In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 632 High Praise, Deep Brotherly Affection

The next morning, at the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM),

The sky was overcast and the sun was nowhere to be seen.

In front of the Beiping Metropolitan Office, many officials could already be seen coming and going.

They had only one destination.
Head to the dining hall behind the command post and enjoy a free and hearty breakfast.

It could be said that this was perhaps in this icy and snowy weather.

Their only solace in working for the government office.

The commander seemed more lively than usual.

In the spacious courtyard, several pine trees still stood luxuriantly.
These touches of green add a touch of life to the courtyard.

At the beginning of the Si hour, inside the meeting hall,

The same people gathered here as yesterday.

The only difference was that the leaders of the three guards of Duoyan were quietly seated.

The atmosphere today is different from usual; it's a bit strange.

Many people frequently glanced at Tuoluhuchaer and the others, marveling at their courage.

Before long, Lu Yunyi arrived with several assistants and quietly took their seats at the head of the table.

After a familiar opening,

Wu Su'an, the clerk, distributed the documents in his hand.

The document, after being revised once, reverted to its original form.

The three guards of Duoyan were prominently displayed at the top.

Lu Yunyi looked at the document in his hand, his expression calm:

"If you gentlemen have any ideas, please speak frankly, and the Commandery will make adjustments accordingly."

However, today, Bai Liangcai, the judge who led the opposition yesterday, spoke up first.

His face was filled with admiration and sincerity, and his voice was firm and resonant.

"Lord Lu, this list from the Bureau of Records is quite appropriate."

The ten garrisons were distributed in the four directions of the capital command: east, south, west, and north.

If we also include the area where Daning City is located...
This would allow for the planting of sweet potatoes to cover the entire Dusi area, enabling observation of their growth in different locations!

"Yeah, well said."

"Absolutely, absolutely. Since sweet potatoes have been proven in Yingtian, they must be a good thing."

"As long as suitable land can be found in Dusi, a bountiful harvest can be achieved."

"Lord Wu's list is very well thought out."

Many people praised it, noting that it was a stark contrast to yesterday's situation.

And the many adults present,

They were thick-skinned enough to remain completely unfazed, their expressions unchanged, as if they weren't the ones who had opposed them yesterday.

Tuoluhuchaer lowered his eyes slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

Last night, after making inquiries from various sources, he learned what had happened in this conference hall yesterday.

I also understood why the three garrisons eventually became one.

But today, this completely different scene made him sneer inwardly:

"Money paves the way, and indeed, nothing is ever unsuccessful."

He knew that it wasn't that the officers of the Commandery had changed their minds, but rather that he had offered far too much.
Four thousand sheep and five hundred cattle

If used for consumption, it would be enough to feed the entire city of Daning for a winter, worth five thousand taels of silver.

But using cattle and sheep for food is the most wasteful thing to do.
Cow dung, milk, wool, and so on are all valuable things.

After some discussion,

The three clerks successively expressed their praise for the list.
Lu Yunyi didn't hesitate and said crisply:

"In that case, the list is settled."

The documents were organized and presented to Lord Zhou in Beiping for review.

In addition, the various military garrisons under the jurisdiction of the capital have extensive experience in farming.
However, the three guards of Duoyan lack experience in farming.

In my opinion, the Commandery should assign some experienced farmers to teach them farming techniques.

We are striving to ensure that sweet potatoes can be successfully planted next spring.

What are your thoughts?

"Very good!"

Liu Heiying spoke first, and Duan Zhengze nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Tan Wei pondered for a moment, then said softly:
"My lord, some of the soldiers in the city's garrisons were transferred from the Tuntian Guard."

They are experienced and we can select people from among them.

Lu Yunyi nodded:
"I'll have to trouble you then, Lord Tan."

The number of people doesn't need to be too large, a dozen or so will suffice.

