Chapter 43: Shangyang City （ Two-in-one Chapter ）
With the addition of the Guard Army, there were over three hundred people who came to Shangjing from the border pass this time.
Originally there were only about a hundred people, but a traitor appeared among the first group escorting Yin Yuanli, leading to his assassination. He was eventually lost and, through a series of coincidences, was taken to the border pass by a kidnapper.
Wang Dequan wailed and begged the prefecture to send troops to find him, and also sent news to Shangjing.
His Majesty then dispatched more people from Shangjing to search for him, and they only calmed down after receiving letters from Yin Yuanli and Xie Chong.
After that, the number of guards escorting to the border pass was increased to three hundred people, though this was only the visible contingent.
The imperial decree was read, and the rewards were received; these people had to eat, after all.
The General’s Mansion could not accommodate so many people, so Xie Chong simply had them eat in the military camp.
Xie Chong, along with Qin Wanwan, and Yin Yuanli, accompanied by Wang Dequan and two generals from the border army, ate in the tent. The rest of the border army set up tables outdoors to eat.
The atmosphere inside the tent was quite good; at least those two generals dared not say anything in front of the Crown Prince.
Those outside the tent were quite displeased.
“After all the hardships of traveling so long, we’re made to eat this army camp’s communal meal?”
“I heard that General Xie of the border pass is of grassroots origin and doesn’t have much money, so he probably can’t even afford to treat us to a meal.”
“Hahaha… that’s understandable, after all, he’s from such a background.”
These words were clearly spoken for the surrounding border soldiers to hear.
“You!”
Some hot-tempered individuals, overcome with anger, were about to argue but were pulled back by others.
“Compared to you, our general is indeed not wealthy, but he’s very capable. At his young age of just over thirty, he’s already a Great General. You, on the other hand, relied on your ancestors’ favor and became guards by freeloading. Our general is different; he can forge his own future.”
This was a blatant mockery, implying they were incompetent and owed their current status to their ancestors.
“What, you want to fight!”
“Come on, whoever’s scared is a grandson!”
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
The border soldiers who fought on the front lines and the noble guards from Shangjing always had friction, and conflicts were inevitable whenever they met.
“What are you all doing fighting when it’s time to eat? Bring the dishes, bring the dishes.”
The kitchen staff brought in the dishes.
“The General is happy today and bought a pig and three sheep, so everyone eat to your heart’s content.”
Although that was said, one pig and three sheep were not nearly enough for the vast number of border soldiers.
For these guards, there were separate stir-fried dishes, not out of favoritism.
The main reason was not wanting these people to look down on their general.
There was a pot of lamb soup, and the other dishes were nothing special, except for the scallion-dressed tofu, boiled cabbage with bean curd, sweet tofu pudding, and even soy milk.
Although all were made from beans, each dish had a different flavor.
These were things the guards from Shangjing had never seen before, let alone eaten.
The guards looked at the tofu pudding in front of them, which was as tender and white as steamed egg custard, and for a moment, they didn’t know how to start. They couldn’t even name it.
The kitchen staff and the border soldiers were smug, but they didn’t show it too obviously.
“Everyone, please start eating. Oh, look at my absentmindedness, quickly bring a spoon. This tofu pudding can’t be picked up with chopsticks.”
The guards fell silent.
“What, looking at you, it seems you’ve never seen these things? I thought these things came from Shangjing.”
The head chef of the kitchen staff slapped his thigh: “Eat quickly, eat quickly, if you haven’t tried them, eat more. These things taste very good.”
In fact, only a small portion of the border soldiers knew that these dishes came from the General’s Mansion, and it was rumored that the recipe was obtained from somewhere by the young lady’s bird. Shangjing didn’t have it, and they, the border soldiers, were the first to have it.
Heh, let these guys look down on their border soldiers and mock their general for being poor!
The Shangjing guards initially wanted to remain stubborn, but after tasting the food, they were speechless.
They couldn’t conscientiously say the food was bad.
The border soldiers felt avenged, and the others also began eating their own meals.
Inside the same tent, the two leaders of the guards were amazed while eating various soybean products.
Not only were these things good-looking, but they were also delicious!
Most importantly…
“This is made from soybeans!!!”
Just by hearing the names of these dishes, one could guess some of it.
Unexpectedly, Xie Chong also generously revealed the main ingredients.
He was also straightforward: “It’s soybeans, but some things need to be added in the middle. I don’t know what’s added. If His Highness the Crown Prince wants to eat it back in Shangjing, ask Aunt Zhang.”
He genuinely didn’t know. The two leaders of the guards opened their mouths, wanting to ask for the recipe, but they couldn’t say it in front of His Highness the Crown Prince.
“Thank you very much, General.”
Yin Yuanli thanked him politely.
Wang Dequan’s face broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum; oh, this General Xie really knows how to handle things!
The guards from Shangjing were fidgeting throughout the meal, wondering how beans could be made into so many things.
