The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0759 Jiang Hongfu Arrives (1)

During the warm days of spring in the third month, when nature began to flourish, it was the perfect time for trees to take root.

Xu Wu walked into the study and reported to Yuxi, ”Wangfei, twenty thousand mulberry saplings have arrived at Tongguan together with twenty mulberry farmers.” As mulberry trees had never been planted in the northwest before, it was unclear how many saplings would survive, so they did not dare plant too many. These twenty thousand were intended for a trial planting. If the trial were successful, they would expand the planting area.

Yuxi put down the memorial she was holding and instructed, ”Send someone to invite An Daren over.” She intended to hand this matter over to An Zike.

Xu Wu nodded, then told Yuxi about another matter. ”Jiang Hongfu has already arrived in Luoyang. At most, he will arrive in Haocheng within ten days.” Although it was said that the northwest had submitted to the imperial court, this was only superficial. In truth, the northwest was completely independent and not under the control of the Imperial Court. Under such circumstances, the fact that they had sent Jiang Hongfu here was a clear indication of their intentions.

When Yuxi heard this, she raised her head and glanced at Xu Wu. ”Jiang Hongfu grew up with Wangye, and theyʼre very close. So tread carefully when dealing with him. We cannot treat him too harshly or too leniently.”

Xu Wu actually disliked Jiang Hongfu very much. It had nothing to do with Jiang Hongfuʼs character; he simply had an instinctive dislike for people sent by the Imperial Court. In Xu Wuʼs eyes, Jiang Hongfu was the Imperial Courtʼs hawk and hound, not Yun Qingʼs biaodi. ”Wangfei, I hear that Jiang Hongfu is very capable. If he is placed in Haocheng, sooner or later he will cause trouble.” Xu Wu meant that they should demote Jiang Hongfu to a remote location, where even if he were talented, he would not be able to stir up any waves.

Yuxi smiled. ”I know what Iʼm doing regarding this matter. Youʼre getting married soon. For the next few days, leave the affairs of the residence to Daniu, and just focus on your wedding preparations.” Yun Qing had always been worried about Xu Wuʼs marriage. Now that Xu Wu was getting married, one of Yun Qingʼs concerns had been resolved.

Xu Wu smiled and responded, ”There are still more than ten days. Thereʼs no rush.” The prospect of soon having a family and a successful career filled Xu Wu with great joy.

After arriving in Luoyang, Jiang Hongfu stayed there for one night. Just as he had lain down to rest, he heard someone request an audience. It was Mr Gao, who wanted to see him.

Jiang Wenrui had poured all his heartʼs blood into this legitimate eldest son. Whenever Jiang Hongfu and Yu Shi had conflicts, Jiang Wenrui always stood by his son, so the father and son had an excellent relationship. Upon hearing that Gao Xian, a trusted attendant from his fatherʼs side, had arrived, Jiang Hongfu went out to welcome him personally. ”Uncle Gao, why are you in Luoyang?”

Mr Gao smiled bitterly as he answered, ”It is hard to explain in a few words.” The northwest was loose on the outside but tight on the inside. It was very easy for Mr Gao to go to the northwest. While entering was easy, doing anything inside was very dangerous. This was also why Mr Gao was waiting here for Jiang Hongfu.

When Jiang Hongfu heard Mr Gao say that Jiang Hongjin had been disfigured, his expression became extremely ugly. ”They werenʼt satisfied with making him infertile with a drug, and they still wanted to disfigure him. Just what kind of person did Er Di offend?”

Although Jiang Hongjin considered himself Jiang Hongfuʼs equal in every way, Jiang Hongfu always had the upper hand simply because he was the legitimate eldest son. Furthermore, Yu Shiʼs incessant talk about it only worsened the brothersʼ relationship.

Shaking his head, Mr Gao replied, ”Second Master didnʼt offend anyone. Iʼm afraid the culprit is someone who has a grudge against the Jiang family.”

Without even thinking, Jiang Hongfu shook his head and retorted, ”Impossible. If they had a grudge against the Jiang family, they would come for Dad or me. Why would they be coming for Er Di?”

