Chapter 210

Chapter 210

Involving the current political affairs of the court, Tong Sui shouldn’t ask Wei Qi too many probing questions. After resolving her initial confusion, she took her leave.

As she left, Zhou Jingchun spread Wei Qi’s outer robe to cover the minister’s lean upper body, to avoid embarrassing Wei Qi.

"A girl raised in the countryside might lack proper etiquette, so please excuse her, Minister."

After closing the door, Zhou Jingchun continued to apply the acupuncture needles for Wei Qi, while apologizing on behalf of his granddaughter.

Wei Qi: "It’s because you come from a humble background and deeply understand the hardships of the common people that you think of such matters. If commercial taxes were higher, the previous dynasty wouldn’t have had to keep squeezing money from poor farmers."

Zhou Jingchun: "An old man like me doesn’t understand those matters. I only know that the more honest officials we have, the better off the common people will be. You, Minister Wei, are such an official. To better share the Emperor’s worries and advocate for the people, you must persevere in practicing the Five Animals Exercise—a traditional Chinese exercise. If you fall ill, the court will lose a good official."

Wei Qi: "..."

——

As Tong Sui left the clinic, the sky had already darkened.

Wei Qi was handling official duties in the imperial city and had changed into casual clothes directly in the carriage before coming to the North Market. On the other hand, the Xiao family’s grandsons were on duty in the Southern Camp, about thirty li south of the city. Even if they finished duty at the same time as Wei Qi, it would still take at least two quarters of an hour to ride back to the city.

The master and servant had just reached the southeastern corner of Qinghua Fang when several horses came galloping from the south. It was the Xiao family’s grandsons.

Xiao Mu, leading the way, reined in his horse and asked, "Where did Aman go?"

Tong Sui smiled. "I went for a stroll in the North Market and just returned."

Xiao Mu glanced at his second grandson behind him and said to the others, "Let’s head back first."

Whether they were tactful or not, everyone followed the old man back. Afu, being clever, also chose to enter Qinghua Fang from the west gate rather than the south gate commonly used by most.

Xiao Zhen spurred his horse to Tong Sui’s side and asked, leaning down, "Do you want to ride back, or should I walk with you?"

It was the time when civil and military officers were returning to their residences. Tong Sui certainly didn’t want to be seen sharing a horse with Xiao Zhen again.

Xiao Zhen dismounted, holding the reins with his left hand and reaching out with his right to take her hand.

Tong Sui put her hands behind her back and gave him a disapproving glance.

Xiao Zhen looked behind him and smiled. "Didn’t buy anything while you were at the North Market?"

Tong Sui: "I went to inquire about some matters."

She had been curious about how much the shops might earn each month because of the large expenditure on the family wedding. Some clerks, after receiving silver, would reveal the approximate amount, while others, more tight-lipped, would not divulge their master’s secrets. After strolling around, it was her grandfather who provided the most detailed explanation. Knowing the income, Tong Sui became interested in the matter of commercial taxes again.

Xiao Zhen: "You’re the type who, if the family made weapons, would learn the carpentry skills involved in quenching, and now, just by looking at an account book, you’re thinking about the national treasury."

Tong Sui: "It bothers me. If the wealthy were honest in paying taxes, the previous dynasty wouldn’t have kept squeezing silver from the farmers."

Why target poor farmers when the rich landowners had so much more to give?

Xiao Zhen made a hushing gesture, glancing nervously at the nearby wall. "The people living here are all high-ranking officials and nobles. If they overheard you, we’d be in trouble."

Tong Sui pressed her lips together.

Xiao Zhen: "Think about the two hundred qian of land bestowed upon our families by the Emperor. Even if we were taxed at one-twentieth, we’d still have to pay one thousand taels of silver. Currently, we’re exempt from land taxes. If one day the Emperor says the treasury needs silver and asks meritorious families and clans to pay taxes, we’d have to give up one thousand taels for that land. Would you be willing?"

Tong Sui: "Why wouldn’t I be? If we have to pay one thousand, it means we’re earning twenty thousand. Even if we give half to the tenants, we’d still have ten thousand left. The land was originally granted by the Emperor, so paying taxes is just doing our part for the country."

Xiao Zhen: "Our family has few members and we're accustomed to frugality, so apart from wedding banquets, we don't have large expenses. Even after paying taxes, we still have savings. But those families that have been rich for generations have dozens, even hundreds of members, and they're used to extravagant and wasteful habits from a young age. A year might not be enough even with ten thousand taels. Once a family no longer has capable members earning income or receiving rewards, they have to rely on ancestral property to get by. At that point, if you still want to squeeze money out of them, they'd rather die than comply."

Tong Sui walked a few steps in silence, looked at him, and asked, "Will you become that kind of family head?"

