Half an hour ago, Jiang Yun and Shi Fang poured a whole bag of rice brought back from the Fan’s house onto the ground. As expected, the rice was mixed with a lot of white powder and a few scattered black fragments.
Jiang Yun picked up a grain of rice and smelled it, there was no flavor.
This colorless and tasteless powder, which is extremely similar in color to rice grains, can easily be treated as impurities left over during the rice pounding process when mixed into the rice.
But Jiang Yun knows it’s not.
If one feels it carefully, they can notice a subtle difference between that hard crystalline object and rice grain impurities.
Jiang Yun thought of something he had seen in a book: saltpeter.
Colorless and tasteless, soluble in water, and can be used as medicine, often used to treat diseases such as headaches and dysentery. Even if ingested, it will not cause any harm to the body. In Shi Fang’s words, it is indeed a speculative tool and a good material that can be used to increase the weight of rice.
Jiang Yun entered the bookshelf and, following his memory, took a scroll of books from the innermost shelf. He then placed the lamp on the ground and kneeled down directly between the shelves, with his green sleeves hanging down. In the dim light, he opened the book.
This is a collection of alchemy, in addition to various mysterious methods of “soaring” and “immortality”, the latter half of the volume extensively records the refining methods of various pills, all of which require the use of one thing, saltpeter.
Saltpeter is not only used as medicine to treat diseases but also as an important material for making gunpowder.
Is it really a coincidence that so much saltpeter powder was suddenly mixed in the salary rice of the Jiuda Battalions?
Jiang Yun put down the book and leaned against the bookshelf, lost in thought.
He came to the Book Pavilion not to find books but to think about things. Due to the record of saltpeter, he has read it many times in different types of books, and with his current memory, there is no need for special verification.
Since childhood, the vast collection of books and anecdotes piled up in the royal palace’s library has been an excellent tool for him to dispel loneliness and solitude in his heart. When faced with difficulties, he often sits alone in the library, staying overnight.
There may have been some unexpected changes on Mount Li.
Jiang Yun thought.
Because he just received a letter from Sui Heng two days ago saying that it rained on Mount Li not long ago and the plums were sour and bitter, making them unsuitable for eating. However, the soldier responsible for delivering the letter was unaware of this.
And use the excuse “His Highness’s busy with military affairs” to evade him.
That person has some paranoid persistence about certain things. Even though he’s busy with military affairs, how could he forget a basket of plums when he never stopped sending long, stinky love letters every day?
The most likely thing is that the messenger personally was not sent by Sui Heng.
The real soldier is likely to have been killed or encountered in other dangerous situations.
Sui Heng’s military governance was very strict, and Jiang Yun couldn’t guess for a moment what kind of situation had happened that would have caused his trusted subordinate to be replaced.
The other party did so, obviously not wanting to stir the grass and startle the snake, and let the incident on Mount Li pass back to the capital of Sui.
Before Sui Heng officially set off for Mount Li, the task of guarding the auspicious stone had always been the responsibility of the Jiuda Battalions. Mount Li, with its steep terrain, was easy to defend but difficult to attack, and it was a battleground for soldiers. It was once the training ground and headquarters of the Jiuda Battalions.
Will there be a correlation between the saltpeter powder appearing in the Jiuda Battalions, Mount Li, and auspicious stone?
The appearance of auspicious stone is inherently weird. In this era, although people firmly believe in the concept of auspiciousness, careful reading of historical books reveals that most auspiciousness has traces and clues created by humans, and true celestial auspiciousness is actually very rare. If the auspicious stone, like the auspicious omens recorded in historical books, is also deliberately promoted and manufactured by people.
What is the other party’s purpose?
Jiang Yun instinctively didn’t want to think deeply.
Because speaking from the perspective of the enemy Crown Prince, no matter what happens on Mount Li, Sui Heng, the Crown Prince of Sui, should have nothing to do with him, no matter what kind of crisis he may encounter.
To put it more cruelly, it’s also beneficial to him.
