Chapter 1 "Little Marquis" Incident

Having seen off that "Little Marquis," Ji Chengjue silently clapped his hands, as if to brush away some unseen dust.

A moment later,

Eunuch Zhang walked over, first squatting down to pick up the shattered pieces of the teacup lid, then asked:

"Your Highness, that man wasn't the Little Marquis from the North?"

Ji Chengjue shook his head and said,

"I don't know either."

Eunuch Zhang then added,

"Your Highness, even if this person really is that Little Marquis from the North, it's hard to form a deep friendship with someone like that. Not to mention anything else, he's far from Pingye Duke."

"It's been quite a while since you've seen Zheng Fan, hasn't it?"

"It has been a long time, but Your Highness, as the saying goes, 'a child is father to the man.' Even when Pingye Duke started from humble beginnings, the unrestrained air about him couldn't be imitated by others.

It would be one thing if it were a loafer from the village, because they actually have that kind of air, but Pingye Duke is a capable man.

To be talented without being arrogant, and to be lowly without being despondent, that is true magnanimity.

And that one who just left? He's not."

Ji Chengjue reached out and rubbed his brow, saying nothing.

Eunuch Zhang picked up the broken pieces of porcelain, stood up, and whispered,

"Your Highness, just like the cup lid you mentioned earlier, finding this person did take a lot of our effort and some luck.

Since he's a shadow, who's holding the string that leads this shadow?"

Eunuch Zhang was Ji Chengjue's own man, so he didn't need to be reserved when speaking.

His unspoken meaning was, if this was just bait, then who cast the fishing line?

Was it the Zhenbei Duke, to protect his real son?

Or, the current…

Ji Chengjue shook his head and said,

"Only by following the vine can we find the melon, but no one dares to swallow this bait to feel for the fishing line."

If you feel around Zhenbei Duke's place, you'll die.

If you feel around His Majesty's place, you'll also die.

Eunuch Zhang understood, and then sighed,

"Your Highness, that one just now is also pitiful. A shadow, yet he always thought he was the real thing."

"You pity him?"

Ji Chengjue chuckled twice and slowly said,

"What if he deliberately put it on? Pretending to be impatient, pretending to be restless, pretending to lack composure, pretending to lack stability, pretending to be so eager to eat hot tofu."

"Pretending?" Eunuch Zhang was stunned.

Ji Chengjue pointed to the broken porcelain pieces in Eunuch Zhang's hand,

and said,

"People and cup lids are different. If a cup lid is broken, it's broken;

but if we know a person is fake, and smashing him would only make us stink, then we wouldn't bother smashing him."

…

"Chu, clean up this yard again."

"Alright, Dad."

"Hurry up, we're going to cook a meal in our new home tonight."

"Okay, Dad."

He Chu picked up the broom and began to sweep the yard. As he was sweeping, he looked up and saw two people standing at the entrance of the yard.

A man with slightly graying hair, followed by an old servant-like person.

"Who are you?" He Chu asked.

"Oh, I'm the landlord," the middle-aged man replied.

"The landlord?"

"The people from the property agency came to inform me today that this little courtyard has been rented out, so I came to take a look."

"Chu, who's here?"

Old He Tou walked out from the inner room.

"Dad, he says he's our landlord."

"Landlord? It wasn't you when we signed the contract at the property agency."

"The one who signed the contract was a steward from my house. I just heard that this courtyard was rented out, so I came to take a look and brought you some gifts."

The old servant behind the middle-aged man stepped forward and placed some wrapped rice cakes and a jar of wine on the ground.

"Oh, you can't do this, you can't do this. There's no such thing as a tenant receiving gifts from the landlord in this world."

Old He Tou hurried forward to pick up the things and hand them back.

"Your little courtyard wasn't priced high to begin with. I've looked at it, and it's three-tenths cheaper than the same location and layout around here. My son and I are new to the capital, and being able to rent this house so quickly is already taking advantage of you.

A moment ago, I was telling my son that after we tidy up the house and settle down, we'll have to send you a piece of cured meat to thank you."

The middle-aged man waved his hand dismissively,

and said,

"Please accept the things, old man. To be honest with you, I lived in this courtyard when I was a child. Later, I did business and made a little money, so I moved to a new three-courtyard house, but this place still holds childhood memories.

Houses are houses, but if no one lives in them, even the best house will become broken, cold, and dilapidated.

Today, I came to your door with some small gifts, hoping that you'll work hard and help me take care of this house. As for the rent, if you feel like you have too much money, we can even lower it a bit."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare." Old He Tou immediately shook his head and said, "I'm already taking advantage of you, so I wouldn't dare be ungrateful. As for this house, you can rest assured that I'm a sensible person. I'll have my son fix any places that need repair. Since we're living in the owner's house, we have to cherish their things, right?"

