In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 794 Old Wine in New Bottles: Corruption in the Imperial Estate
A gentle breeze was blowing, and the sun was shining brightly.

The two rode horses leisurely across the grassland, surrounded by tranquility and beauty.

Occasionally, a few birds fly overhead, chirping sweetly, as if celebrating this beautiful moment.

"Manager Mu, what do you usually do?" Lu Yunyi broke the silence and asked softly.

Mu Jinghe thought for a moment and said:
“I usually manage the business in the trading company, and occasionally I will visit some shops.”

Her voice was soft, with a hint of languor.

"How are things going with the business?" Lu Yunyi asked with concern.

"It's been going relatively smoothly, though we've encountered some troubles occasionally."

Mu Jinghe said, her tone tinged with helplessness.

"If you encounter any trouble, feel free to come to me," Lu Yunyi said, his voice carrying a hint of determination.

Mu Jinghe felt a warmth in her heart and said:

"Thank you, Lord Lu. With your words, I am at ease."

The two rode their horses and chatted, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Mu Jinghe gradually forgot the usual scheming and tension, and let go of her shyness and nervousness. She rested her head on Lu Yunyi's shoulder with a faint smile on her lips.

Riding a horse on the grassland was an experience she had never had before.
It's the same when you're held in the arms of a young adult of high rank and power.

Before they knew it, the two had walked quite a distance.

They walked along the perimeter of the horse ranch, with an endless plain to their right and villages and towns with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys to their left—a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape.

Even Lu Yunyi was seeing such a strange scene for the first time.

Suddenly, Lu Yunyi's eyes narrowed, and he let out a soft exclamation:
"what is that?"

Mu Jinghe, whose mind was blank and who was enjoying a comfortable state, was suddenly awakened from her dream and brought back to the real world.

Her gaze was focused as she looked into the distance, where she saw a dark dot resting behind a small grassy slope about a hundred feet away.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that a group of warhorses were gathered together, with some officials dressed in horse farm uniforms guarding the perimeter, seemingly preventing the warhorses from leaving.

"My lord, what are you doing?" Mu Jinghe asked softly.

Lu Yunyi frowned slightly, not answering for the moment, but instead took out a telescope from his waist and looked ahead.

As soon as he released his hands, Mu Jinghe felt emptiness on both sides.
The horse's movements suddenly became more pronounced, instantly tensing her body.

She could only grip the saddle tightly, leaning her body backward.

I need to lean against the adult behind me to feel safe for a moment.

Lu Yunyi saw the group of people through the telescope.

There are about 300 horses and about 30 people, which is a normal setup for a horse farm.

But Lu Yunyi's brows still furrowed.

Because in sight, these horses looked listless, their coats dull and lifeless, and they didn't even have the same vibrant appearance.

They didn't look like warhorses from the north; they seemed more like old horses used as makeshift substitutes by carriage shops.

"Why are there old horses in the horse farm?"

Lu Yunyi muttered to himself silently.

Once the warhorses here have been trained and bred, they are quickly assigned to various garrisons.

The first to be affected were the Twelve Guards of the Upper Guard and the Beijing garrison at Puzikou City.

It is absolutely impossible for a warhorse to enter the stables when it is young and live to old age.

This is not only a waste of warhorses, but also a disgrace to the horse farm.

After a moment's thought, Lu Yunyi put down the telescope, hugged Mu Jinghe tightly again, and whispered in her ear:
"Hurry up, we need to speed it up."

"what"

Before Mu Jinghe could react, the reins were flicked, and Bei Xiao, who had been leisurely, seemed to have received a command. His hooves flew, and he shot off like a black sword.

The sudden acceleration made Mu Jinghe's heart skip a beat, and she let out a gasp.

Mu Jinghe felt the wind whistling past her ears, and the scenery on both sides rushed backward like a scroll being swept up by a gale.

The once peaceful and beautiful grassland suddenly became violent, turning into a blurry patch of color in her eyes.

