After the first batch of supplies arrived in Huaizhou, the remaining food was also delivered one after another. Shen Qingyu finally had a moment to breathe and reported the matter to the court, but did not say much, only saying that a wealthy businessman was generous. Unfortunately, Xiao Weishen did not care about the disaster over there at all, which delayed his pleasure, and sent him back after hastily reading it.
Shen Qingyu was silent for a long time as he looked at the memorial that was sent back. There were only a few perfunctory words from the emperor on it, which showed that he was absent-minded. His heart gradually sank to the bottom, and he was extremely disappointed with the current dynasty in an instant. The people here were displaced and suffering, but the emperor didn't care and just kept saying that everything would be fine in the spring of next year.
At the beginning of next spring... Doesn't he know that many people don't even have a next year
Shen Qingyu didn't even know why he had studied so hard to take the imperial examinations. Obviously nothing had changed, the living environment of the people was still difficult, and there was nothing he could do.
He recalled the day when the handsome young man in black clothes told him with great certainty that he would soon have a chance.
Where does the opportunity come from? With the character of the current emperor, he has no hope.
Shen Qingyu shook his head with a wry smile, then walked back to the study step by step with the memorial in his hand.
———
Capital
"Seventh brother, just accompany me out to play!" As soon as he finished his breakfast, Xiao Weiming ran to the Lingwang Mansion and begged Xiao Weixin to accompany him out, shouting, "What's the point of you always staying at home bored?"
Xiao Weixin raised his foot and kicked him lightly on the calf, feeling very disappointed with him: "You just eat and drink all day long, can you do something serious?"
"I practice martial arts very seriously every day, but what's the use if I can't fight on the battlefield." Xiao Weiming muttered, "Yang Qixian can be a general, why can't I?"
Xiao Weixin raised his eyes to look at him and said in a deep voice: "If you work one tenth as hard as Yang Qixian, you may have a chance in the future."
"I won't have a chance." Xiao Weiming lay listlessly on the table, and said with great certainty: "Second brother will never give me a chance to go to the battlefield."
Xiao Weixin's eyes were deep. He pursed his lips and suddenly raised his hand to gently rub Xiao Weiming's head, almost as if promising him: "One day, I will give you the same opportunity as Yang Qixian to fight on the battlefield."
If Xiao Weixin still had a little tenderness in his heart after all the hardships he had suffered over the years, then the little tenderness he had left must have been reserved for Xiao Weiming. When he was still young, he was bullied by other princes. It was Xiao Weiming who waved his little arms and fists to fight back, and it was his mother who rushed to find the imperial physician to treat him in time, so he will always remember these things.
Xiao Weiming is actually a martial arts genius, born to be a warrior, but because of his own incompetence, he has to follow Zang Feng, but he almost never blames himself, always stubbornly staying by his side. But every time he sees Yang Qixian's heroic figure returning from a great victory, he always looks dim and secretly envies him by the window.
So Xiao Weixin had vowed long ago that one day in the future, he would make sure his brother never had to look at anyone's back again.
Xiao Weiming looked up at the determination in his brother's eyes, and while he was happy, he secretly thought, Seventh Brother's attitude towards him was quite good today, so when he finds out that he owes money later, he should... not... be... angry, right
It was rare for Xiao Weixin to be affectionate. Thinking that the New Year was coming soon, it would be okay for him to go out and play with him. He hadn't been out for almost a month since he came back from Empress Dowager Xia's birthday party.
After changing his clothes, Xiao Weixin turned around and glanced secretly. There was clearly no one there, but You Shu who was guarding in the dark could sense that he was looking at him.
After the others had gone far away, Ying Sibai was puzzled. He scratched his head and asked him in a low voice: "What do you think the prince meant by that look just now?"
"I don't know." You Shu kicked his calf and urged him, "Hurry up and catch up."
The two men disguised themselves and blended in with the palace's entourage without attracting attention, and followed Xiao Weixin to the teahouse. Xiao Weiming had become obsessed with listening to books in the past two days, and would stay there for several hours every day just to listen to stories.
Xiao Weixin wore a snow-white gown with a black fox cloak on the outside. His black hair fell behind him. He had red lips, white teeth, a pretty face, and a sickly look in his eyes. His temperament was noble and elegant. The audience who were listening to the story in the teahouse were all stunned and thought he was a god who had descended to earth.
Knowing that Xiao Weixin didn't like being stared at, You Shu glared at the group of people fiercely. The spectators lowered their heads and pretended to be busy. Only then did they recognize that it was the sign of the royal palace and the person coming should be the prince.
Xiao Weixin picked a random elegant room and sat down in it. From here he could just see the storyteller's desk downstairs across the street. Xiao Weiming sat next to him with an excited look on his face and unceremoniously ordered a bunch of food to be brought up.
Qi Han stood behind them politely, with Xiao Weiming's personal bodyguard Hong Xue next to him. You Shu and Ying Liu were guarding the door on the left and right, ready to take orders at any time.
The storyteller downstairs was talking about the battle between the Yang family army and the Western Rong army. He happened to talk about how the young general Yang Qixian was so brave that he could fight against hundreds of enemies alone and overcome all obstacles. Xiao Weiming was so fascinated by the story that he kept stuffing the fruit into his mouth and didn't even bother to drink a sip of water.
