[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 240 [English]

Chapter 229, Pan Lin

Gujin received Duanzhou’s letter in Luoshan. He was about to mount his horse and continue his journey. After reading the letter, he looked complicated and turned around to ask Huo Lingyun, who stopped by to adjust his horse: “Is this the letter you wrote before you left?”

Huo Lingyun pulled his horse, nodded, unscrewed the water bag, took a swig, and said, “I wrote it last night.”

Gu Jin took the letter into his arms, took out another one, and handed it to Huo Lingyun: “This is from the Second Master to the Lord… What did the Jin Yiwei who went to explore the carriage say?”

“It is said that the Hezhou Yamen was chasing after him and drove the driver into a panic. While driving, he fell along the disrepaired horse track and fell into the ditch.” Huo Lingyun hung the water bag back up and carefully received Xiao Chiye’s letter into his arms. “Several people went down to the ditch to check for two hours, but they found no one alive.”

Gu Jin’s expression became more and more ugly. He was ordered to come over. In fact, he wanted to keep an eye on Master Yideng for Xiao Chiye. Unexpectedly, the master was gone just like that.Gujin stood there, puzzled, and said to himself: “Master, why are you going to Hezhou?”

“Isn’t that a layman?” Huo Lingyun ran all night, and now he was smelling of sweat. He said, “According to Yan Heru’s wishes, the master died of illness. If he had already predicted that he would not live long, he should go back to see his relatives.”

“The master gave up his secular life when he became a monk. The remaining members of his family are all relatives, not biological brothers.” When Gu Jin said this, he thought of the great realm and continued, “Besides, the master made an appointment to return to the great realm this year. If he had already predicted that he would not live long, he would also fulfill the agreement first.”

Huo Lingyun had never dealt with Master Yideng. He looked at the sun coming out and said, “I’m almost done resting. It’s time to hit the road.”

Gu Jin led the horse out of the way. After Huo Lingyun turned the horse’s head, he said to Gu Jin: “When you arrive at the battle site, remember to tell the second master that Tantai Tiger also wants to try his new sword.”

Gujin did not respond, but said: “Let Tiger write to the second master by himself. I will not return to the battlefield.” He wiped the mud off his boots, got on his horse, and pointed the whip at the other end, “I want to go to Hezhou.”

* * *

The doctors were crowded under the eaves, and they were all as silent as a cicada, daring not to make any noise.Fei Sheng saw that this place was not a place for discussion, so he quickly arranged for the doctors to go next door.

Kong Ling did not go in to disturb Yuan Zhuo’s rest. He followed Fei Sheng and asked, “What did the doctor say?”

Fei Sheng glanced at the still bamboo curtain, raised his arm to guide Kong Ling to the side, and whispered: “We are all very scared. The prescriptions we prescribe are not as good as those of our Jin Yiwei. We dare not use heavy medicine on your husband.”

Although Kong Ling has a wide range of interests, he does not know much about pharmacology.He looked slightly startled, paused for a moment, and said, “Then…”

It was hard for Fei Sheng to say. Previously, everyone had pinned their hopes on Master Yideng, but Yan Heru’s attack caught everyone off guard.He avoided the newly sprouted twigs and only said: “The Lord Fu wrote a letter to Ge Qingqing last night, asking him to find a doctor in the Thirteenth City of Juexi, and we can arrive in Duanzhou after June.”

But how do you survive these three months?

Fei Sheng didn’t dare to lie. He was worried when he saw the doctor coming in and out last night.Yao Wenyu usually held on, but he had used up his energy when he was in Cizhou to appease the celebrities who came to seek refuge with Shen Zechuan. At that time, he and Kong Ling and others discussed the arrangements for the Liuzhou Yamen overnight. Later, he walked from Cizhou to Duanzhou, but actually he never got well when he arrived in Duanzhou.

Kong Ling stood for a moment and said solemnly: “Just wait, I will reply to Mr. Fu. Mr. Fu has not slept all night and is still waiting for news in the hall.”

“Then you have to persuade my master.” Fei Sheng was frightened by Yao Wenyu’s coughing up blood and chased Kong Ling a few steps. “I heard that the master was gone yesterday. I think the master is not very energetic. Now I am worried about Mr. Yuanzhuo and don’t get sick. Qiao Tianya and I are here to watch, and nothing serious will happen.”

