After Gu Ali left, only Zhaoren was left in the house. Yabu's firm words of love just now were still lingering around. Zhaoren found a balance between getting along with Yabu and fighting against the Qing Dynasty, or there was no need to balance at all. If the uprising happened, just like Yabu
As Bu said, he will definitely be on Zhaoren's side.
Zhaoren could not get rid of the little girl's thoughts. She began to daydream about their life together and wanted to fight with Yabu...
"Sect Master, the food has been prepared in the dormitory." Just when Zhaoren was thinking about the beautiful place, Gu Ali stood outside the hall and said to Zhaoren.
Zhaoren was startled from his reverie. It was getting late at this time, and the light blue light on his chest was particularly dazzling, and his plain clothes could not block it. Seeing this, Zhaoren said to Gu Ali: "You go first, I will be there in a minute."
"
After seeing Gu Ali leave, he took off the Tianyu jade, wrapped it in brocade cloth, put it in his arms, and then went to the dormitory for dinner with peace of mind.
At this time, Yabu rushed to the government office at full speed. He didn't have time to rest, so he asked the government officials where the governor lived, and went directly to the door.
Bai Rumei, the governor of Shanxi, was originally a Korean. After the Qing army entered the pass, he was subordinated to the Han army with a white flag and was named Maohan. He was from the second rank. He knew very well that Yabu, the son of the prince, was the "supervisor" arranged by the Manchu banner people to come here.
All military affairs were discussed with Yabu personally. Although he was a second-rank official and minister of the Ministry of War, he was still respectful to Yabu and obeyed his advice.
Bai Rumei was enjoying dinner alone in the reception hall in the backyard of the government office. The meal was sumptuous, including chicken, duck, and fish, and the table was full. Yabu came directly there without letting the government officials inform her.
Bai Rumei was already old, but Yabu had never been arrogant from beginning to end. When he saw Bai Rumei having a meal, he respectfully said: "Your Majesty the Governor."
Bai Rumei was facing the porch and raised her head to see Dutong arriving, and then stood up to greet him, "I've met Mr. Dutong. I haven't had enough dinner yet. If you don't mind, please take a seat, Mr. Dutong."
"The meals these days have been light, and the big fish and meat are just what I like. Please, Lord Governor."
Zhaoren sat at the main seat, and Bai Rumei sat at the companion seat. Before they could use their chopsticks, Cao An hurried over.
"I've seen Lord Dutong and Lord Governor."
"Cao An, take a seat quickly," Yabu said.
"Yes, sir." After Cao An finished speaking, he asked the servants to bring him hot wet towels and asked Yabu and others to wipe their palms. Then he ordered all the servants to avoid him and sat down near the porch after making arrangements.
"Sir Governor, I have heard from Cao An that the southern coast is trying to raise troops in the name of the former prince. Can you elaborate?" Yabu asked.
"There's no rush, no hurry, come and offer a toast to Mr. Dotong first."
"I respect you, Lord Dutong." Cao An agreed.
"Please." Yabu picked up the wine glass and said.
The three of them drank it all in one go. After putting down their cups, Cao An filled the cups for the two adults.
"The day before yesterday, the Ministry of War of the Holy Scriptures sent a secret edict, saying that there are people on the southeast coast and Taiwan who are secretly gathering and transporting supplies in the name of the former Empress Zhou and the Crown Prince, and are preparing for large-scale uprisings. The southeast has been under the control of the Ming Dynasty since I entered the customs.
The name refuses to surrender, but there is nothing to be afraid of, but now if someone takes the name of the former prince, it may not be easy to deal with." Bai Rumei said.
"The defense of the southeastern coast should be handled by the local governor. What does it have to do with Shanxi?"
"Your Excellency, you don't know. The secret edict specifically states that this uprising has colluded with the White Lotus Sect in Shanxi, and they want to coordinate the north and the south." Bai Rumei further said.
"The White Lotus Sect has no soldiers and soldiers. They are just villagers. It's hard to get into trouble. Why are they so panicked?" Yabu asked.
"We are worried about the real Princess Zhaoren, the orphan of the previous dynasty!" Bai Rumei said.
"I am also worried that the treasure dropped that day will fall into the hands of the White Lotus Sect." Cao An added.
