As Yang Fan went to Shen Mu's banquet in Pingkang Square in the rain, Yang Fan began to get busy. Chen Dong and Sun Yuxuan from the Ministry of Justice, Hu Yuanli, Shi Yu, Wen Ao from the Censorate, and even the Chang 'an bureaucrats led by Liu Biantian kept coming to visit him. Many things needed the approval of Yang Fan, who held the title of Loyal General of a Thousand Horsemen and Investigating and Punishing Officials, to deal with the aftermath of the purge.
Zhang Changzong would also drop by every now and then. His intentions were pure and without any ulterior motives. He only wanted to express his concern and closeness to Yang Fan. These were only the interactions on the surface. Secretly, Yang Fan and Shen Mu had contacted each other a few times. Shen Mu even arranged for Old Grandpa Zheng to meet with Yang Fan on behalf of the aristocratic families.
These aristocratic families were millennium-old aristocratic families that had even experienced the change of dynasties. Although they were quite annoyed when they fell into the hands of the two juniors, Yang Fan and Shen Mu, they immediately adjusted their mentality once they realized that the truth could not be changed. Moreover, the Succession Hall had already seized their Achilles' heel. They calmly negotiated with Yang Fan and Shen Mu.
This meeting was very amiable. When Old Grandpa Zheng saw them, he did not mention their betrayal at all. These aristocratic family heads would not do meaningless things. Old Grandpa Zheng was more concerned about what they needed, what they wanted to do in the future, and how they planned to cooperate with the aristocratic families.
Yang Fan and Shen Mu were very open and honest with Old Grandpa Zheng. They even told him about how the Obvious and Hidden Sects would get along with each other in the future.
Although the Obvious and Hidden Sects had joined hands to trick the aristocratic families, the two sects also had their own interests. If they continued to fight, both sides would definitely suffer. However, if they settled things just like that, then they would not have fundamentally resolved the conflict of interests between the two sects, and there would definitely be waves in the future.
This was something that Yang Fan and Shen Mu couldn't avoid. Even if they were brothers born from the same mother, it was impossible for them to give up even if they wanted to. There were many people under them, and these people weren't just blockheads who only knew how to follow orders. They also had their own desires.
As a leader, putting aside the fact that Yang Fan didn't have the ability to control the desires of his subordinates, even Shen Mu, who single-handedly established the Hidden Sect, didn't have the ability to make his subordinates stop. Since there was no way to avoid it, he could only solve it.
The result of Shen Mu and Yang Fan's discussion was that the two sects would be responsible for a clear division of responsibilities. One would be responsible for the imperial court, the other for Jianghu.
Every time there was a major change in the imperial government, the change of regime, or even a change of dynasty, the forces that were placed in the light would mostly be exposed or implicated by the faction that had lost power. As such, they would retire and hide in the pugilistic world. The Hidden Sect would then replace them and become one with the new political forces or infiltrate them to support a new batch of officials.
Once the benefits were clearly divided, it wouldn't be easy for there to be friction between the two factions. The faction in the imperial court would need to provide protection and convenience to the faction that was in opposition in the dark, while the faction that was in opposition would need to clear away the troubles and obstacles for the faction in the imperial court. As such, both parties would have the same interests and would share weal and woe. As such, their relationship would naturally be inseparable.
On the other hand, if there was a major change in the political situation, the faction in the imperial court would lose power, or the old regime would be overthrown. In order to ensure their authority and benefits, the faction that was in trouble would be willing to retire behind the scenes and wholeheartedly support the faction that was originally in opposition to ascend the throne.
In fact, the aristocratic families had played this trick before. The aristocratic families that had been passed down for thousands of years naturally had their own philosophy of survival. One of the most important principles was: 'Never put all your eggs in one basket.'
Even if an aristocratic family felt that the situation was already very clear and that they could clearly declare to stand on one side, they would still collude with the other side. Or perhaps there would be one or two 'scum of the family' who would still maintain contact with the other side. This was so that when the situation went out of control, the clan would have a way out.
