Broken City
Yan Ge shook his head. “You should all remember that on the day of departure, Young Master did not notify you in advance. Instead, he sent someone to pick you up at the palace gate at the last minute to prevent any leaks. We haven’t noticed anyone passing on information along the way, nor have we detected any pursuers. It seems that the Young Master’s journey south is still a secret.” This situation is indeed strange, and he couldn’t figure it out for a while.
Song Chaobang felt relieved. “Madam’s analysis makes sense.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Centipede will not rest until it reaches its goal. They will definitely take action again. Little Ge, you must be more careful from now on. If you want to go somewhere, I’ll accompany you. No more sneaking away alone.”
“I understand,” Yan Ge said. “They have suffered losses in manpower, so they probably won’t return soon.”
Huangfu Yuchen instructed his subordinates to bury the deceased coachman (who was actually a skilled member of the Imperial Guards) on the spot. After offering a few cups of wine as a tribute, they returned to their tents. Just as they lay down, someone lightly tapped on the tent’s fabric three times.
“It’s Deng Mande,” Huangfu Yuchen whispered to Yan Ge, lifting the curtain.
Deng Mande entered and spoke softly, “Reporting to the Young Master, Little Du just came to report that when Madam fought with the assailants earlier, Song Ruhao almost reached out to push Madam.”
“Outarageous!” Huangfu Yuchen erupted in anger.
Yan Ge remained calm. “Your anger won’t help. Even if you question him, if he doesn’t admit it, what can you do?”
“He has gone mad. Little Ge, I can’t continue to let you have your way,” Huangfu Yuchen took out a small jade box, about the size of a wine cup, from his sleeve and handed it to Deng Made. “Find an opportunity to put the contents inside in his food. Since he is prone to illness, let him continue to suffer.”
“Understood,” Deng Mande replied.
Yan Ge opened his mouth.
“Stay quiet,” Huangfu Yuchen embraced him and warned as they lay down.
Yan Ge obediently stayed silent, ready to sleep.
Well, if he’s sick, let him stay sick. It’s better to avoid trouble. As for sending him to the cold palace or anything like that, he’ll see when the opportunity arises.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, the Imperial Guards who had pursued the black-clad individuals returned empty-handed. Huangfu Yuchen had already anticipated that the black-clad individuals wouldn’t be so easy to deal with, so he didn’t hold the guards accountable but instead ordered them to be more cautious in the future.
On the second carriage, Song Ruhao lay weakly on the couch, while Song Chaobang sat by his side, sighing with concern. “You, child, why do you keep falling ill?”
Song Ruhao replied, “Perhaps I caught a cold carelessly last night.”
Du Zhengfeng was sitting on the carriage shaft so he could hear their conversation.
Song Chaobang said, “Your health is really weak. If only you had learned martial arts back then.”
Song Ruhao fell silent. In his childhood, he didn’t want to learn martial arts because he was afraid of the hardships. Later, he didn’t want to learn martial arts because he loved Huangfu Yuchen and didn’t want his body to become hard from training. It was difficult to give say such a reason to his father.
“Father, don’t worry. Doctor Zhang gave me medicine, and I’ll be fine after a few days of rest.”
Song Chaobang glanced at the curtain. “Then focus on recovering. You must get better before we reach our destination; otherwise, you won’t have a chance to explore around.”
Song Ruhao nodded. “Don’t worry.”
As the warm sun began to set, Yang Zhuo rode up to the side of the carriage. “Reporting to the Young Master and Madam, it’s getting late, and ahead is Shuangque County. I think we need to hurry to reach the city before nightfall.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Accelerate.”
“Understood.” Yang Zhuo shouted to the carriage drivers, “Increase the speed!”
The carriages picked up their pace, and the sound of horse hooves echoed as they raced towards the distance.
Huangfu Yuchen moved closer to someone who was becoming bored and on the verge of falling asleep, embracing them in his arms. “Shuangque County is surrounded by mountains, so there are many birds. Especially in spring, you can often witness the magnificent scene of birds singing in unison. We’ll stay in Shuangque County for a day tomorrow.”
