Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 517 The Earl of Pingnan Saved Me

Upon hearing that the man was actually an earl with military power, Tian Hongyu immediately put on a smiling face and cupped his hands, saying, "So you are the Earl of Pingnan, my apologies for not recognizing you earlier." In his heart, however, he was thinking that there had never been a precedent of granting a title to a military general during the Chongzhen era. It seemed that only one very capable general had received this honor. His subordinates had even fought Cao Huachun, the head of the Eastern Depot, at Xuanwu Gate without suffering any damage. Could this be the man in front of him? If his subordinates were so fierce, what would he be like?

Thinking of this, his smile deepened. The world was not at peace, and it was uncertain how long the Ming Dynasty could last. Military generals who held heavy troops were more reliable than civil officials who could be executed with a single imperial edict. As the emperor's father-in-law, he was not afraid of scholars, but he did not want to offend military generals easily.

Liu Ye pointed at Li Xiangjun, whose face was covered in blood, and said, "This young lady Li Xiangjun is now living a life-or-death situation. Even if she is not dead, with such a fiery temper, I'm afraid the emperor wouldn't like her. Does the emperor's father-in-law still think he can send her into the palace?"

Tian Hongyu shook his head: "I've never seen anyone so ungrateful—other women are all overjoyed when they hear they're going to enter the palace. Fine, since she's dead, I won't waste my time on her. I'll look for someone else."

He started to walk out, and his guide, Ruan Dacheng, and his servants followed him in a swarm. As he passed Liu Ye, he smiled and said, "It is fate that we have met. When the Earl of Pingnan arrives in the capital, please come and visit me so that I can show you the hospitality of a good host."

Liu Ye smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Father-in-law. I will definitely come to bother you when I arrive in the capital." He found it quite amusing: Tian Hongyu clearly harbored some fear of him and was even actively trying to curry favor; while Hou Fangyu, unafraid of a military general like himself, remained silent in the face of a powerful relative like Tian Hongyu. The three parties had formed a cat-eat-mouse, mouse-eat-elephant relationship—truly a case of everything having its counter, one thing subduing another.

Mr. Tian arrived quickly and left even faster, leaving everyone in the courtyard at a loss.

Li Zhenli was still holding Li Xiangjun, weeping bitterly. Liang Xiaoming lovingly touched Li Xiangjun's face, not minding the blood on his hands, and said to Li Zhenli in a low but firm voice, "Give her to me. Whether she lives or dies, I will redeem her. If she dies, I will give her a proper burial; if she can be saved, I will marry her."

Hou Fangyu, who had been listless, jumped up upon hearing this, pointed at Liang Xiaoming and shouted, "Take your hand off me! Xiangjun is my woman, you are not worthy of her!"

Liu Ye glanced at him disdainfully: "Shut up! Why didn't you say anything earlier? If you had this kind of guts in front of Tian Guozhang, Li Xiangjun wouldn't have needed to commit suicide!"

Li Zhenli wiped away her tears, glanced at Hou Fangyu with disappointment, and then asked Liang Xiaoming, "Young master, are you serious? What if Xiangjun comes back to life and Father-in-law Tian changes his mind?"

Liu Ye calmly answered for Liang Xiaoming: "My brother's business is my business. In the entire city of Nanjing, only I can protect her. It's up to you to decide whether to entrust your daughter to an honest man who can take care of her, or to a playboy who talks a good game but only knows how to run away when things get tough."

Li Zhenli answered without hesitation: "Just because of what you two said, I will hand Xiangjun over to you, and I don't want the money to redeem her. As long as this young master can treat Xiangjun well, even if she dies, at least she will have a man in this world who is willing to truly love her, and she can rest in peace in the afterlife."

Hou Fangyu rushed over anxiously, trying to snatch Li Xiangjun back, shouting, "Mother Li, you can't go back on your word! Xiangjun and I have sworn an oath of eternal love, we are a match made in heaven, how can you hand her over to these crude brutes?"

Even Shimazu Chiyo, being a woman, couldn't stand it anymore. She kicked Hou Fangyu so hard he fell face-first into the mud, and said disdainfully, "What face does a man who can't even protect his own woman have to say such things?"

Liang Xiaoming picked up the petite Li Xiangjun and walked straight out the door, Liu Ye following behind him. Some of Hou Fangyu's friends were eager to intervene, but Shimazu Chiyo coldly ignored them, raised her scabbard, and drew her katana a few inches, revealing the blade's blinding gleam. Although she was a woman, she was a veteran of countless battles, having slain numerous enemies, and possessed a natural killing intent. These men were all intimidated by her aura and dared not move, only able to watch the three leave.

Yang Longyou picked up the blood-splattered fan and sighed.

Stepping out of the Meixiang Pavilion, Liu Ye reached out to check Li Xiangjun's breath and smiled slightly: "Sure enough, the inertia of history is still so powerful. She's not dead, just seriously injured and unconscious. Go back and find a doctor to treat her properly. In half a month, I'll return your 'fragrant fan pendant' to you, all lively and energetic!"

Liang Xiaoming was overjoyed and said, "Really? That's great!"

Liu Ye glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Seeing his expression, Liang Xiaoming asked, puzzled, "What do you want to say?"

"Things in Nanjing are almost done, and the refugees have been transported away. There's no need for us to linger in Nanjing. Let's send you to Shandong to take up your post, and while we're at it, let's hold your wedding for you and Li Xiangjun in Dengzhou."

"Why don't you go back to the Lingao office?" Liang Xiaoming asked blankly.

Liu Ye curled his lip: "Have you forgotten that there is a Liu Ru in Lingao who doesn't even allow you to touch her maids? You went out for a stroll and brought back a famous courtesan who was outstanding in appearance and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. How can she, a girl from a humble background, bear this?"

Liang Xiaoming was mortified and lowered his head, saying, "I'll do whatever you say."

Liu Ye patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Anyway, Li Xiangjun can only be a concubine, not a formal marriage. It's just a formality. Once the deed is done, Liu Ru can't change the fact. Then, when we get back to Lingao, I'll slowly help you persuade Liu Ru. Li Xiangjun has a strong personality, and Liu Ru is no less so. You'll be caught in the middle, and you'll have to back down when necessary..."

Liang Xiaoming nodded repeatedly, like a chicken pecking at rice: "I understand, I understand..."

Back at the military camp, Li Xiangjun awoke after a day and a night in a coma thanks to the meticulous care of the attending physician. She was a far cry from her previous fiery personality; she remained silent, lying in bed all day, refusing to go anywhere, as if her character had been drastically altered by the ordeal. She only spoke when Li Zhenli came to visit her after hearing the news, but she never uttered a single word about Liang Xiaoming, who had saved her.

Liang Xiaoming was an honest man and didn't take it to heart. He took care of Li Xiangjun's daily life, and followed the doctor's orders to have people prepare medicine for her. He was happy all day long.

A few days later, Liu Ye saw that Li Xiangjun's injuries had stabilized, so he ordered the team to leave Nanjing and head to Shandong.

When the mighty army left Bei'an Gate, the nobles and dignitaries in Nanjing breathed a sigh of relief; this troublemaker was finally gone.

At the dock, many people came to see him off, the most prominent being Duke Xu Hongji of Wei, as well as brothel owners like Gu Hengbo and Li Zhenli. Just as Liu Ye was saying goodbye to Xu Hongji, a sedan chair hurriedly arrived at the dock. Dong Xiaowan hurriedly got out of the sedan chair and ran straight to Liu Ye, calling out softly, "Lord Pingnan, save me!"