RMACAUH Chapter 50
by VolareChapter 50 That Guangling Prince is simply a devil incarnate…
The two hundred or so camp soldiers who came to reinforce hadn’t received any news. Continuing to wait like this wasn’t a solution. The leader, a chiliarch named Xu Changtian, was considered to have some courage and resolve.
With no movement, there was a fear of an accident. Xu Changtian decided to take two hundred camp soldiers to investigate.
When they arrived at the alley, it was empty and deserted.
This eerie scene sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
“Chiliarch Xu, where… where are the people?!”
Xu Changtian’s breathing became heavier without him realizing it. He smelled a strong, pungent odor of blood. “A portion of the men will come with me to investigate, and another portion will guard the entrance of the alley. No one is allowed to approach!”
“Yes, sir!”
The alley was in the shape of a cross. Going straight and then turning left would lead to the Cloth Administration Department.
If someone was hiding, it would only be in the alleys on the left and right sides. Xu Changtian took about thirty men and divided them into two groups. The bloodstains on the corner of the left alley made him stare for a long time.
“I’ll go to the left alley. You go to the right alley to investigate.”
The high walls on both sides of the alley blocked the already dim moonlight, making it even darker. The eyes quickly adapted to the darkness and could vaguely make out the outlines of both sides of the alley.
After taking two steps, there was a loud bang, and something was thrown from the top of the wall, landing about five meters in front of them.
Not to mention the camp soldiers who came along, even Xu Changtian was startled.
“Chil… Chiliarch, that… that thing that was thrown out seems to be a person?”
“Don’t panic. Go and take a look.”
Xu Changtian leaned against the wall and moved forward quietly. Peering at the body in the faint moonlight, even though he had experienced countless battles, he was so frightened that he cried out and fell to the ground with weak legs.
Even without the head, he could recognize the person as their Commander Shen at a glance from the embroidered tiger cloud brocade robe and the token at his waist.
“Chiliarch Xu…”
A panicked cry came from behind. Xu Changtian, covered in cold sweat, stiffly turned his neck to look back, only to see people in black night clothes standing all over the alley entrance and on the high walls at some point.
Suddenly, they orderly separated, forming a path. A man with a slender figure and extremely noble bearing walked towards him step by step.
He was holding something in his hand. As he got closer, Xu Changtian could see clearly that it was their Commander Shen’s head.
“Do you recognize this person?” As he spoke, Feng Yue threw the head in his hand in front of Xu Changtian.
Xu Changtian didn’t dare to look at the severed head and trembled all over.
The victor is king, the loser is villain. Xu Changtian knew that the situation was dire. Without a leader, the group was bound to fall apart and would never recover.
Since ancient times, those who recognize the reality of the situation are the heroes. He thought it through clearly, what difference did it make whose errands he ran?
After thinking it over, he immediately bowed to the man. “This subordinate, Xu Changtian, kowtows and pays respects to the Guangling Prince!”
Feng Yue smiled with satisfaction. “Very good. A good bird chooses the tree to perch on. Adult Xu is promising. You may dispense with formalities!”
“Thank… Thank you, Your Highness.” Xu Changtian swallowed hard, not even daring to breathe loudly.
“How many troops did you bring outside?”
“Reporting to Your Highness, not many, only about two hundred.”
“Well, now that your supervisor is dead, it will take at least half a month for the news to reach the capital, and it will take at least three months for a new supervisor to take office. As the Chiliarch, you are most familiar with the daily duties of the Commandery. During this time, you will temporarily serve as the commander.”
“This subordinate is terrified.”
“Shen Yitang colluded with sea bandits and exploited the people. Tonight, he had an uneven division of spoils with the sea bandits and was assassinated by them. Drag his body back. Deal with his affairs as they should be handled. Do you understand?”
“This subordinate understands.”
“It’s best if you understand. Go and do it!”
After all, the deceased was a court official. This excuse could be used to give an explanation. After the officials performed an autopsy and reported his collusion with sea bandits to the court, if the Emperor had the intention to suppress the bandits, he would definitely send officials. He could take the opportunity to completely sweep away the turbid air in Guangling.
After Xu Changtian and others transported Shen Yitang’s body away, Feng Yue and others rode back to the Cloth Administration Department.
