Chapter 0130 Who Am I?

Chapter 0130 Who Am I?

This matter was clearly of utmost importance, but Xiao Rong always acted as if he didn't care much. Consequently, Qu Yunmie's mood was unsettled; he wanted to be excited but couldn't muster the enthusiasm, and he wanted to stay calm but found it impossible.

After a long silence, Qu Yunmie took two steps back and sat down on a chair. He muttered softly, "Well, then I won't marry either."

Xiao Rong looked at him but said nothing. Yet, Qu Yunmie seemed to understand his thoughts and preemptively responded, "Have I not done enough outrageous things in this world? When I say I won't marry, who would dare stop me?"

Xiao Rong: "..."

He wanted to say that wasn't the issue; rather, the problem was that the Qu family had no one left. They had a throne, yet they couldn't find a single relative to inherit it. This was too—But this wasn't the immediate concern. People could change or remain unchanged. Only when the throne truly fell into Qu Yunmie's hands would Xiao Rong need to face this issue. Discussing it now was premature.

Xiao Rong walked over to Qu Yunmie and sat down beside him. The two stared at each other, and just as Xiao Rong opened his mouth to speak, someone knocked on the door from outside.

Xiao Rong instinctively turned to look at the door, but Qu Yunmie extended a hand to block his view. "Ignore them. What were you going to say to me?"

Xiao Rong: "..."

The knocking grew more urgent. Xiao Rong pushed Qu Yunmie's hand away and went to open the door. "What is it?"

The guard who knocked hesitated for a moment, glancing at Qu Yunmie, who looked visibly displeased.

The guard: "...Sir Xiao, General Gongsun has returned. He wishes to see The King."

Xiao Rong was taken aback and turned to look at Qu Yunmie, who had lowered his eyes, his expression complex. ...

Before their marriage, Gongsun Yuan and Yuan Baifu were inseparable. Although Qu Yunmie trusted Yuan Baifu the most, he was often busy and never harbored any jealousy. Thus, he frequently saw the two together, appearing close.

When Yuan Baifu betrayed them, the person most affected was not Qu Yunmie but the quiet and unassuming Gongsun Yuan.

Qu Yunmie went out to meet him, and after some deliberation, Xiao Rong followed. However, he did not enter the front hall but instead slipped through the back door and listened from behind the screen.

Qu Yunmie, with keen senses, knew someone was standing behind the screen, but he said nothing and silently sat down, waiting for Gongsun Yuan to arrive.

Xiao Rong pondered what it meant for Gongsun Yuan to return to Chenliu alone without Yu Shaocheng. Given Qu Yunmie's sensitive nature, he must have prepared himself mentally. But all these concerns were dispelled when Gongsun Yuan came to see him honestly. Even the deranged Yuan Baifu knew better than to appear before Qu Yunmie. Gongsun Yuan was still normal, so it was unlikely he had come all this way just to assassinate Qu Yunmie for revenge.

Xiao Rong followed to prevent Qu Yunmie from taking out his anger. If the topic of Yuan Baifu arose and Gongsun Yuan hadn't seen Yuan Baifu's atrocities, he might still feel sorrow for his brother.

However, that didn't happen. The first thing Gongsun Yuan did upon entering was kneel before Qu Yunmie.

Hearing the dull thud, Xiao Rong's heart skipped a beat. He peeked from behind the screen and saw Gongsun Yuan bowing deeply, exuding humility and heaviness.

It was Yuan Baifu who had committed the wrong, yet it was Gongsun Yuan apologizing to Qu Yunmie.

His shoulders trembled slightly, and his voice lacked its usual composure. "My Lord, I am to blame, I am to blame, I am to blame..."

Xiao Rong was stunned, and then Qu Yunmie's voice rang out, "The one who betrayed me was not you."

Gongsun Yuan: "But I should have noticed his intentions. I should have known... Why did he do this? Why did he betray My Lord and the Northern Pacification Army!"

Xiao Rong knew the answer, and later, Xiao Rong told Qu Yunmie, who also came to know it. However, Qu Yunmie did not share it with others, for the reason was too absurd; it was better not to know than to know.

