Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 101

Chapter 101 A New Destination
In the evening, the weary bird returned to the forest, and the setting sun shone on the green mountain forest, as if it had dressed this quiet paradise in colorful neon clothes.

Qin Mubai and Li Ke walked in front. Yao’er, Shuang’er, and a few little orphans held hands with each other. Afterwards, King Wu’s Mansion’s attendants drove the carriage and followed slowly behind. The group of people walked along the mountain path in the shade of the forest and chatted.

“Mubai, what are your plans?” Li Ke said, “With all due respect. Judging from the current situation, you don’t seem to be suitable for staying in the Hundred Cavalry and working in the palace. Although Father Emperor has always been broad-minded and doesn’t really hate you or fear you, but this time Gao Yang’s matter has caused such a big commotion that rumors are spreading everywhere. Father Emperor, for the sake of avoiding suspicions, may think about changing your job. You might as well take the initiative yourself. ”

“Your Highness is absolutely right. I have already considered this matter.” Qin Mubai said, “The Hundred Cavalry was first built. It was an attempt. Although the Emperor did not doubt the need to use people, there were indeed some troubles that could not be avoided. There were many women in the harem, so it was inevitable for the outside world to gossip about it. Plus, once the matter with Princess Gao Yang was triggered this time … I think the Emperor might even disband the Hundred Cavalry.”

“That’s not the case.” Li Ke said, “The Hundred Cavalry is a very good army. Father has praised the Hundred Cavalry many times in private and praised you.” However, it’s currently in the limelight, so why don’t you avoid it for a while before returning to the Hundred Cavalries? After all, it was not easy for the Emperor to find a suitable Hundred Cavalry Envoy. He wouldn’t really want to drive you away from the Hundred Cavalry. I think that’s what he meant by granting you leave this time. “I hope you can stay out of the limelight and settle things when they settle down.”

Qin Mubai wondered if Li Ke was implying that he had already thought of a place for me to go when he took the initiative to say this to me. Then why don’t I take the initiative to tell him?

“Right now, I can only rest at home for the time being. There is no other good place to go.” Qin Mubai said casually, “If Your Highness has a way, why don’t you give me some pointers next time?”

“Don’t say anything, there really is.” Li Ke smiled mysteriously.

“Is that so?” Qin Mubai blinked a few times, “What’s the way out?”

“I heard Emperor Meng Fu summon me today and went to the palace.” Li Ke said, “Originally, Father wanted me to return to the stage at Gaoyang’s wedding.” Now that there was such a disturbance, the marriage had to be postponed. Thus, Father Emperor pointed out another path to me. Just this morning, the Jiangzhou Prefecture reported that there was a serious flood and that the prefecture did not have enough manpower to provide disaster relief. They requested the Imperial Court to help them. “So His Majesty is prepared to let me lead the way in this matter.”

“It’s already the dry season of late summer and early autumn. Why is it flooding at this time?” Qin Mubai asked.

“I don’t know now either. It’s said that it’s not the Yellow River flooding, but a burst of a lake levee.” Li Ke said, “We will not know the exact situation until we investigate it. Right now, the most urgent thing is to provide relief. His Majesty has already issued a military order and sent 5,000 soldiers from the Jiangzhou Prefecture and nearby counties to gather in Jiangzhou at night. It is this king who is in charge of the overall situation, along with several officials from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Accounts.”

Qin Mubai pondered for a moment and said, “Your Highness, do you mean to bring me along as well?”

Li Ke smiled and chuckled, “No, please.” You are the dignified Baiji, the Commander of the Imperial Court. How can you go anywhere? Just as I was talking to Father Emperor, I vaguely heard the implied meaning of Father Emperor’s words. He said that the flood that broke out in Jiangzhou in the autumn and caused the Li people to suffer was definitely the punishment of the son of heaven for his immoral conduct and descending from heaven. Therefore, it is necessary for the Son of Heaven to go to the rescue of the people and pray for forgiveness. “But now that the country is busy with affairs, I will go on his behalf. I even said, ‘Wherever I go, I will be respectful to you.’ The implication is that I am sent out as an imperial envoy.”

“I see.” Qin Mubai said, “Since you are an imperial envoy, you are usually accompanied by guards, usually from the Thousand Bull Guard and the Golden Crow Guard. And you are also a prince, so it would be most appropriate to send a team of Baiji with you.”

“You’re so smart.” Li Ke chuckled, “Father Emperor’s words are like this.” Although he didn’t say that he would send you with me, everyone knows about your personal relationship with me. Isn’t that what he meant when he purposely said this to me? Flood control is a long-term task, in addition to water control and disaster relief, but also to build water conservancy, disaster relief. It would take an estimated three months to settle down the houses and redistribute the farmland and livestock of the victims. If you lead the troops and leave with me, wouldn’t that suit the Emperor’s heart? “I didn’t expel you from Baiji, but I also let you temporarily leave this troublesome place of Chang’an. Both of them are beautiful.”

“That’s right.” Qin Mubai blinked a few times and thought for a moment, “Then I should find an excuse to go into the palace to see the Emperor as soon as possible.”

“Right.” Li Ke said, “Also, don’t take the initiative to talk about the flood in Jiangzhou. The Emperor will naturally take the initiative to talk about it with you.”

