Chapter - 61
By Tea Time Translations
---
If there are any mistakes in translation, please feel free to comment! Please support us @TeaTime.
---
As the Tiger hour was about to end, Chen Tingjie, the Minister of War, Lu Xiang, the Right General, Liu Jiushao, who was in charge of the military affairs department of several provinces in the southwest, Zhou Xing, the father of Zhou Jin, and other officials, including the Crown Prince, all arrived.
Chen Tingjie and the others had been abruptly awakened from their sleep and rushed from the palace gate to this place, panting for breath. Especially Lu Xiang and Zhou Xing, who were older, were drenched in sweat and gasping for air. Upon entering, they saw Emperor Xiao with a gloomy expression, leaving them puzzled. After performing their bows, they didn't hear the command to rise, so they remained kneeling. After a while, they were finally allowed to rise, and the Emperor asked, "Has there been any progress in Zhou Jin's mission to pacify the refugees in the southwest?"
Chen Tingjie's heart eased a bit, and he hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, just yesterday, the Ministry of War received a report from Zhou Jin, stating that, due to the grace of Your Majesty, more than five hundred and seventy thousand refugees voluntarily returned to their homes and resumed their occupations. Thirty rebel leaders were captured, six hundred and twenty were executed, and over thirty-two thousand were spared and sent to serve in the military. Additionally, we seized three thousand two hundred and fifty weapons and armaments, as well as over five thousand horses, cattle, and mules. It was a complete victory, and the people of the southwest are all praising Your Majesty's benevolence. Last night, I wrote a report and planned to present it to Your Majesty at today's court session..."
As Chen Tingjie reported, Zhou Xing showed a proud expression. Xiao Yintang glanced at the increasingly gloomy Emperor and felt a sudden sense of foreboding.
The Emperor nodded, his voice even deeper, "How were those refugees who voluntarily returned to their homes resettled?"
"Your Majesty," Chen Tingjie continued, "according to Zhou Jin's report, some refugees voluntarily returned to their original homes, while the rest eagerly went to settle in border areas like Yunnan and Guizhou, where they will farm the land. By doing so, they have been registered as permanent residents, transitioning from refugees to productive citizens. This has effectively resolved the refugee crisis that has plagued our Great Wei for decades..."
"Nonsense!"
Xiao Lie, perhaps overwhelmed with anger, suddenly burst out with curses, startling everyone present. Chen Tingjie was left dumbfounded.
With a swift motion, Xiao Lie grabbed the report in front of him and hurled it towards Chen Tingjie, who was speaking confidently. His voice thundered with rage, "This is the urgent report sent by the Sichuan authorities to me last night. Look at it with your own eyes! What exactly has happened in the southwest?"
The report knocked Chen Tingjie's official hat askew, falling to the ground. He hastily picked the report up, not bothering to straighten it. Chen Tingjie quickly scanned through it, his face turning pale. Lu Xiang and Liu Jiushao immediately took it from him, glanced at it, exchanged a look, then handed it to Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing took it, but upon reading it, his hands trembled, and the report slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground.
"What a 'voluntary return to one's profession'! What a 'praise for the grace of the heavens'!" Xiao Lie stood up.
"I fear it is the resentment that rises to the heavens!"
These words were so serious that not only Chen Tingjie was trembling, but several other people, including Zhou Xing, who had always been exempted from kneeling, also knelt down with a "pop", admitting guilt.
Xiao Lie sneered, "What are you afraid of? If there's any cursing, it's probably me being cursed behind my back. Without an overt condemnation, there will be a covert reckoning!"
Zhou Xing repeatedly kowtowed, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, Zhou Jin was eager to eradicate the festering sore for the court, which led to improper actions. I hope Your Majesty will consider his long-standing loyalty to the throne and grant him forgiveness!"
Chen Tingjie also spoke up, "Your Majesty, while Zhou Jin's report may be suspected of exaggerating his achievements, the report from the Sichuan authorities may not be entirely trustworthy either. I humbly request Your Majesty to carefully examine the matter and not to be swayed by one-sided information."
