Chapter 6, The Storm Approaches

Zheng Changru has returned as scheduled

If Zheng Chang has ulterior motives, it is highly likely that he will bring catastrophic disaster to Anyuantang

Yan Qing was also powerless to prevent this

New Year, New Year

Anyuan Hall, it seems that a storm is brewing and the winds are filling the building

It is a significant stronghold in the heart of the Central Plains, with a history that is extremely ancient

Zheng Changke has indeed been sent back

Mother Xu said, standing up

Even if Han Wang Yang Liang is generous, he would likely not allow him to return with so much wealth. Moreover, the two individuals accompanying him do not seem ordinary either. How could a distinguished expert possibly serve as an attendant to a criminal official? Yan Qing found it hard to believe

Zheng Yanqing has never met Zheng Chang, but that does not mean he is unaware of Zheng Chang

If all of these more than one hundred boxes are filled with gold and silk, then how much would that amount to

Zheng Yanqing could not help but smile bitterly in his heart

Zheng Yanqing sat in the courtyard, looking up at the twinkling stars, yet his mind was occupied with thoughts about Zheng Chang

Fortunately, he is just a child, and the people of Anyuantang do not deliberately avoid mentioning Yan Qing while speaking

What a sharp gaze

If it were someone else, Yan Qing might not care. However, Zheng Chang is different; he is the second-in-command of Anyuan Hall, and his status is significant. At least for now, Yan Qing's fate is intertwined with Anyuan Hall, so it is necessary to pay extra attention. For some reason, he always feels that there is an unknown secret hidden within this matter

Two individuals followed behind Zheng Chang

Gradually, it has become the eastern barrier of Luoyang, standing majestically on the Central Plains alongside m.hetushu.com, Da Liang, and Luoyang

A person who has been dismissed from office surprisingly possesses such a vast amount of wealth

He pretended to be unconcerned as he watched the servants unload the boxes from the carriage, one by one, into the house. In total, there were at least a hundred large wooden boxes. Judging by the servants' gait, the items inside these boxes were certainly not light

Yan Qing suddenly remembered that it was already the third year of Renshou. In another year, it seemed that Emperor Wen of Sui would pass away, and Emperor Yang of Sui would ascend the throne

But just this one glance was enough to make Yan Qing feel a surge of fear and trepidation

If someone gets hurt, the old steward will definitely blame me. Just stay over there; it is enough for us to be here.

It is hard to speak, much like having a fishbone lodged in one's throat

Yan Qing, please do not create more trouble... This box is quite heavy, you cannot move it.

However, generally speaking, non-direct descendants are at most taught foundational cultivation techniques

In just a few months, it will be the New Year... However, it is said that the second master has not returned for six or seven years.

It is late at night, so rest early and do not overthink

Mother Xu always looked at Zheng Yanqing with a gentle and kind gaze, as if she were looking at her own child

Yet Yan Qing always felt that within those triangular eyes, a gloomy brilliance flickered

Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Liang, ascended to the throne following the death of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty

As for that fat man, he appears to be very amiable

Xingyang, to be precise, should be Xingzhou

This hardly resembles a person who has fallen from grace and returned home with nothing; it is clearly someone returning in glory.

When these three individuals were connected, Zheng Yanqing seemed to suddenly understand.

***

Zheng Shian privately remarked, "At this point, Han Wang has certainly gained control over the elite forces of Bingzhou"

After finishing dinner, Zheng Shi'an went to sleep

eccentric

A peculiar glimmer flashed in Xu Ma's eyes as she glanced at Yan Qing

At the moment the lean warrior walked past, he glanced at Yan Qing, his brows slightly furrowing

How could the temperament of the imperial family allow us commoners to speculate? Perhaps the second master misspoke or acted improperly, which led to his dismissal. This is fundamentally a normal occurrence; what nonsense are you conjuring up in that little head of yours

In other words, Zheng Chang is somewhat sinister

It is as if one can see through one's own heart; is this what is referred to as a master?

The stout man was dressed like a scholar, always wearing a harmless smile that evoked goodwill; while the lean man in sturdy attire, though not very tall, exuded a sense of robust strength. Zheng Dashi and Zheng Chang exchanged pleasantries at the entrance, then linked arms and walked together into the gate of Anyuantang. ... However, when the lean man passed by Yan Qing, a shiver ran through Yan Qing's heart, causing him to instinctively take a step back ... . ... This was because he sensed an overwhelming pressure. Yet again, when the lean man passed by Yan Qing, a shiver ran through Yan Qing's heart, causing him to instinctively take a step back ... . ... This was because he sensed an overwhelming pressure.

A few months ago, the second master still sent word home, saying that he was doing very well in Taiyuan. How did he suddenly lose his official position?

Yan Qing said to a familiar servant

On the day Zheng Chang arrived in Xingyang, he, along with the entire Zheng family, was outside to greet.

