[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 71 [English]

Chapter 69: On Merit

Li Jianheng was in a coma for several days, suffering from confusing nightmares and mumbling nonsense that no one could hear clearly.Mu Ru stayed at the edge of the bed, giving him medicine and rubbing his body, doing everything with his own hands.

The Queen Mother did not take the phoenix chariot today. Taking advantage of the nice weather, she took Hua San to get some fresh air in the garden.She said: “Concubine Mu is still guarding the emperor?”

Aunt Liuxiang supported the Queen Mother and said, “I won’t leave you even an inch.”

“She has done this, and the Emperor’s six points of affection for her can be turned into ten points.” The Queen Mother said to Hua Xiangyi, “Sharing weal and woe, this affection is very important.”

“Mu Bin looks petite,” Hua Xiangyi followed suit, “but she is also courageous.”

“That’s a good thing to say.” The Queen Mother said, “I heard from the imperial doctor yesterday that the emperor is fine and it’s almost time to wake up. When the emperor wakes up, it’s time for Concubine Mu to come forward. The Ai family saw that she was scolded by the officials before, and now even Hai Liangyi is exclaiming that she is a good woman. If she is a timid person, how can she dare to take risks?”

Hua Xiangyi smiled, took the blue and white porcelain bowl from Liu Xiang’s hand, threw fish bait into the Xinhua lake, and said: “If you don’t have any courage, how can you do anything that pleases the emperor? Pan Rugui knew how to advance and retreat at that time.”

The Queen Mother looked at the koi carps in the lake competing for food and said: “This epidemic is so strange that I could have made her a concubine and sent her away in the name of bewitching the saints. But sheHe is smart and knows that being next to the emperor is a gold medal for avoiding death. After taking care of him, only Xi Hongxuan will suffer.Previously, the family suppressed Xiao Chiye, and the family also damaged Wei Huaixing, and Fu Linye was also reprimanded. In the end, no one benefited. Now that the Imperial Army has done an urgent task of clearing up official channels, Xiao Chiye must be rewarded.”

“Xi Hongxuan deserves to be punished,” Hua Xiangyi said, “If you don’t have long-term worries, you will have short-term worries. Aunt, I think he got carried away because he was transferred to the Ministry of Household Examination Department. It is not a coincidence that this disaster happened to him. If he was cautious enough, how could he give people a chance to plot? Now he is treated as a stone and given to Xiao Ertai. As a punishment, heThat’s right.Furthermore, when I inquired about Qidong, I heard that Libei Crown Prince gave 40,000 taels of relief money to Zhongbozi Prefecture during the heavy snowfall. This time, Xiao Er was able to get the Ministry of Households through, and it was also due to the 40,000 taels.As a result, Cizhou and Libei became friends with each other. In the future, the imperial court will have to take care of Jizuebei’s face when sending chief envoys to manage Zhongbozi Prefecture.”

“The one who benefited the most this time is Xiao Chiye. It is not impossible to say that the disease was caused by he.” The Queen Mother crushed the bait with her fingertips and sprinkled it into the lake. “Concubine Mu is in such good health, why is there no news about the emperor’s heir? I can’t get rid of her, so I can only hold her. She has a child, and the Ai family no longer has to worry about the future.”

In fact, the Li family had not many heirs, but when Emperor Guangcheng committed suicide in the East Palace, all the princes and princes below him were dead and useless, leaving only Emperor Xiande and Li Jianheng.Emperor Xiande reigned for eight years. Due to poor health, only Concubine Wei was pregnant with a child. However, during the days of national mourning, Concubine Wei also had people throw themselves into a well without a trace, so there was really only one Li Jianheng.After Li Jianheng ascended the throne, there was no news of pregnancy among the concubines in the palace.

The Queen Mother looked down upon Mu Ru who came out of the eunuch’s courtyard, and originally planned to select a clever one from the remaining daughters of the Dichenghua family to be Li Jianheng’s concubine.Li Jianheng is not an infatuated person. When he has a new love, he will inevitably neglect his old love.Unexpectedly, Mu Ru is not only smart, but also very courageous. She has repeatedly flattered the Queen Mother in front of the emperor.The Queen Mother wants to keep the future prince in her palace, but now she has to keep an eye on Mu Ru’s belly all the time.

“In terms of benefits, Concubine Mu is also a blessing in disguise.” Hua Xiangyi wiped her hands, “She also has a younger brother, does aunt remember?”

“It’s called Fengquan.” Aunt Liuxiang reminded the Queen Mother quietly from behind.

“The Ai family vaguely remember such a person,” the Queen Mother said, “Didn’t he recognize Pan Rugui as his grandfather? Pan Rugui was beheaded, and the emperor secretly kept him for the sake of his concubine, right?”

“Fengquan got my aunt’s advice, and I must still remember my aunt’s kindness.” Hua Xiangyi supported the Queen Mother, “Aunt, he and his brother are now helpless. If you push me, you will become Guanyin Bodhisattva to us.”

