The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

The moon is already halfway through the willow branches, and the night is fading with the spring breeze.

In the Yangzhou government office, several servants who came from the back hall were taking off the lanterns on the corridor. The candles inside were about to burn out, and they had to replace them with new ones before then.

This work is not tiring on weekdays. Only when distinguished guests come, the main corridors will be decorated like they do. While they were busy silently, a group of people slowly walked from the direction of the gate.

A young boy at the head trotted ahead. He was going to the front to report a message to the prefect. Distinguished guests tend to walk slower at this time. First, because the lights are dim, they have to walk slowly. The second is to reserve time for the host, so that if the other party is at work at this time, you can prepare as soon as possible.

When they arrived at the study, Wei Yinghong and Lin Ruhai were already standing outside the study to greet them. When the two parties saw each other, they both quickened their pace and walked towards each other.

Thank you, two brothers. Please wait for a long time.

Xin Geng, who was dressed in casual clothes, clasped his fists slightly. It was a private banquet tonight, so his address was naturally more casual.

Hahaha, from Yi, follow me into the study first. Master Pei is also here today and is waiting for you inside.

Brother, why didn't you send someone to tell me earlier? The old man was so tired that he was waiting for me.

Wei Yinghong and Lin Ruhai were on one side and held Xin Geng's forearm. It was up to the master to apologize, but Lin Ruhai just smiled and pulled him into the study.

The three of them walked into the study and saw Pei Huaizhen sitting in the main seat with a smile on her face. Xin Geng had a fiery temperament. When he saw Pei Huaizhen about to get up, he quickly stepped forward and half-knelt on the ground, saying: Master Pei, disciple...

Before he finished speaking, Pei Huaizhen had already stood up and stepped forward, trying to pull him up. Pei Huaizhen complained: Today is just a private banquet, why are you still thinking about red tape? If you do this, Ying Hong and Ruhai will be in trouble.

Wei Yinghong laughed at the side: Ruhai, Master Pei is just trying to point us out. It's okay to be a leader for my brother. You can salute with me.

Lin Ruhai shook his head and laughed, and had no choice but to get up and get ready to play around with Wei Yinghong. The three of them invited Master Pei to the top, and then, with Wei Yinghong as the leader, they saluted the elder. After a while, they all had their past memories floating in their minds.

The Xin family was not a well-known family in Yangzhou. Although there was a Xin Chan in the ancestors, it had been many years and he was no longer worthy. In the previous dynasty, he had been silent for many years and was just a military household in the guard station.

That is to say, only a few Yangzhou people like Du Yunjing can keep the deeds of local celebrities in mind.

Fortunately, the Xin family had a son named Xin Geng in the Great Yong Dynasty. When he was sixteen, he joined the army for his father and was selected into the border army to defend against the grassland tribes. This job is a near-death experience. Which Yangzhou people like to go there?

But Xin Geng went there without hesitation, and it was because of his good luck that he met His Majesty who had not yet ascended the throne at the border. In addition, Xin Geng's own outstanding martial arts skills and bravery in combat were quickly chosen by His Majesty as a personal soldier.

At that time, the powerful ministers were in power in the court. Although Pei Huaizhen was the top scholar in high school, he only stayed in the Hanlin Academy for three years, and was thrown into the local area day by day. Finally, by chance, he was transferred to the rule of His Majesty. This is how Xin came to be. The teacher-student relationship between Geng and Pei Huaizhen.

Now the old friends meet again and talk about the past. The four people couldn't help but talk about the situation between North Korea and China. Having said this, Xin Geng told the three people what his Majesty had asked him to convey.

What? Wei Yinghong couldn't help but stood up from his position, half surprised and half happy, Old King Beijing is seriously ill?

Pei Huaizhen frowned, and forgot to move his hand stroking the goat's beard, and said anxiously: In such a situation, how can your majesty let you leave the capital? If the situation changes, wouldn't it be beyond our reach?

Xin Geng thought with a wry smile that the old man had been away from the court for a long time and was getting older. In some places, his reactions were really not as sharp as before.

This old King Beijing was the favorite general of the Supreme Emperor. The ancestor was the hereditary throne from the founding of the country. In the old prince's generation, due to his outstanding military exploits, he was appointed as the military governor of Kyoto and was in charge of the ten soldiers and horses of the capital camp.

When His Majesty was on the side of King Qing in the palace, he succeeded in bypassing the eyes and ears of King Beijing and successfully forced the Supreme Emperor to abdicate. It stands to reason that His Majesty, who has been in charge of Yu for so many years, should have taken the military power from him long ago.