Now, the Succession Hall's approach was exactly the same as their philosophy of survival, except that it was more secretive and more organized. After all, a clan's surname was their most obvious brand. Many times, it wasn't that the politicians didn't know that the aristocratic families were leaving a way out for themselves, and it wasn't that they didn't know that the aristocratic families were still maintaining contact with one side. However, their political wisdom made it so that they could only pretend to be deaf and mute. However, the structure of the Succession Hall allowed them to perfectly conceal this point.
As for the Succession Hall's cooperation with the aristocratic families, it basically maintained its original relationship. However, the seven sects and five families could no longer interfere with the internal affairs of the Succession Hall as they used to, nor could they casually depose the Succession Hall's Sect Master.
Shen Mu and Yang Fan's reforms meant that the Succession Hall's value to the aristocratic families hadn't disappeared, and it had even strengthened. Moreover, if something happened to the Succession Hall, it wouldn't be easy to expose the power of the aristocratic families behind it. Thus, although the aristocratic families were still dissatisfied with the Succession Hall's independence, they calmly accepted this fact.
In addition, the Guanlong aristocratic family's liaison, Dugu Yu, also came very frequently. They assisted Yang Fan and Shen Mu in carrying out a bloody purge. According to the list provided by the Obvious and Hidden Sects, they eliminated the unstable elements within them. Afterwards, the most important matter was to seize the Shandong aristocratic families' interests in the Guanzhong region.
Once the distribution of interests was involved, it would be troublesome. Moreover, many of these matters were related to officialdom. These matters couldn't be separated from Yang Fan's mediation, balance, and distribution.
At this time, the transport ship had already set sail from Yangzhou, beginning a long voyage of nine months. This voyage wasn't entirely on the water. They had to stop at the docks along the way to load up provisions, rush to some areas where the river level was too low for the ship to travel, and stop to wait for the flood season. When they passed by some places where floods had broken out, they had to stop and wait for the water to recede.
All of this required strict management and deployment, and needed to sort out the various local relationships. Although these matters mainly depended on the stewards who traveled with the ship, the stewards who remained on Ba were also very busy. Gu Zhuting still retained her identity as the branch leader of the Water Fist of the Shun school. Regardless of whether it was internally or externally, she had many things to do.
Two months ago, because of Yang Fan's serious injury, Gu Zhuting almost abandoned everything on Ba. It was only now that she had the time to rush back to deal with it. When the Obvious and Hidden Sects divided the imperial court and Jianghu forces, she would definitely have to hand over her position as the branch leader of the Water Fist. But right now, she couldn't leave her side. Moreover, the transport this time was a little later than in previous years, so she couldn't afford any unforeseen events.
In this way, the entire island in the middle of the lake was left with a group of men. Although Yang Fan's body was gradually recovering, he was still nourishing himself with heavenly plants and earthly treasures every day. He was nourished until his face was faintly flushed, his glabella shone, and his eyes flickered with green light. But he had no interest in being a hero on the dry road, nor was he willing to wander around the brothel.
Every morning, Yang Fan was woken up by his swollen body. Sometimes he really wanted to try and see if he would poke a hole in the bed if he used too much force. But considering that this room was lent to him by Liu Xiantian, he could only resentfully give up on this idea.
Yang Fan had some medical knowledge and knew that he had actually overnourished himself. As long as he stopped eating the three nourishing medicinal meals a day, he should be able to recover. So Yang Fan went to find the chef to reason with him, but the chef, Master Zhu, sternly refused him.
Actually, with Yang Fan's identity and status, there was no one on this island who would disobey his orders. But this order also depended on the type of order. For example, someone sternly criticized his immediate superior, "Leader, I want to give you a piece of advice. For the sake of work, you don't pay attention to your rest." Master Zhu felt that only by refusing him could he show his concern for Yang Fan.
