The Glory After Rebirth [ɇÇ”Ÿä¹‹Å°Šè£] Chapter 397- 399

Chapter 397: A New Partnership with Luo Sang

Yuwen Tong had never mentioned to Ling Zhang anything about his intention of adopting children, which was why Ling Zhang was now quite surprised, but he felt that it was indeed the best solution.

Ling Zhaowu suggested that Ling Zhang do his best to bond with the children. Ling Zhang said, “I know what you mean, Father, but it’ll take time.”

Although Yuwen Tong had had the adoption planned out, it was still too early to talk about it, given the current circumstances.

This matter could wait. After all, right now he didn’t even know how to take care of children. If Yuwen Tong really brought a baby to the palace straight away, he wouldn’t be able to give it the care it needed, so there was no hurry about it. Children were not objects, and if he was to adopt some, he must be responsible for them.

There was, in addition, another matter. Presently he was a little unaccustomed to the idea of adopting children, faintly against it, actually.

Ling Zhaowu, who knew his son well, didn’t make him start to learn parenting skills right off. He just reminded him, “Although this matter is not urgent, it won’t be long before you have to face it. Both Yuwen Feng’s and Yuwen Qian’s wives have been pregnant for several months. Their babies would be born next spring.”

People didn’t have to specially make some inquiries to get information about the situation in the Abode of the Marquess Fuan (AKA the Marquess of Fortune and Peace) or the Abode of the Marquess Huaiwen (AKA the Marquess of Moderation), so Ling Zhaowu, who was Ling Zhang’s father and had been paying attention to the activities of the various forces in the capital city, naturally was aware of what had been going on in the two families.

There was a moderate amount of time before next spring.

Ling Zhang said with an inclination of the head, “I know.”

All members of the Ling family had been privately informed of Yuwen Tong’s decision. Ling Xingzhong and Ji Yin were both very pleased with it. From the perspective of Ling Zhang, this was the best solution.

…

With Ling Zhang’s return to the Ling Mansion, he and Yuwen Tong became like two “separated” lovebirds once again. For them, each day without seeing each other felt like a year.

Every night, Yuwen Tong still went out of the palace and to the Ling Mansion, had a good night’s sleep with Ling Zhang in his arms and then returned to the palace before daybreak the next day.

As the wedding ceremony drew closer, people in the Ling Mansion were getting even busier. It was as though everybody had an endless list of things to do.

Ling Zhang, however, had got a lot of leisure. Seeing he was becoming an idler, Ling Zhaowu, who happened to be going to the drugstore to meet the leader of the Fangcun commercial fleet, shooed him out of the residence, intending to bring him to the drugstore.

The moment Ling Zhang left the Ling Mansion, Miao Shiba, Wang Dashan and some others followed him overtly, while some secret bodyguards followed in his wake covertly, forming a safety net by stealth.

If it weren’t for the fact that Ling Zhang was sitting in a horse-drawn carriage and pedestrians couldn’t see him, there would definitely have been even more guards escorting him.

The carriage reached the drugstore in the trading center located in the west of the city and then directly drove through the back gates. Ling Zhang and Ling Zhaowu entered the store and went straight upstairs.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master.” Wang Qing was very excited to see Ling Zhang, for he hadn’t seen Ling Zhang for a long time.

“How’s business?” Ling Zhang asked him. Lately his father had been in charge of all the matters in this store.

Wang Qing handed the account book to him and started filling him in on the recent transactions.

After getting a general idea of it, Ling Zhang came to know how things stood, returned the account book to Wang Qing and inquired, “When will Luo Sang be arriving?”

“We agreed to meet here at Si Hour (9:00 a.m.). He should be here soon,” answered Wang Qing.

Ling Zhang said to Ling Zhaowu, “Maybe it’s best if I go and sit in the cubicle. Luo Sang’s trading fleet has dealings with the government of the Fangcun Kingdom, so it’s inconvenient for me to meet him now.”

Ling Zhaowu inclined his head. “Have Wang Qing get you some snack.”

Ling Zhang said, “That won’t be necessary. I’m not a kid any more.”

But Ling Zhaowu insisted and had Wang Qing deliver some food and drink to the cubicle. Ling Zhang accepted it resignedly. The cubicle was a small private room where people could rest. It was separated from the main part of the room by wooden boards covered with sculpted reliefs. There was a soft couch, a table and some chairs in it.

Wang Qing put the food and drink down onto the table and then took his leave. Luo Sang would soon arrive, so he went downstairs to take a look.

