Green Mountain

Fifteenth day of the first month, Lantern Festival.

As the rooster crowed, the night patrol’s call echoed through Qinglong Square: "Dawn!"

In front of an old house with five courtyards, the gift-bearers surrounded it tightly, carrying vermillion lacquered gift boxes inside the house, making the scene even more lively than a wedding.

Lu Qian stood at the door, holding an account book and recording the gift list one by one, then quickly walked into the depths of the mansion, approached Lu Jin, and whispered: "The Minister of War sent twelve east pearls, one hundred and twenty old ginseng roots, mink fur..."

Beside the long table, Lu Jin sat in the subordinate’s seat, Yuan Zhong sat in the head’s seat.

Before Lu Jin was a roasted lamb, which he skillfully carved and pushed towards Yuan Zhong along with scallions: "Please enjoy."

Yuan Zhong shakily picked up a tender piece of lamb with his hands and stuffed it into his mouth, while Lu Jin wiped the oil off his hands with a handkerchief, not taking a bite himself.

Lu Jin looked at Lu Qian, interrupting: "Add them all to the Privy Council’s Imperial Treasury, as the Heavenly Strategy Army is in disarray now. I heard the military pay is delayed for more than half a year, instruct the Privy Council to purchase military equipment and send it along with the rations. Also, Jiang Xianzong on Western Capital Road suffered a disaster last year. Purchase grain and seeds to send there; don’t delay the farmers’ spring plowing."

Lu Qian looked at Lu Jin: "Sir, the recently appointed Great Commander of the Heavenly Strategy Army received Princess Liyang’s instructions the other day and frequently impeaches you?"

Lu Jin waved his sleeve: "No matter. Longyou Road relies on the Heavenly Strategy Army, and Western Capital Road also needs its support. Prioritize the overall situation."

Lu Qian bowed and clasped his hands: "Yes."

Just as he was about to leave, Lu Jin spoke: "Ah Gui, accompany Ah Qian. You should learn things beyond fighting and killing. My Privy Council manages the nation’s arms, border defense, military affairs, nationwide espionage, military general selections, and the coordination and supply of military rations, and is currently in need of manpower. Out of everyone here, you are most familiar with the Southern Dynasty. You may join my ranks as a Vice Minister and oversee the Military Intelligence Department and Military Strategy Department."

Si Caogui’s figure slowly emerged from the shadow of the main hall, hesitated momentarily, then clasped his hands: "Yes."

Lu Jin suddenly remembered something: "Is your sister married?"

Si Caogui whispered: "Not yet."

Lu Jin smiled: "From the Privy Council, you can select talented young men. The Hu Ben Army, Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, Left and Right Brave Guards, and Left Jinwu Guards are all good options. I will decide for you."

Si Caogui hurriedly bowed: "Thank you, Sir."

Lu Jin appraised Si Caogui: "By the way, you’re also of the age for marriage..."

Si Caogui interrupted: "Sir, Ah Gui has no plans to marry yet."

Lu Jin nodded: "As you wish, go work with Lu Qian."

Si Caogui followed Lu Qian out of the inner courtyard, leading the Lu clan’s subordinates, who guarded the lavish gifts as they headed to the Privy Council.

Yuan Zhong watched the two departing figures and clapped his greasy hands shakily: "Council Chief Executive Officer, such public-spiritedness, neglecting oneself for the country! This large sum of money, an entire copper not taken, transforms into military equipment and rations flowing to border towns—who wouldn’t say that Mr. Lu has admirable righteousness!"

At this moment, a subordinate of the Lu clan brought up a bowl of corn porridge and a dish of salted vegetables, which Lu Jin slowly ate, seemingly indifferent to the lamb on the table.

Yuan Zhong saw him silent and continued mocking: "Once again, does the Council Chief Executive Officer intend to lure Ah Gui with high ranks and generous rewards? Then bind his sister and brother-in-law, to make him wholeheartedly serve you? That man is not bright, why bother sparing such effort?"

Lu Jin picked a bite with chopsticks without replying.

Yuan Zhong tossed lamb from his plate into Lu Jin’s bowl, lamb dropping other corn porridge on the table: "What’s the purpose of the Council Chief Executive Officer’s recruitment of countless loyal but simple-minded subordinates? Others don’t know, but does the old man not?"

Lu Jin unperturbed picked the lamb out and set it aside: "Adoptive father, the political situation of the dynasty is complicated and deceitful. Only by gathering ambitious and talented people can the great cause of unifying the two dynasties be achieved."

At this moment, Lu Kan hurriedly entered the inner residence, clasping his hands and reporting: "Sir, the Hu Ben Army and Tiger and Leopard Cavalry have both sent messages indicating that all crucial paths are strictly guarded, yet there are no traces of Yuan Xing and the thieves. Lu Zhan suspects that the thieves have already escaped using Yuan Xiang’s influence."

Lu Jin paused with the ladle in his hand: "Since we didn’t find them outside, they must have returned."

Lu Kan was taken aback: "Sir, are you saying the thief has taken Yuan Xing back to Shangjing?"