The Queen Mother walked a few steps and said: “That Fengquan is a eunuch and asked him to come back. There are so many vacancies in the twenty-four government offices. Lu Xiang, arrange a good job for him. This will satisfy the wishes of his siblings.”

Liu Xiang responded.

The Queen Mother asked again: “Has Qidong replied to your letter? What if the wedding is scheduled in autumn? The autumn wind in Cang County, Qidong is very windy. If you marry at that time, the Ai family will be reluctant to part with it.”

Hua Xiangyi only smiled, and Aunt Liuxiang said: “The old commander wrote back, saying that it is all up to the Queen Mother, and just arrange a good and auspicious day. The messenger also brought several boxes of Jinluo silk and satin from Hezhou for the third lady, and he was very careful about the hair and face.”

“Shouldn’t he be careful?” The Queen Mother’s smile faded, “He has received great favor from heaven.”

Liuxiang immediately bowed and saluted, and said, “Yes, in order not to wrong the third lady, the wedding team Qidong selected are all respectable generals, and the leader is Marshal Qi.”

The Queen Mother’s expression changed slightly, but she didn’t get angry after all. She only said: “The Ai family specially sent a letter to Bian County, asking Bian Shabo Lu Pingyan to come and greet him, but he refused in every possible way. Isn’t it because of King Li Bei’s face that he didn’t dare to accept it? The Lu family are all stupid! The Ai family would like to see what Li Bei can do to help them in the future. Qi Zhuyin is here to welcome… She is a daughter, and she is a head shorter in terms of seniority, but Qi Shiyu can’t think of it!”

Before the Queen Mother’s anger had subsided, a eunuch trotted over, knelt down and said, “Well done, Queen Mother. Someone came from the palace just now and said that the Emperor is awake!”

Liuxiang hurriedly said: “Get ready!”

* * *

Tantai Hu was wearing clothes and carving wood, and he carved a large, rough cricket for Ding Tao and Xiao Wu.As soon as the morning sun lifted the curtains, they all settled down and saluted neatly.

“You just woke up, it doesn’t matter if you sit down.” Xiao Chiye motioned for them to get up and sit down on the chairs, “How are you today?”

“Reporting to the Governor,” Tantaihu wiped the sawdust on his hands, “The fever has subsided and I can use the food. I can go on duty today.”

“There’s no rush.” Xiao Chiye took off his old robe and sat on the chair for a moment. “The illness suddenly started that day. You are usually in good health. What’s going on? Did the military doctor tell you?”

“The hospital can’t explain the cause of this illness,” Tantai Hu said. “I was also thinking, why is it me? When our imperial army was training in the school field, I was naked in the rain and didn’t catch the cold. The governor asked Chen Yang to compile a list of sick people, and I also looked at it. Although there are also young and old, the majority are young and strong.”

“This epidemic is evil,” Chen Yang said after hearing this, “Master Zhenfu may be right. This time is not a natural disaster, but a man-made disaster.”

Xiao Chiye leaned back and thought, and said, “No matter which one it is, after so long, the clues have probably been dealt with.”

“It’s just me who’s sick,” Tantai Hu said with lingering fear. “If the governor gets sick, the Qandu patrol will be in chaos!”

Xiao Chiye was startled and stopped stroking his fingers.If he doesn’t speak, others won’t dare to interrupt his meditation.

“I didn’t expect this.” Xiao Chiye smiled fearlessly after a while, “That’s all, bad debt, we have a backup plan next to us, so it’s not so nervous. You should also have a good rest today. Who is taking care of the children in your family these days?”

Tantaihu didn’t want Xiao Chiye to still remember the children, so his eyes became hot and he said, “Before coming in, I entrusted Chen Yang to take the children to the Imperial Army’s errand compound. They are taken care of by the brothers. They must have no worries about food and drink and nothing will happen.”

“Most of the original families of the Forbidden Army are locals from Qudu. You are the ones who came in from outside. You don’t have a house or a wife. It’s not easy to raise a few children. This time you dug a ditch because you fell ill. Your merits will be reported by Chenyang to the Ministry of War. You will have experience in getting promoted in the spring. From now on, in addition to the monthly salary, the Forbidden Army will use my private accounts to allocate you another amount of money to raise your children.”

If he goes through Xiao Chiye’s private account, then the money drawn from Xiao Chiye’s salary can be regarded as Xiao Chiye giving it to him.

After hearing this, Tantaihu knelt down on one knee and said, “How can this happen? The governor did not expel me and still kept me as an errand, so I am very satisfied!”

“The merits and demerits are equal to each other, you deserve it. If I give it to you, you take it.” Xiao Chiye stood up and said to Chen Yang, “This time all the soldiers who dug trenches were recorded and divided into silver coins. Epidemics are life-threatening things, so what’s the point of taking money? If something like this happens in the future, you will be promoted and dispatched based on your merits and demerits. Like tigers, I, Xiao Ce’an, will bear all the burden on the whole family.”