It's a pity that the King of Beijing is an old man, and he has never made any mistakes or taken credit for these years. He looks like Maitreya Buddha all day long, smiling at everyone he sees in the court.

Although the Supreme Emperor abdicated the throne, he did not die. There are still people hiding in the dark in the DPRK. The various forces are intertwined and blindly use power to suppress people, which may make the good situation go to waste.

Therefore, the King of Beijing has become a tumbler in the court. Even if His Majesty clears out the civil servants from the Supreme Emperor's period little by little, he will have to put him where he is and pretend that he cannot see him.

Lin Ruhai, who was silent on the side, had more on his mind. The heir apparent of King Beijing was still young and could only inherit the throne. It was absolutely impossible to hold the Jiedu Envoy of the capital in his hands.

So what is the purpose of His Majesty transferring his confidants and beloved generals out of the capital at this time? Lin Ruhai pursed his lips, and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind. He said, But General Zhang is going back to Beijing to report on his duties?

Xin Geng showed a surprised look and couldn't help but smile bitterly and cupped his hands towards Lin Ruhai, No wonder His Majesty praised Mr. Lin for his thoughtfulness. Indeed, before I left the capital, General Zhang had secretly entered the capital with his troops.

secret? Lin Ruhai couldn't help but frown at the difference of one word. If His Majesty intended to let Zhang Guangfu take over as the governor of Kyoto, why not let Zhang Guangfu enter the capital with great fanfare?

unless……

Your Majesty wants to be a fisherman himself.

If this is the case, then Xin Congyi's coming to Yangzhou is not as simple as assisting in resisting the Japanese as mentioned in the official document.

Who else in Yangzhou has this value?

Lin Ruhai, who understood the situation, picked up the tea cup and nodded silently towards Xin Congyi.

Xin Congyi didn't answer. He also picked up the tea cup and took a sip. Seeing the tacit understanding the two of them had reached invisibly, Wei Yinghong smiled very naturally.

He is different from Lin Ruhai. Lin Ruhai's ancestors were princes, and he has been exposed to it since he was a child. Wei Yinghong's literary talent is indeed outstanding, but in terms of the way to serve as an official, he is still inferior to Lin Ruhai.

No one can change this kind of thing. It is the natural gap between the children of poor families and the nobles.

Pei Huaizhen was still worrying about herself. This kind of court affairs can only be understood, and Xin Geng cannot tell him frankly, so he can only comfort him and say: Don't worry, Master Pei, Your Majesty has his own arrangements.

I have a gift here. Your Majesty asked me to bring it to Master Pei before leaving the capital.

Pei Huaizhen knew Xin Geng's intention, so he pretended to be surprised and said, What is it?

Xin Geng said with a smile: Let me keep it a secret. Master Pei will sit down in the academy tomorrow and he will naturally know then.

Having said so much, I think it's better to open the table first and let's talk slowly. Wei Yinghong helped change the topic.

Lin Ruhai and Xin Geng had no reason not to agree. Wei Yinghong took the lead. Xin Geng and Lin Ruhai helped Pei Huaizhen to the other hall. They pushed cups and changed cups, which was regarded as a welcome refreshment for Xin Geng.

…………

…………

That night.

When Lin Ruhai, who was half drunk, returned home, her daughter Daiyu and son Lin Jue had fallen asleep. Under Jia's service, Lin Ruhai, after washing, hugged his beloved wife and lay on the bed.

The two have been married for many years, and their relationship is still as loving as ever. After rubbing their hair together, Lin Ruhai asked Jia in her arms, Is there any letter from home this month?

Mrs. Jia squinted her eyes and raised her head, feeling a little tired and said, It's been a long time since I received a letter. What's the matter, husband?

It's okay. Didn't you think that just before we left Beijing, letters from my mother and brother-in-law came one after another. Lin Ruhai smiled casually, stretched out his hand and patted Jia's back gently, When you are tired, just Go to sleep.

Um.

Jia shrank in Lin Ruhai's arms and responded softly.

Lin Ruhai couldn't help but stretched out his hand to lift the hair from his wife's forehead and looked at her sleeping face. I thought to myself: My uncle, please don’t be confused at this moment.

Your Majesty now only has the sword in his hand, and there will be no third chance.

PS: Today’s second update will be late. It’s about to enter the next plot stage. I have to think about the rhythm arrangement a few more times and try to finish it in one go.