He should remain calm and restrained, making the most rational choices and decisions as the Crown Prince of Jiang, rather than sitting here.
Jiang Yun felt a slight pain in his heart and mouth, and some fine sweat oozed from his forehead.
“Young Master?”
Ji An saw that Jiang Yun had not come out for a long time, so he came in to look for him with a lamp. He saw him leaning against the bookshelf, his face pale and weak, and his fingers tightly gripping the sleeves. It’s like the young gentleman had an acute illness. He was startled.
Jiang Yun shook his head and said it’s nothing.
After a moment of relaxation, he lifted the lamp with his usual expression, put the book back in its original place, and, together with Ji An, left the Book Pavilion.
That night, Jiang Yun once again had a nightmare.
The content of the nightmare was different than before. It turned into Mount Li, where he only kneeled by the Qushui River and just looked from afar. In his dream, Sui Heng held a basket of ripe plums in his hand, smiling brightly. When he reached out to hand it to him, he was suddenly engulfed by the exploding mountain peak and rolling gravel.
There were bloody pieces all over the place before his eyes.
Some people shout “Your Highness”, while others shout “The auspicious stone has been destroyed.”
Jiang Yun woke up in shock and looked at the top of the bed, panting heavily, with cold sweat on his face and back.
In the dimness, his skin is as pale as jade.
He instinctively grabbed at his side once, it was empty and without a figure. Jiang Yun sat in the darkness for a long time. He got up, put on his clothes, didn’t sleep anymore, moved the lamp to the window. He picked up a book, and began to force himself to calm down.
At this moment, the strange heat flow flashed through his abdomen again.
Jiang Yun was stunned for a moment. He reached out to touch it, and the mischievous aura once again hid.
This night’s Mount Li was surprisingly calm.
Yan Bingyi was seriously injured and was likely to become disabled in the future. Huo Cheng had to make a decision and demote Yan Bingyi from his position as a Deputy General, and promote another Yan family member, Yan Wu, to a higher position.
Yan Wu is considered his trusted subordinate. Over the years, he has been by his side, not only helping him connect with the Yan family but also providing him with many useful strategies.
Yan Wu is not as arrogant and domineering as Yan Bingyi, without a brain. He is very sophisticated and knows how to win people’s hearts. After taking up the position of deputy general, he quickly became friends with another deputy general and a Huo family member, whom he talked to without hesitation.
The name of this Huo’s son is Huo ChengEn, and in terms of seniority, he should call Huo Cheng uncle.
Yan Wu prepared wine and meat in the tent and invited Huo ChengEn and several other generals from the Jiuda Battalions to come and eat meat and drink together. He also summoned several beautiful concubines he had brought with him to accompany everyone in the banquet.
During this time, Yan Wu once again, intentionally or unintentionally, mentioned the matter of Sui Heng replacing the defense of Mount Li.
Huo ChengEn was young and full of energy, but not as calm and thoughtful as Huo Cheng. His drunkenness surged, and he excitedly agreed with Yan Wu, saying, “My little uncle is just loyal and lacks courage. In the end, he is a coward without ambition, which is why he allowed the Crown Prince to ride around his neck and defecate.”
The other Jiuda Battalions generals were also feeling frustrated about this matter. Upon hearing Huo Cheng En’s words, they all took advantage of alcohol to vent their dissatisfaction and anger.
A person with a red neck said, “I even heard that those people from the Qinglang Battalion are secretly cursing our Jiuda Battalions for being cowardly and not even worthy to hold their horses and lift shoes for them today…”
These words once again galvanized the crowd.
Yan Wu’s eyes rolled, and he said, “Haven’t you guys considered resisting?”
“Resistance? How to resist?”
Although they were frustrated, they had to admit that the people in the Qinglang Battalion were indeed trained by the Crown Prince to be as fierce as wolves, unparalleled in bravery. If both sides really confront each other head-on, the Jiuda Battalions is likely to lose miserably.
Yan Wu smiled and filled everyone with a cup of wine, saying, “Fighting doesn’t necessarily have to rely on brute force.”
