The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 407 : Army Camp Inspection

Du Wenshu and his party waited for about a quarter of an hour before a man of about forty years of age came out from inside. This man was not wearing any armour or official uniform, just a long violet-coloured robe.

Huo Changqing looked at Du Wenshu and asked, “I assume you are Du Daren? I am Yun Qing’s uncle, Huo Changqing. This child, Yun Qing, is not good at dealing with people, so if he says anything unpleasant, please forgive him, Du Daren.”

Hearing these words, Du Wenshu responded, “So it’s Uncle Huo. This junior is ashamed to have Uncle Huo personally come to receive this junior.” Even if Huo Changqing didn’t have an official position, Du Wenshu still had to treat him with respect as far as this status was concerned. It was not impossible to say that this was the key person who could persuade Yun Qing.

Huo Changqing didn’t smile often and wouldn’t flatter. He only said, “You’re welcome, Du Daren. Just now, Yun Qing told me that Du Daren wanted to see the situation inside the military camp.”

Dun Wenshu nodded. “Last time, when the Crown Prince heard General Qin Zhao telling him how tough the life of the soldiers in the border city was, he took it seriously. This time, this humble official has been instructed to see what things are lacking for the soldiers. His Highness had also said that he would prefer that he and his hundred officials were the ones who suffered over the soldiers who shed their blood and laid down their lives to defend the country.” This statement meant that if the generals were having a hard time, the Crown Prince would definitely do his best to make life easier for them

Huo Changqing could not say that he was grateful to the Crown Prince for having the soldiers of the border city in his heart, so he said, “Please ask Du Daren to come with me.” After saying that, he took Du Wenshu to the training ground to look at the rudimentary equipment and then took Du Wenshu to where the soldiers were staying

Pointing to a white-washed quilt, Huo Changqing said, “This quilt has been used for five years, and it has long since become uncomfortable. In winter, it won’t warm the soldiers at all. They have no choice but to sleep together to keep each other warm.”

After saying this, he pointed to a soldier who followed him and said, “Take off the cotton-padded clothes you are wearing and show them to Du Daren.”

After coming out of the soldiers’ quarters, Huo Changqing took Du Wenshu to the stables and the kitchen. Huo Changqing pointed to the darkened wowotou and said, “Except for New Year’s eve, the soldiers can only eat meat on the eve of the Great War. Usually, they will fill themselves with these.” This meant that the soldiers’ lives could not be more miserable.

After visiting the barracks, Du Wenshu’s heart seemed to be weighing down a stone, and while holding this emotion, he asked, “Where is General Yun? Can I see him?”

Huo Changqing hesitated for a moment before replying, “Okay, then you can come with me!”

The place where General Yun stayed was also very humble. There was a map hanging on the wall facing the door. In addition to a long table and several chairs, there was a pot of burning coals in the room and nothing else.

Du Wenshu took it all in and said, “General Yun, I have something to say to you.” The meaning of these words was clear; the Crown Prince had a private message to pass on to him

Yun Qing waved his hand. Apart from Huo Changqing, all the others went out of the room. This habit had been influenced by Yuxi, who told people to withdraw without saying a word and with just a waved hand. It had to be noted that Yuxi’s influence over Yun Qing was very strong.

After everyone had left, Yun Qing said coldly, “If you have anything to say, just say it. I still have a bunch of things to deal with.” His attitude was the same as before, unchanging even for a little bit

Du Wenshu didn’t hide his words anymore and said, “General Yun, this time, the Crown Prince has specially instructed this humble official to come and visit General Yun.” Seeing Yun Qing did not say anything, Dun Wenshu continued, “General Yun, the Crown Prince knows that the previous incident has caused General Yun to be wronged. The Crown Prince was also unaware of this before and corrected the mistake as soon as he found out. The Crown Prince also promised that such a thing would never happen again.” This was said in a very vague way. The so-called ‘to be wronged’ refers to the fact that Yun Qing’s military service was outstanding but unable to be promoted because of the pressure from the Song family.

Hearing these words, Yun Qing remained calm and did not say anything. If he hadn’t received his Da Jiuge, knowing that it was Grand Chancellor Yu who pulled the strings to get him promoted despite the Song family’s obstruction, he would have really thought that it was the Crown Prince who had stepped in! As the heir to the throne, he didn’t speak truthfully and even took credit for something he didn’t do, showing others his disgraceful acts.

Du Wenshu had made the Crown Prince’s meaning clear and understandable. When he saw that Yun Qing still did not say anything, he got a little impatient and asked, “General, after all this humble official has said to the General, does the General have anything to say?”

Yun Qing raised his head, looked at Dun Wenshu and stated, “My duty is to guard Yu City and not let the northern barbarians cross half a step into the city.” His statement meant he would not get involved with other matters

At this time, Guo Xun called out from outside, “General, Yu Zhi has brought medicine over.” Since Yuxi knew that Yun Qing was ill, Yun Qing had been taking medicine three times a day, every day

Yun Qing responded coldly, “Bring it in!” In fact, now that Yuxi’s skill had improved from preparing this medicinal meal, the taste was already much better than before, but Yun Qing still didn’t like it

Hearing this conversation, Du Wenshu asked, “Is the General ill?” It looked like Yun Qing was alive and well. He did not seem ill at all.