Zheng Changnian is in his forties, possessing a dignified appearance and a slightly slender build. He has three strands of black beard under his chin, wears a blue robe, and is draped in a brocade gown, all of which highlight his exceptional demeanor. In contrast to the somewhat aged appearance of Zheng Dashi, Zheng Changnian exudes more vitality.

"Yan Qing, why haven't you returned to your room to rest yet?"

But I always feel that something is amiss

Yan Qing did not pay attention to this matter at the time, nor did he think of it in a negative light

However, now that Zheng Chang has returned, it has had an impact on him, compelling him to seriously address this issue

Yan Qing is currently at the foundation-building stage, so the warrior merely frowned and did not take Yan Qing seriously

Ancient people said, accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger

Yan Qing sighed inwardly, yet maintained a calm demeanor on his face

Jun Jing looked around to ensure no one was paying attention and whispered, "Just now, a box was sent from the inner residence, filled entirely with fine Shu brocade and gold. I suspect that the second master was dismissed from his position because of this... You must not tell anyone else."

Mother Xu said: "I have heard about this matter; it is quite normal for the second master to be unsuccessful in Taiyuan and return home."

Through the passage of time and the vicissitudes of life, the winds and clouds have changed. On one hand, Xingyang has endured the baptism of war, while on the other hand, it has grown amidst the flames of conflict

Dozens of horse-drawn carriages came to a grand stop in front of Anyuantang. Box after box of items were unloaded from the carts, leaving Zheng Yanqing secretly astonished

Zheng Shi'an mentioned that after the New Year, he would go to Luoyang, and Xu Ma also brought up the New Year

When an elderly person and a middle-aged person stand before you, the sense of oppression emanating from the middle-aged person is far beyond that of the elderly person

Yan Qing vaguely knew that Xu's mother had another son, who was about the same age as him, but he was currently missing

I ... ...

The reason lies in the two characters "qi" and "xue".

Jun Jing, what is this thing inside? It's so heavy

Imagine a person suffering from exhaustion of vital energy and blood; how could they possibly exert pressure on others

This kind of pressure is a force generated by strong vital energy and blood.

The notion that a robust constitution and a commanding presence are not without reason

One is literary, the other martial; one is plump, the other slender

In addition, more is calculated in terms of gold and silk

A few months ago, he still spoke of his bright future, but suddenly he lost his official position

"Mother Xu, the second master is coming back!"

In an instant, Yan Qing seemed to have understood the true intention behind Zheng Chang's return this time

During the Sui Dynasty, the commonly used currency in the market was a type of copper coin known as the Sui Liang Zhu, which was primarily used for circulation in the marketplace

Xu Ma walked over to him, holding a short-sleeved vest, and helped Yan Qing put it on. Then, she gently said, "Yan Qing, you seem to have something on your mind"

The problem lies here. He is only five years old, yet insists on acting mature, which only makes people feel strange. This also prevents Yan Qing from expressing his views freely; some things, if spoken, would instead have the opposite effect

According to what I have learned from others, Zheng Chang's temperament is quite different from that of Zheng Dashi. Zheng Dashi is open-hearted and, although cautious and careful, does not get bogged down in details. In contrast, Zheng Chang is meticulous and does not easily reveal his thoughts through his expressions

In the An Yuan Hall, he must pay attention to every individual. Particularly, he needs to scrutinize the prominent figures of An Yuan Hall. Nearly twenty years of his previous career in officialdom have instilled in him the habit of being vigilant at all times. Now, as a mere lowly servant, his life is almost entirely in the hands of others; failing to read the room and observe subtle cues would undoubtedly lead to great peril

Therefore, at the beginning of the year, Yang Liang advised Emperor Wen of Sui, saying: "The Turks are strong; we should immediately make Taiyuan a stronghold and prepare our military defenses."

When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Yang Liang of Han rebelled, but was quickly suppressed by Yang Guang. Yang Liang was the Grand Marshal and Governor of Bingzhou, commanding elite troops from the north, and was quite powerful. In terms of military achievements, he was not inferior to Yang Guang; in terms of reputation, he was also not necessarily worse than Yang Guang. The deposing of Crown Prince Yang Yong likely instilled a sense of fear in Yang Liang as well.

After all, with age not being on my side, coupled with the complexity of affairs and occasional feelings of discontent, it is inevitable to experience fatigue

Xu Ma, do you not find it strange

It seems that he also noticed the fluctuations of Qi and blood within Yan Qing, but seeing Yan Qing's attire, which resembled that of a servant, led to some confusion. However, upon further reflection, it is reasonable to consider that the Zheng family of Anyuan Hall established their reputation through martial prowess, and it is not unusual for their servants to practice martial arts. In prominent families, it is common to cultivate trusted individuals and impart martial techniques, which is not a rare occurrence.

Brother Junjing, let me help you

Mother Xu couldn't help but laugh, rubbing Yan Qing's little head and saying, "How old are you? What do you know about being eccentric?"