The master leads you through the door, but the rest is up to you to cultivate yourself.
"Giving our colleagues at the Duoyan Three Guards more practical experience will enable them to grow rapidly."

A joy flashed in Azashili's eyes.

The sincerity shown by the commander now surprised him somewhat.
Tuoluhuchaer was the same; his breathing became slightly rapid.

He felt that winning over Lu Yunyi was the right move.

"Do any of the three have any objections? If the number is not enough, we can add more," Lu Yunyi asked with a smile.

Azashili immediately stood up and bowed deeply:
"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Lu and Commander. The number of people is sufficient."

If we cannot learn it, then we will ask the Commander for help.

Lu Yunyi nodded with a smile:

"Well, in that case, it's settled then."
You should pass this message on, diligently learn farming methods, and begin preparations.

"I hope you will be able to successfully conduct trial planting next spring."

The three people and the members of the Duoyan Three Guards all stood up.
He bowed deeply to the head of the table, shouting "Thank you, Your Excellency!" His excitement was palpable.

Before long, Tuoluhuchaer returned to his office at the military headquarters.

Luchar, who had been waiting there, saw him return.
He suddenly stood up and hurriedly stepped forward to ask:
"Sir, how is the situation?"

Tuoluhuchar glanced at him, his face grave, and said in a deep voice:

"The commander has already agreed to the trial planting."

Lu Yunyi readily accepted our request to join him.

I'll inquire about Urigen's matter when I have some free time this afternoon.

Lu Cha'er was stunned and asked in surprise:
"Sir, you didn't ask anything just now?"

Tuoluhucha'er's face darkened.
She silently walked behind the desk and sat down, looking at him with a serious expression.

After a long pause, he sighed and said in a deep voice:
"I hope you will not pursue the matter of Urigen any further."

"what?"

Luchar's eyes widened suddenly:
"Sir, that's my younger brother!"

He had endured hardship to reach Daning City through the freezing snow, only to die there inexplicably.

"So we're not going to pursue this further?"

Tuoluhucha'er's face turned cold, and he pursed his lips slightly:

“Luchar, I understand how you feel.”
But the trial planting of sweet potatoes was of paramount importance.
This concerns the very survival of our tribe; I hope you can consider the bigger picture.

"The bigger picture! The bigger picture!"

My brother was doing this for the greater good.

I just arrived in Daning, leaving behind the warmth of my bed in this freezing weather.

Luchar's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

His eyes were wide with rage, and he was almost driven to madness.

Tuoluhuchaer fell silent.

Luchar walked quickly to the table and placed his hands on it:

"My lord, although Lu Yunyi intends to win us over and has offered us sufficient benefits."

But we cannot be so eager to submit to them.
Lu Yunyi is untrustworthy; he is even more dangerous than Zhou Xing before him.

Moreover, he had numerous conflicts with many powerful figures in the city.

Although they are holding back for now, no one can guarantee that they won't make a comeback.

How should we conduct ourselves then?

As Tuoluhuchaer listened to his urgent words, he felt some spittle splash on his face.

He reached up and wiped his face, then said in a deep voice:

"Alright, I have my own plans on how to deal with the powerful and influential people in the city."

Even if Lu Yunyi is untrustworthy, we must still hold onto the sweet potato.

As for Urigen Luchar, I know you brothers share a deep bond.
But even if we were to investigate, we should wait until after next spring.
Let's wait for the results of the sweet potato trial planting before making a decision, okay?

If it is confirmed that this is a tactic used by the commander to deceive us...

Don't blame us for being impolite then!

Upon hearing these words, Luchar fell silent.
He just stood there, motionless, without saying a word.

"How about it?"

Tuoluhuchar stood up and patted his shoulder with his left hand:

"Prioritize the overall situation"

With our current strength, we can't even afford to eat, so how can we possibly fight against the entire Commandery?
Conserve energy and build up strength.
"Strength is the foundation upon which we can stand tall and speak with dignity," Lu Cha'er said with a complex expression, his head bowed, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

But when he looked up...
The fierceness in his eyes had vanished completely, replaced by helplessness.
"My lord, I understand. I will wait until next year."