"Alright, please accept these things, old man."

"Alright, alright, alright, I'll accept them, but you have to stay and let me treat you to dinner. If you think highly of me, then give me this honor!"

The middle-aged man waved his hand,

and sat down on a wooden stool next to him,

saying:

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, old man."

"Hey, what are you saying? Wouldn't I eat dinner if you didn't come? It's just a matter of adding a pair of chopsticks.

I'm new to the capital, and when I look around, as the saying goes, the people, houses, and shops are all unfamiliar.

I can't even find someone to have a few drinks with. If you have time in the future, come often.

You bring a plate of peanuts, and I'll provide the wine!"

"Okay, okay."

Old He Tou called out to his son,

"Chu, go buy some vegetables outside."

"Alright, Dad."

He Chu went out.

Old He Tou brought two more stools, one for the old servant standing behind the middle-aged man, and sat down himself.

"Don't think I'm spending too much. My son is just going out to buy vegetables. Even if he just buys vegetables, we have plenty of cured meat and pig's head at home. Hehe, before coming to the capital, I was a butcher."

"Oh, judging from your accent, even if you're not from the capital, you must be from not far away."

"You guessed it right. I'm a native of Nanan, also in Tiancheng County."

"Then why did you come to the capital?"

"Sigh, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. When a daughter grows up, she's no longer her father's to control. My own daughter chose a man from the capital, and picked a son-in-law in the capital for me.

Thinking of being closer to my daughter, I moved here."

"Oh? If that's the case, your son-in-law should have helped you settle down. Why did you come out to rent a house yourself? That's too unreasonable.

Could it be that your son-in-law's family is having difficulties?"

"That's not it, that's not it. My son-in-law is from a wealthy family. Originally, he had arranged a house for us, a very spacious courtyard, but I didn't live there."

Not only was it spacious, but even the servants and maids were prepared in advance.

Back then, when Xiao Liu Zi was at his poorest, he had to rely on the cornmeal Zheng Boye sent him to survive;

but now that he's practically in charge of the Ministry of Revenue behind the scenes, there's no need to be shabby anymore. There aren't many people in the entire Dayan who can spend money better than Ji Lao Liu.

"Then why?"

"Think about it, it's my daughter who's marrying into their family, not my son and I marrying into their family. Why should we eat their food and live in their house?

Wouldn't that make my daughter unable to hold her head up in her husband's family?

You tell me, doesn't that make sense?"

"That makes sense."

"Sigh."

Old He Tou sighed and said,

"We don't expect to rise to the heavens like the chickens and dogs, or become rich and powerful. I originally thought that being safe and sound for the rest of my life would be extremely satisfying. Now, I don't know if this is good fortune or bad fortune."

"Since your daughter married into a wealthy family, naturally it's a good thing."

"You're also considered a wealthy person, right?"

"Me?"

"Your attire, your speech, I can tell at a glance that you're not an ordinary commoner. You should also be aware that the walls of wealthy families are high, but the rules are also high.

In the past, I thought about finding a son-in-law to live with us, or finding someone nearby, so I could keep an eye on them while I'm alive, and his brother could continue to help me keep an eye on them when I'm gone.

There's no way I'd let my daughter go without meat, or let her be bullied.

Now, there's no way to do it. Even if I want to interfere, I can't."

The middle-aged man nodded upon hearing this, and then said,

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; each generation has its own destiny."

"Old brother, you're right."

The old servant to the side twitched his hands slightly upon hearing this form of address.

The middle-aged man said casually,

"Isn't that right? I also have several sons."

"Many?"

"Quite a few."

"Oh, then you're blessed."

"None of them are easy to deal with. Several of them are hoping I die soon, so they can divide the family property."

"Look at what you're saying. How could that be?"

"I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, old brother. My sons are really thinking that way. Only the youngest one is still young and his wings haven't hardened yet, so he probably doesn't want me to die. As for the other grown ones, the longer I live, the more uncomfortable they are."

"Old brother, that's not how you should put it."

"Oh, how so?"

"Whether children are filial or not, whether siblings are close or not, ultimately depends on their parents."

"Parents?"

"That's right, old brother, don't blame your children for being unfilial, and don't blame them for not being considerate.

The root of the problem is that the father didn't teach them well."

"........." the old servant.

The middle-aged man took a deep breath and said, "Please continue."

"I used to be in Nanan County, and I traveled a lot in and out of the city because I had to collect pigs, so I've seen a lot.

I've seen a lot of rebellious sons, unfilial children, and those who don't serve their parents.

But most of them have a pattern:

Either the parents themselves weren't good people and didn't set a good example for their children, or they couldn't treat everyone equally from the beginning;

or the parents initially spoiled their children too much or treated them badly. In short, they weren't properly raised.

As the saying goes, 'If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked.'

