Xue Yuâs action in killing the captive prisoners passed down and into peopleâs ears. Not only court officials, but also the common people in the entire capital city, were alarmed by the action.
Common peopleâs minds were always simple, they couldnât know politic and elaborate intricacies of the Imperial Court. Therefore, if a subordinate acted a certain way, they thought it was according to Da Wangâs order.
In the end of the day, Xue Junliang suddenly became a tyrant who was being scorned by peopleâŚ
Xue Junliang realized Marquis Zhenjiangâs âgood intentionâ and had to laugh out loud. He really had underestimated Xue Yu. This brother of his was no longer a little prince wanting to stay alive, but a tiger who had already grown and now begun thinking about what to hunt and to eat.
Xue Junliang had been asking the Empressâ help in solving the small county matter and the transportation of army supplies, so he asked her again about this Xue Yuâs trouble.
However, Teng Yun didnât want to help Xue Junliang. He helped solving Cheng Tian and Zou Zhenyingâs attack because he could gain his own benefits; not only he had completely memorized Xue Countryâs layout, he also got news about Teng Shang from the front lines.
But if asked to help taking care of Xue Countryâs people and politics, even if Teng Yun knew the solutions, he didnât want to tell Xue Junliang; they were after all still enemies.
Teng Yun said, âChen-qie only came upon some unusual books and therefore knew a little about military laws and strategies, but if asked about important matters like politics and peopleâs hearts, Chen-qie really has no knowledge and doesnât dare saying anything.â
Xue Junliang was stunned by this âmodestyâ and realized his Empress was a master at trading; if the trade would not give her any advantage, she would not do anything.
Yet Xue Junliang didnât insist. He only asked for the Empressâ opinion because he was looking forward to whatever surprises she would give him this time. As for the common peopleâs speculations, he was one to prepare umbrellas even before knowing it was going to rain.
Xue Wang sent people to the northern border, berating Xue Yu for acting violently and demanding that, within a few days, Xue Yu had to send Zou Zhenyingâs body to the capital city.
People were puzzled. Zou Zhenyingâs head had already been hung on the county gate, and because the weather was harsher in the north, the head would already been severely deformed in just a few short days.
Xue Yu didnât think it was a big deal. He let people take down Zou Zhenyingâs head from the gate and find a body, no matter whose, and then send the body and the head to the capital city.
When Xue Junliang opened the package box, all the officials present almost vomited right then and there; the rancid smell of rotting flesh filled the entire court hall.
Xue Junliang put on a mournful mask as if he was regretting the loss of a formidable person. He arranged a burial ceremony for Zou Zhenying according Xue Countryâs customs. Although Zou Zhenying wasnât from Xue Country, he had once invaded into Xue Country territory and therefore considered a very talented man. Xue Wang was a person who always appreciated people with talents; if only Zou Zhenying was still alive, Xue Wang could use his talent and the manâs life would not just end like this.
Xue Junliang also ordered not to kill any of Zou Zhenyingâs remaining family members and that the local government would be responsible for providing them support.
People with deeper mind would think Xue Wangâs move was vicious and hypocritical, but it had indeed appeased common peopleâs heart; letting them think that Xue Wang didnât intend it to happen like this and that he wasnât as merciless as people thought.
Xue Junliang even went as far as banning the killing of war prisoners and saying he would declare people who killed war prisoners as rebellions.
Xue Yu, of course, knew this decree was meant for himself, yet he didnât care about it. Here in a place so far away from the capital city, added that situations would always change in a battlefield, at some point, the army wasnât affected much by rules and regulations.
After being busy solving the matters above, Xue Junliang called Jiang Yu and said, âI have two orders.â
Jiang Yu kept his head bowed respectfully, waiting for Xue Wangâs orders.