Yan Ge’s interest was piqued. “Just thinking about it, I can imagine how magnificent that scene must be. It makes me wonder what new attractions we could add to the amusement park!”
Huangfu Yuchen shook his head inwardly. Could this be what Yan Ge referred to as his ‘occupational disease? Anyway, as long as he was no longer bored, it didn’t matter what he did.
Yan Ge’s eyes gleamed with excitement, his face deep in thought. Huangfu Yuchen didn’t disturb him and instead leaned against the carriage wall, allowing Yan Ge to lie comfortably in his lap.
After another hour of swift travel, the city gate came into view in the distance.
The people in the carriages became slightly excited. They had hardly stopped on the road, even having their lunch inside the carriages to save time.
However, the dilapidated city wall made everyone feel uncertain. The convoy slowed down its pace, approaching the city slowly and steadily.
Four guards stationed at the city gate perked up upon seeing the approaching carriages.
“Brothers, looks like we have some money to collect!”
Two guards extended their long spears, blocking the path of the carriages.
Yang Zhuo raised his hand, signaling the convoy to stop.
“What can we do for you, brothers?” he asked.
One of the guards chuckled and reached out his hand. “Toll fee.”
To avoid affecting the mood of his masters, Yang Zhuo didn’t inquire further. “How much?”
The guard raised an eyebrow and glanced back. “Four carriages, one tael of silver each, totaling four taels.”
“Are you robbing us?” Gao Yun angrily retorted. They had encountered bandits looking for easy gains along the road, but being robbed by guards was a first.
Another older guard glanced at him indifferently. “If you don’t want to enter the city, stand aside.”
A deep and magnetic voice resonated from the first carriage. “Give it to him.”
Only then did Yang Zhuo take out four taels of silver and hand them to the guard.
The younger guard’s eyes lit up upon seeing the silver ingots. He was about to ask for more when the older guard pulled at his sleeve. The guards protecting the carriages had a fierce demeanor, unlike ordinary escorts, so it would be wise to stop while they were ahead.
The convoy was finally allowed to enter the city.
The young guard asked the older guard with confusion, “Uncle Chen, why did you stop me? These people are obviously wealthy.”
Uncle Chen glanced at him, his gaze steady. “Boy, learn a bit more. Look at those people riding on horses, each with a straight posture. Do they look like ordinary folks?”
The young guard shrank his neck in fear. “So, they won’t come back to trouble us now that we’ve been given the silver, right?”
“If they didn’t want to quarrel with us, they wouldn’t have given us the silver. Don’t worry. Keep your eyes open next time,” Uncle Chen replied.
Inside the now-distant carriage, Huangfu Yuchen instructed Gao Feng, “Go and investigate the magistrate of Shuangque County.”
“Yes.”
Yan Ge peered out of the window, his face displaying an incredulous expression.
When Huangfu Yuchen had told him about the bustling scene of birdsong in Shuangque County, he had subconsciously assumed that it would be a prosperous town. However, the dilapidated houses and sparse pedestrians on the streets told him otherwise.
To put it bluntly, it was a broken-down city.
As the carriage passed a food stall, he witnessed a bowl of plain broth without a hint of oil floating on the surface. The owner expressionlessly placed the bowl on the table, without a word, while the customer silently picked up their chopsticks to eat. Everything seemed lifeless. Only a few sparse wild grasses poking through the cracks in the stone pavement showed a hint of vitality.
They had already traveled for five or six days, passing through three towns. Although the other two towns were not as bustling as the capital, they were lively during the day. This was the first rundown town they encountered. It was clearly abnormal. Surrounded by mountains, Shuangque County should have ample resources and the potential for development.
Huangfu Yuchen remained calm, his emotions hidden as he called Gao Yun and said in a deep voice, “Investigate.”
“Yes.”
Yan Ge grasped Huangfu Yuchen’s hand. “When something goes wrong, there must be a demon.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “Gao Feng.”
Gao Feng quickly rode over. “Young Master.”
