Chapter 45 - 1#

Liao Jiang was recuperating at Hua Yunfei’s place. After all, he was young and strong. Although he suffered a disaster, his recovery speed was very fast. In less than half a month, he began to be able to get out of bed and walk.

The old eunuch who came to change his medicine said, “It seems that the person who did it didn’t strike with deadly force.”

Liao Jiang covered his shoulder and wailed, “Old Gu, this is still considered not striking with deadly force?” At that time, he felt like he was going to die.

The old eunuch snorted, “If they really struck with deadly force, you would be dead now. Where would there be a chance to save your life?”

Wei Liang also said, “Speaking of which, in the past when people made mistakes and were beaten with boards, some couldn’t make it after five hits, but some were hit more than a dozen times and got out of bed a few days later as if nothing happened.”

The old eunuch pressed Liao Jiang’s shoulder, checked the wound on his back, and said slowly, “Normal strength is like this. If they really strike with deadly force, a few hits will break the skin and flesh, and the person will be beyond saving. Even if a divine doctor comes, it will be difficult to keep them alive.”

Jingzhe: “So, the Yueyu people are nothing to be afraid of.”

He looked at Liao Jiang, his voice very calm.

“They don’t dare.”

Suffering this disaster was also a huge blow to Liao Jiang. His originally lively and cheerful personality became somewhat taciturn, not liking to talk much.

How much of this was due to fear was unclear.

…However, Jingzhe was right.

Those Yueyu people were all tall and big. If they really wanted to beat him to death, they could do it in the blink of an eye.

But they didn’t, which meant they didn’t dare.

Wei Liang: “That’s right. In the end, they are all a bunch of cowards. Liao Jiang, you did nothing wrong, so don’t be scared by this kind of person.”

“When have I ever been afraid of them?” Liao Jiang covered his shoulder and gritted his teeth, “Even if it happens again, I won’t admit it.”

Wanting him to confess under torture was absolutely impossible.

While talking, Hua Yunfei walked in from outside the door.

This manager was followed by two young eunuchs, with a faint smile on his face, looking slightly oddly pleased.

Hua Yunfei: “Today, Commander Wei specially took people to the separate palace where the Yueyu envoys live, searched them seriously, and found the ‘precious dagger’.” At the end, he couldn’t help laughing more heartily.

Jingzhe blinked and laughed along, “It seems the Yueyu envoys are not very happy.”

Hua Yunfei: “You can’t say that. Commander Wei is helping them find the lost treasure. They should be grateful.” As he spoke, he fumbled in his bosom, took out a strangely shaped silver ingot, and threw it to Liao Jiang.

Jingzhe stepped forward just in time to catch it, preventing Liao Jiang from being hit.

This silver ingot was not light.

Wei Liang followed to intercept, but his movements were not as fast as Jingzhe. He looked at Hua Yunfei helplessly, “Manager, Liao Jiang is injured, how can he catch it?”

With the injury on his back, Liao Jiang couldn’t move at all.

Hua Yunfei slapped his forehead and laughed, “Forgot, forgot. Thanks to Jingzhe’s good skills. This is the apology from the Yueyu envoy. Originally said to visit, but Commander Wei thought nothing is as practical as money, so sent fifty taels.”

Fifty taels was not a lot, but for Liao Jiang, it was definitely a lot. Originally beaten like this, he never thought he could get compensation.

Jingzhe stuffed the silver ingot into Liao Jiang’s hands.

Holding that big silver ingot, Liao Jiang looked a bit dazed.

Wei Liang said in surprise, “Did Commander Wei go specifically to get back at them?”

Hua Yunfei put his hands behind his back slowly and said leisurely, “How can we know Commander Wei’s thoughts?”

Liao Jiang seemed to just react, excitement appearing on his face. Just as he was about to get out of bed, he was pushed back by the old eunuch with a slap.

The old eunuch didn’t even lift his eyelids, “Sit still, not done yet.”

Liao Jiang immediately became honest.

These days, if not for the old eunuch’s miraculous cure, he certainly wouldn’t be so relaxed now. Liao Jiang was very grateful to the old eunuch in his heart, so naturally dared not move.

Hua Yunfei was comforting Liao Jiang, and Wei Liang was also talking happily. While listening, Jingzhe had some guesses.

Wei Haidong took people to see the Yueyu envoy and searched the separate palace where they lived temporarily. It was impossible for His Majesty the Emperor not to know about this.

Judging from Hua Yunfei’s attitude when discussing with the envoy a few days ago, this unruly envoy was absolutely unwilling to let people search. Saying on the surface it was for the sake of the Yueyu envoy, it undoubtedly slapped them hard in the face.

Regardless of Wei Haidong’s purpose, this move undoubtedly boosted the morale of the palace servants, sweeping away the previous depression.

Since then, Hua Yunfei was obviously much more leisurely.

He didn’t need to walk around frequently just to deal with unnecessary minor frictions. Such silent changes couldn’t help but make Jingzhe think of a phrase.

Killing the chicken to scare the monkey.