Perhaps you were away doing business for too long and didn't have time to take care of your children from a young age.

Look at mine. I'm not bragging, but my son may not have any other skills besides butchering pigs, but he has good character, is down-to-earth, and knows what's right!"

The middle-aged man nodded and said, "I'm grateful for the lesson."

"Oh dear, oh dear, look at me, look at me. I've said the wrong thing, I've said the wrong thing. I used to have a shop in the county town, and I was used to chatting with the neighbors every day and gossiping. I just arrived in the capital these past few days, and when I meet someone I can talk to, my mouth just can't stop.

Please forgive me, please forgive me."

Old He Tou suddenly realized that he was being too familiar, and slapped himself twice forcefully as he spoke.

"Hey, old brother, you're right. There's no need to do that."

"Dad, I'm back with the vegetables. I also bought five eggs."

"Go cook, and be quick about it."

"Alright, Dad."

He Chu went into the kitchen to cook.

The old servant behind the middle-aged man also got up and went inside to help.

"Let me help you with the fire," the old servant said.

"No need, no need. I can handle it. You should rest, old man."

"It's been a long time since I've tended a fire. My hands are a little itchy," the old servant said.

"Then, alright, you can do it."

He Chu lit the fire and made way.

The old servant sat down.

He Chu opened the lid of the pot,

and asked:

"How are your and the landlord's tastes, old man?"

The old servant said:

"Heavy on oil and heavy on flavor."

He Chu smiled upon hearing this,

and said:

"Alright, that's what I'm good at. I thought you and the landlord liked bland food. Many nobles in the capital like that."

The old servant shook his head and said,

"If you don't eat meat or salt, your body will be weak."

"That's right. Tell you what, even though my family slaughters pigs, and we should have never lacked meat since I was little, I really never get tired of eating it, hehe."

"Being able to eat is a blessing," the old servant said with emotion.

The fire was burning,

and the old servant's gaze fell on the basket hanging on the wall, which was full of paper.

"Are you practicing calligraphy?"

He Chu had just stir-fried the eggs and said,

"Yes, I just started learning to read."

"Learning to read is good. With literacy and knowledge, you can become an official."

"That won't do, that won't do. I won't think about becoming an official. I'm learning to read because my sister married into someone else's family. Now that she's someone else's wife, the rules in the high-ranking family are strict, and it's not easy for my sister to come out.

If I learn to read, I can help Dad write letters when he misses my sister."

"You're very filial."

"I can't say I'm filial. You're flattering me, old man. Oh, by the way, do you eat lard?"

"Yes, it's very fragrant."

"That's right. Then I'll add more. I'll also make a pork crackling soup later, with some vegetable leaves in it. It'll be very delicious."

"It's making my mouth water."

"Don't worry, old man. Our He family may not have anything else, but we definitely have enough food to treat our friends and relatives!"

"Generous."

…

"Old brother, how did you handle the wedding on your side?"

"We had one in Nanan. I guess my son-in-law said we'll have another one in the capital."

"That's good. Did you get everything you needed, like new clothes?"

Old He Tou waved his hand upon hearing this and said,

"My son-in-law wanted me to go, but I don't plan to. My son won't go either."

"Why?"

"The wedding was already held in our hometown, so there's no need to show our faces here."

"Is that because you're afraid of seeing people's faces?"

"Not really."

"Your daughter won't let you go, old brother?"

"How could that be? I'm just too lazy to join in the fun. Each family has its own way of life.

I plan to go to other butcher shops in the capital in a few days to take a look, and then take my son to the various farms outside the capital.

If the business is good, I might go back to my old trade in a while. Sigh, I've been slaughtering pigs for most of my life. You know, not holding that pig-slaughtering knife for so many days makes me feel empty inside."

"It's like a general taking off his armor, not used to it."

"Oh, oh, oh, don't say that, don't say that. I'm just a pig slaughterer, how can I compare to a great general?"

"Everyone in the world has their own job. Only when everyone does their job can our Dayan become better and better. There's no distinction between high and low."

"Old brother, you're right. When I was a kid, I heard the old people say that when the barbarians invaded, they burned, killed, and looted. His Majesty personally led the expedition, and all of us, old and young, no matter what we used to do, took up our weapons and followed His Majesty's army to fight the barbarians.

Those years were much worse than now. Even our Dayan emperor would die in battle.

Now it's better. The barbarians don't dare to come in, the Jin people have been defeated, and we're not afraid of the Chu and Qian countries.

As long as there are no wars now, our people can live peacefully."

"Are the people not living well?" the middle-aged man asked.

"Old brother, I don't know about others, but in the past two years, my pork hasn't been selling as well as before. If the people were living well, I should be selling more meat in my shop.

What kind of good life is it if the people can't even afford to buy pork?"

The middle-aged man nodded and said, "That's true."