So, Master Zhu swung his spoon and vehemently refused Yang Fan's unreasonable request. Because his voice was too loud, it also attracted Maqiao and Ren Wei. They had good intentions, and Yang Fan couldn't say that he was like a male dog in heat right now. So he could only slip away unhappily as if he had failed to get what he wanted.
Yang Fan had too much energy and nowhere to vent it, so he could only find more things to do. But the result of this was that everyone agreed that General Zhongwu was too diligent in his work and overworked himself, so he needed more nourishing food. Thus, Yang Fan's three meals a day, including drinking water, were all inseparable from nourishing food.
At noon on this day, Yang Fan had just drunk a bowl of nourishing soup when he immediately had a nosebleed. Reflecting on this painful experience, Island Master Yang decided to use practical actions to prove that his body had already recovered and that he no longer needed nourishing food. Thus, he brought Ren Wei and the others to the lawn. First, he practiced a fist technique, and when he felt that there was no discomfort in his chest, he brandished his saber.
Island Master Yang was itching to have Ren Wei come up and experience the "Eighteen Drops of Stained Clothing" that he hadn't practiced in a long time, when a woman suddenly appeared on the island. The woman was very beautiful. She wore a long dress, and her sleeves were wide. Her waist was like silk, and her steps were slender. She looked truly amorous and indescribably beautiful.
In truth, given Island Master Yang's current state, he would even feel coquettish if he saw a sow.
The beauty was still far away, so Yang Fan sheathed his saber and stared at her. The woman walked slowly and finally came close. Her brows were like the crescent moon, and the tip of her nose was like a jade awl. She was very pretty, and she had some Hu blood in her. She wore a garb embroidered with stone and bamboo, and a fresh flower was inserted into her jet-black hair bun. She was beautiful, but she wasn't his sister, Zhu Ting.
Yang Fan was greatly disappointed. What was the use of looking but not eating?
"This servant pays respect to General Zhongwu!"
The beauty in front of him smiled sweetly and curtsied. Her jade-green garb revealed a pinkish pair of breasts that contrasted with her snow-white skin and an alluring cleavage in the middle. It was very pleasing to the eye.
Yang Fan's gaze seemed to be affected by gravity, and he continuously drooped down. He forced himself to fix his gaze on the beautiful smile of the lady, who was both happy and angry at the same time. He cleared his throat and asked, "Who are you, Miss?"
When the lady heard this, she faintly said, "Now that Second Brother has become a great general, you don't recognize me."
When she said this, Ren Wei and the others looked at Yang Fan with a strange expression.
Yang Fan wasn't a fool that would get himself into trouble. He immediately put on a stern expression and said, "This Yang and Miss really don't know each other. Why do you say that?"
The lady wasn't afraid of him. She made a face at him and giggled. "This servant is Shu Xiaosao. Does Second Brother dare to say that you really don't know me?"
"Shu Xiaosao?"
Yang Fan frowned and thought carefully. Suddenly, he cried out involuntarily, "Ah! It's you! Aren't you … "
Shu Xiaosao hurriedly gave him a look, and Yang Fan immediately shut his mouth.
Yang Fan remembered that the reason he could remember her was because of her special name.
Shu Xiaosao was an imperial maid in Wu Zetian's palace. When Wu Zetian was still the Empress Dowager, she was on duty in the Empress Dowager's palace. At that time, Yang Fan was the Great Horseman in the palace, standing guard every day with a halberd in his hand. That was why he knew Shu Xiaosao.
One winter, it was snowing heavily. An imperial maid named Zhou Yuanbao teased Yang Fan when he was still a bald monk. It was Shu Xiaosao who helped Yang Fan out. Who knew that Shu Xiaosao would also tease Yang Fan and was seen by Xie Xiaoman, who was still prejudiced against Yang Fan at that time. This deepened her misunderstanding of Yang Fan.