"Treasure dropped from the sky? Are you referring to the fireball that fell from the southwest sky a few days ago?" Bai Rumei asked Cao An.
Only then did Cao An remember that Emperor Shunzhi had not given instructions on the treasures sent from heaven, and he should have done it secretly on purpose. Bai Rumei's question made Cao An feel that the secret had been revealed, and he didn't know how to answer.
"Little man, little man is just guessing and worrying too much." Cao An stuttered.
"Cao An doesn't need to cover up. As for the fireballs falling from the sky, I have ordered a strict investigation and found nothing. It's okay if you don't believe these rumors. That Zhaoren is a weak woman. I have met her face to face. Seduce her step by step, which is better than fighting with swords.
See you." Yabu said.
"This fireball incident has been rumored in Taiyuan for a long time. They say: get a treasure from the sky, rule the world, etc. It makes me shudder when I hear it." Bai Rumei said.
"Okay, the fireball from the sky has been decided for a long time. Don't mention it again. Let's talk about how to deal with the White Lotus Sect under our jurisdiction." Yabu said.
"Yes, sir. In my opinion, it is better to eliminate him while he is still young. In this way, the loss of baggage and the casualties of soldiers and generals can be minimized. It can also be done once and for all, so that we and other local officials can breathe a sigh of relief."
"The White Lotus Sect has not actually raised any troops to rebel. If they are surrendered, I am afraid that the villagers from all over the country will rise up. At that time, you and I will not be able to deal with it. Besides, we must have a reputation for launching an army. I am afraid that the Ministry of War will not agree to the rash use of force." Yabu.
said.
"Master Dutong, this is exactly what the Ministry of War means." Bai Rumei said.
"Why didn't the Ministry of War ask for my opinion? Why did the Ministry of War not ask for my opinion? Why did the Ministry of War return to the Ministry of War on the grounds that it was unknown and to prevent civilian troubles?"
"No, I'll do as you please." Bai Rumei got the idea.
"That being said, the Green Camp and the Banner Camp should conduct more detailed investigations and make a decision when any signs of an uprising in the White Lotus Sect are discovered."
"No, I'll do as you please."
It was agreed upon that after three rounds of wine, Yabu had enough wine and food to go back to his residence to rest. Cao An ordered the Yamen servants to prepare the horses and send Lord Dutong back.
Just as Bai Rumei and Cao An sent Yabu away from the front yard, Bai Rumei thought of the fireball falling from the sky again and asked: "I heard from the villagers that the fireball fell on the northeast foot of Hongmiao Mountain. Is this possible?"
"At this time, just as Lord Dutong said, we went to search and found no treasure."
"That's not right, then why is the song in Taiyuan so mysterious? Has the treasure been taught by Bai Lian a long time ago?" Bai Rumei asked again.
"Sir, I dare to swear that the White Lotus Sect will never get that treasure."
"You are so steadfast in your oath, are you aware of it but not repaying it?" Bai Rumei saw the flaw and asked pressingly.
When Cao An heard this, he broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly came to smooth things over:
"My lord has misunderstood, my lord has misunderstood. I arrived as soon as possible and found nothing. That's why I dare to say this."
"Do you dare to say that the search scope is correct? Do you dare to say that no one has arrived before you?" Bai Rumei pressed forward step by step.
"Sir, please spare this villain. I...I...have done my duty."
"Hey, don't waste your family and life. Did you know that the Ministry of War already knows that Yabu loves Na Zhaoren, but the emperor's love has not been revealed. If Mr. Dutong continues to protect him like this, he may get into trouble. If you protect Mr. Dutong,
I'm afraid they will all be executed." Bai Rumei said.
When Cao An heard this again, he was horrified and broke into a cold sweat: "Thank you, Governor, for reminding me." Even after that, Cao An did not dare to tell the truth. Low-level officials like him could not afford to offend anyone, so they had to survive in the cracks. He was afraid
Yabu was more afraid of the crime of deceiving the emperor, but in comparison, he was more afraid of Yabu at the moment.
That night Governor Bai Rumei immediately wrote to the Ministry of War in accordance with Yabu's wishes, and rushed to the capital on a starry night journey.
But Cao An'an was frightened and responded to the secret edict in accordance with Yabu's wishes.
