Chapter 100

Chapter 100

The rebel king sent a hundred soldiers to Wei County to redeem his military advisor, his brother. Only ten of them rode donkeys, and two more donkeys pulled a cart, while the rest walked.

They looked like stray dogs, defeated and dispirited.

A proper army would never do something that would damage its reputation, but what could they do after Xiao Family had traded donkeys for the rebel king's large black mule?

The rebel king started as a constable and was not known for being generous. After seizing two counties, he did indeed loot a lot of gold and jewels, but there were limited numbers of livestock. Even by plundering from wealthy households and "borrowing" from commoners, he managed to gather only about a thousand animals. That night, over three hundred were lost in the battle with Wei County.

One horse or mule represented one cavalryman, far exceeding their intrinsic value.

The rebel king preferred to lose face rather than provide Wei County with strong mounts again.

Xiao Family also coveted the rebel king's livestock for the same reason.

Years of war had impoverished the northern counties, and Wei County did not rob the locals of their livestock. Every additional animal from outside was valuable; substance mattered more than appearance.

After exchanging words, the Wei County troops brought the rebel king's cart of gold and silver and twelve old donkeys into the city gates, then tossed Li Zhen and Mr. Fan out.

Xiao Mu stood on the city wall, looking down and said, "Go back and tell the rebel king that if he dares to invade Wei County again, the Wei County troops will march against him!"

Li Zhen, hungry and in pain, dared not speak up and left with Mr. Fan and the hundred soldiers, dejectedly.

The citizens inside and outside the city saw that the rebel king chose to pay ransom rather than attack, indicating fear of the Xiao Family. Thus, the Xiao Family's prestige in Wei County rose even higher.

---

The twelve nearly useless old donkeys were divided among the six thousand-households units in Wei County, each receiving two. They celebrated the initial victory with meat that evening.

With many soldiers and little meat, the old man ordered the kitchens to make donkey meat pancakes, ensuring each pancake contained some meat, and boiled the bones to make soup to go with the pancakes.

Xiao She asked, "Grandfather, should we send some donkey meat home?"

The men planned to dine with the soldiers that night.

Xiao Mu replied, "There's so little meat, and all the soldiers are watching. Would you be comfortable doing that?"

Xiao She scratched his head, "I just want my mother and sisters to have something good to eat."

Xiao Mu assured him, "Don't worry, they won't be neglected."

After dark, Sun Dian, Sun Wei, and Zhang Wengong chose to stay in the camp, as did Xiao Ye and the Qiao brothers. The old man and those with families decided to return home.

On the way, Xiao Yan teased Xiao She, "You don't have a wife, why don't you stay in the camp?"

Xiao She explained, "I need to fetch water for the households tomorrow morning."

Xiao Yan never expected this to be the reason.

Xiao Mu laughed and told his youngest grandson, "Fetch water one more time tomorrow morning, but after that, you don't need to do it anymore. Stay wherever you want."

Xiao She really wanted to stay in the camp but couldn't abandon the large water jars at home: "If I don't do it, should Second Brother and Third Brother take over?"

Xiao Yan looked at the old man in disbelief. He was now a thousand-household commander and shouldn't have to fetch water just because he lived at home.

Xiao Mu said, "No one needs to. We'll hire some servants."

When they first entered the city, the family was cautious because the Xiao Family hadn't yet established themselves. Now, with military pay, troops, merit, and prestige, hiring a few servants made sense. Otherwise, when noble families visited, the family would seem inferior serving tea and water. Simplicity is commendable, but outsiders might think the Xiao Family lacks dignity and is easy to bully.

Acting as the city lord, one must neither be arrogant nor lack dignity.

The old man made the decisions, and Xiao Zhen handled the specifics.

Xiao Zhen took the money bag from the old man and knew who to give it to.

East Wing Courtyard.

As soon as it grew dark, the surroundings quieted down. Tong Sui sat in the room, lit a lamp, and read a book while waiting for Xiao Zhen.

