xymnovel Chapter 42 If that doesn't work, we'll have to use Bald Chicken Powder.
Chapter 42 If that doesn't work, we'll have to use Bald Chicken Powder.
After leaving Tongguan and passing through the ancient Xiaohan Road, the obstructive mountains disappeared, replaced by an endless plain. Looking into the distance, it seemed that you could see clearly even a hundred miles away.
Shen Ce looked at the boundless Central Plains in front of him, then turned back to look at the high mountains within the pass. Such a fertile land, no wonder the heroes of the world regarded it as their own private domain and the granary of the world.
His legs had been "fighting" with the saddle for hundreds of miles, and were burning from the friction, but he still dared not relax and rode the horse properly.
Wen Wuyin seemed somewhat forlorn at this moment, letting his BMW carry him along, seemingly showing little longing for his father whom he hadn't seen for two years.
Shen Ce slowed his horse down to the back of the column, parallel to him, and asked curiously, "We're almost at your lair, why does Brother Wen seem so uninterested?"
Wen Wuyin glanced at him and said, "Brother Shen, you should refrain from saying things like 'confiscate property and exterminate clans' in the future. My father is just the garrison commander of Luoyang, not the King of Luoyang."
"You don't want to see your father?"
"You said I could have easily risen through the ranks in Luoyang, so why did I choose to suffer in Chang'an?"
"What, did your dad beat you up?"
"If only they were to beat me up, that would be great."
When Wen Wuyin's expression turned grim again, Wen Daya was already standing outside Luoyang City waiting for everyone.
The city gate, over five zhang high, is topped with a double-layered hip roof, and the three-section gate below is particularly impressive. The faint dark red on the city wall hints at the past tragedy, and if you get close, you can even smell a faint scent of molten gold.
Wen Daya, dressed in a purple robe, with a red headband binding his hair and an imperial sword at his waist, stood before the city gate.
He was thin, and his spine seemed bent from years of working at his desk, but from a distance, the old man appeared to be protecting this magnificent city.
Wei Zheng got off the carriage a hundred feet away from the city and walked forward step by step with Cheng Chumo.
After exchanging greetings at the gate, the two men rode into the city with the city officials.
Passing through Dingding Gate, Shen Ce looked at the somewhat deserted streets. The people on the streets were not as confident as those in Chang'an. When adults saw the officials, they would hide in a flash. The vendors' shouts were not loud. Instead, they looked at them with vigilance. At this time, Luoyang was still far inferior to Chang'an.
It took them half an hour to reach the Governor's Mansion. Wen Daya then had the ceremonial guards removed and entered the mansion with Wei Zheng.
Wen Daya removed his welcoming attire and sat upright in the center of the main hall. Wei Zheng sat to the lower left, while Shen Ce hesitated for a moment before standing behind him. As for Wen Wuyin, he had originally intended to loaf around outside the hall, but was escorted in by Wen Daya's personal guards.
Wen Daya glanced behind her and then ignored it, reaching out to Wei Zheng for the imperial edict and the fish-shaped tally.
In officialdom, procedures are extremely important. Although Wen Daya had already received Li Er's secret letter, he still had to check it again in person. He couldn't be careless.
After verifying the imperial edict, Wen Daya spoke cheerfully: "Brother Xuancheng, how does Luoyang compare to your previous visits?"
Wei Zheng closed his eyes and pondered, a worried expression appearing on his face from time to time. After a long while, a smile finally appeared on his face.
"As I traveled here, I found that Luoyang was much more prosperous than it was five years ago. The children on the street were sturdy and unafraid of weapons. I suppose Minister Wen must have been very strict in governing the area these past few years."
Wen Daya smiled calmly and said proudly, "In the fifth year of Wude, Luoyang had more than 3,000 households, but now... there are more than 20,000 households."