âFirst, Iâm calling back Jiao Shui from the Empressâ side. I want her to report to me everything the Empress says and does every day. If she dares missing anything, she could go back to serve Teng-fei.â
âYes.â\n
âSecond,â Xue Junliang said, âWrite a letter to Zhao Lu, tell him to find out every information about the Empress from when she was still living in Feng Country, whether they were important or trivial things.â
âYes, this old servant will do as ordered.â
âWait,â Xue Junliang gestured to Jiang Yu not to leave yet. He smiled, âHas Feng Wang departed to visit the river?â
âAnswering Your Majesty,â Jiang Yu said, âAccording to Zhao Luâs reply, Feng Wang had set off three days ago. It is estimated he will arrived at Ming River in a few days.â
âThe matter Gu told you about before, how is it going?â
âIt has already been done. These days, Ming River is raining constantly. Feng Wang would arrive there at the right timing.â
Xue Junliang nodded but he was still frowning. Jiang Yu took note and asked, âWhat is it that Your Majesty is worrying about?â
Xue Junliang said, âThe timing is right, but the people arenâtâŚâ
Jiang Yu could not understand what Xue Wang meant. Did he mean he needed more people to help the plan?
Xue Wang just smiled and said, âZhao Lu has been in Feng for so many years. Gu is afraid he has formed an attachment. Gu knows what kind of person he is; he isnât the type to betray people, but he is also empathetic. Before this matter is concluded, if he decides to help Feng Wang, remind him that Gu has been planning this for years, Gu must not fail at the very last step.â
âYour Majestyâs planning is not going to fail.â
âYou go tell those people in Feng Country, tell them to pay close attention to Zhao Luâs moves. When Feng Wang leaves the capital city, make sure Zhao Lu stays in there and does his duties diligently.â
â
Feng Ming started his journey to Ming River, but announced he was going south. He didnât want the local government of Ming River knew of his arrival and prepared in advance, he intended to personally see what had really happened; he always ordered the river to be conserved, but why did the river flood every year?
Feng Ming didnât bring Zhao Lu this time; neither did he bring Lu Shichen. He left Lu Shichen to assist Zhao Lu handling the capital city.
Before leaving, he especially spoke with Lu Shichen, telling him that not everyone wanted to seek instant benefit so he shouldnât be too hard on the other court officials; a cornered dog could still jump over a wall especially if those dogs were officials more senior than Lu Shichen. Feng Ming ordered Lu Shichen to discuss matters with Zhao Lu first.
Lu Shichen was made very worried by Feng Wangâs instructions. He knew very well he himself always hated dishonorable people. This way of thinking was certainly good, but he would not be able to achieve anything if he did it alone without the other officials. Little by little, Lu Shichen started to learn how to tolerate people, he became less strict.
Also, Lu Shichen always admired Marquis Zhulu, so Feng Wangâs order wasnât a hardship at all.
The only problem was⌠Since Feng Wang left the capital city, Zhao Lu had been absent from the Imperial Court assemblies due to illness; even the military affairs would have to be handled by the subordinates instead of Zhao Lu himself.
Of the military affairs that were brought to the court; the ones that could be handled by the military council were handed over to the military council, the more important ones were brought to Marquis Zhuluâs residence by Rui Xue to be reviewed by the marquis before then handed down to the military council.
Marquis Zhuluâs illness had come to the point where he couldnât leave the residence. He had called several most qualified physicians to examine him, but they all said he only caught common cold added with exhaustion and that he should take a proper rest for a few days.
But the court matters could not be ignored and the documents sent to Marquis Zhuluâs residence every day were not a few. This made the marquisâ illness gradually started to worsen until even his servants could not see him for a few days at a time.
Lu Shichen was very worried about Marquis Zhuluâs illness and came to his residence bringing a physician. But he was stopped at the door and not allowed to come in. Rui Xue said, âLord Minister is very kind and Lord Marquis really appreciates it. But he says he could not see you because he is afraid he would infect you with the illness. If Minister Lu falls ill, the Imperial Court would be in trouble.â\nLu Shichen thought the marquis was right. He said so and then left.
