FIMA Ch126: Each Other

On the southern outskirts of Jiangcheng lies a mansion, with flying eaves over water pavilions, pavilions, and elegant and spacious surroundings—it belongs to Lu He, the commander of Jiangcheng.

However, Lu He’s family and servants are all in the capital. He has long lived alone in the military camp, so this place naturally remained vacant.

This afternoon, nearby neighbors saw a group of black-clad people coming and going in the garden—a rare lively scene, as if some important figure had moved in.

“Let me out! Do you know who I am?”

“If you dare treat me like this, my father will know, and he’ll blow your whole family to the heavens!”

Through the window, Lei Yan shouted loudly toward the neighboring courtyard.

Lei Linglong sat on a chair, her face pale, lost in thought.

Gu Siyuan sat under a big tree in the courtyard, seemingly oblivious to the commotion, paying no attention and remaining focused on what he was writing.

After a while,

The shadows of flowers on the wall stirred.

Xie Chenyun lay on his back, softly saying, “I left while you were writing this. Is it not finished yet?”

Gu Siyuan turned his head, “You’re back. Thanks for your hard work.”

“Hmph, just tidying up a few broken things. How much time could that take? The guards with soldiers from the guard post are also arriving at the main gate.”

Xie Chenyun shrugged and sat down on the chair opposite him.

Seeing him like this, Gu Siyuan felt the urge to pinch his face again.

Just then, there was a commotion at the courtyard gate.

The guards were back.

Watching the soldiers gradually bring in wooden boxes and dozens of people with bound hands.

The leader of the guards respectfully reported, “Master, everything has been arranged properly. The Thunderclap hall guards stationed at the pier have all been subdued, and our men have taken over a shipload of firearms and explosives.”

“Good job,” Gu Siyuan nodded calmly.

After that, he stepped forward and opened some of the wooden boxes, examining the black items inside and shaking his head. “These are really crude.”

At these words, several of the captured Thunderclap Hall members couldn’t help but glare at him in anger.

One of the guards saw their expressions and kicked one of them, “Behave yourselves, dare to act up?”

Xie Chenyun’s expression also turned serious.

He looked at Gu Siyuan and said in a low voice, “These guys aren’t very honest at all. They acted ruthlessly when the ship docked by the river, even bullying the dock workers. Why not just kill them and throw them into the river to feed the fish?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the group of people immediately trembled, realizing that the person in front of them was not someone to be trifled with.

Gu Siyuan chuckled lightly without giving a direct answer. Instead, he pointed at several individuals who were clearly dressed better than ordinary disciples and said, “You, come forward.”

Upon hearing this, those individuals immediately became unsettled, hesitating and not moving their feet.

The guards, however, didn’t give them a chance to hesitate. They immediately kicked them mercilessly, bringing them in front of Gu Siyuan.

The individuals didn’t dare to resist or even cry out in pain.

Gu Siyuan threw the sheepskin scroll he had obtained from Song Zhengqing onto the ground and said calmly, “Take a good look at what’s on this. Can you replicate it? If you can, there might still be a chance. If you can’t…”

At this point, his voice suddenly turned chillingly cold, like the freezing depths of an icy plain, “This time next year will be your memorial day!”

He listened to these words, and immediately a middle-aged man with a fat head and large ears, dressed in expensive clothes, started shouting loudly, “You lawless bunch! I am the younger brother-in-law of Vice Leader Han of Pili Hall. My sister is highly favored. If you treat me like this, my brother-in-law won’t let you off!”

Xie Chenyun sneered coldly. This fat man was the one who had been the most ruthless on the dock earlier, beating a dock worker carrying a bag.

In response, Xie raised his leg and kicked the fat man hard. The fat man fell forward like a sack of meat, hitting his head on a fake rock, immediately blood streaming down his face, too painful to get up.

Xie walked over and stepped on his hand, looking down on him, “If you dare to talk back again, I’ll cut out your tongue.”

The fat man grimaced in pain, unable to say another word, only nodding frantically.

The other selected individuals were also shaken, knowing their fate now hung by a thread, eagerly bending over to open the sheepskin scroll like they were starving.

That fat man dared not have any other thoughts, his face full of blood as he went to look at the scroll.

About half an incense stick later.

Gu Siyuan put down his tea, “Time is up.”

Xie Chenyun knew Gu Siyuan was trying to test them, and got up to turn around in front of several people, “Who will come to answer first?”

Gu Siyuan’s eyes casually locked in on a middle-aged man with a square beard, “Let’s start with you.”

The square-bearded middle-aged man slowly walked forward a few steps, knowing this time they were in trouble.