Mr Gao had also considered this possibility and offered an analysis: ”It should be that Second Master was easier for them to make a move on.” As Minister of Revenue, Jiang Wenrui was not easy to deal with. And ever since he had nearly been killed by Yu Shi that year, Jiang Hongfu had been very cautious, so trying to harm him would not be easy either.

Jiang Hongfu fell silent for a moment, then asked, ”Have you found any clues?”

Mr Gao nodded. ”There are already clues. The person who came forward to pay the bandits to attack the Second Master was a bandit called Yan Xiaoxi. According to the information we found, this person shouldnow be in the northwest.”

Jiang Hongfu was such a clever person that he immediately understood the meaning behind Mr Gaoʼs words. ”A bandit—what kind of grudge could he possibly have with Er Di? Apart from this, is there not even the slightest clue?”

Mr Gao shook his head and said, ”No.”

Jiang Hongfu said, ”Then tomorrow, come with me to the northwest! But without my permission, you must not act rashly.” Although Yun Qing was his biaoxiong, the two had not seen each other for fifteen years. This time, he was going to the northwest in this capacity, so he had to act carefully.

Mr Gao nodded. ”Eldest Master, rest assured. I will be careful.” After saying this, he asked again, ”Eldest Master, where are Eldest Madam and Young Master?” Jiang Hongfu now had two sons and one daughter. Min Shi had given birth to a son and a daughter, and another son was born to her personal maid.

Jiang Hongfu replied, ”Eldest Madam took the children to our old home. After some time has passed, I will send people to bring them here.” He was not very reassured by the current situation in the northwest, which was why he had left his wife and children in Jiangnan.

Mr Gao nodded. ”That is good too.”

When Yun Qing returned that evening, Yuxi told him, ”Jiang Hongfu has already arrived in Luoyang. According to the itinerary, he should arrive in about ten days.” The reason Jiang Hongfu had arrived in the northwest so late was that he had only come after handing over his current responsibilities to his successor.

Yun Qing smiled and commented, ”Speaking of which, it has already been fifteen years since we last met. I wonder if Hongfu has changed much.”

Yuxi replied, ”By the age of ten, a childʼs development is basically fixed. No matter how much his appearance changes, he wonʼt change too much.”

Yun Qing sighed somewhat emotionally and reflected, ”Time passes so quickly. In the blink of an eye, fifteen years have passed.” When he fled from the capital fifteen years ago, he never imagined that he would have such good days now.

Time had indeed passed very quickly. Even Yuxi was now already the mother of two children. She informed him, ”I just received news that the Eldest Master Yu has died of illness. Yu Chunhao has to escort the coffin back to Jiangnan. He Rui, I have a feeling.” A feeling that wind and rain were about to come.

Yun Qing smiled and replied, ”No matter what happens in the capital, it doesnʼt concern us for the time being. By the way, the Yi tribes in Yunnan have rebelled. The situation is very serious this time; the Yi tribes have already occupied four prefectures and eighteen counties in Yunnan. Yunnanʼs commander-in-chief also died from poisoning. Some say he was killed by gu poison📹 used by the Miao people📹.”

Yuxi said, ”I think the imperial court may send Lu Boda to suppress the rebellion this time!” Although she disliked Lu Boda, Yuxi had to admit that he was a formidable general. Had Lu Boda not been injured and unable to go into battle back then, Yun Qing probably would not have captured Haocheng so smoothly that day.

Yun Qing nodded. ”If Lu Boda is sent, Yunnanʼs rebellion should be pacified very quickly.” The Shu region often experienced rebellions, but Lu Boda had suppressed them all.

Yuxi shook her head. ”It wonʼt be that easy. No matter how capable Lu Boda is at fighting, he may not necessarily win if he has lost the support of the people. Not only Yunnan, but Shu as well. Only by following the example of the northwest — reducing and exempting taxes and providing the common people with a way of life — will there be no rebellion.”

Yun Qing remarked, ”That is easier said than done.”