If it wasn’t mentioned, who would have thought all of this was made from beans.
“Brother Yuanli, are you leaving?”
Back at the General’s Mansion, Qin Wanwan hugged the gosling, her clear, large eyes filled with reluctance.
Yin Yuanli was also a little reluctant.
His Empress Mother had only him as a son. He had quite a few half-siblings, but those people either wished him dead or approached him with ulterior motives.
Although Yin Yuanli was young, he was exceptionally talented at sensing emotions and could see through their supposedly well-hidden schemes at a glance.
In the Imperial Palace, even a child of a few years old was taught and manipulated by the adults behind them, developing cunning from a young age.
He was the same; otherwise, at such a young age holding the position of Crown Prince, without some cunning, he wouldn’t even know how he was being schemed against.
Therefore, Yin Yuanli had no playmates in the Imperial Palace.
He could only play by himself, but more often, he simply didn’t have time to play.
As the Crown Prince, he had several teachers for various academic subjects, and his day was fully scheduled.
Fortunately, he had a good memory and was intelligent, so he learned quickly.
Occasionally, his mother would also teach him martial arts to exercise.
Although he was brought here by a scheme this time, he did take the opportunity to relax.
Qin Wanwan could be said to be his first playmate since childhood.
“I can stay here for another month before I must return.”
This was the maximum time he could negotiate.
Qin Wanwan took his hand: “Then let’s go out and play for this month. I’ll ask Daddy where there’s anything fun.”
Shahe City naturally had nothing fun to offer, but there was indeed one place that was fun, though also dangerous.
Primarily, Xie Chong was busy with the kidnappers and the matter of buying horses, so he couldn’t accompany them.
“It’s alright, General Xie.”
Yin Yuanli stood before Xie Chong. Although only five years old and short, he exuded a composure and calmness typically possessed by adults.
“I’m not afraid of encountering danger; it’s usually those who want to deal with me who end up in trouble.”
Xie Chong looked at him and suddenly recalled some rumors circulating in Shangjing.
It was said that when the Empress was in labor, some concubines in the harem wanted to harm the fetus in her womb, which was Yin Yuanli.
But as soon as they were about to act, their own palaces caught fire.
Some said it was heavenly fire that struck down.
The Imperial Advisor, who had been in seclusion for a long time, appeared that day. He looked at the palaces struck by heavenly fire and left only a few words: “What you sow, you reap.”
When Yin Yuanli was born, the Imperial Advisor took a look and left a message for the Emperor to designate the infant in swaddling clothes as the Crown Prince before going back into seclusion.
Having been personally appointed Crown Prince by the Imperial Advisor, Yin Yuanli’s position was unassailable unless he died.
Even the Retired Emperor would listen to the Imperial Advisor’s words. When the Retired Emperor was on his deathbed, he had sought the Imperial Advisor to divine the current Emperor’s fate and choose the current Empress.
After Yin Yuanli’s birth, he was strangely powerful. Those concubines with ambitious sons who wanted to take a gamble tried every means to scheme against the Crown Prince and the Empress, but in the end, they were the ones who suffered misfortune.
The people in the harem were always involved with the court. Anyone with ambition wanted their own family member to ascend to that position.
A group of greedy individuals always forgot their lessons and, after a few days of being compliant, someone would inevitably try their luck again.
Yin Yuanli was brought here this time as part of a scheme.
Speaking of this, Wang Dequan had something to say. Among the guards were people from the Duke’s Mansion, and he received more comprehensive news on the way to the border pass.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, when we came, a message arrived from the palace that Consort Li, shortly after your incident, accidentally fell into a pond in the Imperial Garden. Many people saw it at the time. After she was rescued, her makeup was all smudged. His Majesty glanced at her and never visited Consort Li’s palace again.”
Wang Dequan spoke with great animation.
Yin Yuanli simply hummed “oh” with an unflustered expression.
Qin Wanwan asked curiously: “Who is Consort Li?”
Yin Yuanli: “My Imperial Father’s latest favorite, a foolish woman.”
His Imperial Father became Emperor by chance. His many outstanding brothers were either crippled or dead from fighting for the throne, and he ended up with a windfall.
He had never learned the ways of an emperor, nor could he govern a country. His only hobbies were beautiful women and having children, calling it “spreading the Yin family’s branches.”
Sometimes, when he favored someone, he would treat her very well, making the woman gradually feel that the Emperor could not do without her. Her temper would flare up, and her ambition would rise, leading her to scheme against other imperial princes.
Yin Yuanli was naturally also a thorn in their side.
Yin Yuanli had already seen three women like Consort Li, who were favored by his Imperial Father.
Among the previous three, two had met misfortune after targeting and scheming against him and eventually falling out of favor. One had died due to her own foolishness.
Qin Wanwan was too young to listen to such chaotic things.
“General Xie means Shangyang City, right.”
Xie Chong was somewhat surprised: “Your Highness the Crown Prince knows?”