After a moment of silence, Qu Yunmie stood up from his chair, helped Gongsun Yuan to his feet, and relayed to him the words that others had told him. Gradually, Gongsun Yuan's emotions were soothed by him. Once he regained his composure, Gongsun Yuan knelt down again, but this time it was a proper half-kneel. He pledged his loyalty to Qu Yunmie, stating that he was unlike Yuan Baifu and would never betray him. As for the despicable Yuan Baifu, he no longer felt the slightest pain or sorrow for him.

Qu Yunmie nodded, not being one to indulge in sentimentality, he couldn't utter words that would move Gongsun Yuan.

Gongsun Yuan's return this time was indeed for the matter of Yuan Baifu. He brought only a few people, escorting the most important Khitan king. The majority of his troops were left in Khitan, managed jointly by his right and left duwei and Yu Shaocheng. His trust in Yu Shaocheng made Qu Yunmie feel quite gratified.

After a few more words, Gongsun Yuan took the initiative to leave, and it was only after he closed the door behind him that Xiao Rong emerged from the back.

His expression was somewhat complicated: "Gongsun Yuan, this is..."

Some words were hard for him to utter, but no worries, Qu Yunmie filled in for him: "It's because they fear being implicated by Yuan Baifu, so they've returned to pledge their loyalty to me."

Xiao Rong: "…………" So you do understand.

But upon closer reflection, this is truly Gongsun Yuan's style. In the official records, he pondered over and over, and concluded that following Qu Yunmie was a path to certain death. So, after Yuan Baifu's defection, he joined as well. He doesn't care about closeness; he only cares about where the benefits lie. This time, defecting with Yuan Baifu would indeed be a path to certain death, which is why he would never join Yuan Baifu's ranks. In fact, upon discovering Yuan Baifu's defection, he hurried back as quickly as he could.

This is a rational and self-centered individual; there is nothing inherently wrong with their actions, but it may leave those who are close to them feeling somewhat disheartened.

Xiao Rong looked at Qu Yunmie with concern. The latter noticed his gaze, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly. He said, "I'm fine."

Xiao Rong, mimicking his usual demeanor, responded to him with two words: "Really?"

Qu Yunmie: “...”

He chuckled lightly: "Of course."

Compared to Yuan Baifu's ruthless act of stabbing him in the back, what he did was merely for self-preservation, and it's nothing in comparison.

Moreover, human emotions are the most elusive things to grasp. Even Qu Yunmie himself cannot guarantee that he will always put these brothers at the forefront of his heart. On what basis can he demand others to do the same? Gongsun Yuan has a wife and children; he wishes to live a stable life. Is that even considered a mistake?

In the past, he did not understand these principles, treating his old subordinates and brothers with the same attitude as before. Now that there are more important beings in his life, he will no longer be so naive.

Xiao Rong observed his expression for a moment, sensing no deceit, and he too smiled. Then, he sat down beside Qu Yunmie and said to him, "Since General Gongsun has returned and the Khitan King has become a prisoner, The King might as well issue a military order to have the generals and soldiers who have been displaced hold a celebration banquet in sync. Let them decide how many days to hold it, and as for Chenliu... how about seven days? There will be plenty of wine and meat, with the garrison soldiers rotating shifts, and the rest of the soldiers need not worry about anything else. For these seven days, they can indulge in whatever they wish—feasting, drinking, and relaxation. Everyone deserves a good rest."

Qu Yunmie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Other people's celebratory banquets lasted for a day, and in places like Jinling where money flowed like water, they could last for three days. Yet Xiao Rong was planning a seven-day feast. Was he not planning to live anymore?

He warned Xiao Rong, "You don't know the appetite of the soldiers; the seven-day celebration banquet will cost a considerable amount of money."

Xiao Rong smiled, "No worries, we have plenty of money now."

Qu Yunmie: “...”

Just make sure you don't regret that line.

Xiao Rong would not regret it; he was right in saying that the soldiers needed a hearty reward. They had just won a battle, and Yuan Baifu had just defected. Although Qu Yunmie had used force to subdue everyone and keep them in line, a stick must be followed by a carrot.

