NFBE Chapter 264 Wise Choice
Chapter 264 Wise Choice
Kou Zhun and his companions entered from the north gate of Jianmen Pass and exited from the south gate without stopping for a moment. The terrain on the north side of Jianmen Pass was steep, and the only passage was narrow and steep, while the south side was wide and flat.
Kou Zhun had no time to appreciate the scenery along the way. Thinking of the dangers lurking everywhere in the den of bandits, he rode his horse as fast as he could, wishing he could grow wings and fly to Chengdu Prefecture. Before the two armies confronted each other at Jianmen Pass, he could find a way to rescue his mentor who was imprisoned in the rebel prison.
Finally they entered Chengdu, exhausted and dusty. Kou Zhun looked at the people in the city living and working in peace and contentment, the numerous shops, the bustling streets, the constant hawking of Sichuanese-accented vendors, the city's prosperity and bustle not much less than that of the capital.
The leader of the rebels who occupied Sichuan and Shu, Wu Qiren, was not a vicious thug, but a man of strategy and talent, and had some ability to govern the local area. Otherwise, these people who had just suffered from the war would not have such a peaceful life.
Without looking for an inn to stay first, the few of them headed straight for the Chengdu government office.
Kou Zhun got off his horse and came to the two guards standing in front of the government office. He clasped his fists and bowed, "Excuse me, two officials, which lord is in charge of the Chengdu government office now? May I pay my respects to him?"
The two yamen runners looked Kou Zhun and his men up and down, and spoke politely, "Where are you from? What are your names? What do you want to see the prefect for? I can go in and inform you."
[Oh! It’s good to have a prefect in charge. It seems that after the rebels seized Chengdu Prefecture, they also attached great importance to the local administration.]
Kou Zhun clasped his fists and bowed again, "My name is Kou Zhun. I came from the capital to visit an old friend. I have something important to discuss with the prefect. I would like to trouble you two officials to help inform him."
"Wait a moment." A bailiff turned and ran into the government office to report to the prefect.
Not long after, the yamen runner came out again, clasped his fists and saluted Kou Zhun, saying, "Sir Kou, my prefect wants to see you."
Kou Zhun was cheered up!
It would be enough if I could meet the prefect, but I'm afraid that he won't even show up to meet me. How can I find my mentor Luo Ji who is imprisoned in the government jail?
After tying the horses to the hitching posts on both sides of the government office, Kou Zhun and his three companions followed the yamen runners into the government office gate. Without stopping at the office in the front yard of the government office, the yamen runners led them straight to the back yard.
Kou Zhun murmured in his heart, this rebel prefect of Chengdu is really a strange man. When a stranger came to visit, he did not receive him in the front office, but brought the person to the backyard where his family lived. Is there such a relationship between us?
The yamen runner stopped in front of the second courtyard gate and said politely, "Sir Kou, the prefect is waiting for you in the study. Sir Kou, just go in, and the rest of you please stay."
Mo Cheng and Mo Chi, who were stopped by the yamen runners, dragged Kou An, who was worried, away and said, "Kou An, come with us to the gatehouse to ask for a cup of tea."
When Kou Zhun stepped into the courtyard, he saw two people standing on the steps at the door of the house under the eaves. The man who was supposed to be imprisoned by the rebels was looking at him with a smile.
"Teacher!..." Kou Zhun paused in shock, then shouted excitedly and ran over. He came to Luo Ji, who was smiling kindly, and knelt on the ground with a plop, "Teacher, are you okay?"
Luo Ji stepped down the stairs and personally helped up this student who risked his life for him and traveled two thousand miles to visit and rescue him.
: "Kou Zhun, I am a good teacher. Thank you for your hard work!"
The scholar standing on the stone steps of the corridor, wearing a moon-white scholar's robe, with an elegant and free-spirited temperament, a goose feather fan and a long scarf, also smiled and said: "Kou Zhun, not bad, a man of loyalty and righteousness, courage and insight, worthy of being the candidate recommended by the princess herself."
