Chapter 338 - 201 Substitute Punishment_3
Qian Manjiang lifted a bowl of wine and drank it all in one gulp, saying, "I must also thank Young Master Ye for his kind words and Sir Ye for his recognition. I shall always remember this great kindness and will, henceforth, devote myself to serving Sir Ye and Young Master Ye with all my heart and soul."
Young Master Ye was very satisfied with his response, but still deliberately frowned and pointed at him, saying, "You said that wrong, didn’t you? Said that wrong, didn’t you? We must devote ourselves to serving the Emperor."
Qian Manjiang nodded silently, then drank one bowl of wine after another in dismay.
Young Master Ye asked, "Brother Qian, is there something troubling you?"
General Qian’s eyes reddened, and he sighed, "An official of the fifth rank can return home in glory and secure a future for his wife and children. But I... I can’t even return home, let alone bring a little money to my family, destined to fail my parents and wife... My father is lame, my mother is unwell, and my wife is also ill, not to mention my younger sister is still small..."
As he spoke, his voice began to choke up.
Ye Lin, upon hearing this, comforted him, "The young master knows, it’s all because you took the blame for me, making things hard for Brother Qian." He then put down his wine bowl and cursed, "Humph, when all is said and done, it’s still that old Liang’s fault for causing trouble. Originally, General Zhao reported you as missing after the battle, thinking that after you served a few years in prison, you would be able to return to see your elderly parents. But that old Liang submitted a memorial to His Majesty, detailing how miserably the families of missing soldiers were living. His Majesty, being compassionate, decreed that military camps at the frontiers verify the missing personnel. General Zhao had no choice but to report Brother Qian as fallen in Song River... Don’t worry, the day the third prince ascends the throne will be the day General Qian returns home in glory. By then, you won’t be a small official of the fifth rank anymore. I will talk to my father, and at the very least, arrange a post of a fourth rank officer for you."
Qian Manjiang had been looking down the whole time, suppressing the ambiguity in his eyes. Hearing the last part, he stood up and bowed deeply, saying, "First, I would like to thank Young Master Ye for his nurturing grace."
...
Meanwhile, in a five-courtyard complex in Capital City, the old Liang referred to by Ye Lin, Liang Zechong, was sitting in the west room of Wanhe Hall, accompanied by his mother Old Queen Grandma and the current Master Duke and Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army, Liang Yiqian.
After dinner, everyone returned to their own quarters, leaving only the four heads of the household to discuss important matters.