said.
Most rumors are groundless, but they are indeed useful. The person behind the scenes sits behind others and can drag others into the vortex with just a few words. If handled properly, most of them can escape unscathed.
Aren’t we just catching some petty officials this time? If Lin Shuge hadn't felt that it was too familiar when he asked someone to check it, no one would have thought too much about it.
He Qingran was both respectful and fearful, and said to Lin Shuge: "Then, sir, do you know why the Minister of Justice did this? When the Ding Party was being wiped out, he surrendered to Your Majesty, and Your Majesty did not hold him accountable for his mistakes because he had turned from evil to good. Instead, he continued to let him serve as one of the Nine Ministers. How could he not see the situation clearly and insist on doing this?"
"Fame and fortune are so attractive, Ah Ran. After His Majesty wiped out the Ding Party, he routinely rewarded everyone. Since there were so many members of the Ding Party in the past, there were naturally many vacancies in the Court of Justice. So the Lord of the Court of Justice felt that his power was being sidelined, and he was filled with resentment."
Lin Shuge had dealt with Yi Chi before and knew that this person valued interests. In order to weaken the power of the Ding Party, Emperor Yongyuan took the initiative to win him over. Yi Chi was also blinded by fame and fortune, and as expected, he abandoned Ding Yanhe, who he thought was about to fail, and surrendered to Emperor Yongyuan.
But after the Ding party was eliminated, Emperor Yongyuan did not use him. Instead, Yi Chi was hindered in doing things. He must have felt that Emperor Yongyuan was targeting him, especially after seeing Ruan Qingyun, Lin Shuge and others being entrusted with important tasks one after another, he felt even more resentful.
There must be many people in the court who share the same idea as him.
"That's why he took advantage of this incident to fish in troubled waters and wanted to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. No matter whether it is Your Majesty or the adults, no matter who wins or loses, it will be good for them." He Qingran suddenly realized something and murmured.
He slammed his fist on his hand, "How vicious! Your Majesty didn't hold him accountable for his fault, but he actually acted like this? If Your Majesty really believed the rumors... Sigh, but now that the matter has been investigated, I believe Your Majesty will let the master out."
Lin Shuge smiled faintly and said, "No." Emperor Yongyuan didn't put him under house arrest just because of this incident. His suspicion, coupled with the fact that he had contradicted the emperor and disrespected his authority that day, meant that Emperor Yongyuan probably hadn't figured out how to deal with him yet.
"Why? Sir, all the civil and military officials are guessing why His Majesty has confined you. Some say it's because of your relationship with Captain Xie, while others say you are just like the rumors, harboring evil intentions." Seeing Lin Shuge glanced at him lightly, "I naturally know that you are loyal and brave, how could you have such thoughts, but Sir, what is going on?"
"It's nothing. I offended His Majesty." Lin Shuge said in a low voice.
He Qingran looked at him blankly. As expected, Lord Lin was a close minister of His Majesty. He would only be confined to his house for offending His Majesty. Looking at the current situation, no one could say when he would be released and reinstated.
His dull expression was too real. Lin Shuge smiled and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. How is the development of Nanjun going? Has His Royal Highness Prince Liang set out yet?"
Knowing that Lin Shuge didn't want to talk about this anymore, He Qingran swallowed the question he wanted to ask and replied, "Your Majesty issued an edict, ordering the governors of Cangxi and Yuyuan to reward farming and weaving, encourage farming and sericulture, popularize epidemic prevention, and reclaim wasteland. He also asked His Royal Highness Prince Liang to bring new grain seeds to several remote counties, and the annual tax grain can be paid in new grain seeds and cotton instead."
The government takes the lead in planting new crops and includes them in the tax system. I believe that potatoes, cotton and other crops will soon become popular in the southern counties. As they are developed from generation to generation, the prosperity of the south will surely be restored in future generations. I don't know if I can see such a grand occasion in my lifetime.
After chatting with He Qingran, Lin Shuge silently counted the days in his heart. Now that the matter was settled and the culprit had been brought to justice, it was time for him to move. He couldn't just stay at home all the time.
The battle flags blocked out the sun. Xie Chen bit the bandage to treat his wounds. He looked at the Right Wise King who was kneeling on the ground to surrender. "He Xin, write a war report to Yandu, saying that the army will escort the Right Wise King of the Xiongnu and the King of Youguli back to Yandu soon."
"Yes, sir." He Xin replied in a firm voice.
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