Chapter 258: Luring and Aligning

Madam Ying did the same.

Then it was He Lingchuan's turn.

He Chunhua stood in front, his expression and tone heavy. "Bow to your great-grandfather."

"Bow to your grandfather."

"Bow to your grandmother."

"Bow to your second granduncle."

He Lingchuan also kowtowed thirty-six times, feeling a little dizzy when he stood up. The last kowtow was for Ninth Uncle, He Chunhua's own younger brother, who was only six years old when he was cut in half and left in the market.

All 127 members of the He family's main household, from octogenarians to six-year-old children, none were spared, except for He Chunhua, who survived alone.

Then it was He Yue's turn.

As the brothers passed each other, He Lingchuan silently mouthed to him, "Be gentle!"

For someone with rough skin like He Lingchuan, his forehead was still red and swollen after kowtowing; He Yue had delicate skin, and in previous years, after the family sacrifice, the butler even had to apply medicine to his wounds.

He Yue shifted his gaze back, his face expressionless.

When he knelt down to kowtow, the sound of his head hitting the ground was no softer than He Lingchuan's.

He Chunhua looked at him, but his gaze was unfocused, as if he was lost in thought.

He Lingchuan looked at his father, but felt his expression was unsettlingly vacant.

No matter how gentle he appeared on the surface, the hatred and resentment in this man's heart had never faded even slightly.

After kowtowing thirty-six times, He Yue squatted for a while to recover before standing up to offer incense.

Sure enough, blood was once again flowing from his forehead.

"Good, the He family has gone through a great tribulation, and it's time for rebirth," He Chunhua said, taking a deep breath. "How did I teach you before? To clear the He family's name and restore its reputation—"

The He brothers exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We will be torn to pieces and never shrink from death!"

The people who framed the He family back then were already dead, but the He family members still lived and died with the charge of "accomplices." Due to the royal family's prestige and dignity, this long-standing injustice had yet to be redressed.

For the past twenty years, He Chunhua had harbored resentment and never dared to forget it.

"Good, you are all good children!" he said, his face excited. He even slightly closed his eyes, and a glint of tears seemed to flicker at the corners of his eyes. "You must all remember and act upon your vows today!"

Of course, the brothers responded "Yes."

Butler Old Mo had long prepared the ointment and quickly and efficiently treated He Yue's external injuries.

After the incense burned out, the family began burning joss paper.

The first ancestral worship ceremony held in a different place was now nearing its end. He Lingchuan remembered that he truly had to be cautious in his words and actions today. He could not laugh loudly, drink alcohol, or go out to seek pleasure.

But He Chunhua seemed to have dispersed all his pent-up frustration during the recent ceremony, and the low pressure around him was gone. He patted the two brothers' shoulders and said gently, "Alright, you must all be hungry, right? It's time to eat."

Family sacrifice days were vegetarian.

But the atmosphere at the dining table had already softened. Madam Ying was telling her two sons, "I'll have the tailor come to the house tomorrow to measure you for at least three new sets of clothes each." Both sons had grown taller, and their old clothes no longer fit. "Also, in a little over ten days it will be the Shangsi Festival on the third day of the third month, and there will be a temple fair in the west of the city, which all young men and women attend."

The brothers both murmured in acknowledgment.

He Chunhua took a few bites, then put down his chopsticks and took out two letters, placing them on the table. "These two letters are both from Minister Li. The first was delivered five days ago, and the second arrived this morning. Yue'er has already seen them, Chuan'er, take a look."

The Li family's powerful patron had finally written to the new Governor of Xiazhou.

The Li family had suffered so many grievances under He Chunhua's hand, so it would be strange if they didn't complain to Minister Li. He Lingchuan knew that one reason his father hadn't acted boldly in Dunyu was still somewhat due to his apprehension about Minister Li's reaction.

After all, the man held a high position and significant power, and had direct influence over the monarch.

Seeing He Chunhua's relaxed expression, He Lingchuan knew that Minister Li's attitude should not be bad.

Minister Li's first letter spanned several hundred characters. The gist was that the Li family descendants were incompetent and foolish, and had provoked the Zhan family without any evidence, and that Governor He had disciplined his Li family well—

However, Li Zhao had recently died, and his family was in immense grief, leading to improper conduct and grave mistakes—wasn't that perhaps excusable?

Afterward, Minister Li, along with various ministries at the court assembly, altogether raised twenty thousand piculs of grain and fodder to be transported to the northern border.

He Chunhua added, "Calculating the time, this batch of military supplies will reach Dunyu in at most two days, where they will rest briefly before being sent to the front line."

"The wording is very cautious," He Lingchuan said deliberately, shaking the letter paper. "I thought Minister Li would throw his weight around and order Father to release Li Yu."

"Dare he?" He Chunhua sneered. "My authority here is absolute. Xiazhou is now my territory and one of the two major front lines most closely watched by the royal court. If he dares to bully people at this time, I can directly send his letter to the capital for the King's review. So now he has to be polite and careful not to give me any excuse."

Rather than saying Xiazhou is under universal scrutiny, it's more accurate to say this place is a quagmire, and the royal court is overwhelmed with fighting on two fronts. If he were to drop the ball, no one else could pick it up.

Would Minister Li dare to guarantee that the new governor he recommended for Xiazhou could do a better job than He Chunhua?

Therefore, at a time like this, He Chunhua wasn't afraid of him.

He Yue interjected, "The western front is also clamoring for supplies; General Ke has even begged for grain all the way to the capital. Minister Li's allocation of twenty thousand piculs of grain to the northern front at this time is a gesture of goodwill towards Father, hoping he will show leniency."

