167 – Two Imperial Edicts

“This inferior one pays respect to Grand General Lei! Hope that Grand General Lei have been well since we last met?”

The villagers were stunned and looked at Lei Tie with eyes filled with suspicion. Their first reaction was: could it be a wrong person? However, seeing that Lei Xiangzhi didn’t refute the middle-aged man’s words, everyone understood right there that Lei Tie was truly a Grand General. At once, their eyes were full of shock and awe.

Yuanyuan and Manman looked over curiously. Without batting an eyelid, Qin Mian walked over and took them aside. He hid behind the crowd and looked at Lei Tie. His eyes glazed with worry and vigilance. Why does the eunuch next to the Emperor suddenly come to Green Mountain Village to see A-Tie?

He turned to Lei Xiangzhi with an inquiring look and Lei Xiangzhi slightly nodded to him. He breathed a sigh of relief – it was good as long as it was not bad news.

Li Zheng’s lips trembled and lost his voice for a moment. The news that Lei Tie was –to everyone’s surprise– a Grand General was too shocking.

Lei Tie turned away from the eunuch’s salute and lightly said, “Eunuch Li doesn’t need to be courteous. I’m not a Grand General anymore.”

Yuanyuan looked at Qin Mian with his eyes shining and asked in a low voice, “Dad, is Old Dad a Grand General?”

Manman’s eyes were also shining.

Qin Mian nodded. When the two little boys learned that their Old Dad was once a Grand General, they would certainly idolize him even more.

The two little boys’ eyes shone even brighter. Nonetheless, they were very clever. Knowing that things were not simple, they stood quietly beside Qin Mian and did not speak again.

“You are, of course, still!” Eunuch Li took out a pair of bright yellow scrolls from his sleeve pocket and held them out respectfully and carefully with both hands. “Grand General Lei, His Majesty asked this inferior one to pass the Imperial Edicts.”

Where had all the villagers ever seen this kind of posture? When they heard the words “His Majesty”, they were so scared they kneeled on the ground.

Qin Mian’s mind wandered a little as he thought: when one accepts the imperial edict, one has to set up an incense table. This kneeling is useless.

Lei Tie nodded his head without expression and gestured to them to follow him.

Eunuch Li was not surprised by his cold reaction, as if he had been used to it. Without a change of expression nor did he mount the horse, he followed with the imperial edicts in his hands.

Lei Xiangzhi and the soldiers who followed them all dismounted and walked behind.

Lei Tie gave a meaningful glance at Qin Mian.

Qin Mian made a “silent” gesture to Yuanyuan and Manman, picked them up with both hands, mingled with the villagers, and slipped away when people didn’t pay attention.

The villagers also stopped working and followed.

Li Zheng was a little worried. He quietly moved closer to Lei Xiangzhi and asked in a low voice, “Xiangzhi boy, what’s happening? It’s not anything bad, is it?”

Lei Xiangzhi whispered, “Li Zheng doesn’t have to worry. It’s a good thing.”

Li Zheng took a long breath; his heart was still beating fast. Their Green Mountain Village was amazing. They had Lei Xiangzhi, an official in the Capital, Qin Mian, a powerful businessman, and now a Great General.

Following Lei Tie down the mountain, Eunuch Li had a panoramic view of the beautiful village and was filled with admiration. When he entered the village, he looked at the roadside flowers and fruit trees and smelled the fragrance of flowers. His expression of admiration showed not only in words but also on his face.

“Grand General Lei lives in such a beautiful place. This inferior one is really envious.”

He wasn’t embarrassed at all for not getting Lei Tie’s response. He looked around, left and right.

Lei Xiangzhi hadn’t been back to his hometown for three years. He was so shocked and couldn’t see enough with his pair of eyes. He had a hunch that the changes in Green Mountain Village were greatly related to his Eldest Sister-in-law.

After entering Leisurely Farmhouse, Eunuch Li and the soldiers unconsciously slowed down and looked around, incessantly envious.

