In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 1047 Returning After Leaving, Possessing Military Power
Three days later, the snow cleared up, but the snow at the foot of the Beiping city wall had not completely melted.

Sunlight shone on the bluish-gray brick wall, reflecting a cold luster.

The Beijing banner hanging at the city gate was being whipped by the wind, and snowflakes were falling softly.

The area below the city gate was already packed with people waiting to greet them.

Civil officials in scarlet and blue robes, military generals in black armor.

There were also hundreds of managers from merchant houses dressed in long silk gowns.

The crowd also included many ordinary people who were peeking around.
Standing on tiptoe, I looked out towards the end of the official road.

No one knows why these officials have gathered here.

Before long, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance, growing louder as they approached.

A group of soldiers in armor escorted a blue carriage, which slowly appeared at the end of the official road.

A small market flag was stuck on the carriage, swaying gently in the wind.

The crowd below the city gate fell silent instantly.

Right Provincial Governor Feng Jun straightened his official robes, took two steps forward, and stared intently at the carriage.

"They're here! It's Lord Lu's entourage!"

Someone uttered a soft exclamation, causing a slight commotion in the crowd, which quickly subsided.

It turns out that an official appointed by the imperial court has arrived!
The carriage stopped below the city gate, and Basong jumped out first, lifting the curtain.

Lu Yunyi bent down and walked out, now dressed in the armor of a second-rank military officer, with a silver belt around his waist.

His face still bore the weariness of a long journey, yet the composure between his brows remained undeniable.

As soon as he steadied himself, Feng Jun, accompanied by Zhao Wu, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Li Mo, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, quickly stepped forward, and the three of them bowed in unison:
"We, your humble servants, respectfully welcome Lord Lu, Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince and Director of the Market and Exchange Bureau!"

Lu Yunyi surveyed the welcoming party and was quite satisfied.
The more people, the better, so that news of his arrival in Beiping can spread widely.

He raised his hand in a gesture of support, his tone calm:

"My lords, there's no need for such formalities. I'm merely returning to Daming; how could I trouble you all to personally greet me?"

"You're being too polite, sir!"

Feng Jun straightened up, a smile plastered on his face, his eyes filled with gratitude:

"Your Excellency has been working tirelessly in the capital for the sake of Beiping, persuading the court to designate Beiping as the commercial center of the north."

They also approved funds to repair the north-south official roads.

This is a great thing that will benefit the people of Beiping!
"We, your humble servants, have come today not only to fulfill our duty as hosts, but also to express our gratitude to Your Excellency on behalf of the people of Beiping!"

Zhao Wu nodded in agreement, his voice loud and clear:
"Yes, Lord Lu! The transportation of grain and provisions for the Beiping Military Command has always been inconvenient."
After the official road was repaired, military rations could be transported from Henan to Beiping in just over ten days.

This is a huge boost for the border defense!

Li Mo, who is relatively calm and composed, added:
"The Provincial Judicial Commissioner has recently received many reports from merchants who all want to open branches in Beiping, saying that Beiping has great potential in the future, and this is all thanks to you, sir."

Lu Yunyi smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three of them:
"You three are too kind. Beiping is located at the strategic throat of the northern frontier."
It should have been a place where trade and border defense were equally important.

The imperial court designated Beiping as the commercial center of northern China.

Repairing official roads and promoting trade were simply logical steps.

The ones who actually got things done were the three officials and the people of Beiping.

As he spoke, Lu Yunyi's gaze suddenly fell on the back of the welcoming crowd, where two familiar figures stood.

A man dressed in a dark blue silk robe, with a shrewd face, was none other than Shi Yu, the third manager of the Taxue Trading Company.
The other one was wearing a gray short-sleeved jacket, was short and thin, and had a somewhat honest face.

He is Liu Heiying's father and also his uncle, Liu Huaipu.

"Manager Shi, Uncle Liu."

Lu Yunyi took the initiative to walk over, his tone a few degrees gentler than before:
"It's been a long time. How have you two been?"

Shi Yu was surprised that Lu Yunyi would take the initiative to greet him, so he quickly cupped his hands in greeting and smiled broadly.

"Thanks to your blessing, the business has been doing quite well lately."

Since the official roads outside the pass were repaired, the flow of goods has become much faster. Last month, the military command even opened a new post station outside the pass.

