About 4,000 li to the northeast of Qing Kingdom's Jingdou, in the even more ancient and brilliant Shangjing, the snowfall was extremely heavy. Snowflakes as thick as goose feathers fell to the ground. The streets and alleys of Shangjing seemed to be covered with a layer of pure white wool carpet. However, the snow did not accumulate on the manors with heated stoves. The black eaves of the houses were exposed, and the two contrasted particularly beautiful.
From the city gate, one could see the palace built against the mountain in the distance. The pure black eaves of the palace were a deeper shade than the black eaves of the houses. On the snowy cliffs of the mountain, layers of winter trees were covered in frost and snow. The waterfalls had gradually softened into icy creeks. The stone paths were slanted and lonely. The winter mountain and the palace blended harmoniously.
After the summer passed, many things happened in Northern Qi. The most shocking was naturally the assassination of the Provost of the Discipline Commission, Shen Zhong. Commander Shang Shanhu, who had galloped through the streets that night, was still under house arrest. The attitude of the court and the palace was clear. After Shen Zhong's death, he was immediately charged with numerous crimes. The Shen family was destroyed, and only Lady Shen, whom the people of Shangjing were familiar with, had suddenly disappeared without a trace.
Shen Zhong's sudden death was a heavy blow to the Embroidered Uniform Guards. The already weak Northern Qi secret service had been secretly dealt a blow by the young Emperor. After losing a shrewd leader, they appeared even weaker. Even the Empress Dowager's voice had become much quieter.
In the past few months, all the members of the Brocade Guard had been nervous. No one had come to take over the yamen, and no one knew how the court would deal with it. Fortunately, the court had finally issued a decree a few days ago. The son of Marquis Ninghou, Wei Hua of the Honglu Temple, had officially taken over the position that Shen Zhong had vacated.
In the rumors of Shangjing, the Empress Dowager had wanted Marquis Ninghou to be the Provost, but the young Emperor had refused. Now that the decree had clearly stated that Marquis Ninghou's son would take the position, it inevitably caused some discussion. No one knew whether or not the mother and son, who quarreled every day, had finally come to some kind of tacit understanding and compromise.
Today, the Brocade Guard roused themselves, bringing out the fierceness and dominance of the past, and began to carry out a new mission.
More than a hundred Brocade Guards dressed in brown official robes surrounded Xiushui Street, allowing the snow to fall on them.
Xiushui Street was not simple. The shops on it all had deep backgrounds, especially the seven shops in the middle. They were all royal merchants of Qing. The two countries were currently in a honeymoon period. Logically speaking, the Brocade Guard was in the midst of reorganizing themselves, and should not have come to cause trouble.
But the development of the situation exceeded everyone's expectations. The shopkeepers along the street stood up, rubbing their hands in the wind and watching nervously as the Brocade Guard took away the owner of the tavern. He was Sheng Huairen, and was one of the head of the Qing palace in Shangjing.
Shopkeeper Yu of the glass shop leaned against the old door and said in a trembling voice, "How dare you arrest them?"
The shop assistant said softly, "It was said that there was a large stockpile of goods in the south of the capital. There were no customs documents, not even tax receipts. The Brocade Guards followed that line to Shangjing and dug out this boss Sheng."
The wind and snow blew against his face and circled around his body. It seemed to be even more translucent than the glass bottle behind Shopkeeper Yu. He looked at the gradually retreating Brocade Guards with a worried expression. He was well aware of the matter of the palace treasury smuggling to the North. This was a business that the Eldest Princess had single-handedly carried out. However, Northern Qi had always tacitly agreed to it and enjoyed the benefits of low prices. Why had they suddenly acted today?
— —
In the beautiful Imperial Palace of Shangjing, the young Emperor was lying on a warm blanket, one hand holding a pastry to his mouth, the other holding a book, reading it carefully and attentively.
The new Provost of the Discipline Commission, Wei Hua, carefully glanced at him and deliberated for a moment before summoning up the courage to interrupt the Emperor's absent-mindedness. In a quiet voice, he said, "We arrested a few people … but all this time, the Cui family and Xinyang have helped the court a lot, so it was a bit embarrassing. So, according to the empress dowager's orders, those with status were released in the end."
The young Emperor didn't look at him, but the corners of his brows furrowed in disgust. He said, "Women … are too kind. Since we've already fallen out, what's the point of looking at old feelings?"
