Chapter 564 Determined to interfere!

Youyan, Yijing

In the most famous Chenji Teahouse in the east of the city, storyteller Zhang Sanwan was standing on the podium, reciting the Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties in a rhythmic manner...
"Qin Qiong rushed into Wakou Pass first, and Luo Cheng led the cavalry to rush into the pass shortly afterwards. The Turkic soldiers were defeated and returned to Dabeikou. The defending general Zhao Tianming knew that things were not going well, so he followed the Turkic soldiers to Dabeikou.

'At that time, Qin Qiong ordered a notice to pacify the people, and quickly sent people to Beiping Prefecture to report to Luo Yi. Three days later, Luo Yi issued an order: Qin Yong was the commander of Wakou Pass, but because Qin Yong was young, he ordered Shi Danai and Du Wenzhong to assist him, and ordered Qin Qiong and Luo Cheng to withdraw to Beiping Prefecture. "

It has to be said that Zhang Sanwan is a very skilled storyteller. A story that is familiar to everyone now has a different flavor in his mouth. It is precisely because of Zhang Sanwan's skills that he has become the resident storyteller of Chen's Teahouse. In addition to the tips from the tea drinkers, he can get a reward of three taels of silver from the owner of the teahouse every month.

Everyone's attention was focused on Zhang Sanwan who was sitting in the center of the podium. No one noticed that in the corner of the teahouse, a man in a black robe with an extraordinary demeanor was also enjoying his rare leisure time, and next to him sat several strong and capable men in casual clothes!
These people were completely different from the audience who were listening to the storyteller in the teahouse at this time. They were not attracted by the wonderful stories told by Zhang Sanwan at all. They remained vigilant and observed everything that was happening around them.

In addition, although their seats seemed random, they were very clever, protecting the extraordinary man in black robe in the middle. If anything unexpected happened, these people would immediately protect the man in black robe and use their bodies as human shields for him················

The man in black robe was none other than Ye Mingsheng, the governor of Yan and Liao of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who was on a secret visit. Next to him were naturally his personal guards. After a period of high-intensity work, Ye Mingsheng, who felt very tired, finally decided to give himself a day off to relax his body and mind, so as to keep a clear head and better lead the Fengwu Army forward.

Because he heard that the tea and cakes at Chen's Teahouse were very good, especially the osmanthus cake and mung bean cake, and that the storyteller Zhang Sanwan was also very capable. The stories he told were so eloquent that they were fascinating and made people feel as if they were there in person, so Ye Mingsheng came here with great expectations.

Picking up a piece of osmanthus cake and putting it in his mouth, feeling the rich fragrance of osmanthus and the soft, sweet taste, Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly. Because the women in the mansion liked to eat this osmanthus cake, the chef in his mansion would often make it, so Ye Mingsheng would occasionally eat one or two pieces!

Before eating the osmanthus cake from Chenji Teahouse, Ye Mingsheng thought that the osmanthus cake made by his chef was the best among all osmanthus cakes. But now it is still inferior by comparison. He doesn't know how the osmanthus cake from Chenji Teahouse is made. Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng whispered to Ye Kui who was sitting next to him:

“Send someone to buy all the osmanthus cakes here, and then send them to the old lady and Miaoyi. They will like to eat this…”

"I understand, Master!" Ye Kui said in a low voice:
Because it was a secret visit, in order to conceal his whereabouts, Ye Mingsheng instructed the accompanying personnel to call him "Young Master" instead of "Sir". After receiving Ye Mingsheng's order, Ye Kui did not dare to delay and took action immediately, asking the people around him to pass on the matter.

Taking advantage of this break, Ye Mingsheng also tasted the tea and several other pastries from Chenji Teahouse. It really took a lot for Chenji Teahouse to become the most famous teahouse in Yijing East City.

In addition to the osmanthus cake that amazed Ye Mingsheng, things like mung bean cake, rice cake, water chestnut cake, etc. are all very delicious. One bite will make people linger in the aftertaste. However, compared with the ones made by the chef in his house, they are only comparable, so Ye Mingsheng did not ask Ye Kui to buy them and send them back.

Good times are always short-lived. After a stick of incense had passed, Zhang Sanwan on the podium clapped the gavel in his hand and said with great energy:
"In the 16th chapter of the Romance of Sui and Tang Dynasties, Qin Shubao traveled a thousand miles to see his friend off, and the two wise men Zhuang Xiongxin stayed behind closed doors. This is the end of the story. If you want to know what happens next, please listen to the next chapter!"