Xiao Lie remarked, "If I listen to you, it's considered listening impartially. But if I listen to others, does it become biased listening? Is that so or not?"
Chen Tingjie's forehead was sweating profusely as he hastily kowtowed and begged for forgiveness.
Xiao Lie's gaze swept towards Xiao Yintang, who had remained silent. He said coldly, "Crown Prince, if I recall correctly, it was you who recommended Zhou Jin in the first place. You even made a military pledge. Now that things have not gone as planned and instead have caused chaos, why are you silent?"
Xiao Yintang kowtowed and said word by word, "Father Emperor, Zhou Jin's reckless pursuit of personal glory has led to civil unrest. Your son has nothing to say. Since I recommended him and even made a military pledge, I am willing to share his guilt! However, before you pass judgment, I implore you to allow me to redeem myself by quelling the turmoil in the southwest! I am willing to depart immediately!"
Xiao Lie sneered, "Are you planning to create another floating corpse in the river, attracting the attention of the world?"
Xiao Yintang's face flushed red, and the Imperial Study fell into silence.
Xiao Lie turned to Lu Xiang and asked, "Right General, what is your opinion?"
Lu Xiang, a veteran official who had served for four reigns, cleared his throat and tremblingly reported, "Your Majesty, the problem of refugee unrest has existed throughout the ages. Previous dynasties have attempted to suppress it, but their efforts have always been temporary. Even if they were dispersed at that time, if faced with natural disasters or other calamities, they will gather together and thrive, and they will be deeply rooted and difficult to eradicate. Moreover, the scale of this current rebellion is unprecedented, and the southwest is a crucial region for the stability of Your Majesty's reign. We must not take this lightly. In my opinion, the most urgent task is to quickly appoint a capable individual to quell the rebellion. While the Crown Prince's willingness to volunteer is commendable, as the heir to the throne, his duty is to serve the court, and he must not risk his life unnecessarily. In my opinion, there is someone else who is more suitable for this task."
Before he even mentioned the name, everyone already knew who he meant.
Xiao Lie asked, "Who is it?"
Lu Xiang continued, "The person in charge should possess both firmness and gentleness, capable of employing forceful measures while also demonstrating compassion and understanding. In my opinion, there is no one more suitable for this role than the Right Prime Minister of Shangshutai, Mr. Pei."
Liu Jiushao added, "I second that motion."
....
As dawn broke, Pei You'an did not return. Jiafu, after getting up and freshening up, had no choice but to go to the Ci'en Temple first.
In the afternoon, a piece of news arrived.
It stated that due to Zhou Jin's mishandling of the situation, the unrest among the southwestern refugees had escalated. Pei You'an took over the task at the critical moment and was appointed by the emperor as the Commander-in-Chief to pacify the southwest. Given the urgency of the situation, he was to depart from the capital soon to quell the turmoil in Jingxiang.
The news came too suddenly. Mrs. Pei immediately sent Jiafu back home. That night, she entrusted the matters of the temple to the monks and hurried back with her entourage to prepare for her eldest grandson's departure.
Now, nearing the end of summer, Pei You'an's departure was imminent, and it was uncertain when he would return.
He was set to leave tomorrow, and today, everyone was busy in the palace.
Jiafu, accompanied by the maid, helped pack Pei You'an's belongings. She felt a lump forming in her throat, a feeling of reluctance to part. However, in front of Pei's family and the servants, she dared not show any sign of tears.
In the evening, Pei You'an finally returned from the palace.
The elderly lady arranged a farewell banquet for him. Both branches of the family sat together at the table.
The atmosphere during the meal was peculiar.
On one side, Madam Meng laughed and chattered incessantly, constantly praising how Pei You'an had earned the Emperor's favor. On the other side, Madam Xin wore a smile on her face, but it was evident that it didn't reach her heart.
The Emperor has decreed not only to remove Zhou Jin from his position as Commander-in-Chief of the three provinces but also to strip him of his position as Deputy Minister of War, ordering him to return immediately to the capital to face charges at the Ministry of War's Judicial Office.
