RPAGF Chapter 89 is finally here!
Chapter 89 is finally here!
The three of them exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming. They understood the weight of the words "no upper limit" better than anyone else.
"However," Yin'e's tone suddenly became more serious, "you have to submit a progress report to me every month."
Write down clearly what you did, what you accomplished, what you failed to accomplish, what difficulties you encountered, and what your next steps are. If you can't write it down, draw a diagram.
I won't rush you, but I need to know what you're doing.
The three of them nodded in unison.
Yin'e turned around and looked at Yin De: "Yin De, clean up the courtyard where Batu stayed temporarily and give it to them to live in."
The study, workshop, and storeroom are all equipped. Whatever they need, you can provide it.
Yin De clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will take care of it immediately."
He turned around and waved to the three young men: "Come on, I'll show you around."
The three men bowed to Yin'e and followed Yin De out.
"Yin De." Yin'e's voice came from behind.
Yin De paused, turned around, and waved to the three people: "You guys wait outside for now."
The three men left, and the door was gently closed, leaving only Yin'e and Yin De in the study.
Yin'e stood up, walked up to Yin De, reached out and patted him on the shoulder.
"Uncle, thank you for your hard work these past few days. You've been running around non-stop, searching for so many people for me. I remember all of this."
Yin De was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head, looking somewhat embarrassed: "What are you saying, Tenth Master? This is my duty."
"One's duty is one's duty, and merit is merit."
Yin'e turned around, walked back behind his desk, took out a small blue cloth bag from the drawer, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Yin De.
"This is a reward for you."
Yin De opened the small bag, inside were several silver notes, with a considerable face value.
He quickly closed the small bag, stuffed it into his sleeve, knelt down, and kowtowed: "Thank you, Tenth Master."
"Get up." Yin'e waved his hand, picked up a folded piece of paper from the desk, and handed it to Yin De. "There is one more thing I need you to do."
Yin De stood up, took the paper, and unfolded it.
There was a cow drawn on the paper, with several circles on its body, and inside the circles were some pimple-like patterns.
"Tenth Master, what's this?"
Yin De stared at the picture for a long time.
His brows furrowed slowly, and his expression became somewhat unnatural.
"Cowpox is a type of smallpox found on cows. It is uncommon, but it does occur."
Go to the farms around Beijing and ask around. Look around and see if any of their cows have this growth. Write it down and tell me.
"Tenth Master, I have seen cattle when I led troops into battle, and my men have also raised cattle."
"But I've never seen anything like this on a cow before. What...you've drawn...?"
"Uncle, if you find it, it will be a great act of merit enough to build a temple and erect a monument for you," Yin'e said mysteriously.
"This stuff... can cure smallpox."
"Smallpox! Tenth Master, please don't take advantage of me..." Yin Degang began to joke, but seeing the Tenth Master's serious expression, he immediately stopped.
Yin'e nodded and continued, "Treat it as a serious matter."
Yin De quickly folded the paper, stuffed it into his sleeve, and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "This servant understands. This servant will take care of it immediately."
He turned around, opened the door, and went out.
Yin'e stretched his body, turned over, and the bamboo chair made a slight creaking sound.
Just as he was drifting off to sleep, footsteps sounded in the courtyard again.
This time he was alone, his steps were hurried and short, as if he were jogging.
"Tenth Master." Fuquan's voice came from outside the door.
Yin'e opened his eyes and called out towards the door, "Come in."
The door was pushed open, and Fuquan jogged in: "Tenth Master, someone from Eighth Master's residence has come and says they want to see you there; they have important matters to discuss."
Yin'e frowned slightly.
Did Lao Ba invite him?
The incident at Juxianju has just passed, and the turmoil in the court has not yet completely subsided. Why did the Eighth Prince summon him at this time?
Is this a follow-up to the Crown Prince's affair, or something else entirely?
"What did you say?" he asked.
Fuquan shook his head: "No, the person who came was a stranger and didn't say much. He just said, 'Eighth Master invites Tenth Master to his residence for a chat,' and didn't say anything else."
Yin'e remained silent for a moment. The Eighth Prince never did anything without a reason.
He must have asked me to go; there must be something he needs to do.
"Prepare the sedan chair." He stood up, straightened his clothes, and strode towards the door.
Fu Quan responded and dashed out.
The sedan chair was quickly prepared, and Yin'e got into it. The sedan chair bearers lifted the chair and started walking towards Tieshizi Hutong.
All the way, he kept thinking about what Lao Ba wanted to see him about.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Or is it just a simple chat?
How should he deal with this?
The sedan chair stopped in front of the Eighth Prince's mansion.
Fuquan lifted the sedan curtain, and Yin'e bent down and crawled out.
The gatekeeper was already waiting at the door, bowing and smiling broadly: "Tenth Master has arrived. Eighth Master is waiting in the backyard. Please come in."
Yin'e nodded, followed the gatekeeper through the front yard, around the screen wall, through the hanging flower gate, and along the covered walkway toward the back yard.
The lanterns on both sides of the covered walkway had not yet been lit, hanging bare on the pillars, looking somewhat lonely in the afternoon sun.
The cicadas in the yard chirped even louder, one after another, as if they were having a contest to see who could make the loudest sound.
As soon as I stepped into the backyard, a burst of laughter and chatter came from inside.
Some people were talking, some were laughing, their voices rising and falling, all mixed together.
Upon hearing those sounds, Yin'e suddenly paused.
He heard a voice, loud and rough.
He recognized that voice all too well.
A smile slowly spread across his face, and he quickened his pace.
"Fourteenth Brother!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, "You're finally back! Your tenth brother has missed you so much!"
The study door was pushed open from the inside.
A tall figure appeared at the doorway, backlit, so his face was obscured, but his imposing presence was undeniable.
With broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs, he looks like a tall and straight pine tree just by standing there.
He had a big smile on his face, so big that it revealed two rows of white teeth, and his eyes were narrowed into slits.
"Tenth Brother! I miss you too!"
He strode out, opened his arms, and went to greet Yin'e.
Yin'e also opened his arms, and the two hugged each other tightly, patting each other's backs.
Lao Ba stood at the door, watching this scene with a gentle smile on his lips.
Yin'e released the fourteenth prince, took a step back, and looked him up and down.
"You've lost weight," Yin'e patted his shoulder. "You've gotten darker."
"The sun is scorching in Huguang," the fourteenth brother grinned. "When you're on official business, it's nothing like being at home."
"Go inside and talk, go inside and talk," came Lao Ba's voice from behind.
Several people filed in and entered the study.
A servant brought in a tea tray, poured a cup of tea for everyone, and then left.
The fourteenth prince picked up his teacup, took a big gulp, put it down, and wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Eighth Brother, Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother, your younger brother has accomplished something great in Huguang this time."