"Actually speaking, it's all my wife who is helping me." He said after a moment of pondering.
"No, sir, you are overthinking. I had no intention of helping anyone before." Cheng Jiaoniang shook her head and said, "I was just doing my own thing."
So it has nothing to do with her who benefits from it.
She can still help people like this when she has no intention of helping others. What will happen if she really wants to help others?
Chen Shao looked at her, seemingly in disbelief. The woman sitting here was the same age as his daughter, but looking at all the things that had happened, she couldn't be treated with the eyes of a later-born child.
"Thank you very much, ma'am. Please tell me, ma'am." He said solemnly.
At this point, the outcome of this matter must be decided. The emperor cannot play the tricks of checks and balances and mix up different opinions like last time. He must be allowed to put an end to the military and political affairs in the northwest.
Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a joke for Zhou Fengxiang to sacrifice his life for justice?
"Don't delay the rewards for my brothers any longer. Please put them down immediately." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
Chen Shao was stunned for a moment, what?
Merit reward?
Did the topic they talked about change?
"The lady is talking about merit rewards?" he asked.
Cheng Jiaoniang nodded.
"Reward, hasn't the emperor already made a decision on this matter? Then please don't delay it any longer," she said.
So I helped her first before talking about anything else...
Chen Shao nodded in relief, this was what she deserved, and she deserved it. Although it would cause trouble to bring this up at this time, there was no problem.
"Okay." He said.
Chen Danniang was already standing a little impatiently.
"Mother Eighteen, I'm going to find my mother." she said.
Chen Shiba Niang quickly grabbed her.
"Wait a minute, she's about to come out, and that's Madam Cheng." She said.
Chen Danniang shook off her hand.
"It's not like I recognize you, Shiba Niang. If you want to see me, just wait by yourself. What are you afraid of?" She said, turning around and running away.
Chen Shiba Niang hurriedly stretched out her hand to hold her.
"What are you talking about? Why should I be afraid of you? Stop right now. Madam Cheng was the best to you back then, but you didn't even see her when she came..." she said.
The two sisters were pulling each other, and there was the sound of footsteps over there.
"Madam." the maid called.
Chen Shiba Niang and Chen Danniang stopped and turned around, seeing the servant woman leading a woman and a maid standing a few steps away.
Wearing a plain-colored skirt and a plain-colored blouse, she wore a wooden hairpin on her high-waisted hair and a small silver comb stuck to the side. After two years of not seeing each other, her face felt strange for a moment, but soon it overlapped with the features in her memory.
"Ms. Cheng." Chen Shiba Niang took a step forward with a smile on her face.
Cheng Jiaoniang nodded with a smile.
"Eighteenth lady." Banqin smiled and saluted.
"You..." Chen Shiba Niang said with a smile, but she didn't know what to say at the moment, "I, how about you go and sit at my place?"
Before Cheng Jiaoniang could speak, Chen Danniang, who had been looking at her with her head tilted, stepped forward.
"Are you Mrs. Cheng?" she asked.
Cheng Jiaoniang looked at her and smiled slightly.
"Are you Chen Danniang?" she asked.
"Yes, do you still recognize me?" Chen Danniang asked, shaking her head, "But I don't really recognize you anymore."
Chen Shiba Niang reached out and patted her.
"Danniang." She said angrily.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled again.
"It doesn't matter, just meet her again." She said, giving a half salute, "I am Cheng Jiaoniang."
Chen Danniang smiled and stepped forward.
"I'm Chen Danniang," she said, lifting her skirt and curtsying.
Looking at the appearance of these two people, Chen Shiba Niang smiled a little, while the maids beside her laughed.
"...Sure enough, this lady still told the child to come here." A person said in a low voice.
After this joke, the embarrassment that was a little unfamiliar immediately dissipated.
"Well, I looked at it carefully and I kind of remembered it." Chen Danniang said, tilting her head.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled slightly.
"Ms. Cheng, I'm here to wait for you. Let's go to the yard to talk." Chen Shiba said.
"No, I still have something to do, let's wait for another day." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
Is this shirk, or avoidance, or...
Chen Danniang's thoughts flashed through her mind for the first time, but she soon came to her senses and looked at Cheng Jiaoniang, who listened carefully to what Chen Danniang said, and couldn't help laughing at herself.
When this lady says something is going on, it means something is going on, and she has no other meaning.
Here, Cheng Jiaoniang saluted and stepped forward.
"Ms. Cheng." Chen Shiba Niang hurriedly followed, "I'll see you off."
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled and nodded.
Although we haven't seen each other for two years, nothing has changed at all. Mrs. Cheng still doesn't like to talk, but some people do.