The swaying grass and the occasional bird flying by have all become fleeting illusions.

Her heart was pounding in her chest.

It felt as if it was about to burst out of my chest; each beat was accompanied by a heart palpitation.

She gripped the saddle tightly with both hands, her body heaving violently with the horse's gallop.
Every bump made her feel like her body was about to be thrown off the horse's back.

She instinctively leaned back even more forcefully, pressing herself tightly against Lu Yunyi's chest, which was her only support at that moment.

Fear overwhelmed her like a tidal wave. She had never experienced such a thrilling moment before. Her mind went blank, and she could only instinctively seek a sense of security.

"Lord Lu, slow down..."

Mu Jinghe's voice trembled, tinged with a sob, as she spoke haltingly.

Her voice was quickly drowned out by the howling wind, but she knew Lu Yunyi would definitely hear it.

Lu Yunyi seemed to sense her fear, tightening his grip on her arm and whispering comforting words in her ear:
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

That calm and firm voice struck her heart hard, bringing a sense of comfort.

As the warhorses galloped, they drew ever closer to the crowd and the horses.

Mu Jinghe gradually became able to make out the faces of those people.

They were dressed in riding attire, but their faces showed a hint of panic and unease.

The warhorses huddled together listlessly, their coats disheveled and dull, a far cry from the magnificent warhorses they usually saw.

Finally, Beixiao stopped with a series of urgent hisses.

Mu Jinghe's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, returned to normal, allowing her to breathe deeply.

Lu Yunyi was the first to dismount, and then, without any hesitation, he carried Mu Jinghe down.

As soon as Mu Jinghe's feet touched the ground, she felt a wave of weakness and almost fell.

Lu Yunyi reacted quickly, catching her in his tracks and asking with concern:
"Are you okay?"

Mu Jinghe shook her head, struggled to steady herself, and looked up at Lu Yunyi, a trace of fear still lingering in her eyes.
But more often than not, it's the excitement of a well-behaved girl seeing a crazy world!
"It's okay."

Lu Yunyi released Mu Jinghe, turned around and looked at those people, his gaze sharp and imposing.

"Who are you people? What's the deal with these horses?"

Those people were intimidated by Lu Yunyi's aura, looked at each other, and stammered, unable to say a word.

One of the men, who appeared to be the leader, had beads of sweat on his forehead and his eyes darted around, avoiding Lu Yunyi's gaze.

He stammered:

"Sir, we...we are workers at the horse farm. These horses..."

"What is it? Explain yourself!"

Lu Yunyi frowned and raised his voice a few decibels.

The man was so frightened by Lu Yunyi's shout that his legs went weak and he almost knelt down.

He said quickly:
"Sir, these horses are old horses that have been culled from the horse farm and are about to be sent to the carriage and horse shop."

Lu Yunyi sneered, his gaze sweeping over the group like a knife, and said:
"Bullshit, where is your manager!"

Those people were rendered speechless by Lu Yunyi's question, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Just then, the stable manager, who had been lagging behind, rushed over, panting heavily.

He smiled broadly and bowed obsequiously as he said:
"Lord Lu, please calm down. These lads are ignorant and have made you laugh."

Lu Yunyi glanced coldly at the stable manager and said:

"You've arrived just in time. Tell me, what exactly happened?"

The imperial court entrusted the finest warhorses to the horse farm; how could they have turned out like this?

The manager wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a forced smile:

"Lord Lu, these horses are indeed old horses that have been culled from the horse farm."

As you know, the Beijing army is very selective, and these horses are the last remaining warhorses after several rounds of selection, some of which have some defects.

Lord Lu is a general who has fought on the battlefield and cannot bear to see such things, so I had them wait here so as not to offend your eyes.

"Don't worry, these horses will be sent to the carriage and horse shop tomorrow!"

