plumnovel Chapter 72, You Need Many People to Do Bad Things
Chapter 72, You Need Many People to Do Bad Things
"This is outrageous!"
When the princess returned and saw that Hongliu had run away, she immediately lost her temper. She ripped off her hairpin, grabbed the golden knife hanging on the wall, and was about to storm out the door.
"Madam! Madam, you mustn't!"
Prince Rui grabbed his wife and tried to persuade her with kind words, but she ignored him and, in a fit of rage, even tried to beat her husband as well.
"That's enough!"
At this moment, King Rui suddenly shouted angrily, "You should do the same!"
"You yelled at me? You actually yelled at me!?"
King Rui tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and sighed deeply. He remained silent for a long time.
"I should have listened to my mother back then. I would have been better off marrying anyone else than you. I've never had a peaceful life with you all these years. I've followed you on your campaigns, borne your children, and this is how you treat me in the end..."
Stop reading... Stop reading...
At this moment, Prince Rui felt a splitting headache, but he still waved his hand and said in an extremely forceful manner, "Guards, the princess is tired. Take her to her room and take good care of her."
"Wanyan Bodie! You dare! You dare!!!"
As the lady's voice faded into the distance, Prince Rui sat in his chair, lowered his eyelids, and became expressionless. He closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again, his expression had become one of murderous intent.
Thinking back to his conversation with Lin Zhou that afternoon, he certainly had something to say. No one wants to die, and no one wants to watch their family die with them.
But now, dark clouds are gathering over the Jin state. Wanyan Zongbi, the father, once held absolute power, but now Wanyan Liang's lineage is rising rapidly, not slowly.
This is definitely a dangerous sign, because Wanyan Liang has great ambitions, which the emperor may have already seen, but now there is no way out.
Wanyan Heng was not stupid. Half of the Jin Dynasty's territory was conquered by their lineage. If Wanyan Liang really became emperor, it was hard to say whether other members of the imperial clan would survive, but their lineage would definitely not survive.
In other words, they were the Yue Fei of the Jin Dynasty, two old rivals who fought each other their whole lives, and were about to meet the same end, which is somewhat poignant.
Although he had indeed told Lin Zhou and the others that he was prepared to die, it was impossible that he didn't also have the desire to live. His father was also aware of this. However, with Wanyan Zongbi about to go on an expedition, his energy was tied up in the grasslands. If they could win quickly, there was still hope, but if it dragged on for too long or they couldn't win, then things would be much worse...
Wanyan Zongbi arranged for his son, Wanyan Heng, to be an envoy to the Song Dynasty in order to gain support there. Although both father and son knew in their hearts that the people of Song were unreliable, it was an attempt that had to be made.
However, he didn't expect Lin Zhou, an unknown merchant, to achieve anything significant. He simply wanted his daughter to eventually find a decent home.
Wealthy families are unreliable; they might marry Wulinda because of conflicting interests, and then abandon her once those interests are lost. But a good-for-nothing like Lin Zhou has no conflicting interests with Wulinda, and he doesn't even have any family. This is actually a good thing for Wulinda.
The woman at home was ultimately short-sighted; she only demanded a marriage between equals, but she couldn't understand how Wulin would be treated if they fell into poverty or even their entire family were wiped out.
The prince placed his hands on his knees, gently stroking the embroidered dragon pattern on his robe, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.
He also saw Lin Zhou's efforts in setting up the steel mill for Qin Hui. Although it was somewhat absurd, he was genuinely making an effort. Of course, he wouldn't blame him for not giving the steel mill to the Jin Kingdom, because it was what they used to make a living in the Song Kingdom, and it might also be what Wulinda would use to make a living in the future.
Giving it to the Jin Kingdom would not benefit anyone, so the prince not only would not ask him for anything, but also planned to use his authority to increase the price of the steel plant by 30% after it was built. As long as Qin Hui was satisfied, more would naturally be built. This could be considered a great gift from Wanyan Heng to his "daughter and son-in-law".
He might even be able to secure a good career for his son-in-law. After he leaves, he will ask for nothing more than that his daughter be treated well.