After Kou Zhun's surprise at first meeting his mentor wore off, his mind was filled with questions and confusion. He clasped his fists and bowed to the elegant scholar, and asked, "May I ask your name, sir? What do you mean by that?"
The man waved the goose feather fan in his hand and smiled carefreely: "I am the leader of the rebel army "Wu Qiren", and I am also Sima Qingyun, the counselor of His Majesty the King of Qin."
"This!... This... Master, what is going on?" Kou Zhun was so frightened that his heart almost jumped out of his throat. He turned to ask his master Luo Ji.
"Kou Zhun, please come in, let's talk slowly over tea!" Luo Ji's old face turned red with a guilty conscience. What his daughter and son-in-law did was really not very decent.
Kou Zhun, who was sitting at the bottom, had a lot of questions in his mind, but he didn't know how to ask his teacher. He just drank cup after cup of tea in a depressed mood. Besides, he was really thirsty. He had been in a hurry to travel for days, had not eaten well or slept well, and his throat was red and swollen, and his mouth was full of blisters.
Luo Ji cleared his throat and said to his students apologetically, "Kou Zhun, you should have guessed that the land of Shu was taken by the King of Qin.
Now the land of West Shu is undergoing a new policy reform. It is not an easy task to disrupt the original rules and implement the new policy. Not only are the official duties complicated, but the desperate resistance from the aristocratic families and local tyrants is also fierce. As an old man who coordinates the overall situation, I am really a little overwhelmed and need a few good helpers.
Li'er admires your talent, and is also worried that the court will find out that the rebels in West Shu are actually subordinates of the King of Qin, and that I, Luo Ji, am a traitor who is in league with them. The emperor will be furious and will implicate you, a student of the traitor. That's why I tricked you into coming to Shu.
Kou Zhun, it is up to you whether to stay or not. If you stay, the important task of the prefect of Chengdu will be handed over to you. If you want to go back, I will send someone to escort you back to the capital tomorrow."
Kou Zhun's guess was confirmed by his teacher himself, and he no longer felt so heavy and flustered.
The Qin Wang's wife was right. If the Qin Wang's rebellion was exposed, as Luo Ji's only disciple, Kou Zhun would not have a good end. It would be better to lose his job and go to jail. Maybe he would be charged with the crime of treason that would implicate his entire clan. After all, the current emperor was not a broad-minded, merciful and tolerant person.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin was forced to rebel. There were rumors of "axe sounds and candle shadows" before, and the "Golden Casket Alliance" which agreed on the order of succession to the throne. The death of Taizu's son, the Prince of Wei, was strange, and the regicide and rebellion of the Prince of Qi, Zhao Tingmei, was full of helplessness and tragedy.
The King of Qin had no choice. If he did not rebel, he would die sooner or later. The continuous assassinations were a death warrant. The family of Luo Ji, the mentor, had no choice either. If the King of Qin died, the Queen of Qin and her family would not have a good ending.
The King of Qin was known as one of the Eight Wise Kings. He was wise and intelligent, loved his people like his own children, and was a wise ruler in terms of both his amazing talent and his broad mind. Besides, did Kou Zhun have any other choice now?
After quickly thinking through the whole story and the consequences, Kou Zhun, who was extremely smart, made a choice immediately and smiled bitterly: "Teacher, Kou Zhun chooses to stay and help you, but please take care of the safety of my family, Your Highness the Prince of Qin."
Seeing that Kou Zhun made a wise choice so quickly, Sima Qingyun happily waved his goose feather fan and praised him: "Kou Zhun is indeed a very intelligent young talent, brave and wise. As for your family, you can rest assured. The prince has already instructed that as long as you are willing to board our ship, we must protect the safety of your family."
Since he had already made the choice and boarded the pirate ship of the King of Qin and his wife, Kou Zhun felt at ease because of his heartfelt admiration, respect and trust for the King and his wife.
"Teacher, since I am staying, please arrange my official duties immediately!"