Chapter 169: Meteor showers fall, human misfortune

When the banquet was about to end, Lei Long asked to leave.

Yang Chang felt a little tipsy, so he asked Wu Song to take him to the posthouse to settle down, and the two of them continued drinking.

I leaned against the wall in the corridor and saw that the sun had set and the sky was dim.

"Did you drink for so long?"

Yang Chang muttered to himself, staggering towards the dormitory with the lantern on.

Ever since marrying Qiu Qiongying, Yang Chang had to consider issues of equal treatment and duty, so he and Hu Sanniang decided to use lanterns as a signal.

Whoever lights a bowl of lanterns in front of his house, Yang Chang will stay in that room that night and give the decision-making power to Hu Sanniang.

Hu Sanniang was a lady from a wealthy family with an open mind. Not only did she not work extra shifts for herself, she even generously declined the job in order to continue her bloodline. She once let Qiu Qiongying light lanterns for twenty consecutive days, but unfortunately the result was contrary to her wishes.

After a while, Yang Chang saw the light of the lantern, staggered into the house, and saw that the two women were there.

"Huh? You guys are all here?"

"My lord, you are tired. My sister and I will wash your feet and massage your shoulders to relieve your fatigue."

"Tired?"

While Yang Chang was still in doubt, Qiu Qiongying came forward, took his arm, and led him towards the couch inside the house.

"Being a drinking companion is tiring, and my strength has increased. Don't you want to give it a try, sir?"

"Huh? Oh"

By the time this guy reacted, he had already been forced to sit down on the edge of the couch by "Master Qiu". This girl never forgot to practice martial arts every day, and the strength of her massage was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Today, I eavesdropped on a conversation with Hu Sanniang, and I couldn't help but increase the strength of my fingertips. Fortunately, Yang Changshen had the [Iron Wall] to bless him with high defense, so he didn't feel uncomfortable because of the girl's emotional changes.

In a trance, Yang Chang's shoes and socks were taken off, and his feet were kneaded in the basin.

The two women were massaging him, and he was enjoying it when Hu Sanniang suddenly asked, "Sir, you seem to be very familiar with Captain Lei. When did you meet?"

"It's been a few years. I met him by chance when I was serving as an archer in Yanggu and accompanying my second brother to deliver goods to the capital."

"Why have I never heard you mention it?"

"I don't remember. Hiss."

Yang Chang suddenly felt a force on his shoulders.

It turned out that Qiu Qiongying was anxious, so she took over Hu Sanniang's conversation and asked, "I just passed by the flower hall and overheard you talking about a woman. The master seemed to be very interested in this woman. Who is she?"

"Ok?"

Yang Chang's body trembled suddenly, and he turned his head to stare at Qiu Qiongying. He was sobered up by the question but there was no anger on his face.

"Sir, please don't be upset." Hu Sanniang hurriedly stopped him and explained, "Sister, you didn't mean to hear us, and we are not jealous. We just want to know who she is."

"Can you not say it?"

"No."

Qiu Qiongying answered in a resounding voice, and Hu Sanniang followed up with a comment: "Sister is outspoken, and I am also very curious. Sir, please don't hide it from us. It doesn't matter if you have another sister. We are not afraid of your romantic behavior."

The reason why Hu Sanniang said this was because Qiu Qiongying had been married for almost half a year, and there was no sign of pregnancy at all. If An Daoquan had not given a conclusion long ago and had not consulted other doctors for pulse diagnosis and medical advice, she would have thought that there was something wrong with her husband.

If you are sick, treat it; if you are not sick, try it.

I have already married one more wife, so I don’t mind marrying another one.

Seeing Hu Sanniang's firm expression, Yang Chang shook his head with a bitter look on his face, muttering: "Madam, I have seen you before, why ask again? If it weren't for that..."

"It can't be."

"It's her."

"Who?"

Qiu Qiongying was more impatient than Hu Sanniang, so how could she bear to hear the two of them talking in a riddle? But when she approached and asked, no one answered.

"Master, you know her identity? Why don't you discuss with me about marrying her home?"

"inconvenient"

"why?"

"Because she is a princess of the current dynasty, she is given the title of Princess Maode."

