Chapter 385 – The Second Master of the Wei Family

On the third day after Wei Jin Yi’s funeral, people from the Zhongyi Burial House in the capital arrived at the general’s residence.

According to the time calculation, the people from the Zhongyi Burial Mansion did not rush here after receiving the news of Wei Jin Yi’s death; if they had come in mourning, they would not have arrived so quickly.

Then it should have learned the news of Wei Mingting’s promotion in advance, and come immediately after the palace people who came to announce the decree.

And the person who came back wasn’t someone else from the Zhongyi Burial House, it was Wei Mingting’s second brother, Wei Mingyong.

In the front yard study, Wei Mingyong, the Wei family’s second master, was all smiles as soon as he saw Wei Mingting.

“Third brother, you’re really good at this! Promoted to the fifth rank, second brother is really honored to follow!”

Wei Mingyong patted Wei Mingting’s shoulder, the corners of his mouth grinning up to his temples.

Wei Mingting had a serious expression and did not follow Wei Mingyong’s playful chit-chat, but instead asked Wei Mingyong, “What is Second Brother here for this time?”

Wei Mingting has always been serious and unsmiling, and does not like to joke, Wei Mingyong is also used to it.

Therefore, Wei Mingyong’s expression did not change as he explained, “Originally, I heard the news in advance and knew that you were going to be promoted, so my father, mother and elder brother sent me to congratulate you. Moreover, our brothers haven’t seen each other for some years, so I also wanted to come over to catch up with third brother. But I didn’t expect this child Jin Yi to actually have an accident.”

Wei Mingyong comforted Wei Mingting, “Third brother, don’t be too upset, things are unpredictable, this kind of thing can’t be predicted. It’s a good thing that Jin is only a commoner’s son, and not a very promising one at that. You still have Yi Chen, the first son who has a lot of promise, when the results of this year’s fall exams come out, and he’s on the list, then he’ll be the first lifer in our family since three generations ago.”

Wei Ming Ting said, “I have received second brother’s intention, second brother has also worked hard after traveling a long way, today first go to the guest room to rest, if there is anything we will talk about it another day.”

Wei Mingting didn’t really want to hear Wei Mingyong say these words, so he wanted to end today’s conversation.

“Hey, there’s no rush.” Wei Mingyong waved his hand and asked immediately after, “Third brother, you’ve seen all the letters that big brother wrote to you before, right?”

“I’ve read the letter, and my thoughts have all been written within the reply.” Wei Mingting replied.

“Big brother and I feel that we haven’t been able to speak too clearly to third brother regarding this matter, which is what has caused third brother to have a misunderstanding that differs from what the two of us had in mind.” Wei Mingyong said.

Wei Mingting’s brows furrowed, he had already guessed that Wei Mingyong would talk to him about this matter on this trip and intentionally avoided it.

But since the other party was his second brother, Wei Mingting still patiently inquired, “What else does second brother want to say to me?”

“Third brother, I know that you have now been promoted again and have become a fifth grade guard, but you should know that our dynasty has always emphasized the civilization over the military, and the status of military officials in the dynasty has always been low. The reason you were promoted so quickly and given a heavy responsibility is because the Japanese pirates have given the court an immense headache, and when the Japanese pirates are no longer a problem, it’s very likely that you’ll be left out in the cold.”

Wei Mingyong added: “If you can have an elder brother in the capital who can speak up for you things will be different, and in the future even if the war is over it will also help you return to the capital to seek a good position.”

Wei Mingting returned, “Second brother, I didn’t join the army to be taken seriously, the country’s prosperity is what I’ve been seeking all my life, and if the price of the country’s prosperity is that I have no merit and am not taken seriously, I’m willing to do it.”

Wei Mingyong sighed and then asked, ”Third brother, think carefully, how long has it been since you’ve returned to the capital, how long has it been since you’ve seen your parents come over? Think about how many injuries you’ve suffered over the years, how many times you’ve escaped death? Don’t you want to live a peaceful life, don’t you want to return to the capital as a peaceful capital official?”

“Second brother’s heart I understand, just that I have chosen to join the army, it will not be to run to a comfortable life to go, the hard work and danger I have long known. Just can’t enjoy my parents’ knees to do filial piety is indeed unfilial, this matter also need to trouble elder brother and second brother, instead of me this unfilial son to take care of father and mother.” Wei Mingting replied.

“Third brother, why are you still as stubborn and paranoid as before? My Wei family’s hundred year old foundation is now in decline, and has already come to the end of the road, even if you don’t think about yourself, you should still plan for your parents, for me and my elder brother, and for a bunch of juniors in the family.”

Wei Mingyong had a look of hatred.

“If what Second Brother said about making plans for his father, mother, brothers and the younger members of his family is to climb up to a certain prince, I do not think it is desirable and not a wise choice.”

“How is it not a wise choice? You’re not even afraid of going into battle to kill the enemy, are you still afraid of being implicated for standing on the wrong side?” Wei Mingyong asked.

“Going into battle to kill the enemy, I die a good death, dying in a power struggle, my death is lighter than a feather.” Wei Mingting replied.

“A bunch of nonsense! Death is death, there’s no difference between light and heavy! And who told you that working for the Sixth Prince will definitely lead to death? We only need to support him secretly for him to do things, and not to be for the sixth prince to do what against the conscience of people criticized things. Mutual needs just, that position the sixth prince does not arrange for someone to sit, the seventh prince will also arrange for someone to sit. Why should we let such an opportunity slip through our hands for nothing?” Wei Mingyong retorted.

Wei Mingyong’s thoughts caused Wei Mingting’s frown to tighten.

“Does Second Brother think that if he just secretly supports the Sixth Prince, the Sixth Prince will promote our family?”

“How can I not? Now is the time to use people, you and your pair of sons and daughters have some ability to enter the eyes of the Sixth Prince, the Sixth Prince wants to put you under the banner is human nature.” Wei Mingyong asked rhetorically.

Wei Mingting was silent for a moment before saying, “Second brother should be tired after running all the way, it’s better to go and rest first today, I still have some official business to deal with.”

Wei Mingting didn’t want to argue with Wei Mingyong anymore, and directly issued an expulsion order.

“Third brother ……” Wei Mingyong still wanted to continue to say something to Wei Mingting, but he was asked to leave by Wei Mingting s personal guard.

Wei Mingyong had no choice but to call it quits for now.

Anyway, he was already here, and there was still the chance to talk to his stubborn brother about it later.

###

The morning of the results of the countryside examination, Yun woke up early to bathe and burn incense to pray for blessings to the ancestors.

Immediately after that, Yun sat down in the main hall and sent people out to inquire every so often.

“Go ask again, why haven’t we heard anything yet?”

Only a quarter of an hour ago he had just asked someone to inquire, and Yun couldn’t help but ask someone to inquire again.

“Yes, ma’am.”

After another half hour the boy ran in hurriedly.

“Madam, great joy, great joy! The eldest young master has won! He’s hit!”

Yun stood up with a “miso”, “Really?!”

“Truly, the man who came to report the good news is already at the door!” The subordinate replied.

Yun was overjoyed, “Quick, help me to the door!”

Yun, supported by Cui Ping, walked briskly toward the gate

(End of chapter)