The Red Chamber: Starting from Saving Xue Baochai

Chapter 14: Mid-Autumn Banquet, Governor Assassinated

After chatting with Jiang Zhongnian, it was exactly noon.

"Come with me, the luncheon is about to begin."

"Uncle please."

The two left the study and returned to the hall.

At this time, almost everyone was seated.

At the front table sat the core officials of Jinling Province. Commander-in-Chief Shi Ding, Marquis of Zhongjing, Provincial Secretary Xu Yang, Censor Zhong Huai and others sat around in a circle. The prefect of Yingtian, Jia Yucun, was also among them.

At the back were a dozen round tables neatly arranged, filled with the new military candidates who had passed the autumn examination.

Seeing Governor Jiang Zhongnian and Shen Yuan walking out one after the other, everyone had some surprise in their eyes, but their thoughts were different.

Jiang Fan saw that his father had a rare warm look on his face, and he and Shen Yuan seemed like a family. For some reason, he suddenly thought of his sister Jiang Qiuer, and he felt a little strange in his heart. Perhaps they could really become a family.

When the other martial arts candidates saw that Shen Yuan was so valued by the governor, they felt only envy but not jealousy. In their opinion, Shen Yuan's performance in the autumn examination was enough to deserve such courtesy. Martial artists have simpler thinking and they admire the strong.

Shi Ding, who was also a warrior, looked gloomy when he saw this scene. Why did a general who only appears once in a thousand years associate with corrupt scholars? He also wondered if Jiang Zhongnian had said anything bad about him in front of Shen Yuan. No! He wanted to set things right and win over Shen Yuan.
Jia Yucun's expression was gloomy and inexplicable. He could feel that Shen Yuan did not have a good impression of him, but he was helpless for the moment. He regretted that he had dragged his feet and was not decisive enough.

Compared with Shi Ding and Jia Yucun, the other officials at the same table were much more indifferent. They had little interaction with Shen Yuan, not now and not in the future. Even if Shen Yuan became a military general one day, it would not have any impact on their careers, after all, civil and military careers have different paths.

Jiang Zhongnian came to the front and stood still. His pair of wise and deep eyes swept over the crowd, taking in everyone's expressions and seeing through their thoughts.

This may be the effect he wanted to achieve.

On the one hand, it shows the court's emphasis on military men.

On the other hand, labeling Shen Yuan indicates that this young man should only belong to the court and can only be used by the emperor, without the need to be won over by any other person or group.

Shen Yuan was also aware of this, but the boy didn't care.

His destiny is controlled only by himself. He will choose the path that is most beneficial to himself and will not confine himself because of one or two people, or one or two things.

After the show was over, Shen Yuan returned to Jiang Fan's table and sat down.

Next, as per convention, Jiang Zhongnian and Shi Ding gave speeches respectively, which were just some routine words of encouragement and nothing much to say.

Afterwards, everyone drank and chatted, exchanged information and enhanced friendship.

Sitting at Shen Yuan's table were the top ten candidates on the list, and Zhang Huan, who was third, was also present.

After Zhang Huanfang toasted Shen Yuan with a glass of wine, he asked, "I wonder what Brother Shen's ambition is?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their eyes to Shen Yuan, curious in their hearts.

Shen Yuan drank the wine in the cup and said thoughtfully: "I will use all my life's strength to help the Great Zhou restore the glory of China."

"What a spirit!"

Hearing these heroic words, everyone cheered.

"Restore the glory of China." Zhang Huan repeated this sentence, and a heroic spirit suddenly rose in his chest. He smiled and said, "We warriors should do the same."

"We are on the same list today, and we are willing to be comrades in arms in the future, wipe out the enemy and make contributions on the battlefield." Jiang Fan was also very happy at this moment, holding up his glass, and said: "Come, let's drink another glass together!"

"Brother Jiang, have fun! Drink!"

"drink!"

Everyone was excited and raised their glasses to drink.