In recent years, Luoyang has been spared from disasters, and the surrounding villages and households have moved into the city, which makes the population seem larger. Otherwise, it would be a joke if there were more soldiers stationed in such a large city than the people in the city.
At this point, Wen Daya kindly reminded them: "South of the Yellow River, people's livelihoods have recovered to some extent, but beyond the Yellow River... not only are the population sparse, but it's probably not so safe."
Wei Zheng exclaimed in surprise and quickly asked, "Li Yuan intended to rebel, but has already been killed by Wang Junkuo..."
Wen Daya looked up at Shen Ce behind him. Wei Zheng, knowing what he meant, quickly said, "Trustworthy, trustworthy."
Wen Daya then said, "According to the intelligence report, Li Yuan was tricked by the deputy general Wang Junkuo, who said that the crown prince wanted him to return to the capital to kill him. This fellow was so frightened that he began to plot a rebellion. As soon as his staff was gathered, he was captured by Wang Junkuo and beheaded in public." Wen Daya tapped his knuckles lightly on the table. "If you encounter him, you should be extremely careful."
"Haha, it's alright, it's alright."
Wang Junkuo was originally Li Shimin's subordinate. When Wei Zheng saw in the memorial that Li Yuan had rebelled and been killed by him, he thought there was really an uprising. When he found out that this was the scene, he couldn't help but laugh.
As they were having a pleasant conversation, Wen Daya exclaimed, "Lord Wei's trip can be described as 'using a soft rope to ensnare a tiger.'"
Wei Zheng waved his hand dismissively, saying, "We also have spies, so please don't worry, Lord Wen."
"With just your dozen or so guards?"
"The guards aren't important; what matters is the benefits. The major clans of Shandong simply want the recognition that the court has lacked for decades, and the Crown Prince is giving it to them this time!"
Wen Daya nodded, got up and went to the map hanging to the side. He pointed to the location north of Luoyang City and said, "I have sent elite troops to guard this Heyang Ferry. If anything goes wrong, please inform me quickly, and I will be able to help."
Wei Zheng bowed to Wen Daya.
Shen Ce, standing behind him, felt that Minister Wen was being overly enthusiastic today. Not only had he personally come to the city gate to greet him, but he had also shared secrets and promised to help him in the future. Were the soldiers of Luoyang so easily mobilized?
There's a sense of conspiracy about it.
As expected, Shen Ce didn't have to wait long before Wen Daya couldn't hold back any longer and whispered to Wei Zheng, "Lord Wei, could we stay in Luoyang for a day to rest?"
Wei Zheng was puzzled.
Wen Daya said embarrassedly, "My son Wuyin left in a huff two years ago, and we only just met today. My newlywed daughter-in-law is eagerly waiting for him."
Upon hearing this, Shen Ce raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways behind him. It's been two years already, what do you mean by "newlywed daughter-in-law"?
There might be some untold story behind this; I must ask him about it once we leave Luoyang.
Wei Zheng was not an unreasonable person, and immediately decided to rest in Luoyang for a day. Upon hearing this, Wen Wuyin was immediately deflated.
Wei Zheng led Shen Ce and Cheng Chumo to the guest room to rest. Wen Wuyin, who was about to run away, was caught by Wen Daya's personal guards.
After everyone had gone some distance, Wen Daya walked step by step toward Wen Wuyin and said sternly:
"Madam Zheng waited for you in her boudoir for two years. If she hadn't been concerned about her reputation and hadn't told her family, would the Zheng family of Xingyang have let you off the hook?"
Wen Wuyin lowered his head and remained silent.
"You are not allowed to come out of your bedroom for the next two days."
Wen Wuyin suddenly looked up, his eyes wide, and his legs went weak: "Father, that Zheng family member is almost twice my size, I... I really can't do it."
"No way?" Wen Daya smiled darkly and roared at the guards outside the door, "Go and get the bald chicken powder I've prepared for two years, and pour it down this unfilial son's throat."
"Pour it right here!"