Chapter 174 Interesting
In the afternoon, the sun finally broke through the clouds and shone into the backyard of Prince Beijing’s Mansion.

Yang Qilong walked into the hanging flower gate lightly and stopped. It was very quiet, and he could hear the faint sound of the piano coming from the backyard.

The sound of the piano came from Princess Beijing’s room deep in the backyard.

Yang Qilong listened to the melodious music again, then sighed softly and murmured, “A blessing in disguise.”

These days, Shui Rong has been staying in the backyard, accompanying Princess Beijing in their romantic pursuits. The relationship between the two has also eased a lot, and they are now acting like a couple.

If the news that just came was not very important, Yang Qilong really didn’t want to disturb Shui Rong at this time.

Yang Qilong hesitated for a moment, but still walked in lightly.

There were only Shui Rong and Princess Beijing in the warm room. There was a mahogany musical instrument table on the kang under the south window. Princess Beijing was sitting cross-legged on the kang in front of the musical instrument table. Her slender fingers were sliding and rubbing quickly on the strings of the musical instrument. The sound of the musical instrument was like the winding of a clear spring, whirling and swirling.

Shui Rong sat upright opposite the piano table. Unlike usual, he was wearing a coarse cloth gown and his long hair was loose. His eyes were slightly closed, and it seemed that his mind drifted from the warm room to the mountains and the flowing water along with the piano music played by Princess Beijing.

Princess Beijing’s beautiful and bright eyes were looking at him deeply.

Shui Rong suddenly opened his eyes, picked up the jade flute beside the piano and started to play it. The sound of the flute was completely different from the sound of the piano. It was so sad. The sound was like swallowing, and Shui Rong’s eyes also showed a trace of sadness.

The sound of the piano stopped suddenly.

Princess Beijing’s eyes, which had been bright just now, suddenly dimmed.

Shui Rong also slowly put down the jade flute, looked at Princess Beijing, opened his mouth, and finally just sighed.

Princess Beijing’s face changed, and then tears slowly filled her eyes. Before they flowed out, she wiped them immediately, got off the kang, and turned to walk towards the bedroom.

“Wait a minute.” Shui Rong finally spoke.

Princess Beijing walked to the door and stopped, but did not turn around.

Shui Rong: “Jia Zheng has been appointed as the governor of Shandong Province. Let’s send a gift of congratulations in the name of the Zhen family.”

Princess Beijing neither replied nor turned around. After listening, she lifted the curtain and walked in.

Shui Rong was stunned for a moment, then he got off the kang, put on his shoes, turned around and walked out.

Shui Rong walked out facing the cold wind, saw Yang Qilong standing outside the moon gate of the yard, and strode over.

Yang Qilong could hear Shui Rong’s melancholy from the sound of the flute, and said with some worry: “Young Master…”

Shui Rong raised his hand: “What’s the matter?”

Yang Qilong: “Yes. Someone close to Qi Guan sent me a message saying that Li Hu will also go.”

Shui Rong was puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

Yang Qilong approached Shui Rong and said, “I heard that Li Hu wants to build a theater at home.”

When Shui Rong heard this, a look of sudden enlightenment appeared on his face, and then he nodded.

Yang Qilong: “The Li family has always been impenetrable. We don’t need Qi Guan to find out any useful information, as long as we can find out some things in the Li Mansion.

In addition, Qi Guan is considered a concubine by King Zhongshun, who regards Li Hu as a thorn in his side. King Zhongshun, that brainless man, will definitely go looking for trouble with Li Hu. When the time comes, we can give him a push in secret.”

Shui Rong quickly became excited: “Okay, I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“Another thing is about Ningguo Mansion. Jia Jing sold off several properties in Ningguo Mansion and cleared out the concubines and servants left by Jia Zhen.”

Shui Rong frowned.

Yang Qilong: “Our people cannot enter the backyard now, so we can only ask some servants for information. One servant said that she heard the sound of weapons clashing coming from Huifang Garden several times when she passed by it, and there must be many people practicing martial arts.”

Shui Rong’s expression suddenly changed: “Is this true?!”

