In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 793 Taming the Wild Horse and Conquering Women
"Lord Lu, the world is at peace now."
The powerful northern enemy has been defeated, and the local military commands are well-equipped to handle any domestic rebellions.

What use is there for us generals anymore?

A young general, nearing thirty, asked with great curiosity, his face showing complete bewilderment.

He continued:

"Now in the military camp, we spend all day training, training endlessly."

But given the current situation, I feel it's all a waste of effort.

Upon hearing this, many people marveled at his boldness, as he had asked a question that no one had dared to ask before.

At the head of the table, Lu Yunyi held a glass of cool tea, took a small sip, his expression slightly grave, and asked:
"Which part of the story are you from?"

"Reporting to Lord Lu, this humble general is Fang Le'an, commander of the Tiger Guard Left Guard."

"Newly promoted?"

Fang Le'an nodded, his face full of anxiety.

Everyone present knew that
Nowadays, promotions and wealth are not based on military merit or accumulated seniority, but on opportunism.

Although I now hold a high position, I feel a sense of bewilderment enveloping my entire being.
The road ahead is unclear, and I don't know where to go or what to do.

Lu Yunyi put down his teacup and said softly:

"I don't want to talk to you about those empty words."

Having come this far,
I'm sure you understand,
Opportunities are rare and hard to come by; some things depend on luck and fate.

Everyone nodded in agreement, but their brows furrowed even more.

Lu Yunyi continued:
"The fact that you can come to my residence suggests that none of you have any significant background."

Perhaps there are, but not enough to support you to go further, so you are very confused.

Everyone nodded vigorously.
These words really struck a chord with them.

"It's pointless to talk about whether those tedious military drills are useful or not."

Whatever the military order is, carry it out.
This is the most basic duty of us soldiers.

For you, the possibility of such a rapid advancement in official rank as today is extremely small.

What you need to do is work hard first.
Be prepared for the next opportunity.

Drills, military discipline, military tactics, and internal affairs—all of these must be done with utmost effort.

Only in this way will you be able to seize the opportunity when it comes.

If you can't even do these most basic things well,

Even if the opportunity is right in front of you, you will let it slip away.
Thus, it is seized by those who work harder and are more deserving of this opportunity.

I suppose you've seized this opportunity...
It is because I worked harder and put in more effort than others that I have achieved what I have today.

The group looked thoughtful, and many nodded slightly; that was indeed what they had done.

Lu Yunyi smiled and said:
"In that case, let's continue as before."

Becoming a commander of a thousand men is just the beginning. If one cannot even manage the affairs of a thousand-strong army...

Even if I make you governors, it will only harm you; you'll be beheaded sooner or later.

My advice to you is to focus on the present.
Organize everything in your army in a meticulous and thorough manner, like unraveling a complex web.

Let's organize these thousand-plus people first, then we can think about other things.

If you don't understand,

The problem lies with your abilities.

Go read military books and classical texts.

The books that are widely circulated in the military may seem unremarkable, but they have all stood the test of time, and there's nothing wrong with studying them.

If you yourselves are illiterate, then start by learning to read.

When you feel lost, just do whatever comes to mind.

Let's go out for a drink and a meal.

Even going to a brothel for a bit of fun is fine; just get yourself moving first.

When you encounter difficulties, break them down into countless parts, start with the simplest one, take it slowly, and don't rush.

Taking one step a day adds up to over three hundred steps a year, which is far better than standing still.

Lu Yunyi spoke eloquently, and the row of generals below him all pricked up their ears to listen.

As the signs of old age gradually dissipated from him, many people's eyes lit up.

They came from humble backgrounds, but that doesn't mean they weren't hardworking or didn't want to work hard.

Instead, they have reached a crossroads in their lives, fearing that they might take the wrong path and waste their efforts.

Now, with guidance from a prominent figure...

At least... taking this path won't be wrong.

"Thank you for your teachings, sir. We will remember them."

One by one, people stood up, of different ages, heights, and appearances.

But his overall energy and spirit were much better than when he arrived.

Lu Yunyi looked at them and nodded in satisfaction.

Although some of these people may not be far from death.
But nothing is certain until things actually happen.

Lu Yunyi glanced at the time, smiled, and stood up:

"It's getting late, so I won't keep you for dinner. You may all go your separate ways."

Remember, once you get back, start doing whatever you want to do.
The longer something is delayed, the less I want to do it.