There were quite a few people who had small movements before.

On this day, Jingzhe followed Hua Yunfei, checking the inventory of several separate palaces and replenishing fresh fruits in time. At this moment, someone hurried in from outside the door.

Hua Yunfei looked up and frowned, appearing to recognize that person.

“Aren’t you going to the racecourse? What are you doing here?” The middle-aged man stopped by Hua Yunfei was slightly chubby, with a dark face, presumably working under the sun all year round.

Looking honest and sincere, he also spoke with full vigor.

“Isn’t it that I have free time, and just happen to have something to ask for your help?” The middle-aged man rubbed his hands and looked at Hua Yunfei with a smile.

Jingzhe glanced at the middle-aged man’s attire, the edges of his shoes covered in mud. He frowned slightly, bowed to Hua Yunfei, and retreated silently.

Hua Yunfei chatted with the middle-aged man for a quarter of an hour. When he came out, his face was still smiling, showing little emotion.

He glanced at Jingzhe and said with a smile, “You are the Jingzhe that Hua Yunfei often mentions recently?”

Jingzhe bowed, “I dare not.”

Middle-aged man: “What’s there to dare not? Hua Yunfei is very picky. He must be very satisfied to mention you often…” Before he could finish his words, Hua Yunfei’s cursing voice came from inside.

“Chen Changming, why don’t you get lost quickly? What nonsense are you talking about here? Only you have a mouth?”

Chen Changming waved his hand towards the room with a grin and strode away.

Hua Yunfei came out with a straight face and said to Jingzhe, “Next time, there’s no need to avoid. Anyway, I have nothing worth hiding here.” What was said wasn’t a secret either.

Jingzhe: “This subordinate noted it.”

Hua Yunfei beckoned Jingzhe in, saying, “The person just now is the manager of the racecourse. Don’t look at his honest appearance, he is very shrewd. Unless necessary, don’t associate with him.”

He looked very earnest.

“Otherwise, if you are deceived by him, you won’t even be able to take out the money for selling yourself.”

Jingzhe smiled, “This subordinate has nothing on me to be deceived for.”

Hua Yunfei glanced at Jingzhe and shook his head, “Who says nothing? The inner layer of your clothes is made of rare fabric. It’s not easy to buy even with money.” Things that can be bought with money are not considered very expensive; those that cannot be bought with money are rare.

Jingzhe subconsciously touched his lapel. The clothes worn inside only revealed a small circle of white outside. Usually, no one would care, but Hua Yunfei pointing it out naturally meant he discovered it.

Jingzhe: “I…”

Hua Yunfei waved his hand, interrupting Jingzhe’s explanation, “No need to explain to me. Whether it’s a reward from a noble or bought by yourself through connections, I said this just to tell you, don’t think you are useless. Sometimes…” His eyes sized up Jingzhe and he snorted coldly.

“Even if just a person, there are places worth using.”

…

“Jingzhe, Jingzhe—”

Unlike others who needed to serve in the separate palace all the time, Shi’en and Jingzhe came back to rest every day as usual. This small courtyard was originally full of people, but now only three or four were left, very empty every night.

Shi’en had complained that when he came out to urinate in the middle of the night, he was afraid of bumping into ghosts.

However, at this moment, no matter how empty it was, being woken up by Shi’en’s voice, among the few eunuchs still living here, someone pushed open the window to complain.

“Shi’en, your voice is too loud.”

Having to get up early to work tomorrow, being woken up now, how could they go back to sleep.

Shi’en: “Stop sleeping, get up quickly.”

He stood in the yard, waving to everyone.

If the other few people hadn’t woken up and seen each other, they wouldn’t dare to come out. This situation looked more like Shi’en was possessed.

“Creak—”

Jingzhe was the first to push open the door and walk out. The clothes draped over his body were not yet tidy, carrying a bit of sleepiness, “What did you see?”

Seeing Jingzhe come out, the other few people also followed.

Shi’en grabbed Jingzhe’s hand and led him to the wall. Several people lay on the low wall looking into the distance.

In the distance that should have been pitch black, strings of torches could be seen from afar, densely filling the originally dark wilderness. In an instant, those swaying lights were reflected in their eyes, as if catching a glimpse of ghosts walking at night, even breathing became much lighter.

A eunuch named Ding Mao asked softly, “What is this?”

They had also gotten up in the middle of the night, but had never seen such a grand occasion.

Shi’en: “When I went just now, I was too sleepy and didn’t look carefully. When I came back, by some strange coincidence, I lay on the low wall and saw it.”

Those scattered lights were too clear. Even separated by such a distance, it was impossible not to recognize them.

Jingzhe: “Maybe it’s a drill.”

His voice was extremely light, only heard by Shi’en.

Shi’en looked horrified, “Here?”

Jingzhe laughed instead, “If not here, then where? Why do you think the reception of envoys is not in the inner court but in Shangyu Garden this time?”

Shangyu Garden covered an extremely vast area. Just the separate palaces for receiving envoys were huge, let alone the racecourses, gardens, cliffs, flatlands everywhere… terrains imaginable were all on a large scale here.

