HLnovel Chapter 221 Soaring Reputation
Chapter 221 Soaring Reputation
Meng Fuqing was not actually sure whether the groundwork laid in recent days would be enough to persuade the refugees to abandon their uprising without firing a single shot.
If the leader of the refugees hadn't been fooled by her, or if his ambitions had been any greater, things wouldn't have been resolved so easily.
If that doesn't work, using force is also an option, since Xiao Linyuan's Imperial Guards are not to be underestimated.
According to the information secretly sent by Yan He three days ago, Wu Xin was recruiting soldiers in the north and trading with the Hu people to buy warhorses. With his troops ready, he wanted to send troops after learning that the emperor had suddenly fallen ill. However, due to the large-scale cold wave in the north that lasted for several days, he was unable to march and had to wait for the right opportunity.
Upon learning that Meng Fuqing's reputation in the capital was growing, he finally couldn't sit still any longer. In just a few days, Wu Xin would lead a large army to attack the capital. Before Xie Jin's troops arrived, it would be impossible to defend the capital without enough manpower.
Just as he was pondering what to do next, he suddenly heard Xiao Linyuan behind him speak, "Can the cold wave really recede within three days?"
Meng Fuqing didn't know when the cold wave would recede. She was worried if it took less than three days, but more than three days was too long, and the refugees might not be able to wait. She already held real power, and the rest was up to fate.
Uncertainty lingered in his heart, but his expression remained calm. "Commander Xiao, you just need to wait and see."
After speaking, she took one last look at the tents that were being hastily erected outside the city and was about to go downstairs when Xiao Linyuan stopped her.
"Although the Imperial Preceptor is a high-ranking monk, his moral character is flawed. I would like to remind you, sir, not to trust him too much."
Hearing him address himself as "My Lord" while referring to himself as "Your humble servant," Meng Fuqing didn't find it awkward. She was the one who decided on the title "My Lord," since she was currently only the Regent.
Meng Fuqing paused, turned around and looked at him. She had fought with this General Xiao when she stole from the national treasury, but she hadn't taken action against him because she had heard some rumors at the time.
Later, she inquired about this person from Kumarajiva and learned that those rumors were not unfounded.
The ancestors of the Xiao and Wei families followed the founding emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty to conquer the Great Yan empire and were the most trusted by the royal family. The Xiao family, as their ancestors had promised, has stood by the emperor's side generation after generation.
Unfortunately, a small leak can sink a great ship, and this trust was eventually eroded little by little.
Back then, Xiao Linyuan and Cui Jichu were a perfect match, and their families were in love. They originally intended to arrange a marriage between them, but Wen Du came between them.
When Wen Du confessed his feelings to Cui Jichu, they were caught in the act. For the sake of Cui Jichu's reputation, Wen Du "had no choice" but to ask the late emperor to arrange a marriage between the two.
How could the Cui family refuse an imperial marriage arranged by the emperor?
Unfortunately, Xiao Linyuan was on good terms with Wen Du at the time, and Wen Du was well aware of Xiao Linyuan's feelings. After the incident, his explanation to Xiao Linyuan was that he couldn't help himself and didn't expect to be seen by others.
Afterwards, Cui Jichu became Empress, and Xiao Linyuan became the Commander of the Imperial Guards. The vast and deep palace confined the two of them.
Another matter was the death of General Wei.
The Wei and Xiao families have always been on good terms. After General Wei was injured, Xiao Linyuan went to the Wei residence to visit him, only to find that the old man, who had devoted half his life to the Great Yan, was hanging on by his last breath, as thin as a skeleton.
With General Wei dead, the Hu people might make a comeback, and the situation would certainly be unstable.
The art of hanging oneself is a strange method brought by Kumarajiva from the Western Regions. Without the emperor's approval, it would certainly not be used on the Duke of Wei, who had spent half his life on the battlefield.
The rabbit mourns the fox's death. Even if Meng Fuqing hadn't approached Xiao Linyuan, Xiao Linyuan wouldn't have stood by and let the Xiao family become a stepping stone for the Great Yan Dynasty to prolong its life.
"Thank you for the reminder, Commander Xiao. I do know the principle of trusting those you employ and not employing those you don't trust."
After speaking, she turned to leave, but happened to run into Kumārajīva who had come looking for her.