"Yes, thank you, Lord Lu."

"let's go."

Lu Yunyi waved his hand, and the group bowed and took their leave.

He and a few guards were left alone in the main hall.

Lu Yunyi looked at Basong, whose face was resolute, and asked with a smile:
"Basong, why are you being so serious? Do you understand?"

Basong stood up straight and answered loudly:
"Reporting to your Excellency, Basong did not understand, but I have noted it down."

When you feel lost, take it out and read it.

"Hahahaha." Lu Yunyi burst into laughter, looking at Feng Yunfang:
"Look, this is what it means to be prepared."

Prepare for everything in advance, so you won't panic when the time comes.

Feng Yunfang looked at Basong and said with a smile:

“Basong is looking more and more like a Ming dynasty person now, even his appearance has improved a lot.”

"is it?"

Lu Yunyi looked over with some surprise, examined it carefully, and nodded thoughtfully:

"That does seem to be true."

Although Basong also has dark skin,

But the scabs on his face from prolonged sun exposure disappeared, and he looked like a young man from the countryside.

"When you get a little older, I'll find you a wife, how about that?"

Basong's eyes lit up, clearly showing great interest, and he nodded repeatedly:

"Thank you, sir!"

"Hahahahaha."

Lu Yunyi burst into laughter, appearing to be in a very good mood.

However, he quickly composed himself and asked:
"Has Liu Zixian been seen off?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the person has been handed over to the Ministry of Justice."

The exact date of exile may have to wait a few more days.

After the brothers inquired, they learned that Lord Liu had already made arrangements and would take care of them throughout the journey.

Feng Yunfang answered.

"Is there any movement at the Yu residence? Has Mao Xiang gone to cause them any trouble?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is currently busy dealing with the captured rebels and has not yet gone out to cause trouble."

However… there have been some suspicious people around the Yu residence recently, presumably from the Imperial Guards.

"Hmm... When you're monitoring, be mindful of your surroundings."

If Mao Xiang could borrow a telescope once, he could borrow it a second time.

Don't let every action fall into the public eye without anyone knowing.

"Yes, my lord."

"Go and urge them when the money will be delivered."

"The Lotus Pavilion's closure these past few days has caused so much business disruption; Mao Xiang has no shame whatsoever."

"Sir, the manager of the trading company already went to urge them yesterday."

The Imperial Guard replied that they would have to raise the money within three days, saying that 40,000 taels of silver was too much and they needed to find a way to do so.

"Oh, there's only one day left."

Tell Mao Xiang that if the money isn't delivered by noon tomorrow, the remaining telescopes will be handed over to the Governor's Office!

"Yes."

Lu Yunyi leaned back in his chair, a series of events flashing through his mind like a slideshow.

Finally, his gaze settled on Mu Jinghe, and he asked:
"Has the relationship between Miaoyinfang and the Embroidered Uniform Guard been investigated?"

"Reporting to your Excellency, the information we can currently find is only what is publicly available."

It's just that... the Miaoyin Pavilion is such a well-hidden stronghold.

Few people in the capital knew that the basement of Miaoyinfang housed the headquarters of the Imperial Guard.

"hiss…"

Lu Yunyi stood up, put his hands on his hips, and paced back and forth:

"So it turns out it's still a troublesome matter."

"Can the relationship between Namu Jinghe and Mao Xiang also be verified?"

Feng Yun looked troubled and shook his head:

"My lord, on the surface..."
These two people had absolutely no connection whatsoever.
The brothers had been watching for so long, but they hadn't found the two of them together.

Lu Yunyi blinked, looking troubled.

The most difficult to find are those kinds of intersections that you know exist but can't discover.

Based on past experience, there is always one or more hidden threads concealed within seemingly chaotic and complex situations.

And they intersect and intertwine in secret.

The difficult thing now is finding this hidden thread.

At this moment, the arrival of the butler, Gu Chunzhu, broke the silence.

"Sir, Manager Mu has arrived."

Lu Yunyi was taken aback, glancing at the water clock in the corner of the main hall; noon was fast approaching. He composed himself, straightened his clothes, and said in a deep voice:
"Please invite them in."

"Yes!"

After Gu Chunzhu left, Lu Yunyi gave the following instructions:

"Keep investigating, look carefully for any clues, don't be careless."

Furthermore... during my time with her
You need to observe her reactions and body language closely and record everything, as I sometimes can't see everything.

"Yes!" Feng Yunfang nodded vigorously.

