In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 616 Swift Actions, Arresting Someone in the Dead of Night
Lu Yunyi felt that he shouldn't have come here as a third wheel.

After the initial "love-hate" relationship,

Liu Heiying and Ya Rong quickly became inseparable.

They said things that gave Lu Yunyi goosebumps.

Phrases like "The general has become even more valiant since we last met" are used.

Lu Yunyi, who was originally sitting at the table, is now standing in front of the window in the corner of the private room, and can feel the cold wind coming from the cracks in the window.

He pretended to look through the window at the swirling snowflakes outside.

At some point, Lu Yunyi's gaze deepened as he stared blankly at the slightly trembling window paper.

Three months have passed since I left Beijing, and news from the capital is still coming in.

The struggle continues, but the situation is beginning to take shape.

Some meritorious officials and military generals who had previously been retired were reinstated.

Some of them joined the Northern Expeditionary Army after the New Year, while others went to various places to guard and train troops.

The original Crown Prince's subordinate officials, the Left and Right Spring Palaces and the Bureau of Classics, were abolished and reorganized into the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Tang Duo served as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and then resigned and returned to his hometown.

He once served as Minister of Justice and Minister of War, and also as Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and had a deep foundation in the court.

When Lu Yunyi was in the capital, he often saw him.

He was the Crown Prince's right-hand man and a true guest of the Crown Prince.

Now that he has returned to his hometown, the power of the Crown Prince's officials has been weakened.

In addition, Xia Dezhong, the commander of the Anfu Thousand-Household Office in Huguang, instigated the barbarians of Jiuxi Cave to rebel.

After the rebellion was quelled, the imperial court ordered the establishment of the Jiuxi and Yongding Guards, and changed the Dayong Guard into a thousand-household garrison.

With the enemy advancing and us retreating, the imperial court's power in Huguang was greatly weakened.

Tang He, whom I met in the capital, no longer controls the Fengyang Zhongdu Garrison.

I heard he has health problems and is unable to speak.

Zhou Dexing, the Marquis of Jiangxia who was stationed in Zhongdu, has also set off for the capital.

It remains to be seen who will ultimately control the Zhongdu Garrison Command.

In addition, Yingtian Trading Company reopened after being closed for a month.

The struggles were arduous and even triggered several popular uprisings!
The reopened Yingtian Trading Company is still thriving, with people coming and going.

However, this time the business's supply chain experienced some setbacks.

Originally, many items were supplied directly by the village to the store.

Now it has to go through an extra middleman.

Lu Yunyi understood that this was also a kind of compromise.
But in any case, being able to reopen is better than remaining closed forever.

As for the intricacies involved, they can be dealt with later; this is a necessary price to pay.

The imperial court did not come away empty-handed.

Cement workshops and concrete workshops began to be built in Yingtian.

The palace always makes grand gestures.
The village, which was located near the official road and was originally dilapidated, needs to be renovated.

The village contributed part of the money, and the imperial court contributed part of the money.

If the village is short of money, then the trading company will step in.

See if we can uncover its commercial value and repay it with the money we earn in the future.

As the military officers who had been training returned to Beijing one after another, the turmoil gradually subsided.

However, the situation was much more unpredictable than when he left Beijing.

"Brother Yun'er, Brother Yun'er."

Shouts came from behind.

Lu Yunyi called out a few times before he came to his senses and turned around to look.

Liu Heiying had already bandaged his wounds and put his heavy armor back on.

Ya Rong stood obediently to the side, not daring to raise her head.

Lu Yunyi sensed the awkward atmosphere in the room, touched his nose, and said:
"I just remembered something that I need to take care of at the yamen, so I'll skip the meal and you two can have a good chat."

After saying that, Lu Yunyi ignored Liu Heiying's attempts to stop him and left the private room.

At the door, he saw his personal guard Hu Xiaowu and gave him instructions:
"Be vigilant at all times and keep a close eye on your family. If anything goes wrong, you will be held responsible."

Hu Xiaowu was somewhat taken aback, then nodded repeatedly.

As he left the restaurant, the gust of cold wind made Lu Yunyi catch his breath.

He put on his cloak and wrapped it tightly around himself.

