Mr. Du followed the guard to the gate of the city wall. The guard said, "Captain Du, that's the one over there, the tallest one."
The second son of Du took a look at it, and then opened his eyes wide. He was surprised and said: "Good horse... It's really a good horse." But could this person be Tao Shan's friend? Tao Shan was just a guard, how could he have a friend who rode a BMW? Others might not recognize the value of Wu Shuai, but the second son of Du would be a rich second generation in modern times. Comparing horses to cars, is there any rich second generation who can't recognize luxury cars? With doubts in his heart, the second son of Du approached Qin Fang.
Qin Fang was originally looking at the gate of the city wall. Although he didn't know what the Second Young Master Du looked like, he guessed that the guard he had talked to brought a young man down with him that the other person was the Second Young Master Du. He didn't walk past him, but waited for the Second Young Master Du to approach.
When Mr. Du came closer, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "Are you Tao Shan's friend? What did Tao Shan ask you to bring me?" His tone was full of doubt.
Qin Fang lowered his voice and said, "Second Master, I have shown you the pass and the document, but please be silent after reading them and listen to me."
As soon as Mr. Du Er heard his words, he knew that this person's identity was questionable. However, it was broad daylight and there were a lot of people at the gate of the capital, so he was naturally not afraid. He nodded.
Qin Fang took out his identity document: "Please take a look."
The second son of the Du family received the document. When he saw that it was Qin Fang, he was stunned because it was too unexpected. He did not expect that his father's only son would appear in it. But when he realized that the other party was his father's only son, he also realized his identity, the general guarding the city of Yunxiang County. He suddenly widened his eyes, and then pulled Qin Fang to a place where no one was, and he could not help but whispered: "Is it Qin Fang? My father's son?" He had never met Qin Fang, nor had he heard his father describe Qin Fang, but the identity document was fine, and if it was Qin Fang, it could be explained, because Tao Shan would not have a friend riding a BMW, and this person knew about Tao Shan and him, so it could indeed be Qin Fang.
Qin Fang said, "It is indeed Qin. Qin came to the capital secretly and it is not easy to expose his identity. Second Young Master, do you have a way to let Qin meet the emperor?"
Second Master Du's face darkened: "Are you crazy? You are the general guarding the city. A general guarding the city cannot leave the county without an imperial order, just like a general cannot come to the capital without an imperial decree. Do you still want to serve the emperor? Are you trying to get yourself killed? You have to go back quickly, otherwise it's no big deal if something happens to you, but it would be terrible if it implicates my father."
Although Second Master Du's words sounded fierce and he seemed to be worried about being implicated, his tone also showed concern for him. Qin Fang was a little moved. He said calmly, "Second Master, don't worry. Although I can't leave the capital privately, I have my reasons. I can explain them to the emperor. And something happened to me. The teacher also knows about it. Don't worry."
The second son of Du didn't believe Qin Fang, but he believed his father. Since his father took Qin Fang as his disciple, Qin Fang must have something extraordinary. Hearing Qin Fang say this, he could only agree. Could he refuse? No. "Okay, I'll take you to the emperor, and you... just treat him as my subordinate."
Qin Fang: "Thank you, Second Young Master."
Mr. Du: "No, no, no, you are my father's biological son, just like my brother. Oh, by the way, how old are you?"
Qin Fang thought that the quick-talking Second Master Du was quite interesting. He was completely different from his teacher. He didn't know how a self-disciplined teacher could teach a child with such a personality. "I am twenty-two this year? What about you?"
Mr. Du: "I am twenty years old this year. You are older than me, so I will let you call me Brother Qin from now on." The other party is of the fifth rank and he is only of the seventh rank, so it is reasonable for him to call him Brother. "Oh, by the way, do you know my name? My name is Du Xingran."
Qin Fang: "Wake up, brother."
Second Master Du: "... I have an older brother who is 25 years old this year, named Du Xingfei. Brother Xingfei, if my elder brother is present, I'm afraid it would be inappropriate."
