Gu Yun's heart sank. After a moment, he suddenly realized something. He looked down at the blurry medicine bowl in front of him with some confusion.
He did not panic because he knew that this day would come. However, it was difficult for him to accept it completely. Everyone knew that they would die sooner or later. When it was time to close their eyes, most people would not be so willing.
In front of the chaotic Liangjiang encampment, the menacing enemy had already retreated. However, the alarm of the enemy attack had not been lifted. The sharp whistles were still echoing, but in Gu Yun's ears, the sound was like a distant sigh.
His world was blurry and quiet. In his eyes, the black ink and white paper on the table were just two blurry color blocks.
Gu Yun sat motionless at the table for a full fifteen minutes. Then, he subconsciously held the string of beads that the previous Emperor had left for him. It was strange. Gu Yun had been at the border for a long time and was often on the move. It was inevitable that he would bump into things in his daily life. The string that connected the beads was broken several times, but every time, it could be recovered without exception. Until now, the string had been replaced three times, but the beads had not been lost. They were still cold and condensed with a layer of condensation on his slightly protruding wrist bones.
… It was as if the person who had hurt and loved him had been watching him all this time.
Gu Yun was stunned by the wooden beads and finally came back to his senses.
He did not make a sound. He took out an emergency glass mirror from his bosom and put it on. Then, he bent his finger and gently knocked on the medicine bowl, causing it to break into pieces. Gu Yun gathered the pieces together and swept them into the corner. He turned around and sat down. Without changing his expression, he finished writing a memorial and a transfer order. Then, he asked someone to deliver the letter.
Yao Zhen happened to walk in with the messenger. When he looked up, he saw the lens on Gu Yun's face. He asked doubtfully, "What's wrong? Marshal hasn't drunk the medicine?"
Gu Yun was now very good at reading lips. She replied as if nothing had happened, "I wasn't careful and dropped the bowl. Forget it, there's no need to boil it again. It doesn't matter. Even if they're all blind, they can still deal with this bunch of foreigners."
Yao Zhen tilted his head and glanced at the broken porcelain in the corner. He felt that something might happen, but he couldn't figure it out after thinking for a long time. He could only say to Gu Yun, "If something happens on our side, I'm afraid the situation in Beijing will change again."
Gu Yun grunted, "I'll have to trouble Brother Zhong Ze to send an urgent summons to Beijiang and ask Shen Jiping to come over. I want to adjust the deployment of the Four Realms, and Chen …"
He stopped abruptly after saying the word "Chen". Yao Zhen asked in confusion, "Who?"
"No one." Gu Yun shook her head. "Go ahead."
Changgeng's Wu 'er bone was still tied to Chen Qingxu. He didn't want to bother her and distract her.
That evening, an urgent battle report was sent to Beijing. Li Feng sent people to Huguo Temple overnight to bring Changgeng back. The entire Xi Nuan Pavilion was once again filled with important officials of the imperial court.
Changgeng's eyelids kept twitching. On the way back to the palace, he felt that something had happened. His heart was in a mess. When someone handed him the battle report from the front line, Changgeng held his breath and read the short battle report seven or eight times. He was sure that this was Gu Yun's handwriting. It was concise and clear, and every word was powerful. At least when she wrote this memorial, she was still fine.
Changgeng finally let out the breath stuck in his throat. He calmed himself down and closed his eyes slightly. He thought, "I'm almost scared to death by myself."
He came back to his senses and his heart became lively. The enemy-led war between the two rivers was definitely a good thing for him.
If Fang Qin and the others dared to clamor for the abolition of the Grand Council, not only Li Feng, but also Daliang's troops stationed in the four territories would not agree. At that time, they would have more leeway.
In the end, it was the enemy who helped him.
Fang Qin was extremely vexed. For the past six months, he had been restless. He poured his heart's blood all over the place to connect the aristocratic families and officials who were completely scattered. It could be said that he had exhausted all his schemes and finally achieved a small victory. The calls for the abolition of the Grand Council were getting louder and louder. Seeing that Yan Wang was beginning to be unable to take care of himself and his left and right arms were entangled with affairs, he was just a step away from beating a drowning dog. At this time, the westerners suddenly made a move!