Inside the marquisâ residence, Rui Xue held a wooden tray covered in yellow cloth and knocked on a door. She said, âLord Marquis, this is Rui Xue.â
Pushing the door open, she entered and then closed it firmly behind her.
Rui Xue turned to the inner room but the room was empty. She placed the covered tray on the table and sighed.
The night Feng Wang departed to Ming River, her master faked an illness and secretly followed Feng Wangâs entourage.
Maybe Master trusted Rui Xue too much that, without saying any more detailed instruction, he left her to deal with people asking for him. Although Rui Xue was happy for Da Wang; that Master still had feelings for Da Wang, she still thought Master was a bit mean. She was only a maidservant yet had to fend off important peopleâŚ
But even if Master disregarded her feelings, Rui Xue would never betray him because he had done her a great favor. She had followed Zhao Lu for quite some time, but she still couldnât understand her masterâs devotion to his home country. She only knew that Feng Ming was a great person; Feng Ming was the one loving Zhao Lu the most. No one could surpass Feng Mingâs feelings, not even Rui Xue herself.
Zhao Lu, actually, had sharp mouth but soft heart. As soon as Feng Ming left the capital city, Zhao Lu couldnât sit still even for a second and had to go and follow Feng Ming.
When Feng Ming left, from the capital city he went south first where he was welcomed by the local government. The very next day, he left again and this time to Ming River.
Ming River had been raining for a few days straight and the dam could not withhold the volume of rain water. The local government could only repair the dam when it wasnât raining, but even when they did repair the dam, the dam was useless. Once it rained, the dam would break again and the river would overflood.
A rainstorm occurred in the middle of the night and the governor was still asleep. Because his house was located in slightly lower terrain, the water had reached and seeped-in through his door. The servant knocked on his bedroom door and had to call out loudly for the governor and his wife several times before they woke up.
The governor quickly wore his official attire and ran to the river dam.
At this time, many local officials had arrived at the dam. The rain had toppled down the makeshift temporary river watchtower. People were wearing oiled coats. At the beginning, when it was still lightly windy and drizzling, their servants had been holding oiled umbrellas for them. But now, the umbrellas were already ruined; the paper were soaked, leaving only the bamboo bones.
Peopleâs oiled coats were not big enough to protect them and their clothes underneath were already wet; so were their official hats.
When the governor arrived at the river dam, he started yelling curses. But it only ended with rain water pouring into his open mouth, and the wind was too strong; drowning his voice and and making his soaking-wet hair stuck to his face. His appearance completely cancelled out any his prestigious presence.
Even money would not be able to instantly cover the broken parts of the river dam. The governor thought about organizing people repairing the dam right now. The rain was too heavy; it was an emergency.
â
Feng Ming had arrived at Ming River the day before but ordered his ship to stop at a distance from Ming River, in case the local officials found out and made preparation to hide any ugly truths. He then took a few of his aides and went to Ming River.
Tonight there was a heavy rain, his aide originally plead Feng Ming to delay going to Ming River; after all, Feng Wangâs health was the most important.
However, Feng Ming insisted, the other could only follow Da Wangâs order. Rain water pooled on the roads and made them impassable, but the aide knew he could never change Da Wangâs mind. He could only knelt and requested to be allowed to follow Feng Wang to Ming River.
When Feng Ming arrived at the river, people were shocked.
The governor realized it wasnât the time to yell at people. He quickly kowtowed on the ground and prayed Long Live the King. The rain added with overflowing river water had already passed above peopleâs knees but no one dared complaining and not kneeling. Compared to Feng Wangâs expression, the flood looked friendlier.
Feng Ming swept his gaze at the hasty repair people had done to cover the broken dam and almost exploded in anger. His aide berated the governor and the governor could only kowtow on the ground repeatedly.
