MLIAM Chapter 91

Chapter 91: A Guest in the Capital, I’ve Long Aspired to Your Name, Mr. Luo

Chapter 91: A Guest in the Capital, I’ve Long Aspired to Your Name, Mr. Luo

The sound of warhorses was like rustling.

It had been a month since Yu Shuli led his troops to the border.

Perhaps driven by personal and national hatred, coupled with complete command over his troops, this time, the Da Liang army led by Yu Shuli advanced with unstoppable force.

After capturing two cities in quick succession, the Da Liang army had already invaded Xizhao’s inland from the border.

The sun was already high in the sky, and summer was just around the corner.

The days in the borderlands were particularly hot. Yu Shuli ordered his men to set up camp and rest, then walked behind the tent and gulped down bowl after bowl of cold tea.

Old Four wiped the sweat from his brow and followed him in for a drink. Seeing Yu Shuli, he greeted him, “General.”

Yu Shuli grunted in response and downed another bowl of tea.

Old Four frowned. “General, the Second Prince sent a letter, it’s with Ding Sheng. Aren’t you going to take a look?”

Yu Shuli shook his head. “It won’t have any news of Wei Yan anyway. If there’s anything important, Ding Sheng will report it to me himself.”

Old Four was taken aback, trying to comfort him. “No news is good news, right? With Prime Minister Wei’s intelligence and talent, he’ll definitely be fine. If something had happened, Xizhao would have flaunted it openly long ago. The fact that they’re keeping it quiet and there’s no reaction must mean that Prime Minister Wei escaped, leaving them speechless. They can only use this kind of war declaration to force you to meet them. If you act impulsively, you’ll fall right into that Wanyan Jun’s trap!”

“How could I not know that?” A trace of confusion and absentmindedness flickered in Yu Shuli’s eyes. “I was just thinking, so this is what Wei Yan felt before…”

Worrying and being concerned about someone was such a heart-burning feeling.

The words Wei Yan said about family members echoed in Yu Shuli’s mind again. Only the person he cared about had changed to himself.

“General! General! Good news!” Mu Shaoyang burst in.

“What are you doing, acting so rashly?”

The moment Yu Shuli looked up, Mu Shaoyang’s expression turned momentarily dazed.

“General, your expression just now… it looked… it looked…” He scratched his head, unable to explain himself.

“Looked like what?” Yu Shuli raised an eyebrow.

“Looked like Prime Minister Wei!” Mu Shaoyang’s eyes lit up, and he clenched his fists excitedly. “Especially that eyebrow raise! It’s so much like Prime Minister Wei!”

Yu Shuli chuckled softly, seemingly in a better mood. “Could this be what they call a ‘married couple’s resemblance’?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Mu Shaoyang chimed in. “That’s right! The good news! The Second Prince said that Prime Minister Wei isn’t in that Wanyan Jun’s hands!”

“What did you say?” Yu Shuli stood up nervously from the table. “Is the information accurate?!”

“Accurate! Prime Minister Wei even found the Tatar King and mobilized troops to rescue a group of palace concubines! Vice General Zhong is also fine and is on his way back. Maybe he can cooperate with us from the inside.”

“Then what about Wei Yan?” Yu Shuli quickly asked with a smile. “Is he going to join us too?”

Mu Shaoyang hesitated and looked away slightly. “Prime Minister Wei… Prime Minister Wei, for some reason, hasn’t contacted us yet.”

“What do you mean ‘hasn’t contacted us’?”

“The news about Prime Minister Wei came from letters from the Tatar side and Zhong Nian, but Prime Minister Wei left first and wasn’t with the main force, so they haven’t heard from him since.”

Yu Shuli’s voice became heavy. “What’s the difference between this and having no news at all?”

Mu Shaoyang stammered, “Well… at least it shows that Prime Minister Wei wasn’t kidnapped by Xizhao, right?”

“Didn’t Zhong Nian follow him? Didn’t he say he would protect Wei Yan with his life?”

“Prime Minister Wei… you know what he’s like. No one can stop him once he’s made up his mind. After hearing that you were leading troops to attack Xizhao, he was worried about you and sent Zhong Nian back to help you.” Mu Shaoyang sighed. “As for his whereabouts, no one knows. But Cang Xu is with him, and Prime Minister Wei knows what he’s doing, so he’ll definitely be fine.”

Yu Shuli pursed his lips and grunted. “Attacking the Xizhao Capitol and rescuing His Majesty is the priority.”

Old Four quickly said, “I’ll tell everyone to get ready for battle. We’ll cross the border and enter the city today.”