Ling Zhang had sat in the cubicle for only a short while when Luo Sang walked upstairs with Wang Qing. His voice was the same as it had been the last time Ling Zhang had met him. “Mr. Ling, have you made a decision about the matter we discussed a couple of days ago?”

Luo Sang wanted the Ling family’s drugstore to be his only buyer. Every year there were a lot of Fangcun commercial fleets arriving in the Great Wen, but only a limited few were as large as Luo Sang’s. Moreover, Luo Sang’s commercial fleet worked for the mayor of Wantao City and had dealings with Fangcun government. The last time Luo Sang had come, Ling Zhang had become the Marshal’s fiancée, and because of that, Luo Sang had agreed to sell all his shipments of one of the most important medicinal herbs to the Ling’s Drugstore. At that time Luo Sang hadn’t thought that the Ling family would soon become the emperor’s in-laws, which was a huge change of identity. If he didn’t take advantage of this opportunity to further his partnership with the Ling family right now, who knew whether or not he’d get another chance?

Also, Luo Sang was not the only one who saw things this way. His master, the mayor of Wantao City, was very supportive of him doing this, hoping that Wantao City would be the Ling’s Drugstore’s only supplier of herbs. Luo Sang had frankly told this to Ling Zhaowu a few days ago, but at that time Ling Zhaowu hadn’t given him a definite reply, saying he needed some time to think about it.

Luo Sang was worried that some other commercial fleet would poach the contract from him, so he came here promptly at Si Hour, the time they’d agreed on two days ago, anxious to find out about Ling Zhaowu’s decision. Theoretically, by doing this, he’d put himself at a disadvantage, but at this point in time, striking a deal with Ling Zhaowu was the most important thing for Luo Sang.

All merchants had a certain kind of sharp, innate, commercial intuition, especially Luo Sang, who only did block trade and had better access to all kinds of intelligence. Judging from the information he’d got from various sources, Luo Sang believed that if he didn’t seize this opportunity to forward his cooperation with the Ling family, he would undoubtedly regret it in the future!

“There’s no hurry, Captain Luo. Please take a seat. We have plenty of time to talk this out,” said Ling Zhaowu.

On hearing that he wanted to talk it out, Luo Sang felt there was still hope, so he sat down immediately.

Listening to the movements in the room next door, Ling Zhang in the cubicle came to know that there was a very high chance Luo Sang would almost certainly accept Ling Zhaowu’s terms this time.

There were two reasons why Ling Zhaowu had said that he needed some time to consider. Firstly, he’d indeed had to think it through before making a reply; secondly, he’d wanted to whet Luo Sang’s appetite. In fact, this time around the Ling family had the inclination to accept the offer of cooperation that Luo Sang had made. Luo Sang’s commercial fleet was affiliated to Wantao City and he had the mayor of that city as his backer, so he would be able to get all the herbs that the Ling family wanted to purchase. In addition, of the many Fangcun commercial fleets, Luo Sang’s was one of the largest and was relatively reliable. Last but not least, Ling Zhaowu himself also believed that establishing a long-term association with Luo Sang’s commercial fleet, who had been a faithful partner all along, was a good choice, for the Fangcun Kingdom was an island country far away from the continent and had fairly abundant resources. Also, its political landscape had been quite stable for many years, and there wouldn’t be any unrest in the next two decades or so.

…

Just as Ling Zhang had expected, Luo Sang accepted all Ling Zhaowu’s terms, and a cooperation agreement was soon signed by them.

Ling Zhaowu didn’t push down the prices too much. Instead, he left some leeway for both sides, feeling that it was beneficial to the stability and sustainability of the partnership.

Apart from several kinds of fairly special medicinal herb that Luo Sang could provide, many Fangcun specialities also took the Ling family’s fancy. In the Fangcun Kingdom, there were some rather unique items of rarity that only the government had enough manpower to obtain, and Luo Sang had access to these things. Aside from the drugstore, the Ling family would surely be running some other stores in the future, so these things would prove useful some day.

Both of them were sincere, so they naturally were both happy about how things had turned out. Before leaving, Luo Sang presented a box of very rare deep-sea pearls to Ling Zhaowu, and invited him to attend a private party initiated by many leaders of commercial fleets, which was scheduled for a couple of days later. People needed personal recommendation to be allowed to attend this kind of personal parties. These commercial fleets had formed an exclusive circle. By attending a personal party of theirs, Ling Zhaowu would be able to get information about a lot of things he had no knowledge of.