The guards saw them return, especially Feng Yue, whose face and clothes were splattered with blood, like a Shura from hell, powerful without even being angry.
“Quick, quickly notify the adults!”
“Listen to my orders, if anyone comes forward to stop us, kill them!”
Feng Yue jumped off his horse and led a hundred guards with knives into the Cloth Administration Department. No one dared to stop them.
Soon, several entrances and exits of the Cloth Administration Department were blocked by the guards of the Prince’s Residence. Not even a fly could enter.
Ling Yifu, because he had eliminated a major problem, was in a good mood tonight and drank a little more. He let his wife help him back to the house to wash up, and was just about to lie down on the warm bed in a daze when the fine mahogany door was kicked to the ground, sending a gust of cold wind inside.
Ling Yifu frowned upon hearing the noise. “Who is making such a big noise outside? Are they tired of living?!”
Ren Liyun patted her chest in shock and craned her neck to look outside the screen. “Husband, I’ll go take a look.”
Once she went out, Ren Liyun never came back.
Ling Yifu lay in bed for a while, only to feel something was wrong. He shivered and woke up a lot. He got up, put on his coat, put on his shoes, and went out to take a look.
He saw Feng Yue sitting upright at the Eight Immortals table, pouring a cup of tea to quench his thirst. His throat was parched from drinking too much wine.
Ling Yifu stared at the spot, as if he had seen a ghost, and didn’t know how to react.
“Adult Ling, did you sleep well?” Feng Yue smiled at him, causing Ling Yifu’s hair to stand on end.
There was still blood on his face and body that had not been wiped clean. Seeing him talking to him unharmed, it must be someone else’s blood.
Ling Yifu swallowed hard. “Your Highness, did you leave something behind? I’ll ask my wife to find it for you?”
“Your wife probably won’t be back for a while.”
The flickering candlelight illuminated the elongated figure outside the window, swaying uncertainly in the cold night like a man-eating monster.
“You…”
Feng Yue picked up the knife standing next to the stool. There were dried blood stains on the snow-white blade. Ling Yifu staggered back two steps and fell to the ground with a thud.
“What do you want to do? Do you dare? I am a court official!”
“Hahahaha…” Feng Yue laughed arrogantly. “Commander Shen said the same thing before he died.”
“What did you say?!”
“Good words are not repeated. Adult Ling, it’s your turn now.”
Ling Yifu was so frightened that beads of sweat fell like rain. Few people in this world are not afraid of death. When it comes to life and death, as long as they can live, they are willing to do anything.
“Your Highness!” Ling Yifu got up and bowed violently to Feng Yue, prostrating at his feet, not daring to move.
“Adult Ling, what are you doing?”
“It’s this humble official… this humble official was blinded by greed. Now that I think about it, I don’t know where I got the courage to offend Your Highness! Your Highness is a magnanimous man, please forgive this ignorant one!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, yes.”
“I heard that Adult Ling can do whatever he wants in Guangling, like a local emperor. No one dares to disobey you?”
“No, no, no, from now on, Your Highness’s word is law in Guangling!”
“Really?”
“Really! Really! Please spare this lowly life!” Even Shen Yitang was killed by him. This man was truly ruthless, meticulous, and bold. Since he dared to kill Shen Yitang, killing him would be even easier!
“Hand over the account books you hid.”
“Wha… what account books?”
Feng Yue chopped his table in half with a knife. “Do you want to become two pieces on the spot like this table? The account book you gave me and the account book you kept for yourself are two different sets. You still want to lie!”
Ling Yifu’s breathing stagnated, and fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead, wetting his temples.
“If you don’t confess honestly, I don’t want to waste any more time. I might as well bring people to search every corner carefully. Maybe I can find something else.”
“I’ll confess! I’ll definitely confess honestly. Your Highness, this way please.”
Feng Yue shook the knife in his hand, raised his chin at him, and motioned for him to lead the way.
Ling Yifu walked into the bedroom, twisted the vase on the curio cabinet, and a wall in the bedroom opened.
It was pitch black inside. Ling Yifu carried a lamp, illuminating the steps in the secret room, leading Feng Yue slowly into the secret room.
There was no need to mention the gold, silver, and jewels in the secret room, which were piled up in box after box. Ling Yifu walked to the corner, took a key from a secret compartment in the corner, and opened a lacquered red wooden box over there. The wooden box was full of account books.