Kong Ling hurriedly responded and walked out of the yard with his robe in hand.When he arrived at Shen Zechuan’s yard, Kanfujun was standing under the eaves listening to Ding Tao’s speech.

When Shen Zechuan saw Kong Ling, he nodded and signaled Ding Tao to stop first.Ding Tao had been very well-behaved since the time he played against Dunzhou. He immediately shut up and stepped aside to make way for Kong Ling.

Kong Ling thought about his words and said, “I just went to bed. Medicine is being boiled in the yard right now. Qiao Tianya is standing by, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

The courtyard was clean. Shen Zechuan came down the steps and said, “Doctor, don’t you have any definite words?”

Seeing Shen Zechuan’s hesitant expression, Kong Ling followed him and said, “These doctors are all wild doctors. They have never seen a person like Yuan Zhuo. Naturally, they dare not fool around with ordinary prescriptions. They are very cautious in their speech, but they are all dedicated and no one dares to be careless.”

Shen Zechuan was so perceptive. When he heard Kong Ling’s words, he knew that no one in this group of doctors could treat Yuan Zhuo. They all dared to do their best to nurse Yuan Zhuo back to health and try their best to avoid risks.

“Send another urgent letter to Xiao Yu,” Shen Zechuan paused. “Ask him to pay attention to the doctors in each state when he patrols the states. Send all the doctors he can find to Duanzhou. The medical fees will be taken from my private bank, and you can pay as much as you want.”

Kong Ling also stopped. Seeing the guard at the other end coming to deliver the letter, he didn’t bother Shen Zechuan to read the letter.

Shen Zechuan turned over the letter and saw Ge Qingqing’s private seal on it. He opened the letter, read it, handed it to Kong Ling, and said, “The battle in Qudu is over.”

Kong Lingbian looked at it for a while and said: “The commander-in-chief is not short of military rations now, but what he is short of is a title. The Queen Mother sees this clearly, so she still insists on forcing it, which in turn helps Xue Yanqing.”

“She is riding a tiger but cannot get off,” Shen Zechuan said. “I wanted to use Qi Zhuyin in my heart, but I really don’t have the leverage anymore. If we really have to fight, Han Cheng’s 20,000 soldiers will not be able to defeat anyone.”

When Shen Zechuan mentioned that the situation of “distance and close attack” has long been reversed, the fatigue of Qudu is obvious. They face Zhongbo and Libei to the east and only eight battalions can provide emergency relief. Dancheng Mintian has reached this point again, and there is no military defense at all. Qi Zhuyin is Qudu’s life-saving straw.

When Kong Ling saw the end, he gasped slightly and said, “Pan Xiangjie and Pan Lin are dead.”

“The Queen Mother’s opponent now is Xue Xiuzhuo.” Shen Zechuan looked at the gloomy sky, as if rain was coming, “How can we escape unscathed?”

* * *

It is raining everywhere, this is the beginning of the rainy season.

The cabinet wants to hold Han Cheng accountable. Han Cheng killed the officials of the Eighth Battalion and killed them in prison. The two sides were scolding each other in the court, and the news of Pan Xiangjie’s death was presented at this moment.

Only then did Liang Miaoshan remember that Pan Xiangjie was locked up in the innermost room that day. When he called for help, no one answered him.

“The granary was opened by Pan Lin,” Xue Xiuzhuo said in Mingli Hall. “The current account details of the Household Department were also revealed by Pan Lin. This person’s crime will not lead to death.”

Cen Yu originally felt pity for Pan Lin, so he nodded and said: “It’s not that I want to absolve him of his guilt. Punishment still has to be punished. The law cannot be broken, but you can make decisions based on your discretion.”

Kong Qiu pondered for a moment, read the confession reported by the Ministry of Punishment over and over again, and said: “Although Pan Lin confessed, it will be a matter for the court to investigate later. He was an accessory as early as when there was a problem with the accounting. He can be exempted from death penalty, but he cannot escape from living crime.”

The cabinet will eventually remove Pan Lin from his post, demote him, and exile him to Huaizhou.However, the Dancheng case has not been concluded for the time being, and Pan Lin has to wait for the summons at the inn.

Pan Lin is different from the children of Pan Xiangjie’s generation. He studied and became an official, and regarded himself as a scholar. He was a bit arrogant, so he couldn’t get along with Xue Dahe and others.He Nowadays, there has been a sudden change in the family. He has fallen from the son of an aristocratic family to a guilty commoner, and his father has died. He is looked down upon in the inn and only eats scraps.