Ling Zhaowu, who was very interested in that party, accepted Luo Sang’s invitation.

After Luo Sang left, Ling Zhang walked out of the cubicle. He had never heard about any personal parties of those commercial fleets’ leaders before this day either. Furthermore, apart from leaders of Fangcun commercial fleets, there would also be some leaders of Wan commercial fleets and Luohai commercial fleets attending that party.

“Father, how do you plan to attend this party?” asked Ling Zhang.

There was a reason why he was asking about this. After all, the Ling family had now been labeled as in-laws of the emperor and had the most direct relationship with both the emperor and the imperial court. The backgrounds of those miscellaneous merchants were quite complex, and they wouldn’t necessarily welcome Ling Zhaowu to the party. It probably wouldn’t be easy for Ling Zhaowu to worm some information out of them.

Ling Zhaowu said, “I’ll just go there and be who I am. I don’t expect to get any useful information from any of them, given that it’ll be the first time I attend a party of this kind. On the contrary, it’s about what kind of useful information I could offer them. It’ll take time to gain their trust, get them to talk to me and establish a long-term association with them, so we’ll have to show some patience.”

“Offer them some useful information?” asked Ling Zhang. This meant that his father would put a bait out on the wire and wait for those people to bite it. In order to have them take the bait, his father would have to give them something really useful. Ling Zhang wondered what kind of useful information his father would offer them.

Ling Zhaowu said, “Apart from anything else, I’m a man who’s risen from the dead, and I have knowledge of many things unknown to all others. I don’t think anybody in this world knows about business better than I do. Although the course of the future has changed, the developments of many things wouldn’t be very different from how they’d been in my last incarnation, so don’t worry. I got this.”

Ling Zhang came to understand what Ling Zhaowu meant and felt a sense of relief. Indeed, his father had more knowledge than all other members of his family combined.

Ling Zhaowu was very confident. Ling Zhang felt that since he had already put his father in charge of the drugstore, he should have faith in his father. Moreover, he indeed didn’t compare with his father in this regard.

“Pity the time for the party Luo Sang mentioned is too close to my wedding day, and I wouldn’t be able to extricate myself. Otherwise I would go there with you to check it out,” said Ling Zhang.

He was quite interested in that private party initiated by the leaders of those commercial fleets.

“There’s no hurry. You’ll have a lot of chances. Besides, this is my first time being invited. I don’t think they’ll allow anybody I bring there to join their conversations,” said Ling Zhaowu. He was very familiar with this kind of occasions and fully aware of what the situation would be like at the party.

Ling Zhang felt less regretful at these words. “I’ll wait for another chance, then.”

The father and son stayed in the drugstore for another few moments and then went back home together.

Meanwhile, Luo Sang, after leaving the Ling’s Drugstore, hurriedly paid a visit to a courier hostel to meet a member of the Fangcun diplomatic corps who was also a henchman of the mayor of Wantao City, and told him about the cooperation agreement he’d reached with Ling Zhaowu earlier this day.

Chapter 398: Ling Zhaowen’s Transfer to Another Post

“That Ling Zhaowu guy is not what he seems, and he’s not as mediocre as he is rumored to be. According to my observation and instincts, Ling Zhaowu is definitely a very savvy businessman,” observed Luo Sang.

That Fangcun official gave it some thought before he said, “Actually this is a good thing for us. The reason why we made the Ling family a partner is because we want to use their power to gain more market share in the Great Wen. It is more beneficial to us for them to be capable than it is for them to be incapable.”

Luo Sang inclined his head. “I agree with you, but there is a downside to it. This person is remarkably poised and never takes action without a watertight plan, which makes it very difficult for us to worm any other information out of him.”

The Fangcun official replied, “I’ll make some arrangements in this regard. We just want an extra source of information about the imperial court of the Great Wen. It’s not like we’re plotting against them or something. If Ling Zhaowu is not our guy, we can try someone else. Just focus on your cooperation with Ling Zhaowu. Given that it has just started, even if he is to disclose something to you, he wouldn’t do it right away.”

“I understand,” said Luo Sang.

…

The next day, Ji Yanlai entered the palace.

Ji Yanlai had been attracting people’s attention ever since he’d arrived in the capital city and moved into the Ling Mansion, and people had never stopped speculating about his identity.

On this day, when he went to the imperial palace, Ling Zhang was accompanying him, and so was Ji Yin.