Kumo remained expressionless, clasped his hands together, and bowed to Meng Fuqing. "My lord, I have just performed a divination. The disaster of the refugees has just subsided, but war is about to break out again. It would be best if you could discuss countermeasures with your court officials as soon as possible."
Meng Fuqing looked at him approvingly, "The Grand Preceptor's Taoist cultivation is truly unfathomable, the only one I have ever seen in my life."
"Your Excellency, you are so complimentary."
The two left one after the other. Xiao Linyuan watched their backs and frowned involuntarily, feeling that Meng Fuqing was still too young.
Unexpectedly, news of the Imperial Preceptor's passing came the very next day.
Xiao Linyuan saw Meng Fuqing again in the Imperial Study.
After exchanging greetings, he hesitated before speaking, "The Imperial Preceptor..."
"The death of the Imperial Preceptor was truly sudden, but according to the young novice monk beside him, the Imperial Preceptor was peaceful before he passed away. He had cultivated for many years and had now achieved perfection, which is what every cultivator aspires to throughout their lives."
Xiao Linyuan had a feeling that Kumo's death was not simple, but he didn't say much. "You're right, sir."
Meng Fuqing was able to find Kumārajīva, so he must know a lot about him.
She first overheard someone in a teahouse saying that after the world fell into chaos, many children in the capital went missing, but she only heard it briefly and didn't take it to heart.
Later, she found the story of Yang Ren and Kumo's collusion in the study of the Yang family mansion. Yang Ren had a fondness for children, and Kumo used the blood of young boys and girls to refine elixirs in pursuit of immortality. The two hit it off and became accomplices, their hands stained with the blood of countless children.
"I would be grateful if Commander Xiao could lead a search of the Imperial Preceptor's residence. After all, he is a person highly valued by His Majesty, and it would be disastrous if any secrets were leaked. What do you think, Commander Xiao?"
Seeing this, Xiao Linyuan felt even more shocked. Meng Fuqing clearly knew what Kumo had done, and it was even highly likely that Kumo's death was caused by Meng Fuqing.
Recalling how several officials had publicly rebuked Meng Fuqing for his obvious ulterior motives, it now seemed that such behavior was clearly courting death.
Meng Fuqing could use the tactic of taking advantage of someone and then settling accounts later, and she could certainly use it on others as well.
"Your Excellency's idea is very thoughtful. I will take care of it immediately."
Seeing him turn to leave, Meng Fuqing called out to stop him.
"By the way, the Empress is ill. Does Commander Xiao know?"
For a moment, Xiao Linyuan's expression showed anxiety. He restrained himself and asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, is Her Majesty the Empress seriously ill? Has she been seen by the imperial physician?"
"Commander Xiao, why don't you go and see for yourself? Since you've promised, what if the Empress doesn't want to reconcile with you after she regains her freedom? Wouldn't you have wasted your time?" Meng Fuqing's tone was teasing and amused.
This man was a tough nut to crack. If she hadn't promised to set Cui Jichu free after the deed was done, he wouldn't have been so obediently at her beck and call.
"...This humble general had no such intention."
"I see." Meng Fuqing said in realization. "Commander Xiao, don't worry, I will pass on the message to Her Majesty the Empress."
Xiao Linyuan: ...
Before the three-day deadline had passed, the cold wave had already receded, the gloomy sky had cleared up, and the weather was getting warmer day by day.
The refugees and the people in the capital were all astonished by this, and they became even more convinced that Meng Fuqing was a goddess who had come to save the world. In an instant, Meng Fuqing's reputation soared.
However, the good times didn't last long. When news reached the capital that Wu Xin was about to arrive in Shengjing with an army of 100,000, everyone was in a state of panic.
Some commoners even knelt outside the palace for a long time, and the imperial guards tried to drive them away, but Meng Fuqing stopped them.
When asked why, she learned that these people were praying to her, praying that there would be no more war.
Meng Fuqing spoke up at the opportune moment to reassure the people, "You can rest assured, my lord, I will not allow any treacherous officials to set foot in Shengjing!"
Her words were spoken with absolute certainty, but little did people know that she had contributed to this disaster.
The common people were naturally unaware of the inside story. They were flattered by Meng Fuqing's approachable manner and, after being comforted, kept kneeling and kowtowing.
"Thank you, Lord Meng. May the goddess live on for a thousand generations and prosper forever!"
Meng Fuqing's face stiffened for a moment before he hurriedly left.