These people were likely well-connected, acting entirely unscrupulous.

Even in the middle of the day, they could likely call local military troops to besiege them.

The other side didn’t plan to give them other options and also didn’t care about their backgrounds and threats.

Xie Chenyun watched him: “Be honest, if you know you understand, just say it straight.”

The middle-aged man with the square beard shivered immediately: “I understand, I really get it.”

Gu Siyuan remained calm, and he said softly: “Good, if you see it clearly, don’t worry, take your time to explain.”

The middle-aged man with the square beard slowly lifted his head, the young man in front of him had a noble and cold temperament, his calm expression like a calm lake.

But he knew, he would only have to answer to him for what he said, if he didn’t like it, this calm lake would instantly become a raging torrent, turning into a thousand layers of the underworld, swallowing him completely.

He took a deep breath, and licked his dry, whitening lips, slowly beginning to speak: “This map mainly describes…”

After a while, Gu Siyuan nodded. In this age, being able to understand so much and grasp the general principles was already very good and might be a professional talent.

He slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile, and nodded, “Not waste, is a little useful!”

The middle-aged man with a square beard suddenly exhaled, his whole person spiritually light, knowing this was probably over.

Gu Siyuan raised his hand, “Take it down to the next and arrange a room to stay.”

He immediately knew to show respect and honor with a head of thanks.

He immediately showed a keen understanding and bowed deeply, saying, “Thank you, master, thank you, master.”

The shadow guards nearly rolled their eyes.

This wasn’t the same steadfast demeanor he had just shown when capturing people on the boat.

Gu Siyuan looked at the remaining members of the Thunderclap Hall and said, “The rest of you better not disappoint me either!”

“We won’t, we won’t,” they immediately replied in unison.

Gu Siyuan was about to proceed with calling on the next person in order.

However, the chubby man who had just been reprimanded by Xie Chenyun suddenly enthusiastically raised his hand and ingratiatedly said, “Sir, sir, I understand now, I see it clearly too.”

Gu Siyuan looked at him, his tone cold, “Do you really understand?”

Under his gaze, the middle-aged chubby man’s heart skipped a beat, but he could only force himself to reply, “I und… understand.”

He comforted himself inwardly: This stuff is something only experts can understand. This young man in front of me, from some wealthy and noble family, surely doesn’t know much about these Thunderbolt bombs. The person before him said so much, and what I said was probably similar. It should be enough to get by.

Gu Siyuan nodded, calmly asking, “Alright, tell me what this is and roughly how to make it?”

The chubby man hastily agreed and explained, “This… the drawing here is of a hand-thrown Thunderbolt bomb, it doesn’t need to be fired out, it explodes on impact. Um, also, after making it, it should be larger than a Thunderbolt and then…”

After a while, he finally stuttered through a half-baked rehash of what had been said earlier.

He looked up at Gu Siyuan.

“Is that all?” Gu Siyuan asked calmly.

With a sweep of his eyes, the middle-aged chubby man’s forehead immediately broke out in sweat. “Th-that’s all, just that much…”

Gu Siyuan lightly tapped the table with his finger and looked at the chubby middle-aged man indifferently, concluding, “You don’t understand, you’re trying to deceive me.”

Having spent this time with Gu Siyuan, Xie Chenyun understood his character well enough to know this meant he was running out of patience.

His expression turned cold as he raised his foot again and kicked the chubby man: “You blind fool, who gave you the guts to come and fool us.”

The force of this kick was tremendous, sending the chubby man flying high into the air before crashing down with a loud “bang,” raising dust and causing weeds to collapse. Countless bones likely broke, and he vomited blood again and again before passing out cold.

Xie Chenyun turned to the shadow guards and coldly commanded, “Drag him out and feed him to the river.”

The shadow guards immediately obeyed, grabbing one of his legs like handling a sack of rags and dragging him out.

The others kneeling on the ground, catching a glimpse of this scene, felt their hearts skip a beat, their breath becoming shallow.

They were afraid that the next one to suffer such a fate would be themselves.

Just then, Xie Chenyun’s voice rang out again, “Next.”

In the subsequent assessment of this person, likely due to the chubby man’s earlier deceitful behavior, he only briefly summarized the contents of the blueprint.

Afterward, Gu Siyuan began to ask specific questions.

The respondent was instantly startled, deeply glancing at Gu Siyuan, and then gave a more detailed response.

About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, everyone finished the assessment.

And everyone had an indescribable admiration for the noble young man before them, willingly accepting him as their leader.

Their master truly understood explosives and Thunderbolt bombs.

He even understood them better than they did themselves.