“You and Gao Yun have escorted jewelry to the south multiple times. Have you heard anything unusual about this place?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
Gao Feng replied, “I haven’t heard anything. The Longfeng Escort Agency usually transports the jewellery via the waterway and bypasses Shuangque County. First, it’s faster by water. Second, there are fewer bandits on the water.”
“Arrange accommodations first,” Huangfu Yuchen added.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Throughout the journey, A Fei took charge of scouting ahead whenever they entered a town. He quickly returned and led the convoy to a prominent inn, explaining, “This is the best inn in the city.”
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen looked at the drowsy innkeeper and the three or four staff members chatting together in the hall, silently speechless.
Jiang Gan and the others noticed Huangfu Yuchen’s bad mood and didn’t dare to say much.
The innkeeper and staff members showed a slight hint of delight upon seeing the guests, but it was not too much.
Deng Mande went to handle the check-in and instructed the innkeeper to prepare dinner.
Gao Feng had an ordinary face, so he went to chat with the staff members and gather information. However, their responses were evasive, as if there were deep secrets, and he couldn’t gather any useful information.
It was not until Gao Yun returned that they learned the truth. It turned out that the terrain was the issue.
Shuangque County has always been relatively prosperous, but two years ago, a group of bandits took notice of the strategic location of the Sanzhu Mountain outside the city and established the Black Demon Lair. Coincidentally, the county magistrate, Shen, who was afraid of trouble, took office at the same time.
Shuangque County was almost controlled by these bandits. They would come down from the mountain every ten days or so to collect protection fees, making it difficult for the people to make a living. As a result, the once lively Shuangque County became lifeless. It was said that the group of bandits had grown to over a thousand members, and the timid county magistrate dare not resist, waiting for his three-year term to end so he could leave. Not only that, he actively urged the county residents to pay the protection fees, fearing to anger the bandits. The county magistrate was a coward, and the officials below grew bold, occasionally enjoying themselves by collecting tolls and indulging in feasts.
Huangfu Yuchen’s face turned livid upon hearing this, and even Yan Ge was furious. As the saying goes, “If officials don’t act in the best interest of the people, they might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes!” What was the use of officials who only knew how to eat and do nothing?
Song Chaobang exclaimed, “Such corrupt officials must be severely punished!”
“Indeed, they must be dealt with,” Huangfu Yuchen smiled coldly. “Since my ascension, I haven’t made any moves yet, so targeting this county magistrate wouldn’t be a bad start.”
Jiang Gan asked, “Your Majesty, what is your plan?”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Yang Zhou, arrange for someone to gather information about these bandits. Isn’t this County Magistrate Shen afraid of death? He shouldn’t leave his position unscathed. Think carefully about how we can make him personally go up the mountain to eliminate the bandits, to let him know that the court cannot be easily fooled.”
The deepness in his eyes made Jiang Gan, Song Chaobang, and the others feel awe. Whoever said the new emperor was weak and easily deceived would undoubtedly receive a slap in the face.
After discussing official matters, Yan Ge spoke up, “Alright, let’s eat. The food will be cold soon. Only when we are full will we have the energy to think.”
At night, Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge lay in bed together. Huangfu Yuchen listened to Yan Ge’s breathing gradually becoming calm and steady. Then he gently pecked Yan Ge’s lips and carefully lifted the covers, putting on his clothes before getting out of bed. He attentively arranged the covers again and sat down at the table, setting up the paper and picking up a pen. After pondering for a moment, he swiftly wrote.
“Shuangque County—”
Yan Ge opened his eyes, quietly watching Huangfu Yuchen’s figure. A warm smile gradually appeared on his lips.
Such a man, who is not only a considerate lover but also a responsible leader to his subjects, was unexpectedly his. Perhaps he should do even more than what he had originally planned.
The night breeze blew in through the gap in the window paper, gently swaying the candle flame, and Huangfu Yuchen’s shadow danced along with it.
Yan Ge’s consciousness gradually blurred, and then he fell into a deep sleep.
