Chapter 336 Mountains and Rivers Don't Ask About the Seasons! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Show weakness.
Weak position.
Whether subjectively or objectively, the Xiao family will attract many covetous eyes and endless troubles.
Just like the Liu family in Jingzhou and the Zhu family, to which Zhu Hao and Zhu Lingchuan belong, they openly and secretly attacked the Xiao family.
Just like the Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office, the Military Commander's Office, and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's Office, they outwardly complied with but inwardly defied the Xiao family in matters large and small.
Even most of the officials in the Kyoto Prefecture court did not side with the Xiao family.
Chen Yi had a vague idea of the reasons, but he was still missing a main cause.
Or rather, he had been overlooking one person's thoughts all along—the current emperor.
Ultimately, the world is governed by the divine right of kings.
The Emperor reigns supreme in the Imperial City, overlooking the entire world, and can decide the life and death of all people with a single word.
So, is the Xiao family's current predicament related to the monarch in the capital city?
The answer is self-evident.
If that person had stood on the Xiao family's side, even just said a word of justice, the Xiao family's situation would be much better than it is now.
In this way, it becomes understandable that the White Tiger Guard plotted against Shu Prefecture, intentionally or unintentionally creating some disputes to cause trouble for the Xiao family.
Chen Yi even figured out why he and Chen Yunfan were being targeted by the White Tiger Guards.
—Using "him" to manipulate the Xiao family.
—To gain control of Shu Prefecture through Chen Yunfan.
“I am such a proud and knowledgeable person. After being suppressed for five years, once I am freed, even if I am just a son-in-law, I should see this as a lifeline, right?”
It definitely will.
Chen Yi thought to himself silently.
"So I became a 'fledgling,' which is why the White Tiger Guards were so eager for me to gain a foothold in the Xiao family in the beginning."
"It wasn't until I became an instructor at Guiyun Academy that the White Tiger Guards mistakenly believed I had begun plotting against the Xiao family, and they finally gave up."
"Therefore, Ge Laosan's departure was not for that sum of money, nor was it due to the risk of his identity being exposed, but rather it was an inevitable step in his successful retirement."
"But later..."
"Hehe, the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture and the White Tiger Guard should both be knives in the hands of the current emperor, while my brother and I are the two edges of those knives."
“The one far away in Kyoto Prefecture grasped the hilt of the sword and thrust it straight into the land of Shu Prefecture.”
"This game of chess... is truly magnificent..."
A smile appeared on Chen Yi's lips, but his eyes remained unusually calm.
The twinkling fluorescent lights in his eyes were like chess pieces jumping on a chessboard.
As the pieces were moved and repositioned, several inconspicuous small pieces appeared on the chessboard.
Far from the bottom left corner of the chessboard, representing the southwestern Shu region, a single piece has gained momentum, seemingly a giant dominating a region.
Firstly, they reside in "Tianyuan"—the current emperor of the Great Wei Dynasty, and the court officials.
Secondly, it occupies the lower right corner, representing the southeast corner, and there is a chess piece representing the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture.
Thirdly, the piece occupying the northwest corner star position represents the "Jizhou Merchant Guild".
Fourth, the pieces on the northeast corner star position are clearly black and white, like two armies facing off, but they are not assigned names.
In addition, there are a few scattered pieces around these star positions.
There was Mr. Sun Fu, who traveled all the way to Jinling; Zhang Xuan, the Duke of Gan, who was stationed in Guangyue Prefecture; and Asutai, the son of the Left King, and Fu Wanqing, who were in the heart of the barbarian lands.
The scattered details made the chessboard in Chen Yi's mind, which stretched for tens of thousands of miles and spanned the nine provinces and three prefectures of the Great Wei Dynasty, seem less empty.
As Chen Yi "looked" at the chessboard that was beginning to take shape in his mind, the smile on his face gradually faded, and his gaze fell on the Spring Lotus Garden.
