I practiced magic in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 272 Don’t Prove Your Innocence
"I am just worried that someone might gossip about this and damage my husband's reputation."

Cai Yan was a sensible woman after all. Since she had married Wang Jing, she naturally could not only care about herself, but also had to consider Wang Jing's interests and reputation.

Wang Jing laughed loudly: "A little gossip, would I be afraid? What's more, I work so hard, just don't want my life to be judged by others. So Zhao Ji can do whatever she wants, just do it boldly, I don't want anyone to dare to gossip about her."

"Thank you, husband."

Obviously Wang Jing was so overbearing and rude, but Cai Yan was full of joy and leaned on him, as if her life had finally found support.

With the beauty in his arms, the fragrance filled the air. Cai Yan's soft and delicate body made Wang Jing's heart wander. He even put down the book in his hand.

"Ah, husband, what are you doing?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to thank me? Could it be that you were just saying that?"

"No, but it's still daytime."

"I can't wait till night."

"Ah, close the door, close the door first."

The next day, Cai Yan continued her teaching career as she wished.

Cai Yong even came to Wang Jing and asked him, "My dear son-in-law, what's wrong with you?"

In the study, Wang Jing made tea for Cai Yong and asked with a smile, "I wonder what advice my father-in-law has for me?"

"You, you, do you know what's going on outside now?"

Cai Yong was really anxious. After all, Cai Yan was his beloved daughter. Now that people were gossiping and slandering her, how could he, as a father, remain indifferent?

That's why he came to Wang Jing in such a hurry to discuss this matter.

Wang Jing disagreed: "They are just a bunch of clowns. Do they dare to say those words in front of me?"

Cai Yong raised the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. He was filled with sorrow and drank tea as if it were wine.

Cai Yan's matter made him worried: "My dear son-in-law, the gossip of the masses can melt gold and the accumulated criticism can destroy a person. Although you are not afraid, you should also consider Zhao Ji, right?"

Wang Jing's expression remained calm. "Father-in-law, don't worry. I asked Zhao Ji about this privately a few days ago. She really likes working in the academy, so I respect her wishes. As for the others, haha, to put it bluntly, can their barking and howling affect me in the slightest?"

This was said in a domineering manner, directly calling all those who gossip as dogs.

Only someone like Wang Jing could be so disrespectful and not take seriously those aristocratic families that adhere to so-called traditions.

Hearing that teaching was his daughter's own wish and that Wang Jing supported and encouraged her so desperately, Cai Yong felt both happy and a little melancholy.

What makes me happy is that my daughter, who has suffered a lot with me in life, has finally found a good man who loves and cares for her.

What made him sad was that as a father, he didn't understand his daughter as well as Wang Jing did. He was also worried that Cai Yan would be hit by the surrounding public opinion.

Wang Jing saw Cai Yong's worry and smiled to comfort him, "Don't worry, father-in-law. Soon these people will stop harping on this little thing."

The purpose of these people gossiping was not to target Cai Yan at all. Their goal was actually to use this incident to damage Wang Jing's reputation.

Therefore, even if Cai Yan did not frequently frequent Mengjin Academy after her marriage, there would be other things that would be gossiped about.

The conflict between the two sides is actually a struggle over positions and interests.

Cai Yan is the innocent person who is caught in the crossfire, so no matter what she does, it doesn’t really matter. What’s important is that there is a group of people who are trying every means to weaken Wang Jing’s reputation and influence.

Cai Yong was a man of first-rate academic ability, but he was not good at political struggle, so he could not see the undercurrent behind this matter at all.

But the good thing is that he is not a man of unnecessary trouble and never holds his teammates back.

Therefore, when Wang Jing said not to worry, he chose to believe him. After all, there were not many people in this world that he could trust, and Wang Jing was one of them.

The father-in-law and son-in-law were chatting when Cai Yan just returned home. She learned from the servants that her father was visiting her. She panicked on the spot, but still ran to the study obediently: "My husband, my father."

"Is Soji back?"

