Chapter 137

Chapter 137

As dusk approached, the old master returned to the West Court with Xiao She.

He Shi hurriedly asked, "Father, are Shouyi and the others staying at the camp again tonight?"

The old master glanced at his grandson.

Xiao She replied indignantly, "Father, Uncle, and the others are staying at the military camp. Second Brother and the rest went drinking at the tavern. Who knows when they'll be back!"

Even Sun's brothers and Zhang Wengong went, but not him!

Only then did Tong Sui recall her archery competition with General Fan Zhao. Before the match, Xiao Zhen had said that if she won, he would treat all the officers to a feast at the tavern.

Ten taels of gold equaled one hundred taels of silver. Unless General Fan Zhao was incredibly wealthy, losing so much at once would certainly hurt, and the officers from the Han family might also feel disgruntled about their own loss. At such a time, Xiao Zhen inviting them to a lavish feast where they could indulge themselves would ease their frustration.

He Shi found it hard to believe: "At this hour, they still have the mood to drink?"

Xiao She explained again.

He Shi and Xiao Yuchan looked at Tong Sui differently, as if she were not just Tong Sui but ten taels of gold!

Tong Sui smiled, "General Fan hasn't given me the prize yet. Perhaps Second Master will decide not to take it, so I didn't boast about it."

Xiao's aunt added, "That's right. General Fan is a key general under Commander Han. Our two families have just united our forces, and we've already won face. If we accept so much gold, it might create resentment. It's better to let it go."

He Shi's feelings became incredibly complex. She envied and resented Tong Sui for winning ten taels of gold so easily, but no matter how envious she was, Tong Sui was still her niece-in-law, earning money from outsiders. Suddenly being told that the prize might be lost, while the family had already handed over the military pay for seven counties and spent their own money to entertain the Han family's officers, made He Shi feel increasingly aggrieved.

She muttered softly, "Just giving away everything and even risking our lives for them, what's the point?"

Xiao Mu smiled faintly and said to the circle of elderly women and young ladies, "For the sake of building merit and establishing a legacy, for the glory of the clan and the honor of the wife and children."

Defending against refugees, fighting bandits, and occupying Wei County were all for survival. Only after taking control of the seven counties did the Xiao family truly have an army that could not be underestimated, and only then did they have the qualifications to be recruited by a potential great leader like Han Zongping.

There were many powerful generals at the border who held their own armies. Song Lan favored Han Zongping, and so did Xiao Mu. Only the most prestigious Han Zongping leading a southern campaign would make other border generals like Zhao Liangchen choose neutrality. If Han Zongping won, they would continue to serve as loyal defenders of the border; if Han Zongping lost, the court would suffer greatly, and then, if the border generals had ambitions, they could also seek dominance, without hindering either outcome.

In times of chaos, common people suffer, but it is only in such chaos that families like the Xiaos, who are talented but unrecognized, have the opportunity to rise rapidly.

If it benefits oneself and serves the country and its people, why not do it?

After revealing his ambition, the old master put on a serious face and warned, "We are about to part ways. You can be reluctant, but anyone who speaks such discouraging and foolish words should pack their bags and move back home."

Xiao Yuchan's heart trembled, and she glanced at her mother.

He Shi glared back secretly. Mother and daughter were equally guilty, and the old master wasn't just scolding her.

The old master called Xiao's aunt to the study, and Xiao She was taken to the side room by He Shi and her daughter for questioning. The main hall was left with the three sisters-in-law and Mianmian.

Liu Chu sat in a chair, holding her daughter, and looked at Tong Sui with concern: "Although you've been working in the military camp for half a year, you've always come home to sleep at night. Now that you'll be living in the camp, won't there be many inconveniences?"

Worrying too much was indeed pointless, so she only asked about what she cared about.

Tong Sui said, "Second Master has already explained everything to me. I grew up running around in the mountains, so I'm not afraid of the hardships of military life. Grandfather has already chosen four robust women, as strong as ordinary men, to take care of me. They are all around forty years old, capable of attending to my daily needs and taking turns to keep watch, which saves a lot of trouble."

The old master usually forbade Xiao Yuchan from wandering around the military camp, partly because he feared she might be bullied by some bold soldiers, and partly because he didn't want her to stir up the young men's desires. Soldiers were like wolves during battles, but even without battles, they still harbored beastly instincts. Surrounded by wolves, they could only suppress their urges, but the sudden appearance of a young woman could easily ignite their uncontrollable desires.

Tong Sui first used her archery skills to show these wolves that she was not an ordinary weak girl, and then by killing over two hundred enemy soldiers during the defense of the city, she proved herself to be a ruthless person. Even if some soldiers still had improper thoughts about her, they would never dare to speak of them or act rashly.

If A Fu and Ah Zhen, young and pretty girls, were to take care of her, they might easily get into trouble in case of any incidents. By choosing four plain-looking, middle-aged, and robust women, the soldiers would not harass them, and they would also have the ability to escape and protect themselves in chaos.

Liu Chu said, "That's good. I'll be more at ease knowing someone is close by to take care of you."

Tong Sui smiled, "I'm just accompanying Grandfather to assist with some miscellaneous tasks in the command tent. Unless there's an emergency, I won't have to face the battlefield directly. You don't need to worry too much about my safety."

In terms of martial arts, she was only skilled with the bow and arrow. On the battlefield, she could serve as an archer, but she lacked the ability for close combat and wouldn't overstep her limits.

Lin Ningfang asked, "Previously, we were defending the city, and Grandfather could serve as the commander of the garrison. Now that Grandfather has been appointed as the Right General, the military affairs during sieges will be busy, requiring him to stay at the rear to formulate strategies for various units. Will the five thousand troops originally stationed in Wei County be handed over to someone else?"

