Chapter 166

Chapter 166

The Han clan was not large in number; even counting the "sons-in-law and brothers-in-law" who had followed along, they amounted to only three or four hundred people.

With Lord Prefect Han Zhang as their patron, no one dared to make trouble for the Han family, so the matters of dividing farmland and settling down were handled within a few days.

As for the remaining tasks of repairing houses and purchasing household goods, those were the clansmen's own affairs—they couldn't expect Han Zhang to handle everything.

Additionally, the matchstick workshop, the clan's source of income, could not be abandoned.

This time, with Han Zhang, the "top authority in Yunyang Prefecture," shielding them, they no longer feared that their business would be seized once it grew large. Clan Chief Han led the clansmen in rebuilding the matchstick workshop with great fanfare.

After half a month of such busy work, the Han family was finally settled, and life returned to normal.

During this period, Han Qinnian's attentiveness toward Zhou Geer, though subtle, but the look in his eyes gave him away.

The Han family were all sharp-witted people—how could they not see through a young man's budding feelings!

However, the Han family was all for it.

The reason was simple: if this match truly came to pass, the Han family would strike gold!

That was the only legitimate grandson of the Marquis of Weiyuan Estate—whether in status or wealth, he rivaled Shen Qinglan, that prized catch, and perhaps even better.

Most importantly, Zhou Geer had a good temperament and seemed like someone steady and dependable.

Such a fine young lad—so what if he liked wielding swords and spears, grew up in military camps, and had even been to the battlefield?

The Han family's tradition of marrying up—er, I mean, taking a spouse—had never cared about such things, only about connection, family standing, and whether they could run a household.

Otherwise, in an era where people typically got engaged at fourteen or fifteen, why was Han Qinnian still single at seventeen, with his grandparents and parents not batting an eye?

It all came down to waiting for Han Zhang to rise in rank, elevate the family's standing, and land a better match for their grandson!

Now that Han Qinnian had taken a liking to Shao Langzhou himself, the entire Han family was fully supportive.

Especially Han Grandpa, who knew about Han Zhang's rebellion plans—he was buzzing with excitement. This Zhou Geer came with a treasure trove of military connections!

Wow, if this match succeeded, would his eldest grandson's big plans be far off?

However.

Despite his excitement, Han Grandpa was a man who knew his limits.

He understood that you can't rush these things. His Second Brother had no head for books and no skill with a sword—a nobody trying to marry the Marquis's son, whose only selling point was the Han family's "old-school" approach—a sincere heart.

So, Han Grandpa did not meddle in the young people's romance. He only gathered Han Father, Han Mother, Second Uncle Han, Third Uncle and his wife, and the younger generation like Han Dong, and gave them a stern talking-to:

"As the saying goes: gold and jade are easy to find, but a true heart is rare. Second Brother has finally found someone he fancies; we can't be the ones to mess this up for him."

"Now that our Han family is considered an official household, watch what you say and do when you're out and about. Don't embarrass the family."

In other words: The Marquis's Son is noble, Second Brother intends to marry up, and our family has no other advantages—so we've got to win him over with sweet talk and good manners. Everyone, put on your best behavior and don't mess this up for the golden boy Second Brother has his eye on!

The Han family, having already succeeded in winning over Shen Qinglan, were old pros at this.

They all nodded in understanding: "Grandpa/Dad, don't worry, we've got this."

It's just a matter of acting sweet, obedient, and simple, right?

They were already sweet! Obedient! Simple!

The Han family had always been clear about their role in the whole marrying-up game, and they didn't see any shame in kissing up to Shao Langzhou.

A few nice words to bring home a loaded grandson-in-law/brother-in-law—what's to be embarrassed about?

When you work a job or serve in office, don't you have to suck up to the boss and higher-ups, even grovel sometimes?

Anyway, thanks to Han Grandpa's pep talks, for the Han family, marrying up was just another day at the office, and everyone was totally on board.

Thus.

Shao Langzhou, who was staying at the Han place, noticed that the Han family was not only kind and easy to get along with, but also had great family values. Even though they were farmers at heart, they were surprisingly classy in how they thought and acted.

They didn't put themselves down, and they didn't look down on anyone else either.

As Confucius said, "Orchids bloom in the deep woods, not caring if anyone sees them; gentlemen cultivate virtue, not wavering in poverty." It fit them to a T.

Most importantly, the Han family really got him!

When others found out he was a young lad who'd grown up in army camps full of men, most looked down on him, thinking he had no manners and that his virtue was compromised.

But the Han elders gave him a thumbs up, eyes full of admiration, and sincerely praised: "Zhou Geer is every bit as good as any man!"

The younger Han kids were even more starstruck: "Brother Shao, your spear skills with the red tassel are amazing! Can you teach us? Brother Shao, please teach us~"

And when they went hunting on the outskirts of town and he dragged back a bloody tiger.

Others screamed and stared at him in terror.