They all silently echoed the fate of the foolhardy chubby man from earlier, thinking to themselves, it’s truly pointless to die before Guan Yu.

Gu Siyuan’s expression remained calm, turning to meet those eyes filled with admiration: “From now on, work as quickly as possible to produce what’s on this blueprint. If there are shortages of people or materials, feel free to request them.”

“Yes.” They all replied in unison.

Gu Siyuan then tossed them the thin booklet he had just finished writing on the table: “These are the key points I’ve analyzed. Study them carefully; it should help you work faster.”

Taking it, they casually glanced through it, immediately treating it as a treasure, exclaiming, “Master’s extraordinary talents! With this detailed diagram, perhaps we can produce the first batch in seven days, no, five days!”

At this moment, there was a commotion outside the courtyard.

A shadow guard stepped forward to report: “Master, Commander Lu seeks an audience.”

“Let him in.” Gu Siyuan nodded, then turned to the group holding the booklet: “Today, thoroughly digest this book. Start official work tomorrow. You may withdraw.”

Excitedly, the group walked out, just encountering Commander Lu at the entrance.

Commander Lu frowned at these martial world figures, then walked briskly toward Gu Siyuan, kneeling down and paying respect: “Your Majesty, your servant pays respects.”

Gu Siyuan raised his hand: “I am traveling incognito; there is no need for such formality, Minister Lu.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Lu He rose respectfully.

At this moment, the Thunderclap hall members who had just reached the courtyard gate were dumbfounded.

What did they just hear?

Your Majesty?

Their master, he is actually the current emperor?

Lu He was a loyalist official of the Emperor, newly transferred to Jiang City just three months ago.

This visit was not only for routine greetings but also to discuss defense matters.

After all, hundreds of miles away, cities like Ezhou and Huangzhou were still in the aftermath of war, and the Wu family had their eyes on Jiang City; it was only a matter of time.

Soon after, Lu He, like the Thunderclap hall members before him, left with a face full of admiration.

Gu Siyuan’s few words earlier had pinpointed several major issues in defense, even giving examples and summarizing some fixed principles.

He hurried back to digest the information, realizing its immense benefits.

At this moment, Gu Siyuan and Xie Chenyun emerged from the courtyard, leaving only the captured Thunderclap hall members behind.

These were merely hired muscle without technical skills.

Gu Siyuan ordered, “Take them away and lock them up. Starting tomorrow, put them to work in the newly established firearms workshop. Anyone who isn’t honest will be thrown into the river.”

The shadow guards immediately escorted the men out. However, one middle-aged man with a somewhat refined air remained kneeling and said, “Your Majesty, the commoner believes that his usefulness does not lie in working at the firearms workshop.”

Xie Chenyun looked at him and sneered.

Gu Siyuan asked calmly, “Explain.”

The middle-aged man with a refined air breathed a sigh of relief and immediately continued, “Currently, the main cooperation involves two aspects: the assistance of the Thunderclap hall in seizing the hereditary jade seal, and the large-scale purchase of firearms for future siege warfare against the Wu family rebels across the river…”

Gu Siyuan had anticipated this.

He raised an eyebrow, “Anything else?”

The middle-aged man with a refined air remained composed and asked further, “Your Majesty, how do you intend to handle the two young masters from the Lei family?”

Gu Siyuan’s eyes lifted lightly, “What do you suggest?”

The middle-aged man with a refined air’s eyes brightened, “Master, the Thunderclap hall’s leader is only interested in money and falls far short of Your Majesty’s strategic acumen. However, many tools and legacies left within the Thunderclap hall have considerable significance. Keeping these things in the Thunderclap hall would be a waste. Only in Your Majesty’s hands can they realize their full potential. Moreover, the hall master has only these two children, whom he cherishes dearly. They may prove useful in the future.”

Gu Siyuan nodded, silently approving of his plan, “Your thoughts align with mine.”

Xie Chenyun also smiled as he looked at him, “You’re quite discerning. With your dedication and planning, what do you desire?”

The middle-aged man respectfully bowed, “If I can serve Your Majesty faithfully and be by Your Majesty’s side, that would be the greatest blessing.”

Xie Chenyun immediately caught the implication in his words and chuckled lightly, “To serve by His Majesty’s side? That indeed is a great privilege. Such a position is already superior to most positions in the court.”

The middle-aged man humbly smiled, “You see through me.”

Xie Chenyun found it increasingly amusing and continued, “Everyone has a final goal in their hearts. This position by His Majesty’s side is naturally a shortcut to other positions. What is your ultimate desired position?”