Liu Huaipu smiled and looked him up and down:
"Why have you lost so much weight? You should rest well this time you're back, don't overwork yourself."

Lu Yunyi laughed and nodded repeatedly.

He recalled that in the past, after each training exercise or scout mission on the grassland, he would always go to Black Hawk's house for a big meal to satisfy his cravings.

My uncle would often send me some delicious food from Beiping.
Looking back now, those days were truly leisurely.

"Uncle, how's the business doing lately?"

Liu Huaipu smiled:

"Don't worry about me, everything is fine."
The workshop now employs nearly four hundred more people, all of whom are city dwellers and are all capable.

Last month, we shipped a batch of cloth to Yingtian, and the response was quite good.

Seeing this, Feng Jun and the other two also came over.

Feng Jun looked at Shi Yu, then smiled and said to Lu Yunyi:

"Lord Lu, you may not know, but Manager Shi's Taxue Trading Company and Manager Liu's textile workshop are now very well-known in Beiping!"

Many women have found work in the workshops and have earned a living.

Some skilled workers even earn more than their husbands.

Zhao Wu nodded in agreement:
"I have also heard about this matter!"
Last month, while I was patrolling the city, I passed by Manager Liu's textile workshop.
It was very lively inside, with lots of clanging and banging.

The craftsmen all said that they owed their livelihood and stable housing entirely to Manager Liu.

Shi Yu and Liu Huaipu were a little embarrassed by the praise, and Shi Yu quickly said:
"You flatter me, sir! We are merely doing our duty."

The real credit goes to Lord Lu and the three other officials.

"If it weren't for the adults making this happen, how would we have had the opportunity to do these businesses?"

Liu Huaipu nodded in agreement:

"That's true. A few days ago, someone came from the capital and said they wanted to do sewing machine business with the merchants."
Now that the workshop is up and running, this will be a profitable business in the future.

Lu Yunyi nodded repeatedly:
"Uncle, weaving cloth can alleviate people's livelihoods."

Selling sewing machines is the real money-making business, so you have to manage it well.

Furthermore, a sewing machine requires over a hundred parts, all of which are jobs that can support people, no less demanding than those in a textile workshop.

"Do not worry!"

Liu Huaipu spoke with certainty:
"I've already invested the initial capital. This time, we're going to open nearly thirty upstream and downstream workshops. We'll definitely make it a success!"

Seeing this, Feng Jun smiled and suggested:

"Lord Lu, it's cold outside. Why don't we go into the city first?"
The government office has already prepared a welcome banquet, which will be a good opportunity to discuss road construction and trade plans with the magistrate.

Lu Yunyi nodded:
"Alright, then I'll have to trouble the three of you."

The group of people escorted Lu Yunyi into the city.

The people on both sides of the street stepped aside and looked at the procession with curiosity in their eyes.

Some of the people recognized Shi Yu and Liu Huaipu and whispered among themselves:

"Isn't that Manager Shi from the Taxue Trading Company?"

"And there's Manager Liu, his textile factory employs a lot of people!"

"That must be Lord Lu, right? I heard he's been repairing hundreds of miles of road outside the Great Wall."

Hearing these comments, Lu Yunyi did not stop walking, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He turned to Feng Jun and said:
"Lord Feng, the road repair work needs to start as soon as possible."

Especially along the route from Beiping to Kaifeng, the dirt roads were really difficult to travel.

"The sooner the cement is laid, the easier it will be for horse-drawn carriages and freight trucks to travel."

Feng Jun quickly replied:

"Rest assured, sir! Upon receiving the imperial decree, I immediately began preparations for the cement workshop and dared not delay!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yunyi nodded in satisfaction:

"Lord Feng has considered everything very well. I'll leave this matter to you."

As they spoke, the group had already arrived at the entrance of the government office.

Red lanterns hung in front of the government office, and guards stood in neat rows at the gate, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Feng Jun stepped aside and gestured for them to proceed.
Passing through the two ceremonial gates of the Provincial Administration Office, the warmth of the main hall immediately greets you.

Three braziers of silver-thread charcoal burned brightly in the corner of the hall, the flames crackling softly.
The wine and dishes on the rosewood octagonal table were steamed until they were slightly hot.

The stewed mutton in the celadon dish glistened with oil.

The cold green vegetables in the dish were arranged neatly.