Lei Tie invited Eunuch Li into the house and ordered the servants to set up an incense burner table.

Eunuch Li stood in front of the incense burner table and unfolded the Imperial Edict.

Headed by Lei Tie, everyone kneeled.

Eunuch Li read in a sharp voice, “By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor ordered that Lei Tianren, the former General of the West Order, who was brave and good at fighting, led the army like a God, be appointed and conferred as the Defender Grand General of the State¹, to command the front, middle, and rear army. These, by the Emperor himself.”

Lei Tie’s heart sank. He had no choice but to accept the imperial edict with both hands, “Your subject accepts this edict with gratitude. Long live His Majesty, absolutely long live!”

After Lei Tie put the imperial edict on the incense table, Eunuch Li said with a smile, “Grand General Lei, there is another imperial edict.”

Lei Tie’s eyes flashed cold light and died away. He slightly nodded and knelt again without a sound.

Eunuch Li read aloud, “By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor ordered that Lei Tianren, Defender Grand General of the State, who had brilliantly outstanding military service and made great contributions to the country, to be conferred as State Defender Duke, bestowed a State Defender Duke Establishment, and granted an iron certificate² and 10,000 taels of gold to express His Majesty’s benevolence. These, by the Emperor himself.”

When Qin Mian, who was eavesdropping on the second floor, heard the second imperial edict, his eyes narrowed, showing a sharp cold light. His mind was incessantly bewildered. According to his understanding of the Great Xia Dynasty, Defender Grand General of the State was a second rank [official post] and State Defender Duke was the first rank! Not only that, the title of State Defender Duke could be inherited. As long as the future generations did not make a grave mistake, they could always inherit the title of nobility. The Emperor’s favor for A-Tie was too sudden and too strong that it made him doubt whether there was any conspiracy.

What he thought of, Lei Tie also thought of. However, the imperial power was supreme; Lei Tie couldn’t refuse. Once again, he received the edict with gratitude.

Eunuch Li congratulated him with a smile, “State Defender Duke, the State Defender Duke Establishment has been put in order appropriately. His Majesty ordered this inferior one to escort State Defender Duke and family to the Capital as soon as possible.”

After that, without waiting for Lei Tie to speak, he said in a casual tone, “It’s heard that State Defender Duke does not only have a good wife [?], but also a pair of lovely young gongzis. Congratulation. But why aren’t they here?”

As soon as these words came out, Lei Tie understood that the Emperor had a basic understanding of his affairs. He could perceive that Eunuch Li was deliberately hinting at him. He nodded to Eunuch Li and accepted his affection.

Eunuch Li’s smiling mood was slightly concentrated. The State Defender Duke is now a new nobility in the Capital. It’s only good to make friends with him.

“Uncle Fu, go to the entrance and see if the Little Master and the Little Young Masters are back.”

“Yes, Eldest Master.”

As soon as Qin Mian, who was upstairs, heard Lei Tie’s words, he picked up Yuanyuan and Manman, flew out of the floor-to-ceiling window, landed outside the wall, and walked toward home.

Lei Tie invited Eunuch Li to take a seat. “Eunuch Li, there are many trivial matters at home that will take some time to arrange for. Did His Majesty ever mention a deadline?”

Eunuch Li said with a smile, “His Majesty only said that the sooner the better. State Defender Duke doesn’t have to worry too much. After all, to settle down in the Capital, one would better arrange everything properly.”

Lei Tie said, “So then, trouble Eunuch Li to wait for some time. Does Eunuch Li want to live in Double Xiang House or the summer mountain villa?”

Eunuch Li answered, “Just live in Qilin Summer Mountain Villa. This inferior one truly likes the scenery of this mountain village.”

As they spoke, Qin Mian led Yuanyuan and Manman into the room and paid respect to Eunuch Li with his hands cupped in obeisance.

