Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Zhao Liangchen learned from Zhao Jin that Xiao Zhen had bought a basket of apricots to take back, so he also ordered two baskets of apricots to be picked, reserving them for Han Zongping and his men to quench their thirst on the journey.

Apricots were also found in Shuozhou, but those from Da Tong were simply larger and tastier. A group of martial generals wouldn’t care much about such trivial indulgences; only someone like Xiao Zhen, who doted on his wife, would remember such things.

The true gifts Zhao Liangchen gave to Han Zongping were two: one was a set of topographical maps of the mountains and rivers of Jinzhou, and the other was a contingent of five thousand elite cavalry led by his second son, Zhao Jin.

Since the Zhao family had already pledged their support to Han Zongping in his fight against the court, they might as well do it wholeheartedly to avoid being overshadowed by up-and-coming generals like Xiao and Qi, who came from humble origins.

"Brother, I entrust you with the task of rooting out traitors and restoring order. I will await your good news in Da Tong!"

After seeing Han Zongping off for ten miles outside Da Tong, Zhao Liangchen reined in his horse and bowed to Han Zongping.

Han Zongping replied, "With my younger brother guarding the border, I have no worries. Once I have purged the corrupt officials in the capital, I will return to the border to share a drink with you!"

The two generals parted ways with mutual respect.

With great ambitions to march south, the journey ahead had to be taken step by step. The immediate challenge before them was the scorching sun of mid-May and the three hundred miles of dusty road between Da Tong and Shuozhou.

The martial generals and cavalry were accustomed to such travels, but the only one who wasn’t was the frail eldest son of the Grand General, Han Bao.

"Master, have an apricot."

Fan Zhao fetched a few apricots from the ones Zhao Liangchen had given and offered them to Han Bao.

Han Bao first noticed the dirt under Fan Zhao’s fingernails. Each of his father’s generals had their own personalities, and Fan Zhao was clearly the roughest among them. In Jizhou, there were maidservants to help trim his nails, but after setting out, the soldiers could only assist with tasks like making beds and serving tea. Fan Zhao didn’t ask the soldiers to trim his nails, and they probably didn’t think of such a delicate task.

Moreover, everyone was riding horses, and the road was full of dust, so who knew how much dirt had stuck to these apricots.

"General, you eat them. I’m not used to these sour fruits."

Han Bao politely declined.

Upon hearing this, Fan Zhao popped one into his own mouth and then went to offer some to Han Zongping at the front.

Han Zongping ate one, and Xiao Mu beside him took one as well.

Eating naturally slowed them down, and Han Bao took the opportunity to unhook his water bag and take a few gulps.

Fan Zhao returned and went behind him.

Han Bao turned around and saw Fan Zhao pointing to the basket in front of Xiao Zhen. "It’s too hot to go back and get more. Xiao Er, can you give me a few? You can replenish them later."

Fan Zhao had gained fame at a young age and was only thirty-two this year, making him a contemporary of Xiao Zhen. Because the Xiao brothers were numerous, Fan Zhao usually addressed them by their birth order.

Xiao Zhen explained, "I was afraid the fruit would bruise during the journey, so I deliberately chose firmer, less ripe ones yesterday. They might be too sour."

Fan Zhao said, "No problem, I don’t mind the sourness."

Xiao Zhen replied, "Since General Zhao has given ripe fruit, why not eat the sweet ones? I’ll fetch them for you."

Saying this, he turned his horse and rode back.

Fan Zhao: "..."

Zhao Jin smiled, "Brother Xiao bought these fruits specially for his wife, each one filled with affection. Why force him to do something difficult?"

Fan Zhao: "Who cares who he bought them for? They’re all just apricots."

Zhao Jin: "But Brother Xiao can ensure that his apricots will remain intact until they reach Shuozhou. The ones my father sent might not even last until tonight without breaking. Do you want Brother Xiao to give his wife rotten fruit?"

Fan Zhao: "Women are such trouble. Xiao Er is so patient."