You Shu listened to the storyteller downstairs bragging, but he listened with one ear and let it out with the other. Although Yang Qixian was indeed capable, he was not that amazing. If this storyteller were in modern society, he would definitely be a clickbait marketing account. He exaggerated everything and made it sound as if he had seen it in person, treating people as fools.
"Seventh brother, is Yang Qixian really that powerful?" Xiao Weiming asked him in a low voice.
Xiao Weixin didn't even raise his head, as if he didn't really listen to the story. He lazily drank his tea and replied, "How should I know?"
"Well, if I have a chance to fight with him, who do you think will win?" Xiao Weiming looked expectant.
"You haven't even killed an ant since you were a child, what do you think?" Xiao Weixin thought he was daydreaming. He used to think that his strength was not inferior to anyone, but after being pinned to the ground and rubbed by You Shu several times, he realized how important practical experience is. An unopened blade can only be collected forever and has no value at all.
Xiao Weiming's eyes were filled with disappointment, "That's right..."
At this moment, a man came out of the private room next door, and You Shu stopped him: "My prince is drinking tea inside, no one else is allowed to enter."
The young man looked up at him, took two steps back, clasped his fists and saluted solemnly, his voice was between the clear and loud voice of a teenager and the deep and deep voice of a young man, just right: "I am Yang Qixian."
"I was drinking tea next door just now. When I heard the voices over here, I realized that the prince was also here, so I came to see him."
You Shu's eyelids jumped, and he looked up to find that the handsome young man standing in front of him was the young general he saw on the rooftop that day. Before he could go in to report, he heard Xiao Weixin's voice coming from inside.
"Please come in, General."
Yang Qixian politely nodded to You Shu, walked into the already open door, and saluted respectfully: "I greet King Ling and King Qin."
"General, there is no need to be so polite. Please take a seat." Xiao Weixin was not surprised to see Yang Qixian's joy. He was calm and did not show any sign of trying to win him over.
Yang Qixian followed suit and sat down opposite Xiao Weiming. He just came to the teahouse to listen to a story out of boredom, but he didn't expect that the story was about his experience on the battlefield. After listening for a while, his mood was similar to You Shu's.
Not only embarrassing, but also shameful.
The story about tearing enemy soldiers apart with bare hands was sheer nonsense, and fighting one against a hundred was even more nonsense. But he couldn't leave immediately, so he listened to it and pretended that the person in the story was not himself. When he heard the voices coming from the private room next door, he realized that it was the two princes, and he hurriedly got up to pay a visit.
Yang Qixian is only twenty-one years old this year, but he has developed a murderous aura through years of fighting on the battlefield. When he sat down at the table, Xiao Weiming immediately realized where the gap was between them.
"I heard that the prince has been in poor health. I wonder how he has been doing recently?" Yang Qixian was a military man and didn't know the roundabout ways of the court scholars. He also couldn't neglect the prince, so he could only chat reluctantly.
Xiao Weixin smiled gently, not showing any sign of impatience towards Xiao Weiming just now, and did a great job of saving face: "Thank you for your concern, General. I have been feeling much better recently, so I have time to take Weiming out."
Only then did Yang Qixian turn his gaze to Xiao Weiming. He seldom had contact with these princes and had never liked to interact with them. Today was also the first time he met Xiao Weiming.
Xiao Weiming was very happy, as he finally had the chance to see his idol in person. However, he was too timid to say a word and kept counting on his seventh brother to speak for him.
Xiao Weixin just drank his tea and stared at You Shu's back. Although he wanted to win over Yang Qixian, he couldn't reveal any thoughts now. Yang Qixian was stubborn and upright, and he might not be willing to go with him at this moment.
Xiao Weiming had to rely on himself. Fortunately, Yang Qixian was not a difficult person to get along with. After hearing that Xiao Weiming also liked practicing martial arts, he encouraged him with a few words. It seemed that he was very friendly to both of them.
After the conversation, Yang Qixian had nothing to say and could only stand up and say goodbye. Xiao Weixin remained calm from beginning to end and watched Yang Qixian go downstairs and leave.
Today was a coincidence. Xiao Weixin did not expect to meet Yang Qixian unexpectedly. He wanted to create an opportunity to contact him after a while. After chatting with him for a few words just now, he could clearly feel that Yang Qixian was as difficult to be influenced as expected.
If Xiao Weixin wants to seize the throne, he must have the support of the army. Without military power, it will be in vain even if he kills his way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Even if Yang Qixian is a tough bone, he will have to chew it down.
Xiao Weixin was quickly thinking about his next steps in his mind, and soon someone else was walking towards this side.
"Your Majesty, look at the money that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin owes...?"
Xiao Weixin stared at the several merchants in fancy clothes kneeling on the ground with a frosty face, then gritted his teeth and turned to Xiao Weiming.
Xiao Weiming attempted to play dead.
Last time, he beat Xia Huaizhang in Tianxiang Tower and broke a lot of valuable jade vases. Two days ago, he saw a sword in a weapons store and took it home on credit. The IOU was written in the name of Xiao Weixin.
All the expenses added up to more than one hundred taels.
Seeing the creditors chasing after him, Xiao Weixin sneered and said to Qi Han: "Take them to the mansion to get the money."
Qi Han immediately took the bosses away.
spendthrift.
You Shu complained in his heart, you only know how to cheat your brother out of his money, is your brother so cheap that you sell him like this
Brother Keng’s younger brother should be thrown into the toilet!