It is said that even the Empress tried to intercede on his behalf but was rebuffed by the Emperor.
After the incident with the Zhang family, the aftermath had not yet subsided, and now, with Zhou Jin's affair, the Zhou family had once again become the center of attention.
Madam Xin, who had arranged for her son to marry Zhou Jiao'e, found herself in a difficult position. Despite discovering her daughter-in-law's unsuitability after marriage, she had chosen to endure it, considering it a lesson learned. Originally, she had hoped to benefit from the Zhou family's influence. Not long after marrying, the Zhou family fell into disgrace.
Being slapped in the face like this, Madam Xin naturally couldn't bring herself to smile.
After the meal, Pei You'an personally escorted his grandmother back to her room. After the old lady gave some instructions, she saw that Pei You'an was hesitant to speak, so she said: "Don't worry. Your wife, your grandmother will take care of her for you. I hope you won't disappoint the Emperor's trust and return home soon."
Pei You'an knelt down and bowed, then left. After a few steps, he turned back and saw his grandmother sitting there, smiling gently as she gazed at his departing figure. Her form was slightly hunched, appearing incredibly aged. Pausing for a moment, he returned and said, "Grandmother, I've noticed you haven't been feeling well lately. While I'm away, you must take care of yourself. I will instruct A'fu to take good care of you. If you ever feel unwell, remember to call for Doctor Hu to come and treat you promptly. I have already instructed him today."
The old lady smiled and said, "Grandmother knows."
Pei You'an glanced back at his grandmother before leaving, but suddenly heard her calling out to him again. He stopped in his tracks and turned back.
His grandmother stopped him, but for a moment, she didn't speak, just gazed at her grandson. After a while, she spoke softly, "You'An, do you remember when you were sixteen years old, before you left the capital, I once punished you?"
Pei You'an remained silent.
The old lady sighed, "At that time, you came to confront me. You wanted to know who your birth mother was. Since you weren't the legitimate eldest son, why did I allow you to occupy a position that wasn't rightfully yours? It was a mistake after another mistake. Even now, if you were to question your grandmother again, I still wouldn't have an answer for you. You won't blame your grandmother, will you?"
Pei You'an smiled faintly, "Grandmother, I was foolish back then, and I caused you distress. There's no need for you to dwell on it. I've long forgotten about those past events, and I won't ask about them again."
Tears glistened in the old lady's eyes as she nodded, "I'm comforted to hear that you think this way. Now, there's one more thing I want you to remember. We can't choose where we come from. But living in this world with integrity and honor is enough to be worthy of oneself and the heavens. I know you will make me proud."
Pei You'an was momentarily taken aback, standing still for a moment. Then, he knelt before his grandmother again, solemnly bowing his head, "Grandmother, rest assured. Your words today will be deeply ingrained in my heart."
The old lady smiled, "In the past, when you were alone, I always felt uneasy about your wanderings. But now that you have a wife, I feel reassured. Well, I have nothing more to say here. You may go. Tomorrow you'll be leaving, and I'm sure there are things you two need to discuss."
Pei You'an stood up, giving his grandmother one last look. She sat there, smiling gently, waving him off with her hand.
....
Pei You'an quickened his pace and entered the room. Without needing any instructions, the servants, including Tan Xiang and Liu Mama, left the room one by one, closing the door behind them.
Jiafu threw herself into his arms, and he lifted her onto the bed.
That night was filled with tenderness and intimacy.
At first, Jiafu managed to hold back her tears. But as dawn approached and she helped him dress, assisting him with each garment, she couldn't hold back any longer. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away, forcing a smile. "Big cousin, don't worry. I will remember your words. Take care of myself, and take care of grandmother. Both grandmother and I will be waiting for you to come back."
Pei You'an pulled her into his arms and gave her a tight hug.
As dawn broke, Jiafu, along with Mrs. Pei and others, saw him off at the door.
She stood at the gate, watching Pei You'an's figure gradually disappear into the morning light.