Moreover, he needed to demonstrate the financial strength of the Northern Pacification Army, both to show the observing noble families and to let the timid ones in Jinling take a look.

In the past, they truly had no money and needed time to develop, so they never flaunted their wealth. Now that they have money and have become the actual top force, they naturally want to show off their wealth extravagantly, making those fence-sitters envious and eager to join the Northern Pacification Army the next day.

If they could sway the cowards in Jinling, it would be even better. Then, they wouldn't need to fight; the people inside would open the city gates themselves. Hahaha...

Xiao Rong laughed heartily in his mind and then sighed.

However, this is impossible. ...

Throughout history, there have indeed been cases where someone opened the city gates for personal gain, allowing enemy troops to enter. But such people are rare over thousands of years. Sun Renluan is still alive, even though he has retired from his position as general. This doesn't mean his power has been taken away. Jinling is still under Sun Renluan's control, making it a tough nut to crack.

As for the young emperor, Xiao Rong no longer harbors any hopes. When Sun Renluan suddenly attacked, although Xiao Rong didn't know it was instigated by the young emperor, it made him realize that the young emperor's influence is far less than he thought. He can't affect Sun Renluan at all. With recent events piling up, Xiao Rong feels it's becoming increasingly difficult to deceive the young emperor into believing he is a loyalist deep within enemy territory. Which loyalist would be so important to the Northern Pacification King that he would threaten to turn the young emperor into a human sausage if anything happened to Xiao Rong? ... Yes, Xiao Rong later heard these words from Gao Xunzhi.

A vague, secretly written promise and a furious Northern Pacification King making a vow in front of the entire army— if the young emperor must believe one, he would definitely choose the latter.

After hearing Qu Yunmie's words, the young emperor would be lucky not to cry in fear, let alone continue to trust Xiao Rong. Even if he does trust him, he wouldn't dare use him anymore.

So be it. If he's useless, then so be it. Anyway, Qu Yunmie will attack next spring, making any rescue attempt futile. If any anti-Qu pro-Yong organizations emerge later, they'll deal with them accordingly. ...

The news of the victory banquet spread throughout the city, causing an uproar. Treasure Street quickly mobilized. These people, trained by Xiao Rong, see every event as a business opportunity.

Those with meat sources approached the government to secure contracts, hoping to sell their meat. Restaurant owners offered to send their chefs to prepare dishes, and when the chefs returned, they would post notices outside their restaurants, claiming their chefs were the main chefs at the victory banquet in the sixth year of Shengde, praised by the royal family.

Even shops unrelated to food didn't want to miss out. They could still ride the wave of popularity. Xiao Rong said the banquet would last seven days, so they offered discounts for seven days! Ordinary citizens get 12% off, while soldiers who fought on the front lines get 34% off!

Hearing about these actions, Xiao Rong simply said, "6." Indeed, very clever. ...

This created quite a stir. Everyone wanted a piece of the action, turning Chenliu into a festive atmosphere, shocking the aristocratic youths observing the city. Regardless of other factors, just the enthusiasm of the businesses in Chenliu made them want to get involved.

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xiao Rong planned to expand Treasure Street from a single street to numerous alleys. Although he hadn't done it yet, the city's residents had already started expanding on their own. Before, no one wanted to go there, but now it's the most expensive real estate in Chenliu, with daily applications to build houses, some even building secretly until stopped by officials.

You're building secretly? Where will we collect rent from in the future? No way! Build further away; don't ride on Treasure Street's popularity! ...

Once, Xiao Rong envied the bustling scene in Jinling. Now, he no longer needs to envy it. Even in winter, merchant caravans choose to stay in Chenliu. Previously, he had mercenaries recruit caravans, which in turn brought more caravans. Initially, it seemed like a few stragglers, but after two months, it turned into a whole African savanna. The profit-seeking nature of merchants is no joke; so many people have come.

With no crops growing in this season, farmers have all moved into the city for work. Xiao Rong aims to make Chenliu a stronger fortress than Jinling, estimating that the city defense project will take ten or even twenty years. For a long time, these people won't worry about unemployment. Commercial taxes have become Chenliu's primary source of revenue, which is somewhat risky, but special times call for special measures. They can adjust once the world stabilizes.

