Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

See Chapter 353

The most imposing place in the entire city of Jiankang was none other than the General of Chariots and Cavalry's residence.

Regardless of wind or rain, there are always more than a hundred armored soldiers stationed in front of and behind the gate, and the gate opposite the General of Chariots and Cavalry's mansion is the General of the Flying Cavalry's mansion.

Although no one lives there, it is often cleaned and tidied.

These two residences were once the private property of Sima Daozi.

Thirty percent of the mansions and shops in Jiankang City belonged to Sima Daozi and his son.

Two teams of fast horses rushed from Wuyi Lane and Waguansi, each holding a command arrow. They galloped to the front of the mansion and were about to collide with the guards, but they remained unmoved.

Call——

The warhorse neighed in alarm, and the riders tightened the reins. When they were only two or three steps away, the warhorse suddenly stopped, and the riders dismounted.

The guards then opened the gate to let the two leaders in.

From the backyard of the general's mansion came a soft cough and the laughter of children.

Liu Yu lay on the grass, letting Liu Yifu and Liu Yizhen ride on his back and play. Who would have thought that the fierce tiger who was so powerful could also show such tenderness to his offspring?

Liu Yifu is ten years old this year and has inherited Liu Yu's physique, growing tall at a young age.

"Alright, don't tire your father out." Xiao Wenshou said kindly from the side.

Liu Yifu shouted, "Grandmother, I want steamed lamb and roast suckling pig today!"

These two dishes were once favored by He Zeng, a founding hero of the Western Jin Dynasty, and became widely popular, but they cost a lot of money.

"Alright, alright, let the cook do it." Although Liu Yu was frugal, his sons had been spoiled since childhood.

Liu Yizhen said, "I also want to eat bear paws!"

"Yes, yes, I have both." Xiao Wenshou had been more anxious than anyone else for not having children in his early years, but now that he has, he dotes on them even more than Liu Yu.

The two left happily.

Liu Yu then stood up from the grass, looking at his two sons' backs with a smile on his face.

After two months of recuperation, my health has improved slightly, but a complete cure is impossible.

Whenever it rains, the pain is so bad that I can't get out of bed.

Xiao Wenshou said, "You two brothers have both made something of themselves. Don't forget your second brother. Yangzhou is an important city. You can let Daolian take charge of it."

Wang Mi was merely appointed as the governor of Yangzhou, a figurehead position; real power remained in Liu Yu's hands.

"After some time, I plan to appoint Che Bing as the governor of Yangzhou."

"How can a ten-year-old child be the governor of a prefecture? Dao Lian is over thirty years old, is he not as good as a ten-year-old child?"

As a mother, I naturally hope that each of my sons will be successful.

Liu Yu said, “Although the chariot soldier is the governor, I decide all matters, big or small. Dao Lian is old and has neither reputation nor achievements. If he were to govern a large province, he would surely be criticized by the people of the time.”

Xiao Wenshou sighed, speechless.

The main problem was that Liu Daolian was indeed not up to par; he was neither good at literature nor martial arts, and he had also picked up many bad habits at the Imperial Academy.

At this moment, a messenger outside the courtyard said, "General, Minister Wang has been found."

Liu Yu chuckled lightly, "I have some minor matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

After bidding farewell to Xiao Wenshou, they arrived at the front hall.

Upon seeing Liu Yu, Wang Mi broke free from the armored soldiers and stepped forward, saying, "The Wang family of Langya has absolutely no intention of rebellion. General, you are wise. I hope you will consider our past relationship and show leniency."

Liu Yu's smile was somewhat forced. "Please sit down, Minister. Someone, bring tea!"

A boy of about fourteen or fifteen years old came forward with a tea set and stove, knelt down in the hall, and brewed tea for the two of them.

"General—" Wang Mi was truly terrified. He hadn't expected Liu Yu to be so swift and decisive; Wang Chen and Huan Yin were captured as soon as they returned to the palace.

Wang Mi fled to Waguansi Temple in the east of the city to avoid disaster, but was dragged out by the Northern Army that very night.

