Chapter 355 - A Difficult Problem for the Ministry of War
Chapter 355 A Difficult Problem for the Ministry of War
Lin Mengya and Qiu Yu were in a discussion about the prescription at the moment. They had just managed to put together part of the prescription and were talking about its effect, while standing in close proximity. It was at this moment that Long Tianyu appeared at the door.
“I have come to see how things are going with you.”
Long Tianyu averted his eyes, but the feeling of anger rose when he spied the close proximity between the two of them.
Lin Mengya was not a person who bothered about trifles, and this could clearly be seen from the way she interacted with Qinghu and Lin Zhongyu. However, how could Qiu Yu, being a physician from the Court of Imperial Physicians, not be aware of such protocol?
“Our progress has been very smooth so far. I’m sure we will be able to produce the antidote soon. Don’t worry, Your Highness, no matter what the outcome, I’ll make sure you are the first to be informed.”
Lin Mengya’s response was formal and ritualistic.
This had always been her trait, that when she threw herself into working mode, she “forgot” all about her relatives and friends.
Long Tianyu felt a tightness around his chest.
He could still remember how lovely and tender-hearted she was not long ago, but now she was treating him so formally, only after being with Qiu Yu for just half a day.
In that instant, his anger which was burning against Qiu Yu, became even more intense.
Nevertheless, he had to suppress his anger, considering the importance of developing an antidote for his father, the emperor.
“Alright, please continue. I won’t disturb the two of you. I’ll take my leave first.”
There was a trace of unmistakable anger in his tone.
Even Qiu Yu, who was an outsider, could not help but shoot him a look, but Lin Mengya seemed to be unaware, as she continued with what she was doing.
Qiu Yu had a wry smile on his face. There was no running away from Prince Yu’s wrath, more so because he was such a suspicious person.
Sigh, how did he land himself in this pathetic state of coming in between these two?
At this thought, and to prevent himself from suffering a tragic death, Qiu Yu felt he had the responsibility to remind them.
“Ahem, Princess, don’t you think you’re a little too cold toward the prince?”
Qiu Yu smiled when he saw the puzzled look in Lin Mengya’s eyes. He continued,
“What I mean is although we are pressed for time, there is still time for the two of you to talk. I was thinking that perhaps you should give the prince a proper explanation, lest there be any misunderstanding.”
Lin Mengya pondered for a minute after hearing Qiu Yu’s words. Thereafter, she put the matter behind her.
“What is there to explain? Our priority is to seize the time to develop the antidote.”
Seeing he had failed in his endeavor, Qiu Yu could only shake his head in regret.
He had known all along that Long Tianyu was an outstanding young man. However, if he wanted to remain happily married to Lin Mengya until a ripe old age, they would have to work very hard to adapt and adjust to each other’s characters.
Hopefully, this episode on developing the antidote would help them realize the crux of the matter, and become a turning point in their relationship.
Since the day Lin Mengya locked herself away and immersed herself in researching the antidote, the atmosphere in Prince Yu’s mansion had been extremely strange.
First of all, Prince Yu had become just as busy.
From the day Long Tianyu emerged angrily from Liuxin Courtyard, he had not stepped into Liuxin Courtyard since. However, he continued shooting angry glances at the gates of Liuxin Courtyard when he passed by every day.
This time, everyone in Liuxin Courtyard,
Even the common servants throughout the prince’s mansion felt that the pressure from their work had increased exponentially.
“Your Highness, I’ve got everything you need for the trip, ready. Would you like to go through them personally?” Liu Kui asked respectfully.
Long Tianyu was going through the military reports in his study at this moment.
Long Tianyu raised his eyebrows. Preparing his clothes and other things for a trip was usually done by the woman of the house, but his wife was engaged in a man’s job at this moment.
What was worse was that he could not even get angry over this matter.
At this, the expression on his cold and handsome face fell.
He could not tell if he was dissatisfied with Lin Mengya’s attitude, or that he was dissatisfied with his helplessness.
“I got it.”
Long Tianyu put down the military report. He knew he should not be entangled with matters of the heart.
His father, the emperor had entrusted him with military matters, when he was still in good health.
Although the seventh prince, Long Qinghan was willful, he was clearly an exceptional talent in commanding the army and warfare.
This was the reason their father, the emperor’s mind, was at ease.
However, since those neutral high-ranking officials quietly eliminated many of the Crown Prince’s secret support, the Crown Prince seemed to have learned his lesson. In reality, he had consolidated the strength of many powerful high-ranking officials in order to seize military power.
It seemed that the Crown Prince had assigned him the task to check out the progress of the spring plowing all over the land, this time. However, the truth was the Crown Prince had put him in a difficult position.
If he refused to go, the Crown Prince would conveniently use this to accuse him of not showing concern for the people. In this way, the Crown Prince would tarnish his reputation and use this to further smear his name.
Although Qinghan was competent, he managed to get rid of the Crown Prince’s wariness toward him by hiding his capabilities.