Xiao Zhen: "No, if the family has an income of ten thousand taels, I'd allow the family to spend five thousand taels a year. If there's an income of one hundred taels, they can spend fifty taels. So, those who indulge useless people in gluttony and luxury, and even defy the court's policies, deserve to..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Tong Sui could see the meaning in his eyes.

Relieved that Xiao Zhen hadn't sided with the powerful elites who exploit the common people just because he became a marquis, Tong Sui's mood lightened.

Xiao Zhen patted the horse's back. "We've been wandering around the North Market for so long; why don't you take a rest?"

Tong Sui: "I'll ride the horse, what about you?"

Xiao Zhen shook the reins in his hand.

Tong Sui: "Aren't you afraid someone might see and it'll damage your prestige as a marquis?"

Xiao Zhen: "If it makes you happy, I don't mind being your horse or anything else."

---

In early September, the Xingping Emperor was set to inspect the three military camps and review their training.

The inspection of each camp would last a day, following the order of the Eastern, Western, and Southern Camps. During the inspections, high-ranking officers from all three camps would accompany the Xingping Emperor.

The Xingping Emperor invited Empress Guo to join him, knowing how much she valued the military given her family background.

Although Empress Guo's health was not what it used to be, she still enjoyed visiting the camps. However, since the Xingping Emperor's entourage consisted only of men, she, the only empress, had no one to converse with comfortably.

So, Empress Guo invited Tong Sui, one of the founding heroes of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Before dawn, Tong Sui waited outside the Duanmen Gate of the imperial city with Old Master Xiao and Xiao Zhen.

The familiar meritorious ministers and generals, Feng Ji, Lu Gong, Fan Zhao, Qi Heng, Luo Xiao, and Zhao Jin, were all present.

Among them, Feng Ji, Lu Gong, Fan Zhao, and Luo Xiao were trusted generals who had followed the Xingping Emperor since Jizhou. Zhao Jin, the second son of Zhao Liangchen, the general of Jinzhou, had provided the Xingping Emperor with a detailed map of the territory and five thousand cavalry. Zhao Jin had also earned numerous military honors, and the Xingping Emperor held the young general in high regard.

Qi Heng and Xiao Mu had pledged allegiance to the Xingping Emperor midway. The Xiao Family's military merits were self-evident, and both Qi Heng and his son Qi Ling were fierce warriors. Apart from several first-to-climb-the-city achievements during attacks on cities, Qi Heng had also killed countless enemies when the Xingping Emperor dealt with Chang'an's one hundred thousand reinforcements. His military merits were almost on par with Feng Ji and Fan Zhao, and the title of Loyal and Brave Marquis bestowed upon him by the Xingping Emperor was well-deserved.

Fan Zhao held the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard, a first-class official, and Qi Heng was the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, a second-class official.

Despite their bravery, each family was represented by only one person, while the Xiao Family had two representatives, including the equally distinguished Lady Anguo, the granddaughter-in-law.

Xiao Mu was the oldest, and even Feng Ji and Lu Gong had to pay their respects to him.

The four elders stood together, and Fan Zhao glanced at Tong Sui, puzzled. "Why are you here?"

Tong Sui: "The Empress asked me to join her for the inspection."

Fan Zhao nodded, then looked at Xiao Zhen and asked, "I heard that you led your wife's horse into Qinghua Fang some time ago?"

Xiao Zhen laughed. "So this small matter has spread."

Fan Zhao: "It's not a small matter. As a marquis, if you're willing to be a horse leader for your wife, other wives might use you as an example to demand their husbands treat them like queens. If this continues, how can we men uphold our dignity as husbands? Luo Xiao, don't you agree?"

Luo Xiao: "...I just admire how much Brother Xiao loves his wife; I didn't think about the bigger picture."

Fan Zhao: "Ah, almost forgot, you're also someone who dotes on your wife."

The palace gates, which had been closed, now slowly swung open.

Fan Zhao quickly straightened up and looked ahead.

The Xingping Emperor, Empress Guo, and Crown Prince Han Bao appeared before everyone.

After they exchanged greetings, Empress Guo said to Tong Sui, "I can't ride a horse for too long now, Aman will accompany me in the carriage."

Tong Sui thanked her and accepted the offer.

The Empress's carriage was luxurious and grand, with a bed covered in brocade cushions inside. The palace maids helped Empress Guo get comfortable before inviting Tong Sui in.

Tong Sui removed her shoes and knelt on the silk cushion in front of the bed.

A hint of medicinal smell began to fill the carriage, emanating from Empress Guo. As Empress Guo spoke to her, Tong Sui quietly observed her and noticed that she had become thinner since their last meeting. Despite the layer of rouge on her face, her exhaustion was evident.