Broken City
Yan Ge shook his head. “You should all remember that on the day of departure, Young Master did not notify you in advance. Instead, he sent someone to pick you up at the palace gate at the last minute to prevent any leaks. We haven’t noticed anyone passing on information along the way, nor have we detected any pursuers. It seems that the Young Master’s journey south is still a secret.” This situation is indeed strange, and he couldn’t figure it out for a while.
Song Chaobang felt relieved. “Madam’s analysis makes sense.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Centipede will not rest until it reaches its goal. They will definitely take action again. Little Ge, you must be more careful from now on. If you want to go somewhere, I’ll accompany you. No more sneaking away alone.”
“I understand,” Yan Ge said. “They have suffered losses in manpower, so they probably won’t return soon.”
Huangfu Yuchen instructed his subordinates to bury the deceased coachman (who was actually a skilled member of the Imperial Guards) on the spot. After offering a few cups of wine as a tribute, they returned to their tents. Just as they lay down, someone lightly tapped on the tent’s fabric three times.
“It’s Deng Mande,” Huangfu Yuchen whispered to Yan Ge, lifting the curtain.
Deng Mande entered and spoke softly, “Reporting to the Young Master, Little Du just came to report that when Madam fought with the assailants earlier, Song Ruhao almost reached out to push Madam.”
“Outarageous!” Huangfu Yuchen erupted in anger.
Yan Ge remained calm. “Your anger won’t help. Even if you question him, if he doesn’t admit it, what can you do?”
“He has gone mad. Little Ge, I can’t continue to let you have your way,” Huangfu Yuchen took out a small jade box, about the size of a wine cup, from his sleeve and handed it to Deng Made. “Find an opportunity to put the contents inside in his food. Since he is prone to illness, let him continue to suffer.”
“Understood,” Deng Mande replied.
Yan Ge opened his mouth.
“Stay quiet,” Huangfu Yuchen embraced him and warned as they lay down.
Yan Ge obediently stayed silent, ready to sleep.
Well, if he’s sick, let him stay sick. It’s better to avoid trouble. As for sending him to the cold palace or anything like that, he’ll see when the opportunity arises.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, the Imperial Guards who had pursued the black-clad individuals returned empty-handed. Huangfu Yuchen had already anticipated that the black-clad individuals wouldn’t be so easy to deal with, so he didn’t hold the guards accountable but instead ordered them to be more cautious in the future.
On the second carriage, Song Ruhao lay weakly on the couch, while Song Chaobang sat by his side, sighing with concern. “You, child, why do you keep falling ill?”
Song Ruhao replied, “Perhaps I caught a cold carelessly last night.”
Du Zhengfeng was sitting on the carriage shaft so he could hear their conversation.
Song Chaobang said, “Your health is really weak. If only you had learned martial arts back then.”
Song Ruhao fell silent. In his childhood, he didn’t want to learn martial arts because he was afraid of the hardships. Later, he didn’t want to learn martial arts because he loved Huangfu Yuchen and didn’t want his body to become hard from training. It was difficult to give say such a reason to his father.
“Father, don’t worry. Doctor Zhang gave me medicine, and I’ll be fine after a few days of rest.”
Song Chaobang glanced at the curtain. “Then focus on recovering. You must get better before we reach our destination; otherwise, you won’t have a chance to explore around.”
Song Ruhao nodded. “Don’t worry.”
As the warm sun began to set, Yang Zhuo rode up to the side of the carriage. “Reporting to the Young Master and Madam, it’s getting late, and ahead is Shuangque County. I think we need to hurry to reach the city before nightfall.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Accelerate.”
“Understood.” Yang Zhuo shouted to the carriage drivers, “Increase the speed!”
The carriages picked up their pace, and the sound of horse hooves echoed as they raced towards the distance.
Huangfu Yuchen moved closer to someone who was becoming bored and on the verge of falling asleep, embracing them in his arms. “Shuangque County is surrounded by mountains, so there are many birds. Especially in spring, you can often witness the magnificent scene of birds singing in unison. We’ll stay in Shuangque County for a day tomorrow.”