Zhao Jin: "Hasn’t the general married yet?"

Fan Zhao: "I’ve been married once, but she passed away. Later, I found it troublesome and didn’t remarry. Concubines serve the same purpose."

Han Bao interjected, "Father tried to arrange several matches for General Fan, but he always declined."

Zhao Jin: "No wonder the general finds Brother Xiao’s sentimentality amusing."

Soon, Xiao Zhen returned with a large wooden bowl of apricots from his attendant.

Just as Fan Zhao was about to take one, Xiao Zhen asked him to wait, then unhooked his water bag to rinse a few apricots before distributing them to the three of them.

Fan Zhao sneered, "You’re quite particular."

Xiao Zhen: "I can eat directly, but I fear offending the two young masters and the general."

Fan Zhao’s teeth started to ache before he even tasted the apricots. He grabbed a couple and ran, while Han Bao shook his head and accepted the apricot Xiao Zhen offered.

After two days of travel, on the evening of May 16th, the group returned to Shuozhou City.

Feng Ji and Lu Gong led the other generals out of the city to welcome them.

Xiao Mu first looked towards his own sons. Seeing that the third one had returned and hadn’t really stayed in Wei County until the army set out, he felt somewhat relieved.

They were all family, so Han Zongping let everyone disperse early.

Xiao Mu and Xiao Zhen went to the right-wing army camp first.

Xiao Ye eagerly reported the great contribution of his second sister-in-law: "You should have seen it—General Feng, who is usually so stern, actually smiled at Second Sister-in-Law."

Xiao Mu coldly said, "I should smile at your second sister-in-law too. If it weren’t for her, I would have lost face with the Grand General upon my return due to military discipline."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye, and the other young men lowered their eyes and fell silent like a flock of quails.

Xiao Shouyi, though in his forties, still felt uneasy and dared not speak in front of the old man.

Xiao Mu: "Pass the order down. Every officer of the right army from the rank of hundred-man commander and above shall copy the military code three times and submit it to me tomorrow morning."

Everyone acknowledged the order.

Xiao Mu then looked at Xiao Yan: "You write it five times."

Xiao Yan: "I didn't know, why..."

He stopped mid-sentence, realizing that he was being punished the most because he wasn't even there.

But compared to the happiness of sleeping with his wife at home recently, Xiao Yan would rather accept the punishment.

After the old man left, Xiao Zhen should have returned to the city, but he was stopped by a row of his brothers, who looked at the two baskets in his hands.

Xiao Zhen: "The apricots over there are quite good. This basket is for you all to share."

The brothers snatched the basket and opened it, revealing a bunch of yellowish apricots. Although some were bruised, they still looked edible.

Because the apricots were large, the three Xiaos, two Qiaos, two Suns, one Zhang, and one Tong each got only two, which wasn't enough.

They wanted to grab the other basket, but Xiao Zhen held it back and said: "This one is for your second sister-in-law."

The brothers laughed and escorted him out.

Outside, two horses were waiting. One was the steed Xiao Zhen had just ridden in, and the other was a fine chestnut horse led by a servant.

Qiao Changshun's eyes lit up: "What a fine horse! It must cost at least fifty taels. Where did Second Brother get it?"

Xiao Zhen: "I won it from the second son of the Zhao family. He loves martial arts and once boasted that if I fought him again, he would give me five fine horses. Unfortunately, I was a guest then and couldn't take advantage of him."

Xiao Ye: "Second Brother, your original steed is already a fine horse. Can you give this one to me?"

Being his younger brother, no one else dared to compete with him.

Xiao Zhen: "You caused such a big mess in the camp as soon as Grandfather and I left. What face do you have to ask me for a reward?"

Qiao Changan: "Fourth Brother, you're just asking for trouble. This horse is clearly for Second Sister-in-law."

Xiao She: "No problem. If Second Brother doesn't give it to us, we'll earn it ourselves. Since the second son of the Zhao family loves martial arts, I'll go challenge him right now!"