Yu Shuli stopped him, shaking his head. “The soldiers are tired. We’ll rest today.”

“Then… Prime Minister Wei…” Old Four glanced at Yu Shuli, hesitant to speak.

“No need to waste troops looking for him.” Yu Shuli straightened his collar and was the first to step out of the tent. “You all go and rest. I’m going to the back mountains to practice.”

“General! Why don’t I go with you?” Mu Shaoyang took a step forward.

Yu Shuli frowned and looked over.

Old Four quickly grabbed him, giving Yu Shuli an apologetic smile. “Don’t mind him, General. I’ll take him to check the supplies.”

“Okay.”

Yu Shuli went to the back mountains alone.

Gradually reaching the inner regions of Xizhao, the surrounding mountains and fields were no longer covered in yellow sand and barren, but gradually had babbling streams, leaving behind the melodious sound of music.

Yu Shuli stood on a large rock behind the stream, gazing into the distance, and murmured, “Wei Yan… where are you? Why did you leave alone?”

*

Quzhou.

As evening approached, the afterglow of the setting sun fell on an ancient house with green bricks, dark tiles, and upturned eaves.

A low-key carriage stopped in front of the door. A man wearing a bamboo hat pulled the reins and called into the carriage, “Sir, we’re here.”

A handsome man with a slightly pale complexion stepped out of the carriage.

He looked up slightly, focusing his gaze on the plaque above the gate, and then walked to the front of the door. “Excuse me, please inform your master that someone from the Capital has come to visit.”

In the sunset, the exquisite patterns carved on the ancient house gate were lined with fiery red.

The servant at the door frowned. “Do you have a name card? Without one, my master won’t see you.”

The man stood upright, unmoving like a mountain. “I don’t, but please inform him.”

The person in front of him was tall and slender, looking aloof and noble, with sharp eyebrows that made him seem as stern as a winter plum. Even after being rejected, he remained expressionless, making him seem unapproachable.

The servant carefully sized him up a few times, secretly wondering who this sacred being was.

He pouted, but ultimately didn’t dare to offend this mysterious guest, and could only say, “Please wait a moment, I’ll go in and inform him first.”

The man lowered his eyes and nodded.

Only then did the servant run off in a puff of smoke.

Before long, the man was invited in by a gentle man in a green shirt.

“I’ve long aspired to your name, Prime Minister Wei. I didn’t know you were visiting, and my servant was somewhat offensive. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Wei Yan curled his lips slightly and returned a salute. “It is I, Xianqing, who has long aspired to your name, Mr. Luo.”

Luo Wenze, Chen Li’s brother-in-law, was also the richest man in Quzhou.

Although he was a businessman, the things he did were not necessarily just business.

The man who looked as gentle as jade was actually unfathomably deep.

Wei Yan followed the man all the way into the courtyard. Cang Xu was arranged by him outside the courtyard. Luo Wenze smiled and signaled to the servant to take the man to rest first.

“My humble abode is crude, I hope Prime Minister Wei doesn’t laugh.” Luo Wenze reached out and led Wei Yan in.

The two walked along a wide path paved with bluestone slabs. Along the way, ancient trees had lush branches and leaves, and densely packed medicinal herbs and flowering trees competed for beauty, giving people a sense of peace and tranquility.

Further inside, there was a rockery that complemented the scenery, and streams of water flowed windingly between the mountain paths, with the sound of gurgling water.

As the sun set in the west, golden light floated on the surface of the water, peaceful and comfortable.

“Mr. Luo is too modest,” Wei Yan smiled. “Your residence has terraces and pavilions, clear mountains and waters, far surpassing the jade towers in the Capital.”

“Prime Minister Wei has come from afar, it shouldn’t be to praise my pond and mountains, right?” Luo Wenze pushed open the door of the study. “Please come in.”

Wei Yan glanced lightly at the classically charming flying eaves, and then at the delicate carved window lattices, and stepped in.

Luo Wenze ordered his servants to prepare tea.

Wei Yan raised his hand to stop them. “Mr. Luo, your mansion is very elegant, but your intention, Xianqing, is not here.”

Luo Wenze’s smile faded, and he dismissed the servants.

“I have always followed my beloved wife’s ideas for the management of the mansion, and she has always liked to fiddle with these things.” He put his hands together. “My wife and I have always been peaceful and don’t want to make enemies with others. Prime Minister Wei doesn’t have to be concerned, just speak frankly.”

Wei Yan looked at the ink paintings hanging on the walls, with various precious flowers and plants vividly portrayed on the paper, lively and interesting. “Your wife is a very idealistic and ambitious person.”