"I'm not familiar with you, so I don't know what to say to you." Chen Danniang said.
"Me too." Cheng Jiaoniang nodded with a smile.
Chen Danniang's eyes suddenly lit up.
The servants in front and behind him laughed again.
This lady is very good at coaxing children.
"However, I think we should have something to say." Chen Danniang followed her and said happily.
"It's actually easy, just say whatever you want." Cheng Jiaoniang nodded.
Seeing the excitement of this freshman novel, Chen Shiba Niang was one step behind.
"It's not familiar. Isn't this the same as before?" She shook her head and said.
The carriage was already waiting at the door, and Banqin helped Cheng Jiaoniang get into the carriage.
Chen Shiba Niang, who had been silent all this time, took a step forward.
"Ms. Cheng," she said, "it will be fine."
"Yes, it will be fine." Cheng Jiaoniang nodded with a smile.
Watching the carriage leave, Chen Shiba Niang was still a little uneasy, so she sent away the chattering Chen Danniang. When she came to her grandfather, she saw that her father was also there.
"Father, is Mrs. Cheng here to ask for your help?" She asked directly. Without waiting for Chen Shao's answer, she asked with a bit of pleading, "Father, please help her."
Chen Shao laughed when he heard this, but his smile was a little weird.
"She is here to help me." He said.
Chen Shiba Niang was startled, thinking she heard wrongly.
"Helping you, father?" she asked, "What can I help you with, father?"
Give merit rewards to the Maoyuanshan brothers.
Chen Shao said in his heart that it wasn't that he didn't want to tell his daughter, but that it didn't make sense no matter what.
Who is helping whom?
"She helped you." Old Mrs. Chen thought for a moment and said, looking at Chen Shao's serious expression, "Sometimes I can help you, which is the greatest help to you."
Help is the greatest help? What does this mean?
Chen Shiba Niang turned to look at her father, who nodded slowly when she saw a complicated look on her face.
If you don't even allow help, then that's complete separation.
…………………………………………..
"What's this?"
In the Qinzheng Hall, the emperor looked at the memorial handed over by Chen Shao and asked.
"It's a reward from the five people in Maoyuan Mountain." Chen Shao said.
After hearing what he said, the prince of Jin'an County and the eldest prince, who were kneeling beside him, both looked over. The eldest prince could not hide his surprise.
He actually said this at this time?
As expected, the emperor's face darkened a bit, and he placed the memorial on several desks.
"I understand." He said.
Chen Shao did not retreat.
"Your Majesty, Zhongshu has already reviewed it, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to review it and approve it," he said.
"Are you that anxious?"
The emperor suddenly raised his voice and shouted.
"Are you so anxious to repay someone's kindness that you can't wait at all?"
There was a moment of silence in the main hall. Seeing the emperor's anger, the prince of Jin'an County and the eldest prince who were sitting on their knees stood up and stood with their hands down.
"Your Majesty, after Mrs. Cheng treated my father, she took a house from my house as a reward." Chen Shao's expression was calm, and he neither answered the emperor's words nor said he was guilty.
"So you don't owe her any favors?" the emperor sneered.
"I don't think so, but that's what the lady said." Chen Shao said, "She said that she is a doctor who saves lives, and I am a patient who pays the fee. This is your love and I am willing to ask for it, so she does not owe me anything."
I don't owe her either."
The emperor even smiled.
"So you think it's really impressive for this little lady to say such things?" he asked with a bit of sarcasm.
Chen Shao smiled and nodded.
"It's really impressive, but it's pitiful," he said.
Poor? The emperor sneered and said nothing.
"If she wasn't so desperate, how could she not trust or rely on favors?" Chen Shao said.
Most people in the world see clearly but cannot let go. But to truly be able to let go, one must see so clearly that there is no way out.
Prince Jin'an lowered his gaze.
"Your Majesty must also know the origin and identity of Mrs. Cheng." Chen Shao continued, "She was born stupid and was almost drowned. Her mother died and her father abandoned her. Everyone shunned her. She has a family but no relatives."
"There are many poor people in the world, and pity is not the reason for doing..." the emperor said, "and you should be compassionate, but you cannot ignore the laws and regulations of the country."
Chen Shao responded yes.
"That's exactly what I am doing. I don't think I owe her any more kindness, so I always want to repay her, but I didn't expect that repaying her kindness is not that easy." He said, smiling at himself.
The emperor looked blank and seemed to be disdainful, but he did not stop him from speaking.
"She was the first to come to me for help when it came to deserting the army two years ago." Chen Shao continued, sighing and smiling bitterly, "But Your Majesty, I can't help."