If Daliang took the initiative to attack, they could still accuse the Marquis of "using military force". But this time, the enemy made the first move.
"Abolish the Grand Council." Li Feng took a stack of booklets from the chamberlain. "Reduce military expenditure and strictly investigate the land encroachment of unscrupulous merchants …"
The Xi Nuan Pavilion was completely silent.
Li Feng suddenly threw the booklets to the ground. "The westerners haven't been completely eliminated yet. You guys are taking drastic measures for them!"
Fang Qin gritted his teeth and swallowed back his bellyful of words. He originally wanted to gain the initiative by striking first, but who knew that Li Feng would shut his mouth.
At this time, if anyone still didn't have eyes and opened their mouth, they might be accused of treason and collusion.
Li Feng's gaze fell on Changgeng. "And you, you feel wronged, don't you? Others only said a few words and you didn't even care about the proper business. Now you're acting like you're angry and going home. Your boss is just one person. Do you have any other tricks up your sleeves? The dignified Grand Council doesn't even see a ghost from day to night. There are only two people sweeping the floor at the door. Li Min, I'm telling you, get your ass back to the Grand Council tomorrow! Otherwise, you don't need to come back! "
The important members of the Grand Council followed Yan Wang and knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
Li Feng ignored them and let them kneel. He turned his face to the Chancellor of the Supreme Court. "Jiang Hanshi was born in the Supreme Court and can be considered your former superior. Why are you so reluctant to investigate his old case? Are you planning on dragging it out until the New Year? "
The Chancellor of the Supreme Court didn't dare to say a word. He knelt down with the Grand Council next door.
Li Feng picked out the important officials one by one and scolded them. Fang Qin was one of the few who had nothing to do with the Emperor. Compared to Yan Wang who knelt down and didn't stand up again, Li Feng's attitude towards him was almost amiable. He only said one sentence, "Minister Fang, the Western Army is coming with ill intentions. We can't be at a disadvantage because of logistics. You're in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, so you have to pay more attention."
Fang Qin had no choice but to bow his head and say, "Yes." It was as if someone had poured cold water on him from head to toe. He realized that after one night, his long-term management was going to be ruined.
The deserted Grand Council became busy again, and they began to work through the night again day after day.
When King Yan returned to the Military Council, the first thing he did was to instruct everyone, "The situation at the borders has been tense recently. Please prioritize the affairs of the nation. Sometimes, you have to bear the grievances that you deserve. Even if you have been wronged, you will eventually be rewarded. Remember this. Don't worry about Brother Hanshi. Since the Emperor has spoken today, he will be safe and sound in a few days. "
Everyone looked at him in silence.
Changgeng continued, "We can't play with the fire beacon tickets anymore. Think about how to make a fuss about the banks in the Long An. Previously, I said that we have to dig out three things from the hands of those people — the cash in their hands, the land under their feet, and the people in the world. The first one is in the bag. The second one is shaking their foundation and will be counterattacked. If you can stand firm, the third one … and other things can be accomplished naturally."
At this time, someone asked, "Prince, are we still going to investigate the corruption of the big and small imperial merchants and the collusion of the officials?"
"Focus on the war and the national economy and the people's livelihood. However, if there are villains who insist on blocking the way, you don't have to swallow your anger. Do what you should do. As for the rest … even if the sky falls, I will shoulder it for you." Changgeng swung his sleeves. "Go do your work.
Tomorrow, write a report. "His words were like a final promise. The entire Grand Council, the Lingshu Temple, the Canal Office … all the rich merchants and the new nobles who occupied half of the country all revolved around this backbone in an orderly manner, each performing their own duties.
Five days later, Jiang Chong's case was cleared and he was reinstated. The Liangjiang Garrison issued a proclamation to "suppress the barbarians and reclaim the homeland". Within five days, they exchanged fire with the Western Army three times, not yielding an inch.
At the same time, Gu Yun ordered to adjust the structure of the garrison in the entire territory. In one day, seven command arrows were issued in succession, all of which had to be filed with the Grand Council. This made the Grand Council's Advisor really become a "Advisor". When he passed by, he could even cause a small gust of wind.