As Zhang Sanwan finished speaking, thunderous applause and cheers suddenly rang out in the teahouse. At this time, Zhang Sanwan's apprentice, a twelve-year-old child, was speaking auspicious words eloquently while holding a box to offer rewards. Seeing this scene, most of the people who were listening to the storyteller fell silent...

However, Zhang Sanwan's book is really good and has been liked by many people, so there are also many people willing to generously donate money to reward him. Seeing that what was put into the box today were some copper coins and loose silver, although Zhang Sanwan still kept a smile on his face, he still felt a little disappointed in his heart. At this moment, two silver cakes fell into the box, which immediately made Zhang Sanwan's eyes light up!
Based on his years of experience in the martial arts world, these two silver cakes weigh at least one or two taels, which is more than the total amount of rewards he received today!
Realizing this, Zhang Sanwan quickly turned his eyes and hands to the black-robed man who had generously donated money, clasped his hands and congratulated him:
"Thank you for the reward, sir. I wish you all the best and may all your wishes come true!"

Ye Mingsheng didn't pay much attention to what he said. He turned around and was about to leave with Ye Kui. Zhang Sanwanshu was right. He let Ye Kui enjoy a quiet and comfortable time and he deserved a reward. However, Ye Mingsheng didn't have the habit of carrying silver with him, so he threw the two silver dollar samples sent by the Manufacturing Bureau over. The Silver Dollar Manufacturing Bureau had already started preparing for circulation in the market, so it didn't hurt to give them away now.

Ye Mingsheng was about to leave Chen's Teahouse when he heard a scolding voice from inside the teahouse.
"I can't give all this osmanthus cake to you!"

Ye Mingsheng, who was about to walk out of the teahouse when he heard this, stopped and after a little hesitation, he walked towards the place where the voice came from. He saw a sweet-looking girl and his bodyguard Song Hu. Seeing this scene, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but think that Song Hu bought things without paying, and his face darkened slightly...
At this time, Song Hu, who had not yet noticed that Ye Mingsheng had come over, said in confusion and anxiety:

"Why can't you sell it all to me? Isn't my silver silver? Or am I short of you a cent?" Hearing what Song Hu said, Ye Mingsheng, who was not far behind him, gradually regained his composure. He had always been strict with the military discipline of the Fengwu Army. Therefore, in order to set a good example, he was even more strict with the attendants around him. Things like taking things for free and robbing them by force were absolutely not allowed to happen!
After hearing Song Hu's words, Chen Xiangling argued:
"This is not about money! We only have this much osmanthus cake in a pot, and everyone has been waiting for such a long time. If you buy them all now, what will others buy? How can you be so overbearing!"

Seeing that Song Hu wanted to say something else, Ye Mingsheng said:
“Song Hu, forget it, just buy as much as they sell!

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's voice, Song Hu was startled at first, and immediately swallowed back the words he had just said, bowed to Ye Mingsheng and said:
"Yes! Master!"

Listening to Song Hu's words, Chen Xiangling looked at the plain-looking man in black robe in front of her with some curiosity. She was the beloved daughter of Chen Qingshu, the owner of Chen's Teahouse. Because Chen Qingshu had no son, only this daughter, Chen Qingshu was thinking of recruiting a son-in-law in the future, so he took Chen Xiangling to run this Chen's Teahouse...

It is for this reason that Chen Xiangling has seen all kinds of people in teahouses since she was a child, and can roughly guess the other person's identity at a glance!

As the teahouse with the best business in the east of Yijing City, their Chenji Teahouse has a high consumption level. A few plates of cakes and a pot of tea usually cost one penny of silver, which is difficult for ordinary people to afford. Among them, their signature osmanthus cake is the most expensive, but Song Hu didn't even ask the price and just wanted to take all the osmanthus cakes. There is no doubt that he is a wealthy man!
The man in black robe whom he called "Young Master" was obviously the real leader of their group. What was his identity?

Chen Xiangling guessed this out of curiosity, trying to find out some clues from Ye Mingsheng's outfit, but Ye Mingsheng had no interest in this sweet yet playful-looking girl. He turned around and left calmly. The break time was over and it was time for him to go back to work!
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Three days later, a familiar guest came to Ye Mingsheng's study in the Governor's Mansion.