Lu Yunyi narrowed his eyes, staring at the stable manager, hands on his hips:
"Nonsense. Would the Twelve Guards of the Upper Direct Army and the Capital Garrison of Puzikou City be leftovers?"
They wished they could bring every four-legged warhorse that could run back to the camp! Do you know how many soldiers in Puzikou City never get to ride a horse even once in their entire lives?

The stable manager's expression changed slightly, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. He quickly said:
"Lord Lu, you petty scoundrel!"

He stammered, unable to speak. Lu Yunyi sneered and said:

"Tell me, is someone lining their own pockets, pulling strings behind the scenes, and seeking personal gain?"

Upon hearing this, the stable manager turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down, saying:

"Lord Lu, I'm innocent!"

I am utterly loyal to the imperial court and would never dare to do such a thing.

These horses are truly unwanted; it's just that I've been somewhat negligent in their management and haven't taken good care of them. I implore Lord Lu to investigate this matter thoroughly.

Looking at the panicked appearance of the horse farm manager, Lu Yunyi became even more suspicious.

He crouched down, his gaze fixed intently on the stable manager, and said:
"You'd better tell the truth, or I will not let you off easily once I find out the truth."

The stable manager felt uneasy under Lu Yunyi's gaze, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke:
"Lord Lu, actually... actually someone instructed me to do this with these horses."

He said that as long as he made these horses like this and then sold them to carriage and horse dealers at a low price, he could make a profit.

I was momentarily blinded by greed and agreed.

"Lord Lu, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this time."

Lu Yunyi stood up, his face terribly gloomy.

"Still lying! Guards, seize him!"

"Yes!"

Feng Yunfang and his men rushed up immediately, kicking the manager to the ground and pinning him down.

Lu Yunyi's gaze was cold as he scanned the warhorses ahead, and he said in a deep voice:

"Send someone to inform the Prince of Yan about what happened here, saying that there are unidentified warhorses left in Chunhua Ranch, and request that His Highness send someone to investigate."

"Yes!"

One of the guards, with a cold expression, waved his hand, and the three of them followed him out of the group and headed towards the capital.

Lu Yunyi turned around, looking at Mu Jinghe with gentle eyes, his gaze full of apology.

He walked gently to Mu Jinghe's side and whispered:
"Manager Mu, I'm sorry you were frightened just now. It was truly my oversight."

I intended to investigate this matter as soon as possible, but I didn't consider your feelings. I hope Manager Mu won't take offense.

Mu Jinghe slightly raised her head, her cheeks still flushed.

She was somewhat surprised, surprised that the man before her was so humble.
Unlike some people in the capital, who hold low-ranking official positions but are arrogant and haughty.

"Lord Lu, you flatter me. I know you are concerned about official duties, so how could I blame you?"
But that high speed just now really gave me a heart-pounding fright.

Lu Yunyi smiled slightly and said:

"Manager Mu is very generous, and I am extremely grateful."

We will wait here for His Highness the Prince of Yan to send someone. Once the matter is clarified, I will properly compensate the young lady.”

"What compensation?"

"Okay, you decide."

"it is good."

Mu Jinghe nodded gently, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

The two waited quietly on the grassland, with the occasional chirping of insects around them.

A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling Mu Jinghe's hair.

Lu Yunyi's gaze was unconsciously drawn to her. It has to be said that this rose covered in thorns was indeed very tempting to conquer.

Less than half an hour later, dust billowed in the distance, and the sound of horses' hooves thundered in.

Prince Yan, Zhu Di, dressed in his princely robes, rode a tall horse, followed by a squad of elite guards, and came rushing over with great momentum.

Lu Yunyi looked surprised and suddenly stood up from the ground. His Highness the Prince of Yan had actually come in person?

Zhu Di reined in his horse, and the horse reared up on its hind legs, letting out a neigh.

His gaze was sharp as he scanned the group before finally settling on Lu Yunyi. He said in a deep voice:
"Lord Lu, what exactly happened?"

