Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2862 Master Qingsong 80.0
Shen Haolin and Song Yaojia exchanged a glance and then shook their heads at Shen Cha.

"What does shaking your head mean?" Shen Cha leaned on Shen Haolin's shoulder, yawned, and asked, "Is there something wrong with what I said?"

“Not entirely, but,” Song Yaojia smiled, “Logically speaking, you’re right. Anyone who isn’t completely incompetent would want a Prime Minister Wei by their side who can speak frankly and point out their problems. After all, having someone like that can remind them and help them avoid making many mistakes, right?”

“Yes!” Shen Cha nodded. “The Shen family army has always been open to suggestions. Even the lowest-ranking soldiers can offer advice or opinions, pointing out where we are doing things wrong or unreasonable. I believe the Eagle King Army is the same, right?” He looked at Song Yaojia, and seeing him nod, he continued, “Moreover, there are similar people around the Earl of Yong’an. Since he can tolerate outsiders, why can’t he tolerate his own son?” She sighed softly. “I just realized that the Earl of Yong’an cannot return to the capital without being summoned, so he probably can’t leave Huaizhou for the rest of his life, right? His eldest son will certainly not give up the place he has cultivated for so many years, so the Earl of Yong’an will inevitably live with his eldest son, right?”

“I understand what you mean. You think he cares more about his eldest son and sent his youngest son to the capital.”

"In other words, although it's supposed to be a job, it might actually be sending his youngest son back to the capital as a hostage." Shen Cha sighed softly. "Are he and his eldest son really that intolerant of their youngest son?"

“There’s a possibility you mentioned, but there’s another one.” Shen Haolin patted her. “He’s been in Huaizhou for almost seven years. Although the commander can’t interfere in Huaizhou’s affairs, after so many years, there will inevitably be some entanglements. He might just turn Huaizhou into his own territory. That’s something Xiao Jue absolutely cannot tolerate. So, I estimate that in a year or two, he’ll take Huaizhou back. When that time comes, the Earl of Yong’an and his eldest son might…” He sighed, “Sending the youngest son back to the capital now is probably just a way to save his youngest son’s family’s lives.”

"At most, Brother Xiaojue has taken away their military power. A commander of Huaizhou has no more than a thousand men under his command. If they want to do anything, they have to ask Yuezhou next door for its consent."

“That makes sense.” Song Yaojia nodded. “It’s quite difficult to pull off any tricks under Xia Shi’s nose.” He looked at Shen Haolin. “Is it possible that their trip to the capital this time is actually to hand over military power?”

“That’s impossible.” Shen Haolin and Shen Cha shook their heads slightly. “Why would a regional governor, who doesn’t plot rebellion or usurp power, suddenly hand over his military command? Does he mean he’s hoarding troops and is unacceptable to the emperor? If the Earl of Yong’an really dared to do that…”

“That’s just asking for trouble.” Shen Cha sneered. “However, no matter what he’s going to do in the capital this time, he’s unlikely to come out unscathed, especially since he’s bringing his youngest son and daughter-in-law with him. All the things they did back then will be brought up again.” She yawned. “Of course, we might be overthinking it. Maybe he’s just going to the capital to avoid a fight over the family fortune.”

“That’s what I think too.” Song Yaojia nodded. “Although the title of Earl of Yong’an cannot be passed down, the path of the eldest son has already been arranged. Even if the position of Commander of Huaizhou is taken away, and they agree with His Majesty’s decision and do not make trouble, then His Majesty will arrange a sinecure for his son to make up for it. That sinecure will basically fall on the eldest son of the Earl of Yong’an.”

"Possibly," Shen Haolin nodded. "There are many precedents for this."

“Yes!” Song Yaojia nodded. “This approach isn’t unusual; many commanders do this after they retire. So, what will happen to the younger son? Will he stay by the eldest son’s side as an idle good-for-nothing, or will the eldest son find another way out for him? If the younger son is incompetent and brainless, just a playboy who likes to eat, drink, and have fun, the eldest son can easily support him. But,” he spread his hands, “it’s obviously not the case. The youngest son of the Marquis of Yong’an has his own ideas, and he’s quite naive and idealistic, right?”

"What Brother Yaojia means is..."

“I think their family might be facing serious problems right now, otherwise, the Earl of Yong’an wouldn’t be in such a hurry to find a way out for his youngest son.” Song Yaojia looked at Shen Haolin. “What do you think?”

"It's hard to say." Shen Haolin thought for a moment. "The two sons of the Marquis of Yong'an have completely opposite personalities and ways of doing things, and neither of them looks up to the other."

"So, whether the eldest son of the Marquis of Yong'an continues as a commander or holds a sinecure, he probably won't tolerate his younger brother, right?" Seeing Shen Haolin and Song Yaojia nod, Shen Cha sighed, "Brotherly discord is truly the most tragic thing in the world." "You've softened your heart?"

“No, not at all.” Shen Cha shook her head gently. “Their family has gotten what they deserved. We were just adding to their good fortune.”

Before Song Yaojia could comment on her "adding flowers to brocade" comment, she heard footsteps outside.

He stood up, walked to the door, and saw Jin Miaomiao and Meilin leading two kitchen servants over, each carrying a large food box.

"came back?"

“We are really lucky. Grandpa Mo was worried that we wouldn’t have anything to eat tonight, so he cooked us some porridge and made some wontons.” Jin Miaomiao gestured to the two servants, telling them to keep their voices down, “The two young generals are still sleeping, don’t wake them up.”

The two servants didn't speak, they just nodded, and their already light footsteps became even lighter.

After entering the house, they carefully placed the food box on the ground, bowed to Shen Haolin, Shen Cha, and Song Yaojia, and then quietly left, closing the door to the warm pavilion behind them.

Merlin took out all the food from the food box, observing the expressions on the faces of the people as she did so, noting that they seemed different from when they left.

Merlin noticed the changes in the three people, and Jin Miaomiao noticed them too. However, before she could ask, the door to the warm pavilion quietly opened.

Shen Cha turned around and looked at Ying Shi standing at the door, smiled, and waved to him.

"What's wrong?" Jin Miaomiao asked Ying Shi. "What's with that expression?"

"The boss asked me to ask if there's anything I need to take back to the capital?" Ying Shi glanced at the bowl of porridge handed to him and took it without ceremony. "I'm setting off for the capital tomorrow."

"Going to the capital? What for?" Jin Miaomiao was taken aback, turning to look at Shen Haolin, Shen Cha, and Song Yaojia. "What happened?"

"I'll explain in detail later. Is there anything you need to bring?"

"Not for now." Jin Miaomiao blinked. "Could you pass on a message to His Highness Prince Ning? Tell him not to think I don't know just because I'm not in the capital. He's not eating or sleeping properly. If he still doesn't listen, I'll have to take drastic measures. After all, no amount of tonics can stop him from acting up."