Since then, Yang Fan didn't have much to do with this Miss Shu Xiaosao. Later, when the imperial concubines and princesses went out to see the lanterns during the Shangyuan Festival, some of the imperial maids would secretly escape. Wu Zetian felt that it was better to let them out. Every year, she would choose a batch of imperial maids to be released. Yang Fan thought that she had already been released to her hometown.
Yang Fan saw the look in her eyes and knew that there was more to it. He immediately said to Ren Wei and the rest, "Disperse, I have something to say to this lady."
Ren Wei and the rest dispersed, and the moment they left, Yang Fan said: "Miss Xiao Miao, a girl really changes eighteen times between womanhood and womanhood ah. If you didn't mention it, this Yang really wouldn't have been able to recognize you." That sentence resolved the awkwardness, and Yang Fan immediately continued: "Is Miss still working in the palace?"
Shu Xiaosao nodded and said faintly, "How can the people around the Saint be sent out of the palace so easily? General Yang … "
Shu Xiaosao's beautiful eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. Yang Fan understood and immediately said, "Don't worry, everyone on this island can be trusted."
Shu Xiaosao nodded and reached into her robes to take out something. She said in a low voice, "This is a secret letter, please open it personally, General."
This thing was not kept in her robes, but kept close to her body. It was enough to show its importance. Moreover, she was someone by Wu Zetian's side. Yang Fan couldn't help but become cautious, forgetting to appreciate the graceful curves of her breasts when she reached into her robes. When she took out the letter, he quickly received it with both hands.
Yang Fan hurriedly opened the secret letter and his expression changed immediately.
Shu Xiaosao clearly knew the inside story. Seeing Yang Fan's expression, she said, "It's all in the past. Dai Zhi has followed the Saint for many years. His relationship with the Saint is even deeper than that of the Princes and Princesses. Since the Saint has already forgiven Dai Zhi, there won't be any more trouble. However, you must ensure that no rumors are spread."
When Yang Fan heard this, he knew that this Shu Xiaosao even knew about his relationship with Shanghai Wan 'er. If that was the case, she must be Wan' er's confidant. He didn't hide it anymore and only asked in a low voice, "Has Wan 'er arrived in Chang' an?"
Shu Xiaosao said, "Dai Zhi will arrive soon. When he was near Chang 'an, Dai Zhi purposely delayed his journey and ordered me to personally deliver the secret letter to General first."
"I understand. It's been hard on you this time. Do you want me to send someone to send you back?"
Shu Xiaosao smiled sweetly and said, "I dare not trouble General. My people are waiting outside the island. Xiao Miao doesn't dare to stay long. Since the letter has been delivered, I will take my leave now."
Yang Fan solemnly bowed to her and said, "Thank you, Miss!"
Looking at Shu Xiaosao's receding figure, Yang Fan secretly heaved a sigh of relief. He didn't expect that after that one night in Sanyang Palace, Wan 'er would actually bear a baby. He also didn't expect that Wan' er would miss the child so much that she dared to risk her life to keep the child. Moreover, she didn't tell him about these things until the dust had settled.
Although these were all things in the past, Yang Fan still shuddered at the thought of it. At this time, he still didn't know that Wu Zetian had injured Wan 'er in a rage. Yang Fan secretly rejoiced for a while. Suddenly, he remembered that Wan 'er would arrive in Chang' an soon and Zhang Changzong would be responsible for settling her down. Where would she live then? In such a big city like Chang 'an, there would be plenty of places to settle Shanghai Wan' er.
Yang Fan wanted to take care of her personally. Wan 'er had done so much for him. Now that she didn't even have a title, he didn't want Wan' er to suffer anymore. When Butchie was giving birth, she was kidnapped by Young Master Jiang. When A Nu was giving birth, he wasn't by her side. This time, no matter what, he had to fulfill his responsibility as a man and a father!
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