Chapter 349 - 206 Uncle Ye_3
He was to leave for military training in the army barracks near the capital tomorrow. It would take him twenty days of rest and recuperation before he could return.
Qian Yixiu asked, "Many say that those with connections arrange for their children to serve in the Palace, which is not only respectable but also leads to quick promotion, and they can often return home. Why did you choose to go to the army barracks? That must be tough."
Liang Jinzhao replied with a smile, "I join the army not just for a position but truly to hone my skills and fight on the battlefield. Although I have learned some martial arts and formations from my master, and some military treatises and strategies from my great-grandfather and grandfather, I have never put them into practice and don’t know how effective they are. Therefore, I wish to experience real military life in the barracks and put what I have learned to use. A General, or a Marshal, with real ability, not only benefits the people but also his subordinates and himself..."
He was quite idealistic and ambitious.
Of course, Qian Yixiu would wish him a future as magnificent as brocade and that he would become a General soon.
Qian Yixiu then asked Uncle Liang, "When you mentioned the Liang Mansion yesterday, that Uncle Ye didn’t dare to forcibly buy the embroidered screen anymore. Is Uncle Ye actually afraid of the Liang family?"
Uncle Liang whispered to her that this Uncle Ye was Ye Lin, the brother of Consort Ye and Marquis Ye’s youngest son, born late in his father’s life, and the only brother of Consort Ye. He was spoiled to the point of being ignorant and often got involved in fights and abducting young women.
Six years ago, just when the border conflicts were about to end, many children of the nobility and military families were sent to the frontlines. It was said to be fighting, but in reality, it was a last-minute effort to earn some military achievements to accelerate promotions.
The Ye family had long wanted Ye Lin to become more focused and secure a good future for himself, and naturally wanted him to gain some experience. So, they coaxed him into going to the frontier. Unexpectedly, he caused a huge disaster by attempting to rape a local girl in broad daylight. Although he was caught in the act, the girl ended up hanging herself. This incident provoked public outrage, and crowds of people sought justice from Marshal Yue.
Marshal Yue was extremely strict with military discipline, and disturbing the peace before a battle was a major taboo, so he ordered Ye Lin’s execution.
It was General Zhao, the commanding officer of Ye Lin’s unit, who pleaded on his behalf, saying that although the girl had hanged herself, she had been saved. Since Ye Lin was the only legitimate son of Marquis Ye and the brother of Consort Ye, executing him directly, he argued, would enrage the Ye family and also lead to blame from the Emperor. It was better to give him a chance to live if he could, and if he couldn’t, it would be no one’s fault.