Tantai Hu’s original unhappiness was all gone, and he couldn’t bring up Shen Zechuan’s matter anymore because of his kindness.Xiao Chiye looked at several people who fell ill in the Forbidden Army, and they all followed this statement. Even a young man like Ding Tao did not lose the silver reward.

Shen Zechuan drank medicine and looked at the excitement outside the window.

Qiao Tianya set up a brazier and roasted a few potatoes. While cooking, he said, “Everyone has been promoted and made a fortune. Master, what should I do?”

“Remember it.” Shen Zechuan put the bowl down.

Qiao Tianya looked at Tudou intently, but said: “Xiao Er has a good command of his subordinates. It took a lot of effort for him to consolidate the Forbidden Army into an iron bucket for him in a few years.”

“It’s not surprising that he has to put a lot of thought into matters related to safety.” Shen Zechuan said, “The Forbidden Army is his newly sharpened sword, so naturally he has to get better at it. Tantaihu is the general he expanded into the Forbidden Army from the outside. With Tantaihu as the leader, if these people are not managed well, they will be the bane.”

“Timing and people’s hearts are both essential. He takes everything just right, suppresses and rewards people, and treats them obediently. The root of his troubles has become a magic needle to stabilize the sea. With Tantai Hu’s temper, no matter how much others bribe him, it will be difficult to shake his loyalty.” Qiao Tianya peeled the potatoes and sighed, “Compared to this, Master, you are too cold.”

“The Jinyiwei are different from the Forbidden Army. The Jinyiwei are all people with high family backgrounds. They are all arrogant and cold-hearted. There is no calamity of life and death, and true friendship cannot be established. Everyone has a balance in their heart. Han Cheng has been the commander for some time, and he has received a lot of rewards, but behind his back, a few people are saying he”Okay?”Shen Zechuan paused for a moment and said, “If you eat potatoes, don’t eat meat later. If you follow me, you will gain seven or eight pounds.”

Qiao Tianya said: “Master, do you want to listen to some music? I can play and sing, so I don’t need any money. A reward of two pieces of meat will do.”

Shen Zechuan said ruthlessly: “Get out.”

Xiao Chiye was coming back when Qiao Tianya went out. He stepped aside to make way. Xiao Chiye stepped in the door, hooked the chair with his legs, and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Sleep well?”

Shen Zechuan said: “Just so so.”

Xiao Chiye said: “Your house has been demolished. Where will you live after you leave in two days?”

Shen Zechuan sighed: “Let’s live on the street.”

Xiao Chiye propped himself up, whistled at he, and said, “I have a small yard behind Mei’s house, do you want it?”

“It’s easy to make people suspicious if you are too close.” Shen Zechuan took off his clothes, and the traces on the back of his neck flashed past.

“It’s too far away, and we can’t see him even once in a few days.” Xiao Chiye stretched out his hand to smooth the back of he’s collar, his eyes lingering on the teeth marks.

Those were all bitten by he, like holding prey in his mouth, kissing all over that piece.

Shen Zechuan raised his eyes to look at he and said, “See you above… eh?”

Xiao Chiye looked away and said, “I’ll see you in the top.”

“What should I do?” Shen Zechuan looked at him, “Where is my fan?”

Chenyang was holding the tray and lifting the curtain. Xiao Chiye said without thinking, “It’s lost, Chenyang lost it.”

Shen Zechuan looked at Chen Yang. After being shocked, Chen Yang nodded calmly and said sadly to Shen Zechuan: “Master Zhenfu, you are in a humble position…”

“It’s just a fan. Second Young Master will pay for it for you.” Xiao Chiye said leisurely, “The ivory fan is dead, I’ll give you one as a gift.”

“I also got the vulgarity from Xi Hongxuan,” Shen Zechuan said, “I’ll go see him later. Without the fan, how can I pretend to be vulgar?”

“I’ll give you a more vulgar one,” Xiao Chiye said, “Inlaid with gold or jade, the second young master has plenty of money.”

“The Fengshan School is going to be renovated in the spring,” Shen Zechuan spread his palms, “Master Xiao, is your belt tightened? You will soon be so poor that you will have to go on a vegetarian diet. Where can you find silver with gold and jade?”

Chenyang put down the tray and backed out.

Xiao Chiye said: “Why, are you going to check my private money now?”

Shen Zechuan said: “Hey, there is also private money.”

Xiao Chiye said: “There are many books.”

Shen Zechuan smiled and said, “That’s really…”

Chen Yang, who had just exited, came back and said from outside the curtain: “Master! There is a decree from the palace.”

He The two of them looked serious, Xiao Chiye immediately stood up and took Shen Zechuan up with one hand.