The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 413 The storm is rising
"She is indeed a clever girl."

After half an hour, Zhang Yunyi smacked his lips, pulled his belt, tied a knot, and said with a smile: "Don't worry! I won't treat you badly in the future. I didn't accept you today because I was worried that you might get hurt and have trouble walking, which might give people a clue."

When Ying'er heard this, her eyes, which had been choking with tears, finally showed a hint of joy.

She puffed her lips and mumbled, "Thank you...thank you...for your pity, sir!"

Zhang Yunyi raised his hand and pinched her bulging cheeks, then wiped the corners of her lips without making a sound, and said with a smile: "Go rinse your mouth, then wash your hands, and come and help me put on my clothes."

Since Ying'er took the initiative to lead the topic to the lower body, how could Zhang Yunyi miss such an opportunity?

However, one's family knows one's own affairs. He knew very well that once he had benefited from Ying'er, even if he could hide it from others, he could not hide it from Xue Baochai.

However, he did not want to give up the opportunity to plant spies in the Xue family, so he changed his mind and tried his best to recruit Ying'er for his own use first.

It’s not that he has to act like a big shot and can’t dress himself.

Rather, for a maid like Ying'er, the more he did this, the more it seemed that he treated her as his own.

When Ying'er came back happily after washing, he opened his arms. When he put on his inner garment and outer garment and moved to the front to button them, Zhang Yunyi put his arms around Ying'er's slender waist and pressed her against him like a sesame bun.

While he was searching, he was rubbing her ears. When Ying Er was exhausted and gasping for breath, he said, "If Sister Baochai asks you, you can tell her directly. If she doesn't ask, you don't have to tell her. Do you understand?"

Although Ying'er's previous words were most likely instructed by Baochai, she was able to seize the initiative before her master, which was something Baochai would not expect or allow.

This is also the reason why he went with the flow.

As expected, Ying'er felt relieved after hearing this. She hesitated in his arms for a few seconds before she continued the conversation and said coquettishly, "I dare not tell the young lady."

Zhang Yunyi patted her perky buttocks and said without comment: "I will remember your contribution and reward you when the time comes."

Although as Baochai's personal maid, it was a foregone conclusion that she would become a concubine in the future.

But even so, there are differences.

With the example of Shi Xiangyun, given the status of the Xue family, even if she was not a concubine, she would have to keep a low profile and look at Zhang Yunyi's face.

And Zhang Yunyi is obviously not a good-for-nothing like Jia Lian.

A maid who doesn't want to be a concubine is not a good maid.

And with Xiangling, a former maid of the Xue family, who had set a good example and could seize the initiative and please him in advance, Ying'er naturally would not refuse.

After comforting Ying'er and dressing himself, he left Dengxian Pavilion and came to the pavilion on the mountain. He spoke briefly to Jinchuan, then came to the front yard, got on the carriage, and rushed to Prince Zhongshun's Mansion.

When he was led into the side hall, he saw Prince Zhongshun, Gu Dashou and others all with serious expressions.

Before he could greet him, Gu Dashou had already spoken first: "Young friend Yun Yi, you came just in time..."

He briefly recounted the incident, looked at Zhang Yunyi with a serious expression and said, "At first, it was just the use of bird droppings that caused the disease, but now, it has spread far and wide. The gentry in Jiangnan are all shouting that it is the bird droppings that are causing the disease. I am afraid that it can no longer be covered up. My friend, think about it quickly. Can you pull yourself out of the trap?"

Zhang Yunyi frowned and asked instead, "Although we sent people to the south before the New Year, Mei Lian went there to take charge after the start of the dynasty. Even if he hurried, it would take at least February to reach the Jiangnan area. How could there be a large area affected by the disaster? Besides, the surrounding areas of the capital have already planted three crops, and they are all fine. Why is it that only the Jiangnan area has a problem?"

He frowned not because he was worried about himself. Such a large area of ​​damage could only be caused by the smuggled bird droppings being unprocessed.

However, Jiangnan is the granary of the Great Xia Dynasty. Once it is hit by a disaster, I am afraid that the people will be displaced again.

"How could we not understand this? But gossip can melt gold. There is resentment in Jiangnan right now, plus... plus there have long been complaints about the emperor's obsession with Taoism. I'm afraid someone will take advantage of this and keep biting you."