……

At noon, sunlight shone through the thin veil of clouds into the courtyard of the Lu residence.

Mu Jinghe, dressed in a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), walked over, the hem of which swayed gently in the wind.

The skirt is embroidered with delicate patterns, and every stitch reveals its exquisite beauty.

A white ribbon was tied around her waist, outlining her slender waist and making her figure even more graceful.

Her hair was piled high, adorned with a white jade hairpin, the tip of which was inlaid with a dazzling pearl that shimmered softly in the sunlight.

A few stray hairs fell beside her cheeks, adding to her charm.

Her eyes were like a clear spring, bright and clear, revealing a lively intelligence, and she exuded a cool and aloof aura that kept strangers at bay.

Lu Yunyi was already waiting in the main hall. When he saw Mu Jinghe walking gracefully towards him, a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes.

It must be said that Mu Jinghe looks exactly like his wives.

He stood up, smiling, and went to greet him:

"Manager Mu, you look radiant today."

Mu Jinghe's cheeks flushed slightly, and in an instant, her aloof temperament seemed to be tamed, becoming soft and gentle as she said coquettishly:

"You flatter me, Lord Lu. I've only dressed up a little."

The two went inside and talked about business matters, creating an extremely harmonious atmosphere.

Seeing that it was getting late, Lu Yunyi said:

"Manager Mu, the weather is lovely today."
How about we go horseback riding at Chunhua Horse Ranch outside the city?

That was a horse ranch belonging to the royal palace; it was a beautiful place with many fine horses.

Mu Jinghe's heart skipped a beat, her eyes gleaming with eager anticipation, and she agreed without hesitation:

“Alright, I’ve been wanting to see the scenery of that horse farm.”

So, Lu Yunyi ordered someone to bring Bei Xiao over, and then selected a gentle mare for Mu Jinghe.

Lu Yunyi stood beside the two horses, smiling as he asked:

"Does Shopkeeper Mu know how to ride a horse?"

Mu Jinghe rolled her eyes at him, exuding charm:

"Lord Lu, you truly have a short memory."
"I've come today specifically to have you teach me how to ride a horse."

"Haha, let's take a carriage then. I'll teach you when we get to the horse farm, so you won't get sunburned in this scorching sun."

Mu Jinghe was somewhat surprised, not expecting that a military general could have such delicate thoughts, and she was even more pleased.

"Thank you, Lord Lu."

So, the group set off in a grand procession toward Chunhua Horse Ranch outside the city.

Along the way, Mu Jinghe sat in the carriage, feeling both excited and nervous, her palms already soaked with sweat.

She imagined herself galloping on horseback, yet worried that she would fall off...

Soon, they arrived at Chunhua Horse Ranch.

Chunhua Horse Ranch is located in Chunhua Town, Jiangning County, southeast of Yingtian Prefecture.

It is now one of the larger government-run ranches around Beijing.

It mainly raised warhorses and post horses, and was under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Horse Administration.

The horse ranch is vast and boundless, with lush green grass and rolling hills in the distance, creating a picturesque scene against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.

Horses grazed leisurely on the grassland, occasionally letting out a neigh that broke the tranquility.

The only odd thing was that some of these handsome horses had their forelegs neatly bound.

As a result, it can only walk on two hooves side by side, which makes it slow and gives it a very strange appearance.

Mu Jinghe stepped off the carriage, and the scenery that greeted her filled her with joy.

She shielded her eyes from the sunlight with her palm, pointed to the warhorses in the distance, and asked softly:

"My lord, what happened to those warhorses? Why are they tied up?"

Lu Yunyi smiled:

"Although Chunhua Horse Ranch covers a very large area, it is still too small compared to warhorses."

This place is not like the grasslands; if the horse's legs weren't tied, it would wander off somewhere unpredictable.

"Ang~"

Mu Jinghe nodded in realization, a look of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

She had been in the capital for a long time, but this was the first time she had ever seen a horse farm.

Lu Yunyi led Bei Xiao to Mu Jinghe and said with a smile:

"Shopkeeper Mu, here's the name you gave it. Come and touch it."

Looking at the tall and mighty warhorse before her, Mu Jinghe felt both admiration and a touch of fear.

She reached out, tentatively approaching, and gently stroked Bei Xiao's mane, which felt soft and thick.

Mu Jinghe's eyes lit up.