He then put on the felt hat unique to Daning, covering his ears, and sped away.

Before long, Lu Yunyi returned to the Lu residence located on Sanbao Street.

This mansion is not located in a place where the powerful and wealthy gather, but in a quiet place next to the bustling city.

It occupies a large area and is convenient to go anywhere.

This was the dowry given by Liu Sili, the father-in-law of Wanyi, when he married her in Qingzhou.

In addition, there were shops and farmland within the city of Daning.

Lu Yunyi hadn't had time to check yet.

Lu Yunyi dismounted and immediately saw Uncle Wang, who was wrapped up tightly and ran out of the gate.

He was as tall as ever, with a kind, wrinkled face.

But now, his nose was red from the cold and kept twitching.

"Master, please come inside quickly, it's windy outside."

Uncle Wang's shouts were faint in the wind and snow.

But Lu Yunyi still heard it, and after handing the warhorse to him, he quickly walked into the mansion.

Before long, Uncle Wang, having settled his warhorse, came over, his body covered in snow.

He quickly took Lu Yunyi's cloak and said while cleaning:

"My lord, the weather in Da Ning is truly freezing cold. The wind and snow are so heavy that it is awe-inspiring."

Lu Yunyi smiled:

"You're from Yunnan, where the climate is mild. Are you getting used to living in Daning?"

Uncle Wang was taken aback, but quickly forced a smile:

"Master is too kind. We servants will follow our master wherever he is."

As long as the master is used to it, the old servant will be used to it too.

"hehe.."

Lu Yunyi nodded with a smile:

"You've just arrived in Daning and have a lot to take care of. You've worked hard."

If you feel you don't have enough clothes, buy more to wear.

The snow and wind in Daning can freeze you to the bone; you absolutely mustn't be careless.

Uncle Wang smiled broadly, bowed repeatedly, and then said:

"Master, I have something to tell you."

"explain."

“The stables in the manor aren’t very windproof. Yesterday I saw the horse shivering from the cold and couldn’t sleep well.”

Therefore, I would like to ask the craftsmen in the city to repair it.

It's just that I don't understand the habits of warhorses.
If the weather is good for the warhorses, then there's no need to repair them, so I wanted to ask the master.

"Um"

Lu Yunyi pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"Let's make some repairs. Some of the warhorses at home were replenished in Yingtian."

Compared to the northern marathon, the southern marathon is less cold-resistant and needs time to adapt.

"Yes, sir, I'll have someone come and fix it tomorrow."

Wang Bo bowed slightly.

"Oh, and also renovate the gatehouse in the mansion."
You haven't experienced the strong winds of Daning, you might not be able to handle it.

"Thank you, sir!"

Lu Yunyi nodded and strode towards the main hall.

The design of this mansion is ingenious.

Even though it was windy and snowy outside, once inside the courtyard,
The snow became soft and gently fell, creating a beautiful scene.

Pushing open the door, I entered the main hall.
Lu Yunyi saw Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun, who were already waiting at the door.

There was food and dishes on the table, so the two of them had just finished eating.

"I'm sorry to have interrupted your meal by coming back so suddenly."

Mu Chuting glanced at him:
"What are you saying, my husband? We wish you would eat at home every day!"

Deng Lingyun, who was wrapped up tightly, kept nodding her little head.

"Are you cold?" Lu Yunyi asked.

"It's so cold, but the snow here is especially beautiful."

Deng Lingyun's voice is playful and still lively and agile.

Lu Yunyi laughed, looked around, and then walked to the window.
Open the window a crack to let the cold air in.

"There is a charcoal fire in the room, so we need to keep the air circulating."

Although the house has ventilation ducts, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Mu Chuting looked surprised:
"Husband? What will happen if there's no ventilation?"

"He will die, and even if he is saved, he may become an idiot."

As Lu Yunyi spoke, he sat down at the table:

“Every year, some soldiers who come from the mainland will be injured or killed due to carelessness.”

Perhaps because they were afraid of the cold, they wrapped the tents tightly, leaving no gaps, and then lit charcoal braziers inside.

Although it was warmer, they lost their lives.

Both Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun were still shaken.

Deng Lingyun walked briskly to the window and opened the window a little wider.

