[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 95 [English]

Chapter 93 General

The Jin Yiwei rushed into Xue Mansion and quickly entered through the corridor.People in each courtyard were awakened, and the female relatives huddled together in fear. They were driven out of the houses and gathered in the open space of the mansion.Jinyiwei is famous, and Shen Zechuan is a man-eating wolf and tiger in their eyes.

Xue Xiuyi hurriedly put on his clothes and came out. When he saw Xue Xiuzhuo standing under the eaves, he couldn’t help but pounce on him, dragging Xue Xiuzhuo and said angrily: “What did you do? You provoked the Jin Yiwei! If you implicate us, I will expel you and take away your surname!”

Xue Xiuzhuo turned to look at the eldest brother with a ferocious face, and he pulled him hard. His eyes were both pitiful and indifferent, and said: “The whole family enjoys fame and wealth, and only one person will bear the responsibility for disaster. Don’t be afraid, brother. It’s not your turn to take charge of this family yet.”

After saying that, he pushed Xue Xiuyi away and walked along the steps towards Shen Zechuan.

This was the second face-to-face encounter between Shen Zechuan and Xue Xiuzhuo. Xue Xiuzhuo did not go to bed, but was handling cases in the study. He walked out immediately, wearing a green sash robe with wide sleeves.There is a calm and unhurried demeanor about this person. His elegance is definitely not something that can be faked overnight. He has real abilities, which Shen Zechuan has never denied.

“Shen Tongzhi came to my humble residence late at night, what’s the point?” Xue Xiuzhuo stood still, his height was about the same as Shen Zechuan’s, and said to Shen Zechuan, “I should prepare a glass of wine and welcome him early.”

“I just received an imperial edict, and the emperor ordered me to handle the military ration case. For such a major matter, the Jin Yiwei did not dare to be careless, so they immediately arrested Wei Huaigu.” Shen Zechuan looked at the couplets in the main hall, not looking at Xue Xiuzhuo, and said casually, “Wei Huaigu has always been on good terms with Xue Si Cheng. In order to avoid suspicion, your house will be searched tonight.”

“Assistant Jin Yiwei of Dali Temple is handling the case. I know the details. But I am an official of the imperial court. Jin Yiwei wants to search my house and needs documents from the Ministry of Punishment.” Xue Xiuzhuo looked around the courtyard in panic and said, “But the case is urgent and colleagues have the privilege of killing first and then reporting later. Uncle Xue, give the keys to the inner courtyard to Jin Yiwei as well. You can lead the way wherever they want to search.”

Shen Zechuan tilted his head and said, “You are really capable. You are also prepared for the emperor’s impromptu imperial edict.”

Xue Xiuzhuo smiled: “When you meet a person like Tongzhi, you should be cautious. It’s colder outside at night. If Tongzhi doesn’t mind, come in and have a cup of tea with me? This house is not small. After searching, it’s time to go to court in the morning.”

“I won’t have any more tea,” Shen Zechuan turned around slowly, “I can’t afford tea from Gaomen. So, I’m going to return in vain tonight?”

Xue Xiuzhuo said: “It depends on why the colleague is here. If it is to investigate the case, it would be a pity. Wei Huaigu and I have only a mediocre personal relationship, so it has nothing to do with it.”

Shen Zechuan fell silent and stared at Xue Xiuzhuo, the feeling of being fooled vaguely resurfaced.After a while, Qiao Tianya returned to the open space and shook his head at Shen Zechuan from a distance. Shen Zechuan knew that he had failed again, and his master and husband were not here.

“The cunning rabbit has three holes.” Shen Zechuan said softly.

“It’s just a fish swimming in the bottom of the cauldron. It’s just a moment of respite.” Xue Xiuzhuo said respectfully.

“You and I only have this one chance,” Shen Zechuan began to move and approached Xue Xiuzhuo, “Where is he?”

There is no moon tonight, and the dampness and coldness after the rain are pervasive.All the men and women in the courtyard were hiding their faces and crying. Xue Xiuyi didn’t know the details, fearing that Xue Xiuzhuo would anger Shen Zechuan, so he quickly stepped forward, bowed to Shen Zechuan, and said anxiously: “Who are you looking for, sir? We don’t have fugitives from the military ration case! Everyone in the hospital is here, sir, you can investigate, but we will tell you everything we know!”

Xue Xiuzhuo was silent. When Shen Zechuan saw that he refused to tell the whereabouts of his master, he said, “I’m looking for a criminal from the court. I heard that Xue Si Cheng has a group of prostitutes in his house, right?”