Yan Ge’s interest was piqued. “Just thinking about it, I can imagine how magnificent that scene must be. It makes me wonder what new attractions we could add to the amusement park!”
Huangfu Yuchen shook his head inwardly. Could this be what Yan Ge referred to as his ‘occupational disease? Anyway, as long as he was no longer bored, it didn’t matter what he did.
Yan Ge’s eyes gleamed with excitement, his face deep in thought. Huangfu Yuchen didn’t disturb him and instead leaned against the carriage wall, allowing Yan Ge to lie comfortably in his lap.
After another hour of swift travel, the city gate came into view in the distance.
The people in the carriages became slightly excited. They had hardly stopped on the road, even having their lunch inside the carriages to save time.
However, the dilapidated city wall made everyone feel uncertain. The convoy slowed down its pace, approaching the city slowly and steadily.
Four guards stationed at the city gate perked up upon seeing the approaching carriages.
“Brothers, looks like we have some money to collect!”
Two guards extended their long spears, blocking the path of the carriages.
Yang Zhuo raised his hand, signaling the convoy to stop.
“What can we do for you, brothers?” he asked.
One of the guards chuckled and reached out his hand. “Toll fee.”
To avoid affecting the mood of his masters, Yang Zhuo didn’t inquire further. “How much?”
The guard raised an eyebrow and glanced back. “Four carriages, one tael of silver each, totaling four taels.”
“Are you robbing us?” Gao Yun angrily retorted. They had encountered bandits looking for easy gains along the road, but being robbed by guards was a first.
Another older guard glanced at him indifferently. “If you don’t want to enter the city, stand aside.”
A deep and magnetic voice resonated from the first carriage. “Give it to him.”
Only then did Yang Zhuo take out four taels of silver and hand them to the guard.
The younger guard’s eyes lit up upon seeing the silver ingots. He was about to ask for more when the older guard pulled at his sleeve. The guards protecting the carriages had a fierce demeanor, unlike ordinary escorts, so it would be wise to stop while they were ahead.
The convoy was finally allowed to enter the city.
The young guard asked the older guard with confusion, “Uncle Chen, why did you stop me? These people are obviously wealthy.”
Uncle Chen glanced at him, his gaze steady. “Boy, learn a bit more. Look at those people riding on horses, each with a straight posture. Do they look like ordinary folks?”
The young guard shrank his neck in fear. “So, they won’t come back to trouble us now that we’ve been given the silver, right?”
“If they didn’t want to quarrel with us, they wouldn’t have given us the silver. Don’t worry. Keep your eyes open next time,” Uncle Chen replied.
Inside the now-distant carriage, Huangfu Yuchen instructed Gao Feng, “Go and investigate the magistrate of Shuangque County.”
“Yes.”
Yan Ge peered out of the window, his face displaying an incredulous expression.
When Huangfu Yuchen had told him about the bustling scene of birdsong in Shuangque County, he had subconsciously assumed that it would be a prosperous town. However, the dilapidated houses and sparse pedestrians on the streets told him otherwise.
To put it bluntly, it was a broken-down city.
As the carriage passed a food stall, he witnessed a bowl of plain broth without a hint of oil floating on the surface. The owner expressionlessly placed the bowl on the table, without a word, while the customer silently picked up their chopsticks to eat. Everything seemed lifeless. Only a few sparse wild grasses poking through the cracks in the stone pavement showed a hint of vitality.
They had already traveled for five or six days, passing through three towns. Although the other two towns were not as bustling as the capital, they were lively during the day. This was the first rundown town they encountered. It was clearly abnormal. Surrounded by mountains, Shuangque County should have ample resources and the potential for development.
Huangfu Yuchen remained calm, his emotions hidden as he called Gao Yun and said in a deep voice, “Investigate.”
“Yes.”
Yan Ge grasped Huangfu Yuchen’s hand. “When something goes wrong, there must be a demon.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “Gao Feng.”
Gao Feng quickly rode over. “Young Master.”
