The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 383 : Secret Letter (2)

When Yun Qing entered the house, he saw Yuxi working on the skins. At this point, he would not persuade Yuxi not to strain herself, for it would be useless. At any rate, Yuxi had a sense of propriety, so there was no need to waste his breath to keep reminding her.

When Yuxi saw Yun Qing, she stood up with a smile and asked, “Why is Husband returning so early today?” There should be many things for her husband to do, especially during winter.

Yun Qing replied, “There is nothing today. When I entered, I heard Xu Daniu say that Mother-in-law had sent something over?”

Yuxi nodded. “Mother sent some skins and medicinal herbs, which are enough for me to use for a long time! Oh, by the way, I was worried that there were no good skins to make clothes before, but now these skins just come in handy. Oh, that’s right, I heard that there are a lot of good skins in the West Sea. Why don’t we ask someone to go there next year and take a look? Let’s buy more things.” It was not that there were no good things here in Yu City, but the prices were too high. Yuxi felt that it was not cost-effective, so she might as well have someone go over there to buy them!

Yun Qing responded, “There’s no need to buy more. There are already enough for us to wear.” Yuxi had already made him two overcoats, and with the addition of a cloak, he would have three new clothes. Thus, he wouldn’t have to prepare new ones for another three years.

Yuxi glanced at Yun Qing before saying, “I am planning to have someone go to the West Sea to buy more good skins to make big woollen clothes for Guo Xuan, Yu Cong and the others. It’s hard for them to follow you through wind and rain!” Yun Qing was already a big man but still very careless about these things. But Yuxi knew that although these were not important, they were beneficial. For example, she had given new clothes to the guards in the mansion and the people around Yun Qing this time. The clothes might not be worth much, and many of them did not lack money, but this act warmed their hearts!

Hearing these words, Yun Qing naturally wouldn’t object anymore. “Thank you for your hard work.” It was not as if Yun Qing didn’t have any overcoats, but they were all bought from the shop. Guo Xun and the others also had two-piece clothes. It was just that the clothes they purchased outside were not only expensive but not as good as homemade ones.

This kind of thing was supposed to be done by the inner courtyard’s women, and to say it was troublesome was out of the question. But Yuxi was very happy to hear Yun Qing’s words. She said, “I’m glad I can share some of your burdens, and I don’t feel it is hard work.”

A smile appeared on Yun Qing’s face as he asked, “Just now, I heard Xu Wu say that you’ve sent several boxes of medicinal herbs to the military camp?”

Yuxi smilingly answered, “Those big boxes of medicinal herbs were bought by Er Ge, and they are not for me.” After saying that, she talked to Yun Qing about the current pattern of the capital and said, “Dage also had someone especially tell me something.”

When Yun Qing looked at Yuxi, he knew it was not a trivial matter. “What is it?”

Yuxi said, “The Yu family wants to rope you in. He Rui, what do you think?” When she told Huo Changqing about this matter, he first asked her to hide it from Yun Qing. But Yuxi disagreed with Huo Changqing’s approach. Not that she thought the way he handled things was wrong, but there were some things Huo Changqing could do but she could not do. If this became the reason for a rift between them, husband and wife, she did not want to go along with it.

Yun Qing was not stupid. How could he not know the Yu family’s intentions? “Yu family is not a good people either. They’re eight liang of one jin and half of one jin with the Song family.” The Yu family only drew him in because they wanted to control the northwest military power. The Yu family’s disciples and former subordinates were all over the world and were very powerful. If they were allowed to gain military power under such circumstances, wouldn’t the world be in chaos?

Yuxi did not expect Yun Qing to have such an enormous prejudice against the Yu family. She thought for a while and said, “The Yu family is indeed not a group of good people, but since they have thrown an olive branch, we have to accept it. The Song family is our sworn enemy, and if we also offend the Yu family, we will be in a tough position. Not to mention taking our revenge, they can kill even us at any time.” After saying that, she gently stroked her belly. Yuxi didn’t say anything, but it seemed as if she had told him everything.

There was a struggle in Yun Qing’s eyes as he looked at Yuxi’s bulging belly. If it were before, he would definitely not cooperate with the Yu family, but it was different now. He had a family and was no longer alone. Therefore, he could not be as carefree as before. To protect his wife and children, he must do some things properly. Yun Qing said, “If we cooperate with the Yu family, I am afraid we will be under their control at that time.” How could they associate themselves with these civil officials, who knew nothing about warfare except being a slick talker? Of course, these civil servants were also the ones who would drag their feet when there was war.

Yuxi nodded. “Yu family’s purpose of cooperating with us is to control the northwest 100,000 troops. However, if they want to control the northwest military power, it also depends on whether they can do so.” The Yu family might have thought this cooperation was an excellent idea, but the northern soldiers were not baozi, for the other party to treat them any way they wanted.

Yun Qing was silent for half a second before saying, “I’ll discuss with Uncle Huo first.”

When Yun Qing left, Yuxi let out a sigh of relief. It was good that he was willing to compromise. Otherwise, she would be worried to death. Cooperation with the Yu family was necessary, or they would be in a dire situation.

Huo Changqing’s answer was also very simple, that was to cooperate. “Your current situation is unlike the past. You were alone before, so you could right away refuse this offer. But now it’s different. You have a family, so you can’t just offend everyone. Otherwise, Han Shi and your child will be in danger.” Therefore, one’s wife and children could be considered a burden. Of course, it was a burden that one was happy to have.