The middle-aged man looked up, his expression deeply respectful, “I have already passed the imperial examinations but was falsely accused and dismissed from office. If I could eventually enter the Ministry of Justice and slowly rise to become a Senior Assistant Minister, that would be ideal.”

His answer was nearly without hesitation, indicating that this goal or answer had been pondered over many times and was deeply ingrained.

Xie Chenyun couldn’t help but laugh.

His goal was indeed very precise and not overly ambitious; he was truly a smart individual.

Gu Siyuan glanced at him calmly and said, “Write down the reasons and submit a record to me. If it meets the requirements, you can enter the Ministry of Justice.”

The middle-aged man with a refined air immediately knelt down, prostrating himself, “Your Majesty’s graciousness, I can never repay with my life.”

“Get up,” Gu Siyuan said indifferently.

At that moment, shadow guards emerged from the courtyard, escorting Lei Linglong and Lei Yan out.

Lei Linglong seemed somewhat restored, while Lei Yan maintained his arrogant demeanor and shouted at Gu Siyuan and the others, “Damn you all! How dare you treat me like this? I swear, when my father arrives, I will make sure you all suffer a thousand cuts! If one cut is missing, I won’t share the same surname with you!”

Gu Siyuan loosened his grip on the tea cup in his hand, which smashed directly into Lei Yan’s exposed teeth, causing blood to flow instantly.

He looked at Lei Yan’s agonized and tearful expression, lightly mocking, “Want to share my surname? You really know how to elevate your own worth.”

Seeing this, Xie Chenyun found it highly amusing and sarcastically added, “True, if you share His Majesty’s surname and become His Majesty’s son, wouldn’t you aspire to be buried in the imperial tomb? Wouldn’t that be a bit too dirty for the late emperor?”

The shadow guards kicked Lei Yan in the direction of Gu Siyuan, saying, “How dare you talk nonsense in front of His Majesty?”

“Yo… Your Majesty…” Lei Yan widened his eyes, trembling uncontrollably, seemingly unable to process it.

The person before him was the Emperor?

The sovereign ruler of Great Zhou Dynasty?

How could this be possible?

In an instant, he was overwhelmed with an indescribable fear.

Lei Linglong also fully regained her senses, her emotions incredibly complex.

As people from the Jianghu, although they privately lacked much respect for the current court, they had always kept to their own business without provoking the government officials, even the lowest-ranking ones.

Because there were rules that shouldn’t be crossed, and if crossed, the pressure would inevitably fall on them.

Now, however, they had offended not just an ordinary official but the emperor, the ruler above all others.

The majesty of the emperor could not be easily offended. Now, not only the two of them but the entire Thunderclap hall was in jeopardy…

Xie Chenyun looked at the two’s expressions and couldn’t help but sneer, “Ha, now you know fear. It’s not the time for you to boast in Lingxu Pavilion anymore.”

Gu Siyuan reached out and grasped the refined man’s slender fingers, saying, “No need to bother with them.”

“Take these two to the dungeon and keep them locked up. Without my order, no one is allowed to visit them. When we take down the Thunderclap hall in the future, they might still prove somewhat useful.”

“Yes,” the shadow guards immediately obeyed.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, spare me, treat me like a fart and let me go, I know I was wrong…”

Lei Yan’s pleading voice faintly echoed from afar.

…

The two arrived here in the afternoon. Later, Xie Chenyun went out again to apprehend others, followed by inquiries and other matters.

By this time, the sun had already set in the west.

The bright moon, as clear as a jade plate, hung in the sky.

After dinner, Xie Chenyun leisurely followed behind Gu Siyuan in the courtyard, his hands casually behind his back.

“If not for today, I wouldn’t have known Your Majesty understands gunpowder and city defense strategies,” Xie Chenyun remarked.

Gu Siyuan glanced at him and said calmly, “It’s just a little knowledge.”

“In the future, as long as you stay by my side, you’ll always learn more,” Gu Siyuan added.

Xie Chenyun’s face flushed slightly, feeling his heart soften like water, thinking to himself: This person is so eloquent with his words.

Seeing Xie Chenyun suddenly fall silent, Gu Siyuan looked at him with some confusion.

Xie Chenyun looked up at the bright moon, then glanced at the high roof, and suddenly said to Gu Siyuan, “I want to go up and admire the moon.”

Gu Siyuan still didn’t understand.

Xie Chenyun was quite skilled in lightness skills; if he wanted to go up, he could easily do so.

Xie Chenyun looked at Gu Siyuan, puffed his cheeks, and repeated himself, enunciating each word clearly, “I want to go up and admire the moon.”