Chapter - 61
By Tea Time Translations
---
If there are any mistakes in translation, please feel free to comment! Please support us @TeaTime.
---
As the Tiger hour was about to end, Chen Tingjie, the Minister of War, Lu Xiang, the Right General, Liu Jiushao, who was in charge of the military affairs department of several provinces in the southwest, Zhou Xing, the father of Zhou Jin, and other officials, including the Crown Prince, all arrived.
Chen Tingjie and the others had been abruptly awakened from their sleep and rushed from the palace gate to this place, panting for breath. Especially Lu Xiang and Zhou Xing, who were older, were drenched in sweat and gasping for air. Upon entering, they saw Emperor Xiao with a gloomy expression, leaving them puzzled. After performing their bows, they didn't hear the command to rise, so they remained kneeling. After a while, they were finally allowed to rise, and the Emperor asked, "Has there been any progress in Zhou Jin's mission to pacify the refugees in the southwest?"
Chen Tingjie's heart eased a bit, and he hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, just yesterday, the Ministry of War received a report from Zhou Jin, stating that, due to the grace of Your Majesty, more than five hundred and seventy thousand refugees voluntarily returned to their homes and resumed their occupations. Thirty rebel leaders were captured, six hundred and twenty were executed, and over thirty-two thousand were spared and sent to serve in the military. Additionally, we seized three thousand two hundred and fifty weapons and armaments, as well as over five thousand horses, cattle, and mules. It was a complete victory, and the people of the southwest are all praising Your Majesty's benevolence. Last night, I wrote a report and planned to present it to Your Majesty at today's court session..."
As Chen Tingjie reported, Zhou Xing showed a proud expression. Xiao Yintang glanced at the increasingly gloomy Emperor and felt a sudden sense of foreboding.
The Emperor nodded, his voice even deeper, "How were those refugees who voluntarily returned to their homes resettled?"
"Your Majesty," Chen Tingjie continued, "according to Zhou Jin's report, some refugees voluntarily returned to their original homes, while the rest eagerly went to settle in border areas like Yunnan and Guizhou, where they will farm the land. By doing so, they have been registered as permanent residents, transitioning from refugees to productive citizens. This has effectively resolved the refugee crisis that has plagued our Great Wei for decades..."
"Nonsense!"
Xiao Lie, perhaps overwhelmed with anger, suddenly burst out with curses, startling everyone present. Chen Tingjie was left dumbfounded.
With a swift motion, Xiao Lie grabbed the report in front of him and hurled it towards Chen Tingjie, who was speaking confidently. His voice thundered with rage, "This is the urgent report sent by the Sichuan authorities to me last night. Look at it with your own eyes! What exactly has happened in the southwest?"
The report knocked Chen Tingjie's official hat askew, falling to the ground. He hastily picked the report up, not bothering to straighten it. Chen Tingjie quickly scanned through it, his face turning pale. Lu Xiang and Liu Jiushao immediately took it from him, glanced at it, exchanged a look, then handed it to Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing took it, but upon reading it, his hands trembled, and the report slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground.
"What a 'voluntary return to one's profession'! What a 'praise for the grace of the heavens'!" Xiao Lie stood up.
"I fear it is the resentment that rises to the heavens!"
These words were so serious that not only Chen Tingjie was trembling, but several other people, including Zhou Xing, who had always been exempted from kneeling, also knelt down with a "pop", admitting guilt.
Xiao Lie sneered, "What are you afraid of? If there's any cursing, it's probably me being cursed behind my back. Without an overt condemnation, there will be a covert reckoning!"
Zhou Xing repeatedly kowtowed, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, Zhou Jin was eager to eradicate the festering sore for the court, which led to improper actions. I hope Your Majesty will consider his long-standing loyalty to the throne and grant him forgiveness!"
Chen Tingjie also spoke up, "Your Majesty, while Zhou Jin's report may be suspected of exaggerating his achievements, the report from the Sichuan authorities may not be entirely trustworthy either. I humbly request Your Majesty to carefully examine the matter and not to be swayed by one-sided information."
