“What’s the point of being under the Emperor’s nose, it’s much more satisfying to charge into battle!”
Ding Xiu finished his cup of wine and uttered these words, which silenced Shen Lian, Lu Jian Xing, and Jin Yi Chuan.
In truth, Shen Lian and the others preferred the kind of exhilarating experience that came with charging into battle!
This was much more enjoyable than the life of a Jinyiwei, where they were constantly walking on eggshells under the watchful eye of the Emperor!
“Even when drunk, don’t laugh at us in the sand city. Throughout history, how many have returned from war?”
What Huaxia male doesn't have this kind of battlefield romance in their blood!
Lu Jian Xing and the others were a little sullen and didn’t say anything. They turned to look at Chen Ran.
Chen Ran drank a cup of wine, still smiling:
“Brother Lu, Brother Shen, Yi Chuan, what do you think?”
Jin Yi Chuan, about the same age as Chen Ran, was always quick to speak. He immediately laughed and said:
“I think going to war is more fun!”
“There are countless high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital. We serve as Jinyiwei here, under the Emperor’s nose, though we claim to only serve the Emperor, we actually have to watch our words and actions everywhere.”
“Compared to that, it’s more satisfying to fight the enemy with real swords and guns!”
Shen Lian sighed:
“Going to war is not that simple!”
He had experienced the Battle of Sarhu.
He had seen how many soldiers were needlessly sacrificed because of incompetent commanders. He had seen the brutality and ferocity of the enemy. He had seen the gruesome sight of mountains of corpses, bones covering the fields.
So, he just sighed in his heart.
Lu Jian Xing said:
“I will follow Brother Chen wherever he goes!”
Along the way, Chen Ran’s intelligence, ability, and courage had earned Lu Jian Xing’s sincere admiration.
Therefore, he had already made up his mind.
If Chen Ran wanted him to go to war, he would be his loyal follower.
If Chen Ran wanted him to stay in the Jinyiwei, he would be by his side. Even if he was called a court dog, he wouldn't care!
Hearing his words, Jin Yi Chuan, Shen Lian, and Ding Xiu stood up:
“That’s right. Wherever Brother Chen goes, we go!”
Chen Ran smiled and nodded:
“After this, we probably won’t have to stay in the capital anymore!”
The Wenxiang Sect rebellion, the hijacking of Tian Hong Yu's convoy, and the shooting at the capital garrison were all part of Chen Ran's plan!
After Wei Zhong Xian’s downfall, the Donglin faction had grown in power and had become a cause for alarm for Chongzhen.
After connecting with Han Kuang, Chongzhen would not tolerate the head of the Beizhen Fusi or the East Factory being a member of the Donglin faction. Sooner or later, he would have to transfer Chen Ran elsewhere!
After the friction with the capital garrison and the offense against Tian Hong Yu, Chongzhen would have to consider whether to keep him in the capital.
Even if Han Kuang wanted to keep Chen Ran, this was not something he could decide.
At this moment, Wen Ti Ren’s role came into play!
Wen Ti Ren was a lone minister. He did not ally with the Donglin faction, nor did he have any relationship with Tian Hong Yu or other imperial relatives.
But no one knew that Chen Ran had secretly established contact with him.
One thousand two hundred taels of silver had bought off Wen Ti Ren, a minister with meager salary.
If Wen Ti Ren suggested that Chen Ran be transferred out of the capital and appointed as a local military commander, Chongzhen would definitely agree!
Tian Hong Yu and the others, free of their thorn in the side, would immediately agree as well!
This was the inevitable result of mutual infighting and compromise among the court officials!
But who would have known that all of this was part of Chen Ran’s plan!
He sent Jiang Jie to infiltrate the Wenxiang Sect,
incited Xu Da Qiu to revolt,
led a force to destroy the Wenxiang Sect, and let Chongzhen see his combat ability.
Then, he fired a shot to intimidate the capital garrison soldiers, creating friction with Huo Chang Qi,
and then he swallowed Tian Hong Yu’s treasure and stole Chen Yuan Yuan.
In this way, Han Kuang could not keep him even if he wanted to. Chongzhen wanted to promote him but had no suitable position.
At this time, Wen Ti Ren offered a suggestion, and Chongzhen naturally agreed!
To appease Han Kuang, Chen Ran’s new posting would be chosen according to Han Kuang’s opinion!
To win over the hearts and minds of the people, Han Kuang would have to ask Chen Ran for his opinion.
At that time, wouldn’t Chen Ran be able to go wherever he wanted!
What court wisdom!
A bunch of court officials, including the Emperor,
were being played like puppets in his hands!
Though it took some effort, the feeling of being able to manipulate a bunch of officials, even the Emperor himself, was very satisfying!
Thinking about this, Chen Ran couldn’t help but feel a little proud, a smile spreading across his face.
…
“Husband, you seem very happy today!”
Jiang Mei Zhu welcomed Chen Ran, who was drunk, into the room and brought him hot water.
Chen Yuan Yuan had been sent to Tian Jia Zhuang by Shen Lian.
At this time, to avoid arousing Tian Hong Yu’s suspicion, Chen Ran could not go to Tian Jia Zhuang. He could only return to his old home.
Fortunately, he had Shan Pu Tao, Jiang Mei Zhu, at his old home!
After several days of indulgence in the capital,
Shan Pu Tao was now plump and glistening, round and smooth.
Through the slightly dark skin, one could feel the juicy and sweet water.
She still carried a hint of the natural shyness of someone from the countryside.
She was different from the people of the capital or the Jiangnan region!
Chen Ran smiled and said:
“We won a victory. We’re just waiting for the Emperor’s reward. Of course, I’m happy!”
Jiang Mei Zhu knew that Chen Ran had defeated the Wenxiang Sect. The court would definitely reward him, and she was also very happy.
“Husband is going to get promoted again!”
Chen Ran shook his head and smiled faintly:
“Not necessarily a promotion, but we may have to leave the capital soon!”
“Leave the capital?”
Jiang Mei Zhu was slightly taken aback.
She had been living in Chen Ran’s house for a few days and was just getting used to it. She had also grown fond of the brick and tile houses that were common in the city. When she heard that Chen Ran was going to leave the capital, she couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
“What’s wrong?”
Chen Ran pinched her chin with one hand:
“Don’t you want to leave here?”
Jiang Mei Zhu smiled shyly:
“Wherever my husband goes, I go!”
Chen Ran laughed heartily and turned to take off his official robe.
Jiang Mei Zhu thought for a moment and said:
“Husband, are you going to be free now? Just waiting for the Emperor’s reward?”
But Chen Ran suddenly put his arms around her waist:
“Yes. But the wait for the reward is boring. How about we have a baby to play with?”
Jiang Mei Zhu immediately blushed!