He was criticizing the empress dowager, so Wei Hua didn't dare to respond. The Emperor shook his head, his gaze still lingering on the book. He continued, "But it doesn't matter whether we arrested them or not. How much of the goods … did we seize?"
"A lot." A glimmer of excitement flowed through Wei Hua's eyes. "The information was accurate. The southern barbarians didn't expect us to break the old rules and were caught unprepared. They suffered quite a bit."
He suddenly thought of something and asked hesitantly, "This is a bit absurd. Even if Fan Xian wanted to fight with the Eldest Princess for the palace treasury, there's no reason for him to give us such a large gift. Given his current power in the Qing Kingdom, he could completely swallow the goods himself and not let them flow north."
The Emperor still didn't look at him. He said coldly, "To give me such a large gift, naturally, he has something to ask of me."
"There's no problem with the timing. According to the news from the south, Fan Xian made his move before we did. The southerners shouldn't suspect that I'm working together with him to split the loot. They'll only think that I'm taking advantage of the situation. But … "He suddenly put down the book in his hand and narrowed his eyes at Wei Hua. The warning in his eyes was clear." Only five people in the court know about this. I don't want the news to get out because of you. "
Wei Hua was terrified. He prostrated on the ground and swore an oath. "Please be at ease, Your Majesty." Although he was the son of Chang Ninghou, he was actually closer to the Emperor. He knew that the Emperor was giving him a chance to take control of a powerful yamen like the Brocade Guard. It was up to him to see if he could grasp it.
"Are the Qing envoys still protesting?" the Emperor suddenly asked with interest.
Wei Hua nodded and smiled bitterly. "Sir Lin is making a ruckus in Honglu Temple every day, crying out for the Cui family. He says that the court didn't investigate and forcefully seized the Cui family's goods and money. It's outrageous and has greatly affected the friendship between the two countries."
The Emperor cursed. "What is the Cui family? They're the biggest smugglers in the Kingdom of Qing! I'm helping the southern barbarians discipline their people. Instead of thanking me, they're blaming me. These southern barbarians really don't know any manners. "
Wei Hua smiled bitterly. He thought, You're helping a foreign country discipline its merchants, but you're not willing to give up the goods and money you've already eaten. How is that reasonable? Lin Wen was the envoy of the Kingdom of Qing stationed in Shangjing, but he didn't know the inside story. Of course, he had to fight for the people of his country.
"The most troublesome one is that Advisor Wang Qinian." Wei Hua suddenly had a headache. "Sir Lin is making a ruckus in Honglu Temple, but Sir Wang is running to Taichang Temple every day, asking to enter the palace to see His Majesty. He says that the Cui family is a famous merchant of the Kingdom of Qing. As officials of the Kingdom of Qing, they must protect the interests of the Cui family."
The Emperor was startled. He was so angry that he laughed. "Interesting. How interesting. Not only is Fan Xian interesting, but his confidant is also so reckless. It's his own master who wants to kill the Cui family. But with this ruckus, not only has he helped Fan Xian clean up his mess, he's also tainted me."
…
…
But toward his counterpart in the south, Wei Hua was still wary. He couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, if the whole story of this matter is secretly sent back to the Kingdom of Qing and the Emperor of the Qing Kingdom finds out that Fan Xian has been generous to his country and secretly colluded with our court, I'm afraid he'll be furious. Perhaps he won't be able to climb back up again."
The negotiations between the two countries in the summer let him know how cold and ruthless Fan Xian, this gentle and refined scholar, was. So much so that after he took over as the commander of the Brocade Guard, he immediately saw Fan Xian as his greatest enemy. He constantly thought about how to make Fan Xian unlucky. Now that he thought of this evil plan that would make it difficult for Fan Xian to rise again, he couldn't help but feel excited. He looked at the Emperor with a face full of hope.
What disappointed him was … the Emperor still only shook his head.
"Take a longer view," the Emperor said with a mocking tone. With a mocking tone, the Emperor said, "The goods of the Cui family are already within our borders. What is the use of seizing them? Do you think I care about the silver of these merchants? In the past, the court has always had dealings with the Eldest Princess. Both sides have received many benefits … do you not understand the reason why we want to cooperate with Fan Xian this time? "
The Emperor picked up the book on the table. As he read, he quietly said, "The palace treasury of the Southern court will soon belong to the Fan family. If you don't have enough confidence in destroying him, then it's best to be a bit more polite to him. The people of my country are still counting on Commissioner Fan … to endlessly send cheap goods year after year."