Bai Rumei returned to Taiyuan Governor's Yamen the next day. On the second day of his return, Shunzhi issued an edict in the name of the Ministry of War to order Yabu to return to Beijing. Bai Rumei had to come to Yu County again with the fold in hand. By then, it was already
It was afternoon, and Yabu was reading military books at his residence. The military service report came and the governor arrived. Yabu was confused. He just met the day before yesterday. Has the governor not left yet?
"Bai Rumei has met Mr. Du Tong."
"My lord governor, you haven't returned to Taiyuan yet?" Yabu asked.
"I have gone back. I received the edict in the morning and the emperor ordered me to return to the capital." Bai Rumei held up the folding book with both hands and handed it to Yabu.
Yabu opened the folder and glanced at it briefly. He felt unhappy because he guessed that the imperial court had decided to eradicate the White Lotus Sect.
"I know, you ask the deputy capital commander to come to me so that I can hand over to him. After the handover is over, I will go back to Beijing directly. Do you have anything else to do?" Yabu was angry but couldn't break out in front of Bai Rumei, so he had to
Urging Bai Rumei to leave quickly.
"I have nothing else to do, so I'll take my leave." Bai Rumei rushed over and said a few words. Although she was unhappy in her heart, she went along with the matter in dealing with the White Lotus Sect.
Bai Rumei retreated, and Yabu couldn't hold back the anger in his heart and cursed in his heart: "These people who are eager for quick success, and the White Lotus Sect, which was originally fine, will be forced by fools like you to rebel."
It might be better to go back and discuss with the emperor's brother, maybe we can stop this military expedition, Yabu thought about it and comforted himself.
Bai Rumei returned to Taiyuan and made a clear explanation to the deputy commander. The deputy commander was afraid of missing something, so he rushed to Yu County at starry night, met with Yabu in the early morning and handed over to him. It was already morning after the handover, and the deputy commander asked him to go back.
, Yabu promised. At this time, Yabu's mind was already in Zhaoren. After the deputy commander left, he took some time to clean up. He went to the county office to say goodbye to Cao An, but he did not dismount.
When Cao An heard that Yabu was leaving, he couldn't help but feel cold. Bai Rumei's words came true. He had deceived the emperor again just the night before. Once Yabu left, he might never come back. I'm afraid this crime of deceiving the emperor was inseparable.
Then he knelt down and begged Yabu: "I have entrusted the lives of my whole family to you. I will repay you even if I work like a cow or a horse in the next life!"
"I understand. As long as I, Yabu, am still alive, I will not let you take the blame." Yabu said.
"Your kindness will never be forgotten forever!" Cao An said.
"Okay, get up. Since I promised you, I will do it. Do you mean you don't trust me, Yabu, by saying this again and again?" Yabu became a little impatient.
"Lord Beile, please calm down. I have no choice but to worry about the whole family losing their heads."
"Yeah, I understand." Yabu said, patted his horse and left. Two soldiers followed closely behind on horseback.
"Send me off to Lord Beile. Have a pleasant journey." Cao An knelt down to send him the greeting. When he saw Yabu walking away, he got up and quickly called his wife to discuss fostering his only son to the countryside. He was prepared to blame the court and have an independent child. Discuss.
OK, Cao An said to the wet nurse who was holding his only son: "I am afraid that I have committed the crime of exterminating the family. Before I am convicted, you can take these silver letters and my only son Cao Zhen and run away. I will arrange for someone to send you and Cao Zhen away."
Go to a good friend's house somewhere in Shaanxi. He will arrange it. Remember to stay anonymous there, but don't move. The money will be enough for you two to live for decades. If you can avoid this disaster, I will ask my wife to pick you up.
You and Cao Zhen come back."
The nanny was shocked after hearing this: "Sir, please rest assured. Without you, I would not be alive. I will definitely take care of the young master as my own son. Please don't think too much, sir. The young master and I are waiting for the lady to pick her up."
"Okay, okay. Come and hug Zhen'er." Cao An couldn't bear to leave this young flesh and blood.
Cao Zhen seemed to know how to leave, and even said "Dad" for the first time. This made Cao An not shy about the presence of servants, and burst into tears. He only hated himself for being incompetent and for not being able to protect his wife and children. (To be continued.
Chapter completed!