Lu Yunyi sat down in the chair next to the main seat.
His gaze swept over the empty seat at the head of the table.
She gently touched the cool rim of the cup with her fingertips and looked at Feng Jun:
"Lord Feng, today is a welcome feast..."
This concerns important matters concerning commerce and official roads in Beiping. Where is His Highness Prince Yan?
"Logically, since His Highness is stationed in the northern border, he should be the one to take the lead in this matter. Should we send someone to the Prince's residence to invite him?" Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall immediately froze.

Feng Jun's hand holding the wine glass froze in mid-air, and he quickly exchanged glances with Zhao Wu and Li Mo.

A strange look flashed across the faces of all three.
It seemed like a pre-planned move, yet it carried a hint of awkwardness.

Feng Jun put down his wine glass, coughed lightly, and spoke in a tactful tone:

"Lord Lu, you may not know this, but His Highness the Prince of Yan has been suffering from a cold these past few days. He has been coughing badly at night and has been resting quietly in his residence. He hasn't even left the palace."

He paused and added:
"We sent someone to invite him the day before yesterday, but His Highness said he was afraid of passing on his illness to you, and he specifically instructed us to do so."
"After you've finished your business here, please go to the Prince's residence in person."

Lu Yunyi raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.

He had just met with Zhu Di in private the day before yesterday, so where did he catch a cold from?

He pretended to suddenly understand and nodded:
"I see. It is the change of seasons now, a time when people are more susceptible to catching a cold. It was my oversight that I did not consider this."

Since Your Highness is recuperating in peace, we should not disturb you.
"I will personally visit the Prince's residence after the meal."

When Feng Jun and the other two saw that he didn't ask any further questions, they all secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Wu was the first to raise his glass, smiling as he tried to smooth things over:
"Lord Lu, you must be tired from your journey. Please try this strong northern liquor first."

It's a bit strong, but it can ward off the cold.

"Let's chat over drinks. The road construction and workshop site selection will all depend on your advice."

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively.
Li Mo was talking about the Provincial Surveillance Commission's investigation into the land used for workshops.
Zhao Wu suddenly put down his wine cup, clapped his hands, and his face was slightly flushed with alcohol:

“Lord Lu, drinking alone is no fun.”

Although Beiping cannot compare to the prosperity of Yingtian, it still has some nice places to visit.

I have specially invited several courtesans from Zuichunfang and Yihonglou in the city, each of whom is skilled in singing and dancing.

Which one do you like? Would you like her to have a couple of drinks with you to liven things up?

As soon as he finished speaking, the soft tinkling of jade pendants could be heard from outside the hall.

A dozen or so young women filed in, each dressed in colorful clothes, with pearl flowers in their hair, and their skirts swaying gently, carrying a faint scent of perfume.

The woman at the head of the group held a pipa (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), her eyes sparkling with charm.

Upon seeing Lu Yunyi, she curtsied, her voice so gentle it seemed to melt water:
"Greetings, Lord Lu."

Lu Yunyi put down his wine glass, glanced at them, and waved with a smile.

He pointed to the dark circles under his eyes and laughed:
"I appreciate Lord Zhao's kind offer."

It took eight days and nights to travel from Yingtian to Beiping.
My dark circles haven't gone away yet, so I really don't have the energy to appreciate these things.

His tone was gentle but his attitude firm; he paused, then added:

"All of you ladies are beautiful, there's no need to waste your time on me."

Basong, fetch some silver for the girls' dowry.

The smiles on the women's faces faded slightly, and obvious disappointment flashed in their eyes.

They are all from the north.
Everyone knows the formidable reputation of Lu Yunyi, the Commander of Beiping Capital.

If one can gain his favor, their future will be completely different.

It was clear he had no lingering feelings and dared not linger any longer.
He accepted the silver from Basong, curtsied again, and slowly withdrew.

Seeing this, Zhao Wu wasn't embarrassed at all, and laughed heartily:
"Lord Lu is indeed at peace! Well, it was my oversight. You should get some rest."

After chatting for another half hour, the food and wine on the table gradually went cold, and Lu Yunyi got up to take his leave:
"Lord Feng, Lord Zhao, Lord Li, thank you for your hospitality today."

Road construction and the establishment of trading companies.
After I return to the military headquarters, I will have someone deliver the documents to me.

That concludes today. I will now proceed to the Prince's residence to pay my respects to His Highness. I shall take my leave now.