He spoke in a low voice.
As everyone’s eyes lit up, Huo ChengEn hesitated and said, “This method is good, but my little uncle is afraid he won’t allow us to do it like this.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
Yan Wu has a good grasp of the situation. “General Huo is very cautious. He is afraid of offending the Crown Prince if we make a mistake. However, as long as we act more discreetly and help him solve his major problem, what can the leader say after the matter is completed? He may even reward us heavily.”
Huo ChengEn said again, “But without the military’s seal, how can we dispatch troops?”
Yan Wu’s gaze flickered, and he patted his shoulder, saying, “Then we naturally have to rely on you. You are the Commander’s nephew, and the Commander is not on guard against you. As long as you steal the seal while the Commander is asleep, it will be fine.”
Huo ChengEn’s gaze pondered for a moment before gritting his teeth, as if he had made a desperate decision, and he said, “Alright, I’ll go tonight!”
In the dark night, Mount Li is towering and steep, stretching for hundreds of miles like a sleeping dragon.
Under the vast ridge of the mountain, several fully armed soldiers, holding weapons in their forehands, divided into four routes, quietly advancing towards Yuewang Peak under the cover of darkness and the mountain.
The leaders are Yan Wu, Huo ChengEn, and others.
Yan Wu held the seal stolen by Huo ChengEn and decided to launch a mutiny while the defense of the Qinglang Battalion’s was slackening and exhausting at night. He also learned that Sui Heng hosted a banquet with many generals today, drank a lot of wine, and when he returned to his tent, he was shaking and his eyes were blurred. He had to be carried by his soldiers as well.
Nowadays, the guards around the other party have been quietly replaced, and almost every move of the other party is under the surveillance of the Yan family. Yan Wu is very confident that he can succeed in his actions.
There is another important reason why Yan Wu is so confident.
A few days ago, before Sui Heng arrived at Mount Li, he had already taken advantage of the opportunity when he was clearing the Jiuda Battalions, to led his trusted subordinates to bury explosives in various important strongholds. Now, near Sui Heng’s central army tent, there is a large amount of saltpeter and sulfur buried. As soon as he seizes the high point of Yuewang Peak and sends a signal, his trusted subordinates who are in contact with him will detonate the explosives.
Not to mention that Sui Heng was a flesh and blood body, even steel tendons and iron bones would be blown into pieces.
This is the price that the Crown Prince must pay for disobeying the Yan family.
This is also a warning from the Yan family to the entire court and the public.
Along the way, everything went smoothly. The soldiers of the Qinglang Battalion who were defending along the way were easily intercepted by them. The Yuewang Peak was close in front of them, and they were only waiting to rush to the summit and send a signal. Tomorrow, the Qinglang Battalion will no longer exist. Mount Li, and even the entire Sui capital, will still be the territory of the Jiuda Battalions.
Yan Wu drew a sword from his waist and skillfully cut through the throat of a soldier once again.
At this moment, earth-shattering cries of killing and thunderous hooves suddenly rang in his ears, flames surged from all directions. Before Yan Wu could react, he was surrounded by a group of people.
Not far away, a person with black hair tied high in an ink crown, handsome and captivating, towered on a horse with a playful expression, even lazily scrutinizing him.
Countless wolf head swords flickered in the dark night with a cold and chilly gleam. In almost the blink of an eye, countless heads rolled to the ground, and Yuewang Peak was piled up with corpses.
Blood flowed all over the ground, staining the grass and rocks with a dazzling blood color. The air emitted a fresh and viscous smell of blood.
Yan Wu, Huo ChengEn, along with several advisors were bound by various means and taken to the front of Sui Heng’s horse.
Huo ChengEn was scared out of his wits. He kneeled on the ground, trembling like a sieve of bran. Yan Wu looked at Sui Heng with resentment and murmured, “It’s impossible, this will never happen…”
Sui Heng had a surprisingly good temper and said with a smile, “You don’t know what went wrong, right?”