However, the square-faced man at the same table did not move. He kept looking straight ahead, seeming a little absent-minded.

"Why are you so cold? Everyone is drinking, but you are standing still. You really spoil the fun!" The person next to him scolded the square-faced man.

The square-faced man came to his senses after being shouted at. He just glanced at the man coldly and ignored him.

"Hey, you bastard"

"Forget it, everyone has their own aspirations, don't force it." Zhang Huan advised.

Shen Yuan glanced at the square-faced man indifferently, noticed where his gaze was going, and thought slightly in his mind.

After that, no one paid any attention to the man anymore. The others just clinked glasses and had a great time.

Halfway through the banquet, the governor led all the officials and began to greet and drink with the military candidates at each table, which was also a customary practice at the banquet.

After Emperor Yuanzhen ascended the throne, he incorporated this example into the imperial examination system.

No matter how much the civil officials looked down on these soldiers, they still had to put on a good show to win the hearts of the people for the emperor.

Of course, Jiang Zhongnian, the governor of Nanjing, was truly practicing it, not just going through the motions.

Jiang Zhongnian first came to Shen Yuan's table, said a few words of congratulations and encouragement, and then began to raise his glass and drink.

Those present knew that Governor Jiang was well-known for his virtue and were quite respectful to him.

Just as everyone was toasting their glasses, something strange happened.
"Corrupt scholar, dog official, give me your life!"

But the square-faced man took advantage of the moment when everyone raised their heads to drink and looked upwards, clenched the bamboo chopsticks in his hand, took a quick step forward, and stabbed Jiang Zhongnian's neck.

The two men were already very close to each other, and the attack was sudden, so everyone was unable to react.

As soon as the square-faced man finished speaking, the bamboo chopsticks had already reached the governor's throat. Everything happened in a flash.

"boom!"

Just as a tragedy was about to happen, a wine cup suddenly flew from the right and hit the square-faced man's hand holding chopsticks.

The square-faced man felt pain from the force and the chopsticks in his hand were knocked away.

"Protect your lord!"

"Someone come quickly!"

"Protect the Governor!"

It was this moment of buffer that allowed everyone to react, and they started shouting in anxiety and anger.

Upon seeing this, the martial arts candidates around him acted quickly, captured the square-faced man and pinned him to the ground.

"Fuck you!"

The square-faced man was subdued and the crisis was resolved. Then everyone remembered the wine cup that had just saved the governor.

They all looked in the direction where the wine cup came from, and met Shen Yuan's calm gaze.

"Brother Shen, it was you just now..."

Jiang Fan looked at Shen Yuan in disbelief, not knowing what to say for a moment, with a myriad of thoughts in his mind.

The others looked at Shen Yuan as if he were a monster.

Is this the reaction speed a human should have?
If it were them, let alone saving the governor, it would have been great if they could even react before the governor was seriously injured.

So how did Shen Yuan do it?
Jiang Zhongnian looked at the young man and thought to himself. He naturally didn't believe that anyone could react like this on the spot.

There is only one possibility, Shen Yuan has made some preparations in advance.

"Have you noticed this before?" Jiang Zhongnian asked.

Shen Yuan said in a clear voice: "I just thought this person was suspicious, so I kept a close eye on him, but I didn't know he was going to assassinate me."

"Such a keen sense is beyond the reach of ordinary people." Jiang Zhongnian stroked his beard and nodded, not frightened by the assassination attempt just now, but his eyes were full of admiration for Shen Yuan, "He has a calm temperament, not arrogant or impatient. With time, he will surely achieve something."

Shen Yuan smiled and didn't respond.

Jiang Zhongnian said sternly, "If it weren't for you today, I would be dead. I will remember this favor. If you need anything, just ask."

Everyone was listening to the conversation between the two and was shocked beyond words.

It turns out that the young man had already been prepared beforehand. As the saying goes, there is no one better than him who can see the big picture from the small details.

