Chapter 524 Murong Family’s Thoughts (Thanks to book friends 11304 and 16571 for the rewards!)

“I heard that in the Youyan area captured by the Fengwu Army, the Fengwu Army has also begun anti-corruption work. Some corrupt officials who are hated by the people have been arrested and removed from office. Some have even been publicly tried. It seems that anti-corruption has become the banner held high by the Fengwu Army…”

Murong Hui hesitated for a moment, but continued:
"But I am a little worried. These corrupt officials have deep connections behind them. If they are not dealt with properly, the whole body will be affected. The Fengwu Army has just captured Yijing and has not occupied the entire Youyan territory. Zhao Fuqu is still entrenched in the southern part of Youyan with the remnants of the Yan Army. It seems a bit hasty to move against these corrupt officials now!"

In response to Murong Hui's concerns, Murong Yuliang nodded and said:
"I have also learned some of what you said in Liaoyang. The situation in Yijing is very complicated. Some places have reached the point where they must be rectified. It is said that some granaries are full according to the records, but in fact all the grain has been stolen and sold!"

"The money from the grain sales was divided up among the officials of the granary. When the higher authorities came to inspect, they would give an extra portion to the inspectors. If they couldn't hide it anymore, they would set the store on fire. When disaster struck, they couldn't provide any grain for disaster relief. It is said that thousands of people died because of this. It angered the gods and the people, and there was great resentment among the people. There was a great demand for the punishment of corrupt officials!"

Hearing this, Murong Hui said with a complicated look:

“This is the third point I want to make. Ye Mingsheng knows very well what the people want. Perhaps everyone in the officialdom knows what the people want, but they don’t have Ye Mingsheng’s courage to change it all. The water is too deep. If you are not careful, you will be doomed and die without a complete corpse...”

"I have seen many people who were full of confidence at the beginning, shouting slogans loudly, but they became cowardly when it came to the real deal. Only this Governor Ye dared to defy the world and put the anti-corruption campaign into practice!"

"I have been to many places in Liaoyang during this period. Whether it is a factory, a farmland, or some other places, whenever the working people like Governor Ye are mentioned, they will show respect on their faces. They will not allow anyone to say a word to him. Perhaps in the eyes of these people, Ye Mingsheng is the god who saved them from suffering!"

"Ye Mingsheng's various actions have indeed won him the hearts of the people, but they have also planted the seeds of disaster. In my opinion, if Ye Mingsheng continues in Youyan, it won't be long before the people of Youyan start to counterattack. If Ye Mingsheng overcomes this hurdle, his reforms will be unimpeded in Youyan for a period of time!"

"But if they can't hold on, they will most likely be defeated and flee to the interior. General Ye is a bit too hasty. He can still do what he wants to do after he completely conquers Youyan!"

Murong Yuliang smiled and said:

"I have confidence in our commander-in-chief. He always makes plans before taking action. He will take action only after comprehensive consideration. Moreover, he has called Cui Shao, the old fox, to help him this time. Although Cui Shao and Ye Mingsheng are not of the same mind, their interests are the same when it comes to entering the pass!"

“Besides, the Fengwu Army still has a huge advantage in military strength, so even if it encounters some setbacks, it won’t be driven back to the outside of the Great Wall in the worst-case scenario…”

Feeling the confidence revealed in Murong Yuliang's words, Murong Hui pondered for a moment and said:
"After spending some time in Liaoyang, I agree with your idea, Second Uncle. Although Ye Mingsheng is not the best choice for our clan, he and the Fengwu Army still have great potential. It is worth our investment in him!"

At this point, Murong Hui looked up at Murong Yuliang, organized his words and said:

"Uncle, Sister Qingwu has been with you in Liaoyang for several years. I wonder if she has a crush on someone?"

Hearing Murong Hui suddenly bring up this question, Murong Yuliang was a little surprised but still said subconsciously:
"I hold an important position in Liaoyang and have a lot of official duties. I usually neglect to discipline this crazy girl and let her travel around. But I haven't heard that she has a crush on anyone!"

After getting Murong Yuliang's answer, Murong Hui continued to ask:

"If that's the case, then what do you think of Ye Mingsheng, Second Uncle?"