"Your Excellency!" Huo San bowed and said to Ye Mingsheng:
Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly and asked:

"What news do you bring me this time?"

Huo San did not hesitate and said directly:
"Your Excellency, this is about the remnants of the Yan army in Jinzhong!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng became interested and asked with a smile:
"What's wrong with Zhao Jianan?"

Huo San nodded and said:

"Yes, sir. Since Zhao Fuqu's defeat, many members of the Yan army have surrendered to us. Our secret agents inside the Yan army have reported that Zhao Jianan had summoned his confidants a few days ago to discuss surrendering to Shangguan Hongyuan!

“Currently, Zhao Jianan is aggressively recruiting the remnants of the Yan army in Jinzhong. Many of them have fled to his place. Together with the Yan army that Zhao Fuqu left in Jinzhong before, Zhao Jianan now has more than 20,000 soldiers and horses under his command, and his military strength is still expanding…”

Listening to Huo San's introduction, Ye Mingsheng narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought. Since the complete capture of Youyan, he, Ye, has controlled two provinces. He has completely become one of the players in this chess game called the world. Therefore, his vision and perspective should not be limited to one city or one place, but he should look at the situation in the world.

Ever since he summoned Cui Shao, Gu Zhongshi and Gu Sansi last time, Ye Mingsheng has been thinking about how to deal with Shangguan Hongyuan. Without the obstruction of the two major vassal states, Zhao Fuqu and King Qin, the Luoan Imperial Guards under Shangguan Hongyuan's command have made smooth progress in Sichuan and have reached the last line of defense of the southern tour court - Jianmen!
If Jianmen is breached, Shangguan Hongyuan may not have to attack Rongcheng, as those fence-sitters within the imperial court during the southern tour may defect to Shangguan Hongyuan. According to the news sent by the Murong family, the undercurrents within Rongcheng are very bad. If all goes well, Shangguan Hongyuan will be able to capture Jianmen in as little as two months or as long as half a year, and take the little emperor back into his hands!
It was precisely because of the poor situation of the court during the southern tour that those princes and nobles endured their aversion to Ye Mingsheng and accepted the proposal of the Murong family, using the last prestige and influence of the Great Zhou court to politically endorse Ye Mingsheng and appoint Ye Mingsheng as the governor-general of Yan and Liao, hoping that Ye Mingsheng would be grateful to them and march westward to besiege Wei and save Zhao!
Honestly speaking, after listening to the opinions and ideas of Cui Shao and others, Ye Mingsheng began to want to march westward. This was not to say that he, Ye, was really grateful for the title of Governor-General of Yan and Liao and was willing to be a loyal minister of the Zhou Dynasty until his death, but Cui Shao’s words awakened him...
If Shangguan Hongyuan captured Chengdu and regained control of the little emperor, what would this great hero do without the restraint of the court on its southern tour?

There is only one answer!
That is, Shangguan Hongyuan would want to unify the north!
This was also the established policy when Shangguan Hongyuan established the Zhenwu Army. As long as the north was unified, Shangguan Hongyuan would have the foundation for independence!

This also means that Shangguan Hongyuan will take the initiative to find trouble with the Fengwu Army. Ye Mingsheng's previous strategy of going south was based on the fact that Shangguan Hongyuan was restrained and unable to quickly go south to inspect the court. But now it is obvious that Shangguan Hongyuan's speed is faster than he imagined, so in order to stop Shangguan Hongyuan, Ye Mingsheng must do something!
Although he has made up his mind to stop Shangguan Hongyuan, what Ye Mingsheng has to consider next is how to control the degree. After all, what Ye Mingsheng wants to do is to delay the time for Shangguan Hongyuan to destroy the Southern Tour Court, rather than really working for the Southern Tour Court!

Honestly speaking, the demise of the Southern Tour court is also good for Ye Mingsheng. On the one hand, it can reduce the influence of the Great Zhou on the people, which is beneficial for Ye Mingsheng to establish his own power in the foreseeable future. On the other hand, it will also be beneficial for Ye Mingsheng to occupy the righteous cause to conquer Shangguan Hongyuan in the future.

But all this has to wait until Ye Mingsheng goes south to take over Hebei, Henan, Qi and Lu. Before that, the court cannot fall during the southern tour. Ye Mingsheng needs them to be there to hold Shangguan Hongyuan back for him...
(End of this chapter)