Lu Yunyi stepped forward and bowed deeply:
"Your Highness, I found a group of listless old horses outside the horse farm. When I questioned them, the manager of the horse farm stammered and gave evasive answers."

I suspect that someone is secretly sabotaging this horse farm for personal gain.

Knowing that His Highness the Prince of Yan was currently auditing the imperial estates, I intended to inform him, but I never expected that His Highness would come in person.

"You never come to my door unless you have a reason. Once you do, it's either something great or something terrible. I have to be serious about this."

Zhu Di dismounted, his expression solemn, and waved to the group of people who were bowing respectfully.

"Get up, get up, all of you, get up!"

Zhu Di took the lead and walked towards the "sick horses".

But he soon noticed the lone horse Beixiao standing to the side, and was somewhat surprised:
"Hey~ Is this the warhorse I gave you yesterday?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhu Di looked at the warhorse, Lu Yunyi, and Mu Jinghe with a strange expression. He nodded thoughtfully, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

Zhu Di quickly arrived in front of the "sick horses," and after carefully examining them, his face turned so gloomy it seemed like water would drip from it.

He looked at the stable manager, who was trembling like a leaf on the ground, and asked coldly:

"Are you guilty?"

The stable manager, who had never seen the Prince of Yan before, kowtowed repeatedly, crying out:

"Your Highness, spare my life! I was confused for a moment and was instructed by someone to do such a foolish thing!"

Zhu Di snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife as he stared at him, and shouted:

"Who instructed you? Tell the truth!"

The stable manager hesitated for a moment, his eyes filled with fear, yet he dared not remain silent.

He gritted his teeth and said:

"Yes, it is Cao Chenxi, Supervisor Cao."
He instructed his servant to replace the newly arrived warhorses with these old ones, and then sell the old warhorses at a higher price. The servant, blinded by greed, agreed.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di felt his breath quicken, his eyes widened in anger, and he kicked the stable manager to the ground, shouting furiously:
"You audacious lackey, how dare you do such a thing as deceiving your superiors and lining your own pockets!"
"Guards, drag him away and torture him severely!"

Several guards immediately stepped forward and dragged the stable manager away.

A short while later, the pitiful cries of the horse farm manager could be heard in the distance.

After a period of torture, the steward confessed everything he could and couldn't say.

As Zhu Di read the confession, his hands trembled, and he said through gritted teeth:
"What audacity! You dare to exchange a thousand warhorses for three hundred as soon as they arrive!"

These horses were delivered by King Ma Ben less than a day ago!
"It's a shame that Chunhua Ranch is under the jurisdiction of the palace!"

"Go and inform the Imperial Stables to arrest that Cao Chenxi and interrogate him thoroughly. I want to see just how audacious he is to do such a thing!"

"Yes!"

Zhu Di took a deep breath and tried to calm his anger.

He turned to look at Lu Yunyi and said:

"Lord Lu, it is thanks to you that you discovered this matter in time, otherwise I would still be in the dark."

"You have rendered a great service; I will reward you handsomely."

Lu Yunyi quickly clasped his hands in greeting and said:
"Your Highness is too kind. I am also a soldier who has fought on horseback and know the importance of warhorses. This is my duty."

Zhu Di nodded and said:
“You’re right. Warhorses are of utmost importance to the army. I need to go to the palace to report this to my father. Would you like to come with me?”

He glanced at Mu Jinghe, who was standing not far away, then looked at Lu Yunyi with a questioning expression.

Lu Yunyi replied without hesitation, "Yes, Your Highness, Prince Yan."

"Alright, let's go then!" said the King of Yan, and mounted his horse.

Lu Yunyi looked at Mu Jinghe with an apologetic expression:
"Manager Mu, I may not be able to keep you company today. Let's meet again another day."

Mu Jinghe bowed deeply:
"Lord Lu, please go ahead. I will take a carriage back."

"Alright, Manager Mu, farewell!"

(End of this chapter)