Ji Yanlai and Ji Yin were both clothed in priest’s robes of the Millennium Pavilion, which were solemn and sumptuous, especially the ones Ji Yanlai was wearing. The dignified and unapproachable air about him was unmistakably telling people that he was no common person.

But no outsiders present could guess his identity.

Ling Zhang could sense the various kinds of searching gaze from other people’s eyes, which were appraising them boldly or surreptitiously. Apart from who Ji Yanlai was, these people were also conjecturing about his relations with Ji Yanlai and Ji Yin.

For a time many people had guessed that Ling Zhang’s mother’s family had a Jianghu background, that Ji Yin and Ji Yanlai were from some Jianghu sect. However, as they saw Ji Yanlai’s and Ji Yin’s attire and demeanor, they became rather uncertain about that speculation.

Nobody present would be able to link the two of them with the Foreseers Agency of the dynasty before last.

Ling Zhang, who had been observing them all along, had seen the mien of most people.

Ji Yanlai and Ji Yin hadn’t even glanced at anybody out of the corners of their eyes, acting quite arrogantly.

Ling Zhang inwardly let out a sigh, thinking that fortunately Ji Yanlai had no interest in making trouble for anybody. Otherwise he really didn’t know what kind of chaos Ji Yanlai would throw this country into, given his abilities, because this person really had powers he could be proud of.

On this day Ji Yanlai had come to the palace for an imperial edict. He was officially seeking an audience with Yuwen Tong as the Clan Leader of the Millennium Pavilion. He wanted an imperial edict from Yuwen Tong, one that would allow people of the Millennium Pavilion to move to a particular island on the sea. Naturally, no information about the Millennium Pavilion would be disclosed.

When Ji Yanlai took the imperial edict, some high-ranking courtiers vaguely guessed something, but most people were quite confused as to why the emperor had given Ji Yanlai a deserted island. That island seemed to be useless on the surface, but seen from a different perspective, it still had some value. More importantly, these people only knew that Ji Yanlai and Ji Yin were Ling Zhang’s maternal relatives, and they didn’t even know the name of either of them.

This matter struck them as so mysterious.

…

After piquing a lot of people’s curiosity in the palace, Ji Yanlai and Ji Yin returned to the Ling Mansion and lay low, keeping all the prying eyes out of the front gates of the residence. Those who were bent on nosing out their identities were bound to be disappointed.

That very night, after Yuwen Tong slunk into Ling Zhang’s chambers, the latter told him that a lot of scouts had been making inquiries outside the Ling Mansion during the day.

Yuwen Tong asked, “Did any of them bother your family?”

Helping him take off his overgarment, Ling Zhang replied, “No. This residence is heavily guarded, and because of that concealment formation deployed by my maternal grandfather, nobody would be able to get close without a guide.”

Yuwen Tong smiled, “Naturally, Mr. Ji’s concealment formation is unbreakable.”

Ling Zhang flicked him a glance. “You seem in a pretty good mood. Something good happened?”

Yuwen Tong, while letting Ling Zhang help him take off the heavy robes, kissed him and responded, “It’s true what they say, ‘Lovers’ hearts are closely linked.'”

Walking to the side with Yuwen Tong’s overgarment, Ling Zhang said, “You’ve got it written on your face. I’d have to be blind not to notice.”

Smiling, Yuwen Tong sighed, “It’s about Cangzhou.”

On hearing that it was about Cangzhou, Ling Zhang hastened to put Yuwen Tong’s overgarment down on the side. “How are things going in Cangzhou?”

“The matter of the rebel army has basically been settled. All those who should return home have returned home. The General Zhongwu (AKA the General of Loyalty and Valor) has taken the leader of the rebel army into custody. When he leads his men back here, the leader will be escorted back as well. The matter of the rebel leader is easy to deal with. The tricky part is the placement of the rebels. Their returning home means that the situation in Cangzhou has stabilized. Right now the first priority is to help the people rehabilitate their homeland and restore their lives. In addition, currently the General Zhongwu is still burdened with all the affairs in Cangzhou. I need to have all the vacancies in Cangzhou yamen and other departments filled before he returns to this city. I’ve found a suitable candidate for the position of Cangzhou governor. I’ll have him depart for Cangzhou in a couple of days,” replied Yuwen Tong.

Ling Zhang was greatly relieved to learn that the overall situation in Cangzhou had stabilized.