Gu Siyuan met his star-like eyes and seemed to understand something in that instant. He reached out, embraced Xie Chenyun’s waist, and leaped onto the roof with him.

Perhaps it was a psychological effect, but from the roof, it did seem like they were closer to the moon.

The wind grew stronger, and the two sat side by side, shoulders touching, legs close together, their black hair fluttering in the night breeze and occasionally intertwining.

Xie Chenyun’s smile was clear and transparent as he softly said to the person beside him, “Do you remember the first time we met? Back then, you didn’t even know martial arts. You needed me to help you sneak out over the wall…”

“I remember,” Gu Siyuan nodded.

Xie Chenyun puffed his cheeks again, “How long has it been since then until today? Your martial arts have improved so much.”

Gu Siyuan casually replied, “Ninety-two days.”

Xie Chenyun licked his lips, rested his chin on his knees, and looked at Gu Siyuan with some shyness, “Do you remember every day after we met very clearly?”

Gu Siyuan briefly puzzled over the question.

But he had always had an impeccable memory, and there was no falsehood in his reply.

He nodded decisively, “I do remember.”

A deeper smile spread across Xie Chenyun’s face. “Then… did you decide on me at first sight? That’s why you directly left the palace with me?”

Gu Siyuan nodded again, “Yes.”

Xie Chenyun smiled gently, his voice clear and pure like a mountain stream in spring; his long, dark lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, beautiful and enchanting.

Gu Siyuan, too, was infected by this joy.

He took the initiative and said to Xie Chenyun, “Aren’t you curious what else I can do? Would you like to listen to the guqin?”

“Yes,” Xie Chenyun responded promptly and decisively.

Gu Siyuan hesitated for a moment.

Because just now, he suddenly felt that Xie Chenyun’s cheerful voice seemed more melodious than all the wonderful music in the world. Did he still need to play the guqin?

By this time, the moon, as bright as a jade plate, hung in the sky.

After dinner, Xie Chenyun followed Gu Siyuan casually in the courtyard, his hands behind his back.

“Unless it’s today, I don’t know that Your Majesty actually understands gunpowder, understands city defense and plans…”

“However, Tao Dao.” Gu Siyuan looked at him, lightly saying: “In the future, you will always learn more about me as long as you stay by my side.”

“…” Xie Chenyun’s face was red, his heart softened like water, secretly saying: This person’s words are really amazing.

When he met those star-like eyes, he still moved his body and quickly took a Guqin from the study below.

This manor was not often inhabited, and the most common thing was the Xiangquan Seven-string Guqin.

But, in tune with the people.

Gu Siyuan sat cross-legged with the guqin across his knees, his long fingers stroking the strings, and immediately there was a “clang” sound, crisp and distant.

As the sound of the guqin rose, it continued uninterrupted, clear like a breeze, murmuring like flowing water…

Xie Chenyun listened, his chin resting on his hand, completely immersed in it.

It was a lively and fresh tune, as if walking on a mountain path in spring, with clear streams, drinking deer, and blooming flowers along the way…

The bright moonlight silently sprinkled on the person playing the guqin, casting a faint halo on Gu Siyuan’s side face, hair, and clothes.

Red maple leaves fluttered down in spirals, landing on his shoulders and thighs.

The song ended.

Gu Siyuan wanted to reach out and brush away the fallen leaves on his body.

Suddenly, a weight from beside him pounced over. Gu Siyuan’s first reaction was to move the guqin aside at a very fast speed, so that the sharp strings wouldn’t cut the person.

As a result, the two fell together on the cool rooftop slate.

Gu Siyuan placed his palm on the person’s shoulder, intending to push them away.

However, the next moment, there was a warm touch on his cheek. He tightened his palm, momentarily unsure of what to do.

The night wind rose again.

Deep red maple leaves drifted down, almost covering the two of them.

And the warm touch gradually began to shift.

Xie Chenyun lay on Gu Siyuan, first tentatively licking his long-awaited thin lips.

Gu Siyuan: “…”

Gu Siyuan was a little confused about the situation in front of him. Hadn’t this already exceeded the scope of playacting? Moreover, this wasn’t even in the palace.

However, the feeling on his lips was indeed not bad.

It reminded him of the jelly he used to eat in modern times.

With a touch of nostalgia.

Gu Siyuan was always good at being the one in control.

So, he very sensibly changed the way they interacted. He chose to actively kiss the other person, kissing them until they couldn’t breathe and had to reluctantly push him away. Then he released the other person.

Afterwards, he sternly accused the other person, “Chenyun, you started it first. I’m just returning the favor.”

“…” Xie Chenyun.

Was that how the phrase was used?