Chapter 344 Returning to the Inn

Chapter 344: Long Return to the Guesthouse

After the warehouse layout plan was finalized on the sheepskin scroll, Zhao Xiping sought out his former subordinates, the ten captains under his command, and asked them to help him scout for fifty or sixty construction craftsmen.

"My Lord, are we building again? Is the guesthouse not enough?" Captain Sun asked.

"Not the guesthouse, it’s for a different use," Zhao Xiping replied vaguely. "Also, on the 28th of May, I’ll be hosting a banquet at my home. You should all come and join in the festivities."

The captains readily agreed. "We’ve been waiting for you to host something! We thought you’d keep it quiet like before, whether it’s a promotion, a birth, or a child’s full moon or first birthday. We don’t even know how old your eldest son is now. Does he have any siblings?"

"He’s nine, turning ten in half a year. He’s the only child in the family for now," Zhao Xiping said. "His mother and I don’t pay much attention to these things, and he’s not a child who cares for pomp either. He doesn’t fuss over ceremonial affairs."

"When the young master gets married, you can make up for all the missed formalities then," joked a captain who was on friendly terms with him.

Zhao Xiping smiled and nodded. "Sure, I’ll invite all you uncles to come and support him then. As for finding the craftsmen, I’ll leave that to you. We start construction on the first of June. Don’t delay my plans."

"Don’t worry, we’ll handle it. If we’re short on craftsmen, I’ll come and help build your house myself," Captain Sun assured him.

Zhao Xiping glanced at Captain Sun’s bulging belly and shook his head. "Enough of your jokes. I still need to visit the Captain's Mansion."

In the past, when Zhao Xiping visited the Captain's Mansion, the doorkeeper would first announce his arrival and make him wait outside. But this time, the doorkeeper eagerly led him inside without any hesitation.

When he entered the reception hall, Captain Qu came out to greet him.

"Old Zhao, long time no see," Captain Qu greeted with a playful bow.

Zhao Xiping was momentarily speechless. In front of his former superior, he found it hard to adjust to the new dynamic. The rise in his status was something he only felt in official circles, while he spent most of his days in the fields and farmland, where he only experienced freedom and ease in the presence of crops.

Seeing Zhao Xiping’s awkward expression, Captain Qu laughed and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "What? Is it harder for you to accept being my equal than it is for me?"

"Indeed," Zhao Xiping admitted frankly. "I almost instinctively wanted to greet you as my superior."

"That won’t do. We’re equals now, and you’ve even been personally appointed by His Majesty. You’ve had an audience with the Emperor, making you far more distinguished than me," Captain Qu joked.

"Don’t say that. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your guidance," Zhao Xiping said, bowing respectfully. "Today, I’ve come to thank you and to invite you to my home for a meal in six days to celebrate with me."

"Of course, no problem. The 28th, right? I’ll definitely be there," Captain Qu said, gesturing for Zhao Xiping to sit. "Has your Commandant’s residence not been assigned yet? Are you still staying at the guesthouse in the north of the city?"

Zhao Xiping nodded. Dunhuang had never had the position of Agricultural Commandant Officer before, so there was no Commandant’s residence. The position was newly created, and the County Magistrate hadn’t yet found a suitable vacant residence to assign to him. Zhao Xiping had hinted to the Magistrate that he’d prefer a new residence near the guesthouse, but the Magistrate couldn’t make the decision without consulting the Prefect.

"There’s a tea pavilion next to the guesthouse. The banquet will be held there, and there’s even a stage for performances by house performers. If you find it too noisy, I have empty rooms in the main courtyard where we can host the banquet," Zhao Xiping explained.

"I’m a simple man; I don’t care about such things. I was just asking because I thought there might not be a suitable residence in the city for you," Captain Qu said, waving his hand. "Enough about that. Tell me about the imperial palace. I’ve never seen the Emperor. What’s the palace like? What’s His Majesty’s temperament?"

Zhao Xiping shared what he could. When Captain Qu learned that Sui Yu had received a plaque inscribed by the Emperor’s own hand, he was eager to go and pay his respects to the Emperor’s calligraphy.

However, the plaque had not yet been unveiled, so Zhao Xiping could only ask him to wait.

After leaving the Captain's Mansion, Zhao Xiping thought for a moment and decided to head straight to the fields to inspect the work.

By evening, when the military drills began, he rode his camel, covered in dust, to the training ground.

"Commandant, it’s been a while since we last saw you," Gu Qianhu greeted with a formal bow.

"Greetings, Commandant."

"Your Excellency, good health."

The others greeted him in a chorus of voices.

Zhao Xiping looked at Officer Hu, who had no chance to escape and could only bow reluctantly with a grim face.

Zhao Xiping was in a good mood. "Officer Hu, no need for formalities. On the 28th of this month, I will be hosting a banquet at my home, and I hope you all can come to grace the occasion."

"I've already prepared a gift, just waiting for you to say the word," Yang Qianhu said loudly.

"I've been too busy lately, just finished planting the cotton, and only now have I found time to arrange the banquet. Please don't mind," Zhao Xiping explained politely. "My wife and I are combining our celebration gifts, so everyone, please bring your families and come early that day. Don't blame me for not being formal; I've come personally to invite you, so I won't send servants with invitations."

"No offense taken."

"Certainly, certainly."

After delivering the message, Zhao Xiping left the training ground. After entering the city, he went to the Inspectorate and then to Censor Hu to repeat the invitation.

As for Zhao Xiaomi and Huang Ancheng's families, Zhao Xiping didn't go personally again; he had their children take the message back.

...

Sui Yu was handling such a big event for the first time and was worried she might not do it well, so she invited Song Xian to discuss.

The Song family had a glorious past, and Song Xian had considerable knowledge in this area. Her offer to help was genuine.