Feng Ming smiled warmly and said, âHow nice of you all for doing a makeshift repair. The money Gu gave could only pay you all to do this? Every year, many people had died. Maybe tomorrow you all should die too just to see how it feels.â\n\nOn the river side, there was a chaos. Seemed like the officials were escorting Feng Ming and starting towards the hill. Zhao Lu gritted his teeth and turned back towards the city.
Maybe Zhao Lu should thank that official who hadnât gone to the river side. Zhao Lu rushed into the local government office and showed his official seal. The official was awake in an instant but wasnât allowed time to formally greet Zhao Lu.
Zhao Lu immediately ordered people in the office, whether they were officials or guards, to all go knocking on every door and urging the cityâs residents to run to higher grounds.
When he was done, he turned back to find Feng Ming.
â
Feng Ming had drowned in the water. When he woke up, he felt his chest was filled full to almost bursting and his throat was burning. He threw up a mouthful of water; almost vomiting his intestines as he did so.
He looked around for a moment. Seemed like he was in a dilapidated house. Sitting not very far from him was someone. The person didnât move even after Feng Ming was awake, so Feng Ming thought the person must be asleep.
When Zhao Lu found Feng Ming, the temple had already collapsed. Everyone else had scattered and fled, but Feng Ming couldnât swim; he must have fainted after swallowing and breathing too much water.
Rescuing and bringing Feng Ming to a safer place was easy, but Zhao Lu was afraid Feng Ming would recognize him. Although a kingâs ruthlessness was understandable, Zhao Lu never thought his own action would implicate innocent peopleâs lives.
Feng Mingâs official attire had long been discarded somewhere, leaving only the white robe underneath. Dirty water and mud had turned the white into grey; people would not be able to know who he was by seeing his appearance now.
Feng Mingâs blurry eyes saw the other person, but he couldnât recognize who it was. He said, âYou saved Gu⌠You saved me?â
When Zhao Lu realized Feng Ming didnât recognize him, his heart started to relax but he still didnât speak, afraid Feng Ming would still recognize his voice. Zhao Lu only nodded as an answer.
Feng Ming struggled to sit up. His limbs were still numb and he was still weak. He forced himself to sit straight and cup his hands, âThank you so much for saving my life.â
Feng Mingâs voice grew fainter with each word. His body leaned forward and started to fall to the floor. Zhao Lu caught and laid him carefully back on the floor. Feeling ashamed for facing Feng Ming, Zhao Lu took a few steps back and sat down.
â
âDa Wang.â
Xue Junliang had been less busy these days so he decided to check on the Little Crown Prince, Xue Peiâs study. It so happened that Xue Pei was discussing about military art with Teng Yun.
The Little Crown Princeâs relationship with the Empress was very close but Xue Junliang didnât mind. He himself admired this Empress, it was only natural the Crown Prince did too.
When Xue Junliang came, Teng Yun and Xue Pei meant to kneel and greet him, but Xue Junliang stopped them saying there was no need to be so polite. He smiled and said, âContinue with the discussion, Gu will just sit here and listen.â
Xue Pei found that Fatherâs smile was merrier and the light in his eyes were brighter, but Xue Pei kept it to himself, didnât dare saying it. Compared to Father, Mother looked a lot calmer which was really admirable.
Jiang Yu didnât want to disturb Xue Wang at this kind of time, but there was an urgent military report. If Jiang Yu delayed reporting it to Xue Wang, he would be punished, so Jiang Yu could only pull his courage.
Xue Junliang saw Jiang Yu fidgeting, so he said, âItâs alright, just say it here. The Empress and the Crown Prince are not strangers.â
Even if Jiang Yu had all the courage in the world, he would never dare saying the report loudly. Da Wang said those words to show he was trusting the Empress and the Crown Prince, but Jiang Yu still had to be careful.
He bowed to whisper close to Xue Wangâs ears, âYour Majesty, the spy sent a reply, said Feng Countryâs Marquis Zhuluâs official seal was found near Ming River.â