He Lingchuan scoffed, "Old fox, he still managed to get grain after all. Rations are the lifeline of soldiers. Twenty thousand piculs of grain is enough to feed Zhao Pan's large army for a month."

This gift was undoubtedly significant, but what was annoying was that He Chunhua would still have to send it out, to the north.

"By the time it's transported here, it won't be twenty thousand piculs anymore," He Chunhua said, shaking his head. "Never mind, it's a good thing nonetheless."

He Lingchuan picked up the second letter and glanced at it a few times, barely managing to suppress a laugh.

"Minister Li only sent his letter after our two great victories reached the capital, right?" He Lingchuan mused. Timing-wise, it was perfect. This Minister Li's demeanor was truly very flexible.

A hint of a smile also appeared in He Chunhua's eyes. "Indeed," he said.

Minister Li's second letter was much warmer in tone than the first. It first congratulated the new governor on his great victory in his first battle, then encouraged him to continue his efforts, and then, with a righteous air, demanded that he severely punish those law-breaking and unfilial descendants of the Li family, without needing to show him any consideration.

The crowning touch was left for last: Minister Li expressed great satisfaction, saying that after the rebel Sun Fuping was executed, he had recommended the meritorious official He Chunhua to the monarch for promotion to Governor of Xiazhou, which seemed to be an act benefiting the people of Great Yuan.

"He's taking all the credit for himself in one go," He Lingchuan murmured. "Father, so it was him who recommended you?"

"It's not that simple; he was merely involved," He Chunhua said, shaking his head. "Taking credit for themselves—that's their usual tactic."

He Lingchuan's heart stirred upon hearing this. It sounded like his father was very clear about the situation back then. Was there someone in the court?

That's right, his father's social networking abilities had always been outstanding and should not be underestimated.

"As for the brothers Li Zhi and Li Yu, how do you plan to sentence them, Father?"

"They will be sentenced as they should be," He Chunhua said calmly. "It seems Li Xiaoliu and Minister Li have already established a connection."

Li Zhao's two sons were as good as ruined. Minister Li might be thinking of sacrificing a limb to save the body, kicking out these two annoying cowards who only caused internal strife, and then supporting Li Shuang, the third generation of the Li family, to take charge.

From a holistic perspective, this would be better for the Li family.

"This batch of military supplies from the royal court cannot be delayed and must be sent to the northern front as soon as possible," He Chunhua said to his eldest son. "Chuan'er, come with me."

He Lingchuan was startled. "Father, are you going to personally escort the grain?"

"Yes, I also want to take this opportunity to observe the public sentiment in Xiazhou and meet with General Zhao Pan." Xiazhou was Zhao Pan's major rear area and supply line; as the new Governor, he needed to meet with Zhao Pan as soon as possible to facilitate cooperation. "Additionally, Zhao Qinghe told me that the patrol cavalry from Xunzhou are still roaming in central Xiazhou, so perhaps there will be an opportunity for training this time."

After the meal, everyone returned to their rooms to rest, and He Chunhua went into his study.

Old Mo brought someone to him. "Master, someone from the capital has arrived," he said, then retreated outside to stand guard, closing the study door behind him.

The man was dusty and travel-worn, looking more like an old farmer than a messenger. He took out a letter and a brocade pouch from his bosom and offered them with both hands. "Today is the He family's memorial day; my master instructed me to arrive in Dunyu by today to express his regards."

"You've worked hard," He Chunhua said, taking the letter, breaking the wax seal, and opening it.

The letter was signed at the end:

Yan Lixin.

He Chunhua quickly glanced at it. The solemnity on his face eased slightly, and a faint smile appeared. "It seems, then, that the position of Imperial Advisor is already Mr. Yan's for the taking."

Previously, Marquis Songyang had spoken with him at length about the competition for the Imperial Advisor vacancy left after Sun Fuping's death. He didn't expect that Governor He had actually already made contact with one of the candidates.

His trip to Shihuan had not been in vain.

Politics was the biggest gamble; as long as one chose the right side, one would benefit for life.

"My master thanks you for your strong support."

Hong Chenglüe knew that with three constables dead in his own home, he would soon become a wanted man, so when he left, he dared not stick his head out the window for fear of being recognized. After all, the town was small, and neighbors knew each other.

He didn't know how Wu Qing and the others had arranged it, or perhaps because the dead bodies in his courtyard hadn't been discovered yet, but the convoy smoothly drove out of Bailu Town without being checked along the way.

Further north, the number of people and horses on the main road became fewer and fewer.

After another four li of travel, there was an open-air water stop by the roadside.

These shelters were mostly built by wells or riversides, where travelers could drink hot water, sometimes even hot tea, and exhausted horses could drink from the troughs. Of course, payment was required for everything.

Aside from the attendant pouring water, there were only three people at the water stop. As soon as Wu Qing's convoy arrived, they mounted their horses and left.

Hong Chenglüe surprisingly urged him, "Fill up the water quickly, we need to catch up with those three ahead."

Wu Qing nodded, went down to fill two leather flasks with hot water, then urged the coachman to hurry, always maintaining a steady pace behind the three riders.

After another two li, there was no one else on the road.

Hong Chenglüe untied a horse himself and rode off in pursuit.

The three men were discussing the capture of rogue criminals and turned around at the sound of hurried hooves. The one leading them was the *youjiao* who had previously executed the grain-stealing boy in town, surnamed Chen.