RPAGF Chapter 237 Attitude
Chapter 237 Attitude
"Cough cough cough!" Yi Kuang, who had just lit a cigarette, was choked by the smoke upon hearing this and began to cough violently until his face turned red!
"Zhiyuan, please don't misunderstand! It's not surprising to hear such voices in the court; after all, there's never a shortage of scoundrels! The Empress Dowager has already punished them. Rest assured, the court absolutely trusts you!" Yikuang wiped his sweat and said firmly.
At this crucial moment, it's absolutely essential not to arouse Shen Lian's suspicion. Otherwise, it's all over! Not to mention the tens of thousands of troops currently disembarking. If Shen Lian were to turn back to Shandong in a fit of anger, the imperial court would be in complete chaos!
People all over the country, as well as envoys from various countries, are in the capital ready to watch the spectacle!
The imperial court also intended to use this opportunity to establish its authority, issuing an edict in advance requiring governors and viceroys from all regions to attend the ceremony in Beijing. All foreign envoys were also invited. What if Shen Lian didn't go?
That would be hilarious!
"Is that so?" Shen Lian asked with a half-smile.
“Absolutely! Don’t you believe me? I guarantee it with my own life. Zhiyuan, you will be absolutely safe on this trip! The court will not only not listen to slander and punish you, but will also prepare a grand ceremony for you.”
"Moreover, the imperial court is also planning to bestow upon you the title of a hereditary prince with an iron cap, with no possibility of change of rank. You will also receive a vast amount of land, fine silks and satins, various imperial treasures, jade artifacts, porcelain, and more!"
"The rewards are so generous, I'm envious! Hehe!" To dispel Shen Lian's concerns, Yi Kuang didn't bother to hide anything and revealed the court's rewards in advance.
"Then I thank the imperial court for its generous gift!" Shen Lian said, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.
"That's more like it! Zhiyuan, from now on I'll be in the imperial court, and you'll be in the provinces. If we join forces, what in this world can't we accomplish? Right? Hehe!" Yikuang finally breathed a sigh of relief, and his tone became more relaxed.
Shen Lian believed Yi Kuang was telling the truth; what bad intentions could he possibly have? He just wanted to use Yi Kuang's influence to make more money!
Unfortunately, Shen Lian no longer wanted to deal with him. This old man should just go home and eat his own food!
Despite his seemingly high position and great power, he had no real control over the Manchu nobles below him, especially those like Tie Liang who held military power. These people completely fooled him and his son, without them even realizing it.
After entering the city, Shen Lian declined Yi Kuang's welcome banquet, citing feeling unwell.
It's better to be careful! Shen Lian is afraid of death after all. If someone poisons the food and drink, he's finished!
Shen Lian stayed at the post station; he did not stay at the prefectural government office with Yi Kuang.
The guards took over all the security and drove away all bystanders. Even the kitchen was taken over by the cooks, and the cooks were sent home.
Several nearby blocks were placed under security!
After dark, Wang Kaiyun and Lai Fu disguised themselves as soldiers and quietly entered the post station.
"Your Highness, Young Master!" Both of them seemed quite excited upon seeing Shen Lian.
"You've worked hard! It's been so long, how is Mr. Wang's health?" Shen Lian waved his hand, gesturing for the two to sit down.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I can still eat and sleep well, and I can still live for a few more years. Hehe!" Wang Kaiyun stroked his beard and said with a smile.
Although Wang Kaiyun is already seventy-two years old, he would be considered an old man in any era.
But now Shen Lian has given him a chance to showcase his skills. The old man has experienced a second spring, full of energy every day, even more so than a young person.
“It’s all my fault! Sir is already over seventy years old and should be enjoying his retirement. Instead, he has to run around for my sake. I really can’t bear it.”
"But I have no one else I can trust to entrust with important matters, so I can only trouble you, sir! Please take good care of yourself, we still have many important things to do in the future!" Shen Lian said emotionally. He really couldn't do without his mastermind right now!
"Your Highness's kindness is beyond my ability to repay! I can only dedicate myself to serving Your Highness and use all my knowledge to contribute my humble efforts to Your Highness's great cause!"
The saying goes, "A scholar will die for one who understands him!" Wang Kaiyun spent his life working hard and even served as an official in the imperial court. Unfortunately, his official career failed, and he could only return to his hometown to write books and teach.
Although he had many talented disciples and his students were numerous, it was a pity that he had never been able to put his skills to use.
He once tried to persuade Zeng Guofan to become emperor, but was refused! He thought his life was over.
He never expected to be appreciated by Shen Lian in his old age. How could he not repay him with his life!
If he could help Shen Lian establish a new empire, then his life would be perfect.
Scholars value establishing virtue, merit, and words—the so-called "Three Imperishables"!
He believes he has already achieved enough in terms of words and virtue; all that's missing is to achieve merit!
If he could assist Shen Lian in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing a new empire, his achievements would be no less than those of the sages of the past, and he would surely leave a significant mark on history thousands of years from now.
This is what Wang Kaiyun truly pursues!
"How did things go?" Shen Lian took out a cigarette and offered one to each of them.
"Everything is ready! We're just waiting for Your Highness's order!" Wang Kaiyun said confidently.
The three of them then discussed every detail in detail for several hours. Wang Kaiyun was clearly more skilled at this kind of thing than Shen Lian, and his thinking was much more thorough!
He had anticipated and made arrangements for many things that Shen Lian had not noticed.
Shen Lian is now extremely grateful to have found such a strategist; otherwise, if he had acted on his own, he would have created countless troubles and left behind many hidden dangers.
Before dawn, the group finalized the details. The two then left under cover of night to return to the capital.
In the Qi Prince's Mansion in Quancheng, Princess Nie Xiaoqian had finished breakfast and was preparing to check the account books. The manor's businesses were growing, and although each had its own manager, she still needed to keep a close eye on them from time to time.
Now that the prince has returned to the country, she needs to make some preparations so that she can report the situation at home to Shen Lian.
"Your Highness, Commander Shen of the Seventh Division requests an audience!" Xiangtao, the personal maid, suddenly entered to report.
"Shen Xuewen! What's he doing here?" Nie Xiaoqian asked, somewhat puzzled. It was rare for ordinary military officers to meet with Nie Xiaoqian in private.
This Shen Xuewen is also Shen Lian's cousin. He used to serve as a regimental commander in the First Division under Shen Daowu.
Before the First Division went to fight against Japan, he was transferred to the Seventh Division as a brigade commander. The Seventh Division was stationed on the outskirts of the city and was responsible for guarding the security of the provincial capital.
"Let him in!" Nie Xiaoqian knew Shen Xuewen; they had met him twice before!
"Greetings, Your Highness!" Shen Xuewen stood at attention and saluted. Shen Lian had already abolished the kneeling ceremony in the army. No matter how high-ranking an officer was, a military salute was sufficient!
"Xuewen's here, no need to be so polite! Is there anything I can help you with?" Nie Xiaoqian waved her hand and asked with a faint smile.
"It's nothing serious! His Highness has just returned to the country, and there's been some unrest. The military has ordered increased security at the Prince's residence, so I've come to inform the Princess. It's best if she doesn't go out these next few days!" Shen Xuewen said solemnly.
(Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Since I'm still updating during the holiday, shouldn't you readers give me some encouragement? Hehe!)