Yun Qing still made the same argument as before. “I’m worried about being suppressed by the Yu family.” The Song family had chained down Qin Zhao, so Qin Zhao wanted to take refuge in the Crown Prince because the Crown Prince was in a more favourable position than the Song family.

Huo Changqing assured him, “Don’t worry about that. Those Yu family people are good at playing tricks and scheming, but they know nothing about fighting on the battlefield. Otherwise, they would not have chosen to cooperate with us. Moreover, the northwest is thousands of miles away from the capital. There are so many things that they can’t do as they wish.” Huo Changqing intended to side with the Yu family first to solve their problem with Qin Zhao so that Yun Qing could take control of the northwest and slowly expand his power afterwards. It was just that he also knew how Yun Qing’s nature was. He would definitely be unwilling to kill Qin Zhao; hence, this matter had to be settled by Huo Changqing himself.

Yun Qing nodded. “Alright.”

Huo Changqing asked, “Did Han Shi say anything else besides the Yu family’s cooperation?” There was no telling what the political landscape in the capital had become right now.

Yun Qing nodded again. “After the Ninth Prince was installed as the Crown Prince, he wanted to promote his close associates but was unanimously opposed by the Yu and Song families.” The Crown Prince wanted to insert his people into important departments such as the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. But how could the Yu family and the Song family agree to this? In the end, the matter was settled with the Crown Prince’s concession.

Huo Changqing was not even surprised. “The Imperial Court nowadays has been under the Song family and the Yu family’s control. It will be difficult for the Crown Prince to seize power completely.” This also proved that working hand in hand with the Yu family was the right thing to do. A noob translator, きつね translated this noob translation.

Yun Qing also had his worries. “Uncle Huo, if the Song and Yu families are not eliminated, even if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will only be a puppet. At that time, the world will surely be in chaos. The people and soldiers guarding the country will suffer when that happens.”

Huo Changqing looked at Yun Qing and expressed his agreement. “You’re right. So we should take advantage in building our strength while the world is still pretty peaceful.” They would no longer be under anyone’s control when that time came.

Yun Qing’s thoughts were complicated.

Huo Changqing said, “Don’t think much about anything else. Your main duty right now is accumulating more military achievements and establishing enough merits to take full command of the Northwest Army.”

A soldier who didn’t want to be a marshal was not a good soldier. Not to mention that Yun Qing was capable and could do so. Yun Qing had no intention of getting Qin Zhao killed, but he was determined to win the Northwest Army’s Marshal position. Hearing these words, Yun Qing nodded heavily. “Don’t worry, Uncle Huo. I will definitely become the Marshal.”

Huo Changqing murmured his assent to Yun Qing’s vow and added, “By collaborating with the Yu family, the Song family will no longer be able to suppress you. The time for you to take command of 100,000 troops in the northwest is just around the corner. I believe the Old Man can finally rest peacefully down in the Nine Springs.”

Speaking of Old Master Yun, Yun Qing turned gloomy.

Huo Changqing patted Yun Qing’s shoulder and said, “Don’t think so much. You should return to the backyard.” No one knew better than Huo Changqing how difficult it had been for Yun Qing to come this far. How many times had he teetered on the brink of death, where he had to grit his teeth and drink his own blood each time just to survive? However, he finally overcame every hardship and would surely get even better in the future.

Looking at Yun Qing’s sour expression, Yuxi softly asked, “What’s wrong?” Huo Changqing shouldn’t have said anything unpleasant, right?

Yun Qing shook his head. “Nothing.”

Seeing his reaction, Yuxi didn’t continue asking questions but said with a smile, “I just had Mama Bai wrap lamb dumplings for you. You should eat more tonight.”

Yun Qing gave a brief nod.

Yuxi didn’t care about Yun Qing’s cold attitude but continued speaking. “Zijin told me earlier that she wanted to give two jin of meat, two packs of candies, and two boxes of snacks to the school children’s families for New Year. He Rui, what do you think of her idea?”

Yun Qing shook his head. “That’s not right. If she wants to give them all away for the New Year, she shouldn’t just give them to the school children’s families. Oh, by the way, do you only run this school this year or every year from now on?”

Yuxi smiled and asked, “What does Husband have in mind?”

Yun Qing answered, “When I picked you up that day, I also went in to have a look. It is good that these children can not only learn to read and write but also practice martial arts to keep fit. If it is possible, let’s keep it going! If you don’t have enough money, you can just get it from the public account.”

Yuxi smiled and said, “Okay. It will be much easier to manage next year. He Rui, I want to pick out some children from the school to train them further. What do you think?” Although these children were currently young, they would surely become outstanding in a decade or so. Even if Yun Qing couldn’t use them then, he could still leave them to his son.

Yun Qing nodded. “If you think it’s good, you can just do it!” As long as it’s not something terrible, he wouldn’t stop her. Furthermore, how could he even oppose such a good thing?

Yuxi deliberately chatted with Yun Qing about family matters for half a shichen, and the effect was noticeable; Yun Qing was in a much better mood.

When Yuxi saw this, she smiled and said, “The meal is ready. Let’s eat!”

They had a rich dinner, with fish and meat, two vegetable dishes and a soup, plus a bowl of lamb dumplings. Yun Qing ate very well.