A biting, white wind blew in, and she couldn't help but sigh:
"Wow"

"Come and eat. You've just arrived in northern Xinjiang and aren't used to it yet. You can't be exposed to the cold wind."

Besides, eat more and gain some weight. Having some muscle will help you get through this freezing weather.

Lu Yunyi took the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by Mu Chuting and began to chatter on and on.

“Husband, you seem to have become more talkative since you came to Da Ning.”

Mu Chuting handed the chopsticks over again.

Lu Yunyi explained with a smile:
"In such cold weather, people are prone to feeling irritable and depressed."

Therefore, you should talk more and communicate with people more so that you won't have psychological problems.

This is why the whole of Daning is in an uproar.

Of course, the civilians and soldiers did this not consciously, but out of instinct.

Because talking and communicating with people makes them feel comfortable.

Lu Yunyi suddenly remembered something and said with a smile:
"I met Lord Zhou today. Perhaps because of his high position and great power, no one in the military command can chat with him."

As soon as we met, he pulled me aside and talked for a long time.

The implication was clear: they didn't want to stay here anymore and wanted to go south.

"Is there such a thing?"

Mu Chuting's eyes widened in surprise.

Nobody opens up tosses and confides in someone the very first day they meet.

"A lonely and isolated environment can make people more extroverted."
Lord Zhou has been in the North for almost ten years, and he's practically a northerner now."

Lu Yunyi picked up his rice bowl, and Deng Lingyun thoughtfully picked up a plate and poured him some vegetable soup.

The three of them ate their meal, the warmth of the stove filling the room.

The sunlight made all three of their cheeks glow red, creating an atmosphere of unprecedented harmony.

After eating a bowl of rice, Lu Yunyi said:

"Have the kitchen prepare some noodles tomorrow, I'll be busy from now on."

It's freezing cold outside, so rice isn't very filling.

You don't need to eat with me; eat whatever you want.

"Yes, my husband."

Mu Chuting smiled gently, and Deng Lingyun also lifted her head out of her rice bowl and chuckled.

"Husband, when will my sister arrive?"

Mu Chuting asked.

Lu Yunyi stopped wolfing down his food and thought for a moment:

"It should be in the next few days, but the wind and snow have been heavy lately, so there might be some delays."

As he spoke, Lu Yunyi glanced at them and noticed that they all looked somewhat uneasy.

He put down his chopsticks and said with a smile:
"Don't worry, Wanyi has a very good personality, you don't need to worry."

But after saying that, the two of them seemed even more aggrieved and uneasy.

Lu Yunyi scratched his head helplessly and said decisively:

"Alright, let's not dwell on this anymore. Once they arrive, we'll get to know them better after spending some time together!"

Seeing him like this, the two of them quickly sat up straight:
"It is my husband."

After a satisfying meal, Lu Yunyi did not rest but went to his study.

Here, someone was already waiting.
He was Wu Su'an, the chief clerk of the Military Command's Records Office.

Wu Su'an was in his thirties and had a refined and gentle appearance.

His skin was dark, and his robe had some patches, making him look somewhat disheveled.

Upon seeing Lu Yunyi enter, he quickly bowed and greeted him.
"Your humble servant Wu Su'an greets Your Excellency!"

Wu Su'an's eyes showed a hint of excitement.

He received orders as he was leaving his office to come here after dark...

Having navigated the complexities of officialdom for many years
He was always diligent and hardworking, but never sought advancement.

But he wasn't a blockhead; he knew what this meant.

When a new official takes office, he needs to find some trusted confidants within the government office, and he has been chosen!
Lu Yunyi nodded, returned to his desk and sat down, looked him up and down, and smiled:

"Sit down, don't be shy. I've heard your name mentioned by many people."

Wu Su'an moved a chair over and sat down, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes:
"Sir, have you heard of me?"

"I've heard about it; it happened at the yamen today."

When some soldiers were discussing whether their efforts were worthwhile, they mentioned you, saying that your writing was excellent.

Upon hearing this, Wu Su'an's face suddenly turned awkward, revealing an embarrassed expression, and finally she sighed:
"My lord, I am also aware of these rumors."
The clerks and soldiers in the government office always said that.

He wrote excellent official documents, yet he couldn't get promoted.