Luo Wenze was stunned for a moment, then smiled. “She used to be a doctor and had a heart to heal the sick and save people, so she likes to study herbs. My yard is about to be turned into a medicinal herb backyard by her.”

“Since your wife is like this, Mr. Luo must also be a person who cares about the common people. Mr. Luo should be aware of the recent situation in Da Liang?” Wei Yan tapped his fingers on the table and smiled slightly. “I am here today because I want Mr. Luo to make a stance.”

The corner of Luo Wenze’s mouth curled up. “Luo is dull and doesn’t know what Prime Minister Wei is talking about.”

“Within the territory of Da Liang, a business path for Five Stone Powder has suddenly appeared. As a leader in the business world, Mr. Luo, I think, should not be unaware?”

Luo Wenze’s expression was somewhat subtle. “So what? Luo has never engaged in sneaky business, and has no intention of harming the country or the people. This business path has nothing to do with Luo.”

“I’m not blaming Mr. Luo.”

“Oh?” Luo Wenze raised an eyebrow. “Then what does Prime Minister Wei mean?”

“Xianqing is here today to ask Mr. Luo to unite the business community and issue a statement to jointly resist the misuse of Five Stone Powder and contribute to a clear and healthy drug market for Da Liang.”

Luo Wenze was stunned for a moment, then smiled. “May I ask Prime Minister Wei, why would Luo do such a thing that harms others’ wealth and is detrimental to himself?”

“Just because… your wife is a person with conscience, and Mr. Luo was able to save her in the chaos of the army, so you must not be an evil person.”

Luo Wenze shook his head. “Saying that I have a conscience is too much of a compliment to Luo. If Luo remembers correctly, my wife was chased and killed by soldiers back then, and those soldiers came from the hands of Prime Minister Wei.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan stood up and bowed. “This is the purpose of Xianqing’s visit.”

“I hope to apologize to your wife in person. Back then, everything was out of my control.”

Luo Wenze held Wei Yan’s arm. “Prime Minister Wei doesn’t need to apologize.”

Wei Yan was stunned, raising his eyes in confusion.

Luo Wenze looked into the distance, reminiscing about the past. “If it hadn’t been for Prime Minister Wei’s men showing mercy, A’wu wouldn’t have even been able to escape to my side, and would have been taken away by the Crown Prince’s men.”

He turned to ask Wei Yan, “Has the Crown Prince been captured now?”

Wei Yan nodded. “He was captured for rebelling and is already in prison.”

Luo Wenze smiled sarcastically. “I finally waited for this day.” He walked to the inner room and opened an iron box. “I have sorted out the Crown Prince’s evidence in my spare time, and I hope it can help you.”

Wei Yan took it with both hands. “Thank you, Mr. Luo.”

“You’re welcome.” Luo Wenze let out a long breath. “Over the years, A’wu and A’li have harbored a lot of resentment about what happened back then. That child A’li has a impulsive nature and went to the Capital behind our backs to assassinate the Crown Prince, causing no small amount of trouble. Fortunately, His Majesty intervened, and Prime Minister Wei, a nobleman, saved his life and led him on the right path. We should have repaid this favor.”

He looked at Wei Yan. “Actually, even if Prime Minister Wei hadn’t come, I would have mobilized the business community to jointly resist the private circulation of Five Stone Powder. The documents have already been written, and a business conference will be held soon to announce it. The business conference has a wide impact and will not only involve the territory of Da Liang, so please rest assured, Prime Minister Wei. No businessman with a conscience would allow such harmful things to circulate.”

A smile appeared on Wei Yan’s tense face. “That’s good.”

Luo Wenze turned around and gave Wei Yan a big salute. “For the sake of Da Liang, Prime Minister Wei has worked hard these years.”

Wei Yan curled his lips and helped him up. “Let’s not thank each other back and forth.”

Luo Wenze nodded. “A small banquet has been prepared in the mansion. If Prime Minister Wei doesn’t mind, you can stay in the mansion for a few days to enjoy the scenery and look at the flowering trees.”

Wei Yan shook his head. “No, I have something to do.”

Luo Wenze smiled knowingly. “The Duke of Zhenguo is still charging on the battlefield, so I imagine Prime Minister Wei has no leisure to enjoy the scenery.”

Wei Yan grunted. “I have to go see him. When I have time in the future, I’ll bring him to your mansion as a guest. At that time, I hope Mr. Luo won’t mind my wife and I being noisy when we’re enjoying the scenery.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry, the Luo mansion will definitely welcome you with open arms.”