Tong Sui was concerned about Empress Guo's health, while Empress Guo admired Tong Sui's rosy complexion. Empress Guo asked gently, "Have you still been practicing archery recently?"

Tong Sui nodded, "I’ve been practicing regularly. As they say, practice makes perfect, so I don’t dare to slack off."

Empress Guo smiled, "That's how it should be. Even if you don't go to the battlefield in the future, practicing archery and riding horses is good for your health. Besides archery, what do you usually do at home? I heard from Lady Feng that you rarely go out."

Tong Sui said with a hint of embarrassment, "I was born in a remote mountain village. Due to the wars in recent years, I only had a few years of intermittent schooling. There are still many characters I don't recognize. When I visit others, I worry about saying or doing the wrong thing. After coming to the capital, I hired a tutor to make up for the education I missed and to improve my handwriting."

Empress Guo praised her, "Well done. You are a female military talent, and the Emperor bestowed upon you the title of Lady Anguo because he expects you to continue serving the court in the future. The more you read, the broader your perspective will be, which will benefit both yourself and the court. As for socializing with other ladies, go if you have time, but if you're busy, there's no real harm done. Missing out on these gatherings won’t cause any harm."

Tong Sui smiled, "Empress is truly kind."

Empress Guo: "That's because I like you. If it were someone else, they'd probably say I'm strict."

They covered more than twenty miles in conversation, and eventually arrived at the Eastern Garrison. Tong Sui helped Empress Guo dismount and then remount. After that, whenever the Xingping Emperor was not by Empress Guo's side, Tong Sui stayed by her side, caring for her attentively. She even shielded Empress Guo from the wind when a gust blew some sand.

The Eastern and Western Garrisons were both infantry camps, each now expanded to 150,000 soldiers.

On the last day, they went to the Southern Camp managed by the Xiao Family. It had only 50,000 cavalry, but when used effectively, these 50,000 cavalry could match 250,000 infantry.

Initially, the Xiao Family only had 50,000 infantry when they began training soldiers. The camp was built on a site chosen on the spot, and horses were slowly purchased over the past eight months, a few or ten at a time. Turning 50,000 infantry into cavalry required immense effort from both Xiao Mu and Xiao Zhen.

The Southern Camp was almost a wilderness. Standing on a small hill, the Xingping Emperor and his entourage watched as 50,000 cavalry rode in formation across the plains and hills, jumping over high fences and shooting arrows, showcasing their riding and archery skills.

The dust kicked up by the horses resembled smoke.

The Xingping Emperor was greatly pleased and grasped Xiao Mu's wrist, "With these 50,000 cavalry, I can support the border troops to defend against foreign enemies in the grasslands to the north and directly head south to Dongling, as swift as divine soldiers descending from the sky. Xiao Mu, you have rendered great service!"

Xiao Mu said, "When Your Majesty entrusted me with the Southern Camp, I was quite fearful. I often sought advice on cavalry training from the Duke of Zhen and the Duke of Cheng, and even troubled Your Majesty a few times. Fortunately, I did not fail Your Majesty's trust."

The Xingping Emperor smiled, "We only spoke, but you are the one who trained the soldiers. I must reward you handsomely."

Xiao Mu knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, I do have one request, please grant it."

The Emperor, Empress, and everyone else looked over, curious about what the usually humble and respectful old general would ask for.

Xiao Mu said with a bitter smile, "I am old, and these past months, riding horses back and forth thirty miles every morning and evening has been truly torturous. Today, having trained the cavalry for Your Majesty's inspection, I can finally relax the tension I've been holding. I request Your Majesty to allow me to retire and live out my old age. Should there be future battles, I will surely request to lead the troops. But now, in this time of peace, entrust the younger generation with the daily military responsibilities. I can no longer endure it."

The Emperor and Empress were silent for a moment, as were Generals Feng Ji and Fan Zhao.

Xiao Zhen knelt beside his grandfather and vouched for him, saying, "Your Majesty, things were manageable earlier this year, but lately, my grandfather has had to get a massage for thirty to forty-five minutes every night after returning to the residence. Please allow him to rest more."

The Xingping Emperor helped the silver-haired Xiao Mu to his feet and said, "I should have noticed this sooner. Let me propose a solution: you will continue as Southern Camp Commander, but you can delegate the daily camp affairs to Xiao Zhen. You will only need to focus on attending court sessions, alright?"

Xiao Mu, with reddened eyes, said, "I would feel unworthy of my salary if I did not contribute, Sire."

The Xingping Emperor said, "Your wisdom and experience outstrip those of hundreds, even thousands, of younger men. I need your guidance. Continue to serve me with your usual dedication."

Xiao Mu replied, "This old servant accepts the imperial order!"