When she heard the commotion outside, she knew the Xiao Family men had returned. She put away her book, put on her shoes, and went to open the door for Xiao Zhen.

Xiao Er, who had been busy in the camp all day, smelled of sweat and dust but wore a pleased expression.

Tong Sui looked up at him, her eyes bright. "I heard the rebel king sent ransom?"

Xiao Zhen nodded. "Yes, he also sent twelve donkeys, which were distributed to the camps for slaughter."

Tong Sui smiled. It was foolish not to take advantage of the rebel king's offer.

Xiao Zhen asked her, "Have you ever eaten donkey meat?"

Tong Sui shook her head. In the village, no one would waste working livestock. Occasionally, a few that died were sold, but the wealthy families or restaurants claimed them quickly.

Xiao Zhen took out an oil paper package from his sleeve, containing a donkey meat pancake. The kitchen staff had sent pancakes with ample donkey meat to the officers.

Tong Sui stared in amazement.

Xiao Zhen explained, "There weren't enough soldiers, and the donkey meat wasn't enough to share. Grandfather didn't allow sending any home, so I saved one for you."

Tong Sui asked, "Did you eat enough?"

Xiao Zhen nodded.

Tong Sui took the pancake, smelling its aroma. She had eaten seven-tenths full for dinner and couldn't finish the whole thing.

Xiao Zhen said, "Eat as much as you can, and give me the rest."

Tong Sui agreed, sitting at the desk in the main room, eating the pancake while watching Xiao Zhen draw water.

Xiao Zhen held the basin and teased her: "Should I wash outside?"

Tong Sui: "Suit yourself. If you wash outside, I'll go inside to eat."

Xiao Zhen smiled and went inside.

Tong Sui ate the donkey meat pancake quietly by herself. The meat and pancake were cold, but they were still a rare delicacy for ordinary people, and even cold, they tasted delicious.

Tong Sui left half of it for Xiao Zhen and deliberately tore off the edges where she had bitten.

Xiao Zhen took a cold water bath, put on his undergarments, lifted the door curtain, and called her in.

He ate the pancake while Tong Sui thought about throwing out the water. Xiao Zhen told her not to move and pointed to the money bag on the bed: "Grandfather said we should hire two male servants for watching the door and running errands, two kitchen maids for cooking, and two laundry maids for washing clothes and cleaning the yard. A Fu and Ah Zhen can be free to clean the rooms and serve tea when guests come. Since there are fewer people at your father's side, we should buy one of each for now; that should be enough."

Tong Sui habitually noted down these three types of servants and then asked doubtfully, "Why suddenly buy people? Didn't we say we would continue as before?"

Xiao Zhen: "We protect the peace of the county, so the ladies of the wealthy families in the city can enjoy their leisure. You can too, without having to wear gold and silver."

Tong Sui could not argue against this.

Xiao Zhen: "Also, with the county stable, more people will visit. If you rush out from the kitchen to entertain them, you might be looked down upon."

Tong Sui understood. For the family's reputation, these servants needed to be hired.

"Maybe we can skip my mother's side; guests will come here anyway..."

Xiao Zhen took a bite of the pancake and stared at her: "So you're that kind of daughter, getting others to serve you while making your own mother and aunt do the work."

Tong Sui: "...Fine, if we must buy, I'll pay for the ones at my mother's side."

Xiao Zhen laughed: "Always so clear with me."

Tong Sui blushed at the implication, remembering the last time he had tried something new because of this, embarrassing her for days.

She leaned against the edge of the bed, facing away from him, and whispered: "My father and the rest have already moved into the city with us. How can we keep making them spend money? Buying servants isn't just a few copper coins."

Xiao Zhen: "Protecting the city isn't just talk. Our families are bound together, sharing both good and bad fortune. It's not fair to let only your father and uncle take risks."