This is not just an ordinary ability, but the quality required of a general.

No wonder even the governor said that it would be successful.

He ranked first in the military exam, and he was good at both civil and military affairs. He also had a keen insight far beyond that of ordinary people. He had all the skills stacked up. In the future, he would at least be a marquis or a general! Now, the governor owed him a favor.

"Great! What did I say? This is a military talent that is hard to come by in a thousand years." Shi Ding said with a smile.

After the shock, everyone turned their attention to the square-faced man who assassinated the governor.

Jiang Fan looked at the man who almost killed his father, and anger rose in his chest. He leaned over and grabbed the man by the collar, and shouted, "Why did you assassinate me?"

The square-faced man looked silent. Since he had decided to assassinate, he knew what would happen to him regardless of success or failure.

Seeing that he was being stubborn, Jiang Fan raised his hand and punched him.

"Speak! Otherwise, I promise you will be worse off than dead."

"Puff!" The square-faced man spat out a mouthful of blood foam, raised his head and looked at Jiang Fan, with a strange smile on his face, and said: "If I tell you, will you let me go?"

"No! But you can suffer less physical pain."

"Well, I'll tell you." The square-faced man said, turning his head to look at Shi Ding not far away, pretending to be serious and said, "It was Marquis Zhongjing. He asked me to assassinate this corrupt scholar. He..."

Shi Ding was stared at by the square-faced man, feeling unhappy. Suddenly he heard the man throwing dirty water on him, and he became furious: "You bastard, you are talking nonsense!"

"I have always been upright and aboveboard, how could I allow you to do such a despicable thing!"

"Who told you to falsely accuse me?" Shi Ding was furious and shouted, "Come here! Take this thief away for torture. I want to see which filthy guy is behind this?"

"and many more!"

Jiang Fan stopped the soldier who was coming over, glanced at Shi Ding, and then turned his gaze to his father Jiang Zhongnian.

Why does it seem a bit weird that Shi Ding is so anxious to take the criminal away?
But Jiang Zhongnian pondered for a moment, without looking at him, but nodded to Shi Ding, indicating that he could take the person away for interrogation.

Soon, the square-faced man was taken away.

This scene seemed particularly strange in the eyes of everyone. Isn't the governor worried? Is Shi Ding the man behind this?

After a while, the hall returned to normal.

With Jiang Zhongnian's insistence, the Mid-Autumn Festival lunch was still held.

But because of the assassination, everyone lost interest and was not as happy as before.

After the banquet was over and everyone left, Shen Yuan was kept by Jiang Zhongnian.

Governor's Yamen, back hall.

Jiang Zhongnian sat in the main seat, while Shen Yuan and Jiang Fan sat on his left and right.

"Shen Yuan, what do you think about this?"

"What did you mean, uncle?"

"Do you think Shi Ding was the one who ordered the assassination?"

Shen Yuan glanced at Jiang Zhongnian, who had an indifferent expression, and knew that he already had the answer in his mind. He hesitated for a moment and said in a clear voice, "No."

"Oh? Why do you see it?"

"The assassin was determined to die when he openly carried out the assassination. How could he reveal the person behind the scene just because of a few threats from Brother Jiang Fan? It doesn't make sense."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhongnian nodded, implicitly praising him, and said, "He is indeed very thoughtful, unlike Jiang Fan."

"Father." Jiang Fan was speechless and said, "But what about Shi Ding?"

"Fan'er, don't just look at the surface of things." Jiang Zhongnian said: "Don't look at Shi Ding's reckless behavior, but he has formed a tacit understanding with his father."

"Although my father has acted decisively and vigorously in recent years to crack down on corruption, he has never interfered with his command of the Dusi Guards."

"Everything I have done as a father is just to turn Jinling into a stable base for my Great Zhou."

"Shi Ding also knew this, so he maintained a tacit understanding with his father and also imposed many restrictions on the military commanders."