Huo Changqing answered with a smile, “Yun Qing has insomnia, and it just so happens that Han Shi has studied pharmacology, so she made a medicinal meal for him to eat. After eating it for a while, his insomnia has eased quite a bit. Speaking of which, I have to thank His Majesty and Guifei Niangniang for granting him this marriage! Otherwise, Yun Qing wouldn’t have been able to marry such a virtuous wife.” Huo Changqing couldn’t be more satisfied with Yuxi

Du Wenshu smilingly said as his heart choked, “His Majesty is wise, and General Yun is so blessed.” Other than that, he really didn’t know how to respond. He knew that last year, Han Shi and Marquis Taining’s di second son was about to get married, but they withdrew their marriage a few days before the wedding. Although it was said that Han Shi was seriously ill and that their eight characters were incompatible, anyone with a discerning eye would know that there was something fishy going on here. Later, he also heard that the two had withdrawn from the marriage because Qinxin Gongzhu had taken a liking to Chen Ran. As to why Qinxin Gongzhu did not appoint Chen Ran as her fuma, he was unsure. But he clearly knew one thing: Song Guifei had bestowed the marriage that day with bad intentions.

Yun Qing looked up at Dun Wenshu and asked, “I wonder when Du Daren will go?”

Du Wenshu let out an ‘oh’ and replied, “I’ll be going out soon.” Usually, when one went to someone’s home to talk about something or be a guest, once one had to leave, one would always be served tea; this was what he experienced himself. This was the first time he had ever been kicked out directly.

Yun Qing explained, “What I mean is when will Du Daren return to the capital? After so many snowfalls in the twelfth lunar month of last year and the first month of this year, many of the cattle, sheep and horses outside of the Great Wall have frozen to death, and when spring starts, there will be a vicious battle. I would like to ask Du Daren to inform His Highness the Crown Prince about this matter in time.” In fact, the folded notebook had been submitted a long time ago, asking for money and food from the Ministry of War. This time, he deliberately told Dun Wenshu because he hoped that Dun Wenshu could return earlier. He didn’t have the patience to entertain Dun Wenshu any longer.

Hearing this explanation, Dun Wenshu said firmly, “This humble official will return to the capital as soon as possible and report this news to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Yun Qing thought to himself, by the time you return to the capital to report the news, I may have finished the battle here. However, Yun Qing didn’t say anything. Instead, he brought out the medicinal food made by Yuxi from the food box and took a mouthful while holding himself from crying. When the people next to him looked at him, they thought he was eating poison!

After leaving the barracks, Du Wenshu’s short attendant asked, “My lord, what is Yun Qing’s attitude?” Looking at Daren’s expression, he should not have been rejected

Du Wenshu didn’t answer the question. He only said, “We must rush back to the capital as soon as possible!” Yun Qing’s answer did not satisfy Du Wenshu, but he knew this was the best possible outcome

Yu Zhi brought the food box back to the mansion and told Yuxi, “Madam, that Du Wenshu, who claims to be an Imperial Envoy, has been wandering around Dingbei Army’s camp for a long time, visiting the training grounds, the stable, the soldiers’ quarter, the mess hall and so on. Uncle Huo said that Du Wenshu seems to be a man of words and that he might be useful.” This usefulness meant that they could get more money and material things

Yuxi smiled a little. If she hadn’t seen Dun Wenshu clearly, she wouldn’t have persuaded Yun Qing to say those words. She nodded her head and said, “That’s good. You have also worked hard. You can withdraw and rest!” Yu Zhi and two other guards would send medicinal meals to the barracks three times a day. There were two more guards accompanying Yu Zhi because Yuxi was worried that someone might try to make mischief on the way. Yuxi had previously told Guo Xun that if the three of them did not send the medicinal food to the barracks together, it should not be delivered to Yun Qing.

Not long after, Xu Wu came in and reported, “Madam, the Chief Steward of the Qin Residence went to the post station to ask for a meeting with Du Wenshu. After entering for a long time, he came out with a smile.” The post station was heavily guarded, so Xu Wu had not yet inquired what had happened at that time

Yuxi smiled. “The Crown Prince’s ability is pretty good.” This Du Wenshu who had come over this time was a person with two brushes. If Yun Qing hadn’t known about the Crown Prince’s background, he would have had a good feeling with Dun Wenshu as the go-between. On Qin Zhao’s side, it was clear that he had been appeased. It was a pity that the Crown Prince could not shake the Yu and Song families, the two great mountains.

Xu Wu said, “Madam, I will have someone continue to keep an eye on Du Wenshu’s movements.”

Yuxi nodded. “Alright. Come and tell me immediately if there are any new movements.” Qin Zhao definitely wanted to talk to Du Wenshu personally before he felt at ease

Xu Wu nodded for a moment, then went out.

Zijin watched Yuxi fall into deep thought and did not dare to call her for fear of disturbing her thoughts. She walked out and saw Mama Xi. Thinking of what Mama Xi had said earlier about pregnant women unable to concentrate. Zijin went over to Mama Xi and asked, “Mama, is it not good that Madam is constantly thinking about things?” Other pregnant women were all at ease and comfortably nurturing their children, but her Madam had never rested for a day since she had been pregnant

Mama Xi shook her head. “It’s fine to think about things once in a while, as long as it doesn’t overwhelm her. Don’t worry! I’ll be waiting in the courtyard. If anything goes wrong, I’ll remind her.” In other words, it had to be kept within certain limits. And Yuxi, for the time being, is still within that range.

Zijin nodded. “That’s good.”