"hiss"

The two girls originally wanted to persuade Yang Chang to marry the girl from the capital by questioning her, but they were both speechless when they heard about her identity as a princess. They thought to themselves, if their men really married the princess, where would that leave them?
After all, she is the emperor's daughter. Shouldn't any request she makes be met?

Compared with Hu Sanniang's embarrassing situation, Qiu Qiongying, who came in later, was in a more relaxed state of mind.

Before leaving, she called Hu Sanniang to the door and comforted her softly: "Sister, don't think too much. If you want to be a prince consort, you should have done it a long time ago. Anyway, I will always stand by you."

"I'm fine. You should go back and rest early. It's getting late."

"Oh"

Qiu Qiongying helped to close the door, then tiptoed back, regretting her meddling as she walked. If she had not instigated her sister to ask, she might not have had this trouble.

Yang Chang guessed that Hu Sanniang would think too much, so he put his arm around her and patted her shoulders after turning off the lights, saying softly, "My lady, don't worry. Don't you know what kind of person I am? If it's something I don't want to do, it won't work even if the gods come to persuade me."

"So Song Jiang's advice was to marry off the emperor's daughter?"

"I don't know. Maybe I was instructed by Su Yuanjing. I just don't covet fame and wealth. The emperor can't do anything to me. Anyway, everything is over."

"The princess is extremely beautiful. It would be better if she wasn't a daughter of the royal family."

"Go to sleep."

Hu Sanniang sighed, turned around and buried her face in the man's chest, whispering softly: "I can't sleep. My master had a drink with Captain Lei this afternoon and asked a lot about her. Can you tell me something?"

"All right."

Yang Chang has always loved his good wife, mainly because Hu Sanniang is gentle, considerate and virtuous. She often understands him with just a glance, and he really can't bear to hide secrets from her.

It was summer in May, and the couple lay on the couch hugging each other, but they didn't feel the heat.

Zhao Fujin's story was like a cooling ice cream, calming the two people's hearts.

Yang Changyuan thought that the story was like coffee and that Hu Sanniang would become even more unable to sleep after listening to it, but he did not expect that she fell asleep before him.

The fragrance of orchids was exhaled into the chest, continuously giving off a warm feeling.

Neither of them was in the mood tonight. Yang Chang moved Hu Sanniang slightly. He looked at the dark roof and closed his eyes. Zhao Fujin's face appeared again.

Exquisite facial features, well-proportioned figure, graceful temperament, and eyes that want to reject but also welcome
All of Zhao Fujin's qualities are based on Yang Chang's aesthetic taste, but he only thinks about it occasionally in his dreams. To get them in reality, he needs extraordinary means and also has to take certain risks.

At night, Yang Chang was sleeping soundly when he was suddenly woken up by the person next to him.

"what happened?"

"I have something to say."

"what?"

Yang Chang rubbed his eyes, sat up and saw that the window was still dark, so he fell on the bed and murmured: "It's not even daybreak yet, I don't know what time it is."

"The cock just crowed for the first time."

After Hu Sanniang answered, she immediately said, "I have been thinking about it for a long time. The master must marry the princess. I would rather give up my position as wife as long as I can follow the master."

"What did you say?"

Yang Chang shook his head, forcing himself to wake up, and then firmly refused: "No, absolutely not! I will not allow my wife to suffer any injustice!"

"How can I feel wronged? The princess is weak, but I have martial arts skills. She has guards in the palace, but she won't have them if she marries into the Yang family."

"I told you not to do that. Stop having those random thoughts and go to sleep!" Before Hu Sanniang had finished speaking, Yang Chang hugged her and went to sleep. He thought to himself, if you don't behave yourself, I'll have to use some 'tricks' on you.

"Don't make trouble, I'm serious."

Hu Sanniang broke free and sat up again, speaking in a serious tone, "I heard your story before going to bed, and I know that the princess is deeply in love. How could a woman like her see through the world? She is just looking for an excuse to escape the marriage."

"What do you want to say, ma'am?"

"When I saw her eyes, I felt that she could not forget you. That's right. With your martial arts and looks, which woman would not be moved?"

"so what?"

At this time, Yang Chang also sat up. He saw Hu Sanniang light the oil lamp, turned around and looked at him solemnly.