“Your Highness, these are the account books for the past ten years. They’re all here. There are also maps of the estates and land deeds inside. Your Highness, please take a look.”
The account books he gave to Feng Yue before were fake accounts made on the surface to hand over to the court, secretly collecting more than twice the amount of taxes, including but not limited to salt, tea, silk, land, population, and commercial taxes.
And half of the extra profits went into his own pocket, and the other half was given to the Empress Dowager.
In these nearly twenty years, the amount of money looted was countless, but it was the local people who suffered.
Feng Yue asked people to come in and count all the finances here, and moved all these account books out in front of Ling Yifu.
Ling Yifu’s heart ached like a knife, but he didn’t dare to say a word when his life was at stake.
“Adult Ling is a smart man. In a few days, you should write a letter of recommendation to the capital, recommending Xu Changtian, the deputy commander of the Commandery, to temporarily serve as the commander. As for the rest, don’t interfere anymore. From now on, I have the final say in Guangling!”
“Yes, yes!” Although Ling Yifu hated him in his heart, he could only force a smile on his face.
“It’s not early. Your wife is probably awake now. While it’s still dark, you can sleep for two more hours. Then I won’t disturb Adult Ling’s rest. Goodbye!”
“Your Highness, walk slowly.” Next time, don’t come again!
“Oh, right.”
Before he could catch his breath, Ling Yifu almost immediately raised his head and showed a friendly smile, asking, “Your Highness, what other instructions do you have?”
“The doors here are very good. They’re made of top-grade Phoebe zhennan wood, which I like very much! It just so happens that the Prince’s Residence is being renovated, and we’re short of a few good doors.”
“Haha… It’s easy to handle, easy to handle!” Ling Yifu said with a flattering expression, “Tomorrow, I’ll ask someone to take these doors off and send them to the Prince’s Residence to install.”
“Adult Ling has a bright future.” After saying this, he swaggered away.
It wasn’t until he was sure that he was far away and wouldn’t come back that Ling Yifu collapsed powerlessly on the cold ground of the secret room, unable to recover for a long time.
“Husband! Husband!” Ren Liyun stumbled down the steps of the secret room, crying, and excitedly threw herself on Ling Yifu.
“That Guangling Prince is simply a devil incarnate!”
“What did he do again?”
“He took away the few silver light fish in your pond. They were priceless! He said he was going to take them back, kill them, and stew them into soup for his fu lang to drink!”
“What a sin! Damn him!” Ling Yifu couldn’t catch his breath, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
It was already the fourth watch when Feng Yue returned to the Prince’s Residence with hundreds of his subordinates. Housekeeper Zhao was so frightened when he saw him return covered in blood that he almost cried out.
Feng Yue scolded in a low voice, “Keep your voice down. Don’t disturb the Princess Consort’s rest. Was there any movement in the Prince’s Residence tonight?”
“Yes! But Eunuch Yuan is very powerful. He killed all those people outside and has already dealt with them.”
“Mm.” Feng Yue was now very grateful that he had taken extra precautions. “I want to take a bath.”
“Yes, sir. This old servant will immediately ask the maids to prepare hot water for the Prince to wash up.”
“The clothes should be scented with fragrance to cover up the bloody smell.”
“This old servant understands.”
Hot water and clean clothes scented with fragrance were quickly prepared. Feng Yue was not used to having people serve him and sent them all out.
He soaked in the bathtub for a long time because the bloody smell was not so easy to wash away.
He was used to smelling this kind of smell all year round and didn’t feel anything, but Xiaofeng, who rarely saw blood, would be able to smell it immediately.
What’s more, his nose was very sensitive.
He hadn’t felt this tired for a long time and almost fell asleep in the bathtub. If it wasn’t for Housekeeper Zhao calling him, he wouldn’t have known when to wake up.
At this time, the water was already slightly cold. In another hour, it would be dawn.
Feng Yue roused himself, wiped off the water droplets, put on his inner clothes, and quietly pushed the door into the bedroom.
Xiaofeng was sleeping obediently on the inside, leaving a large part of the bed for him. Feng Yue’s heart was filled with peace. He tried to move as lightly as possible and put his arm around him from behind.
His palm followed the collapsed line of his waist and stroked his slightly raised belly. It was completely invisible with clothes on, but it was still very obvious when touched like this.