Xiao Lie remarked, "If I listen to you, it's considered listening impartially. But if I listen to others, does it become biased listening? Is that so or not?"
Chen Tingjie's forehead was sweating profusely as he hastily kowtowed and begged for forgiveness.
Xiao Lie's gaze swept towards Xiao Yintang, who had remained silent. He said coldly, "Crown Prince, if I recall correctly, it was you who recommended Zhou Jin in the first place. You even made a military pledge. Now that things have not gone as planned and instead have caused chaos, why are you silent?"
Xiao Yintang kowtowed and said word by word, "Father Emperor, Zhou Jin's reckless pursuit of personal glory has led to civil unrest. Your son has nothing to say. Since I recommended him and even made a military pledge, I am willing to share his guilt! However, before you pass judgment, I implore you to allow me to redeem myself by quelling the turmoil in the southwest! I am willing to depart immediately!"
Xiao Lie sneered, "Are you planning to create another floating corpse in the river, attracting the attention of the world?"
Xiao Yintang's face flushed red, and the Imperial Study fell into silence.
Xiao Lie turned to Lu Xiang and asked, "Right General, what is your opinion?"
Lu Xiang, a veteran official who had served for four reigns, cleared his throat and tremblingly reported, "Your Majesty, the problem of refugee unrest has existed throughout the ages. Previous dynasties have attempted to suppress it, but their efforts have always been temporary. Even if they were dispersed at that time, if faced with natural disasters or other calamities, they will gather together and thrive, and they will be deeply rooted and difficult to eradicate. Moreover, the scale of this current rebellion is unprecedented, and the southwest is a crucial region for the stability of Your Majesty's reign. We must not take this lightly. In my opinion, the most urgent task is to quickly appoint a capable individual to quell the rebellion. While the Crown Prince's willingness to volunteer is commendable, as the heir to the throne, his duty is to serve the court, and he must not risk his life unnecessarily. In my opinion, there is someone else who is more suitable for this task."
Before he even mentioned the name, everyone already knew who he meant.
Xiao Lie asked, "Who is it?"
Lu Xiang continued, "The person in charge should possess both firmness and gentleness, capable of employing forceful measures while also demonstrating compassion and understanding. In my opinion, there is no one more suitable for this role than the Right Prime Minister of Shangshutai, Mr. Pei."
Liu Jiushao added, "I second that motion."
....
As dawn broke, Pei You'an did not return. Jiafu, after getting up and freshening up, had no choice but to go to the Ci'en Temple first.
In the afternoon, a piece of news arrived.
It stated that due to Zhou Jin's mishandling of the situation, the unrest among the southwestern refugees had escalated. Pei You'an took over the task at the critical moment and was appointed by the emperor as the Commander-in-Chief to pacify the southwest. Given the urgency of the situation, he was to depart from the capital soon to quell the turmoil in Jingxiang.
The news came too suddenly. Mrs. Pei immediately sent Jiafu back home. That night, she entrusted the matters of the temple to the monks and hurried back with her entourage to prepare for her eldest grandson's departure.
Now, nearing the end of summer, Pei You'an's departure was imminent, and it was uncertain when he would return.
He was set to leave tomorrow, and today, everyone was busy in the palace.
Jiafu, accompanied by the maid, helped pack Pei You'an's belongings. She felt a lump forming in her throat, a feeling of reluctance to part. However, in front of Pei's family and the servants, she dared not show any sign of tears.
In the evening, Pei You'an finally returned from the palace.
The elderly lady arranged a farewell banquet for him. Both branches of the family sat together at the table.
The atmosphere during the meal was peculiar.
On one side, Madam Meng laughed and chattered incessantly, constantly praising how Pei You'an had earned the Emperor's favor. On the other side, Madam Xin wore a smile on her face, but it was evident that it didn't reach her heart.
The Emperor has decreed not only to remove Zhou Jin from his position as Commander-in-Chief of the three provinces but also to strip him of his position as Deputy Minister of War, ordering him to return immediately to the capital to face charges at the Ministry of War's Judicial Office.