Xiao Rong himself hasn't realized that he's already planning many things for after the world stabilizes. Who will make adjustments then? He hasn't thought about it.

With funds and people in place, the victory banquet officially began. Xiao Rong had never seen what a sea of wine and mountains of meat looked like, but standing beside the open-air kitchen, watching buckets of millet rice and basins of braised meat being carried out, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pain. It's all money.

His heart bled, but as the host of the victory banquet, Xiao Rong could only smile kindly and watch the food disappear.

After a while, he couldn't bear to watch anymore and returned to the mansion.

Now, the mansion has become the quietest place because everyone is out at the victory banquet. Soldiers focus on eating, Qu Yunmie drinks with the generals, and Song Shuo, who hasn't participated in any battles, is there to handle the finances. ...

Xiao Rong took a break and returned to the mansion to rest, also sending Xiao Yi out. Although he isn't part of the Northern Pacification Army, he is a family member and, as someone destined for the civil service, chatting with these old veterans won't hurt. Although the future should belong to civil servants, that won't happen for another fifty or sixty years, at least until their generation passes away, giving the next generation a chance to surpass military officers.

After all, this is Qu Yunmie's era, an era of military rulers, where military officers hold significant power.

Xiao Yi now has a teacher and classmates. Most of those who once mocked him have left Chenliu. After Xiao Rong became the Grand Tutor, those around him fawned over him. However, Xiao Yi is similar to Xiao Rong; he doesn't care about the present and remembers his past experiences. Thus, their flattery doesn't affect him; instead, it makes him wary of how they might change if his brother falls from grace.

Therefore, he dislikes pretending with others, especially when he lacks the means to do so. But he can't disobey Xiao Rong's orders, so he reluctantly went out, blushing.

Why was he blushing? Because when Xiao Rong noticed Xiao Yi's reluctance, he lightly smacked his buttocks. Though this physical contact seems a bit perverse and humiliating, Xiao Yi was satisfied.

It's not easy. The last time his brother touched him was when he blocked his path, and then it was just a finger.

Hehe, this time it was a slap! ... ...

Xiao Rong felt strangely as if he had been taken advantage of when he saw Xiao Yi's dazed expression.

Xiao Rong: "..." Forget it.

Just as he was about to lie down for a nap, Xiao Rong suddenly remembered two people he had forgotten. He slapped his head in frustration and hurriedly got out of bed.

Everyone else had gone to the victory banquet, and there were arrangements for the wounded soldiers' camp. However, some injured soldiers weren't in the camp but were placed in the mansion by Xiao Rong's order.

After Song Shuo moved out, Wang Xinyong and Yao Xian went to his courtyard to recuperate. This courtyard is secluded, and with Qu Yunmie and Gao Xunzhi's protection, not even a fly can enter the mansion. Only a few people can move freely between the courtyards, even someone as powerful as Wang Xinyong.

Xiao Rong momentarily forgot about them and worried that no one would remember them during such a grand victory banquet. It would be heartbreaking for them to be left out.

Xiao Rong ran all the way, sweating despite the cold winter, and as he approached, he heard voices inside.

Sang Yan was also there. Xiao Rong had entrusted her with caring for the wounded soldiers in the mansion. Her duties were similar to those in the wounded soldiers' camp—preparing and delivering medicine, occasionally checking their pulses. Wang Xinyong is honest, and Yao Xian is considerate. With fewer patients, Sang Yan might feel more relaxed.

Xiao Rong thought this, and he hadn't checked on them recently. At the moment, Sang Yan wasn't delivering medicine but following Xiao Rong's instructions to care for them. She moved a small table to Wang Xinyong's bed and placed dishes on it, all brought from outside and still steaming hot. She silently set the chopsticks and was about to leave with the food box.

Wang Xinyong, who hadn't dared to move, quickly thanked her as she was leaving.

These two words were spoken with a heavy tone, and Wang Xinyong thought Sang Yan might be angry. But she pursed her lips, turned slightly, and gave him a stiff bow.

