novelraw Chapter 458: Suppressing Bandits
Chapter 458: Suppressing Bandits
In the morning, the two of them went to the Imperial Martial Arts Grounds in the suburbs.Zhao Junyan and Young Master Yang of the Yang Family, Yang Chenyi, happened to be there.
The four of them put their heads together and decided to go horse riding.
When a man is vexed, there’s nothing more refreshing than galloping freely on horseback. The sound of the wind whistled past his ears. The vexing thoughts were gradually dispersed by the wind.
Zhao Junyao’s horsemanship wasn’t just for show.
In the end, even Xia Tingfeng was left half a mile behind.
Yang Chenyi and Zhao Junyan were about the same level, and they too were left half a mile behind by Xia Tingfeng.
But the gap between the four of them wasn’t that big.
By the time they finished their ride, a full two Shi Chen had passed.
When he dismounted, Zhao Junyao’s displeasure had completely dissipated, and he was in very high spirits.
Even Xia Tingfeng temporarily put his worries behind him, feeling utterly relaxed and joyful.
Looking at the sky, it was almost time for lunch. Zhao Junyao then suggested, "Let’s go, time to drink!"
When the Emperor made a proposal, who would dare not to follow? Naturally, it was met with eager agreement.
The four of them went to the largest tavern in the Capital City and took the most luxurious private room on the top floor.
A table full of exquisite dishes and fine wines was brought up, and they were thoroughly excited.
Men, after all, love to drink when they’re happy, and they still love to drink when they’re not. Sometimes, no special occasion was needed; if a few of them met and felt like drinking, they simply drank.
And so it was: two men burdened with their own worries, and two naive young men who had tagged along for the ride. The four of them began to drink!
After three rounds of drinks, the two men, warmed by the alcohol, began pouring out their grievances.
Yang Chenyi and the Seventh Prince looked at each other, not quite understanding what they were going on about.
They lost interest in listening and slipped away to play drinking games.
Alcohol really does befuddle the mind, and that’s no lie. Otherwise, how could they not understand?
After venting their grievances and drinking too much, the four of them ended up sleeping in the private room.
They woke up at dusk.
Yang Chenyi and Zhao Junyan, free from troubles, sobered up quickly after getting drunk and just kept watch nearby.
As for the other two, when they got drunk, they really were drunk.
When Zhao Junyao woke up, he felt a headache, and Xia Tingfeng wasn’t feeling much better.
The two of them looked at each other and felt quite embarrassed.
Zhao Junyao coughed lightly to cover up his embarrassment.
He then gave a few instructions before parting ways with Yang Chenyi and Zhao Junyan.
Yang Chenyi and Zhao Junyan didn’t dare to neglect their duties, and escorted the Emperor and Commander Xia to the palace gate before they dared to truly leave.
Zhao Junyan liked the military camp.
Since he had nothing to do in the palace, he often spent days or even half a month at a time in the camp, not returning to the palace unless needed. After all, life in the palace was not as appealing to him as life in the camp.
As for Yang Chenyi, he lived in his own residence.
After making plans to go to the martial arts grounds again the next day, they parted ways at an intersection.
「In the palace」
After returning to Zhaochen Palace and drinking two bowls of sobering soup, Zhao Junyao’s mind completely cleared up.
He had vented most of his frustrations from the day.
So, after dinner, he picked up the memorials and began to review them. While reviewing the memorials, he suddenly remembered what Xia Tingfeng had babbled about during the day.
Who would’ve thought that the Xia Family, a minor household, would also have such dirty laundry?
A child born of a concubine deserved nothing from the family inheritance?
Then... why come to the Capital City at all?
To bear his parents’ name but not to do his parents’ bidding? Hoping to snag a free meal and snatch some benefits before returning?
Tsk tsk, such wishful thinking!
If it hadn’t happened right beside him, he would have never believed such things occurred!
Zhao Junyao was shocked. This is truly... an eye-opening experience, he mused, sighing with both regret and concern for Xia Tingfeng.
A perfect couple, a perfect match for marriage. How could these people get involved and turn it into something so despicable!
He’d heard that not only had the Xia family’s parents arrived empty-handed, but they had also occupied the residence Xia Tingfeng had bought.
By all rights, that should be acceptable. Parents living in a house bought by their son is universally acknowledged as proper.
But then again, they favor the children born of the legal wife while oppressing the children born of concubines. It would be fine if they didn’t give anything, but they also exploited the house bought by their son born of a concubine.
This is almost no different from bandits! Zhao Junyao thought with extreme disgust.
However, as disgusted as he was, he couldn’t do anything about it. Even as the Emperor, he couldn’t meddle in other people’s family affairs! That’s the rule! Alas... Zhao Junyao sighed again and stopped dwelling on it.
Looking at the stack of memorials on his desk, he thought of himself.
He felt so ineffectual as the Emperor. It was bad enough that he couldn’t lead troops in battle, but not being able to leave the palace to catch bandits was even worse...
Feeling worried, his mind suddenly brightened.
Wait... catching bandits? Right... this could be a good opportunity.
If the Three Great Camps of the Capital City couldn’t handle it, there was still the Imperial Forest Army.
Although catching a few bandits might be a bit of overkill, those bandits had already caused several deaths and were outrageously bold! Thus, he could only send the Imperial Forest Army.
Why not... just send Xia Tingfeng then? Firstly, catching a few bandits would allow Xia Tingfeng to vent some frustration. Secondly, if he confiscated some spoils of war and earned merit, Zhao Junyao would have a way to reward him with fitting honors.
Looking at it this way, it was like killing two birds with one stone. This good idea could essentially solve both their troubles. Perfect, perfect!
Zhao Junyao’s mood was abruptly lifted.
As a result, he went through the memorials at a breakneck speed, efficiently and decisively.
「The next morning at the imperial court」
Zhao Junyao made a direct announcement.
"If the Three Great Camps cannot handle it, then I have no choice but to send my own Imperial Forest Army!"
"Deputy Commander Xia will lead five hundred men to suppress the bandits. Do any of my ministers have any objections?"
The officials wiped away sweat.
Emperor, as long as you don’t go yourself, everything is negotiable!
The military generals also wiped away sweat.
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In the end, all the officials expressed no objections.
Zhao Junyao was very satisfied.
"Then it’s settled!"
With that settled, he continued with the state affairs.
The morning court session was particularly smooth today!
「Back in the Imperial Study Room」
Zhao Junyao was in a good mood. Once back in the Imperial Study Room, he directly issued an imperial decree to Xia Tingfeng, ordering him to lead his men to suppress the bandits.
Xia Tingfeng, who was in a bad mood, instantly felt a rush of satisfaction upon hearing about the bandit suppression.
Hadn’t he finally found an outlet for his frustrations? Most importantly, he would finally be able to get out and clear his mind, breathe some fresh air. No need to face his father and stepmother from time to time. This is great, truly excellent!
"Your subject thanks the Emperor!"
Zhao Junyao: "..."
"No need for thanks; you are relieving me of my worries. I’ve heard that those bandits are quite formidable, you must be careful!"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your subject will definitely be careful and cautious!" Xia Tingfeng said.
Zhao Junyao nodded.
"Good! Go back and pack up; you will set out tomorrow!"
"Yes!" Xia Tingfeng affirmed, cupping his fist.