weaving

"Erhu, stop drinking."

Looking at Liu Tichun in front of me, I saw that his face was covered with stubble, and his clothes hadn't been washed in a long time, covered with wine stains and mud.

Liu Tichun remained completely unmoved by Yongning Earl's advice. He casually grabbed a pot of wine and poured it into his mouth, oblivious to the wine dripping down his chin and soaking his entire front.

"Don't...mind me...let us...drink...drink...drink..."

Looking at Liu Tichun, who was now utterly dejected, Zhang Cheng stood up, shook his head, sighed, and said, "What's the point of you degrading yourself like this?"

Seeing Liu Tichun gulping down the wine from the jug, the Earl of Yongning's anger flared up instantly. He kicked the jug away from Liu Tichun's hand and shouted, "Guards, tie him up!"

The guards following behind the Earl of Yongning immediately stepped forward and pinned Liu Tichun, who was about to erupt, to the ground. The guards behind him also quickly stepped forward, pulled out hemp ropes from their waists, and tied him up on the spot.

"Wine...give me wine...why are you tying me up...I want to drink...give me wine...wine..."

The Marquis of Yongning was still furious and ordered, "Leave two men to watch over him. No one is allowed to give him any more wine. Let him sober up properly!"

"Here."

…………

As Yongning Earl Zhang Chengcai emerged from the side courtyard, he bumped into the central military officer Zhang Mingyuan, who reported, "Commander-in-Chief, Lords Yu Shangyou and Li Ruolian have arrived."

Zhang Cheng was taken aback upon hearing this, then asked, "Where?"

"They have been led to the side hall in the backyard."

Zhang Cheng started walking towards the backyard, but stopped after taking only two steps, turned around and asked, "Which door did you come in through? Did anyone see you?"

"Go through the left side door, and you'll find our people there. Master Yu and Master Li are both disguised, so outsiders can't see through them."

"it is good."

Zhang Cheng didn't ask any more questions and went straight to the backyard.

…………

"Uncle Zhi, you've been in Kaifeng for quite some time now. How's your investigation into the military settlements going?"

When asked by the Earl of Yongning, Yu Shangyou smiled mysteriously and said, "Don't worry, Earl. With us handling things, this matter will not be an obstacle."

"Li Banghua, what's your attitude?"

“He hasn’t made a clear statement yet, saying he’ll have to go to the lower prefectures and counties before making a decision,” Yu Shangyou continued. “However… Chief Censor Li is currently supporting the Earl.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng smiled and stopped the conversation. Instead, he said to Li Ruolian, "Brother Chengfu, I really didn't expect that such a small matter would require you to make the trip yourself."

Li Ruolian, the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, clasped his hands and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am here on the Emperor's orders. How could I dare to say the word 'trouble'?"

“Brother Chengfu, although you have come by imperial decree, the cause of this matter ultimately lies with me.” The Earl of Yongning smiled and then said, “Please rest assured, I will not let you leave the capital for nothing.”

Li Ruolian quickly smiled apologetically, "Your Excellency's words make me feel extremely embarrassed."

He continued, "Don't worry, Lord. Don't be fooled by Li Banghua's high rank and power as Censor-in-Chief. In reality... the Emperor has other instructions. Ruolian and Eunuch Li are the key figures in this matter. Once we return to the capital, Ruolian will put in a good word for you before the Emperor." Zhang Cheng, the Earl of Yongning, was not surprised by Li Ruolian's words and replied with a smile, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Brother Chengfu."

He then asked Yu Shangyou, "Uncle Zhi, I heard that Li Banghua is going to various places to investigate. I wonder what the arrangements are?"

"Li Zongxian's idea is to split into two groups, go down to various prefectures and counties in Kaifeng to investigate, and then return to Kaifeng to meet before returning to the capital to report to the Emperor."

"But Li Banghua and Ling Yiqu are each leading a team?"

"Yes, sir, that is indeed the case."

So... which team are you on?

"Replying to Your Excellency, things are still subject to change until the matter is announced." Yu Shangyou continued, "But please rest assured, Your Excellency, no matter how the groups are divided, our people will be involved. As for the investigation route, once it is determined, Shangyou will definitely inform Your Excellency in advance."

In the following time, Yu Shangyou introduced the investigation team to the Earl of Yongning and the information they had gathered about the Earl of Yongning's corruption.

No matter what Yu Shangyou said, to the Earl of Yongning, these words were all trivial matters, and neither Li Banghua nor Ling Yiqu had a clear stance on the matter of military settlements.

Li Banghua's attitude was even more resolute!

Since he entered Kaifeng, he had paid homage to Prince Zhu Gongxiao twice and had two meetings with Gao Mingheng. Of course, Chen Yongfu, the general of Henan, was also not spared. He was summoned for talks by Li Banghua and Ling Yiqu more than twice.

"Yes. Although the rebels have withdrawn from Kaifeng Prefecture, the wars in various places have just ended, and there are still many bandits who did not have time to retreat. I am afraid that the safety of Li and Ling may be threatened, so I plan to send cavalry to protect the two gentlemen."

"The commander-in-chief is a great talent of our time. Besides him, the only others who can turn the tide are Hong Chengchou of Liaodong and Sun Chuanting of Shaanxi."

Yu Shangyou continued, "If the commander feels that the journey may not be absolutely safe, I will explain the pros and cons to Li and Ling. If necessary, the Earl will need to send troops to guard the route."

"That would be excellent."

The three chatted for a while longer, and the topic naturally turned to Li Banghua and Ling Yiqu. Fortunately, both of them were people who did not tolerate any wrongdoing, and Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng did not know how to handle his relationship with them.

Right now, he has no choice but to take a gamble. If he succeeds, he will have the emperor's support to establish military settlements in Henan, and things will surely go smoothly for the region. Even if Li Banghua and others' reply to the court is clearly biased, he can only accept his fate.

But whatever the outcome, the military settlements have already been established in various places. It wouldn't be right to abolish them all and return the land to the people just because of Li Banghua's conclusions!
Even if Emperor Chongzhen wanted to do so, he was powerless to do so.

…………

Just as Yu Shangyou and Li Ruolian had left, news came that Huimei had gone through a miscarriage.

At this moment, only Sister-in-law Lü and the two hundred female soldiers led by Huijian remained by Huimei's side. The original two hundred male soldiers had already followed Shao Shixin back to the rebel army.

"Huijian, I've heard that you've always wanted to return to the side of the King of Chuang. Is that true?"

When asked by the Earl of Yongning, Huijian readily replied, "Yes."

"Alright then, Huijian, if you really want to return to the side of the King of Chuang, I can grant your wish. However, you need to consider this: if even you leave, who will be able to protect Huijian's life?"

Hui Jian was taken aback by what he heard and didn't know how to respond.

Hui Mei quickly added, "With Aunt Lü here, that's enough." (End of Chapter)