In the fourth night watch period, Changgeng lay on the table in a daze and took a nap. He couldn't sleep well. Because of Wu 'er Gu, even if he wanted to have a clearer nightmare, he had to have the "right time, right place, and right people". Otherwise, it was basically a chaotic dream. Even the sound of someone flipping through a book next door could wake him up.
Wu 'er Gu was the name of an evil god. Most of the time, when he first woke up, his heart was filled with restlessness and hostility. However, on this day, the sound of footsteps outside the door woke Changgeng up. He abruptly sat up straight in his arms, but his heart was beating wildly in disorder. He wasn't as irritable as he usually was. Instead, he was flustered and sad. There were even traces of tears on his sleeve.
At this moment, someone at the door said, "Your Highness, a letter from Jiangnan."
Changgeng calmly took a deep breath. "Bring it over."
It was still Gu Yun's big move. He planned to increase the number of troops in the Southwest. He didn't say the reason, but he explained in detail the position of the garrisoned troops, the commander, the cooperation of the military types, and the route of grain transportation. Changgeng hurriedly finished reading it. He didn't understand the strategic layout and couldn't see anything, so he put it aside as usual.
It was only then that he realized that there was a private message from Gu Yun underneath.
It was said to be a private letter, but it was actually just a slip of paper. On it was written without beginning or end: "Long time no see, I miss you."
Gu Yun's letters were either dissolute, vulgar, flirtatious, or inwardly flirtatious. She rarely said "I miss you" in a serious manner. At that time, Changgeng quivered and his sleepiness disappeared. He felt that the words on the paper had turned into an arrow that pierced through his chest and pierced through him without any buffer.
He hated that he couldn't immediately eat back all the bold words he had said before. He threw all the military secrets aside and rushed to see Gu Yun without caring about anything else.
But that was impossible.
Changgeng suddenly squeezed the slip of paper in his palm. After a while, he carefully rolled it up and put it into his pouch. He tried to calm his heart and carefully read the many regulations of the Long An Bank that the Military Secrets Department had drafted. However, those neat handwriting were laid out in front of his eyes and not a single one of them jumped into his eyes. After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, he almost couldn't sit still.
Changgeng didn't hesitate anymore. He grabbed his cloak and ordered, "Men, prepare the horse!"
Everyone saw that he was in a hurry and thought that he had some urgent matter. They quickly prepared the horses and made way for him, leaving behind a cloud of dust.
He went to the meditation hall of Huguo Temple. The mountain temple here was quiet and the doors were closed. The autumn wind swept through the leaves and stirred them everywhere. Only a wind lantern stood solemnly at the entrance. The flame was slightly messy, and there was a leisurely lingering smell of sandalwood hidden everywhere.
The monk Liao Ran was already asleep. When Changgeng barged in, the wind that came in blew the scriptures on the table everywhere. Master Liao Ran was shocked. He stared dumbfoundedly at Yan Wang who was wrapped in the cold wind.
Changgeng's eyes were slightly red. He sat down and asked, "Tea, do you have it?"
Liao Ran put on his monk robe. He rummaged through the old wooden cupboard and took out a handful of kuding wrapped in a paper bag. He started to boil water.
Although the room was broken and the cups and bowls were chipped, the monk's movements of boiling water and brewing tea were neither slow nor fast. He was silent and didn't make any eye contact with Yan Wang. White steam rose up, reminding people of those roaring fire engines and steel armor. Soon, the steam condensed into water droplets on the low roof. They slowly slid down along the special beams of the roof to the end of the roof and fell into the small bowl hanging there. There was a clear and melodious "tick" sound.
Changgeng's gaze followed the process of the steam to the water droplets. It started from the old clay pot and finally fell on the small bowl hanging in the corner of the monk's room. The paint on the bowl had fallen off. Changgeng gently exhaled. His anxious heart gradually calmed down.
Liao Ran used boiling water to brew a cup of kuding and placed it in front of Changgeng.
Just smelling it made one feel bitter.
