Chapter 64

Xu Fengnian did not give Lady Xu the chance to write the "Roast Goose" letter that night, because Ning Emei of the Great Halberd led a hundred light cavalry of the Fengzi Camp to rush to the city of Yingchuan at dusk.

It seemed that there was a conflict with the deputy commander of the Eastern Garrison, Tang Yanshan, and his troops. The cause was that upon seeing the light cavalry approaching the city, Tang Yanshan ordered the gatekeepers to close the city gates early. According to rumors, Ning Emei did not speak but instead drew out a dozen short halberds from the large sack on his back and thrust them one by one into the city gate, making a loud noise. Before Ning Emei finished thrusting the last halberd, the deputy commander of the Eastern Garrison finally showed weakness and opened the city gates. The hundred light cavalry galloped in, and with a single thrust of his iron halberd, Ning Emei knocked Tang Yanshan off his horse. He then pressed the halberd against Tang Yanshan's chest, rendering him immobile, causing him great humiliation.

After reuniting with the young prince, they left the city of Yingchuan together. The chief civil official of the city, Zheng Hanhai, claimed to be ill and did not come out. Tang Yanshan and his group of Gu Jian Tang's old subordinates were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to show their faces. Only the residence of Jin Lanting, the third son, was in chaos, and he had a bitter expression as he saw the young prince off at the city gate. Looking at the young prince's elegant figure, riding a white horse and wielding two swords, he inadvertently glanced at the lady who insisted on seeing him off. Seeing her eyes filled with hesitation and reluctance, the henpecked Jin Lanting felt a deep sense of frustration, wishing he could slap her. Unfortunately, this lady was a direct descendant of the Xu family, the most prominent clan in Yongzhou, and he dared not lay a hand on her. Even his tone of voice did not dare to be too harsh. She had not given the old Jin family any offspring, yet Jin Lanting had to endure it. Even in the bedroom, the intimate moments were always done her way, and he had never experienced the pleasure of the "old man pushing the cart" position, always having to endure the most strenuous "old tree entwining the roots." With his weak and powerless body, what should have been a joyful moment in the bedroom became a tedious task, and he felt like dying. This bitterness, to whom could he confide?

At the Jin family's old residence, the situation was similarly stormy and tragic. The old patriarch and Zheng Hanhai, who should have been resting on his sickbed, were sitting in a quiet pavilion, with several young and beautiful maids serving them, rubbing their shoulders and massaging their legs. The two elders sat in silence. The two families were the closest old friends in Yingchuan. If not for this, Zheng Hanhai would not have gone to great lengths to welcome the young prince into the third son's private residence. Unfortunately, it seemed that they had not gained any favor from the Beiliang王府, and instead, the third son had fainted twice, the peach tree was cut down, the white geese were cooked, and the limited supply of Lanting paper was taken away. Even the two ladies had been teased, but Zheng Hanhai, being reasonable, did not blame the third son for his resentment.

Zheng Hanhai smiled bitterly and said, "I thought the Grand Marshal was a man of supreme intelligence, and the young prince, though not the best, was still a young man who understood human relations. Alas, this time I overdid it."

The old patriarch, who had spent hundreds of gold coins to smooth things over with the officials of Yongzhou, pushed away a maid's delicate hand, rubbed his temples, and sighed, "If it were just a matter of spending some gold and silver, it would be a small matter. But by making a grand show of our closeness to the young prince, we have incurred the displeasure of the martial men of Yingchuan, which is a small matter. However, the state governors and military commanders who are at odds with the Grand Marshal are watching us with cold eyes. In the end, it was my stubborn decision, and I have involved you, Hanhai. Your position as the head of the minor department was already uncertain."

Zheng Hanhai, who had been in office for several decades, knew that the Jin family had always been generous with money and effort. After several near misses, he had long been forced to be open-minded about his position, accepting it as fate. He had already made a mistake with the old patriarch and could not afford to make another one. He did not want to become estranged from the wealthy Jin family in his old age, so he quickly shook his head and smiled, "Old Master Jin, you are being too harsh. I can guarantee that before I retire, I will secure a bright future for my nephew, the third son. The second son of the old governor of Jiuquan, Fan Ping, has been eyeing my position as the deputy head of the minor department. I will give it to him. Fan Ping is the mentor of the new governor of Heyang, Zhu Jun. The third son is not lacking in talent, and with someone to recognize him, he will surely rise rapidly."