“Who are you appointing as the Cangzhou governor?” Ling Zhang inquired of him. That city was a total mess, and it’d take someone with both required competences and a lot of guts to handle it. Cangzhou couldn’t afford to undergo another uprising.

Yuwen Tong answered, “Xu Lingyun.”

“Him?” Ling Zhang was amazed. “Xu Lingyun is the Shengzhou governor. Shengzhou is a very important prefecture. Is it really okay to transfer him?”

“The Wan Kingdom wouldn’t be able to wage another war against us in the next five years or so. With Jiang Ke and Jiang Xi defending the borders, there wouldn’t be any serious problems in Shengzhou. The main job there is to restore the economy hit by the war. I’ll appoint someone competent in Xu Lingyun’s stead and the problem will be solved,” Yuwen Tong said.

At these words of Yuwen Tong’s, Ling Zhang came to know that he had made up his mind. Though Xu Lingyun was young, it was obvious he was quite able and full of dash, given that Shengzhou people had been living in peace under his watch for so many years, and that Yuwen Tong trusted him so much. Ling Zhang believed that Yuwen Tong was doing the right thing by making Xu Lingyun the Cangzhou governor, and he also had faith in Xu Lingyun’s abilities.

“What about Xiao Ziyan? Aren’t they a married couple? If you transfer Xu Lingyun to Cangzhou, Xiao Ziyan, as the deputy commander of Shengzhou garrison, would be left alone in Shengzhou, wouldn’t he? They’re okay with that?”

Yuwen Tong said, “Xiao Ziyan will be transferred there with him. The Cangzhou garrison also needs a commander capable of keeping the overall situation under control. Xiao Ziyan has what it takes to do that. One of them is a civil official, and the other a military officer, and they’re a married couple and make a good team too, which is exactly what Cangzhou needs. They won’t even have to spend any time to adjust themselves to each other’s style of handling things. As a result, I only gave them one job: stabilize the overall situation in Cangzhou as soon as possible and keep a weather eye on Jiangzhou.”

Since Xiao Ziyan was going with Xu Lingyun, the two of them wouldn’t be separated. Ling Zhang was somewhat worried about them. Although the only time that he’d had dealings with them had been when he’d met them outside the consultation hall on that day, Ling Zhang cared about the two of them out of his appreciation of and admiration for talents as well as the similarity between their gay marriage and his relations with Yuwen Tong.

“If you have the two of them depart for Cangzhou in just a couple of days, won’t officials of Shengzhou be flustered?”

“That won’t happen. Someone will keep the situation in Shengzhou under control,” replied Yuwen Tong.

“Who?” Ling Zhang was very curious.

“Shang Fei, the assistant governor of Shengzhou. He’s Xu Lingyun’s junior fellow apprentice and is quite able as well. Also, things in the Shengzhou garrison are going pretty well. There’ll only be some handovers of political and military power at the most. He’ll get it done over time,” said Yuwen Tong.

This was Ling Zhang’s first time hearing about this person, and he didn’t know much about him, but since Yuwen Tong had said that this person was reliable, Ling Zhang didn’t make any remarks and just decided that after the wedding ceremony, he needed to set out to acquaint himself with the background of the officials in various prefectures.

“When do you plan to settle the matter of Jiangzhou? It’s not good for us to keep delaying it.” Ling Zhang asked about the matter of Jiangzhou after finishing talking about the transfer of Xu Lingyun and Xiao Ziyan.

“I’m on it already. The Jiangzhou garrison have sealed all city gates. They intend to stage a revolt as the Cangzhou rebel army did, but the Jiangzhou garrison is not united. There are checks and balances inside it. Right now I just need some time to send someone to break the balance of power, so that it’ll be easier to clean up the mess afterward,” said Yuwen Tong.

Ling Zhang gave a nod.

Yuwen Tong hesitated for a brief moment before he asked, “You’re not going to ask me who I’m appointing in Xu Lingyun’s stead as the Shengzhou governor?”

Ling Zhang’s gut reaction was to ask the question that Yuwen Tong mentioned, but when he had done it, it struck him that something was not right. Yuwen Tong had specially brought this matter up with the air of someone putting out feelers, which unmistakably suggested that this person was someone he knew and was well acquainted with, and maybe it was even someone he didn’t like see go to Shengzhou.

Ling Zhang gave Yuwen Tong a dirty look and asked, “Why are you specially asking about this? Is that person you’re transferring to Shengzhou someone I know, by any chance?”

He had a shrewd idea who that person was, but he didn’t say anything to confirm it immediately.