Qin Fang said cheerfully, "Ran, brother."
Du Xingran's mouth twitched and he said, "Okay, come with me. By the way, do you have any watermelon? Watermelon is delicious."
Qin Fang said, "There are no more watermelons, but there are watermelon seeds. I just don't know if you people in the capital will plant them. Maybe if you come to Yunxiang County next year, I will treat you to a good meal."
Du Xingran: "Then I'll come to Yunxiang County and plant them in the capital? Or forget it. The fruit is precious and rare, and can be sold at a high price. Why should I give it to other people for nothing? By the way, do you like the things I asked Tao Shan to send you? Isn't your wife going to give birth soon?"
Qin Fang: "Thank you, brother Ran. My wife likes it very much. Brother Ran, thank you for your trouble."
Du Xingran smiled and waved his hands: "It's nothing, as long as you like it. This is what my wife prepared."
As they were talking, the two entered the city gate. Du Xingran called a subordinate and said, "Come here and help my brother look after his horse. His clothes are soaked with sweat from the journey. He needs to change his clothes to avoid getting sick."
Actually, Du Xingran's excuse was indeed good and appropriate. Although it was not hot, Qin Fang had traveled all night and was indeed covered in sweat.
Subordinate: “Yes.”
Du Xingran took Qin Fang to the rest room for duty: "You go take a shower, I'll prepare clothes for our guards. Hey, you're tall, you need to prepare bigger clothes."
Qin Fang bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Ran."
Qin Fang took a quick shower, but when he finished, Du Xingran had already returned with the guards' clothes. Qin Fang brought his own change of clothes, but he also knew Du Xingran's intention, although he didn't say it, but who doesn't know
Du Xingran: "The clothes are long enough. They are probably a bit too big. I found a replacement suit for the fattest one among our guards. He is the same height as me, but fatter than me."
Qin Fang: "It's okay."
After changing clothes, Du Xingran took Qin Fang straight to the palace. This is the advantage of being a "rich second generation and an official second generation". If it were an ordinary family's illegitimate son, let alone an illegitimate son, even if it was a legitimate son, how could he enter the palace just like that? But the illegitimate son of Lord Du's family is different. First, Du Ke has only two illegitimate sons. Although he pays more attention to the legitimate son, he also cares about the illegitimate son. Secondly, the Du family never exploits or bullies illegitimate sons, so Du Xingran has a high status among the legitimate sons of the aristocratic families in the capital since he was a child.
After a while, they arrived at the gate of the palace.
"Second Young Master Du." The guard at the gate of the palace recognized Du Xingran. Du Xingran would accompany his father to the palace to attend banquets every year, and he had just been here not long ago because of Tao Shan's incident, so how could he not recognize him
Du Xingran nodded: "I have something to do in the palace, please inform me."
The palace guards did not dare to neglect: "Yes."
At this moment, the emperor was reading memorials in the imperial study. Chief Chi said, "Your Majesty, the guard at the palace gate reported that the second son of the Du family, Du Xingran, requested to be released."
The emperor was stunned: "Du Xingran? What is the Du family waiter doing here?" The Du family waiter didn't even have a card in front of him. If he wasn't the son of Old Du, he wouldn't have any impression of him. However, officials like the Du family waiter would not dare to enter the palace unless they had something to do. The emperor thought, could it be that Old Du had something to do? "Let him in."
This is also the advantage of being Duco's son. If he were someone else's son, how could there be guards to directly help him pass the message to the emperor
A guard came immediately and said, "Second Master Du, the Emperor wants to see you."
Du Xingran nodded and said to Qin Fang, "Let's go."
"Second Master Du..." the other party stopped him, "You can come in, but this person can't." There are rules for entering the palace. When reporting at that time, Du Xingran did not say that he would enter with Qin Fang, so the guards would not let in people who did not know where they came from.
Didn't Du Xingran want to say it at that time? Of course not, but Qin Fang's identity was special, and Qin Fang told him not to say it. He originally wanted to take advantage of the situation to bring people in, maybe the guards would turn a blind eye? But who knew that the guards were watching very strictly. Du Xingran nodded: "Okay." Then he said to Qin Fang, "Wait for me in the door."