“It’s fine to tell you, Gu’s beloved concubine is of noble character and unparalleled elegance. He would never write such shameless words in a letter as ‘I miss my husband, I can’t sleep alone’. Even if it was on his mind, he wouldn’t write it.”
“Also, Gu’s beloved concubine’s handwriting wouldn’t be that ugly.”
“How dare you dance in front of Gu with such a poor imitation? Who gave you the confidence? The Yan family? Or Yan Bing?”
Yan Wu paled.
He struggled fiercely and shouted loudly, “This was all my idea. Don’t you dare involve Prime Minister Yan!”
“Yan Bing’s ability to raise a dog as strong as you is truly admirable.”
Sui Heng waved his hand and said, “Drag him down to face a severe punishment.”
Jiang Yun sat by the window until the east turned white.
As the sky brightened, there was a sudden sound of horse hooves outside the courtyard, followed by the sound of knocking on the door.
Jiang Yun was startled and immediately put down his book and walked out.
The soldier had already walked to the corridor, and when he saw the young man wearing a green robe coming out of the house, he immediately kneeled down on the steps and presented the object with both hands: “This is what His Highness ordered the subordinate to send to the Young Master.”
It was a small basket of green plums.
Fresh plums, still stained with dew.
Jiang Yun was taken aback and walked over, asking, “How is… your Highness?”
The soldier smiled and said, “All is well with His Highness. Last night, he executed several rebels who attempted to destroy the auspicious stone. When the auspicious time arrives tomorrow and a worship ceremony is held, the auspicious stone can be transported back to the capital.”
Jiang Yun fell silent.
He also asked, “Inside Mount Li, were explosives found?”
The personal soldier revealed a surprise expression: “How does the Young Master know?”
Jiang Yun felt as if a giant rock was slowly falling to the ground in his chest. After sitting all night, he finally had a fresh breath enter his throat and lungs, allowing him to take a gentle breath.
The corner of his mouth curved up a bit, and he took the basket of plums over.
He said, “It’s just a casual guess, thank you.”
Jiang Yun asked Ji An to fetch honey water and give it to the soldier for drinking.
The soldier had a cute baby face, and he blushed as he thanked Jiang Yun, saying, “His Highness said that he will still deliver the letter to the Young Master on time tonight.”
During this period, Shi Fang and Fan Qi also lived directly in the private courtyard. They were familiar with the soldier and inquired about more information.
Jiang Yun sat in the pavilion, eating plums while listening to their chat.
Shi Fang angrily said, “That Yan Wu is truly despicable. I heard that before his death, he cursed His Highness for killing too many people and would be punished by heaven. Is there not enough of the marinating things that their Yan Family has committed over the years? Last year, a servant of the Yan’s family dared to seize hundreds of acres of good land for the sake of the Yan’s power. They also colluded with the government and beat those people who went to complain to death in prison. If we really let the Yan family cover the sky with one hand, it will be a nightmare for all the people in the world.”
That night, there was a sudden storm.
Jiang Yun still sat under the window reading, waiting until late at night, but still didn’t get the letter sent by Sui Heng.
Jiang Yun thought to himself, with such heavy rain, the mountain path would inevitably be difficult to navigate, and it was normal that they were unable to deliver it. When he put down his book and was preparing to take a bath and rest, muffled thunder suddenly rolled past the window. Then, a purple lightning struck in the air, scorching most of the plum trees in the courtyard. After the thunder passed, Ji An quickly took the palace attendants to remove the broken, burned wood to avoid causing a fire.
Turning around, he saw Jiang Yun standing under the corridor, his green sleeves fluttering, and he’s looking towards him. Ji An quickly held an umbrella over and smiled, saying, “Young Master, you need not be afraid, it was an ungrateful lackey who threw a magnet under the trees that attracted the thunder and lightning.”
Jiang Yun nodded and turned to return to the room, but suddenly thought of something, and his footsteps stopped.
“You said… a magnet?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Yun pondered for a moment and said, “Can you bring and show it to me?”