Luchar's voice was hoarse, filled with a deathly resentment.

Tuoluhuchar breathed a sigh of relief and gently patted his shoulder:

"That's right, that's why the Duoyan tribe has survived to this day."

It's not about acting impulsively, but about our wisdom and abilities.

Let's wait a little longer. You and I are still young; there will always be opportunities in the future.

"Um"

"Alright, let's go into town and find some fun to relax."
Once we've dealt with the matters concerning the commander, we'll return to the tribe.
"I'll go and comfort Urgen's family." Tuoluhuchaer said earnestly.

Lu Cha'er's expression shifted repeatedly, and finally he sighed heavily and nodded:
"My lord, I shall go now."

"Okay, go ahead. Don't be stingy with the money."

"We've already given away so many cattle and sheep today, a little more won't make a difference."

"Yes."

As soon as Lu Cha'er left the yamen, his face darkened instantly.
He seemed to be shrouded in a chilling atmosphere.

Upon seeing him emerge, the guards standing watch at the gate immediately surrounded him:
"Sir, how is the situation?"

Lu Cha'er looked at the light snow outside, and the cold wind blowing in his face made him more awake.

He let out a long sigh, trying to expel the pent-up anger in his chest:

"We have to handle this ourselves. Let's go to Kang Le Lou."

Go to the Mi residence and send a message to Mi Chen.

The head guard's expression immediately turned serious, realizing the gravity of the situation.

After replying with a "yes," he leaned closer:
"My lord, it's not dark yet. Should we send some of our people out of the city first?"

"Wait until tomorrow. Mi Chen hasn't told me who killed Wu Rigen yet, so we don't need to rush."

"Yes!"

Kang Le Lou is located on Anhe Street, the busiest street in the north of the city.

It wasn't even dark yet, but the place was already bustling with people.

Many people invited their friends and family to come here to eat and drink to their heart's content.

Kang Le Lou is so popular,

On the one hand, it's because the food and the decor are truly outstanding.

On the other hand, thanks to Ortai's position in the north of the city, his impartiality, and his connections within the military command, the situation improved significantly.

As for the end.
This is because Kang Le Lou has a beautiful owner, which attracts many people to come here.

Lucha'er had only heard about it from people in his clan.

I only thought of coming here today to find out what's going on.

He entered the Kang Le Lou restaurant with his guards, and the waiters immediately came to greet him:

"Gentlemen, how many are in your party? Would you prefer to sit in the main hall or a private room?"

As he spoke, the waiter subtly sized up the group of people in front of him.
Upon seeing the long swords at their waists
His expression immediately became more wary, but his attitude became even more humble.

Luchar's gaze swept around.
At a glance, I spotted the tall and slender shopkeeper, Ya Rong, standing behind the counter, dressed in fine clothes.

He raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that she truly lived up to her reputation and was indeed beautiful.

"Is that your manager's?"

Lu Chaer looked at Ya Rong and asked.

A cold glint flashed in the waiter's eyes, but his face remained all smiles:
“Sir, that is our manager.”

"Find a private room and call her over." A lewd glint flashed in Lu Cha'er's eyes.

The waiter's smile vanished instantly, and his voice took on a chill:
"Sir, the manager has other matters to attend to."
If you need anything, please just let me know.

As they spoke, several waiters nearby noticed the awkward atmosphere and turned their gazes toward them.

Their faces were calm, but a chill quietly spread through them.

Luchar noticed the change in atmosphere, snorted coldly, and put his hands on his hips:

"Didn't you hear me? Call her over here."

"I'm sorry, but if this gentleman wants to cause trouble, please leave Kang Le Lou."

"Hey, you've got some nerve! Which department are you from?"