Xue Xiuzhuo’s eyes moved, and Xue Xiuyi immediately rushed to say: “Yes! Yes! But these things like molesting prostitutes are all impeached by the Procuratorate. He hid them carefully and did not let the officials notice. Sir, sir, look at this group of children. These are just small things. How can they be wanted by the imperial court?”

Shen Zechuan saw Xue Xiuzhuo’s color change slightly at Xue Xiuyi’s words. He turned to look at the boys and girls and said, “Where is Xiangyunfang? There are all the key criminals involved in the murder case. Xue Sicheng quietly bought people from Xiangyunfang, why didn’t he say hello to the Ministry of Punishment?”

Xue Xiuzhuo pushed Xue Xiuyi away and said, “These people all have household registration certificates. Although they are from brothels, they are all innocent. I know that what we are dealing with tonight is a military ration case, which has nothing to do with them, so why bother with them again and again?”

“You have to go to the prison to find out if you are innocent or not,” Shen Zechuan looked back and said, “Take all these people away.”

Everyone hugged each other and cried, and Qiao Tianya took the lead in dragging them away. Those boys were all taught by Xue Xiuzhuo like they were children from famous families, but none of them could compare to Jin Yiwei, who cried even more for a while.Xue Xiuyi was afraid that the two sides would fight, and wanted to say some calming words in the middle, and even carried Xiao Chiye out.

“S-Sir!” Xue Xiuyi held himself up and said with difficulty, “Since this case concerns Libei, why don’t we ask the Marquis again… If something really happens, just take Xue Xiuzhuo away!”

Xue Xiuzhuo suddenly took a few steps forward, stopped Qiao Tianya, and shouted: “Jinyiwei also has to follow procedures when handling cases! Shen Tongzhi, you can arrest my people, but I want to see the arrest documents from the Criminal Department!”

“Take it away!” Shen Zechuan held his knife against it, forcing Xue Xiuzhuo to take a step back, and said, “You want to seize the documents, I will give you as much as you want tomorrow morning!”

“Shen Zechuan!” Xue Xiuzhuo suddenly rolled up his sleeves, “You avenge your personal revenge, I want to join you!”

“Then you will file an impeachment report tonight!” Shen Zechuan’s tone turned cold, “These people are in my hands. If I don’t see you, sir, I will kill one every day! When do you think I can kill your precious student?”

“How dare you!” Xue Xiuzhuo was suddenly furious. Seeing that Qiao Tianya had dragged away the people, and the other end was crying and screaming, he grabbed Qiao Tianya’s arm and said, “You are working for the tiger, arresting innocent people at will, what case are you going to solve? Stop!”

“If you dare to stop me again, I’ll take action now!” Shen Zechuan pointed out his thumb.

When Xue Xiuyi saw he and the two arguing, and saw that Shen Zechuan was about to draw his sword, his liver and gallbladder were split apart, and he even fainted from fear.The surrounding servants shouted “Master” and hurriedly came to help. Xue Xiuzhuo was dragged back by the Jin Yiwei frame. He watched helplessly as the Jin Yiwei escorted all the students into the car.

“Shen Zechuan!”

Shen Zechuan got on his horse, leaving Xue Xiuzhuo’s shouts and curses behind him.

* * *

There are intensive wars in Libei, and the border counties are not a backwater.

Lu Guangbai returned to camp to rest. Before he could get off his horse, he saw the deputy general rushing over and asked, “What’s the matter?”

The deputy general looked unhappy and said in a low voice: “General, the eunuch sent by Qandu to supervise the army is here, and he also brought this year’s army rations.”

Lu Guangbai was silent for a moment, dismounted, took off his helmet, and opened the curtain to enter the tent.There is a eunuch sitting on a high seat inside, wearing a python pattern and a cigarette cap.When he saw Lu Guangbai coming in, he didn’t get up to salute.

Lu Guangbai put down his spear and said, “My father-in-law has been running all the way, why don’t you go and rest? I ordered people to pack the tent.”

Yingxi was a recently promoted eunuch. There were people in the palace who knew that the masters had never had a good view of the Lu family in the border county, so they treated Lu Guangbai with contempt. Hearing this, he said: “This place is barren and barren. They are all stupid people with rough hands and feet.How do you know how to serve people?Don’t bother, our family has already seen it.The tent is dark and dirty and cannot be lived in. I sent someone 800 miles away to buy wood and plan to build a villa here – I will live there for another half year!