Lu Jin pondered: "That thief is no ordinary person, often doing extraordinary things. It’s no surprise if they’ve returned to Shangjing."

Lu Kan whispered: "Should we conduct a city-wide search? But today is the Lantern Festival, the streets and alleys are crowded, and it would be hard to find them."

Lu Jin drank the porridge in the bowl until it was completely empty: "No need, on this Lantern Festival night, His Majesty wishes to celebrate with the people. If we conduct a city-wide search for the thief, it might displease His Majesty. Secretly instruct the Left Jinwu Guards to keep an eye on the Li Yang Princess Mansion and Yuan Xiang’s residence, and remember, do not let the Right Jinwu Guards know."

Lu Kan quietly observed Lu Jin’s expression: "If we find them, how should we deal with it?"

Lu Jin was silent for a moment: "Follow the usual practice."

Lu Kan accepted the order and withdrew.

In the empty inner residence, Yuan Zhong pointed at Lu Jin with his greasy hand, his face full of ridicule: "Lu Jin, Lu Jin, how does it feel to be betrayed by everyone? First, you incited the Right Martial Guard to hunt your sister, and now, to seize power from the Right Martial Guard, you even want to eliminate your own nephew. Every time I think I’ve seen through you, you surprise me again."

Lu Jin spoke casually: "Foster father, I am doing this for the grand cause of unification of the two dynasties."

Yuan Zhong laughed heartily, then suddenly started coughing violently.

Amid the coughs, Lu Jin’s voice remained calm: "Does foster father think I am acting out of personal gain? If it were for personal gain, I would keep my nephew. He possesses the Sword Seed Path, and if I just hide him and nurture him carefully, wait for the Mountain Master to pass away, my Lu family can take over the Temple of Martial Arts and seize the thousand-year foundation of the Jiang family. By then, my Lu family will stand unshakeable in the Jing Dynasty, who would dare to challenge my family’s power?"

At this point, he changed his tone: "My sole wish in this life is to unify the two dynasties. I do not marry nor have children to announce to the world that I have no personal agenda. Chen Ji’s heart lies with Ning, leaving him will only hinder the great cause of the Jing Dynasty... But if I seize the military power of the Right Martial Guard and change the court affairs, if Lin Chaoqing’s preparations succeed, our dynasty can march southward again within three years."

Lu Jin looked at Yuan Zhong: "I don’t have much time to wait, extraordinary situations require extraordinary measures. Foster father can scorn me, but I, Lu Jin, am guilt-free."

Yuan Zhong’s cough stopped, he rasped: "You say lies so often, you may even believe them yourself. You must have forgotten that the head of the Southern Dynasty’s Minister of Revenue was stolen by you from Lu Ye’s hand, and you must have also forgotten that the scar on Lu Ye girl’s face was left by you!"

Lu Jin remained silent.

Yuan Zhong’s decaying eyes stared straight at Lu Jin: "If it weren’t for that girl Lu Ye back then, how would I have given you the chance to turn the tide? I hate, hate that I didn’t see your wolf-like ambition, didn’t see your vicious and ruthless nature."

Yuan Zhong grinned, revealing his yellow teeth, taunting without reserve: "You’re scared, you found out her son has mastered the Sword Seed Path, you’re afraid her son will come to claim your life."

Lu Jin didn’t get angry: "Lu Ye abandoned our original intention and went to consort with Southern Dynasty people. I merely wanted to cut off Qing Wentao, that Heart Demon, from her. Never imagined she was too deep in the Heart Demon, willing to live anonymously for twelve years to rehabilitate Qing Wentao rather than return to Jing Dynasty. I have probed, Chen Ji doesn’t know about past grievances, perhaps even Lu Ye herself feels too ashamed to mention her betrayal to the Jing Dynasty..."

Yuan Zhong swept the lamb meat onto the floor in anger: "She doesn’t want her son caught up in your affairs!"

Lu Jin picked up the Bone Cutting Knife and trimmed the lamb meat before Yuan Zhong: "Foster father, eat something, don’t harm your body with anger, I wish you to live a few more years."

Yuan Zhong looked at the lamb meat before him and said hoarsely: "For fifteen years, you’ve fed me lamb meat three meals a day just because I like it. This vicious way of tormenting the spirit with a dull blade, only you, Lu Jin, could think of."

Lu Jin sighed: "But foster father also hasn’t been willing to pass away."

Yuan Zhong snarled: "Because I want to watch you fail, to see with my own eyes how you pay the price and be beyond redemption!"

At that moment, Yuan Zhong began gasping, breathing heavily, as if the oil lamp has burned to the bottom, with no oil left, burning even the wick to ash.

Yuan Zhong reached out to Lu Jin, unable to make a sound as if something was stuck in his throat.

Lu Jin sat quietly at the table, watching until Yuan Zhong’s raised arm dropped powerlessly, his eyes completely dull. He softly said: "Foster father, the great cause of unification of the two dynasties is not for those with weak resolve. My heart remains unchanged, when the day of unification comes, history will tell of my Lu Jin’s roar."

He rose and walked out of the inner residence, stood under the eaves staring at the gray sky: "Give him a proper burial."

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