Cai Yong secretly observed his daughter's expression and found that Cai Yan's complexion was rosy, her face was fuller, and there was a lightness between her brows. It can be seen that she was indeed very happy in recent times and had not suffered any grievances in General Wei's Mansion. Only then did he feel relieved.

"Father, you didn't even tell me you were coming."

Cai Yan sat obediently next to Cai Yong, making tea for him while complaining in a low voice.

Her innocent look, as always, made Cai Yong laugh heartily: "I really did a bad job for you. I will definitely do it again next time, next time."

The father and daughter hadn't seen each other for several days, so naturally they had a lot to talk about.

Wang Jing would occasionally interrupt to adjust the atmosphere, and the three of them were chatting very happily. Wang Jing even forced Cai Yong to stay for dinner before leaving.

After sending her father to the door and watching him get on the carriage and leave, Cai Yan's eyes were still lingering on the figure that was gradually disappearing in the distance.

As a new wife, Cai Yan still had some habitual homesickness.

Wang Jing smiled and hugged her slender waist, holding her in his arms. He put his face close to Cai Yan's and whispered to her, "If you miss me, just go back and visit me often. Your father is in Luoyang City, not at the end of the world."

Generally speaking, when a married woman wants to return to her parents' home, it is mostly because she has been wronged in her husband's family, and it would make her reputation look bad if it gets out.

But Wang Jing doesn't care about this. What he wants is a free and easy life, and he only cares about the people he wants to care about.

He worked hard to make a career, not to live for others to see.

"Well, thank you for your concern, husband."

Cai Yan buried her face deeply in Wang Jing's broad and strong chest. The more they spent time together, the more she realized that she had been deeply involved and could never leave her lover.

Wang Jing picked up Cai Yan by the waist and said with a chuckle, "You want to thank your husband again? Well, how do you want to thank me this time?"

Just one sentence made Cai Yan's face turn red, and her eyes were like rippling autumn water, causing waves.

Wang Jing is enjoying himself at home with his beautiful wife, but on the other side, someone is looking sad and drinking to drown his sorrows.

In the Cui family mansion, Cui Lie, with a worried look on his face, was drinking wine and singing songs to relieve the depression that had been pent up in his heart for a long time.

Although he was not in a good mood, Cui Lie was in good physical condition.

Thanks to the good diet, the belly that had disappeared long ago while in prison returned to his body, and his thin cheeks gradually regained their former plumpness.

"Master, I'm back."

"How did things go?"

"The news has spread, but..."

"What's going on? Tell me now, don't hesitate!"

The servant was startled and immediately explained: "Yes, I have indeed spread rumors secretly in the city, but the effect is not very good. Although many people do have complaints about the talented woman Cai Yan, the reputation of Marquis Qi has hardly been affected, and even..."

"Even what? Tell me!"

Cui Lie frowned when he heard this. According to the original plan, shouldn't all the major families look down on Wang Jing because of this incident, and then distance themselves from and exclude him?
After all, letting one's woman show up in public is too embarrassing and simply lowers the style of the wealthy family.

The servant knelt tremblingly in front of Cui Lie, bowed his head, and answered in panic: "Even the fact that Marquis Qi doted on Cai was spread among the people as a good story, and people talked about it with relish."

"Is this true?"

Cui Lie was a little dumbfounded. The turn of events was really beyond his comprehension.

The main reason was that he had been in prison for too long and had almost no knowledge of the several academies affiliated with Hongdumen School, let alone how famous the academies were among the people.

In this era, education is far from universal; it can even be said to be a privilege that only a few can enjoy.

The wealthy and aristocratic families all have their own family schools and book collections, which they can use to educate their own children. Occasionally, in order to expand their reputation and attract talent, they will also accept some talented scholars from humble backgrounds.

But those who can enjoy education are still only a small group of people at the top.

For ordinary people, being able to read and calculate is unimaginable. But the academy founded by Wang Jing is an educational institution specially set up to cultivate civilian talents. Although it is still not open to all people, most of the students enrolled are children of soldiers of the Northern Army or children of craftsmen from the Qiqiao Pavilion.

But most of the students in the academy come from the common people, so at least this gives the common people of Luoyang something to hope for.

