Chapter 242

Chapter 242

Tong Sui hadn't figured out how to discreetly announce her pregnancy to everyone when her excited mother, who had received the news from her sister-in-law, came visiting. Liu Chu and Yan Mingxiu were the first to know, followed by Madam He, Lin Ningfang, and Xiao Yuchan.

Xiao Yuchan teased, "If Second Brother hadn't been away those days, I'd really think the book I gave had something to do with her getting pregnant."

Madam He asked, "What book?"

Yan Mingxiu blushed and quietly defended her second sister-in-law, "What does your book have to do with it? Second Sister-in-law has been pregnant for some time, as shown by the pregnancy diagnosis."

Xiao Yuchan laughed loudly, "So Fourth Sister-in-law has confirmed it!"

Yan Mingxiu: "..."

Zhou Qing looked around at the group and felt a deep sense of relief. Apart from Yan Mingxiu, everyone from Madam He to Xiao Yuchan had given birth and could help take care of the daughter.

In the evening, Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye, and Xiao She returned to the mansion and, upon hearing the news from their mother, sister, or wife, immediately ran to pester Xiao Zhen for some lucky money.

Xiao Zhen smiled and gave each of them a gold ingot.

While Xiao Yan was happily laughing, Xiao Ye, after securing the gold ingot from his second brother, stretched out his hand in front of him, "Since Second Sister-in-law just got pregnant and you're being so generous, Huai Zu has already started running around. Shouldn't Third Brother give me some lucky money now?"

Xiao Yan: "..."

Hearing this, Xiao She also reached out.

For other matters, Xiao Yan would have scolded them back, but for such a joyous occasion, he gritted his teeth and handed the gold ingot he had just received to Xiao Ye, then went back to ask Lin Ningfang for another gold ingot to give to Xiao She, casually reminding, "When Fourth Brother has good news, remember to ask him for a red envelope!"

Xiao Ye, hearing this, immediately split a gold ingot with Xiao She, "No need to ask, I'll give it now!"

Xiao She, having received three gold ingots, smiled widely, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Madam He saw this and said to her silly son, "What’s so great about that? In a couple of years, you’ll earn back these three gold ingots when you give New Year’s money to your nieces and nephews. If you really want to take advantage of your brothers, you should marry a wife sooner."

Xiao She replied, "I don't care. I'd rather give out New Year's money."

What’s so great about having a wife? Mom often scolds Dad. Third Sister-in-law frequently gives Third Brother the cold shoulder, making him restless. After Fourth Brother got Fourth Sister-in-law, he had no time for him either. Once, he went to find him and saw Fourth Brother half-kneeling on the ground, coaxing Fourth Sister-in-law like a grandson. The eldest sister, who was once the eldest daughter-in-law, is gentle but so timid that you have to speak softly not to scare her. The only one in the family who’s easy to get along with is Second Sister-in-law.

Unless someone introduces him to a wife like Second Sister-in-law, he wouldn’t want any other wife.

---

With the joyous event at home, Xiao Zhen didn't neglect his duties. He brought the provisional list of military officers from the second small examination at the Eastern Camp to present to the Xingping Emperor.

It was the second day of March.

The Xingping Emperor no longer had the strength to review the memorials. He had the Crown Prince read them out loud and write the responses for him.

Upon learning of Xiao Zhen's purpose, the Xingping Emperor glanced at the register in Xiao Zhen's hands and asked, "Are there any newly promoted guard commanders or thousand-man commanders this time?"

Out of the 150,000 troops and twenty-seven garrisons, a total of twenty-seven guard commanders and 135 thousand-man commanders were needed.

Xiao Zhen replied, "There are three new guard commanders and eleven new thousand-man commanders."

The Xingping Emperor said, "Tell me about these fourteen people."

Xiao Zhen, as concisely as possible, began to explain. The fourteen individuals came from different backgrounds—some were ordinary people from generations of farming families, while others were peddlers or craftsmen who had made a living outside. In the previous two examinations, they either scored low in the written test or lacked sufficient martial skills. After two months of intense study and training, they had finally caught up.

The Xingping Emperor nodded, "Anyone with ambition and hard work can rise to the top."