"Sir, walk slowly!"

The three quickly got up to see him off, until Lu Yunyi's figure disappeared out of the yamen.

By the time we left the Provincial Administration Office, it was completely dark.

The lanterns on the street lit up one after another.
The dim light shone through the paper cover onto the snow, casting dappled shadows.

Basong led two horses over and asked in a low voice:

"Sir, would you like to go back to the post station and rest for half an hour? You haven't had a proper rest on this journey."

Lu Yunyi shook his head, then mounted his horse.

"No need, go early and come back early."

Having said that, he gently spurred the horse's flanks.
Bei Xiao trudged through the snow, heading towards the Yan Prince's residence.

The sound of horses' hooves pounding through the snow was particularly clear in the night, and soon they arrived outside the Prince of Yan's residence.

The vermilion gate was tightly shut, and the stone lions in front of it were covered with a thin layer of snow, with ice crystals still clinging to their manes, making them look exceptionally majestic.

The gatekeeper's eyes lit up when he saw Lu Yunyi, and he quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Lord Lu! His Highness gave instructions this afternoon that you should go straight in without being announced."

Lu Yunyi nodded and followed the gatekeeper inside.

The red plum blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, and snow fell on the petals, creating a striking contrast of red and white, which looked cold and elegant under the lantern light.

For some reason, Lu Yunyi felt a strange sense of desolation in the air.

Upon arriving at the study door, the doorman quietly announced:
"Your Highness, Lord Lu has arrived."

Zhu Di's voice came from the study, slightly hoarse and deliberately lowered:
"Let him in."

The door was pushed open, and a warm feeling mixed with the scent of ink wafted out.

Zhu Di was sitting at his desk, wearing a plain cotton robe.
Her hair was slightly more disheveled than it had been three days ago, and even the jade belt around her waist was half an inch looser.

Yao Guangxiao was not present; only a eunuch was adding charcoal to the corner.

Upon seeing Lu Yunyi enter, he quietly withdrew.

"Is Your Highness's cold any better?"

Lu Yunyi walked to the table, smiled, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and spoke with a hint of teasing in his tone.

Zhu Di sighed, his face regaining its previous listlessness:

"Please sit down. I haven't been able to sleep well these past few days."

The charcoal fire crackled, sending up sparks that cooled instantly on the blue bricks.

Zhu Di raised his hand and rubbed his temples, causing the sleeve of his cotton robe to slip down.
The cold light shone through the candlelight, making him appear even more real than the sickly look on his face.

“I’ve been thinking about this over and over these past few days, and you’re right.”

Zhu Di's voice had lost its previous hoarseness and gained a more composed tone.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table.

The pace was slow, yet it carried an undeniable determination:
“Father is getting old. If my elder brother’s health really doesn’t hold up, the new emperor will definitely reduce the power of the princes.”

When peace lasts too long, military power becomes a hot potato.

The tighter you hold on, the faster you die.

Unless, first, the world falls into chaos.

Lu Yunyi, sitting opposite, paused when he heard this, his fingertips just touching the warm tea cup.

He looked up at Zhu Di, his pupils contracting slightly, the candlelight flickering in his eyes, reflecting a hint of astonishment:

"What does Your Highness intend to do?"

Zhu Di suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open a crack.

A cold wind blew in, causing the candlelight to flicker violently and casting his shadow long and thin.

He gazed at the red plum branches in the courtyard, bent low by the weight of snow, his tone eerily calm:
"No power in this world can compare to military power; with soldiers, you have everything!"
To firmly grasp military power, war is essential.

Lu Yunyi's heart sank, and he tightened his grip on the teacup.

He instantly understood Zhu Di's meaning: Zhu Di wanted to amass military power and create a controllable border threat.

This forced the imperial court to rely heavily on the border troops, thus giving it a reason to tighten its grip on military power.

Lu Yunyi's voice was very low:

"Deliberately luring the Northern Yuanxiao to invade and create war?"

"if not?"

Zhu Di turned around, his eyes devoid of any sickly air, only a sharp, cold glint remained:

"Once a war breaks out in the north, the border troops will need food, weapons, and command. Will the new emperor be able to easily touch me?"

"With a new emperor ascending the throne, would he dare to reduce the power of the vassal states while the war is raging?"

(End of this chapter)