“You and Gao Yun have escorted jewelry to the south multiple times. Have you heard anything unusual about this place?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
Gao Feng replied, “I haven’t heard anything. The Longfeng Escort Agency usually transports the jewellery via the waterway and bypasses Shuangque County. First, it’s faster by water. Second, there are fewer bandits on the water.”
“Arrange accommodations first,” Huangfu Yuchen added.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Throughout the journey, A Fei took charge of scouting ahead whenever they entered a town. He quickly returned and led the convoy to a prominent inn, explaining, “This is the best inn in the city.”
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen looked at the drowsy innkeeper and the three or four staff members chatting together in the hall, silently speechless.
Jiang Gan and the others noticed Huangfu Yuchen’s bad mood and didn’t dare to say much.
The innkeeper and staff members showed a slight hint of delight upon seeing the guests, but it was not too much.
Deng Mande went to handle the check-in and instructed the innkeeper to prepare dinner.
Gao Feng had an ordinary face, so he went to chat with the staff members and gather information. However, their responses were evasive, as if there were deep secrets, and he couldn’t gather any useful information.
It was not until Gao Yun returned that they learned the truth. It turned out that the terrain was the issue.
Shuangque County has always been relatively prosperous, but two years ago, a group of bandits took notice of the strategic location of the Sanzhu Mountain outside the city and established the Black Demon Lair. Coincidentally, the county magistrate, Shen, who was afraid of trouble, took office at the same time.
Shuangque County was almost controlled by these bandits. They would come down from the mountain every ten days or so to collect protection fees, making it difficult for the people to make a living. As a result, the once lively Shuangque County became lifeless. It was said that the group of bandits had grown to over a thousand members, and the timid county magistrate dare not resist, waiting for his three-year term to end so he could leave. Not only that, he actively urged the county residents to pay the protection fees, fearing to anger the bandits. The county magistrate was a coward, and the officials below grew bold, occasionally enjoying themselves by collecting tolls and indulging in feasts.
Huangfu Yuchen’s face turned livid upon hearing this, and even Yan Ge was furious. As the saying goes, “If officials don’t act in the best interest of the people, they might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes!” What was the use of officials who only knew how to eat and do nothing?
Song Chaobang exclaimed, “Such corrupt officials must be severely punished!”
“Indeed, they must be dealt with,” Huangfu Yuchen smiled coldly. “Since my ascension, I haven’t made any moves yet, so targeting this county magistrate wouldn’t be a bad start.”
Jiang Gan asked, “Your Majesty, what is your plan?”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Yang Zhou, arrange for someone to gather information about these bandits. Isn’t this County Magistrate Shen afraid of death? He shouldn’t leave his position unscathed. Think carefully about how we can make him personally go up the mountain to eliminate the bandits, to let him know that the court cannot be easily fooled.”
The deepness in his eyes made Jiang Gan, Song Chaobang, and the others feel awe. Whoever said the new emperor was weak and easily deceived would undoubtedly receive a slap in the face.
After discussing official matters, Yan Ge spoke up, “Alright, let’s eat. The food will be cold soon. Only when we are full will we have the energy to think.”
At night, Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge lay in bed together. Huangfu Yuchen listened to Yan Ge’s breathing gradually becoming calm and steady. Then he gently pecked Yan Ge’s lips and carefully lifted the covers, putting on his clothes before getting out of bed. He attentively arranged the covers again and sat down at the table, setting up the paper and picking up a pen. After pondering for a moment, he swiftly wrote.
“Shuangque County—”
Yan Ge opened his eyes, quietly watching Huangfu Yuchen’s figure. A warm smile gradually appeared on his lips.
Such a man, who is not only a considerate lover but also a responsible leader to his subjects, was unexpectedly his. Perhaps he should do even more than what he had originally planned.
The night breeze blew in through the gap in the window paper, gently swaying the candle flame, and Huangfu Yuchen’s shadow danced along with it.
Yan Ge’s consciousness gradually blurred, and then he fell into a deep sleep.