Tong Sui replied, "Yes, during the handover this afternoon, Grandfather made changes to the ranks. Second Master was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Right Route Army and also took charge of the cavalry camp. Cousin Changan took over the command of the infantry in Ding County, and Wengong took over the command of the infantry in Wei County. The military pay and supplies are managed by General Han's side, and with Uncle and Sun Wei, we can handle things here."

Lin Ningfang nodded.

The Qiao brothers, like Xiao Zhen and the others, had over six years of combat experience. Qiao Changshun could lead a unit, and Qiao Changan could definitely do the same, especially as the old master's nephew and Xiao Zhen's cousin. The five thousand troops in Ding County, loyal to Xiao Zhen, would naturally be willing to follow the commands of Xiao Zhen's cousin.

Although young, Zhang Wengong was both wise and brave, having long assisted the old master in managing the Acropolis Army's affairs. He was well-respected among the troops, making him a suitable commander.

The old master indeed had a wealth of talent, all trustworthy and reliable friends and relatives.

Xiao's aunt returned to the main hall after speaking with the old master and said to Tong Sui, "The old master asked me to take care of the women and children in both courts and left us a guard detachment. Go ahead and build your achievements without worrying about home."

Tong Sui was actually quite reassured. With Han Zongping's prestige, the magistrates of the seven counties would be more benevolent than before. In Wei County, her father would take charge of a thousand city guards, ensuring that neither family would be bullied by hooligans.

As they chatted, it was almost the second watch when a commotion came from the front gate.

Xiao Yan called out, "Wengong, are you staying here or borrowing a room at your future father-in-law's house?"

His voice was slurred, as if he wanted the Tang and Zhou families in the eastern courtyard to hear him.

Tong Sui and the others rushed to the front courtyard.

Stepping out of the carved gate, under the moonlight, they saw Xiao Ye rushing to a flower bed beside the corner courtyard to vomit. His vomiting prompted Xiao Yan, Qiao Changan, and Qiao Changshun to join him, the four men lined up side by side.

Xiao's aunt scolded, "Can't you vomit outside? Do you have to come here and disgust us? Liu'er, you and your daughter go to sleep. There's no point in worrying about them. Ningfang, go back to your room; don't dirty your eyes."

Liu Chu smiled and led her daughter away, and Lin Ningfang naturally didn't stay to tend to the drunk Xiao Yan.

Tong Sui glanced at Zhang Wengong, who had run to help the four men, and asked Xiao Zhen, who was approaching, "Why are they all so drunk?"

Xiao Zhen sighed, "There were many people there, and they kept taking turns to force us to drink."

Tong Sui: "You and Wengong sure have good drinking capacity."

No sooner had she praised them when Zhang Wengong joined Xiao Ye and the others in vomiting.

At this moment, Tong Youyu and Zhou Yuanbai came from the eastern courtyard. After exchanging brief greetings, the two elders helped Zhang Wengong out.

Aunt Xiao teased her nephew: "It seems the new son-in-law is more favored; even your father-in-law helps take care of Wengong without a word about you, his own son-in-law."

Xiao Zhen looked at Tong Sui and said, "I have a wife at home, but Wengong doesn't."

Tong Sui suspected that Xiao Zhen was also drunk to say such frivolous words in front of Aunt Xiao.

Seeing her nephew staring intently at his wife, Aunt Xiao smiled and pushed the young couple inside, then went to attend to the others.

As soon as they entered through the carved gate, Xiao Zhen wanted to carry Tong Sui. Just as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and bent down to lift her legs, there was a creak, and the door to the main room opened, revealing the tall figure of the old man.

Xiao Zhen immediately let go and stood straight beside him.

Tong Sui: ...

So, he wasn't drunk after all?

The old man stared at his grandson and asked, "Shall we sober up first?"

Xiao Zhen shook his head, gesturing for Tong Sui to go back to their room. He took a few steps ahead and followed the old man to the study.

They had invited General Fan Zhao and other generals to drink because of the competition, but drinking was not just for the sake of that favor.

After nearly two hours of drinking, Xiao Zhen had figured out the personalities of General Fan Zhao and the other officers, and reported them one by one to the old man.

The old man said, "Those who can command troops under General Han must be upright heroes. However, heroes have different temperaments. We should try to make friends with those whose temperaments match ours and avoid offending those who don't."

Xiao Zhen: "Understood."

The old man: "Did General Fan give you the prize?"

Xiao Zhen: "Yes, he forced me to take it with a knife."

The old man laughed, "Given his generous nature, he doesn't seem like someone who would haggle over a reward. If he gave it, accept it."

Fifteen minutes later, two heavy gold ingots appeared before Tong Sui.

Though called heavy, each small ingot weighed less than an ear of corn, but they were made of gold—five taels each, making them truly heavy!

Learning that General Fan was a man of his word and not petty, Tong Sui felt nothing but joy, holding one of the ingots and examining it closely in the light.

Xiao Zhen pulled her into his arms, pressing his cheek against her warm, smooth face, and asked, "Do you like the gold or the golden bow more?"

Tong Sui: "Both."

Xiao Zhen: "You must choose one."

Tong Sui: "I like the bow more now, but if we run out of money, I'll like the gold more."

Xiao Zhen nipped her earlobe, "Were you happy to see Mr. Song today?"

Surprised by the sudden change of topic, Tong Sui turned to look at him, "Why bring up Mr. Song suddenly?"

Xiao Zhen: "Just thought of it. Were you happy?"

Tong Sui nodded, "He's an acquaintance, and we don't know anyone on General Han's side. Having an acquaintance can help us a bit."

It's like going to a strange place and seeing a familiar face; it always brings a sense of relief.

Xiao Zhen: "Right, and there's Young Master Song too. Two acquaintances will help even more."

Tong Sui: ...