Qin Fang handed him his identity document and said, "Thank you for the trouble."
Du Xingran waved his hand.
When Du Xingran was brought to see the emperor, he was not afraid, but he was still a little nervous. He was not very successful in his daily life, and his position as a lieutenant was inherited from his father. Even though he had been to the palace many times, he still felt a little uncomfortable to see the emperor.
I don't know why Brother Qin came to see the emperor. He is a general guarding the city, but he actually left the county. Will it implicate me who brought him here? But there is no way to implicate him, he has already entered the palace.
Du Xingran was very conflicted, but he was determined to enter the palace. When he arrived in front of the imperial study, he saw Chief Steward Chi waiting outside. Du Xingran immediately smiled harmlessly and said, "Hello, Chief Steward Chi, I haven't seen you for a long time. You look more energetic."
Chief Steward Chi said with a smile, "I don't deserve it. How come Second Young Master Du is here in the palace? But Lord Du has something to ask you to do?"
Du Xingran said, "I was entrusted by someone, not my father. Please ask Chief Steward Chi to report to the emperor. I, Du Xingran, have something to ask for your help." This was the first time in his twenty years of life that he had officially entered the palace to meet the emperor.
Chief Chi said: "The emperor is waiting for you, please come in."
Du Xingran followed Manager Chi into the imperial study. When he stepped over the threshold, his heart trembled. He had done his best for Brother Qin today. He hoped that his father's view of people was not wrong.
If Lao Du knew that he was suspected by him, he would probably break his legs.
As soon as Du Xingran entered the imperial study, he bowed and said, "Your humble servant Du Xingran pays homage to the emperor."
The emperor smiled and said, "Get up. Why did Du Er come to the palace? What's the important matter?"
Du Xingran stood up and took something out of his arms: "Your Majesty, the owner of this thing wants to ask your Majesty for help. He is outside the palace gate right now, wearing the clothes of a city guard. He said that his identity is not easy to be exposed, so he entrusted this humble minister with it."
As soon as Du Xingran said this, the emperor's smiling expression immediately subsided, and he became serious. Qin Fang was the general guarding Yunxiang County. How could he leave Yunxiang County without permission? But it was illegal, and if it went wrong, it would be a big deal. But Qin Fang was not such a rude person, so... Something happened? "Quick, bring the person here."
Qin Fang was immediately brought into the palace. Chief Steward Chi was waiting for him at the door of the imperial study. When he saw Qin Fang coming, his eyes lit up, but there were spies everywhere in the palace, so he did not greet him. Instead, he smiled and said, "You're here?"
Qin Fang bowed and said, "Chief Steward Chi, I didn't expect you to be killed again so soon."
Chief Chi said: "Yes, I also ate the watermelon you specially sent. The emperor is waiting for you inside." He could see that Qin Fang's face did not look good, perhaps something big had happened.
When Qin Fang heard what Chief Steward Chi said, he became nervous for no reason. He pulled at his clothes and said, "Chief Steward Chi, I... I wonder if the emperor is okay?"
No matter they are teenagers, young people or even old people, they all admire the emperor. Seeing the emperor as if he were a god, Chief Steward Chi could understand his nervousness. He smiled and said, "It's okay, you can come in." The more embarrassed the better, at least he can win some sympathy. Otherwise, the crime of the general guarding the city leaving the county without permission is not a small one.
Qin Fang was not reassured after hearing what he said, but he still followed him in. When he stepped into the imperial study, he was more nervous than Du Xingran. He lowered his head, and his hands and feet were almost in sync. After entering, he glanced at the direction of the imperial table and immediately knelt down to pay his respects: "Your humble servant Qin Fang pays homage to the emperor." Although, he didn't even see the emperor's figure.