There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just that the debris has been struck by lightning and is now a pile of black fragments.
Jiang Yun picked up a piece of debris and looked under the lamp for a moment. Then he stood up and picked up another piece of black gravel from the table, placed it under the lamp, and compared them together.
Ji An exclaimed in surprise, “Although the shapes are different, the materials seem to be the same. Where did the Young Master get the magnetic fragments from?”
Jiang Yun remained silent for a long time and said, “The rice salary.”
Heavenly punishment.
Auspicious stone.
In an instant, a terrifying thought swept through Jiang Yun’s heart.
Jiang Yun walked out of the door again, stood under the corridor, and looked up at the cloudy sky.
This kind of rain will last at least one day and one night.
Jiang Yun asked, “Can the auspicious time for the grand ceremony of worship be changed?”
Ji An stood at the back, puzzled by his intentions, and said, “It was said that it was deduced together by the officials of ritual and the supervisor of the Imperial Academy. In the past half month, only tomorrow is a day of great fortune.”
Jiang Yun’s eyelashes trembled lightly, he closed his eyes, and let the rain fall on his sleeves and face.
He should have thought long ago that with Yan Bing’s city government and the Yan family’s ability, even if he really wanted to take action, how is it possible to use explosives in such a stupid way that is so full of holes and easy to give away?
The most reasonable way for the Crown Prince to die is for him to die under the curse of heaven due to excessive killing.
According to the information obtained from Shi Fang, after the conspiracy of Yan Wu and Huo ChengEn was exposed, the Commander, Huo Cheng, immediately surrendered to Sui Heng with the remaining Jiuda Battalions, expressing his willingness to submit to Sui Heng’s command from now on.
Does Huo Cheng really know nothing about the conspiracy between Yan Wu and Huo ChengEn?
Will a legitimate leader who governs a 300,000 strong army really slack off to the point of allowing people to steal the military seals at close range?
Fear is only fear. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind1This is a Chinese proverb that used to describe people who pursue immediate gains while neglecting greater danger behind..
The auspicious stone is not an auspicious omen bestowed upon the people of the Sui capital by Heavens, but a burial ground prepared for the Crown Prince, who intends to resist the influence of the aristocratic family, prepared by the aristocratic families united.
With Sui Heng’s sensitivity, perhaps he could perceive, perhaps…
Jiang Yun was awakened once again by the sound of thunder.
Ji An saw that most of his sleeves were soaked in rainwater, but he still had no reaction. He couldn’t help but worry and ask, “Where is the Young Master feeling unwell?”
Jiang Yun shook his head for a while and said, “Could the Steward please go and call Deputy General Fan and Shi Fang over?”
The two of them came over quickly.
Jiang Yun was sitting behind the table, looking at the sketch of the Jiuda Battalions that Fan Qi had drawn before. Jiang Yun’s gaze once again fell on the three extra granaries.
Shi Fang asked, “What’s the Young Master looking for us for?”
Jiang Yun nodded, his eyes regaining their usual warmth. He first asked Shi Fang if there was the quickest way to contact Sui Heng.
After thinking for a moment, Shi Fang said, “His Highness has left two gyrfalcons in the private courtyard. They were trained by His Highness and can fly to Mount Li in at least most an hour.”
Jiang Yun told Shi Fang to go and release the letter eagle immediately.
He asked Fan Qi again, “How many soldiers and horses are left in the Sui capital in the current Jiuda Battalions?”
Fan Qi said with uncertainty, “Huo Cheng took the Third, Fifth, and Seventh Battalions to clear the ground in Mount Li. Later, he transferred two more battalions, so there should still be four battalions2For your information, Jiuda Battalions in English is called the Great Nine Battalions, so there are a total of nine battalions forming into one.left.”
Jiang Yun: “Are the three battalions taken away by Huo Cheng the most elite troops?”
Fan Qi shook his head and said, “Those are the average, the most powerful four battalions were left by him to guard the Sui Capital.”