If Long Tianyu went ahead and made use of Qinghan at this time, all of the humiliation and pain Qinghan had endured these years, would come to nothing.
However, if he left the capital to patrol the land, it could take three to five months, or at least one to two months. In that case, he would need someone to take his place, to be in charge of the Ministry of War.
Without raking his brains, Long Tianyu was certain that the person who would stand in for him would have been arranged by the Crown Prince.
At least, he would be someone who was somehow linked to the Crown Prince’s power.
Coincidentally, his deputy in the Ministry of War had also been sent out for some other business. It would take at least half a year for him to return. It should be noted that the Ministry of War controlled all of Dajin’s troops and horses.
It would be even too dreadful to contemplate the idea that the Crown Prince would be in control of the Ministry of War.
Even those important officials who stood on the neutral ground would not be able to interfere with this matter.
The Crown Prince was after all the Crown Prince. If the emperor were to pass away, it would only natural and proper for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. By then, the important court officials would pledge their loyalty to the new emperor.
Therefore, with the limited time he had on hand, he had to find a suitable solution to this problem.
“Your Highness, the Seventh Prince has arrived.”
Steward Deng’s voice sounded from outside the study, disrupting Long Tianyu’s train of thoughts.
Following that, a smiling Long Qinghan appeared before Long Tianyu, dressed in a lake-blue brocade robe.
Long Tianyu remembered the time more than a decade ago, when they were still kids. That timid boy had turned out to be the gallant young scholar, known throughout Dajin. He supposed his mother would be so comforted because of this.
At this moment, this seventh younger brother standing before him, was the closest to him, apart from Lin Mengya.
Instantly, a look of warm affection flashed across Long Tianyu’s eyes.
“Come, have a seat.”
Long Qinghan was a little taken aback by his elder brother’s greeting, as he stood before him.
God, did he mishear?
When did his third elder brother, who never minced his words toward him, and who was usually harsh with him, turn into a gentleman?
However, his surprise wore off immediately.
On second thoughts, he realized that things would have gotten much easier if Miss Lin was the princess.
Perhaps his third elder brother had been quietly transformed by Miss Lin.
Long Qinghan found a seat and sat down. Today, Long Qinghan had come regarding the matter about the Ministry of War.
He could empathize with the difficult situation his third elder brother was facing at this moment. For this reason, he had come here to check out his third elder brother and to hear about his thoughts.
“Third Elder Brother, are you all prepared for the spring plowing inspection?”
Long Qinghan asked cautiously. His father, the emperor, had once taught them that the survival of the entire nation depended on the spring plowing.
The Crown Prince, who apparently understood this fact, had overtly sent Third Elder Brother out.
Moreover, he had expected that his third elder brother would not turn down or delay the assigned task.
However, what would happen to the Ministry of War—
Quietly, he clenched his fists. When it came to a stage where he had no other choice, he would resort to exposing his true self.
“Everything is ready.” “Please don’t worry about the matters regarding the Ministry of War. I’ll make sure things are working well.”
Long Tianyu’s statement gave Long Qinghan no opportunity to volunteer his service.
“I’m sure you’re aware that the Crown Prince has been eyeing the Ministry of War. If not for father, who saw through the Crown Prince long ago, he would not have handed you the responsibility of running the Ministry of War.”
Long Qinghan said this, with anger in his voice. It had been the protocol in the courts that the important affairs pertaining to the survival of the nation would be handed to the royal family members, so that they were in control.
Through this way of checking and balancing, not only would it prevent the other people outside the royal family to eye the throne, but it would also allow room for the members of the royal family to display their respective talents.
This way, the treasury and food supply were under the control of the Crown Prince, while the military power was given to Third Brother. Little did they expect the emperor to fall ill so suddenly, so much so that many other matters were left hanging, because the emperor did not have the opportunity to instruct them in detail.
This was why the situation had turned into such a chaotic state at present.
“I’ve long thought of a suitable candidate. It will only take a few days for him to arrive in the capital city. Do stay calm and collected in the next few days, as you observe the Crown Prince and his gang on my behalf. Keep an eye on what they are doing.”
At Long Tianyu’s words, the frown on Long Qinghan’s forehead smoothed out.
In a natural and unrestrained way, he unfolded his paper fan and instantly, the frowning Seventh Prince was replaced by an elegant gentleman.
“I knew my Third Brother would have a solution. However, I suppose the Crown Prince will not take much notice of you for now. He has been very busy visiting the Bright Moon Courtesan House.”
The Bright Moon Courtesan House? Long Tianyu pondered for a moment and remembered that this was the courtesan house Long Qinghan had mentioned to him before.
Perhaps Long Qinghan enjoyed spending time having fun much more than commanding an army in war.
Take for example the Bright Moon Courtesan House. It was said that the girls in it were multi-talented in areas like music and art.
What was even more amazing was that no one knew who was its master. Even Qinghan, who frequented the courtesans for many months, had failed to find out who the mysterious master was.