Yang Qilong nodded and continued, “Jia Rong is not only a hereditary third-rank noble, General Weilie, but also a Yibin appointed by the emperor. (Yibin is a title for the husband of a princess or county lady, and a title for a son-in-law of a royal family. It is also called Junma or Xianma in the folk.) According to the rules, Ningguo Mansion can have some guards with swords.”

Shui Rong’s eyes flashed coldly: “This old immortal is really planning to fight us to the death!”

Yang Qilong sighed.

Shui Rong said viciously: “Since that old man is looking for death, let’s find a chance to kill him!” Yang Qilong smiled bitterly: “Jia Jing is not only a third-rank Left Vice-Chief Censor, but also a knife in the hands of the emperor. If we kill him, the emperor can turn the entire capital upside down!”

After hearing what he said, Shui Rong had no choice but to grit his teeth.

Yang Qilong’s eyes rolled rapidly, and he lowered his voice, “According to the time, the White Tiger Hall Master has already taken action, and the express mail from Jiangsu and Anhui will soon arrive in Beijing. Find a way to transfer Jia Jing out of Beijing.”

Shui Rong thought for a moment and said, “Okay! Let’s go to the study and discuss this.”

As the sun sets, the aroma of food wafts from the Ruishi Camp.

Except for the patrolling soldiers, everyone was squatting in the open space outside their respective barracks, each holding a bowl, surrounding a large basin full of vegetables, eating and chatting.

The curtain of the central army tent was lifted, and Chen Qiang and more than a dozen generals walked out while talking.

In the big tent, Li Hu was sitting in front of a large desk, writing something with a pen.

Zhang Cheng stood beside the desk with his head down, waiting for Li Hu to speak.

Li Hu raised his head after he finished writing and said to Zhang Cheng, “The new recruits need to strengthen their training.”

Zhang Cheng: “Yes.”

Li Hu: “Also, starting from tomorrow, we will teach them how to use firearms. It’s not just about understanding them, we need to make them proficient in operating their own muskets so that they can be added to the firearms camp at any time.”

Zhang Cheng was stunned for a moment and replied, “Yes.”

Li Hu: “You’ve worked hard, too.”

Zhang Cheng: “Thank you for your praise, General. This is my job, I dare not take credit for it!”

Li Hu looked at him and smiled: “You are eating the salary of a fourth-rank official but doing the work of a third-rank official. It’s really hard work.”

Zhang Cheng was stunned at first, then his eyes widened.

“Your military achievements are far from enough to be promoted to Lieutenant General.” Li Hu sat up straight with a solemn look on his face.

Zhang Cheng blushed and was about to speak.

Li Hu continued, “Do you know that the second prince was poisoned?”

Zhang Cheng nodded.

Li Hu: “Have you heard about Zhou Kui’s family being demoted to Yanzhou Prefecture?”

Zhang Cheng was shocked: “General, you want to…” and made a “killing” gesture.

Li Hu was stunned for a moment: “You know everything?”

Zhang Cheng: “I heard it from Daniu when we were drinking the other day.” He took a step forward and lowered his voice: “There are many new recruits who are good at swimming. Let them rush to the border between Zhili and Shandong in advance and sink the Zhou family’s fleet under the cover of night.”

Li Hu was surprised.

Zhang Cheng: “General, rest assured. I will personally lead the troops to carry out a robbery.”

Li Hu said angrily: “What a mess. We are government troops, not bandits. How can we do such a thing as killing people and robbing? Besides, there are no pirates in the canal!”

Without waiting for Zhang Cheng to speak, Li Hu continued, “His Majesty said he would give me some compensation. I asked for a favor from His Majesty, and the Ministry of War has already taken care of it. After the morning court tomorrow, you can go to the Emperor to thank him for his favor.”

Zhang Cheng’s face flushed red, he knelt down, and said excitedly: “I bow to thank you, General!”

Li Hu: “Get up, and talk.”

Zhang Cheng kowtowed heavily and then stood up.

At this moment, Wang Daniu came in with a cowhide envelope: “General, this is a letter sent by Ni Er.”

Li Hu took the letter, opened the seal and read it. Then his eyes lit up. The leader of Qinglong Hall came to Beijing and arrested a thug from the Imperial Household Department. This was interesting!

(End of this chapter)