Lin Zhou and his companions were certainly unaware of this. The original trio of villains had now become a five-person villainous group: a brother and sister from the Jin Kingdom, a couple from the Song Kingdom, and a time traveler from the new China...
The next morning, the group met downstairs at the shop. Since the last time they received goods, there were some strange and unusual things here, especially the thing that could play music on its own, which was the most attractive. So Hongliu squatted at the door for a long time, trying to figure out where this little thing kept people singing.
"How many people are actually locked up inside?"
"About a hundred or so." Eagle leaned back and chuckled as he introduced them to Red Willow: "The master said that a song can capture a person's soul, and he even said things like 'soul-stirring and dreaming, amidst the vicissitudes of life.'"
"Ew~~~" Hongliu shrank back, "How terrifying."
"Hey, you're listening to her..." Lin Zhou called out from behind, "Hurry up and eat, you two."
Today's breakfast was, as usual, a big pot of instant noodles. Although there are better options in Lin'an, this thing is like it has a bug in its design. It's unbeatable at the same price point, a perfect replacement for high-end products, and even in the breakfast world, it can easily beat many other options. Especially in this cold winter, no one can resist a mouthful of spicy and piping hot noodle soup.
"Strange. Logically speaking, even if my mother didn't come to get him herself, she should have sent someone. Why has no one taken any action all night?"
After muttering something, Yangti suddenly realized something: "Oh! Wulin, your mother doesn't want you anymore."
Hongliu buried her head in her rice bowl, not uttering a word. Just then, an old lady slowly walked in through the door. Upon seeing her, Lin Zhou quickly pulled Lu You up, and the two stood up to greet her.
"Oh, I'm here to buy wine." Li Qingzhao glanced around, but her eyes lit up when she saw Hong Liu: "What a beautiful little girl."
"Hehehe..." Hongliu immediately grinned, showing absolutely no concept of modesty.
Lin Zhou looked at Hong Liu: "Hey, don't laugh like that, it's silly."
Then he got up and got two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) for the old lady: "Still no charge?"
"No, no, I'd feel bad taking such a small amount of money." Lin Zhou chuckled. "Have you eaten? Want some, please?"
"No, I've already eaten. Oh, by the way, young master Lu, how's the book revision going lately?"
"It's...it's pretty good," Lu You said somewhat awkwardly, "It's already..."
"Take it easy. You still have to give the headmaster an explanation after the New Year." Li Qingzhao stared at the bruises under Lu You's eyes: "Don't stay up too late."
"Oh dear, old lady, you don't know, they..."
Lu You stepped forward and covered Lin Zhou's mouth, bowing repeatedly: "Yi'an Jushi's teachings are correct... This student understands."
When Li Qingzhao looked at Lin Zhou again, she was no longer as serious as before. Instead, she looked at him with a kind smile and said, "If you have time, you should also associate with scholars. The Song Dynasty values literature, and you should also make some friends in the literary world."
"Me?" Lin Zhou waved his hands like a mischievous monkey: "People don't even look up to someone like me, who would want to associate with me?"
Eagle raised his hand: "Me, me, me!"
Hongliu, standing nearby, pressed her head down: "Shut up!"
Li Qingzhao shook her head, both amused and exasperated, and swirled the wine in her hand: "These days, there are many New Year poetry gatherings in the city. If you have time, you should visit them more often."
"I can't move an inch..." Lin Zhou sighed. "I've fought everyone I could..."
"We've fought plenty of those we couldn't fight," Lu You sighed from the side. "We've really brought shame to Lin'an right now..."
Li Qingzhao, however, disagreed: "Then let's fight more. Even cow dung isn't hated by everyone. Some people like literature, and naturally, some like martial arts. Making more friends can't be wrong; it's just a matter of difficulty. Difficulties have their fun, and easy ones have their troubles. The more experiences you have, the more exciting your life will be. By the way, Lu boy, don't sink into depravity, write a letter!"
"Yes, yes, yes..."
After the old lady left, Hongliu leaned over to watch her retreating figure and said, "Wow, that old lady is fierce."