Under the cover of dark clouds, a torrential downpour caused the flowers, grass, and trees to wither and die even more, while the golden carp in the pond were unusually active.
As they splashed, water sprayed everywhere.
"Mountains and rivers never ask about the seasons; they wither and flourish as they please."
Chen Yi silently recited a sentence in his heart, then smiled again, turned his head to look at Xiao Die and said:
"Prepare some tea and snacks. This son-in-law is about to make final preparations for the annual examination."
Xiaodie nodded in agreement.
Seeing the smile on Chen Yi's face, she felt relieved.
“Young master, if you say the master is alright, then he must be alright, hehe.”
Chen Yi patted her and laughed, "I'm not a god, how would I know so much?"
He's at best a demigod.
A fortune teller?
Tsk, isn't this title much more interesting than "Dragon and Tiger"?
After the two returned to the wooden building, Chen Yi wiped himself down and went to the study, where he picked up a classic book and began to read.
However, his thoughts were not on the book; he was still sorting out and calculating the affairs of Shu Prefecture and the Xiao family.
After the incident with Liu Hong, Chen Yi ultimately gained something.
And the gains were considerable.
Besides understanding the schemes of the current emperor, the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture, and the White Tiger Guard in Shu Prefecture, he also obtained several other things.
—Grain, silver, Tianshan Sect, Xiao Family.
Firstly, there should be about 500,000 shi of grain left, which Liu Lang and others hid in Linzhuang.
There was no use for Chen Yi keeping him; he figured he'd have to find an opportunity to "sell" him to Old Master Xiao later.
Secondly, there was the two million taels of silver that came from the general.
It seems like a lot, but with Baicaotang's expansion requiring money everywhere and its drastic spending, it's likely they'll be stretched thin.
However, it should be enough to support the expenses of Shu Prefecture.
Then there are the disciples of the Tianshan Sect who joined the Hundred Herbs Hall.
After the Five Poisons Sect incident, Chen Yi had already discerned who was close to whom, and Wang Ji could make arrangements according to the situation.
Finally, there's the Xiao family.
In fact, Chen Yi had his own reasons for choosing to remain a bystander in Liu Hong's visit to the old man.
Through Liu Hong, the old master Xiao was persuaded to abandon his forbearance and at least stop being so naive, hoping that "others" would take care of the Xiao family's past relationship.
Otherwise, how could one expect a weak and powerless tiger, like one without teeth, to lend a helping hand?
Not to mention "protecting" him and letting him be a lazy son-in-law.
The result is obvious.
Old Master Xiao fell for Liu Hong's provocation and killed Liu Hong with his own hands, putting the Xiao family in an awkward position.
In this way, even if he wanted to remain silent, others would no longer give him a chance.
He had only one path to take: to strengthen the Xiao family, and to do so by any means necessary.
At the very least, the Xiao family must be restored to its former glory of five years ago, so that those who covet the Xiao family will hesitate to act rashly.
Chen Yi made this choice, and he will do it with this goal in mind.
Thinking of this, Chen Yi looked up slightly and gazed out the window.
As the rain fell like a curtain, a figure could be vaguely seen sitting on a cloud, holding a black piece in his hand, about to make a move.
Although his face was not clearly visible, his composure commanded respect.
If Chen Yi hadn't mastered the art of chess, he might have felt a sense of unease and hesitated to make a move even when he looked directly at that figure.
"Who is 'he'? Is it the current emperor, or one of his confidants?"
Chen Yi had no idea.
All he knew was that the other side held countless pieces in their hands, with the current emperor backing them up, as well as officials in the court, powerful families, martial arts sects, and so on.
The two sides are simply not evenly matched.
But Chen Yi refused to believe in evil—whoever made him uncomfortable, he would skin them alive.
"Let's see if this newly promoted chess player can lead the crippled Xiao family to victory in this game."
He paused for a moment.
Chen Yi withdrew his gaze, put down the book in his hand, and sat cross-legged on the armchair to practice the Four Symbols Technique.
