One thing was certain: Chen Liu Hou's loyalty to the Great Wei was unwavering.
Chen Liu Hou was known for his straightforwardness and loyalty, commanding great respect within the army. Before he was stationed at Yumenguan, he served as the Jiedushi of Jiangxi, Hebei, and Guangxi for over a decade, participating in hundreds of battles, large and small, without a single defeat. He was the foremost naval commander of the Great Wei.
In the eleventh year of Yong'an, Nanzhao continuously launched incursions into the southwestern border. Chen Liu Hou led three thousand troops to reinforce the southwestern frontier, achieving victories in battles such as Tuodong, Yaoguan, and Pyu. He coordinated with the Luo family army that arrived later, pursuing the enemy relentlessly and capturing the Nanzhao capital. He also assisted Pyu in expelling Nanzhao troops from their territory, which had a significant political impact at the time.
Five years ago, he was ordered to defend Yumenguan, a post he held to this day. During this period, he engaged in numerous battles with Tubo, staunchly defending Yumenguan and preventing any advance by Tubo forces.
He refused to believe that Chen Liu Hou would kill someone without reason. If he remained silent, there must be a hidden difficulty.
"Have Hua Chao Fei investigate the character of this He Zhongchun, especially his private affairs," Xie Jia Yan said.
Since Chen Liu Hou refused to speak, they would investigate He Zhongchun. Perhaps the key to the matter lay with He Zhongchun.
Within twenty-four hours of the楼主令 (Louzhu Ling) being issued by Hua Chao Fei, He Zhongchun's affairs were thoroughly investigated.
During his tenure, He Zhongchun was known for his bold actions and had done much good for the common people. Besides impeaching the Li family, he had also exposed the corruption of the previous prefect and brought him to justice, returning all embezzled funds to the populace. It was precisely for this reason that he enjoyed immense popularity in Longxi.
However, at his core, He Zhongchun was a lecherous individual, indulging in both men and women. He kept a vast number of concubines and male companions, revealing him to be a hypocrite who presented a virtuous facade. This proved that not everyone who was praised by others was necessarily a good person.
The Capital
Xie Jia Yan's thoughts coincided with Yu Ming Jing's. As soon as the news arrived, Yu Ming Jing dispatched his secret guards to investigate He Zhongchun, and information was soon obtained.
"Your Highness, this subordinate believes He Zhongchun is the key to this case. This is the information regarding He Zhongchun's life sent from Longxi," Yu Ming Jing handed the collected intelligence to Xiao Che. "This subordinate recommends one person to Your Highness, who will surely be able to clarify this case."
"Who?"
"Lu Zhongcheng."
Although He Zhongchun had previously impeached the Li family for their land acquisition, he himself came from a prominent family. In his youth, he studied at the Zheng family academy, and after entering officialdom, he became a disciple of Lu Zhongcheng.
He Zhongchun's impeachment of the Li family was not without reason; it was because the third son of the Li family had snatched a woman he desired.
Xiao Che nodded after listening, "So that's how it is. When he impeached the Li family, my father even praised him as an incorruptible official, a rare good man. I never expected his private conduct to be so depraved. It seems Chen Liu Hou did not kill him without cause."
"Despite this, his influence in the region was considerable, and the case still needs to be clarified quickly," Yu Ming Jing stated.
Chen Liu Hou had committed the murder in his residence, and many of his servants had witnessed it. Many commoners on the street that day had also seen Chen Liu Hou leaving with blood dripping from his sword.
Xiao Che agreed, "I will persuade my father. This will also provide Lu Zhongcheng an opportunity to redeem himself through meritorious service."
"Your Highness, this subordinate intends to request an imperial decree to travel to Longxi, to prevent any unrest at Yumenguan," Yu Ming Jing had always intended to serve on the border, and this was an opportune moment.
Chen Liu Hou's five-year term was nearing its end, and the period of troop rotation was the most susceptible to instability. He could familiarize himself with the border situation in advance.
"If the Duke is not in the capital, and you also leave the capital, the Duke's mansion will have no one in court," Xiao Che did not approve of Yu Ming Jing leaving the capital at this time.
His father had reinstated the Five City Patrol and Defense Command. He had already requested an imperial decree to observe mourning for Elder Cui on his behalf, serving in the Patrol and Defense Command.