Moreover… Bei Xiao obediently lowered his head and rubbed his hand against hers, causing her to gasp in surprise…

Many of the horse farm guards frequently cast their gazes at her, wondering to themselves whose daughter she was, that she was so beautiful.

Lu Yunyi pulled Bei Xiao, who was standing to the side, over.

"Manager Mu, why don't you come up and give it a try?"

Even though she was shorter, Mu Jinghe was still a little scared, and her breathing became slightly rapid.

"I...I can't."

"Come on, go up, it'll be alright."

"No...I can't."

Lu Yunyi thought for a moment, then mounted his horse and extended his hand to Mu Jinghe:
"Manager Mu, come here."

Mu Jinghe's heart suddenly raced as she looked at Lu Yunyi's outstretched hand, and her cheeks instantly burned as if they were being scorched by the blazing sun.

Her eyes were full of hesitation, and her hands unconsciously gripped the hem of her skirt, her fingers turning white from the force.

"This...this is not good."

Mu Jinghe's voice was soft, tinged with timidity, and her eyes darted away, not daring to look Lu Yunyi in the eye.

Lu Yunyi revealed a gentle smile, his voice low and deep:

"Don't be afraid, Manager Mu. With me here, I will make sure nothing happens to you."

Mu Jinghe bit her lip, struggling internally.

Finally, she took a deep breath, slowly reached out, and gently took Lu Yunyi's hand.

At that moment, she felt as if her hand had been electrocuted, and a warm current instantly spread throughout her body, making her feel numb all over.

Lu Yunyi exerted a little force and pulled Mu Jinghe onto the horse's back.

Mu Jinghe felt a sudden dizziness, and when she came to her senses...
She found herself sitting in front of Lu Yunyi, her back pressed tightly against his chest.

She could clearly feel the warmth emanating from Lu Yunyi's solid chest, as well as the steady, powerful beat of his heart.

At that moment, her heartbeat seemed to resonate with her, making her face burn even hotter.

"Manager Mu, sit tight."

Lu Yunyi's voice rang out, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

It made her tremble, and her body instantly stiffened.

She was so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands and could only grip the saddle tightly.

Lu Yunyi gently wrapped his arms around Mu Jinghe's waist.
Strands of hair swayed gently, brushing against Lu Yunyi's cheeks, carrying a faint fragrance.

"Manager Mu, relax, don't be so tense."

Lu Yunyi said softly, looking at Mu Jinghe's reddened earlobes, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Mu Jinghe nodded slightly, trying to relax.
But her body remained stiff and unresponsive.

She could feel Lu Yunyi's breath right next to her neck; his warm breath made her heart race and her cheeks burn as if they were on fire.

"Lord Lu, I... I'm still a little scared."

Mu Jinghe said in a trembling voice, with a hint of crying in her voice, as if she was about to burst into tears at any moment.

Lu Yunyi gently patted her shoulder and comforted her:

"Don't be afraid, I'm here. Try to feel the rhythm of the horse's running, and you'll get used to it gradually."

As he spoke, he gently tugged at the reins.

Bei Xiao quickened his pace and started jogging on the grass.

Mu Jinghe felt her body bouncing up and down with the horse's gallop.

Her heart leaped into her throat, and she gripped the saddle tightly with both hands.

She closed her eyes tightly, not daring to look at anything around her. She could only feel the wind whistling in her ears, as if the whole world was spinning, and an unprecedented feeling washed over her.

"Manager Mu, open your eyes and look around. The scenery here is beautiful."

Mu Jinghe hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened her eyes.

On the vast grassland, the grass is lush and green, dotted with colorful wildflowers, like a beautiful painting.

In the distance, rolling mountains rise against the blue sky and white clouds, a breathtakingly beautiful sight...

"What a nice view."

Mu Jinghe praised softly, her voice filled with surprise and delight.

She gradually forgot her fear and instead focused on leaning against the man behind her.

Lu Yunyi sensed the changes in Mu Jinghe's body and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

He gently tightened his arms, holding Mu Jinghe even closer.

Mu Jinghe could clearly feel Lu Yunyi's movements.

Her body trembled slightly, and a strange feeling welled up inside her, making her feel safer than ever before.

But she just bit her lip and didn't say anything.

Lu Yunyi noticed the change in her expression, and the smile on her lips grew wider and wider.

They hugged each other tighter, becoming even more unrestrained.

Mu Jinghe noticed it, but still remained silent.

(End of this chapter)