The group of brothers followed Xiao She to watch the spectacle.

Some were simple, some were rash, and several were shrewd, but Xiao Zhen wasn't worried about anything going wrong.

He carried one basket in one hand and held the reins of both horses as he entered the city.

The land distribution was almost complete. Today, Tong Sui returned from the official office early and spent the evening cooling off in the courtyard with her grandfather.

Zhou Gui: "The great generals are coming back, right? Shouldn't you go to greet them, Sister?"

Tong Sui: "With Second Uncle there, it's fine if I don't go."

For such social occasions, it was enough for someone from the Xiao family to show up; she didn't need to make an appearance herself.

Both the old man and Xiao Zhen acted low-key and never sought the limelight after joining General Han's command.

But she still returned to the West Court early to wait for her grandfather.

As dusk fell, sounds finally came from outside. Tong Sui hurried out, crossed the carved gate, and saw Xiao Zhen walking ahead with something in his hand, followed by a servant leading two horses.

Tong Sui ignored the horses and stood where she was, watching the approaching figure. Despite the dusty journey, Xiao Zhen's face still looked fresh.

It was good that he was back. Her earlier concerns were indeed unfounded; General Zhao wasn't that bad.

"Where's Grandfather?" she asked curiously.

Xiao Zhen: "Grandfather will stay at the camp tonight to supervise the fourth brother and others as they copy the military code."

Tong Sui knew that both grandfather and grandson were aware of the incident. She whispered, "Is Grandfather angry that I acted on my own?"

Xiao Zhen: "You've done a great service for our right army. Grandfather would be more likely to reward you."

Tong Sui looked at the basket in his hand.

Xiao Zhen smiled: "A reward from me."

Tong Sui wanted to know what it was. Glancing sideways, she noticed the servant still holding the horse, possibly eavesdropping on their conversation. She made a mental note and gestured for Xiao Zhen to come inside to talk.

However, Xiao Zhen led her to the servant and pointed at the chestnut horse: "It's for you. What do you think?"

Tong Sui's current mount was still the big black mule from the Xiao family. The old man, Xiao Zhen, and even Xiao Ye had suggested she choose a better horse, but due to the shortage of horses and mules in the seven counties, the Xiao family's big black mule was strong enough, so she hadn't chosen one.

But how could the big black mule compare to the fine steed carefully bred by the border troops of Da Tong?

The horse's dark, moist eyes seemed to have a spirit, and its chestnut coat was smooth like silk. As soon as Tong Sui touched it, she couldn't let go.

She circled the horse, her eyes bright as she looked at Xiao Zhen: "A gift from Grandfather?"

Xiao Zhen: "Your second husband won it in a competition under the scorching sun and then shamelessly asked for it on your behalf."

Tong Sui: "..."

The saddle was already fitted. Ignoring his sarcastic tone, Tong Sui went out to test the horse. Most of the neighbors had closed their doors and were preparing to sleep, leaving the street empty. Tong Sui galloped to the corner and, when turning back, saw Xiao Zhen standing outside the Xiao residence, holding the basket and looking at her proudly.

Tong Sui rode back.

When she stopped, Xiao Zhen walked over and looked up, asking: "Do you still want the big black mule?"

Tong Sui suppressed a laugh: "Yes, I do. We can keep it for Grandfather to pull the carriage. When we go to the capital, we can let it see the sights there."

Xiao Zhen held a basket in his left hand and wrapped his right arm around her waist to lift her down.

Tong Sui caught the scent of soap from his neck, mingled with a sweet and tangy aroma of fruit.

She lifted the basket lid to reveal a layer of fine cloth. Beneath it lay round objects, each wrapped in cloth and neatly separated by thin wooden boards.

Tong Sui took one of the cloth-wrapped balls and unwrapped it, finally revealing a large apricot inside.

A girl from Taohuagou had never seen such large apricots before.

As she examined the fruit, Xiao Zhen watched her, feeling that the extra effort on this three-hundred-mile journey was entirely worth it.