usatvline Chapter 390 Pomp
Chapter 390 Pomp
Chapter 390 Pleasure
Gaoling County is located in the north of Xi'an. It is named Gaoling because of Fengzheng Plateau, which is high and undulating. The plateau is called a "ling" (陵), which means "mausoleum".
General He Renlong, who was in charge of the relief efforts, and Shen Zizhen, the magistrate of Gaoling County, carefully accompanied Wang Wenzhou's sedan chair.
To Wang Wenzhou now, a general and a county magistrate were both insignificant figures. Wang Wenzhou was too lazy to exchange pleasantries with them, and didn't even get out of his sedan chair. He simply showed up and greeted them.
Gao Guilan lifted the sedan curtain and observed the scenery on the street. She had been to Gaoling County before, but the county looked completely different from when she came.
Gao Guilan lowered the sedan curtain, pouted, looked at Wang Wenzhou, and asked in confusion, "Uncle, Uncle, why are there no pedestrians on the street, only yamen runners and soldiers?"
Wang Wenzhou waved to Gao Guilan, who immediately rushed into his arms. Wang Wenzhou hugged her and said with a smile, "My little Lanlan, you're so cute! What else could it be but the arrival of your young master? He Renlong and Shen Zizhen have to clear the area."
"Clear the area? Why clear the area?" Gao Guilan asked in confusion.
Wang Wenzhou kissed Gao Guilan and said with a smile, "Uncle is an imperial envoy. These two outside are not to be trifled with. They are afraid that I will see something I shouldn't see and thus punish them. Of course, the fact that they sent so many soldiers and yamen runners out to make a show of things is also to tell me that they respect me."
"Uncle, there are so many tricks to being an official, I don't understand them at all! It seems that even though I'm a man, I can't be an official." Gao Guilan pouted and said aggrievedly.
"Little Lanlan, be good. When Uncle finds an opportunity, I'll let you be a county magistrate for a few days for fun," Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
"Yes, yes! Uncle is so nice!" Gao Guilan nodded happily.
Liu Rushi looked up at Wang Ying and Chen Yuanyuan, who were kneeling on either side of Wang Wenzhou. The three children exchanged a knowing glance.
Liu Rushi retorted sarcastically, "Lord Wang, didn't you come here for an inspection? What problems can you possibly discover like this?"
Chen Yuanyuan paused for a moment, then looked up and said, "Is my husband the kind of official who is wholeheartedly devoted to the people? My husband is so busy sleeping with girls every day, how can he have time to do his job? These small matters can be left to Young Master Qiang and the others."
“Sister, you can’t say that! My husband is a hero praised by the people, and a loyal and patriotic official. How could he be deceived by corrupt officials who lie to their superiors and deceive the people?” Wang Ying said seriously, suppressing her laughter.
"Is that so?" Liu Rushi said sarcastically, "I think Lord Wang is enjoying himself in the sedan chair! How could he care about the lives of the poor? When we get to the restaurant, after a big meal, these two outside might even find a few pretty girls to sleep with Lord Wang. These days, officials are so respectful to imperial envoys."
Wang Ying retorted, "My husband is not that kind of person! He only has eyes for us girls; there's no room for any other ladies. He will definitely reprimand them and not allow them to corrupt the honest officials of our Great Ming Dynasty!"
“Sister! Don’t be silly. My husband isn’t General Wu. Only a true hero like General Wu could remain unmoved by a woman in his arms!” Chen Yuanyuan said seriously.
Zhang Jiao and Gao Guilan exchanged bewildered glances. What was wrong with Liu Rushi and the others? Their words left them completely confused.
The girls not only mocked him but also put on a show. Wang Wenzhou couldn't sit still any longer. No man could bear to see his beloved girl look down on him.
Wang Wenzhou patted his chest and laughed, "Ladies, stop fooling around! You just want me to actually inspect this place, don't you? Fine, I'll be your judge this time!"
"Tap tap tap!" Wang Wenzhou lifted the sedan curtain and knocked on the sedan chair.
Wang Qiang quickly spurred his horse over and asked, "Young Master, what is it?"
Wang Wenzhou frowned, his face contorted with worry, and said with heartache, "Your sister-in-law Lanlan is suffering from acclimatization issues and has fallen ill again! While it's still early, let's return to Xi'an immediately and find a good doctor to treat her."
Wang Qiang believed him and quickly said, "Understood, young master. I will immediately order the troops to return to Xi'an."
"Xiao He, Xiao Shen." Wang Wenzhou waved to He Renlong and Shen Zizhen, and the two quickly ran over and stood respectfully with their hands behind their backs.
Wang Wenzhou said, "I have just received an urgent official document from Xi'an. I must return to Xi'an immediately. Let's meet again another day."
"Lord Wang..." He Renlong was about to speak when Wang Wenzhou lowered the sedan curtain.
He Renlong curled his lip helplessly. "Wang Wenzhou, what's so great about you? You're just lucky, born into a noble family, and became a county magistrate without even taking the imperial examinations. If I had your status, I would have been a high-ranking official long ago."
He Renlong was considered a fierce general of the Ming Dynasty, known as "Crazy He" by the rebel army for his bravery in battle. Over the years, he had risen step by step to the rank of general through his meritorious service in suppressing bandits. When he learned of Wang Wenzhou's arrival, he made many preparations beforehand. He knew that Wang Wenzhou was enjoying the emperor's favor, and although he had made numerous contributions, he had not been promoted in the past two years.
He Renlong knew that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would reach the rank of General in his lifetime. In the Ming Dynasty, to advance further as a General, one had to be a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Over the years, only Mao Wenlong had risen to the rank of Governor-General or Provincial Governor without being a Jinshi.
He Renlong knew his military achievements couldn't compare to Mao Wenlong's, and Mao Wenlong's fate was also tragic—he was killed by Yuan Chonghuan under a forged imperial edict. Logically, Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong held similar official positions and both possessed the imperial sword, yet Mao Wenlong was killed by Yuan Chonghuan. The reason is simple: Yuan Chonghuan, a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), was a higher rank than Mao Wenlong, who was not.
Although Wang Wenzhou was not a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), he was a nobleman and enjoyed the emperor's favor; the emperor had even bestowed his own imperial concubine upon him. He Renlong was eager to use this opportunity to climb the social ladder by associating with Wang Wenzhou, so that he could advance further.
But man proposes, God disposes. Wang Wenzhou's concubine suffered from acclimatization problems, so Wang Wenzhou did not stay there and hurriedly returned to Xi'an.
He Renlong watched the departing procession, shook his head with a wry smile, and thought, "It's all fate! I hope Lord Wang will come again; then I'll certainly try my best to flatter him. It's easier to be an official if you have connections in court. Someone like me, without a 'mentor' or a good background, is born inferior."
After leaving Gaoling County, the procession traveled some distance before Wang Wenzhou and the children changed clothes and alighted from their sedan chairs. Wang Wenzhou instructed the procession to continue towards Xi'an, and to return immediately upon receiving further orders.
Liu Rushi originally did not want to accompany Wang Wenzhou on his incognito visit, but Wang Wenzhou's sarcastic remarks made her lose face. So she had no choice but to hand Liu Xiaohua over to Zhang Jiao and go with Wang Wenzhou to see what kind of life the people of Gaoling County were living.
Half an hour later, several people dressed in brocade robes appeared at the south gate of Gaoling County. It was Wang Wenzhou and his babies. The babies were all dressed as scholars. Wang Wenzhou walked leisurely ahead, with Liu Rushi on one arm and Wang Ying on the other, followed by Gao Guilan and Chen Yuanyuan.