Chapter 109: See You Again Liu Rushi
Zhao Xiaokun worked diligently in Jiangyin, studying the operation of the Ming Dynasty government, identifying the problems and preparing for the future rule of the two brothers in the south.
Chen Mingyu came to the government office that day and said to Zhao Xiaokun, "Sir! This humble official, Brother Yan, and Brother Feng have already done the math! Our county's militia has recruited a total of 3,000 young and strong men. I've already arranged to send their families to Jurong and Hengshan."
"Very good! The emperor asked all places to organize militia, and we must actively respond! A few days ago, we heard that Zhang Xianzhong occupied most of Huguang. We are recruiting so many soldiers now to protect ourselves!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"Sir! Aren't there too many people?" Chen Mingyu said.
"A lot? I think it's not enough!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"But we have recruited so many militiamen, and I'm afraid the higher-ups won't be able to handle it. If someone accuses us of treason, we'll be in big trouble!" said Chen Mingyu.
"Okay! Then I won't confess for now! At the same time, I can give an explanation to the higher-ups!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
In fact, Zhao Xiaofei's militia troops around Nanjing now numbered a staggering 20,000. According to Fang Xinyu's standards, they were capable of fighting. How could such a large force be concealed? Zhao Xiaokun had a solution! He sent some of his more loyal men to the hideouts of the water bandits that Fang Xinyu had captured, and built new strongholds there.
The militia turned into bandits, breaking up into smaller groups and scattering around the Yangtze River. They also claimed to be Zheng Zhilong's men, making it difficult for the Yingtian Prefecture to harass them. Fortunately, they didn't plunder, but simply stayed nearby. This made Zheng Xuan breathe a sigh of relief!
"Okay! I'll write back to the Governor of Yingtian right away!" said Chen Mingyu.
"Is there any news about Liu Rushi recently?" Zhao Xiaokun asked.
"I heard that she is going to hold a poetry meeting to compete with the scholars in Nanjing!" said Chen Mingyu.
"I'd like to go and have a look when I have time!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"Sir! Are you interested in Liu Rushi? But this woman is unlucky in marriage. Both of her husbands died in the end! Sir, please don't be fooled by her beauty!" Chen Mingyu said.
"How old are the two men she married? How old am I? I just lament the beauty's tragic fate!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"Yes! Yes! Your Excellency is wise!" said Chen Mingyu.
"What does this have to do with Yingming? Brother Chen! When there is no one around, we shouldn't call each other adults! I gave myself a name, Wei Ming! Wei for defend, Ming for Daming! From now on, just call me Brother Wei Ming!" Zhao Xiaokun said.
"This..." Chen Mingyu has been in officialdom for many years. The leader told you not to be polite, but you can't take it seriously.
Zhao Xiaokun saw through it and said, "I'm not being polite. You, Yan Yingyuan, and Feng Dunhou are all talented people. I even want to become sworn brothers with you! What do you think, Brother Chen?"
"I...Brother Wei Ming!" Chen Mingyu felt that Zhao Xiaokun had spoken so much, and if he didn't continue, he would be shameless! He had no choice but to agree. Moreover, ever since Lord Zhao arrived in Jiangyin, the three of them had been receiving a lot of money from him. This amount of money made some people jealous. The county's construction couldn't compare to the previous ones. The riverbank was higher and stronger. The county school was renovated. The roads were widened, and many refugees were taken in. He had done more in the past few months than the previous ones combined.
"That's right! From now on, the four of us will address each other by our official titles in front of outsiders, but in private we are all brothers!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"It is my great honor to meet Brother Wei Ming!" said Chen Mingyu.
"I'm not joking. I've already told my brother in Beijing. He said that by next year at the latest, the three of you will be able to govern a region!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"Isn't this inappropriate?" Chen Mingyu was very happy. Who doesn't want to be promoted and take charge of a region?
"What's inappropriate? Your abilities are no worse than those of the county magistrates. It's the job for the capable one!" Zhao Xiaokun said.
"Thank you so much for your help, Brother Wei Ming!" Chen Mingyu bowed in thanks. However, he was worried that if the three of them really took charge of a region, the others would be ridiculed. Would they be accused of using backdoors?
Zhao Xiaokun had said similar things to Chen Mingyu, and he had also said similar things to Feng Dunhou and Yan Yingyuan. They all wondered if the county magistrate was planning to form a "Prince Consort" faction. But what good would that do? How much power did they have? It would be best for them to focus on their own jobs first.
Fang Xinyu, like Xiao Si, was now a general of the militia, and even held the rank of a loyal and brave lieutenant. The sale of official positions was rampant during the late Ming Dynasty, with anyone with a bit of money seeking official positions. Fang Xinyu now commanded nearly 20,000 troops. They were capable fighters, but Xiao Si was merely a figurehead, his primary responsibility being to communicate with local authorities.
Fang Xinyu now felt like he could walk freely in Jiangnan. You say Zhu Guobi now has tens of thousands of troops at his disposal? That's the combined forces of the logistics, the elderly, and the weak. At most, only a few can go to the battlefield. Fang Xinyu's militia, on the other hand, is well-equipped and well-trained. Their personnel quality is far superior to those of the starving government troops.
Liu Rushi's body had recovered, her complexion returning to its former self. But the pain in her heart lingered, yet she remained resilient. She didn't commit suicide, nor did she commit suicide for love. Even if she died, she couldn't be buried with Qian Qianyi; the rest of the Qian family would have allowed it. She wanted to live, but what did she know? She was good at nothing but music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and poetry.
Mother Zhen came to her room and said, "Master Liu! The talented people downstairs are waiting impatiently. Please come out quickly!"
"Mother Zhen, I'll be out right away!" Liu Rushi said, looking helpless. After calming down, she was supported by her maid and walked down the stairs. The scholars below were in an uproar when they saw Liu Rushi. They were a bit like the star-chasers of later generations!
Liu Rushi looked around. Each of these scholars looked at her with admiration and love. But in their eyes, she was always just a plaything, except for Qian Qianyi who treated her as his legal wife. It seemed that this was fate! It was the same after both marriages. If this wasn't fate, what was it?
Liu Rushi, in her twenties, was considered old in this circle. If her talent wasn't well-known in Jinling, few would have attended. Liu Rushi smiled and said, "I thank all the talented people for coming to support me! Today, we will each write a poem on the theme of flowers."
The talented scholars below all echoed the sentiment, and then someone waited on them, preparing their pens, ink, paper, and inkstones for them to begin writing poetry. As Liu Rushi walked alongside these talented scholars, she saw a man in white Confucian robes standing aside, looking at her. Liu Rushi immediately recognized him as Zhao Xiaokun.
"What's wrong with Lord Zhao? Why are you here?" Liu Rushi stepped forward and asked in a low voice.
"I'll pick you up!" Zhao Xiaokun said expressionlessly.
"Pick me up? Where to?" Liu Rushi asked curiously.
"I'll take you to Zhao's Manor! There you can live the life you want!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"Do you know what kind of life I want?" Liu Rushi asked.
"Just play a piece when you are happy, and don't worry about money. Play and sing for yourself, write poems for yourself, and paint for yourself! Live for yourself!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"Will you marry me?" Liu Rushi asked.
"Fall in love first, then get married!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
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