The emperor was also surprised to see Qin Fang. To be honest, before meeting Qin Fang, he had never thought about what Qin Fang looked like. But when Du Xingran said that Qin Fang was outside the palace gate, he did imagine what Qin Fang looked like. The young man in front of him was very tall, and his words and actions were very awkward. Apart from his appearance and height, his stiff walking movements were somewhat different from the harmonious and long-winded Qin Fang. Looking at Qin Fang's memorials, he would think that Qin Fang was a very lively and bold young man.
But actually it’s not.
Emperor: "Lift your head and let me see."
Qin Fang raised his head. His facial features were very firm, but his expression was very cold due to nervousness. He looked at the emperor expressionlessly, and people who didn't know the situation would think he was looking at the murderer of his father. In fact, his stiff expression disappeared, and he didn't dare to move.
Puff... The emperor laughed loudly: "Stand up and sit down." Then he said to Chief Steward Chi and Du Xingran, "You can leave."
Manager Chi and Du Xingran left, but Qin Fang did not stand up.
The emperor raised his eyebrows: "Why? You like kneeling."
Qin Fang quickly shook his head: "Your Majesty, I... I have a cramp in my legs and can't get up." After replying, he got up from the ground. He crawled, put his hands on the ground, slowly got up, and then sat down with his feet limping.
“Hahahaha…” The emperor laughed even louder. He had never been so happy before. This Qin Fang… was so simple and honest that people liked him very much.
Hearing the emperor's laughter, Qin Fang felt a little embarrassed and thought he had made a fool of himself, but he was not a fool and could see that the emperor was in a good mood.
The emperor just laughed a little, but it didn't last long. Then his expression became serious: "Qin Fang, do you admit your guilt?"
Qin Fang knelt down again with a thud. The sound was so heavy that it hurt the emperor's flesh, but he still had a stern expression: "The general guarding the city left the county without permission. Even if he is not guilty, how can I trust him to be my general again? What's the difference between that and fleeing without a fight when the enemy is at the gates of the city?"
Qin Fang swallowed and said nervously: "Your Majesty, I have a compelling reason to come here. I have two reasons."
The emperor raised his eyebrows: "Oh? Tell me more."
Qin Fang said: "The first reason is about the matter of raising horses, vegetable seeds and fruit seeds mentioned by the emperor. I have a detailed plan. It is not clear in black and white, so I intend to come to you in person. Of course, before you come, I know that I have to write a memorial to the emperor. Originally, I had the same plan, but recently I don’t know who I have offended. Someone is dealing with me behind my back. I think maybe I am not suitable to be an official. I want to resign."
"Really?" The emperor narrowed his eyes and stared at Qin Fang. He wanted to know about the horse-raising plan, but he was even more suspicious of what Qin Fang said next. He stared at Qin Fang, wanting to see what his purpose was. But Qin Fang's eyes were frank, and he didn't seem to be lying at all. He thought, Qin Fang is Du Ke's student, and he was Du Ke's student appointed by him in the imperial study. Who would deal with him? "Stand up and tell me, what's going on?" Is it so serious that a young boy wants to resign? But this is a big problem.
Qin Fang was nervous. He was retreating to advance. He knew very well that his advantage was that he had no backing. Although Du Ke was his teacher, he was nothing in front of the emperor. In front of the emperor, he could only be pitiful, which was the most appropriate.
Qin Fang stood up and rubbed his knee. It hurt because he had used too much force just now.
The emperor looked at it and couldn't help but think of the voice just now, and his eyes softened a little.
Qin Fang said slowly, "The day before yesterday, Aunt Fan from my wife's kitchen came back..." He told Aunt Fan's story, "Aunt Fan said that County Magistrate Cheng of Laiwang County used her son-in-law to gamble and owed a huge amount of money that he couldn't pay back. Then she asked her son-in-law to persuade her and let Aunt Fan persuade my husband and me to sell the royal grain agency of Laiwang County to County Magistrate Cheng's house. Of course, I don't believe these things. Who is County Magistrate Cheng? How could he do such a thing? So, I asked Lord Liu, the prefect of Hedong Prefecture, to make the decision, but Lord Liu replied to me with the following letter: 'Look, this humble servant,'" He stood up, walked to the imperial table, and handed the letter to the emperor.