Jiankang is adjacent to Jingkou. In order to divide the Northern Army, Sima Daozi and Huan Xuan moved many families of the Northern Army from Guangling in Jingkou.

These people were naturally Liu Yu's eyes and ears.

"Is this the boy Situ Shi?" Liu Yu's face showed no sign of anger as he pointed at the young man in front of him.

Wang Mi stared at him for a long time, feeling that the young man looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.

As the Minister of Works and the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, his residence was always bustling with activity, so even if he had seen it before, he would have forgotten it.

"I wonder whose young man this is. He is exceptionally brave and will surely become a great general in the future."

Although his background was unclear, he was extremely good at judging people and could tell at a glance that this young man must be of noble birth.

“Situ has keen insight. This child is Huangfu Xiao, the son of Huangfu Fu, whom I have adopted into my household.”

"Greetings, Minister Situ." Huangfu Xiao bowed to Wang Mi.

"So it's the son of an old friend." Wang Mi held a high position as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat in Huan Chu and was also granted the title of Duke of Wuchang County, so he naturally knew Huangfu Fu, but he felt relieved.

Liu Yu was seriously injured because he had fought a bloody battle with Huangfu Fu and almost lost his life at Huangfu Fu's hands, but he was able to forgive Huangfu Fu and his family.

"My father and I each served our own masters. Although we fought to the death on the battlefield, we had no deep-seated hatred for each other. A true man should distinguish between gratitude and resentment."

"General, you are truly a great man." Wang Mi was even more relieved.

If Liu Yu could spare even the offspring of his mortal enemy, he naturally wouldn't exterminate the Langya Wang clan.

"If it weren't for Situ's rescue in my early years, I would have died at the hands of the Diao family long ago. Today, I offer this cup of tea in place of wine to Situ." Liu Yu stood up, holding the teacup with both hands, his expression extremely solemn.

The solemnity was somewhat chilling.

Wang Mi glanced at the tea soup that had been delivered. It was a pale green color and was a high-quality steamed loose tea, also known as ground tea, with a refreshing aroma.

But his hand trembled twice without him realizing it, almost spilling the tea. To cover up his embarrassment, he drank it all in one gulp.

Liu Yu then took out a piece of silk from the table, the faint red seal visible through it, clearly an imperial edict. "Yesterday I petitioned Your Majesty to appoint me as Minister of Works and Duke of Danyang. This is the imperial edict."

Wang Mi trembled and quickly accepted it, saying, "Thank you, General! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The title of Duke of Wuchang was conferred by Huan Chu, and now that the Jin dynasty has been restored, it naturally no longer counts.

In fact, his title of Minister of Works was also bestowed by Huan Xuan, but people had gotten used to calling him that, so no one changed their address.

Liu Yu said gently, "It has now been verified that the traitors were Wang Chen, Huan Yin, and Luo Bing. Their entire families have been executed. This has nothing to do with the Minister of Works. Their families have been sent back to their residences. There is no need to worry."

This series of actions left Wang Mi feeling bewildered.

In fact, he was not an innocent person. When he learned that Wang Chen and Huan Yin were plotting a rebellion, he did not inform Liu Yu immediately, but instead fled to Waguan Temple, which was already a taboo.

Liu Yu not only did not pursue the matter, but also rewarded him handsomely, which was very unlike his character.

A fierce tiger will choose its prey to devour it.

Sima Zun and Sima Xiu did not openly provoke Liu Yu, yet Liu Yu executed their entire family on charges of treason.

As the imperial court promoted land reform, the Langya Wang clan made numerous clandestine moves. Apart from Wang Chen, Wang Jian, Wang Mu, and Wang Yi were not exactly peaceful individuals. Most of them were greedy and amassed large estates, committing numerous misdeeds.

It has become one of the biggest obstacles to soil erosion.

Wang Mi grew increasingly terrified, but the Langya Wang clan was so large that he couldn't control what its members did.

Liu Yu left without saying a word, supported by Huangfu Xiao, leaving Wang Mi alone in the hall, stunned...

(End of this chapter)