Lu Guangbai was not good at words. He knew that the eunuchs who supervised the army were always rich and wealthy, so he didn’t bother to talk to him.He untied his arms, and as soon as the iron sheet was removed, dirty blood flowed to the ground.When Yingxi saw this, she covered her nose in horror and said, “How come everything is so rotten!”

The deputy general dragged the box to bandage Lu Guangbai. When he saw the wound, he said, “General, it’s all worn out! We need to find a military doctor to take a look.”

Lu Guangbai signaled him to shut up, took out the dagger from the side of his leg, poured wine on the wound, and burned the dagger with candlelight.The lieutenant hurriedly held He’s sleeves. Yingxi had never seen such a ruthless person. Hearing the sound of the meat being chopped, his hands and feet felt cold.Lu Guangbai sprinkled the medicine on him and asked the deputy general to tie him up.

“The cavalry is difficult to deal with. We can’t chase out of the designated range without transfer orders. Naturally, we can’t take care of this when we are going back and forth to fight.” Lu Guangbai finished cleaning up his injuries, propped up his knees and looked at Yingxi, and asked, “Did father-in-law come with military rations?”

Yingxi held back her nausea and nodded.

Lu Guangbai stood up and said, “I’ll go take a look.”

After saying that, he led the deputy general out of the tent and walked to the grain and grass area.The people escorting the grain and grass had already withdrawn. Lu Guangbai got into the warehouse, opened the sack, and frowned when he saw the grain inside.He reached out and grabbed a handful, all of which were wet rice noodles.

“General,” the deputy general said, “this time we sent not only rice noodles but also a small amount. We have 20,000 people in the border counties. We send out guerrilla troops every day. They run a lot and eat a lot, which is incomparable to the garrison of the other four counties. This little food can’t even survive the autumn!”

Lu Guangbai let go of the grain with his scarred hands and said, “Mr. Haige has always taken care of us, and last year’s military pay was also allocated quickly. This time, the payment is small. Is there a reason?”

The deputy general’s chest rose and fell, he spoke several times, then held back.

Lu Guangbai said: “If you have anything to say, just say it. What are you doing? Who blocked your mouth?”

“General!” The deputy general was angry and stepped forward to grab the grain. His emotions surged and he said with a cry, “It’s too little! Why? Didn’t you rush to transfer it to the Libei Iron Cavalry! Damn it! The Libei Iron Cavalry is a good man, but our border guards are bastards! In the past, heThey love to flatter you and undermine you!But this is a life-threatening matter, so why should we be so poor?We are so poor that we still have to take advantage of it!I asked them what to do in the fall, and they said that it is up to us!It’s up to our ancestors!

The lieutenant clenched his fists.

“The military rations in Qidong have been reduced by half, and supplies are away from the north, but other counties are not fighting! We still have military fields to eat, and we can only drink from the northwest wind! As soon as autumn comes, the horses of the Twelve Divisions of Biansha will be fat, and it will be harder to fight by then! With this food, we -”

“Stop talking!” Lu Guangbai stopped the deputy general. He stood in the darkness for a long time, and finally looked at the starry sky outside and said in a solemn voice, “…I’ll find a way.”

The Wolf Yantai in the border county is silent among the rolling mountains. The night is like sewage pouring in, blocking the gap so that no daylight can be seen.Lu Guangbai did not have the prestige of the other three generals. He was like a stubborn rock on the edge of the desert, carrying the squeeze of three parties. The originally round body was gradually worn out with abrupt edges and corners.Many people in our Lu family died, and only he inherited Lu Pingyan’s spear.

He is so stupid and so unlovable.He became famous very late and does not have the talent like Xiao Jiming and Qi Zhuyin. He is Lu Pingyan’s stupidest youngest son.But it was this he that supported Bianjun after Lu Pingyan retreated, firmly holding the throat of the Biansha cavalry who wanted to break through.He has no master, he is the general who rolled out of the yellow sand with Lu Pingyan.He treats people sincerely… he is scarred.

Lu Guangbai didn’t sleep that night. He sat on the slope in front of the camp holding his gun, unable to think of a way to solve the problem of military rations.Qi Zhuyin has jurisdiction over five counties. Over the years, he has spent all his private money to support them. He cannot reach out to Qi Zhuyin every time.The father at home is still ill, and he can no longer ask Lu Pingyan to drag his sick body around to borrow money.

When the lieutenant got up at night, he saw Lu Guangbai’s lonely back and wanted to call him to rest.But before anyone could get closer, they saw Lu Guangbai bending down and reaching out to touch the ground under his feet. He didn’t raise his head for a long time.