The emperor had forgotten what happened two years ago, but because of this incident, he remembered it again and nodded. It was true that Chen Shao didn't help with that incident.
"On the contrary, I also advised her that the country's laws and military regulations must not be violated. Although His Majesty made the final decision, even now, I still believe that deserters should be executed." Chen Shao raised his head and said with a solemn expression.
This was not a lie, the emperor did not speak.
"I refused the lady's request at that time. I didn't regret it, but I was apologizing. Later, the lady left Beijing and returned home, and I had no chance to make amends."
"I didn't expect that two years later she would come to Beijing again, and as soon as she came to Beijing, she would beg for help again."
"And this time, I still can't take sides..."
"I was shocked when I learned about her request. I had to be cautious about this matter, so I didn't do anything. I just briefly asked about northwest affairs in front of my subordinates, and then I would investigate later. It turned out that Lu Zheng was determined to ask first.
Your Majesty will know what happened next."
"Your Majesty, not only did I not respond to the woman's request this time, but I rejected her request. Your Majesty blamed the woman for not beating the drum to complain. In fact, it was me who forced the woman to have no choice but to take this action to heaven.
Listen, let's talk about it, it's all because of me."
As Chen Shao spoke, he took out another memorial and bowed to hold it.
"Your Majesty, please resign," he said.
Resign?
The Prince of Jin'an County and the eldest prince both looked over, and this time even the Prince of Jin'an County could not conceal his surprise.
It is very common for courtiers to ask for resignation. For example, if the emperor rejects the petition and they are unhappy, they are angry, for example, they are impeached by the imperial censor, for example, if they want to be promoted, for example, if they express guilt, etc., they can submit the request.
Of course, this kind of resignation is just a show.
But Chen Shao had never been like this since he entered the court. Let alone resigning, even when he was impeached by the censor, he did not even avoid his position according to the rules.
Receive the emperor's favor and devote yourself to the affairs of the country without hesitation.
This is what Chen Shao said to the emperor when they had a happy conversation during the imperial examination. He has been doing this for so many years, standing upright and firm, and never giving in or taking any soft stance on state affairs.
The emperor's expression softened, he sighed softly, and looked at the courtiers bowing in front of him. Unknowingly, the once high-spirited hairpin man had also turned white on his temples.
"But before resigning, I still have to ask your Majesty to confirm the merits and rewards. Regardless of other affairs in the northwest, at least this matter can be concluded with the presence of human and material evidence. Your Majesty also promised it, and this move is in accordance with the will.
, there are no violations, and it can be considered that I can finally do my best for that lady, and live up to the laws and regulations of the country, and live up to Your Majesty." Chen Shao bowed again and said.
The emperor looked at him for a moment, then reached out and picked up the memorial that had been placed aside, and opened it.
After a while, word spread that Chen Shao had submitted his resignation letter.
"I can't wait to jump over the wall, and even come up with such tricks!" Gao Lingbo said with a sneer, "Knowing that the war is coming, changing the general will shake the morale of the army, and dare to threaten the emperor regardless of national affairs and the interests of the country. It is really the end of Guizhou donkey's skills.
.”
"Sir, it seems that what he is seeking is not about the northwest," said a subordinate, "but about the reward from Maoyuan Mountain."
Gao Lingbo was stunned for a moment.
"That's it?" he asked, and then sneered, "How is that possible? How can I care about this now?"
"This is indeed the case, Your Majesty is right." said the subordinate.
What is Chen Shao doing?
Gao Lingbo frowned. He didn't know if it was his own misunderstanding. He always felt that Chen Shao was acting more and more weird nowadays, his official position was getting higher and higher, and he had more and more contacts with him, but when he thought about it, it felt a little strange, as if he was not as familiar as before.
Could it be that the more you understand, the less you don’t understand?
"I feel that this matter is bound to fail. Rather than making the emperor suspicious of his collusion and conspiracy with Mrs. Cheng this time, it is better to simply admit the collusion between them, and perhaps recount the old relationship between the emperor and his ministers to relieve the emperor's worries.
Done." said an aide.
That's all?
Gao Lingbo stroked his beard and said nothing.
He always felt a little uneasy. He had been caught off guard by Chen Shao. Fortunately, God was on his side...
"Sir, this war was not caused by manpower. Wouldn't it be gone if it didn't happen? No matter what, Your Majesty will not shake the morale of the army at this time. Neither Zhou Fengxiang nor Chen Shao can save the day." Staff.
said.
It stands to reason.
Gao Lingbo nodded.
"Watch him," he said, then added after a moment's hesitation, "And that fool from Jiangzhou."