"Your Highness, Ming Jing is willing to dedicate his life to serving the country and to be loyal to Your Highness. He has no other wishes but for his family to be safe and sound," Yu Ming Jing knelt, lifting the hem of his robe.
Yu Ming Jing had been Xiao Che's companion since childhood. They had faced life and death together in Youzhou, forging a bond of loyalty as friends and also as lord and subject.
Yu Ming Jing's bow was an act of loyalty to his lord and a plea.
Xiao Che reached out to help Yu Ming Jing up, "I consider you a confidant and a capable general. I wish for us, lord and subject, to support each other, to bring peace and prosperity to the Great Wei. Rest assured, I will protect the Duke's mansion. Sixth Daughter is like my own sister."
Yu Ming Jing had been waiting for these words. "This subordinate thanks Your Highness!"
The Sage agreed to have Lu Zhongcheng personally go to Longxi to thoroughly investigate the case of He Zhongchun, and also agreed to Yu Ming Jing taking over from Chen Liu Hou to guard Yumenguan.
However, there was a condition: within a year, whether he, the General of Guide, could gain the recognition of Chen Liu Hou and the soldiers. If not, he would be demoted to a militia commander.
Jade is not polished, it cannot be made into an artifact. Yu Ming Jing was indeed a formidable general, possessing the demeanor of his ancestor, but he was still too young. A general guarding a region needed to temper his temperament. Both the emperor's favor and displeasure were signs of his grace. If he could not endure even this small grievance, how could he achieve great things?
If he were to become Xiao Che's right-hand man, he had to overcome this hurdle.
Xiao Che felt his father's decision was somewhat harsh. Duke Yu had already been demoted to a militia commander. Although he had achieved merit before, due to the father and son not being able to receive titles simultaneously, he was now only temporarily serving as the Jiedushi of Jizhou. If Yu Ming Jing were also to become a militia commander, it would be a laughingstock for the Yu family, a prestigious Duke's mansion, to have two militia commanders.
However, Yu Ming Jing still accepted. Even if he were a militia commander, what of it? He would still fight on the battlefield.
"I apologize for the hardship, but rest assured, I believe in your capabilities," Xiao Che said.
"Your Highness, please be assured. As long as I am here, I will never allow Tubo to encroach upon a single inch of Great Wei's territory."
...
Today was Laba Festival, and the Duke's mansion was hosting a family banquet, the Laba Feast, which was also a farewell banquet for Yu Ming Jing.
He would be stationed at Yumenguan in a few days and was not permitted to return to the capital without an imperial decree for five years.
"Brother, Sixth Daughter toasts you. May your journey be filled with golden armor and divine weapons.
With formations of stars and moon, and camps laid out like mountains and rivers, we will guard the Duke's mansion well and await your triumphant return, where you will achieve great fame and fulfill your ambitions." Yu Ming Yue knew her brother harbored aspirations of pacifying the four seas. Since it was something he wished to do, as a sister, she naturally supported him.
Heroes always moved against the wind, and her brother was an unparalleled hero. She was proud of him.
Compared to her brother and Xie Jia Yan, she had indeed been somewhat selfish.
Now, they were all striving for their ideals and working towards the prosperity of the Great Wei. She, too, should do something for them.
"Then I shall accept Yue'er's good wishes. Through a hundred battles in the desert, clad in golden armor, we shall not return until we have conquered Loulan." This was a poem Xie Jia Yan had written at a poetry gathering three years ago, and it unexpectedly fit the scene today.
Yu Ming Jing recalled the spirited group of youths from that day. Xie Jia Yan had gone to Jiangzhou, Gu Tingyun had joined the army in Jizhou, and Song Wei, after entering the Hanlin Academy, had become less frequent in their gatherings.
The youths of yesteryear now had their own paths to tread, each going their separate ways. May they always remember their original aspirations, no matter the time or place.
After drinking, Yu Ming Jing poured himself another cup, toasting the ambitious and spirited youths of the past, and to his friends afar.
On the day of his departure, Yu Ming Jing received a letter from Jiangzhou. The letter contained the poem from that year: "The long clouds over Qinghai darken the snow mountains; a lonely city gazes towards Yumenguan. Through a hundred battles in the desert, clad in golden armor, we shall not return until we have conquered Loulan."
Yu Ming Jing tucked the letter into his embrace. He understood him; this letter had arrived at the right time.