Yuwen Tong said, “I do have the intention, but I’m giving you the final say on this one.”

Ling Zhang furrowed his brows. “My uncle?”

Yuwen Tong replied with an inclination of the head. “Your uncle’s pretty competent in his work. Previously, after Zhang Chong’s rebellion was put down, Tanyang was an utter mess as well. Given that your uncle quickly stabilized the situation and restored order to the city, I think he wouldn’t have many problems handling the matter of Shengzhou. Also, it’ll be a chance to improve his abilities.”

Ling Zhang made no prompt reply. He felt an immediate urge to object. After all, Shengzhou was a border city, and it was very far away, but fortunately his senses got the better of him, and he managed to subdue the urge and started to consider the practicality of his uncle going to Shengzhou.

“My uncle didn’t handle the situation in Tanyang unassisted. Lord Tao was also there.”

“That’s true, but it doesn’t change the fact that your uncle is a capable assistant governor.”

“Shengzhou is a border city. My uncle has little acquaintance with the borderlands. Besides, my aunt is not in a fit state to journey, what with her pregnancy.”

“I believe your uncle will make a competent Shengzhou governor, as long as he keeps his mind on the job. Your aunt may stay in the capital city waiting for the baby to come. I know what you’re worried about. Why don’t you go and have a talk with your uncle about it first?” said Yuwen Tong.

Ling Zhang tossed him a glance. “It’s not our decision to make. This matter does concern me a little, but you’re the emperor. It’s your call.”

Chapter 399: An Official Transfer Order

Yuwen Tong suggested Ling Zhang confer with Ling Zhaowen, but after hearing this, Ling Zhang perceptively sensed that there was something inappropriate about it.

“You’re the emperor, and your decision about the transfer of my uncle shouldn’t be based on the result of my consultation with my uncle,” observed Ling Zhang, his eyebrows contracting.

Seeing as Yuwen Tong was the emperor, a matter as important as the transfer of someone to the position of Shengzhou governor shouldn’t be left to him and his uncle to use their discretion, although his relations with Yuwen Tong were special.

Ling Zhang’s comment was perceptive, but Yuwen Tong was astonished by it, fixing Ling Zhang a stare.

“Although I’m a little worried, you shouldn’t let it affect your decision. If you feel that transferring my uncle to the position of Shengzhou governor is the right thing to do, then–”

Before Ling Zhang could finish his sentence, Yuwen Tong abruptly jerked him into his embrace.

Then Yuwen Tong chuckled beside his ear, “Soon we’ll be a married couple, and all that is mine is yours. Right now we’re discussing this as husband and wife.”

A married couple? Husband and wife? A flush spread over Ling Zhang’s face all the way to his ears. “Say something sensible.”

Yuwen Tong replied, “This couldn’t be more sensible. The wedding ceremony is very close, and I won’t let you chicken out. I know what you mean. In a sense, it is indeed a little selfish of me to transfer your uncle to the position of Shengzhou governor, but the precondition for it is that your uncle has what it takes to stand the test. I have faith in your uncle.”

Ling Zhang kept silent for a few moments before he asked, “You really think so?”

Yuwen Tong responded, “Yeah. You don’t even believe in your own uncle?”

Of course Ling Zhang believed in his own uncle, but he was still unable to dismiss his apprehension, which was why he wanted Yuwen Tong to give it some more thought before making a decision.

“I see. I’ll inform my uncle of it beforehand so that he could prepare himself for it,” said Ling Zhang.

Having made a decision, Ling Zhang wouldn’t say anything more. In his eyes, it was more important for him to support Yuwen Tong than to worry about things and question his judgement.

Yuwen Tong, who was quite shrewd, was observing and analyzing Ling Zhang’s every move, so he naturally was aware of what Ling Zhang’s reaction meant, but this was also the very reason why he found it difficult to control his emotions.

“Even if you’re to confer with your uncle, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to do it. Tonight what you should do is rest well.”

While saying this, he drew Ling Zhang towards the bedchamber.

Ling Zhang, who was still pondering how to talk with his uncle about this matter the next day, subconsciously walked forward with Yuwen Tong. When he became conscious of externals, he had already been stripped naked.

…

The next day, Ling Zhang went to see Ling Zhaowen.