Luchar suddenly became interested.
He has always admired people with courage and has never hesitated to promote them.

The waiter straightened his back, a sneer playing on his lips:
"Which one? I'm from Liaodong."

Now that I'm making a living in Daning City, I can be considered half a Daning resident.

As for which department posted the notice, thank you.

Once you arrive in Daning, you become a Daning local.

Once this gentleman leaves Kang Le Lou, he mustn't say such things again.
The city defense forces won't care about your status.

Lucair's eyes narrowed, his face turning pale and then purple, radiating a dangerous aura.

"Since when did a lowly commoner like you dare to talk to me like that?"

His voice suddenly rose, drawing the attention of many people present.
Ya Rong also looked over from behind the counter, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes:

"How vulgar."

She then looked at the few waiters standing to the side and gave them instructions:

"What are you all standing there for? Get them out of here."

Upon receiving the order, the waiter immediately put down the guest he was attending to.

He quickly pulled out a long, narrow stick from behind the door, his eyes gleaming menacingly.

Lu Cha'er was greatly shocked by the reaction of the people in Kang Le Lou.

He simply couldn't understand how these people dared to act this way.

Didn't you see he had guards behind him?
At this moment, the guards behind him also reacted.

With several sharp "whoosh" sounds, the long sword was drawn.

He kept a wary eye on the approaching men, trying to scare them.

However, what happened next surprised them greatly.

Upon seeing the long knife, the men did not stop; instead, their expressions became even more ferocious.

They gripped their wooden sticks tighter and quickened their pace.
A murderous aura came towards me.

Lucha'er was also shocked by what he saw; how could these people be so bold?

But what shocked him even more was yet to come.
Ya Rong stood behind the counter, a hint of helplessness flashing across her face.
He bent down and pulled a dark-colored document from under the counter.
The object was long and grotesque. She drew back the bowstring and aimed at Luchaer!
"Repeating crossbow! Be careful, sir!"

The guard let out a gasp.
He took a quick step and blocked Lucha'er's way, his expression changing drastically!

Luchar's pupils suddenly contracted.
Repeating crossbow? How did such a weapon end up here?

Just then, urgent shouts came from behind:

"It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding!!"

Mi Chen rushed in from outside, waving to both sides.
He looked at Ya Rong, his face beaming with smiles:
"Shopkeeper, my friend is from outside the city and doesn't know the rules here."

If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me for my sake.

Ya Rong sneered, holding a crossbow in her hand:

"Manager Mi, your friend is quite rude."

Not only are they blocking the entrance, but they also want to start a fight inside the store?

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding."

Mi Chen smiled apologetically, then turned to look at Lu Cha'er.

Seeing that he was still standing there as if nothing had happened, she was immediately furious.

He quickly approached and whispered:

"What are you doing?
Ya Rong is known in the city for her ruthlessness, and recently she has become involved with Liu Heiying.

Why did you provoke her?

"Liu Heiying?"

Lu Cha'er's expression changed slightly as he carefully examined the dark crossbow.

He now understood why the repeating crossbow was in a restaurant.

"Oh dear, let's go, let's go!"

Seeing that he hadn't spoken for a long time, Mi Chen pushed his shoulder and led him outside.

He didn't forget to say to Ya Rong behind him:
"Shopkeeper, I apologize on his behalf. Please don't take offense."

Seeing them leave, Ya Rong finally put down her bow and crossbow.
He then looked at the stunned crowd in the hall with a kind smile and said:
"Please continue eating and drinking."

Drinking at Kang Le Lou, you don't have to worry about anyone causing trouble.

The atmosphere froze for a moment, then became lively again.

The clerk who had been serving Luchar quickly walked to the counter and whispered:

"Shopkeeper, that man must be a soldier, and of high rank. His hat is made of tiger skin."

Ya Rong gazed at the gate, lost in thought, and nodded gently.

"I understand, get back to work."

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)