Xiao Zhen said, "It's all thanks to the Emperor's willingness to bend the rules and give them this opportunity."

The Xingping Emperor smiled. "Alright, you can go tend to your duties."

Xiao Zhen glanced at the Emperor lying on the dragon bed, his frailty a stark reminder of how close he was to passing. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Your Majesty, I have some good news from my family that I would like to share with you."

The Xingping Emperor, intrigued, asked, "What good news?"

Han Bao also curiously eyed Xiao Zhen.

Xiao Zhen's face flushed with embarrassment, and he lowered his gaze before speaking. "My wife is expecting. Your Majesty has shown immense grace to my wife and me, not only as a sovereign but also as an elder who trusts and cultivates us juniors. So, I thought that Your Majesty might also be pleased for us upon hearing this news."

The Xingping Emperor was indeed very happy. To him, Lord Xiao was a loyal minister and also a kind elder. Now, his favorite grandson and granddaughter-in-law were about to have a child. If only Lord Xiao could see this now, he would be smiling down on them with pride.

"Someone, go fetch the set of longevity locks that the Empress previously ordered to be made."

"Yes."

Soon, Liu Gonggong took a brocade box from a younger eunuch, opened the lid, and presented it with both hands to the Xingping Emperor.

Inside the box were eleven longevity lock necklaces.

The Xingping Emperor, his voice tinged with sadness, turned to the Crown Prince and said, "When you were first married, the Empress was eager to welcome a grandchild. Not knowing when that would be, she ordered the palace craftsmen to make twelve longevity locks according to the twelve zodiac signs. I gave one to Fan Zhao’s son two years ago, and this tiger-themed one won’t be needed by you for another year."

Lady Anguo is expecting and will likely give birth in the winter. The Crown Prince had just come out of mourning for his mother and would soon have to observe at least a month of mourning for his father. His first child wouldn’t come until next year.

Xiao Zhen knelt and kowtowed to thank the Emperor, his eyes already red as he received the longevity lock from the Xingping Emperor's hands.

After kowtowing to the Emperor, Xiao Zhen bowed again to thank the Crown Prince before taking his leave.

As the Xingping Emperor imagined the child of Xiao Zhen and his wife, after a while, he said to Han Bao, "Two years ago, Lord Xiao told me that after six more years of rest and recuperation, we could attack Liang by water. What he didn't foresee was that I haven't even resolved the threats in Liangzhou and Qingzhou, and now I am about to join him in the afterlife."

Han Bao knelt on the ground, tears streaming down. "Father, don't say such things. You will live a long life!"

The Xingping Emperor shook his head. "I know my own body. There's no need for auspicious words. Tell me, after I'm gone, given five more years, can you conquer Liang?"

Han Bao didn't dare make a bold claim. "I do not have the confidence of certain victory."

The Xingping Emperor sighed. "While I’m here, Lu Sheng and Huang Qilin ensure that Liang and Ling remain cautious. Once I'm gone, the balance will shift, and their morale will rise. Unifying the world will be more difficult for you than it was for me. It could take six years, or even sixteen, twenty-six years."

"Civil officials govern the country, military officers secure the borders. In sixteen years, you’ll still be in your prime, but men like Feng Ji, Lu Gong, Qi Heng, and Xie Jian will either be too old or no longer with us. Brave generals are easier to find, but leaders like Feng Ji and Lu Gong are rare. Among the younger generation, I trust Xiao Zhen and his wife the most, followed by Luo Xiao, Zhao Zhuo, Zhao Jin, and Qiao Changshun."

"If you trust your father, treat the Xiao Family well and rely on them. With the Xiao Family's assistance, the Great Yu Dynasty will surely unify the world."

Han Bao hesitated. "Father, Xiao Zhen holds significant military power, and Qiao Changshun commands the 70,000 cavalry in Liaozhou. What if the Xiao Family has ulterior motives?"

The Xingping Emperor, had he the strength, would have scolded his son severely. But now he couldn't even muster the energy and merely asked the Crown Prince, "If you use a general, you must give him troops. Once you've given them, you must trust them. Otherwise, if today you can doubt the Xiao Family, in the future, whoever takes over their military power, will you doubt them too? Who will you be able to trust then?"