“What’s the matter? You seem to have trouble starting a conversation with me. I’m your uncle. You can talk with me about anything,” Ling Zhaowen said to Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhang collected his thoughts. “Uncle, Xu Lingyun, the Shengzhou governor, will be transferred to Cangzhou, and his post will fall vacant. His Majesty has decided to appoint you in his stead. Early tomorrow morning someone will come here from the palace to deliver a verbal instruction from His Majesty, summoning you to the palace.”

Ling Zhaowen was somewhat astonished at these words, but he gave no other particular reaction. This news came as something of a surprise to him.

“Appointing me the Shengzhou governor? Uh… nobody raised any objections in the imperial court?”

Ling Zhang shook his head. “The decision is final.”

Ling Zhaowen thought about it very carefully for a few moments and then said, “I see. I’ll prepare myself to go to the palace tomorrow morning.”

Seeing Ling Zhaowen didn’t appear awkward or flustered at all and looked very composed, Ling Zhang asked, “Does this not strike you as too sudden, Uncle?”

Ling Zhaowen said, “It’s indeed quite sudden.”

But the next moment, he saw the expression on Ling Zhang’s face and came to understand what Ling Zhang meant. With a smile, he said, “But I’m not completely unprepared. I know that I’ll surely be transferred to another post after the change of your identity. Your father has no intention of pursuing a political career, and your grandfather is in his declining years, but someone in our family has to assume the responsibility for bringing honor to the family name and making it worthy of your status, so that people wouldn’t look down upon us. There was a time when I was wondering what kind of arrangements His Majesty would make. It never crossed my mind that I’d be transferred to the position of Shengzhou governor.

The post is one rank higher than my present one. It’s not a high-profile promotion but a fairly reasonable one. The only part that surprises me is that it’s Shengzhou that His Majesty is transferring me to. The North-western Army is stationed not far away from Shengzhou, and Governor Xu has been governing the prefecture for many years, so the overall situation there is stable. If I go there, the most important thing I’ll have to do is enforce the newly issued decrees to help the people there restore their lives and get everything back on track as quick as possible in the post-war period, and make some achievements in my official career. It’ll be a very good opportunity for me to toughen up, and it’s a very good job too.”

After Ling Zhang heard Ling Zhaowen’s words, the light dawned on him. He suddenly came to realize that Shengzhou was just the place his uncle needed to go to, that Yuwen Tong must have given it quite some thought before making this decision, that the night before it’d been totally unnecessary for him to subconsciously worry at the beginning that his uncle might not be able to handle that job.

“Are you worried about me?” Ling Zhaowen asked with a smile. “You may rest assured that I’ll achieve something and I won’t embarrass you. I’m looking forward to this job.”

“That’s not what I mean, Uncle,” said Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhaowen patted his shoulder. “I know. This transfer is a great opportunity for both me and our family, and I won’t let it slip away. I just wonder when I’m supposed to take office. Did His Majesty mention it to you?”

Ling Zhang shook his head. “No, but I think it’s after my and his wedding ceremony. Xu Lingyun will depart for Cangzhou in two days, and they can’t let the position of Shengzhou governor stay vacant for long.”

Ling Zhaowen also had a deduction about the time he was supposed to assume office, which was very close to the one Ling Zhang told him. “It seems that I’ll have to make some arrangements in advance.”

“About Aunt Caiwei…”

“She’ll have to stay in this city. The journey will be too weary for her to make.”

Ling Zhaowen answered the question in a very calm tone. His decision about this matter was very definite. Fu Caiwei was pregnant, and a long journey was bad for her health, so it’d be best if she stayed in the capital city waiting for the baby to come.

“You’re going to be separated from Aunt Caiwei…” said Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhaowen chuckled, “It’ll only be a temporary separation. My only concern is whether she’ll be delivered of the baby safely.”

Ling Zhang hurriedly said, “I promise I won’t let anything happen to Aunt Caiwei!”

Ling Zhaowen said, “I know. Since I’ll go to Shengzhou, you’ll have to take on the responsibility for taking care of our family. If possible, I’ll figure out a way to come back when the baby is due.”

They’d have to make some careful preparations for this matter, and whether his uncle would be able to come back would depend on the specific circumstances at that time. It was too early to talk about that.

…

The next day, Ling Zhaowen was summoned to the imperial palace. As Ling Zhang had told him, he was promoted to the position of Shengzhou governor, which was one rank higher than his previous post. The official seal and the papers of transfer had been issued to him, but the tailors were still working on his official robes. Apart from him, Xu Lingyun and Xiao Ziyan had also been transferred to other posts, both of whom had to depart for Cangzhou in two days, which was rather short notice.

