Chapter 50: Surrounding the Marquis of Zhennan's Mansion

Hearing this voice, Song Renjie's face lit up and he walked out quickly.

"Chen, you've come just in time."

Seeing Chen Yuan's smiling face, for some reason, it felt like a weight was lifted off Song Renjie's heart.

To be honest, although the relocated laborers have settled down, it is hard to guarantee that Yuwen Huaji will not discover any clues.

Once he senses something wrong, there will be enough excuses at that time.

You should know that these commoners are obviously deliberately fabricated by the Yuwen family, just to find an excuse to attack the Song family.

And the Song family can only dismantle the strategy when facing this trick by the Yuwen family.

Now that Yu Wenhua has the imperial decree and came to search, Song Renjie is also uncertain.

Now Chen Yuan's arrival can be said to have given him a boost.

Especially when he sees Chen Yuan's confident smile, he knows that this young man definitely has a solution.

"I know that my older brother is in trouble, so I came over to see if there's anything I can do to help."

Song Renjie laughed heartily, "The timing of your arrival couldn't be better, my friend. Yuwen Huaji has already led people into the city, and from my speculation, they should be conducting a search."

Chen Yuan nodded and said, "I see this point, but I wonder what's your plan, big brother?"

"To be honest, little brother, I don't have any good strategy either. I can only arrange for the dispersion of those disaster victims and integrate them with the local people. I believe Yuwen Huaji shouldn't be able to find anything through investigation."

"Big brother, have you ever thought that these disaster victims are already connected to Yuwen Hua and cannot escape? Even if you hide well, I'm afraid this sly fox can still sniff it out."

Song Renjie naturally understood Chen Yuan's meaning, but at this moment he obviously had no better way.

Upon seeing Chen Yuan's relaxed appearance, he immediately said, "Brother, it seems like you have a plan in mind?".

Chen Yuan smiled slightly and replied, "Brother, please be patient, you will know when the time comes."

…………

Yuwenhua led his army towards Zhen Nanhou Mansion, but he had some doubts along the way.

Chen Yuan and others speculated correctly. After the court received his memorial from eight hundred miles away, they did give an edict. However, this edict made him hesitate.

The general meaning of the mandate is for Yuwen Huaji to convey the imperial decree upon reaching Lingnan and to assist in the investigation with the support of the Marquis of Zhennan's residence. However, no results have been achieved after several days.

Therefore, the performance of the Marquis of Zhennan has been ineffective, and Yuwen Huaji has been specially appointed to personally lead the Feather Forest Army to enter the city for search and arrest, and all counties in Lingnan are not allowed to obstruct.

Besides that, there is nothing.

Nothing?

It's just because of nothing that Yuwen Huaji's heart is a bit suspicious.

This decree can be said to be vague, and even a bit profound.

His memorial states clearly that the Marquis of Zhennan is hoarding troops and not taking action to assist in capturing criminals, which is clearly a violation of the imperial order.

Furthermore, although Lingnan is the Marquis of Zhennan's fiefdom and the court cannot interfere in its affairs, isn't the Marquis of Zhennan an appointed official of the great Sui Dynasty and receiving a salary from the court?

The imperial court has ordered that the Fu Bing system be implemented in various counties, except for the border areas.

The meaning is very clear. It's no problem for each region to implement the Fu Bing system, but for the border areas which are responsible for guarding the borders, the system naturally cannot be applied.

Otherwise, who would defend the homeland, so we continue to follow the equal-field system.

Lingnan is considered a strategic frontier, so the equal-field system should be strictly implemented.

But in reality, your Zhen-Nan Marquis is implementing the prefectural militia system in Lingnan, isn't this clearly deceiving superiors and subordinates?

Furthermore, the government has strict regulations that prohibit local officials from operating industries or engaging in any commercial activities. It strictly prohibits local officials from engaging in any commercial exchanges with merchants and traders.

This is also clearly stipulated. Officials in various regions are paid by the imperial court. As officials, you naturally cannot engage in any profitable commercial activities in the society.

Otherwise, with your status, wouldn't it disrupt the order?

But what about what you did in Lingnan? Oh, you are the majestic General of the Sixteen Guards, and yet you secretly established industries?

So what are you trying to do? Are you thinking of amassing wealth and secretly plotting a rebellion?

The memorial that I wrote clearly described the situation here, but the Emperor did not provide any instructions?

All I have been given is authorization to lead the army into the city for a personal search. What does this mean?

Even if the court is wary of the power of the Marquis of Zhennan and cannot punish them too harshly, there should at least be a warning, right?

Or at least conduct a proper investigation and follow the procedure, but they just ignore it like this?

Yuwen Huaji is somewhat unsure about the court's intentions and is unclear about the court's attitude, so naturally he doesn't have much confidence.

Although he leads the army to search the city, the first step naturally is to come to the Zhennan Marquis Mansion.

First, it's to give this local boss some face, meaning that I am going to search, and I'm letting you know in advance.

Second, it's also to test the attitude of the Zhennan Marquis Mansion, so as to determine his next move.

In the capital.

Chen Yuan is talking with Song Renjie and hasn't reported the upcoming events to Song Shengjie.

After all, Song Shengjie is still recovering from his injuries and it's not easy for him to be overworked. They are enough to deal with Yuwen Huaji.

Just at this moment, a person came running from afar, almost bumping into Chen Yuan. He was running out of breath.

"General Song... General Song," the person exclaimed, panting and looking somewhat panicked.

"In a flustered and disorganized manner, what kind of decorum is this?" Song Renjie scolded.

At the very least, you are working in the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhennan. How come you have no sense of stability? If someone doesn't know, they would think the sky is falling."

"General Song, something big has happened." The person spoke urgently.

Song Renjie frowned, "What happened? Did the enemy come to our doorstep? It's ridiculous to be so flustered."

However, he was also a bit confused in his heart. According to reason, the servants in the mansion would never panic like this. Now, things were like this. Could it be that something big had happened again?

A person approached and said, "General Song, General Yuwen is dressed in armor. He said he has an urgent military matter to report to Lord Hou, and he has brought a large army to surround the Hou mansion."

Chen Yuan's face darkened as he looked at the servant before him with a strange expression, thinking to himself, "You really know how to talk big."

What do you mean "leading a large army"? Yu Wenhuaji brought a total of five hundred people with him this time, and now you're calling it a large army?

Damn it, this kid is quite skilled in using exaggerated techniques.

"What?" Chen Yuan still showed a surprised expression.

Glancing at Song Renjie, his face has turned green by now.

Surround the residence of the Marquis of Zhennan with troops?

Speaking harshly, the Song family has never experienced such absurdity from the establishment of the residence until now.

Especially with the imperial plaque bestowed by the late emperor, civil and military officials must dismount from their horses and enter in sedan chairs. What a great honor this is?

Are you trying to rebel by surrounding and attacking with your troops, Yuwen Huaji?