"Thank you." Changgeng took it. His fingers were cold from the night wind while riding the horse. He took a sip. It was bitter and hot, making the tip of his tongue numb. He smiled bitterly and said to Liao Ran, "I've been too busy these days. I'm a bit impatient and couldn't suppress Wu 'er Gu. Master, please don't laugh at me."
Liao Ran looked at him and gestured, "The westerners are good at taking advantage of the situation. This time, they chose a bad time. This shows that although they seem to be aggressive, they are actually an arrow at the end of its flight. Commander Gu is able to command the Four Realms with ease, let alone the Two Rivers Battlefield. Once the railway is built, a large number of people and goods can travel between Jiangbei and the capital in a day. With our current purple gold reserves, if we are lucky, we may be able to completely recover the lost land in one or two years. Why should Your Highness worry? "
The reasoning sounded right. Changgeng also knew that, but he inexplicably felt uncomfortable in his heart.
"Xiao Cao is with Old Master Du, right?" Changgeng whispered, "That shouldn't be far from the Two Rivers. Go and see him for me … Wait for me to write a letter and let Xiao Cao get a position in the army. With his unpredictable disguise skills, he can't do anything except run errands for Old Master Du. It's better for him to go to the front line."
Liao Ran nodded and gestured again, "Your Highness doesn't want Commander Gu to return to the capital. Isn't this a good opportunity?"
Gu Yun was Yan Wang's weak spot. This weak spot had never been attacked because in the chaos of war, no one could touch Gu Yun. Although Li Feng was mediocre, he was not stupid enough to destroy the Great Wall a second time to attract the enemy. The seemingly bloody battlefield was actually a kind of protection for Gu Yun.
Changgeng frowned and drank a cup of kuding tea. He murmured, "Everyone relies on him. Who would feel sorry for his injuries? Sometimes when I think about it, it's really … "
When he said this, he inadvertently met the mute monk's pitiful eyes. He immediately restrained himself and lowered his head. He smiled and said, "I've said too much again. I should prepare more anshensan."
Liao Ran saw that he just wanted to be quiet, so he didn't say anything else. He took out the wooden fish from under the table, closed his eyes slightly, and knocked on it occasionally. In the small monk's residence, only the sound of the wooden fish and water droplets could be heard. Changgeng sat on the small couch on the side and closed his eyes to rest. He didn't leave until dawn.
Before leaving, Liao Ran suddenly knocked on the wooden table, attracting Changgeng's gaze. He gestured to him and said, "Your Highness, when you met Old Master Du, this little monk was lucky enough to listen. There's something in my heart that I can't figure out."
Changgeng's slightly greenish-black eyes trembled. He raised one of his eyebrows.
"His Highness said that all the benefits in the world added together are as big as a biscuit. Everyone wants to take more of it. There is no good or evil in this, but some people take advantage of the situation. They can push the biscuit to become bigger and expand their power from it. This kind of person can lay the foundation for a country to prosper and its people to live in peace. Some people go against the trend. The place they occupy is already moldy, but they want more places to become moldy. This kind of person can only bring disaster. Now, more than half of the biscuit has fallen into the hands of the old aristocratic families. What we want is to break this situation and scrape away the bad luck on the country bit by bit."
Changgeng asked, "What's wrong, Master? Is there something wrong?"
"No," Liao Ran shook his head. The wide sleeves of his robe rustled along with his gestures. "It's just that this little monk is thinking that all the land in the world belongs to the King. The old decree of beating drums and melting gold is still vivid in my mind. His Highness has worked so hard to manage all of this. Maybe with a decree, everything will change beyond recognition. Everything that he has done may be just an illusion."
Changgeng's fingers on the small table gently tapped a few times. There was no change in his expression. Obviously, he had already considered Liao Ran's words.
"Grandmaster is right." He lowered his handsome eyebrows and smiled softly.
That side of his face actually looked like a threatening evil god in the totem.
Liao Ran's heart beat hard twice. For a moment, he felt a little dry in his mouth. In a flash, he understood — Yan Wang looked like he was competing with the old aristocratic forces for the Emperor's heart. In fact, this was his real intention behind it.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