Xue Da and Pan Lin had a quarrel at Xiao Chiye’s Marquis Banquet. In the spirit of visiting, he specially brought delicacies to see Pan Lin, hoping to settle the differences with Pan Lin before they parted ways.

The busboy at the inn led Xue Da inside. Seeing that the room was cramped, he asked the busboy: “Does Pan Chengzhi live here? Is he the direct son of the Pan family, or the minister of household affairs… Why do you let him live here?”

The servant opened the door with the key and said slickly: “Didn’t Mrs. Pan get copied? He is a sinner. The court has arranged this, how can the young people dare to disobey it?” He opened the door and ordered, “Sir, don’t stay too long. He will be held accountable even if it is reported to the Ministry of Punishment!”

Xue Da’s skinny body was hunched. He poked his head in from the door and saw Pan Lin sitting by the window.The room was very dark, rain was leaking everywhere, and the floor was soaked with moisture.

Pan Lin’s robe is fashionable, and so are her boots.He was still wearing the same clothes he wore in prison, with some stubble on his face, and looked too haggard.

Xue Da carried the food box, stepped through the door, and said softly: “Chengzhi… let me take a look at you.”

Pan Lin turned his eyes, looked at he for a long time, and said, “Sit down.”

Xue Da put the food box on the table, sat next to the chair, looked around, and said: “You are the same after all…I will go out and talk to you later, I can just change the room.”

Pan Lin’s eyes were red, and he was lonely in the rain that leaked in.

Xue Da was restless, moved a little, and took the initiative before falling into embarrassment: “I came today not… not to see your jokes. You are going to Huaizhou, so far away, and this farewell… I will never see you again. I want to see you off…”

Pan Lin was indifferent.

Xue Da didn’t know why, but he became sentimental.He is the direct descendant, and Pan Lin is also the direct descendant, but why did the direct descendants end up like this?He had tears in his eyes, hesitated for a long time, and then said: “Chengzhi, last year’s Marquis Banquet… I’m sorry. I heard that you let Yuan Zhuo go, and I… I admire you very much. You are talented, but you were tortured by your family. Yuan Fu is willing to exempt you from the death penalty, which is to cherish your talent. When you get to Huaizhou, you will still have a chance to punch you again…”

But Xue Xiuyi said this so much that he didn’t even believe it. They all depended on their families for a living, and the land tax had caused such a big loophole. When Pan Lin arrived in Huaizhou, he was reviled by thousands of people and wanted to step in for others.

Pan Lin was silent for a moment and said, “Pingjing.”

Xue Xiuyi, whose courtesy name is Pingjing, and Xue Xiuzhuo, whose name is Yanqing, were both named by Mr. Xue. He quickly responded with a “huh”.

“When I was appointed as the Minister of Household Affairs, I hesitated for a long time with the account book in hand, but finally did not give it to Mr. Haige. I acted as an aide and harmed the people of the Eight Cities. It is not a pity to die, and there is nothing to confess. The storms in Qudu have been going on for many years, and now we have Xue Yanqing.” Pan Lin looked at Xue Xiuyi, as if he was looking at himself who had a chance many years ago, “The glory of the Eight Cities has come to an end.”

Xue Da heard a roar of thunder, which made the door light up for a moment.He thought Pan Lin would give him some advice, but Pan Lin finally said: “You go.”

Xue Pingjing pushed the food box towards Pan Lin and said, “I brought you some food…” He also fell silent and sat here until the rain started to get heavier, and the handymen outside came to remind him several times.

Xue Pingjing’s robe was also wet when he stood up and bowed to Pan Lin in farewell.Pan Lin stood up, straightened his clothes, and returned the salute.

Xue Pingjing didn’t dare to look anymore, turned around and walked out. In the corridor, he couldn’t tell where the way out was.

Pan Lin heard the distant footsteps and sat back at the table.He never touched the food box that Xue Pingjing brought. He picked up the pen and wrote the “Apologies of Sin” uprightly.

This letter is not to the court, but to Pan Xiangjie. It is a farewell message between father and son.Pan Lin wrote very long, as if he didn’t know how to face his father.He cried while putting down the pen, then cleaned himself up, put on his clothes and lay down on the shabby mat, and never opened his eyes again.