After hearing this, Murong Yuliang, even though he was slow to react, understood what Murong Hui meant. His expression instantly became serious and he asked Murong Hui:

"Is this your idea? Or your father's idea?"

Facing his second uncle's questioning, Murong Hui met Murong Yuliang's gaze and asked back:

"Uncle, do you think I have the right to make the decision on this matter?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Murong Yuliang fell silent, and the expression on his face kept changing. Seeing this, Murong Hui continued:
“Father sent me all the way from Sichuan this time, so it’s not just a simple inspection. Although my Murong family has been famous among the aristocratic families for five generations and three cabinet ministers, we also have some connections all over the country in the Great Zhou. If it were a peaceful and prosperous era, it would be a piece of cake. But now it’s a chaotic era with warlords fighting for their own interests. Second uncle, you are in the north, so you should be able to see it most clearly…”

"The ship of the Great Zhou is already in the wind and rain, and no one knows how long and how far it can continue to sail. The people in the court who are on the southern tour have only been able to reach an agreement on dealing with Shangguan Hongyuan, and the rest of the problems are either bickering or infighting. Father has aged very quickly in Sichuan and has always wanted to leave a way out for the family. This is why father acquiesced to your stay in the Fengwu Army!"

After listening to Murong Hui's words, Murong Yuliang was silent for a while before saying:
"But Ye Mingsheng has already married? An Miaoyi gave birth to Ye Mingsheng's eldest son Ye Jingren not long ago. How can the legitimate daughter of the Murong family become a concubine?"

Murong Hui seemed to have anticipated Murong Yuliang's words and said directly:

"Uncle, you are right. My sister Qingwu is the legitimate daughter of our Murong family. Even if she marries a member of the royal family, the Lin family cannot make her a concubine. But Ye Mingsheng is an exception. Uncle, have you forgotten how you thought highly of Ye Mingsheng?"

“If Ye Mingsheng really succeeds, even if he cannot unify the world, he will at least be a local overlord. It won’t be a disgrace for sister Qingwu to marry him. What’s more, the status of the main wife and the concubine are not set and can never be changed. The An family of Kunshan Hou is extremely noble compared with ordinary people, but compared with our Murong family, the difference is not a little bit!” “As for the Cui family outside the Great Wall, they may have some power, but what are they inside the Great Wall? Ye Mingsheng should know that if he wants to gain a foothold inside the Great Wall and go further, he needs some help, and this kind of help cannot be given by the Cui family, the An family, or even the two families combined…”

After hearing his nephew's answer, Murong Yuliang kept silent, his eyes full of confusion. Seeing this, Murong Hui changed the subject and continued to persuade:
"Uncle, I know you love your daughter dearly, but Qingwu isn't young anymore. She's getting older every year, and she's already 20 this year, right? Girls of the same age are basically married, and some even have several children, but Qingwu still hasn't found a husband! If this goes on any longer, she'll really become an old maid!"

"These days, there is chaos and disorder, the roads are blocked and bandits are rampant. Add to that the war and the strife, and Sister Qingwu can't marry back to Guanzhong. Even if she wants to go to Sichuan, it's extremely difficult for a girl like her to travel through mountains and rivers!"

"And sister Qingwu has always had very high standards. Which ordinary man can catch her eye? If Ye Mingsheng can overcome Youyan's difficulties this time, I think he is very good. Although he has eagle eyes and wolfish eyes, is ruthless and ambitious, and is a complete hero, I think only such a strong man can subdue our Qingwu!"

"Also, this man has a very tough style of doing things, but I have never heard of him abusing his wife and daughter. On the contrary, I have heard that he is very tolerant of the women in his family, and even allows his concubine to show her face outside and practice medicine to help the world!"

Just when Murong Hui was talking excitedly, there was a sudden sound of footsteps outside the study, as if someone was leaving. Upon hearing the sound, Murong Yuliang's expression immediately changed and he asked in a stern voice:
"Who's out there?"

As Murong Yuliang finished speaking, the guard walked into the room and reported:

"My Lord, Miss Qingwu was outside just now. I don't know why she left in a hurry..."

"Qingwu?"

Upon hearing the guard's answer, Murong Yuliang's face suddenly froze, and Murong Hui's face also became very embarrassed.