"My lord is the most loyal. He has treated me very well in the past few years since we got married, but he has been a little shallow to the princess. Of course, the princess is indeed noble and hard to marry, but she is willing to practice Taoism for my lord to avoid marriage. How can I betray such a friendship? Even if I have to snatch her away, I should take her back."

"Rob?"

Yang Chang was stunned when he heard this. He thought to himself that this was the same idea as his own. Then he pulled Hu Sanniang to sit down next to him and said, "My wife has said so much. It would be unpleasant for me to disagree. When the military decides on Fang Shen's rebellion, I will personally escort him to the capital and steal the princess back to Qinzhou."

"Steal? How?"

"Ahem, I'll treat Lei Long well these past two days. He's very familiar with the situation in the Imperial Palace. I hope he can get a rough map of the palace. Then I can follow the map and sneak into the palace in disguise."

"Can it be done?"

Hu Sanniang had just spoken righteously, but now she was worried about Yang Chang. Her original intention was to ask the emperor to grant the marriage and give up her position as the principal wife.

Yang Chang touched her head and explained with a smile: "Remember the last Lantern Festival in Tokyo? Chai Jin found a way to sneak into the palace, and he even scratched off the words "Song Jiang, Shandong" in the Ruisi Palace."

"Really? That's feasible."

When Hu Sanniang nodded in affirmation, she suddenly turned around and asked, "Although the master can disguise himself and go in and out of the palace alone, what about the princess?"

"Since you are a princess, who dares to stop me? Don't worry."

After Yang Chang finished speaking, he lay back and fell on the couch with his arms and legs spread out.

Seeing that he was confident, Hu Sanniang calmed down, put aside her worries, stood up and walked towards the window.

"Oh, then go to sleep."

"Don't blow out the lights."

"how?"

"My lady, since you woke me up, you have to be responsible for putting me to sleep."

At this time, Yang Chang rested his head on his hands, looking at Hu Sanniang, who was wearing gauze, with a playful tone, secretly praising his wife for her perfect figure.

"how to do."

Hu Sanniang saw the small tent on the couch, her pretty face flushed, and she muttered softly: "Blow out the lights, it's the same."

"It's different, come on!"

Qiu Qiongying lived next door. She was worried and slept lightly. When she heard the noise, she quietly opened the door. Curiosity forced her to eavesdrop.

But the two people in the room didn't speak loudly, and the specific content could not be heard clearly. Instead, it was the shadow on the window that made Qiu Qiongying so embarrassed that she covered her face and went back to her room.

A sister is a sister, she obeys the master in everything. No wonder she and the master are still as loving as ever.

How can I eat that thing?

Wait, if the master really marries the princess, my sister has a skill, but what are my special skills?
Qiu Qiongying lay back on the couch, eyes wide open, anxious. She had been married for almost half a year and still had no children. She hesitated whether she should learn to do this, otherwise, wouldn't she be left out of the queue when the princess came to marry into the family?

Learn, you must learn.

If my sister can do it, so can I.

Well, she can't be allowed to take the top spot.

How could it be said that Yang Chang loved Hu Sanniang? With her as an example for Qiu Qiongying, she taught by words and deeds, saving Yang a lot of trouble in learning, and also bringing more joy.

In summer, the days are long and the dawns come earlier.

Yang Changfu slept for less than two hours and got up at the end of the morning and the beginning of the evening.

After washing up, I went straight to the inn.

He personally accompanied Lei Long that day, looking at evidence, listening to testimonies, meeting prisoners, and visiting officials. He spent a day verifying the details of the rebellion, and the complete chain of evidence was almost flawless.

Lei Long met with dozens of officials, both big and small, alone, but no one said a good word for Fang Shen. He thought to himself that Cai Jing had entrusted the wrong person with the task, which also indirectly showed that Yang Chang was very capable.

It was still dark at that time, and Lei Long planned to return to Xiangyuan overnight, but Yang Chang was not willing to let him go.
Yang Chang prepared wine at night and called Wu Song to join him, and took advantage of Wu Song's drunkenness to draw a rough map of the palace.

After Lei Long woke up, he immediately set out on his journey and told everyone everything he had seen and heard in Qinzhou.

Wang Yuan's expression became solemn after hearing the report. He sent someone to report to Shangguan Xin Xingzong, and at the same time he went to Tongdi in person with Han Shizhong.