After Wei Hua left, the Emperor's expression seemed to relax a lot in an instant. He stretched inelegantly and gave a big yawn. At this moment, a beautiful woman dressed in a luxurious palace dress lifted the curtain and walked out. Looking in the direction the new commander had left, she blinked and asked curiously, "What were you talking about? It sounds like it has something to do with Fan Xian. "
"Lili, every time you hear the name Fan Xian, you get so nervous. Aren't you afraid I'll be jealous?" The young Emperor pulled her into his arms and said flirtatiously, "Fan Xian made a move against Xinyang in the south. I … cooperated with him a little."
It was not a little cooperation. The Cui family's route to the north had already been completely destroyed, and the goods and silver that had been left behind had all been seized by the Brocade Guard. A large clan famous for their business had one hand cut off, and the other hand within the Qing Kingdom had long been completely cut off by the sinister and terrifying Overwatch Council.
Si Lili giggled and replied, "Of course I'm nervous. Sir Fan is our matchmaker."
The young Emperor thought about it and agreed. If Fan Xian hadn't come up with such a "strange idea" to have Ku He take Lili as a disciple, given Lili's background and identity, it would have been troublesome for her to enter the palace.
"What are you reading?" Si Lili curiously snatched the book from the Emperor's hands.
The Emperor panicked and snatched it back. "Fan Xian specially sent me the latest chapter of The Story of the Stone … it's unique in the world. Don't ruin it."
Si Lili smiled brightly and snuggled up to his side. "How could Fan Xian … dare to make a move against his own mother-in-law?"
The Emperor shook his head. "That bastard seems to be much more daring than I am. The palace in the south is much more complicated than here. Who knows?"
— — —
The noblest river in Northern Qi was the Yuquan River that flowed down from the mountains, circled around the royal palace, and then cut across the ancient city of Shangjing. The further up they went, the closer they got to the royal palace, and the quieter it became.
It was snowing heavily today, and ice shards could be seen on the banks of the river. It was bitterly cold. In a place where the black eaves of the royal palace could be seen and the winter trees in the mountains, there was a small garden. Who knew what kind of person could live there?
A young man of about 13 or 14 was doing hard labor in the garden. The young man's face was slightly chubby. He pulled the grindstone in the garden and gritted his teeth as he spun it around. The grindstone squeaked, but his legs were trembling. In this cold winter weather, the clothes on his body were drenched in sweat. It was truly a pitiful sight.
After spinning around a few times, the young man finally couldn't stand it anymore. He pushed the handle in his hand and turned his head. "There are no beans again! Why do you want me to push this empty grindstone? Can't you even afford a donkey? "
The person he was cursing at was sitting leisurely under the eaves, lying on a deck chair with a thick mattress. Her bright and unobtrusive eyes were watching the snowflakes whizzing past outside the eaves. She seemed to be lost in thought. Hearing the young man's angry roar, she yawned and stood up. She put her hands on her hips and said lazily, "It's snowing today. Where can I buy beans? As for the donkey … don't I have you now? I sold the donkey a few days ago. The chickens and ducks in the garden also need to be kept warm in the winter. They need money. "
The two people in this strange situation were, of course, Fan Sizhe, who had been exiled to Northern Qi, and the most famous figure of Northern Qi's younger generation: Haitang.
Haitang wore a cotton jacket made of flowery cloth. Her hands were in her pockets. A trace of a smile flashed across her plain and unremarkable face. She looked at Fan Sizhe and said, "Your brother sent me a letter a few days ago. He told me to discipline you well."
It would have been better if she hadn't said it. Once she said this, Fan Sizhe finally went crazy. He had been in Shangjing for a few days, and in the end, he had done nothing but be forced to do hard labor by this village girl. Even Yan 'er had been sent away by her!
This village girl's status was high, her martial arts were strong, and she was quick-witted. He had thought of escaping many times, but it had never worked. Life in Shangjing was incomparably bitter. Thinking of this, he angrily squatted down and scolded, "Who are you to me? What right do you have to discipline me? "
Haitang smiled and didn't reply. She just lay back down and closed her eyes slightly, as if she was going to sleep to the accompaniment of the wind and snow.
Fan Sizhe looked at her. He knew that if he didn't listen, he probably wouldn't even have food to eat. He could only grab the handle of the millstone again and hatefully gnash his teeth. "You look like a village girl, and you still want to marry my brother? Don't think I'll recognize you as my sister-in-law in the future! "
…
…
(My mood is difficult to calm. There are some things going on around me that I may not have enough time to write. Please understand. Thank you.)
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