Yin Yuanli sat upright opposite Xie Chong. Though small, the child’s presence was not much less imposing than that of a general who had fought in battles.
“I’ve heard a little. I heard it’s an oasis in a desert, located in the center of several countries, a city of ultimate bliss.”
Xie Chong: “Indeed. However, it’s a bit far from here, about a two-day journey. Does Your Highness wish to go?”
Yin Yuanli’s eyes twinkled. At his core, he was not afraid of adventure and had a bit of a rebellious streak.
“Yes, I’ve always stayed in the Imperial Palace. I really want to experience this city of ultimate bliss.”
Qin Wanwan eagerly raised her little arms: “Me, me, me, Wanwan wants to go too!”
Although Xie Chong was busy and couldn’t accompany them, Yin Yuanli was certainly safe.
Those who came to Shangjing were not just the Guard Army; there was also a group of Shadow Guards.
These Shadow Guards were likely sent by Her Majesty the Empress to protect His Highness the Crown Prince.
He would select a few of the best-skilled and loyal guards from the surface, and he would also send a few skilled men from his side to accompany them. As long as their identities were not exposed, there would be no problem.
Shangyang City gathered people from various small kingdoms and tribes in the desert and grasslands, as well as Central Plains people and Tartars.
However, even when facing each other, they dared not kill people in Shangyang City; this was Shangyang City’s rule.
Once someone violated the rule, that person and everyone related to them would be put on Shangyang City’s blacklist and would never be allowed to set foot there again.
Therefore, Shangyang City was a dangerous, yet safe, city.
However, the most dangerous person was the City Lord of Shangyang City, Shang Wuyang.
“When you go to Shangyang City and see the Tartars, ignore them. They dare not kill people in the city. After ten days, when I’ve resolved my matters here, I will send troops to pick you up.”
“In Shangyang City, your biggest concern is the City Lord Shang Wuyang. Wherever he appears, run away immediately or find a place to hide. Don’t get close to watch the excitement.”
Qin Wanwan placed her little arms on the table, sitting obediently like a well-behaved child in school.
“Why?”
Curious.jpg
“Because it’s dangerous around him. No one has seen Shang Wuyang’s true face. It’s rumored that this person is as rich as a nation, and the ‘nation’ here refers not just to the Tianqi Dynasty, but to all known countries.
However, he also acts erratically and has offended many people. Noble families and royalty are his enemies, yet he acts ostentatiously and doesn’t know how to be low-key wherever he goes. His enemies send assassins to kill him every so often.
So, in places where he appears prominently, you might encounter an assassination. At that time, run far away.”
Yin Yuanli: He didn’t know this. Someone was even more hated than his Imperial Father! He really wanted to see what this Shang Wuyang looked like.
After preparations, Yin Yuanli and Qin Wanwan, along with guards who had changed into ordinary clothes and a few border soldiers, set off.
The two children sat in the carriage, Yin Yuanli and the fluffy gosling staring at each other.
“Chirp!”
The little fat goose chirped, wiggled its butt, and buried its head in Qin Wanwan’s embrace.
Qin Wanwan took out a blade of grass, fresh and tender pasture grass cut from the courtyard.
Smelling the aroma, the little fat goose immediately opened its mouth and began to eat.
Ke Ke, the goose, always looked down on the gosling: “Eat, eat, all you know is to eat. You’ve already gotten fat as a ball!”
Qin Wanwan petted Ke Ke’s feathers, smoothing them down.
“I like Ke Ke the best, Ke Ke isn’t angry.”
Ke Ke humped: “I’m not angry with the little goose, I’m angry at that fat goose. It can’t do anything but eat.”
Yin Yuanli watched the person and the bird bicker and didn’t find it boring.
They didn’t head towards the grassland but in another direction.
Passing through desolate Gobi Desert, it would take only one day to reach the desert area.
At the border of the Gobi and the desert, there was a post station for renting camels.
“Your High… Young Master, for the rest of the journey, we will be riding camels.”
Yin Yuanli and Qin Wanwan alighted from the carriage.
“Where are the camels? I want to see camels~”
Qin Wanwan was wearing a beautiful red little skirt embroidered with golden koi fish. Against the backdrop of this red, her skin looked even whiter.
Coupled with her already delicate features, she looked like a mischievous and cute koi fish spirit.
The little girl hopped and skipped cheerfully after getting off the carriage, but after a few steps, she lost her footing and fell to the ground.
The silver-gray fluffy ball in her hands was also thrown out.
Lang Ya anxiously picked her up.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s all sand.”
Qin Wanwan skillfully patted her little skirt; this wasn’t the first time she had fallen.
After sitting in the carriage for a long time, she felt a bit dizzy and unsteady when she got off.
“Little Goose!”
The little goose was also resilient. It rolled around on the sand, flapped its little feet, stood up, and chirped as it pounced towards Qin Wanwan.