The emperor took the letter and opened it. When he saw its contents, his face darkened.
General Qin:
I am helpless to help. I have inquired with County Magistrate Cheng and learned that this matter is directed at you, and the other party is not afraid of Minister Du. I hope you can forgive me.
The emperor stared at the letter. He did not doubt its authenticity. Qin Fang did not dare to send the forged letter to him, so there would definitely be no problem with the letter, because if the letter was fake, it would be easily exposed.
Believe it is true.
If it is true, then the words in the letter have to make people ponder. If you touch Qin Fang, and you are not afraid of Du Ke, the words in the letter are very interesting.
Du Ke is his man, Qin Fang is Du Ke's man, or in other words, Qin Fang was led by him to become Du Ke's man. In other words, Qin Fang is the person he wants to cultivate. So, who would dare to touch Qin Fang
Of course, the emperor would not think about this question. What the emperor was thinking about was what was the purpose of moving Qin Fang
The emperor didn't say anything, and Qin Fang was a little nervous. If he had a strong personality, his legs would probably tremble in silence. "What do you think about this matter?" After a long while, the emperor asked.
Qin Fang shook his head honestly: "Your Majesty, I can't think of anything. There is nothing good about me, so why would the other party come after me? My family has no money. If it were a girl, maybe the other party would come after my beautiful appearance, but I am a man..."
"Stop." The emperor interrupted him. The atmosphere was obviously serious, but for some reason, he wanted to laugh, just like reading Qin Fang's memorial made him laugh. Thinking about it, Qin Fang's personality was quite similar to the memorial, mumbling and nagging.
Qin Fang stopped and looked at the emperor with a puzzled look, as if to say, didn't you want me to say it
The emperor held his forehead with his hand: "Let's continue... Sit over there and talk." Being so close to him, he couldn't help but want to laugh.
"As you command." Qin Fang returned to his seat. "So if the other party is not after my property, or me, then they are after the interests that concern me. Your Majesty, don't you agree?"
The emperor did not answer his question, but said, "Go on." But in his heart he thought that this silly boy still had some brains.
Qin Fang continued, "If you are here for my benefit, then my benefit is only five things."
"Oh? Which five?" He couldn't even think of five. How did he come up with them? The emperor was very curious.
Qin Fang held up his first finger: "First, the identity of the general defending Yunxiang County. However, before I was transferred to Yunxiang County, Yunxiang County was very poor. If anyone cared about this identity, it would not be my turn. Therefore, I think the benefits are impossible."
The emperor asked, "What about the second one?" His eyes were fixed on Qin Fang's hand. His fingers were red and the wound was new, which meant it was caused by the day. No, it should be said that the wound had been hurting for days, otherwise it would not have faded. The emperor looked at his tired appearance and quickly realized that it was caused by him rushing all night and holding the reins. Thinking of this, he couldn't help asking, "How many days did it take you to get from Yunxiang County to the capital?"
"Ah?" Qin Fang didn't know why the emperor suddenly asked this, he said truthfully, "It took two days and one night. I left Yunxiang County early yesterday morning and arrived this afternoon." Strictly speaking, it took one day and one night and most of a day.
The emperor was surprised: "When Tao Shan came before, I asked him. He was traveling fast, but it still took three days and three nights. How did he travel so fast? Even a war horse can't keep up with his speed." No wonder his hands were rubbed red. The emperor thought about it and felt a little reluctant.
The image of Qin Fang in the emperor's mind at this moment is that of a countryman, born in a poor family, not very knowledgeable, not very scheming, and very honest. But he is also a smart person, and being honest does not mean anything.
Qin Fang smiled and said, "I have a horse called Wu Shuai. Wu Shuai was given the name by my wife. She said that the whole body of the horse is covered, and the first character is Wu. I hope that the horse will become the marshal among horses, so I named it Wu Shuai."