"My cultivation at the lower level of the fourth rank is ultimately too weak; I need to break through to the upper third rank as soon as possible..."
...
Liu Hong's death was like a thunderbolt crashing down on the city.
Provincial Administration Commission.
Upon Li Huaigu's return, he immediately informed Yang Ye of the matter, and Mr. Yue Ming and Chen Yunfan, who had not yet left, also learned of it.
Their expressions varied, yet all seemed somewhat complex.
Having served as an official for many years, Yang Ye was well aware of what Liu Hong's unusual behavior a few days ago represented, and he had already made a guess in his mind.
He just never imagined that Liu Hong would die in this way.
Mr. Yue Ming is roughly like that.
The only complex issue for Chen Yunfan was not with Liu Hong, but with Chen Yi.
"In the end, Yi Di's scheme succeeded. Liu Hong... what was the point?"
Although he had long known that Chen Yi was formidable, he still couldn't help but admire him when the result was exactly as he had predicted.
If he were in Chen Yi's position, let alone bringing down Liu Hong, he would be considered very capable if he could even find Liu Hong's connection.
"Father, you must clear Yi's name this time you come to Shu Prefecture. At the very least... at the very least, we can't let him hold a grudge against our Chen family..."
Chen Yunfan had some confidence in Chen Yi, but he couldn't help but feel that the five years Chen Yi had been imprisoned had been too miserable.
Even setting aside a prodigy like Chen Yi, any ordinary citizen who has been imprisoned for five years would feel resentment.
A moment of silence.
Mr. Yue Ming stood up first and said, "Now that things have come to this, I understand the root of the problem. I will now lead the students back to the academy."
Yang Ye forced a smile: "Mr. Yue Ming, I hope you will keep this a secret for now, so as not to cause any turmoil in Shu Prefecture."
Mr. Yue Ming nodded, then shook his head. "Don't worry, I know what's going on."
He couldn't tell too many people about this; at most, he could only tell a few teachers at the academy.
However, he also knew that such a big thing couldn't be hidden.
Within a day or two at most, everyone in Shu Prefecture who needs to know will find out.
Mr. Yue Ming glanced around and then sighed, "Fortunately, the Provincial Administration Commission has you in charge."
Yang Ye said with a wry smile, "I'll just have to hold on with these old bones for now."
After Mr. Yue Ming left.
Yang Ye glanced at Chen Yunfan and Li Huaigu in the hall, sighed, and said:
"This matter is significant, but it does not affect us."
Li Huaigu glanced at Chen Yunfan, who nodded calmly, and then asked hesitantly:
"Lord Yang, shall we continue as before?"
"Everything as usual."
Yang Ye nodded and said, "Xiao Yuan's killing of Liu Gongmo did have a significant impact, but then again, whether the people from the capital come to arrest Liu Gongmo or not, the result will be the same for us."
"The Provincial Administration Commission is destined to be leaderless. For now, let each of us perform our duties and await His Majesty's decree."
Li Huaigu nodded silently in agreement, the scene he had seen at the Qingjing House reappearing in his mind once again.
Slowly, it dawned on me—Liu Hong had deliberately sought death.
Li Huaigu couldn't help but think of what Liu Hong had said to him on the way to the Xiao family.
After thinking for a moment, Li Huaigu continued his story, finally asking, "Lord Yang, you said Lord Liu... why is Lord Liu..."
Before he could continue, Yang Ye raised his hand to interrupt him, saying in a serious tone:
"Liu Gongmo is a traitor who colludes with the enemy and betrays the country, attempting to poison the people and create chaos in Shu Prefecture. He is a madman."
"Those kinds of people think and act differently from ordinary people. Huaigu, what's the use of you figuring out the reasons?"
Chen Yunfan scoffed from the side, "Brother Huaigu, you wouldn't also want the world to descend into chaos, would you?"