“I see.” Qin Mubai nodded and replied, “This Li Ke is really very similar to Li Shimin.” Smart, extremely deep, very capable of penetrating people’s hearts, and the Dark Emperor’s mental arts. He didn’t let me take the initiative to talk to the Emperor because he didn’t want the Emperor to know that I had discussed this matter with him in private and had already discussed it properly. Pretend to be ignorant, then everything will go according to nature. Otherwise, the emperor would be afraid of me and Li Ke–to have the saintly intent and get it right, that would be a big taboo for a king.

Officials can be capable and smart, but they must not be too smart and expose the strategies and ideas hidden in the king’s heart. Otherwise, the Sovereign King would lose face. Although he would praise this subject on the surface, he would be afraid of him in his heart. This was because he would feel that he, as a monarch, was very stupid and childish in front of this official, and could not hide anything. If it was an ordinary person, they would also hurt their self-esteem. A Sovereign King, how could he ignore the might of a Sovereign? Didn’t Yang Xiu get killed by Cao Cao because of this?

After walking for two or three miles, Li Ke called everyone to a halt and said, “Miss Yao’er, you’ve come a long way. Go back quickly. It’s getting dark.”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Yao’er smiled and said, “Anyway, it’s the same for me when it’s dark and dawn.”

“But it’s different for others, haha! Some villains like to come out and do bad things when the night is dark and the wind is high.” Li Ke smiled and said, “It’s better to go back.”

“En, that’s good. Everyone, I won’t be sending them off far away.” Yao’er said goodbye casually, and the little orphans bowed politely together.

“Let’s go back together with Sister Yao’er. I’ll see you guys again tomorrow when I have time!” Qin Shuang’er smiled and said to the little girls.

Everyone parted ways here. Qin Mubai and his sister rode on horses together. Li Ke boarded the carriage and Yao’er brought a group of little girls back to the Li Chen Residence.

By the time they got home, it was getting dark. Qin Mubai and his sister dismounted from their horses and went straight to the lobby to greet their parents. However, they found Qin Shubao sitting in the hall with a red-robed official at the bottom.

“Mubai is back.” Qin Shubao pointed at the red-robed official. “This is the doctor from the household registration department. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

The red-robed official hurriedly stood up and saluted, “This lowly Su Yuan greets General Qin.”

The Household Doctor’s rank was slightly lower than Qin Mubai’s from the fifth grade. In fact, he was considered to be on the same level as Qin Mubai. However, because Qin Mubai had such a family background and Qin Shubao was present, coupled with the prestigious reputation of the Hundred Cavalry Emissary, Su Yuan’s manners were very thoughtful.

“Lang Zhong Su is too polite.” Qin Mubai returned the greeting and said, “What can I do for a doctor?”

Su Yuan said, “The Ministry of Housing received His Majesty’s imperial edict that they would appoint a house for General Qin. This lowly official and his subordinate have already finished purchasing it in three days, so they came to inform the general to accept it. Unexpectedly, the general is not at home all day today, so this lowly official has no choice but to wait here respectfully.”

“So that’s how it is. Today, I brought my little sister out to play, causing the doctor to wait here for a long time. It’s really rude.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “It’s already late. Why don’t we go tomorrow?”

“The house is very close. It’s just a street away from the Qin Manor. It only takes one incense stick of time to walk.” Su Yuan smiled and said, “Why don’t you accept it today, General? Everything has been packed up and you can move in immediately.”

“Really? Then let’s go!” Qin Mubai said happily.

No matter what, with his own house, he would be able to set up his own door and have his own private space. Living with his father in the Qin Manor was a pleasure, but he always felt a little reserved.

“General, please.”

Qin Mubai went up to Qin Shubao and said, “Father, do you and mother want to go take a look together?”

“I won’t go. Go ask your mother and sister!” Qin Shubao said indifferently.

“That’s good too.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and retreated, thinking that the arrogance of a peak martial artist in his father’s bones would probably never disappear. Perhaps he thought that the reward given by the emperor this time was not due to the fact that the reward was not justified, but because of some ulterior motive, so he did not have much interest in the house.

However, Madam Liu and Shuang’er didn’t know about this. They were extremely happy to know that Qin Mubai’s horse was about to set up a new home. There was no need for Qin Mubai to invite them. They took the initiative to follow Qin Mubai to the new house under Su Yuan’s guidance.

Sure enough, Qin Mubai’s new home was not far from the Qin Manor. It was only a street away, and it didn’t take long for it to arrive.

The entrance was brand new, and the Suan Ni stone sculpture at the entrance was wrapped in red silk. Although it wasn’t as graceful as the Qin Clan of Halberd 12, it could still be considered neat and dignified.

The door was still freshly painted and opened outwards. Su Yuan stepped in first and clapped his hands. A row of men and women walked out from the left and right to greet him, “Welcome Master.”

Qin Mubai was stunned, “Who are these people?”

Su Yuan cupped his hands and smiled, “These six men are servants, cooks, porters, gardeners and grooms. In addition to the four maids, they will all be General Qin’s men in the future. Fifth-grade capital officials will be given six to ten servants as independent gatekeepers. This dynasty’s laws and regulations will apply.”