An incense stick later, Murong Yuliang walked into Murong Qingwu's courtyard. At this time, Murong Qingwu's boudoir door was closed, and her personal maid Xiaohuan was standing in front of the door, waiting carefully. Seeing Murong Yuliang coming, the little maid saluted very stiffly and said:

"master!"

Murong Yuliang heard this and asked:

"How is the lady?"

Xiao Huan said without hesitation:
"Just now, the young lady seemed to have something to ask the master. I don't know what stimulated her and she was very distraught. Then she locked herself in the room and didn't see anyone!"

Hearing his precious daughter like this, Murong Yuliang's eyes showed distress. He walked to the door and said softly: "Qingwu, Dad is here! Open the door and let Dad in to talk."

Murong Yuliang finished speaking, but there was no reaction from inside the house. Seeing this, Murong Yuliang hesitated for a moment and continued:
“Qingwu, this is just your uncle’s idea. If you don’t like your father, I will refuse your uncle for you. Don’t be upset. With your father around, no one can force you…”

After Murong Yuliang finished speaking, Murong Qingwu in the room was silent for a moment and then slowly said:

"Dad, I'm just upset for a moment. I won't think too much! Can you leave me alone for a while?"

Feeling the calmness in Murong Qingwu's tone, Murong Yuliang finally felt relieved and nodded and said:
"Okay, Qingwu, you stay alone for a while, I'll ask the kitchen to make you your favorite food!"

Seeing that Murong Qingwu was not in any serious condition, Murong Yuliang, who was busy with official duties, slowly left. Before leaving, he did not forget to remind Xiaohuan to take good care of Murong Qingwu, and if the young lady had any abnormal conditions, to send someone to report immediately.

Hearing her father's footsteps leaving the door, Murong Qingwu walked to her dressing table, looked at her beautiful face in the mirror, her eyes revealed a complexity. Before hearing the conversation between her father and cousin, she had never thought about the possibility of being with Ye Mingsheng, including when she realized that An Miaoyi was targeting her because of Ye Mingsheng, she had never thought about this matter at all.

To be honest, Murong Qingwu had thought about An Miaoyi's motives for targeting her. In her eyes, An Miaoyi had the support of the An family and the Cui family, and she had given birth to Ye Mingsheng's eldest son, Ye Jingren. Her position was already as stable as a rock. There was no reason for her to target herself when she had only met Ye Mingsheng a few times and had no idea about him!

But now it seems An Miaoyi is right. She knows her family better than herself. She is not afraid of herself but of the Murong family, which has three cabinet ministers for five generations and whose students and former officials are spread all over the world, as well as the even larger Guanzhong clan behind them...
Thinking of this, Murong Qingwu showed a bitter smile on her face. Growing up in a powerful family like the Murong family, although she had been clothed in fine clothes and fed with delicious food since childhood, and was pampered by her family in every way, being afraid that she would get hot when held in the palm of her hand, and afraid that she would melt when held in her mouth, but Murong Qingwu knew from a young age that her marriage would not be decided by herself. She enjoyed the glory brought to her by the Murong family, and naturally she had to bear the corresponding obligations. She had already realized this!
Although she had this awareness, Murong Qingwu was unwilling to succumb to the will of her family. In addition, she had a high opinion of herself as she had the title of the most talented woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty. That was why she refused all the promising young talents arranged by her family. She even secretly followed her exiled father, leaving the prosperous Luoan and coming to the remote and cold place of Liaoyang.

As for Ye Mingsheng, Murong Qingwu didn't know how she should feel about him!
When she was first teaching a lesson to Ye Mingsheng when she was distributing porridge in Fengzhou, she became very annoyed with him and thought that he was just an unreasonable and rude warrior.

But seeing the changes that Ye Mingsheng brought to Liaoyang, turning a bitter and cold place suffering from oppression and war into a paradise full of hope, and knowing the things Ye Mingsheng had done, although she never said it, her impression of Ye Mingsheng was quietly changing in her heart.

Sometimes Murong Qingwu would even admire Ye Mingsheng’s courage to uphold justice for the people and fight against the oppression of the privileged class, and she would forget that she herself is a member of the privileged class of this country, or even a member of the top privileged class in this country. She would begin to look forward to what kind of policies Ye Mingsheng would introduce and what kind of changes he would bring to the people··························

(End of this chapter)