"He knows very well that if his father falls, His Majesty will definitely send stronger people over, and then his situation will become even more difficult."

Jiang Fan heard this and suddenly realized, "So, not only does Shi Ding not want anything to happen to his father, he will also protect his father at critical moments."

Jiang Zhongnian nodded.

Jiang Fan asked doubtfully: "But who could that be?"

Jiang Zhongnian did not answer and looked at Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan shook his head and smiled, saying, "Uncle, do you want me to guess?"

"Not a guess, I want to hear your analysis."

Shen Yuan pondered for a moment, as if he had some guesses in his mind, and said thoughtfully: "That person, or those people, should not only want to target my uncle, but also want to muddy the waters of the Jinling officialdom."

Jiang Fan became more curious and asked, "Who is it?"

"Uncle has been guarding Jinling on behalf of the emperor over the years, cracking down on corruption and clarifying the administration of officials. He must have offended a lot of people, right?"

Jiang Zhongnian nodded, his eyes gradually became cold, and he said in a deep voice: "I have indeed blocked many people's financial paths in Jinling over the years."

At this point, the truth of the assassination has basically been revealed, but Shen Yuan doesn't know how many people are involved and at what level they are involved.

Unexpectedly, the seemingly peaceful Jinling officialdom was actually so turbulent.
"father!"

While they were talking, a handsome young man ran in.

"Qiu'er."

When Jiang Zhongnian saw his daughter in men's clothing, his brows unconsciously frowned. He didn't know why Jiang Qiuer, a lady from a wealthy family, liked to walk around in men's clothing.

But with Shen Yuan present at the moment, he couldn't reprimand her.

When Jiang Qiuer heard from people in the mansion that her father had been assassinated, she ran over immediately.

"Dad, are you okay?"

The girl was a little nervous. She looked at her father carefully and was relieved when she saw that he was fine.

Jiang Zhongnian felt the concern from his little girl, and his heart warmed. He said softly, "Dad is fine, thanks to Shen Yuan."

Jiang Fan felt sour when he saw this. Why was there such a big difference between his son and daughter?
From childhood to adulthood, his father had never shown him kindness, but was extremely fond of his sister. He felt indescribable pain in his heart.
He looked at his sister again. Hmm, she was indeed very cute. As a big brother, he couldn't help but spoil her. But sometimes she was a little naughty and needed someone to take care of her.
Jiang Qiuer looked at Shen Yuan standing beside her, her eyes full of gratitude.

"Thank you! Shen Yuan."

Shen Yuan looked at the pretty girl in men's clothing in front of him. She had an oval face as delicate as a painting, willow-shaped eyebrows, long eyelashes, and a pair of big, clear and bright eyes. She had a delicate nose and a cherry mouth. She looked like a girl in a fairy tale and was extremely cute.

"You and I are like brothers, and uncle is also like my elder. There is no need to be polite."

brother?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhongnian and his son couldn't help but twitch their lips.

"Who is your brother?" Jiang Qiuer blushed.

Seeing this cute look, Shen Yuan couldn't help but continue to tease: "Your brother and I regard each other as close friends and brothers, so I also regard you as a brother. It seems that I am being too sentimental?"

"No. But..." Jiang Qiuer felt sorry for the young man, but she didn't know what to say.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore!" Shen Yuan restrained his expression when he saw Jiang Qiuer looked a little flustered. After all, it was indeed inappropriate to tease this girl in front of her father and brother.

When Jiang Qiuer heard this, she felt that Shen Yuan seemed to treat her as a child, and she became even more unwilling.

"Shen Yuan."

After coming out of the governor's office, Shen Yuan left on horseback.

The Jiang family father and son wanted to keep him to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival together, but he declined with an excuse.

Shen Yuan was going to meet his 'Spiritual Snow, the Hermit in the Mountains'.

After all, it is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it should be full of romance.
Nung, moon and new moon.

(End of this chapter)