Before long, the group got tired of playing and lay down on the snow. Jiang Ming was resting and panting when he was hit squarely by Xiao's snowball.
He looked at Xiao, who was still full of energy, and grinned roguishly, "Xiao, you're not playing by any rules."
Xiao was bewildered and at a loss. He glanced at the others who were all sitting on the snow, and then sat down on the ground in a similar manner.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Jiang Ming just smiled and looked at Jiang Yu, saying, "Today, the Prefect has invited officials from various counties and prominent families. Among them, the general of the Central Army and the Prefect have always been at odds, and the prominent Zheng family is also not very well-behaved. Brother Yu, you should be careful."
Jiang Yu paused slightly as she brushed the snowflakes away from Qi Nuan. "It's alright."
"There are already people causing trouble in Yuyang. Be careful when you train your men."
"Yuyang?"
Judging from their expressions, they were unaware of the uprising in Yuyang. Jiang Yu and Zhang Liao exchanged a glance, both understanding the importance of the matter.
Their foundation is ultimately too weak; they are unaware of such a major event.
As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle." First-hand information is always the key factor in determining victory or defeat.
They need to develop their own information intelligence system as soon as possible.
However, this incident shows that Song Jingning had a very strong and strict control over Shangjun, and no one in the county heard any news.
However, they cannot rely solely on Song Jingning. Not only will it take time for Song Jingning to entrust these matters to him, but the loyalty of Song Jingning's people to him is also questionable.
"Young Master..."
Before Zhang Liao could finish speaking, Jiang Yu had already understood. He looked at Jiang Yu and said, "Leave the martial arts training to Amu and Qingqing. You should start by cultivating information and intelligence."
Jiang Ming nodded; he also knew the importance of this matter.
Jiang Yu's voice was somewhat cold, "Be careful to keep it confidential and be selective."
Jiang Ming looked into Jiang Yu's eyes and agreed.
It was already noon, and the guests didn't arrive until the afternoon.
Uncle Wang came over and led the group to wash up.
"Young master, you only need to show your face today; everything else will be arranged by the prefect."
Jiang Yu nodded and followed Uncle Wang into the hall. He had changed into a dark blue silk crane cloak, and his handsome appearance and slender figure were evident in his aloof expression. He bowed slightly when he saw Song Jingning.
"Greetings, Lord Prefect."
Song Jingning helped the man up and said to the crowd, "I invited you here today for two reasons: first, for the refugees, and second, for the matter of my son."
He paused for a moment and, seeing the different expressions on everyone's faces, continued, "This is my son, Jiang Yu. I have been separated from my son for many years, and I have specially invited you all to celebrate this occasion."
He then said to Jiang Yu, "Ayu, come and greet all the officials."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu bowed to everyone and said, "This humble one, Jiang Yu, greets all of you esteemed officials."
"Young master, there's no need for such formalities..."
Regardless of what others thought, the surface remained harmonious.
Someone asked, "The Prefect has not married for many years, so it's quite surprising that a young master has suddenly appeared."
Song Jingning said, "General Wang's words make me feel ashamed. Although I am not as dashing as General Wang in his youth, I am still a kindred spirit. However, I was unexpectedly separated from them and their mother many years ago, so I am extremely happy to be reunited with them today."
Everyone knows that General Wang is a womanizer. Although he only has one wife, he has many female confidantes and a large family.
General Wang choked and fell silent. His official position depended entirely on his wife's family, and he both loved and feared her.
The others simply congratulated Song Jingning. Since they had been invited today, it was obviously not just to introduce Young Master Song to them.
However, why does the young master of Song have the surname Jiang instead of Song?
Although they were curious, they also knew that there were some things they shouldn't ask.
As expected, Song Jingning spoke again, "I am nearing the end of my life and fear my days are numbered. All matters, large and small, in the household have now been entrusted to my son. Please forgive him if he has acted improperly."
"What?"
"Your Excellency, this is probably inappropriate. The position of prefect should be appointed by the imperial court. Isn't Your Excellency's behavior disregarding the imperial court?"
Some people cursed it as foolish, while others secretly watched the show unfold.
Everyone knows that the current emperor is a man who doesn't care about anything. Nowadays, the court can only manage the small area in the capital, but on the surface, it still has to put on a show.
Song Jingning shouted sternly, "Lord He, you should be careful with your words. When has this prefecture ever appointed a prefect?"
He looked at Lord He, whose face had turned deathly pale, and said, "Lord He is spouting nonsense and slandering his superiors. This prefecture does have the right to dismiss Lord He from his position as magistrate of Hezhong County."
Lord He knelt down and begged for forgiveness, saying, "It was my misunderstanding, please forgive me, Your Excellency."
Song Jingning remained calm and silent.
Lord He looked at Jun Cheng beside him, but Jun Cheng did not look at him. His face was deathly pale, and he no longer begged for mercy.
Wang Bo ordered his men to take Lord He away.
The scene was very quiet. Some people were quietly observing Jiang Yu. They saw that the young man's expression remained unchanged, and his calm demeanor was comparable to that of Song Jingning.
He thought to himself, "It seems that things are about to change in Shangjun."
Although Song Jingning did not explicitly say that he wanted to hand over Shangjun to Jiang Yu, the affairs of the prefecture could be either the affairs of the prefecture or the affairs of the Song family. Who would dare to say that he was referring to the prefecture?
But such a large-scale mobilization is obvious to everyone.
Then Song Jingning said, "As I just said, there are two things to discuss today, and the other one is about the refugees."
"Now that winter has arrived, many refugees are still without shelter. I urge you all to discuss this matter together."
"Your Excellency is unaware that this year's harvest is poor, and refugees are pouring in. Our household has taken in some more refugees. My Zheng family is truly willing but unable to do anything about it."
Looking at the middle-aged man who was speaking, Jiang Yu saw that he was dressed in rich clothes and spoke sincerely. This must be the Zheng family that Jiang Ming had mentioned.
Others echoed his sentiments.
Song Jingning ignored their words and instead said, "A few days ago, my son brought back some strange things..."
He saw that everyone was listening intently, so he stopped talking.
He then said, "Alright, since today is a feast for appreciating the snow, please enjoy the snow first."
After saying that, he led everyone towards the door.
Snowflakes were still falling from the sky. The others, unaware of what Song Jingning was up to, strolled with him in the snow.
Pretending to be admiring the snow.
Everyone there was from a wealthy family, and although they were dressed in thick winter clothes, they didn't feel cold.
The streets were deserted, with no pedestrians.
Soon after, Song Jingning led the people to the city gate, and they climbed up the city wall.
The snow fell heavier and heavier. At this time, there were refugees outside the city gate leaning against the city wall, with only some wood and dry grass forming shelters.
I saw refugees shivering in the wind and snow, huddled together for warmth.
A look of pity appeared in Song Jingning's eyes.
The others remained silent, simply watching the refugees below the city.
Some people thought that Song Jingning might be trying to evoke pity in the crowd. They might have pity, but they would never abandon their own interests for such sympathy.
But Song Jingning is not such a naive person. What exactly does he want to do?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com