Tong Sui couldn't argue further: "Then I'll ask my mother tomorrow. They're used to doing their own laundry and cooking. They might not like strangers around. If they refuse, we'll only buy servants for our side."

Xiao Zhen: "I'll talk to her. I'm more filial than you; your mother will listen to me."

Tong Sui: "..."

After eating the pancakes, they rinsed their mouths and Xiao Zhen came to settle the accounts with Tong Sui.

In this position, Tong Sui felt uneasy: "Let's talk first."

Xiao Zhen: "Talk."

Tong Sui: "How do we buy people? I've never done it before."

Xiao Zhen: "Ask Third Younger Brother's wife tomorrow. She should know. You two can decide, but don't involve Second Aunt."

His words were concise, his mind elsewhere, trying to push her down.

Tong Sui clung tightly to his shoulders, recalling the arrow piercing the red fruit above his head earlier, and asked: "This morning at the southern camp, how could you be so brave? Weren't you afraid I'd miss?"

At the time, she was truly shocked but had no time to hesitate or refuse.

It was a serious question, and Xiao Zhen thought for a moment, looking at her rosy cheek: "If I were to sweet-talk you, I'd say that as husband and wife, I trust you with my life."

Tong Sui: "..."

Xiao Zhen continued: "The truth is, like Grandfather, I've seen your archery skills and believe you could hit the target. Even if you missed, I could dodge in time."

Tong Sui's lips curved upward; she preferred this explanation.

—

In the eastern room, He Shi sat on the bed, glaring resentfully at Xiao Shouyi for as long as he had been there.

Xiao Shouyi had tidied himself up, closed the door, and sat next to his wife, asking softly: "Is it because the second son became deputy commander, or because Father asked the second daughter-in-law to select servants?"

He Shi's face darkened even more.

Xiao Shouyi understood; it was both.

Previously, when Father asked the second daughter-in-law to manage the household, there wasn't much to manage. Now, with the family adopting the practices of wealthy households, the mistress of the inner courtyard gained real power.

Xiao Shouyi started with the household management: "Managing the household requires fairness. You love small gains and easily favor Yu Chan and the others. Father knows this well. The second daughter-in-law, although young, can handle both domestic and external affairs. You have to accept this."

He Shi couldn't argue with Tong Sui verbally or physically, so she had to accept it. What angered her most was her husband's side: "As an uncle, you're in your prime. It's natural for a father to be the commander and a son to be the deputy. Every family would do the same. Why is Father so partial to the second son? Isn't he clearly humiliating you, making others think you're inferior to your nephew?"

Xiao Shouyi sighed and looked at his wife: "In terms of martial arts, I'm not inferior to the second son. On the battlefield, I deserve the position of thousand-man commander given by Father. But being a deputy commander involves managing over six thousand troops, knowing people's strengths, understanding military tactics, and maintaining composure in crisis. The second son excels in these areas, and even the third and fifth sons respect him. As an uncle, I also respect him."

One should undertake tasks according to one's abilities, and Xiao Shouyi knew his limits well.

He wasn't afraid to die and led soldiers bravely, but he lacked strategy compared to the second son.

During those years of war, he and his elder brother were stationed together, while the three nephews were elsewhere. He didn't see the second son's performance on the battlefield, but after the children returned, the third son shared many stories, each highlighting what he couldn't do.

"Don't be angry. Whether it's me or the second son who has the ability, it's all for the family. As long as we defend Wei County, everyone will benefit. Nothing will be lost for you, right?"

He Shi turned her face away, feeling aggrieved: "Losing face is still losing face. Father didn't even give me a chance to prove myself. If I really couldn't manage the household, he could have given it to the second daughter-in-law later. He didn't give us any face."

Xiao Shouyi: "Now, the whole city is watching us. Any mistake we make will be ridiculed. Father also needs to manage the camp. Naturally, he'll arrange things in the simplest way possible."

He Shi remained sullen.

Xiao Shouyi had no choice but to use his best skills to pull his sullen wife into the bed.