When he said the second half of the sentence, Gu Dashou lowered his voice, shook his head and said, "This is also my fault. I misjudged the person..."

Prince Zhongshun took over the conversation and said, "The Lord has received news that Mei Lian not only did not defend himself, but instead instigated the gentry in Jiangnan to write a joint letter accusing you of bringing disaster to the country and the people. I'm afraid that in a month or at least half a month, the joint letter will be delivered to the emperor!"

Duke of Qing Qi Yuandao said in a deep voice: "Other things are fine, but the biggest worry is that it will provoke a civil uprising. If it gets out of control, it's no joke!"

Zhou Xianzu, the Minister of Personnel, said, "His Highness asked me to tell Yun Yi that he trusts you, but this is a serious matter, and we need to find a way to explain it to His Majesty as soon as possible."

Zhang Yun逸 nodded, then said: "By the way! Why didn't General Li come?" The only person missing from the last gathering was the Minister of War Li Congwen, and Zhang Yun逸 couldn't help but make some guesses.

As for Mei Lian, he didn't even mention him. After all, he was an irrelevant person, and he had ulterior motives when he recommended him.

In fact, there is less psychological burden when digging the hole.

When Zhang Yunyi asked this, everyone was silent. As the host, Prince Zhongshun could only bite the bullet and explain, "He has something to do today and said he can't come."

Although Prince Zhongshun spoke tactfully, Zhang Yun逸 understood.

After all, he has no foundation, not as good as those people present. I'm afraid Li Congwen must have received the news a long time ago and deliberately refused.

He bowed to the people present and said, "Thank you for your reminder!"

He then smiled calmly and said, "The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish! If an enemy comes, we will fight him. If a flood comes, we will block it with earth. There is nothing to worry about."

"My friend, don't be careless!" Gu Dashou advised.

Zhang Yunyi looked calm and explained, "If they only wanted to get involved with the bird droppings, I might have to be more cautious, but if they drag it into the emperor, they are courting death!"

The mourning period for my cheap old man has not yet passed, so how could Zhang Yunyi forget how he died?

When he said this, Gu Dashou's eyes suddenly lit up.

"My friend, you mean..."

Smart people don't need to be explained clearly. Zhang Yunyi nodded and said, "Prince Ning must be anxious to distance himself from the matter and is happy to draw the fire on me. Since they insist on making things difficult for themselves, why don't we lend them a helping hand and add fuel to the fire?"

After all, he also plotted against the emperor. If the King of Qin had not asked Zhou Xianzu to convey the message to him, he would not have said these words.

But now, he hopes to take this opportunity to increase his weight in the heart of the King of Qin.

When he said this, the others' eyes lit up immediately.

Zhang Yunyi said, "I don't have anyone to help me, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you for help."

Everyone has a herd mentality, and especially when the crowd is excited, they are most likely to be led astray.

To give an inappropriate example, someone in a residential community grew vegetables and destroyed the green belt. The owners were outraged and demanded that the property management handle the matter.

At this time, as long as someone says that the property management is not taking action, it is easy for people to forget their original intention and turn to attacking the property management.

Zhang Yun逸 wanted to take advantage of this.

However, this matter was of great importance. Although he was not without help, there was no one who could talk to the joint letter.

He had to rely on the connections of people like Prince Qin and Gu Dashou, which was one of the reasons why he said the above.

"To be honest, the bird droppings need to be exposed to the sun for a month before they are properly preserved. Those who sell bird droppings must have only cared about making money and could not wait to properly dispose of them before selling them, which led to such a disaster."

If the cause of the bird droppings itself cannot be ruled out, it is likely to bring disaster to yourself.

In addition to the above arrangements, we must also increase the confidence of King Qin and others.

"Good! Good!" Gu Dashou clapped his hands and said with a smile, "It's rare that my friend actually has such a plan. When the emperor gets angry, we can then expose their illegal sale of bird droppings. I'm afraid the emperor will have to suspect that they are intentionally putting the blame on him!"

"All we need to do now is to keep our troops in place and start a fire in Jiangnan first. When the memorial is presented to the emperor, I will be summoned for questioning and I will add fuel to the fire..."

At this point, Zhang Yunyi changed the subject and said, "However, disaster relief cannot be delayed, lest a big mess occur."

The few of them then discussed the details in detail again, and talked until three o'clock in the morning before leaving Prince Zhongshun's palace.

……

(End of this chapter)