Yuxi replied, ”If one says it is easy, then it is easy; if one says it is difficult, then it is difficult. It depends on what you intend to do, Husband.” If Yun Qing took the Shu region, then the lives of its common people would naturally become easier.

Yun Qing hesitated, his face stiffening; then he abruptly changed the topic. ”Tianlei sent me a letter saying that he has recovered.” Now that Fu Tianlei had recovered, he could take up a post. This was his way of indirectly saying that he wanted to come to Haocheng.

Yuxi knew that Yun Qing did not want to discuss expanding their territory with her, so she did not force the issue. Instead, she simply followed his lead and asked, ”If you let him come to Haocheng, what position do you plan to give him?” Given Fu Tianleiʼs friendship with Yun Qing, a low position would not look good. However, because Fu Tianlei had made no military contribution, it would also be inappropriate to give him a high position. People like Yuan Ying and Feng Dajun had obtained their positions by risking their lives. If Fu Tianlei were treated the same way they were, Yuxi would find it very unfair.

Yun Qing stated, ”I know what Iʼm doing about this matter.”

When it came to military affairs, Yuxi would also express her opinion if Yun Qing discussed them with her. However, if he did not listen, she would not force him. ”Fu Tianlei himself is not bad. I am just worried that with his father around, something will get ruined sooner or later...” At that time, Fu Jian had wanted Fu Tianlei to support the imperial court. Had Fu Tianlei listened to him, many people would have died. Yuxi still had a fairly good impression of Fu Tianlei, but she thought very badly of Fu Jian. If he were not Fu Tianleiʼs biological father, he would have been k!lled long ago.

Yun Qing knew what matter Yuxi was referring to. ”This time, when Fu Tianlei comes to Haocheng, he wonʼt be bringing his family dependents with him.”

Yuxi didnʼt even know what to say to Yun Qing. ”Once he settles down in Haocheng, he will definitely bring his family over. Herui, even between real brothers, some things must be made clear. We wonʼt make a fuss about what happened last time, but if thereʼs a next time, I absolutely wonʼt show mercy again.” If Fu Jian dared to have such thoughts again, she would definitely get rid of him.

Nobody likes being stabbed in the back, and Yun Qing was disgusted with Fu Jian too. However, Fu Jian was Fu Tianleiʼs biological father. If he killed Fu Jian, the two brothers would become enemies. Yun Qing nodded. ”If thereʼs another time, I wonʼt tolerate him either.”

Speaking of Fu Tianlei naturally brought Chen Shi to mind. Yuxi asked, ”I heard Xu Wu say that Chen Shiʼs health has improved quite a lot. Did she take the medicine we gave her?” If she hadnʼt taken the medicine they gave, Chen Shi could not have recovered so quickly.

Yun Qing shook his head. ”Iʼm not clear about that. The medicine has already been given to Fu Tianlei, so it is his. How he wants to deal with it has nothing to do with us.”

Yuxi said, ”There isnʼt much of that flesh lingzhi left either. Only a little over three jin remains. Herui, whoever comes to ask for medicine in the future, I will not give any to them. I take it five or six times a month now and still have to leave some for Liu-er. This small quantity might not even be enough for our family.” Yuxi had previously given some to Qiu Shi, so apart from her own family using the rest, she was not planning to give any more away.

Everything that should have been given had already been given; it was impossible to give it a second time. Yun Qing remarked, ”I have already told them that this thing is gone. By the way, when do you plan to let Liu-er take it? This medicine is a greatly nourishing substance. You absolutely cannot give it to her now; otherwise, her body will not be able to withstand it.”

Yuxi shot back irritably, ”Do I still need you to tell me that? Am I someone who doesnʼt know proper limits? Before the child turns three, I definitely will not give it to her.” And even if she did give it to Liu-er when the time came, she could not have drunk it, steeped in water as Yuxi did. It would certainly have to be simmered with other ingredients to make into a soup she could drink.

Yun Qing had told Yuxi this specifically because he remembered what had happened to Lil Boy Qi. Seeing Yuxi say this, he smiled and said nothing more.