Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 921 - 896: Behind
Xie Jue went to find Chen Gui. Chen Gui was the leader of the current generation of the Chen Family in Zhongzhou. During the last upheaval in Zhongzhou, Xie Xun suppressed the rebellion, and General Chen died in battle for the Yuwen Family, saving Chen Gui. Now, Chen Gui has retired, holding only a nominal position without real power. After Zhou Buyan came to Zhongzhou, he further cleaned up the Chen Family’s influence, causing some turmoil in Zhongzhou. Although the Chen Family is extinct, their influence runs deep. They’ve been in Zhongzhou for many years, with complex marital ties intertwined. Xie Xun couldn’t possibly remove all officials in Zhongzhou. Among these officials, whether civil or military, all have marital ties to the Chen Family. They also know that Zhongzhou was the Yuwen Family’s territory, hence they aren’t valued by Xie Xun, and they increasingly banded together, causing considerable trouble for Zhou Buyan and others.
Zhou Buyan also mentioned the Chen Family’s matter to Xie Jue, which is why Xie Jue went to find Chen Gui. Chen Gui was very surprised; he, of course, had also heard rumors about Xie Jue and Fang Chuning. Recently, some people said they saw Fang Chuning in Zhongzhou City. Fang Chuning was a known face in Zhongzhou, though Chen Gui wasn’t sure if it was true. He used to have a decent friendship with Fang Chuning, often drinking together, as drinking buddies. He was also very righteous towards Fang Chuning, helping him establish a foothold in Zhongzhou. It was only later, when Fang Chuning turned to the Xie brothers, that they cut ties.
"Your Highness graces my humble abode; I don’t know what instructions you have. Our Chen Family has long since declined in Zhongzhou and is no longer a threat to you or the emperor. Nowadays, the Chen Family is sparse, only wanting peaceful days. The court’s open and hidden struggles have nothing to do with us, and we don’t wish to be involved. I hope Your Highness understands and doesn’t drag us into the complicated situation."
Xie Jue said, "The situation in Zhongzhou isn’t complicated. Your grandfather, father, and uncle were all loyal to the Yuwen Family. The Yuwen Family is no longer the ruler of the world and has no chance of a comeback. The emperor can even accept Gudu Jing of the Beiman, so why would he reject your Chen Family’s allegiance? I came to you to give you an opportunity, the only opportunity for the Chen Family. Neither I nor the emperor intends to suppress the Chen Family. The Chen Family is deeply rooted in Zhongzhou. I hope you can take up the role of governor of Zhongzhou and work with Zhou Buyan to rebuild Zhongzhou. After the war, Zhongzhou has gradually declined, and its development lags behind West State. In West State, local people and Beiman live together, and even they develop better than Zhongzhou. You’ve been in Zhongzhou for many years; I suppose you don’t want to see Zhongzhou declining from prosperity to decay. If you’re willing to help Zhou Buyan, I’ll let bygones be bygones. Our past grievances will be written off. We are all for the people’s peace and happiness."
Smart people grasp things quickly, and Chen Gui chuckled, "Your Highness, you finally realized that neither Zhou Buyan nor any of the generals from Ningzhou can manage Zhongzhou well. Unless the emperor completely replaces the Zhongzhou officials, but the north is still unstable, and the emperor can’t afford to waste time, effort, and money. As long as there’s no chaos in Zhongzhou’s fortress, that’s good enough. Whether it returns to past prosperity, you don’t care. Zhongzhou is underdeveloped; you have finally seen Zhongzhou’s plight and now seek reconciliation with me?"
Xie Jue said calmly, "Reconciliation isn’t the right term. The emperor indeed cannot completely replace Zhongzhou officials. Your Chen Family’s marital connections in Zhongzhou are complex, officials protect each other. New policies are easier to implement in Jiangnan than in Zhongzhou, precisely because your Chen Family has obstructed and dragged its feet. You’ve forced me and the emperor to reassess the Chen Family’s importance in Zhongzhou. Yes, I noticed Zhongzhou has lost its past prosperity and would indeed become desolate if this continued. I have some solutions. In this world, the most reliable bond isn’t blood or marriage, but interest. As long as the interest is attractive enough, I can break them down one by one, just requiring a little effort; these matters are easy for me to handle. However, I see no need for it. Your loyalty to the Yuwen Family wasn’t wrong back then; the Yuwen Family was the rightful authority. Your loyalty is understandable. Your Chen Family has been in Zhongzhou for so many years; if not meritorious in achievements, you’ve at least endured hardships. As long as you’re willing to change your heart and be loyal to the people, we can let bygones be bygones. All the trouble you’ve made is just to negotiate terms with me, isn’t it? My coming here is your only chance. If the emperor gives the order, the terms would be different."
Chen Gui’s expression slightly changed. Xie Jue was indeed a sly old fox. In this treacherous situation, Xie Jue would undoubtedly stand undefeated. He was never a match for Xie Jue.
During this time, he indeed felt unwilling.
The Chen Family was one of the foremost contributors of Yuwen Dynasty. Although not in court, their roots in Zhongzhou were very solid, directly managing the troops for the Yuwen Family, almost akin to the emperor’s guardians. They were not content to fall into decay after the Xie Family ascended, gradually becoming a minor noble house, which they would never agree to.
Thus, Chen Gui deliberately gathered marital relatives to slow down the new policy implementation in Zhongzhou. Yet, the capital consistently ignored the situation in Zhongzhou. He initially thought the Xie Family didn’t care about Zhongzhou’s status, so he gradually became disheartened. Unexpectedly, Xie Jue came and had always been aware of the situation in Zhongzhou City—and knew everything!
As Xie Jue said, this might be the only chance for the Chen Family.
"Your Highness, can you make the decisions? Can you bypass the emperor?"
"That depends on the terms you propose!"
...
When Xie Jue returned to the General Mansion, Fang Chuning and Zhou Buyan had not yet returned. Xie Jue asked Liujiang, "Where have they gone?"
"Your Highness, I do not know. I am on leave today and have not gone out." Liujiang was resting in the General Mansion, didn’t go to the barracks, and didn’t know where Zhou Buyan took Fang Chuning.
A young soldier said, "General Zhou took General Fang to the tower."
"What did they go to the tower for?"
The young soldier shook his head. He was part of the city defense, and when he returned from his shift, Fang Chuning was still on the tower. Thinking for a moment, Xie Jue went out to find him. The General Mansion was close to the city gate. When he climbed onto the city gate, Fang Chuning was still sitting on the wall looking towards Ningzhou. Xie Jue remembered that year when he first came to Zhongzhou, Fang Chuning had also taken him to the tower. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
He said, "Ting Feng, Zhongzhou and Ningzhou aren’t actually far apart, you know? In Zhongzhou City, it seems like I can see the smoke signals from Ningzhou. Every time the Beiman attacked, the smoke signals from Ningzhou would reach Salt City. The tower in Zhongzhou is high and offers a distant view. Every time I see the smoke, I wonder what Ting Feng is doing, whether he gets injured or worried when the Beiman attack, and if he’s again tirelessly researching strategies. How great it would be if I could be by his side. Every time the smoke rises, that’s when I miss you the most. I play your favorite tune on the city wall, hoping everything goes well for you in Ningzhou. Ting Feng, I have always been behind you."
Xie Jue had always remembered these words from Fang Chuning. Therefore, each time the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry went to battle, he was never afraid or hesitant. He knew someone was always observing from behind, giving him strength.