For a fool from Jiangzhou to be able to think about it for a moment and still be on an equal footing with Prime Minister Chen is a tribute to our ancestors.
The staff member said in his heart, and the answer was yes.
"... Hundreds of people in Linguan Village were surrounded by thieves. They stood firm and did not retreat. They tried their best to defend and defended to the death. Their loyalty and righteousness never faded. They should sacrifice twice as much for their family..."
In the courtyard of Yudaiqiao, the official who issued the imperial edict was holding up the edict and reading it in a cadence.
"…..Fan Shitou, Xu Maoxiu, Xu Layue, Fan Sanchou, Xu Bangchui was posthumously made a general, Fan Jianglin was made a palace attendant, and Xu Bangchui's son was appointed to the third class to become a general..."
The people watching outside the door were all buzzing and talking when they heard this, looking at the child being held in the arms of a woman.
Such a young child has become a general. Although it is the lowest level, it is really easy compared to the fact that his father sacrificed his life to become a general.
What the emperor did this time was really kind and generous.
"It can be seen that Your Majesty is kind and will reward meritorious deeds and redress grievances, but he was deceived."
The officials who listened to the people's comments and made the call only felt a flash of relief, but they were not very excited.
Now he can't care about it anymore. The emperor is worried about matters in the northwest. If he makes a mistake this time, it won't be a matter of being ridiculed by the world because of the coercion of a magic stick. I'm afraid that the courtiers will have an uproar.
He also had to go to his ancestors to weep and confess his sins.
The official handed the edict in his hand to Fan Jianglin, who was kowtowing and thanking him, said a few words in a hurry and led the people away.
After the officials left, people gathered around to say congratulations.
The maid over there had already prepared two dustpans of money and called the boy to bring them up.
"Thank you all, fellow villagers." She said, asking the boys to put the money.
There was a sudden commotion at the gate of Yudai Bridge.
At the same time, after receiving the news, Taipingju, Shenxianju, and Yichuntang all began to put money in front of their doors, causing the streets to become noisy again.
Fan Jianglin and others did not pay attention to the lively celebrations outside. They sat in the hall and looked at the petition and edict in front of them. Fan Jianglin read it over and over again with red eyes, while his wife next to him kept wiping away tears.
"Sister, I will go to their graves to make them happy too." Fan Jianglin held up the sui and said.
Cheng Jiaoniang, who was sitting aside, shook her head.
"It's not urgent yet," she said. "It's not enough."
Not enough?
Fan Jianglin was stunned for a moment, a little confused.
"Brother, have you ever thought about what you want to do?" Cheng Jiaoniang asked next.
Fan Jianglin's expression darkened.
After being injured, although his daily activities were not affected, he still couldn't draw the three-stone bow, fire ten arrows in succession, or split the enemy's armor with his sword like before. The most he could do was shoot the enemy at close range with a crossbow.
But there are so many opportunities on the battlefield for you to kill people at close range with a crossbow.
Originally, he only wanted to clear the names of his brothers and did not think about the future. Now that his wish was fulfilled and he was asked this question by Cheng Jiaoniang, he couldn't help but feel a little depressed.
He is a useless person, what else can he do...
Mr. Huang on the side was a little surprised and boldly glanced at Cheng Jiaoniang. It was not appropriate to say this at this time.
"I'll just stay in the capital and look after the store." Fan Jianglin said with a fake smile.
"Brother doesn't want to kill the enemy anymore?" Cheng Jiaoniang asked.
How could you not want to….
But how to kill?
Fan Jianglin looked at Cheng Jiaoniang, this sister will never make decisions for others, she will only make decisions according to your wishes...
You don't need to hide your feelings in front of her, and don't speculate on her feelings. Whatever she asks is what she wants. All you have to do is speak your true thoughts out loud.
"I think." He took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
"Then I'll help you, brother, to become the enemy of thousands of people." Cheng Jiaoniang said, standing up.
Enemy of ten thousand people? General?
Fan Jianglin looked at Cheng Jiaoniang in surprise.
He knows what it means to be a million enemies.
Xu Maoxiu once told them at the beginning that the martial arts of bow and horse are only the courage of one man to defeat one man. No matter how good the martial arts is, the achievements of being able to kill the enemy are countless, and those generals who command the killing of the enemy are the enemies of ten thousand people.
A general who commands the enemy? How could he be! He can’t even read a single Chinese character!
"It's not just generals who can defeat thousands of people in the world." Cheng Jiaoniang said, "Brother, please come with me."
***********************
Two chapters combined into one. I will update the leader in the afternoon. Thank you to the new leader. I am very worried. (To be continued)