Li Huaigu chuckled and lowered his head. "Lord Yang and Lord Chen, please forgive me. I did not have such thoughts. I just don't understand why Lord Liu wants to die at the hands of Marquis Xiao."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan shook his head, "He just wanted to cause trouble for the Xiao family before he died."
Yang Ye glanced at him with approval, "Liu Gongmo knew he was going to die, so he provoked Lao Xiao to kill him, simply to make the Xiao family suffer the Emperor's punishment."
"As for whether the outcome will be as he wishes... it remains to be seen."
He didn't rule out the possibility of a major incident, but deep down he hoped the Emperor would show leniency and make the matter seem minor.
Otherwise, if Lord Xiao were punished for this, not only would Liu Hong's will to die be fulfilled, but it would also cause an uproar throughout the land.
Thinking of this, Yang Ye waved his hand and said, "Go and get busy."
"Yes, this humble official takes his leave..."
Just as Mr. Yue Ming had thought, the news that Liu Hong had died at the hands of Old Master Xiao quickly reached the ears of those who were interested.
The city was thrown into turmoil.
The Xiao family naturally reacted the fastest.
Several core members of the Xiao family, led by Xiao Shen and Xiao Xuanshuo, were arranged by the old master to leave the Marquis's mansion.
He visited several prominent families in the prefectural city, including the Wan family, the Sun family, and the Tang family.
Although Old Master Xiao was pedantic, he could still distinguish between what was important and what was urgent.
Moreover, now that he had been forced to make a choice, he began to act swiftly and decisively again, just as he had when facing the barbarians and the army of Vashyapa.
Since someone doesn't want him to continue to endure, he has no choice but to fight back.
The previously arranged backup plans, the casual moves, and those close to him who had been asked to remain silent all need to make a move.
They strive to restore some of the Xiao family's prestige in a short period of time.
Upon receiving the news, Tang Zixin, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, immediately wrote a memorial and sent it to the capital prefecture.
He didn't even have time to find Feng Erbao and others to determine how to deal with Zhu Hao.
The White Tiger Guards were among the first to learn that Liu Hong was going to be in trouble.
This result naturally surprised Jiang Xing.
Regardless of his thoughts, this matter needs to be conveyed to the Pavilion Master as soon as possible.
He had no choice but to quickly write a secret letter and send a falcon to Kyoto Prefecture.
At the same time, he also found Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu, who were in the Criminal Investigation Department, and informed them of the matter.
"Liu Hong died unexpectedly. His accomplices must be interrogated and have their names signed and sealed as soon as possible. The Pavilion Master needs the results."
Lou Yuxue readily agreed, knowing in her heart that the matter was finally settled.
Cui Qingwu frowned and asked, "What impact will Liu Hong's death have on Shu Prefecture?"
This question was quite insightful, but deep down she was just worried that it would affect Chen Yunfan.
General Xing roughly knew what she was thinking, and shook his head, saying, "It's hard to say for now. Let's wait for the Pavilion Master to inform us."
Based on his understanding of Shu Prefecture, he estimated that the Emperor would not do anything to the Xiao family.
However, he couldn't fathom the Pavilion Master's thoughts.
If that person has other plans, the Xiao family's fate will be rather tragic.
"Alright, tell the officers below to keep a close eye on their respective areas and keep an eye on what's happening in Shu Prefecture."
Shallow waters attract many turtles.
The more chaotic the situation, the clearer the White Tiger Guards can see a person, a clan, or a force.
That's a good thing, too.
...
Meanwhile, on the official road north of the city.
Feng Erbao and his party, who had just left the city, stopped at the post station to rest.
However, Feng Erbao did not stay in the carriage, but went alone to the dense forest not far from the post station.
He gazed into the depths of the woods, where only the murmur of rain could be heard, and asked in a soft, feminine voice:
"Song Jinjian, did Lord Cui send you here to find us?"
There were some errors and omissions last night, so I made some minor corrections. Please take note.
(End of this chapter)
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