This is a traditional gesture of respect from women in the Central Plains, something she hasn't done in a long time.

Seeing this, Wang Xinyong's dark cheeks reddened, though it was hard to tell due to his complexion.

Lowering his head, he picked up his chopsticks to eat, noticing something amiss out of the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw Yao Xian looking at him with admiration.

Wang Xinyong: "... What do you mean?"

Yao Xian shook his head, picking up another pair of chopsticks. In his mind, he wondered if the King would appoint him as the main general if General was no longer his title. ...

Inside, they ate silently, while outside, Xiao Rong stood with a stunned expression.

Sometimes, being too perceptive about emotions isn't a good thing. He hasn't even sorted out his own affairs, and now another situation arises!

Hmm... But it's not entirely fair to say that, because he can decide his own matters, but he can't interfere in others'.

Even though he felt shocked, Xiao Rong silently closed his mouth. Others are different from Qu Yunmie, who has mutated. Even if he discovered his attraction to men, he dared to speak openly about it. Others don't have that courage; even the slightest external disturbance could scare them away forever.

After all, this was just a small sign, and only a small sign from Wang Xinyong; it wasn't much.

Thinking this, Xiao Rong decided to leave. Since someone was already taking care of them, he didn’t need to go in anymore.

However, before leaving, Xiao Rong took another look inside. As he looked, he also showed the same admiring expression as Yao Xian.

I thought you didn’t compete for anything...

Turns out you go big right away!

In the evening, the thoroughly drunk Qu Yunmie was brought back by Gao Xunzhi, who could drink a thousand cups without getting tipsy.

Putting him on the bed, Gao Xunzhi wondered whether to let Qu Yunmie sleep as he was or take off his clothes. The door behind him opened, and seeing Xiao Rong come in, Gao Xunzhi sighed with relief, "Ah Rong is here, so I'll be going. I drank too much tonight, I should visit the toilet."

Xiao Rong: "..."

With that, he left. Xiao Rong glanced at the lump on the bed, then slowly walked over.

He had never seen Qu Yunmie completely drunk. Qu Yunmie was usually quite restrained, stopping after a slight buzz. Today must have been a happy occasion, given everyone’s high spirits.

Xiao Rong recalled how Qu Yunmie used to take advantage of his drunkenness to pry information out of him and smiled slightly. He pulled Qu Yunmie closer and gently pushed open his eyelids with two fingers.

A pair of hazy eyes were forced to open. They slowly turned and met Xiao Rong's gaze.

Xiao Rong asked, "Do you remember who I am?"

Qu Yunmie replied, "Ah Rong."

Though his words were a bit slurred, he answered correctly.

Xiao Rong asked again, "Who are you?"

Qu Yunmie opened his mouth and mumbled a string of incomprehensible words.

Xiao Rong: "..."

Fortunately, he had heard this before. Although he couldn’t understand it, the Butu people occasionally said it. It was Qu Yunmie’s name, though Xiao Rong didn’t know its meaning. In his mind, he automatically translated it to Qu Yunmie.

Unexpectedly, even when drunk, Qu Yunmie still recognized this Butu version of his name. Xiao Rong couldn’t tell if it was drunken nonsense or truth. After some thought, he decided to test him, "What’s your relationship with Yuan Baifu? Do you remember?"

Xiao Rong’s intention was to check if Qu Yunmie was sober, but unexpectedly, upon hearing this question, Qu Yunmie suddenly fell silent and silently stared at him, his eyes welling up with tears.

Xiao Rong: "........" Holy crap, are you going to cry? Don’t cry!

You’re a tough, emotional man; you can’t cry!

Xiao Rong was already flustered, and as his shocked gaze grew more intense, Qu Yunmie rubbed his eyes, sat up, and said to Xiao Rong, "It’s my turn."

Still reeling from the shock of Qu Yunmie using tears to intimidate him, Xiao Rong hadn’t reacted. Just as he was about to ask what he meant, he let out a startled cry as Qu Yunmie pressed him down.

Qu Yunmie leaned over, also extending two fingers to lightly press on his brow bone. He smiled slightly and asked, "Who am I?"

Xiao Rong: "........"