Therefore, in the eyes of the people, Cai Yan's going to the academy to teach was a good thing and a virtue.

After all, teaching and educating people, what's shameful about that?

"How could this be? This is ridiculous, too ridiculous!"

It was not until now that Cui Lie finally realized the influence of the academy among the people. Not long after he was released from prison, he was busy scheming, moving among court officials, building relationships and forming factions. How could he have the time to see what changes had taken place among the people?
Therefore, this attack on Cai Yan ended in failure.

"Alas, I just want to get back something that originally belongs to me, why is it so difficult?"

Cui Lie is really angry now. He found that Luoyang has changed a lot after he was released from prison. The capital city that he was once very familiar with has become extremely unfamiliar to him.

For example, some old friends who were once on good terms were directly confiscated and exterminated by Wang Jing and the Northern Army during the civil strife in the four counties.

Especially those aristocratic families who had followed Wang Fu and Zhong Ji in the rebellion were killed to the point of being wiped out. Their ancestral homes were razed to the ground and turned into workshops.

Even the imperial court was almost becoming Wang Jing's one-man show. Although old ministers such as Yuan Wei, Yang Biao and Huang Wan were still in office, they no longer had much say.

Because the power at the middle and lower levels, that is, the low-level officials at the specific execution level, basically all became Wang Jing's people. They are young and energetic, more receptive to new things, and only obey Wang Jing's orders.

The more Cui Lie came into contact with him, the more frightened he became. He had only been in jail for a few years, but how come it was like he had been locked up for decades? The world had changed when he got out.

Compared with the situation in Luoyang before he was imprisoned, the current situation in Luoyang has changed dramatically. It is so unfamiliar that it frightens him and even suffocates him.

But he was unwilling to accept this. He had risen from a general to a lieutenant at the city gate, which was equivalent to a country's defense minister in later generations, to someone in charge of public security and catching thieves in the capital in the blink of an eye. No one would be willing to accept this.

So Cui Lie still wanted to give it a try, what else could he do? Continue to be a gatekeeper?

"We must find a way to reverse the current unfavorable situation. Who should we ask for help?"

Cui Lie drank cup after cup in silence, with an uncertain expression on his face. Although Wang Jing had already covered the sky with one hand, he felt that he had not lost yet.

The Cui family's strength and connections are still there. Even if they are not enough to compete head-on with Wang Jing, they can still help them gain a higher official position and greater benefits.

General Wei's Mansion.

Guo Jia's face flushed, and at this moment he was holding the wine jar with a look of enjoyment, his expression was full of satisfaction: "Top-grade Bamboo Leaf Green, this kind of nectar can only be drunk here with my lord."

"Don't be greedy for wine when you are young. Doctor Hua has reminded me again and again that I can only let you have one more drink at most. Even if you flatter me, it won't change this matter."

Wang Jing smiled and filled Guo Jia's glass again: "This is the last cup, taste it slowly, don't drink too fast."

Guo Jia immediately smiled bitterly: "It is a pity in life not to drink the good wine in front of you."

"Of course the wine is good, but drinking too much is harmful to your health. Or you can ask Yide to teach you martial arts. As long as you can develop a physique like Yide, you can drink as much Bamboo Leaf Green as you want."

As soon as Wang Jing said this, Guo Jia was so frightened that he trembled all over just by imagining it, and then he shook his head repeatedly: "Forget it, forget it. I'd rather die than have a dark face like him."

Guo Jia is good at refining qi and spirit, so naturally he cannot be compared with the burly Zhang Fei in terms of physique. After all, he is not Wang Jing, who can cultivate qi and spirit at the same time.

Even for a genius, it is rare to be able to practice two avenues at the same time.

"Haha, if Yide knew that you were insulting him like this, he would probably treat you to a meal of Zhuo County's specialty, big-eared bean curd."

The two chatted about some trivial matters with a smile, and then began to talk about the situation in the city.

Guo Jia put down the bronze wine jar in his hand, knocking heavily on the table, and then he said with emotion: "My lord, the situation in the city has been a little strange recently. It seems that someone is restless again."