Lu Yunyi was surprised by his candor and pushed a cup of tea on the table towards him:

"Have a cup of tea and warm yourself up."

"Thank you, sir."

Wu Su'an held the teacup, feeling the warmth on it, and immediately felt much more comfortable.

Lu Yunyi took a sip of tea and asked with a smile:

Do you want a promotion?

Such blunt words stunned Wu Su'an.

He stared blankly at the young adult before him.
For a moment, I didn't know how to answer, and my mind went blank.

Lu Yunyi took another sip of tea, not in a hurry.

Lu Yunyi had read some of the documents written by Wu Su'an, who was standing in front of him.

Indeed, it is very neat, well-organized, and concise; the writer is a talented individual.

Unfortunately, Kuang Xiaofei, the commander of the Da Ning Military Command, was a confidant of Duan Zhengze, the assistant commander.

Kuang Xiaofei wasn't very capable; he just drifted along.

He still firmly holds his official position, which has remained unchanged for several years, leaving all his colleagues with no way to get promoted.

After a long while, Wu Su'an finally spoke:
"My lord, I wish to be promoted."

Lu Yunyi nodded after hearing this:

"Yes, that's true."

Tell me about your experiences and observations during your years at the Daning Commandery.

You don't need to go into every detail; just tell me how you feel.

By the way, have you ever served as an official elsewhere? Or were you originally in Daning?

"Reporting to Your Excellency, I am from Daning and happen to be literate."

When the Regional Military Commission was established, it recruited officials into its offices.

"Okay, go ahead and say it."

In the dimly lit study, candlelight flickered, while a cold wind howled outside.

The warmth inside made me feel at ease.

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Su'an began to recount his impressions and understanding of the Da Ning Commandery.

At the beginning of Hai Shi (around 9 PM), it was already pitch black.

The cold wind outside showed no signs of abating and continued to howl.

The strong winds blew the once orderly snowfall into chaos, causing snowflakes to dance wildly in the sky.

Wenchang Street in Daning City is the most bustling place in Daning at night, with taverns and brothels.

Even though it's windy now and there aren't many pedestrians on the road, the lights are still on.

Through the thin paper window, one could see the silhouettes of people drinking and making merry.

At that moment, the clanging of armor resounded along Wenchang Street.

A group of over a hundred people came from the west, braving the cold wind.

Marching in unison through the wind and snow.

They were clad in black armor, wearing cloaks, felt hats, gloves, and menacing black masks.

Like a fierce god emerging from the darkness.
Many pedestrians backed away, unsure of what had happened.

Walnut House on Wenchang Street
It was the brothel with the most women from the grasslands in the city.

Women from the grasslands are tall and strong, and are very popular with some powerful and wealthy people in the city.

Kuang Xiaofei, a military officer, was an example of this, for no other reason than...

It was simply because he was short and thin.

Any woman randomly picked from the Walnut House could completely overshadow him.

But he just happened to like this place and came almost every night.

At this moment, inside a room in the Walnut House, the charcoal fire in the bronze stove is roaring, making the whole room as warm as summer.

On the large bed, a petite figure and a tall figure were entangled together, deeply in love.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, and a tall figure appeared outside.

"Dong dong dong."

"who!"

Kuang Xiaofei was startled, his scalp tingled, and he stopped abruptly.

He turned his head sharply and looked toward the door.

"Lord Kuang, please open the door, it's urgent."

A dull thud came from outside the door.

Kuang Xiaofei launched into a tirade:
"Everyone, dismiss the officials! Understand? Any important matters can be discussed tomorrow!"

"Please open the door."

"Fuck your mother!"

"Oh!"

The door was violently kicked open, and two soldiers wearing armor and face shields, covered in rain and snow, stood in the doorway.

A cold wind blew in, causing Kuang Xiaofei to involuntarily get goosebumps.

Upon seeing who it was, his pupils contracted slightly:
"Who are you!"

The beautiful grassland woman kept retreating, shrinking into a corner, her eyes filled with fear.

The person entered, their voice heavy:
"I am Zhang Huai'an, commander of the vanguard scout unit."
"By order of the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, I have come to request that Lord Kuang return for questioning."

(End of this chapter)