His belly really had his child.
Suddenly, Xiaofeng’s hand gently covered the back of his hand. Feng Yue’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked in a low voice, “Did I wake you up?”
Xiaofeng turned around. In the dark night, his eyes were still bright and clear.
“You came back so late.”
Feng Yue chuckled and kissed his forehead, facing him and pressing against him. “Those people are too bad. They insisted on dragging me to drink, trying to get me drunk.”
“And then? You got drunk?”
“How is that possible?” Feng Yue said proudly, “The person who can get me drunk has not yet been born. I wanted to come back and be with you earlier, so I had to pretend to be drunk.”
“But I didn’t see you being able to come back earlier.” Wei Xiaofeng sniffed a few times at his neck without showing any expression. There was a faint bloody smell under the cover of the cold fragrance, but it shouldn’t be his blood. If he was injured, the bloody smell wouldn’t be so faint.
Then it must be someone else’s blood.
“Why aren’t you talking?” Feng Yue pinched his chin and raised his face.
“Was it very dangerous tonight?”
Feng Yue pursed his lips and looked at him for a long time, deciding not to hide it from him anymore. “I went to pick up an account book. The other party set up a trap. I used their plan against them, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, and finally succeeded in playing the pig to eat the tiger.”
Hearing him say it so lightly, Wei Xiaofeng also knew that it must have been dangerous, “What if they had something up their sleeve?”
“Then I also have preparations.”
Looking at his confident and calm appearance, Wei Xiaofeng really both loved and hated him, “A Yue, in the future, can you tell me about this kind of thing? If you don’t tell me, I’m very worried. If you tell me, I’ll have an idea in my mind.”
“When I came to Guangling with you, I was already mentally prepared. I know that we can’t live as carefree as we used to. There will be many moments of life and death in the future. I’m not afraid of those things. What I’m afraid of is being unclear and unable to see the situation in front of me, and unable to make the most accurate choice. You don’t need to protect me so well. I’m not made of porcelain.”
“Then what are you made of?”
“I’m solid!”
Feng Yue couldn’t help but laugh at him, “Okay, actually I didn’t want to hide it from you, it’s just that you have one in your stomach now, I have to protect you and our child, at least during this time, I don’t want you to worry about these things.”
Wei Xiaofeng yawned, “A Yue, I’m sleepy.”
“You haven’t slept all night, waiting for me until now?”
“Mm.”
“Silly!” Feng Yue felt a burst of heartache, “I won’t hide anything from you in the future. Anyway, whether I hide it from you or not, you might have insomnia, so it’s better to tell you honestly.”
“By the way,” Feng Yue remembered something and said, “That Adult Ling sent me a few fish when I left. I’ll cook fish soup for you tomorrow.”
“Okay, fish soup is delicious.” Wei Xiaofeng muttered and fell asleep in Feng Yue’s arms.
“Sleep.”
Feng Yue checked the finances he got from the Cloth Administration Department. According to the taxes and goods paid to the court in previous years, it could last for three years.
The first thing Feng Yue did after taking over the estates and shops was to exempt them from taxes for three years. For a time, the people of Guangling praised and respected the name of the Guangling Prince whenever it was mentioned.
The local people were very honest. Many people came to the Prince’s Residence every day to do free work, but the Prince’s Residence uniformly provided food and wages. They were grateful and worked extra hard. The layout of the Prince’s Residence changed day by day.
By May, the new layout of the Guangling Prince’s Residence had begun to take shape.
This day, Feng Yue was enjoying the scenery and eating sweet soup with Wei Xiaofeng in the pavilion of the Prince’s Residence when Xu Changtian of the Commandery came to see him.
Feng Yue didn’t avoid it and asked someone to bring him to the pavilion.
Xu Changtian respectfully saluted.
If he only had fear for Feng Yue before, now it was respect from the bottom of his heart.
He was not a tyrant who killed indiscriminately. In less than half a year since coming to Guangling, the first thing he did after taking over the estates was to exempt the people from taxes for three years. Where could one find such a benevolent ruler?
Now, he also seemed to have the intention to completely solve the disaster left by the sea bandits.
Guangling was able to get such a king, it was not yet the end of its destiny.