Wang Jing smiled calmly: "With interests at stake, who would be willing to be content?"

The aristocratic families in the four counties of the capital had been swept away by Wang Jing several times, and by now, the opposition forces had basically been wiped out.

But where there are people, there are underworld, and conflicts of interest are inevitable. Therefore, opposition forces will always exist and can never be completely eliminated.

Wang Jing's continuous implementation of new policies is essentially shaking the power and interests of the vested interests.

Although the group of people who resisted fiercely were all "sent away" by Wang Jing a few years ago, the remaining aristocratic families and powerful families had only learned their lesson, but they did not reform and gain enlightenment.

They didn't dare to oppose the new policy openly, but they could keep finding faults within a reasonable framework. They didn't have the courage to confront Wang Jing head-on, but they had the ability and courage to keep hindering him.

Does Wang Jing have to start killing people just because the other party is looking for trouble?

Wouldn't that make him the second Dong Zhuo?

Therefore, the current situation is very delicate. The struggle between the two sides has shifted from the stage to the backstage, and they are so intertwined that it is difficult to distinguish between enemies and friends.

Among the old ministers at the level of the Three Dukes, except for the Grand Tutor Yuan Wei, the others such as the Minister of the Interior Yang Biao, the Minister of Works Wang Yun, and the Grand Marshal Huang Wan all stood on Wang Jing's side and became his political allies.

But who knows that they don’t have their own little calculations and plans?
In a chaotic situation, only truly smart people can see through the fog, get to the core, and grasp the key points.

Seeing Wang Jing still drinking calmly, Guo Jia also smiled and said: "My lord is as steady as a rock, it seems that he has a plan in mind."

"One person's plan is short, but two people's plan is long. Although I have an idea, I still want to hear your advice."

Hearing this, Guo Jia's eyes suddenly became sharp, and he looked around with a fierce and aggressive aura: "Jia's strategy is nothing more than diverting attention."

Smart people know that when facing accusations and criticisms, never fall into the trap of self-proof, because the rumormonger only needs to open his mouth, and if you want to clear your grievances, even if you yell at the top of your lungs it may not work.

The really smart approach is to use another bigger thing to divert everyone's attention and create a new focus of public opinion.

Therefore, Guo Jia could naturally see clearly what Wang Jing was thinking.

Compared with other princes, Wang Jing is undoubtedly a person who values ​​feelings, so Guo Jia has guessed that Wang Jing must want to protect Cai Yan.

At least, we must never let the opponent's firepower concentrate on Cai Yan.

Wang Jing showed a curious and surprised expression: "Feng Xiao, do you have a solution?"

"Just let my subordinates take care of it."

"it is good."

Wang Jing has full confidence in Guo Jia's abilities.

The scorching sun in June is as hot as fire, stretching across the sky.

In midsummer, Luoyang is as prosperous as oil boiling in a raging fire and flowers blooming in profusion.

Luoyang is not only the political and cultural center of the Han Empire, but also a gathering place for a large number of dignitaries, wealthy families and wealthy families. Therefore, the business atmosphere in Luoyang City is very strong, and it is also one of the economic centers of the entire world.

In front of a newly opened cloth shop, Lu Fangzheng was sweating profusely: "Fengxiao, do you really want to do this?"

"Why, Zhengliang, are you worried that my plan will fail?"

"That's not the case. I just think that this is a bit too high-profile."

Guo Jia chuckled, his eyes instantly sharp as a knife: "We need to be high-profile. Without being high-profile, how can we divert attention? Without being high-profile, how can we gather attention? Perhaps the new era will begin from this small cloth shop in front of us."

Lu Fang smiled bitterly: "I hope so."

"Well, the auspicious time has arrived. Let's get people ready. The hot air balloon should be launched."

Guo Jia's eyes were bright, as if there was a raging fire. His outstanding vision allowed him to penetrate layers of fog, as if he could see into the distant future.

And now, the key to the future is in his hands.

"Lift off!"

Following Guo Jia's order, two bright red hot air balloons slowly rose into the sky, along with the advertising banner of Yunling Cloth Shop.

(End of this chapter)