Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 423 You Can't Control It

The Lu family's manor rarely receives visitors.

After visiting Fanyang City, Cui Ling did not stay in the city but instead went to Lu Wenwei's manor.

Lu Wenwei treated Cui Ling with great care, showing a level of attentiveness he didn't display when receiving outsiders like Liu Lingzhu.

This kind of meticulousness is not about using luxurious things like gold and jade to set it off, but rather about maintaining a sense of distance that is never shown when dealing with outsiders but is always present.

The Lu family of Fanyang and the Cui family of Qinghe are both among the four major families in Guandong. They intermarry with each other and are related by marriage.

"Master Lu, I apologize for disturbing you."

"Why bother!"

Inside the manor, the two walked side by side through the woods, admiring the surrounding scenery and chatting.

As autumn deepened and the pond gradually dried up, the desolate scene did not dampen the two's enthusiasm for conversation.

After chatting for a while, Cui Ling asked:
"Lord Lu once had a detailed conversation with the King of Qin. Do you know what kind of person he is?"

Under pressure from Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai, powerful clans such as the Cui family of Qinghe chose to directly submit to Li Shuang. However, Cui Ling and others did not know anything about Li Shuang.

Although Cui Ling had heard some people's opinions about Li Shuang in private, he trusted Lu Wenwei the most.

Because he was born into the Lu clan of Fanyang.

"The Zheng family members did not come this time. If the King of Qin goes north and then south, it will be good to make preparations in advance."

Lu Wenwei listened, and found it difficult to speak. Finally, he said:

"Regarding the King of Qin, the words spoken by the Lord of Liang are the most sincere."

Cui Ling asked in confusion:
What do you mean?

"How strange!"

Lu Wenwei seemed to have said something, yet also seemed to have said nothing at all.

Cui Ling could tell that Lu Wenwei didn't mock the King of Qin at all; on the contrary, he showed a bit of respect for him.

Seeing this, Cui Ling shook his head and said with a wry smile:
"It seems that Li Yuanzhong was probably the first to seize the opportunity in Hebei."

Back then, Li Shuang turned against the Erzhu clan and, after capturing Taiyuan, his influence spread into Hebei.

The aristocratic families of Hebei were quite wary of this.

The Hebei Incident caused them such heavy losses that the aristocratic families in Hebei naturally distrusted this bandit who came from the north, just like the Erzhu clan, and even chose Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai as a buffer.

However, Li Yuanzhong was the first among the Hebei aristocratic families to respond to Li Shuang, and even killed Erzhu Yusheng, sending Erzhu Yusheng's head to Taiyuan by his son.

Naturally, the rewards are now substantial.

All the prominent families in Hebei had arrived in Fanyang, but Li Yuanzhong did not.

All the powerful clans in Hebei contributed money and grain, but the Zhao County Li clan, to which Li Yuanzhong belonged, not only did not contribute, but also received money and grain supplies.

Lu Wenwei listened and laughed:

"Among aristocratic families, not everyone is like Li Yuanzhong, so there's no need to take it to heart."

Cui Ling and Lu Wenwei continued walking, and soon the road came to an end, where they found an orchard. However, the fruit on the trees was sparse at this time.

Seeing this, Cui Ling lost interest in continuing her stroll. Looking at the scene before her, she asked the question that had been on her mind:
"Since the time of Heyin, our aristocratic families have suffered heavy losses, and Luoyang has also fallen to the northerners. With the King of Qin in such a state, what should we do in the future?"

Lu Wenwei already had the answer to this question in his heart, and he spoke it out without any hesitation.

"When the waters of the Canglang River are clear, I can wash my hat tassels; when the waters of the Canglang River are muddy, I can wash my feet."

Upon hearing this, Cui Ling was slightly taken aback, but soon understood.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Lu!"

As the two were walking back, Lu Wenwei's servant rushed over, panting heavily.

Upon seeing this, Lu Wenwei asked:

"What is the matter?"

"News from Yingzhou says that the envoy from Goguryeo has arrived to apologize."

Upon hearing this news, both Lu Wenwei and Cui Ling's expressions turned grim. Cui Ling, unable to contain himself, spoke with a hint of anger:

"We've all been tricked by him!"

……

Fanyang.

In the spacious main hall, Li Shuang once again summoned the members of the Hebei aristocratic families who had come to Youzhou.

The Goguryeo envoy stood in the center of the hall, looking somewhat pitiful and helpless. But a woman standing beside him had a pair of large, bright eyes, staring at Li Shuang as if no one else was around.

"Be bold!"

Li Shuang shouted, and the Goguryeo envoy lowered his head.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

"In your letter of apology, Your Majesty said that your country is ignorant of etiquette. However, the Great Wei and your country have been in relations for more than a hundred years. How can you expect the people of the world to believe such a statement?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. That envoy was from the Shunnu tribe, and they have always traveled to barbaric and uncivilized countries such as Baekje and Silla, who are ignorant of etiquette. Because of his meritorious service in the war against Baekje, he was specially promoted by Your Majesty. On that day, he was truly overwhelmed by the majesty of the Celestial Empire and lost his manners. When Your Majesty learned of this, he was truly terrified and specially sent his humble servant to come and apologize. I hope that Your Majesty and Your Majesty will forgive him."

Li Shuang nodded, looked at everyone present, and asked:
What do you gentlemen think?

Faced with this situation, the gentlemen really didn't want to speak. But unfortunately, they had no choice but to.

Lu Wenwei spoke first:

"If that's the case, then it's understandable."

Lu Wenwei looked very unwell and was extremely sparing with his words.

The others also said a few words and then fell silent.

The scene was awkward, and everyone was holding their breath, but Li Shuang seemed oblivious to this and said:
"Gentlemen advised me, and I have taken their advice. I will present my case to the Emperor at the meeting. If the Emperor is willing to forgive, then your crimes can be pardoned."

"Your humble servant thanks the King of Qin and all the gentlemen."

……

After the meeting, everyone, including the Goguryeo envoy, left, but the woman stayed behind.

Lu Wenwei, Cui Ling, Gao Qian and the others had just reached the door when they heard a sound behind them.

"Brother Shuang, you were so awesome just now!"

"That's right, but why are you dressed like a Khitan?"

"looks good?"

"Whether it looks good or not is another matter, can you get off me first?"

"You heartless bastard! I helped you so much, and you're not even going to thank me?"

"I can't thank you for that. Just close the door first."

……

The door slowly closed.

Lu Wenwei and Cui Ling exchanged glances, all seeing a hint of helplessness on each other's faces.

Gao Qian clenched his fists, his furious gaze fixed on the Goguryeo envoy as if he wanted to devour him.

The Goguryeo envoy lowered his head and avoided eye contact.

Gao Qian chuckled, pulled over the Goguryeo envoy, and asked:

"Mo Zhidu, we're old acquaintances. Who is that woman?"

"She is the younger sister of my queen, and her Han name is Li Ayao."

Upon hearing the name Li Ayao, Gao Qian's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Wenwei and Cui Ling stopped and walked a long way until they reached a secluded spot. Cui Ling sighed, looked at Lu Wenwei, and said:
"Lord Lu, what about the waters of the Canglang River? I'm afraid it's beyond our control."

……

(End of this chapter)