Chapter 125 Ah Lie, Is That You?
During the banquet, Lu Qingcai completely suppressed these sect members. He did not have any martial arts, but having the backing of the royal court was his greatest source of confidence.
It was as he said, if one was timid, then there was no need for him to become an official.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t afraid of death, but Lu Qingcai could clearly tell who would dare to kill him and who was bluffing.
People like Bao Quan might seem fierce, but Lu Qingcai knew very well that he was a person who appeared fierce on the outside but was weak on the inside. He did not dare to really kill.
The dishes and wine were slowly served. Lu Qingcai raised his wine cup and said, “Everyone, this year’s matter has been decided. However, there is no need to be anxious. Although the prefectural magistrate has also gotten quite a number of young and strong men this time, he definitely won’t be too concerned about these two mines. In a year or two, most of the young and strong men who have been mining would have died. Or perhaps the prefectural magistrate will be promoted and transferred to another position. Naturally, this mine will still be given to you.”
Although all the sect members were unhappy in their hearts, they knew that they could not win against those with authority!
Even if they killed Lu Qingcai, they would definitely receive a series of revenge!
Especially now that the Royal Court’s army was in Li Prefecture, no one dared to be impudent!
The atmosphere at the banquet returned to normal. After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became more lively. Su Wen talked about some interesting things in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and everyone listened with relish.
“Say, that famous scholar in his seventies and eighties actually shrank into his stomach when he went to visit brothels. He’s now famous throughout the capital…”
Lu Qingcai was also intrigued by what he heard. He sighed and said, “Back then at Profound Language Pavilion, we only received a meager monthly salary. We could only discuss the world with our colleagues, so how could we afford to spend money like this? Come to think of it, I’m probably not as knowledgeable as you in the capital.”
Su Wen smiled and said, “My lord is being too modest. Now that my lord is an official, you are no longer the same person you were in the past. You might even be transferred to the capital one day. At that time, you can do whatever you want.”
However, Lu Qingcai shook his head slightly. “It’s not that easy. Besides, isn’t it more comfortable for me to be a 7th Rank official than a 5th Rank official in the capital? In Yong County, I call the shots. In the capital, even a 5th Rank official can’t compare to a steward of the Prime Minister’s estate!”
“You can’t be a county magistrate for the rest of your life. You have to be promoted.” Su Wen flattered.
As the alcohol got to his head, Lu Qingcai lamented, “Back when I left the capital, I was full of passion and ambition. But when I came to this place, I realized that it’s not so easy to be an official. Forget about others, just you martial sects can threaten me with your lives. The local aristocratic families can even cover the sky with one hand. I have to show some respect to the officials above me, while the officials at the bottom are all counting on me to give them some benefits. It’s not easy being an official… Why did Chen Bingzhong die? He just doesn’t know how to adapt to the circumstances!”
Su Wen’s eyes sharpened. Chen Bingzhong was the official sent to provide disaster relief for the Li Prefecture!
However, Su Wen did not probe further.
He knew that Lu Qingcai could say some things himself, but he could not ask.
Lu Qingcai did not have any intention to go deeper into the conversation. He merely sighed and shifted the topic back to surface conversations.
Everyone drank and chatted happily. However, Su Wen knew very well that once these people left the magistrate office, they would wear another face.
On the other side, within the camp of the Royal Army.
Wu Kunhu sat on the chair and closed his eyes to rest.
Wu Lie remained looking at the map.
“Commander-in-chief, I’ll lead the troops from Wooden Fish Ridge tomorrow and bypass the enemy troops. When you send the troops in, I’ll attack from the flank. What do you think?”
Wu Kunhu nodded absent-mindedly and said, “Whatever makes you happy.”
Wu Lie could tell that Wu Kunhu was not interested in quelling the rebellion. He was a little puzzled. “Father, aren’t you always in the lead when fighting in the past? Why do you look so reluctant this time?” Wu Kunhu shook his head and said, “Be it the northern borders or the southern Barbaric Lands, they are all people from enemy countries. Naturally, I’m happy to kill them. However, this time, the rebels are just some poor commoners. Although they are wielding weapons, how many of them are martial artists? Do they know military formations? They are only relying on some terrain to delay their defense. What’s the point of fighting?” “Then why did you bring me here, father…” Wu Lie lost his enthusiasm after hearing Wu Kunhu’s words. He could not help but complain.
Wu Zehu said angrily, “Do you think I would snatch this mission to quell the rebellion if not for you? This is a ready-made military merit! Ever since I entered the Li Prefecture, didn’t you notice that you’ve have been assigned to give more commands so that you can earn more merits?”
“If I want military merits, I will earn them myself. Why do I need such military merits? It’s despicable!” Wu Lie said in a low voice. “Tomorrow, I have a stomachache and won’t be able to go to Wooden Fish Ridge. Commander Father, go find someone else!”
Wu Lie was a headstrong person to begin with. Before Wu Kunhu had spoken, he had actually been enthusiastic in leading the troops. Now that he heard this, he immediately lost interest.
“You brat! Are you trying to anger your father to death?” Wu Kunhu was furious.
Wu Lie sneered. “You didn’t keep your word. You promised to help me marry Yan Luoying, but you didn’t do anything in the end. Instead, you made me take credit for something so shameful. I’m afraid Yan Luoying will despise me when we go back.”
Wu Kunhu almost died from anger. He spat out furiously, “You! Do you think it’s so easy to earn military merits? Which general didn’t kill his way out of a pile of corpses? This time, it’s a free reward. Although there won’t be too much reward, it’s a stable victory. Your father, I, shamelessly accepted this mission for your sake, and you’re still talking about this and that. You don’t know what’s good for you!
Didn’t you see that His Majesty also let Su Changqing’s eldest son, Su Cheng, come with the army? It’s something we all know very well. Only you are noble! All you do is think about Yan Luoying all day. If you become a top figure among the younger generation, what woman can’t you marry?’
“You came out to fight such a lousy battle just because you want push me to the top? Then it’s fine if you don’t!” Wu Lie turned around and left.
When Wu Kunhu saw him run away, he felt a headache coming on!
What the heck was this!
If he were to follow the ancient saying “There are no fathers and sons in the army”, that would mean that his son could be be beheaded!
However, the next morning, something even more infuriating happened. “What? You said Wu Lie left the camp alone last night? He hasn’t returned yet?”
Great! Wu Kunhu knew that Wu Lie must have run away by himself.
He had not guessed wrongly. Wu Lie was angry. He thought about how smooth the journey had been and felt even more vexed. He planned to return to the capital himself.
He hurried through the night before finally arriving at Yong County.
Wu Lie planned to go in and buy some meat for a meal. He had come out in a hurry last night and had brought some dry rations and water.
At this moment in Yong County, Su Wen and Murong Yan were shopping with a group of people. After all, there were thousands of people and they consumed a lot of meat every day. In this day and age, there were no refrigerators so they could only shop regularly.
The two of them were walking through the bustling city when Su Wen suddenly saw a tall figure in front of them!
Wu Lie also saw Su Wen and was very surprised. “Su…”
Only his surname had been spoken, but Su Wen had already reacted to his words.
Inwardly, he cursed, “You stupid idiot! I don’t usually see you being so enthusiastic. To think you even greeted me this time. Can’t you pretend not to have seen me?!”
How could he let Wu Lie call out his name? His face was filled with excitement as he shouted, “Ah Lie! Ah Lie! Is that you? Ah Lie!’
Wu Lie was so shocked, he lost his tongue and did say the name that was about to leave his mouth.
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