"Your dining tables are not presentable, made of poor wood, not even sealed with lacquer, and the grease stains can't even be scraped off," Song Xian complained. "Fortunately, my family hasn't fallen to the point of selling off our assets. My ancestors accumulated many good things, but unfortunately, they've been gathering dust since my father passed away. I'll go back and open the storeroom, let your servants come with me to move them."

Sui Yu quickly agreed, "Thank you, Elder Sister Song."

Zhang Shun and Li Wu drove the camels and followed Song Xian back to the city. One by one, the lacquered tables of old elm and jujube wood were sent out of the city. Besides these, copper and silver wine pots and cups were also moved in boxes, along with various screens, though some had faded, their delicacy and value remained largely intact.

The tea house had already been cleaned, with red and black carpets laid on the floor and beige linen hung on the walls. Screens were placed in the middle to separate the areas for men and women.

On the 27th, the lacquered tables were arranged inside, and the copper and silver pots were washed, dried, and filled with grape wine, suitable for both men and women, while the children had honey water and mulberry fruit water.

Everything was ready, just waiting for the guests to arrive.

The first to arrive were Zhao Xiaomi and Huang Lianzheng's family, with Huang Ancheng following just a short while later. After presenting their gifts, these families rolled up their sleeves to help, not treating themselves as guests.

Soon after, ten centurions arrived together, not bringing their wives but each bringing a child.

"Sir, Centurion Sun's son is studying at your school, I hear he's doing quite well. I wonder if my son could also be enrolled?" Centurion Gu handed Zhao Xiping a wooden box.

"He's too far behind; Centurion Sun's son has been studying here for several years, like a seven or eight-year-old child who can run and jump. If your son comes now, it would be like a baby who can't even eat yet, unable to understand what the teacher is saying," Zhao Xiping tactfully declined.

"Then forget it," Centurion Gu handed the wooden box to Huang Lianzheng, who was standing by, and said, "This is my congratulatory gift, please don't disdain it, sir."

Seeing Zhao Xiping nod, Huang Lianzheng accepted it.

"Brother-in-law, the County Magistrate has arrived," Sui Liang reminded.

Zhao Xiping hurried to greet him, apologetically saying, "I've caused you a lot of trouble since returning from Chang'an, passing by the yamen twice but too embarrassed to come in and deliver the invitation."

"Sir, you're too kind. Troubles are troubles, but they are also matters I should resolve," the County Magistrate took a thin wooden box from his subordinate and said, "I'm borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha, presenting you with a congratulatory gift. This is a land deed. Choose a location you like, and I'll have craftsmen pick a good day to start building."

Zhao Xiping liked this gift and personally escorted the County Magistrate to the tea house.

As soon as he stepped out, Zhao Xiping bumped into Censor Hu and Hu Ansui. Censor Hu bowed and said, "Sir, you're busy, more guests are coming, no need to entertain us. I'll have Ansui show me around."

Zhao Xiping didn't stand on ceremony with him, but he did tell Huang Ancheng to keep an eye out.

"My lord, I have come uninvited, please do not mind," the newly appointed Horse Agricultural Supervisor presented two gifts, saying, "One of these was entrusted by Horse Agricultural Supervisor Wang to be delivered by a clerk before he left for Chang'an, presumably anticipating your promotion. I am Ma, the newly arrived Horse Agricultural Supervisor, who arrived in Dunhuang just five days ago. Upon hearing of your banquet, I did not want to disturb you."

"You shouldn't have, please come inside," Zhao Xiping took the congratulatory gifts and handed them to Sui Yu, leading the way to the tea house, asking, "Where were you posted before?"

"In Chang'an, trusted by the Grand Minister of Agriculture, sent here to assist you."

Ah, so this is a spy, also here to take credit, Zhao Xiping instantly understood.

"This is County Magistrate Guo, please sit with him and get acquainted, as you will inevitably have dealings in the future," Zhao Xiping led him to County Magistrate Guo and introduced, "Magistrate Guo, this is Horse Agricultural Supervisor Ma, who arrived from Chang'an just five days ago."

"A pleasure to meet you," County Magistrate Guo stood up, "How was your trip? When did you depart from Chang'an?"

Zhao Xiping left them to converse and went outside.

Ten Qianhus arrived one after another, bringing their wives and children, Sui Yu and Zhao Xiping received them together, with men and women sitting separately in the tea house. She was acquainted with the wives of Qianhu Gu and Qianhu Yang, asking them to help take care of the others, and also asked Song Xian to come over to accompany them, while she went out to receive other guests.

Later, Officer Hu arrived alone, but Commandant Qu showed his respect by bringing his entire family.

With all the guests present and the time right, the servants brought out a plaque made of ebony, and Zhao Xiping invited everyone to witness.

The spot where the plaque was to be hung was already prepared, the servants stood on wooden ladders, lifting the plaque covered with red cloth to hang it.

Gan Er and Qingshan carried out a cauldron with a blazing fire, while Xiao Zai and Aning each held a bundle of cut bamboo tubes, excitedly following.

This was what Sui Yu had the servants search and buy in the city after setting the date for the banquet. Dunhuang does not produce bamboo, and bamboo is heavy, rarely carried by caravans. After searching all over Dunhuang city, only three bamboo stalks were bought.

With the plaque hung and the people down from the ladders, Xiao Zai and Aning threw the bamboo tubes into the fire, covering their ears and running away quickly.

The sealed bamboo tubes with knots warped under the flames, and correspondingly, the crackling sound of firecrackers exploded in the cauldron.

The guests looked over in surprise, and the next moment, large red silks cascaded down like flowing water amidst the sound of firecrackers, and four gilded characters shone brightly in the sunlight.

Chang Gui Ke She—