Eunuch Li attentively looked Qin Mian up and down and secretly thought: it’s no wonder. Then, he sized up Yuanyuan and Manman and immediately was very fond of them. He took out a pair of jade pendants from his sleeve and gave it to Yuanyuan and Manman as a meeting gift.

Qin Mian understood that settling down in the Capital, for the time being, was irreversible and these social exchanges were inevitable. He nodded to Yuanyuan and Manman.

Yuanyuan and Manman softly thanked Eunuch Li and accepted the jade pendants.

Eunuch Li secretly praised the upbringing of the two children.

Qin Mian ordered Uncle Fu to take Eunuch Li and the others to Qilin Summer Mountain Villa.

Eunuch Li let Lei Xiangzhi stayed with good consideration.

After Eunuch Li and his party left, Qin Mian and Lei Tie sent the villagers away and asked Aunt Fu to take Yuanyuan and Manman out. Only then they talked to Lei Xiangzhi.

Lei Xiangzhi congratulated Lei Tie with a smile, “Eldest Brother, congratulations! Today, it’s the first time I know that Eldest Brother has another name called ‘Lei Tianren’.”

Qin Mian said, “‘Lei Tianren’ was a name given to your Eldest Brother by his master. We’ll talk about it later. Fifth Brother, tell us first, what actually happened? Why would the Emperor suddenly resume your Eldest Brother’s official position and even make him the State Defender Duke?”

Lei Xiangzhi gave a bitter smile and completely bewildered, “I’m also confused about this matter. Half a month ago, I suddenly received the Emperor’s order, commanding me to lead Eunuch Li the way back to Running Water Town of Zhaoyang County to pass a decree to General Lei Tianren. At that time, I didn’t think that Lei Tianren was Eldest Brother. I thought that Grand General Lei happened to live in seclusion near Running Water Town. In fact, I didn’t know that Eldest Brother was Lei Tianren until Eunuch Li paid respect to him on the mountain.” His mood at this time was no less complicated than Qin Mian and Lei Tie.

Worried that he bore some thoughts, Qin Mian explained, “Your Eldest Brother’s affairs during those years had been very complicated. In a word, he had many unhappy memories of being an official that he didn’t want to mention again. I hope Fifth Brother doesn’t mind.”

Lei Xiangzhi hastily said, “Eldest Sister-in-law underestimated me. I can understand. Eldest Brother certainly has his reasons.”

Knowing that Qin Mian and Lei Tie must have a lot to say, he got up and took his leave, “Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law, I’ll go visit Third Brother and Fourth Brother first.”

Lei Tie nodded.

After Lei Xiangzhi left, Qin Mian hugged Lei Tie’s waist and gave him a comforting kiss on the lips. “A-Tie, don’t think too much. We’ll figure it out when we reach the Capital. It may not be impossible to resign again.”

Lei Tie gently shook his head. He lifted Qin Mian, embraced him into his arms, and faintly said, “Wife, as long as you and the children are there, I don’t care about other things. I’ve long been indifferent to the things of the past. Now, it’s no different for me whether I live in the Capital or not. I just worry that you and the children are not used to it. The water in the Capital is very deep.”

Qin Mian could feel that Lei Tie didn’t say it just to appease him, so he let go of his worry. “I didn’t think about moving to the Capital before. I thought that I would have to wait until Yuanyuan and Manman take the imperial examination to enter the Capital again. Now I think it’s fine to move to the Capital. We’ve been in Green Mountain Village for so many years, so it’s good to go out for a change of air. Yuanyuan and Manman are growing bigger and bigger. It’s time they go out and see the world. As for the complexity of the Capital, I believe that with my mind and your ability, our family will be able to stay together.”

Lei Tie inexplicably felt that Qin Mian’s body had a whiff sense of fighting excitement. The corners of his lips gently perked up, “As long as you don’t feel aggrieved, if we have to go to the Capital, then so be it. I’ll protect you and the children.”

Note:

Footnotes