Han Bao nodded. "I understand."

The Xingping Emperor continued, "Don't always worry about generals rebelling. As long as the sovereign is wise, the generals won't risk rebelling and bearing the infamy of betraying their country. The Xiao Family is the most loyal and righteous of all the general clans. As long as you treat them with the same grace I have, they will not rebel."

Han Bao thought of what his mother had told him before she passed. She had also said not to cut off their own arms before unifying the world, but to eliminate the threat of the Xiao Family only after the world belonged to the Great Yu.

He took his father's hand and made a solemn promise.

The Xingping Emperor said, "What I worry about most is you and Fan Zhao. Fan Zhao has a fiery temper and often offends people with his words, but his loyalty to us father and son is beyond doubt. In the future, if Fan Zhao says something that offends you, just treat it as a fart and don't hold it against him. In short, remember, no matter the situation at the border, as long as Fan Zhao leads the 20,000 Imperial Guards within the city, he can defend Luoyang and ensure your peace of mind in the palace."

No one is perfect. While Fan Zhao lacks strategic foresight and temperance, his bravery is unparalleled, making him the most reliable Commander of the Imperial Guard.

Han Bao: "Father, I remember everything. Please, don’t strain yourself. You need to rest. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later."

Xingping Emperor smiled: "While I still have the strength, I want to make sure I’ve said everything that needs to be said."

"After I'm gone, if there is a war, you must discuss the deployment of troops with Lu Gong and Xiao Zhen. For other government affairs, consult the Second Chancellor, especially Wei Qi."

Each word felt like a final farewell, and Han Bao could barely hold back his tears.

---

The third day of the third month, the Shangsi Festival.

The Xingping Emperor, accompanied by the Crown Prince, the Second Chancellor, and generals like Fan Zhao, Lu Gong, and Xiao Zhen, led 5,000 cavalry on a royal procession to the Mengjin Ferry northwest of the capital.

They left at dawn but didn’t arrive until dusk.

The wild grass turned green in the spring, and both sides of the Yellow River were lush and verdant, like the vast grasslands beyond the borders.

The Xingping Emperor, radiant with energy, took a short rest before ordering his attendants to help him put on his armor. Ignoring their protests, he insisted on mounting his horse.

Fan Zhao and Lu Gong flanked the emperor on either side, with the Crown Prince and the Second Chancellor closely following, while generals like Xiao Zhen, Qi Heng, and Luo Xiao trailed slightly behind.

The Xingping Emperor rode along the riverbank, following the current upstream.

The setting sun cast a sparkling glow on the river's surface.

The emperor, holding the saddle with one hand and the reins with the other, was lost in memories of the past—of galloping across the grasslands for thousands of miles, of leading 50,000 Jizhou troops through northern Jinzhou, recruiting generals like Xiao Mu and Qi Heng, and finally, launching a three-pronged southern offensive. He remembered the fierce battles at Jiange Pass during the campaign against Liang.

Fan Zhao kept his head low, while Lu Gong’s eyes filled with tears.

The evening wind was a bit chilly. The Xingping Emperor looked around and said, "Everyone, stop here. I need some time alone."

Lu Gong stopped, and Fan Zhao followed for a bit longer before stopping helplessly.

The Xingping Emperor continued alone.

A gentle slope appeared ahead, and the horse effortlessly carried its rider up the slope, but the emperor's figure swayed a few times.

Fan Zhao spurred his horse forward, and Han Bao choked up, calling out, "Father!"

The Xingping Emperor raised his hand, signaling the others to stay back.

Finally, the Xingping Emperor reached the top of the gentle slope.

Without looking back, his gaze followed the river as it flowed westward. Seeing the red sun about to hide behind the distant mountains, the Xingping Emperor yanked the reins forcefully: "Let’s go!"

Soldiers who fell in the grasslands, Jinzhou, Hanzhong, and Jiange Pass, rise and follow me!

---

On the third month of Xingping Year 5, the emperor passed away on the southern bank of the Yellow River near northern Luoyang.