The old patriarch was pleased and said, "Hanhai, you have a good heart."

The next day, Zheng Hanhai, who had been caught in the rain thirty miles outside the city the previous day, burst into the study where the old patriarch was copying the "Wu Taiji Zuo Xian Gong Qingyang Stele," which had recently become popular among the literati. He shouted in excitement, "Old Master Jin, great news, great news!"

The old patriarch, who rarely saw Zheng Hanhai lose his composure, was intrigued and put down his brush to ask, "What is the good news?"

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Zheng Hanhai teased, "Old Master, do you know the man the young prince calls 'Luzhou'er,' Chu Lushan?"

The old patriarch's heart tightened. In the three states of Liang, Yong, and Quan, who did not know Chu Lushan? In terms of infamy, this fat man, who enjoyed drinking fresh milk from women and was known for flaying and killing people in the army, was only slightly less notorious than the Grand Marshal Xu. During the chaotic wars of the Spring and Autumn period, although this fat man was not the most prolific killer in Beiliang, almost all the most secret and despicable deeds were entrusted to this adopted son by Xu. The fall of Dongyue and Xishu, and the number of palace concubines he had tortured to death, were countless. The old patriarch, who had seen many ups and downs, was already breaking out in a cold sweat. No wonder Zheng Hanhai had lost his composure. Anything involving Luzhou'er could not be good news. Was Zheng Hanhai out of his mind?

Seeing the old patriarch's reaction, Zheng Hanhai was suddenly startled and dared not beat around the bush. He laughed and said, "Old Master, this is truly a great piece of news. Luzhou'er, along with the new governor, Zhu Jun, has come to the third son's residence. Do you know? The third son has been promoted two ranks and will go to the capital to serve as a Yellow Gate Attendant!"

The old patriarch was stunned. The third son's greatest hope was to serve in the capital. To become a Yellow Gate Attendant, which was a higher position than a Lesser Yellow Gate, was a great honor for the literati. The Lesser and Greater Yellow Gates were stepping stones to becoming a grand secretary. The current chief minister, Zhang Julu, who called himself a dog of the old tutor, had spent sixteen years in the prestigious position of Greater Yellow Gate! The literati of Shangyin Academy, when entering the capital, always aimed for the Lesser and Greater Yellow Gates. How fortunate was the third son to jump directly into the so-called "Little Dragon Pavilion"? The old patriarch asked in shock, "Is this true? Is it really true?"

Zheng Hanhai exhaled and slowly smiled, "The appointment has not been issued yet, but Luzhou'er said that the Grand Marshal has written a recommendation, in his own handwriting!"

The old patriarch slapped his thigh, "This is settled! The position of Greater Yellow Gate is ours!"

Who in the world would dare to defy the Grand Marshal, who rarely recommended officials?

The emperor himself?

The old patriarch did not want to think about it.

By the lake at Jin Lanting's residence, Jin Lanting was prostrate on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

In front of him stood two men of vastly different builds.

The squinting and smiling Chu Lushan.

And the nervous governor of Heyang, Zhu Jun.

Luzhou'er slowly left the residence, struggled to get into the carriage, and exclaimed, "I heard that your household has a beautiful concubine who recently gave birth to a fine son. I bet she has plenty of milk."

The dignified Governor Zhu Jun's face turned ashen, his Adam's apple moving as he bowed and gritted his teeth, "I humbly request that General Chu accompany me back to my residence."

To his surprise, Luzhou'er burst into laughter and climbed into the carriage, saying, "Forget it, I'm here on business for the young prince. I don't have time for such pleasures."

Zhu Jun watched the carriage kick up dust as the Beiliang iron cavalry rode out of the city, and his body trembled.