“Vice Commander Xu has come in a hurry, what’s the important matter? Why don’t you sit down and have a bowl of sweet soup together, discuss the matter, and then leave?”
Xu Changtian was flattered and waved his hand with a smile, “No, Your Highness, there are still many errands in the Commandery. This time, I’ve come with an urgent matter to report. Please show Your Highness.”
“Is it that the new commander sent by the capital is about to take office in Guangling?”
Xu Changtian was stunned for a moment, “Yes! I heard that the person has already arrived at Dongyang County and will arrive soon.”
The person sent this time must be a confidant of the Emperor. He finally removed the Empress Dowager’s claws. The Emperor would not be so confused as to allow the Empress Dowager to secretly collect money.
“How many soldiers and guards did he bring this time?”
“The scouts reported that there was a full camp of soldiers.”
“It seems that he came with an imperial decree.”
“Does Your Highness mean that the new commander’s declaration of allegiance to the Emperor this time is to exterminate the water bandits?”
Feng Yue couldn’t help but laugh, “Don’t act rashly, let him come. Whether he is mediocre or a genius, there will be countermeasures when he comes. If he can really suppress the bandits, it will save us the trouble. If he can’t…”
Xu Changtian saw a hint of killing intent in his eyes.
“This subordinate understands. I won’t disturb Your Highness and the Princess Consort’s leisure. This subordinate takes his leave.”
Wei Xiaofeng seemed to turn a deaf ear to what was happening outside the window, but he heard everything that was just said.
He privately hoped that this new commander was capable so that A Yue wouldn’t have to personally risk his life to compete with those vicious water bandits.
*
May in Chu Ting was the rainy season. The heavy rain had been falling for more than ten days and had not stopped.
The water rose to the riverbank. Feng Chao, wearing a raincoat and straw hat, stood on the bridge, watching the people on both sides of the river moving to higher ground. The Water Department, together with the local Cloth Administration Department, set up temporary shelters and distributed supplies every day, waiting for the flood to pass.
Many farmlands and crops had already been flooded, but the losses were still within a controllable range.
“Your Highness, the rain is getting heavier and heavier. Let’s go back to the government office first. The nearby people have been relocated, and there won’t be any problems.”
Linhuai persuaded him. In just a few months, he had lost so much weight that he was out of shape. He hadn’t been eating well recently. If this continued, Linhuai was really afraid that he would collapse and never be able to get up again.
Flood control and disaster relief were always being prepared. After this period of time, when the water conservancy map was completed, construction could begin to build dikes and dams. He was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to return to the capital for three to five years.
He didn’t know what the situation was in the capital now.
Feng Chao also felt a little uncomfortable, his voice a little weak, “Let’s go back first.”
Linhuai supported him for two steps. Feng Chao felt a burst of dizziness and almost fainted to the ground. If Linhuai hadn’t been prepared and supported him carefully, he would have fallen hard.
“Your… Young Master, let’s go to the eaves over there to avoid the rain. The carriage will be here in a while.”
“Mm.” Feng Chao frowned in discomfort, letting Linhuai support him to the eaves of the alley.
The scenery here fully demonstrated what is meant by the tenderness of a waterside town. The willows on both sides of the ancient bridge hang down to the surface of the water. A small fishing boat floats on the water. The houses are mostly white walls and black tiles. The bluestone pavement washed by the rain is even smoother. The deep and simple colors add a bit of coldness and perseverance to this tenderness.
Feng Chao looked at the scenery, but his eyelids became heavier and heavier. It seemed that this broken body of his was really unbearable.
At this time, more and more people came to take shelter from the rain. Feng Chao didn’t notice that someone was standing next to him. At first, he didn’t pay attention until he realized that the person had been looking at him.
He turned his head angrily to glare at the person, but saw a familiar and handsome face reflected in his eyes.
They both seemed a little surprised, but there was also surging emotion and surprise in their eyes.
“It’s you, Doctor Chu. What a coincidence!”
“It’s not a coincidence.”
“Then what is it?”
“Why have you lost so much weight?”
Feng Chao’s breathing stagnated, and he squeezed out a forced smile, “Perhaps it’s because I haven’t gotten used to the climate here, which often leads to insomnia.”
“Doctor Chu is indeed a doctor. You start helping me with my diagnosis as soon as you meet me. I’m poor now, so I don’t have that much consultation fee to give you!”