Built by generations of emperors, Shangyu Garden was the largest royal garden. But calling it a garden, its size was far beyond what these two words could contain.

Even if a large number of soldiers were stationed, there would be no problem.

Shi’en frowned and waved his fist, “That’s just right, let them know that our soldiers are not useless.”

This group of palace servants rarely heard about foreign affairs in the inner court, but after coming to Shangyu Garden, their range of movement was much larger.

Seeing more things, their horizons also broadened.

Especially after seeing many foreign envoys and having frictions a few times, they gradually knew that foreigners were just ordinary people. Different foreign tribes had different interests, and their attitudes towards them were also different.

Some with arrogant attitudes were mostly those who frequently harassed the border in recent years. There were also those like Yueyu, fierce people attempting to annex other foreign tribes.

Seeing more, naturally, there were thoughts in mind.

Now looking at the place with a large number of torches, perhaps it was the army camp. Instead, ambition burned in Shi’en’s heart.

He rolled up his sleeves and said loudly, “Tomorrow, I must find out the ins and outs!”

Jingzhe laughed involuntarily, “No need to be so serious.”

These were all his guesses. Whether it was true or not was still unknown.

If it was true, it certainly wouldn’t be known to ordinary palace servants. It should be a confidential matter.

Just as Jingzhe thought, in the next few days, even though Shi’en tried hard, he couldn’t know much.

Only knew clearly that this cavalry that appeared suddenly was transferred from the capital army. Moreover, the drill had started silently long ago, only revealing its tracks last night.

Jingzhe heard a bit more news from Hua Yunfei. In the next few days, envoys from various places would follow Emperor Jingyuan to the river valley and would not be in the separate palace, so these palace servants could relax a little.

…In this way, Rong Jiu should also follow Emperor Jingyuan. He probably wouldn’t be seen for a few days.

Wei Liang was curious and couldn’t help asking, “Manager, what are they doing in the river valley? To watch the capital army drill?”

Hua Yunfei: “You have so many questions, do you want to go watch?”

Wei Liang touched the back of his head and grinned, “Who doesn’t want to?” He glanced at Liao Jiang, “Don’t you want to?”

Liao Jiang blushed slightly, “I also want to.”

Hua Yunfei glared at them angrily, “You have so many things, I think Jingzhe wouldn’t…”

“Manager, I also want to.” Jingzhe scratched his face awkwardly.

Hua Yunfei choked. The other few palace servants couldn’t help lowering their heads and laughing, afraid of being beaten by the manager if seen, not daring to laugh too loud.

It was impossible for Jingzhe to say he had no thoughts about such excitement.

However, what really made him have thoughts was related to Rong Jiu.

Riding horses and shooting, if Rong Jiu put on that riding suit, he should look very good, right?

Hua Yunfei gave each of them a knock on the head, “Get lost, get lost, all go to work.”

Wei Liang, Jingzhe and four or five other palace servants “rolled” out, looked at each other and smiled.

Wei Liang: “Jingzhe, do you really want to go back?”

These days, he and Jingzhe had become somewhat familiar and liked him very much. He had even asked him if he wanted to stay.

Shangyu Garden was much more free than the imperial palace.

Jingzhe sighed, “Shangyu Garden is very good and very free. However, I have reasons to go back.”

In Shangyu Garden, he definitely couldn’t interact frequently with Rong Jiu; moreover, not being in the imperial court, how could Jingzhe complete those tasks?

When leaving the inner court, he had asked Mingyu to investigate the situation in the guard office after Ming Momo died. When he returned, there should be news.

Thinking about these things, his face was a bit gloomy.

Wei Liang sighed and patted Jingzhe’s shoulder, “Fine, I won’t say this anymore. Let’s go, the work is much easier now. If we can’t finish it, we will really be skinned by the manager.”

Jingzhe was pulled forward by him, shaking his head with a smile.

…

Jingzhe couldn’t go to the river valley, but Shi’en was drafted there. He lived alone for several days, feeling a bit uncomfortable when sleeping at night.

Seven or eight days later, Shi’en returned, his face full of excitement. That pure heat was rare on Shi’en.

As soon as he entered the room, he pulled Jingzhe to talk.

Plus a few other people, amidst the babble, Jingzhe roughly knew what happened these days.

The soldiers drafted to Shangyu Garden were all elites, including eight hundred cavalrymen.

It was the first time for Shi’en and the others to see so many soldiers. At first sight, they were all awed by the fierce momentum. Those envoys, although mostly calm, some had slight changes in their expressions, unable to tell whether it was fear or awe.

The neat sound of horse hooves, when sounding in the distance, was like sudden thunder. Amidst the endless sound, there were cries of fighting one after another.

The river valley was quiet, but trampled by horse hooves.

Divided into “Left” and “Right” teams, they fought wantonly on the river valley road. In their actions, solemnity was fully revealed, actually fighting out the fierceness of millions of soldiers and horses.