But the Han siblings clapped excitedly: "Brother Shao, you're incredible! You even hunted a tiger! Brother Shao, tell us how you did it!"

"Wow, Brother Shao, is there anything you can't do?"

"Brother Shao, you're so smart!"

"Brother Shao, Brother Shao."

Shao Langzhou grinned so wide his back teeth showed as he listened...

Gradually getting lost in the adoring gazes of the Han siblings.

He nearly forgot all about Han Qinnian.

Han Qinnian: Talk about backfiring!

Seeing his beloved's attention being drawn away by the younger siblings, Han Qinnian grew anxious—after all, Han Qinfeng of the second branch was already fifteen this year, not much younger than Shao Langzhou.

What if Zhou Geer took a liking to his cousin from the second branch?

That Han Qinfeng was also a handsome lad with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, tall and dashing!

So, the anxious Han Qinnian came to Han Zhang again.

"Big brother, please help me, won't you? I truly like Zhou Geer, and even more so these days."

"He's handsome, his voice is pleasant, and his martial skills are impressive—everything about him captivates my heart! I want to enlist under Old General Shao's command, to fight alongside Zhou Geer on the battlefield, husband and husband returning from war together!"

"Big brother, dear big brother, please help your little brother..."

Han Qinnian wagged his tail like a big dog.

A strapping young man was actually acting coy and coquettish!

He really had thrown all shame to the wind to win over his man.

Han Zhang found it amusing: "How old are you now? You're a grown man—how can you act like this?"

"I'm seventeen, old enough to run a household," Han Qinnian said matter-of-factly, and with pride: "So what if I'm a man? Who says a man can't act this way? Big brother, if you don't help me, I'll cry, pitch a fit, and even threaten to hang myself. I'll annoy you to death."

He was all about shameless persistence and relentless coaxing.

What could Han Zhang do?

Naturally, he had no choice but to "reluctantly" say yes.

"Alright, alright, I'll help you this time. Whether you can win over Zhou Geer is up to your own skills..."

"But let me warn you—Zhou Geer comes from a military family and grew up in camp, so he's free-spirited, but he's still a young lad. Don't act frivolously or be presumptuous with him."

After giving his younger brother careful instructions, Han Zhang wrote a letter to Old General Shao.

He wrote that they were safe, thanked Master Shao for his protection, said Master Shao could return to camp, and asked if he could send his younger brother to join the military.

Old General Shao didn't know the Han family's plans, and such a small matter naturally had no reason to refuse.

However, Old General Shao made it clear in his reply: the Han family could send someone over, but he could only guarantee that the person would not be bullied in the camp.

There would be no special treatment. If the child couldn't endure hardship, he wouldn't hesitate to send him back halfway—the army was no place for fooling around.

To this, Han Zhang was naturally all for it.

He also wanted to train his younger brother to be a trusted aide, not all show and no substance. The stricter Old General Shao was, the better!

Once the correspondence was settled,

Han Zhang personally sent off several carts of rice, flour, grain, meat, cloth, herbs, and jewelry for the young lads as gifts of thanks, sending Han Qinnian to accompany Shao Langzhou to the camp.

As they left, Shao Langzhou was a little reluctant to part.

After all, the admiration and praise from the Han family's younger siblings were too intoxicating—he was a little hooked!

But when he learned Han Qinnian was coming to camp too, joy welled up in him, and his eyes finally landed back on Han Qinnian.

If Han Qinnian would also be at the camp from now on, wouldn't they be able to see each other every day?

Thinking of seeing Han Qinnian daily in the future, training and going to war together...

Shao Langzhou couldn't help but feel giddy with excitement.

And Han Qinnian, riding his horse with a straight back, eagerly stepped forward whenever anything came up, striving to show off his best.

With the time they had spent together at the Han residence, the two had grown familiar—both were smitten, one with feelings, the other with designs.

So when they arrived at the camp—

Qianhu Hong had been waiting impatiently. When he heard Shao Langzhou was back, he rushed over to continue his scheme to seize the Weiyuan Marquis estate—and saw the two of them exchanging flirtatious glances and laughing together.

Qianhu Hong, who had long regarded the Weiyuan Marquis estate as his own, immediately lost it!

"Zhou Geer, who is this...?"

Unable to maintain his usual simple, honest facade, he suppressed his fury and stepped forward, glaring at Han Qinnian with his eyes nearly popping out of his head, his voice laced with barely concealed anger.

Where did this pretty boy come from, daring to steal his person!

And Han Qinnian, seeing the furious Qianhu Hong, immediately realized this was his love rival and was none too happy about it.

Where did this old man come from, daring to set his sights on Zhou Geer!

Their eyes met, sparks flying.

Finally, Han Qinnian, from a family with deep roots in learning, made the first move—stepping forward with a bright smile and a traditional fist-and-palm salute:

"Uncle, a pleasure! You look mighty fierce—must be a battle-hardened veteran! I'm Han Qinnian, here with my brother to join up. Hope you'll show me the ropes!"