The two stayed in Tongdi for three days, and Wang Yuan couldn't help but sigh on his way back to Xiangyuan.

"Although there are not many Qinzhou defenders, they are all well-trained, which shows that Yang Changpo is capable. Fang Shen doesn't have any troops at all, but he dared to mess around in front of Yang Chang. He is doomed to fail and be captured. It's his own fault, and he has also implicated us."

"How to say?"

"This case involves Grand Tutor Cai. I don't think anyone is willing to take it over. Whether we escort the criminal or not, we will be involved in this matter, and our future career will be affected."

"No wonder they didn't mention the thief's leader and the evidence. It turns out they don't want to be too deeply involved in this matter. But Tong Shumi and Grand Tutor Cai are close friends. He won't let us erase all ties just to help cover it up."

Before Han Shizhong finished speaking, Wang Yuan interrupted him with a wave of his hand: "Tong Shumi's previous impeachment of Zhong Shidao has chilled the hearts of many generals. Although this matter has not been reported to Tokyo, all officials in Qinzhou know about it. Even if he is really so cruel, he will not let us take action."

"That's good. We soldiers can die for our country, but we don't want to become weapons in the struggle for power. Speaking of old General Zhong, Yang Chang's brother-in-law is in the Zhong Family Army, so he has heard of my name. If he also joins the Zhong Family Army, he will definitely become a fierce general!"

"Haha, no wonder you had such a good conversation with him."

Wang Yuan agreed with a smile, and continued to express his opinion: "Yang Chang and the Cai family are at loggerheads. I'm afraid the Zhong family won't dare to accept him. There's no need to worry about others. Think more about your own situation."

Han Shizhong nodded in agreement, and rode back to Xiangyuan without saying a word.

At that time, Xin Xingzong's messenger had arrived and ordered Wang Yuan's troops to stay where they were and not move rashly, waiting for the final instructions from Tong Guan and Cai You.

In mid-May, Tong Guan issued an order to Xiangyuan, requiring Wang Yuan to continue to stay there until the end of the month and return to Beijing in early June to receive his reward. Yang Chang also had to wait until June to escort the bandits out of Beijing.

Tong Guan's intention was very clear. This small case of rebellion in Qinzhou would not affect their return to Beijing to receive rewards.

As for whether to help Cai Jing settle the matter or not, only he himself knows the answer.

As the envoy of Shaanxi, Hedong and Hebei, Tong Guan had the power to control the officers and soldiers of Qinzhou, so Yang Chang had to obey the order and wait until June to set off.

Fang Shen was arrested for rebellion and was awaiting trial. This had a strong deterrent effect on the newly appointed officials in the state. Their original idea of ​​​​exploiting and recovering their losses was restrained because of Yang Chang's existence.

It was the time when wheat was ripe, and Yang Chang was in charge of inspecting various places in Qinzhou to ensure a smooth wheat harvest.

The people of Qinzhou who survived the disaster had a considerable surplus after paying their grain tax for the first time, which made Yang Chang inexplicably gain the support of the people.

During the summer harvest in May, meteor showers fell from the sky and unexpected events occurred on earth.

In Fengsheng Prefecture, the seriously ill Jin ruler Wanyan Aguda called his brothers and nephews to instruct him on his funeral arrangements before his death.

Some were standing, some were kneeling, all looked sad.

Aguda looked around with difficulty and saw Xieye (Wanyan Gao), Nianhan (Wanyan Zonghan), Wuliebu (Wanyan Zongwang), and Oben (Wanyan Zonggan) were all there, but his half-brother Jiemu was missing.

His eyes fell on Nianhan, and Aguda asked slowly: "Has Jiemu not been found yet? I dreamed of him again last night, is he in trouble?"

"Will not."

Nianhan knelt on one knee, held Aguda's hand and comforted him: "Jiamu has the ability to see far and night, and can escape in time when encountering danger. It must be that she was tripped up by something."

Aguda nodded slightly. He did not continue to dwell on this matter, but reminded Nianhan and everyone else.

"The Song Dynasty is prosperous and wealthy. You see that the Song people are weak, so you want to attack them from the south. But we Jin people always value our promises. Since we have an alliance, we cannot break it easily."

(End of this chapter)