Jiang Yun immediately asked Fan Qi to check the situation at the other four battalions.
Although Fan Qi didn’t understand what he meant, he was accustomed to being instructed to work by Jiang Yun and immediately ran to verify. Half an hour later, Fan Qi came back panting and soaking wet, saying that there were only two battalions left in the other four battalions. The first and second battalions were said to have received orders from the Military and Horses Department overnight and had rushed to Mount Li.
Half an hour later, Shi Fang also returned and said that the two messenger eagles that were released did not fly back. This was something that had never happened before.
The two finally understood what had happened, and Fan Qi hurriedly said, “I will immediately ride my horse to Mount Li and report to His Highness!”
Shi Fang stopped him and said helplessly, “Is Big Brother in a hurry? The city gate is now closed, and you are a general with a rank. Without a military order, you cannot leave the Sui capital at will. Even if you reach the city gate, you will still be stopped.”
“What should we do? Can we just watch His Highness suffer without a military order? Even if I have to force myself to break through, I will still break through!”
Fan Qi turned around and wanted to leave.
Shi Fang grabbed him and said, “Without the orders, leaving the Sui capital without permission is considered rebellion. The city gate guards will shoot you to death immediately, regardless of the consequences. Is Big Brother worth hundreds of guards alone? Big Brother was brought up by His Highness, and Big Brother’s impulsiveness and recklessness will become a handle for onlookers to attack His Highness!”
Fan Qi looked at him with red eyes, “His life is on the brink of extinction. Why do you care about the handle? This won’t work, and that won’t work. So you tell me, what should we do?”
“How about we break into the palace to meet His Majesty?”
However, since the palace gate has already been locked down and the palace city guards are also in the hands of the Jiuda Battalions, it is not much easier to break through than the city gate.
Emperor Sui now firmly believed in the theory of auspiciousness, without any basis or evidence. How could he believe that it was actually a ferocious stone and not any auspiciousness? Where is the Emperor’s face?
The Yan family’s plan was indeed malicious enough.
They’re afraid that even Emperor Sui could not have imagined that the Yan family had the courage to do such a thing.
Shi Fang suddenly said, “His Highness has always had a good friendship with Prime Minister Han. Otherwise, I will go to Prime Minister Han’s mansion and ask for his help?”
Shi Fang looked at Jiang Yun.
At such times, he could only trust this young gentleman.
Jiang Yun was lost in thought. Upon hearing this, he thought for a moment and said, “You can give it a try, but…”
I’m afraid there’s not much hope.
Jiang Yun thought.
After the Spring Banquet, the Yan family lay dormant for many days and had to make every effort before daring to take action. Shi Fang and Fan Qi cannot enter the palace gate, and Han Xiao cannot enter either.
The rain is getting more and more intense.
The room fell into a dead silence.
After another thunderbolt rolled across the sky, Jiang Yun took out a letter from his desk, picked up his brush, and wrote a line of words on it.
After finishing writing, Jiang Yun put the letter into his sleeve and stood up to push open the door.
The rain outside was fierce, and the wind was strong. The cold wind, carrying raindrops, hit him with a thud and covered the young gentleman’s green sleeves.
Ji An and Gao Gong stood outside, holding umbrellas.
Seeing Jiang Yun come out, they welcome him together.
Jiang Yun gently said to them, “Please prepare the carriage. I want to go on a trip.”
It was already late at night, and Jimo Qingyu still stood in his clothes under the corridor watching the rain, while his eldest disciple Zhao Yan stood respectfully behind him.
“The mountain rain is coming, and the wind fills the building.”
Jimo Qingyu sighed in the clear rain.
Until a rapid knock on the door interrupted his deep and complex emotions.
Not long after, the servant came with an umbrella and reported, “Master, a young man who claims to be Chu Yan, has handed over a petition and wants to meet the Master.”
T/N: My anxiety flew to the sky while translating this chapter. (ó﹏ò｡) Anw, I’ll hang you guys here, hehe I’m sorry xD