It is said that even the Empress tried to intercede on his behalf but was rebuffed by the Emperor.
After the incident with the Zhang family, the aftermath had not yet subsided, and now, with Zhou Jin's affair, the Zhou family had once again become the center of attention.
Madam Xin, who had arranged for her son to marry Zhou Jiao'e, found herself in a difficult position. Despite discovering her daughter-in-law's unsuitability after marriage, she had chosen to endure it, considering it a lesson learned. Originally, she had hoped to benefit from the Zhou family's influence. Not long after marrying, the Zhou family fell into disgrace.
Being slapped in the face like this, Madam Xin naturally couldn't bring herself to smile.
After the meal, Pei You'an personally escorted his grandmother back to her room. After the old lady gave some instructions, she saw that Pei You'an was hesitant to speak, so she said: "Don't worry. Your wife, your grandmother will take care of her for you. I hope you won't disappoint the Emperor's trust and return home soon."
Pei You'an knelt down and bowed, then left. After a few steps, he turned back and saw his grandmother sitting there, smiling gently as she gazed at his departing figure. Her form was slightly hunched, appearing incredibly aged. Pausing for a moment, he returned and said, "Grandmother, I've noticed you haven't been feeling well lately. While I'm away, you must take care of yourself. I will instruct A'fu to take good care of you. If you ever feel unwell, remember to call for Doctor Hu to come and treat you promptly. I have already instructed him today."
The old lady smiled and said, "Grandmother knows."
Pei You'an glanced back at his grandmother before leaving, but suddenly heard her calling out to him again. He stopped in his tracks and turned back.
His grandmother stopped him, but for a moment, she didn't speak, just gazed at her grandson. After a while, she spoke softly, "You'An, do you remember when you were sixteen years old, before you left the capital, I once punished you?"
Pei You'an remained silent.
The old lady sighed, "At that time, you came to confront me. You wanted to know who your birth mother was. Since you weren't the legitimate eldest son, why did I allow you to occupy a position that wasn't rightfully yours? It was a mistake after another mistake. Even now, if you were to question your grandmother again, I still wouldn't have an answer for you. You won't blame your grandmother, will you?"
Pei You'an smiled faintly, "Grandmother, I was foolish back then, and I caused you distress. There's no need for you to dwell on it. I've long forgotten about those past events, and I won't ask about them again."
Tears glistened in the old lady's eyes as she nodded, "I'm comforted to hear that you think this way. Now, there's one more thing I want you to remember. We can't choose where we come from. But living in this world with integrity and honor is enough to be worthy of oneself and the heavens. I know you will make me proud."
Pei You'an was momentarily taken aback, standing still for a moment. Then, he knelt before his grandmother again, solemnly bowing his head, "Grandmother, rest assured. Your words today will be deeply ingrained in my heart."
The old lady smiled, "In the past, when you were alone, I always felt uneasy about your wanderings. But now that you have a wife, I feel reassured. Well, I have nothing more to say here. You may go. Tomorrow you'll be leaving, and I'm sure there are things you two need to discuss."
Pei You'an stood up, giving his grandmother one last look. She sat there, smiling gently, waving him off with her hand.
....
Pei You'an quickened his pace and entered the room. Without needing any instructions, the servants, including Tan Xiang and Liu Mama, left the room one by one, closing the door behind them.
Jiafu threw herself into his arms, and he lifted her onto the bed.
That night was filled with tenderness and intimacy.
At first, Jiafu managed to hold back her tears. But as dawn approached and she helped him dress, assisting him with each garment, she couldn't hold back any longer. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away, forcing a smile. "Big cousin, don't worry. I will remember your words. Take care of myself, and take care of grandmother. Both grandmother and I will be waiting for you to come back."
Pei You'an pulled her into his arms and gave her a tight hug.
As dawn broke, Jiafu, along with Mrs. Pei and others, saw him off at the door.
She stood at the gate, watching Pei You'an's figure gradually disappear into the morning light.