Some of the courtiers were surprised at the transfer of the three of them. Others were unsurprised. Old Master Ji and Chu Liangyan, who had been informed of it some time ago, were totally unperturbed.

Ling Zhaowen was Ling Zhang’s uncle, the only member of the Ling family who was pursuing a political career. Neither Ling Zhang’s father nor his grandfather were government officials, so it was a natural thing that Ling Zhaowen had been promoted, and all people found it understandable. Xu Lingyun’s transfer to Cangzhou, however, surprised many.

On his way out of the palace, Ling Zhaowen chanced upon Xu Lingyun and Xiao Ziyan. Xu Lingyun offered to go to the Ling Mansion to be a guest. Naturally, Ling Zhaowen agreed readily.

Ling Zhaowen had a shrewd deduction about the reason why Xu Lingyun offered to go to the Ling Mansion to be a guest despite his tight schedule.

Predictably, after taking a seat in the Ling Mansion, Xu Lingyun brought up the matter of Shengzhou and talked a lot with Ling Zhaowen, the would-be Shengzhou governor.

Xu Lingyun didn’t really have to do this, but he did, so Ling Zhaowen naturally lodged this favor in his mind.

Ling Zhang, who could tell why Xu Lingyun was doing this, naturally decided to bear this favor in mind as well.

After his talk with Ling Zhaowen was over, Xu Lingyun had a word with Ling Zhang in private.

Ling Zhang invited him to his courtyard house to take a seat. “I’m much obliged to you for offering my uncle so many tips, Governor Xu.”

“It’s my pleasure, Childe Ling. Governor Ling and I are both His Majesty’s servants. Sparing Governor Ling some trouble is the least I could do,” said Xu Lingyun.

“No matter what, I’ll keep your kindness in mind. You and Deputy Commander Xiao are going to depart for Cangzhou in two days. Have you got everything you need? Is there anything I could do to help?” asked Ling Zhang.

Xu Lingyun replied, “It’s just a couple of traveling bags that we need to prepare. Some guards will be accompanying us on the journey, and they’ll take care of everything for us, so for the moment there’s nothing we couldn’t handle, but Ziyan and I both find it regrettable that we won’t be able to attend your and His Majesty’s wedding ceremony. Your wedding was the very reason why we came to this city, but now what with the urgent situation in Cangzhou, we have to leave ahead of schedule. The imperial wedding is probably going to be quite an occasion. It saddens me that we’ll miss such a spectacular scene.”

Ling Zhang chuckled, “Believe me, it’ll be nothing but a miscellany of meaningless formalities. If you two really feel regretful, I’ll intercede with His Majesty and have him give you two the permission to stay until after our wedding to depart.”

Xu Lingyun dissolved into laughter. “It’s a joke. The matter of Cangzhou can’t wait. Ziyan and I both have sense of perspective. Although we feel it regrettable to miss your and His Majesty’s wedding, it is within our power to deliver the wedding gift to you beforehand. We’ve handed it over to His Majesty already earlier this day. You’ll see it after you enter the palace. I hope it won’t strike you as unpresentable.”

“That’ll never happen. It’s a token of your benediction, which we’ll both cherish,” said Ling Zhang. “I’m afraid you two won’t be able to get any leisure anytime soon after you go to Cangzhou. If you need any help from the imperial court or me, all you have to do is ask.”

Ling Zhang was fully aware that given Xu Lingyun’s abilities and dash, he would be transferred back to a position of responsibility in the capital city sooner or later, that this job in Cangzhou would be the springboard for Xu Lingyun’s future transfer back to the capital city. Xu Lingyun would definitely have to handle the matter of Cangzhou with distinction, and it was undoubtedly impossible for him and Xiao Ziyan to achieve that unaided. They would surely need some help from the capital city.

Unsurprisingly, Xu Lingyun was very happy to hear this promise from Ling Zhang. “I’m very grateful for your kindness, Childe Ling.”

Xu Lingyun was a great talker, and the two of them sat there for a long time, chatting about a lot of things. During the long talk, they naturally got more acquainted with each other and even found that they were fairly like-minded, so the mood was much more relaxed and pleasant.

By paying the Ling Mansion a visit, Xu Lingyun had made overtures to Ling Zhang on his own initiative, and Ling Zhang had given him his word, so both of them were satisfied.

Before long, Xu Lingyun and Xiao Ziyan took their leave. Ling Zhang personally walked them to the front gates of the Ling Mansion.