However,

soon,

the middle-aged man said again:

"Old brother, some things can't be seen only in the present. You also know that when our Yan country fought the barbarians hundreds of years ago, it was very difficult.

Now, it's true that the Jin people have been defeated by us, and the Qian and Chu people have also been beaten by our Yan people.

It's fine now.

But what about ten years, twenty years, thirty years, fifty years, two generations later?

What about when our emperor passes away? I……"

Old He Tou immediately jumped up in fright, covered the middle-aged man's mouth, and whispered:

"Oh, old brother, what are you saying? What are you saying? This is the capital! Do you want to die!"

The middle-aged man signaled that he understood.

Old He Tou released his hand and sat back down.

Immediately afterward,

the middle-aged man said again:

"The Qian country has vast lands and abundant resources, and has more people than our Yan people. The Chu country is also a large country. Even the barbarians in the desert, don't think they're honest now, but who knows what will happen in the future?

What if one day, the Zhenbei Duke is gone, the Jingnan Marquis is also gone, and His Majesty… is also gone? Our generation is also gone.

Will we still be able to suppress the barbarians, the Qian, and the Chu people at that time?

To put it bluntly, even the Jin people will rise up and cause trouble!

While our generation can still fight and win, we have to seize the opportunity and clean them all up, so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy their blessings in the future."

"Old brother, what you said makes a lot of sense."

"Is that how it is?"

"Yes, that's how it is! It's like my two neighbors before, one surnamed Sun and one surnamed Zhou. The one surnamed Sun bullied the orphaned widow of the one surnamed Zhou, and then more than ten years later, when the one surnamed Zhou grew up and the one surnamed Sun was old, wasn't he taken care of?

Now the Qian, Chu, barbarians and Jin people are being bullied by us, and they hate us. We can't give them this chance."

"Yes, we can't give them the chance." The middle-aged man said decisively.

"Dad, landlord, the food is ready."

…

Two wooden square stools were placed in the yard, and four people sat on small benches and started eating.

The old servant didn't drink alcohol,

so Old He Tou poured it for himself and the middle-aged man,

and the two of them toasted together.

"Come on, old brother, let's have a drink!"

"Alright, let's have a drink."

The meal

was very enjoyable.

The middle-aged man got up to say goodbye, and the somewhat drunk Old He Tou shouted for him to come often and saw him out the door.

After leaving the door,

he passed the corner of the street.

The old servant slowly tore off the human skin mask on his face, and whispered:

"Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince arrived long ago. Perhaps he sensed the Secret Intelligence Division personnel that this servant arranged nearby, so he sat in that carriage and didn't come over."

The Yan Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly.

At this moment,

the curtain of the carriage was lifted,

Ji Chengjue jumped out of the carriage, walked to the Yan Emperor, and knelt down.

"Your son greets Father Emperor."

The Yan Emperor looked at his son kneeling in front of him,

and said:

"Couldn't you pretend you didn't know anything and come in to have a meal with Father Emperor?"

Pretend not to notice the Secret Intelligence Division experts on the periphery,

pretend not to know anything,

pretend to just be worried that your father-in-law rushed over and then rushed into that house,

and show a surprised expression when you saw me sitting there eating and drinking;

then pretend not to recognize me, sit down, and have a meal.

How interesting,

and how warm,

you can do it,

and you know how to do it,

why do you deliberately not do it?

I am going on a private visit today, so there is no need to stand on ceremony.

You clearly know what I'm thinking,

as the ruler of a country, I wanted to mingle with the people today, to be an ordinary person for a while, to feel the taste of a normal family,

but you deliberately,

don't satisfy me!

The communication between the father and son was always so concise, as if there was no need to say much.

The Yan Emperor asked simply,

and the Sixth Prince's reply

was even simpler,

only to hear the Sixth Prince slowly raise his head, look at his father,

and answer:

"Tiring."

"Wretch."

The Yan Emperor raised his foot,

and kicked his son, who was kneeling in front of him, directly,

Ji Chengjue was kicked over,

and then quickly got up and knelt down again,

on his face, there was a clear boot print, and the corner of his mouth was also broken.

Ji Chengjue took out two folders from his sleeve,

and handed them over his head,

"Your son presents the regulations on the new coin minting and the trial implementation of official bank notes in Dayan, please review them, Father Emperor."

Silence,

silence,

silence;

for a long time,

"Do you really think that I'm reluctant to depose you, so you have the confidence to be unscrupulous in front of me?"

"Your son wouldn't dare, your son is terrified."

Silence,

silence,

silence;

again for a long time,

"Tomorrow, instruct the Ministry of Rites to announce the marriage of the Sixth Prince of Dayan."

Ji Chengjue knelt down,

his forehead resting on the cold bluestone:

"Your son, thanks Father Emperor for his great grace!"