Chapter 138: Family Banquet
There were only seven people in the main hall, seemingly chatting casually.
Soon, Xiao Yi understood Guo Wei’s intentions.
There were three problems at present: if the Tianxiong Army returned north, the heavy responsibility of guarding the Capital Region and protecting the Son of Heaven could not be completely handed over to the Imperial Guard; if the Imperial Court reduced taxes, military provisions would not be enough for all the troops of the Great Zhou; additionally, there was the worry that the various feudatories would imitate Guo Wei and seize the Emperor’s position.
The solution was not difficult to think of, but Xiao Yi had not spoken, sitting in silence.
He guessed that Guo Wei, Wang Chong, Wei Renpu, and Wang Pu already had a general plan, and discussing the details with the three young men had a hint of examination.
Since his status was not as close as Li Chongjin’s or Zhang Yongde’s, it was not appropriate to steal the spotlight.
Therefore, Xiao Yi was relaxed, noticing that during a pause in Guo Wei’s speech, there was a “tap” sound of a door opening from behind the hall, followed by rustling sounds. Then, he saw a pair of white embroidered shoes peeking out from the gap under the screen.
Everyone knew that female relatives had arrived and it was time to announce that the banquet could begin.
But the conversation was at its height, and neither Guo Wei nor anyone else moved.
“Xiao Yi, you haven’t said a word all this time, speak up.”
“Your subject practiced with the soldiers at the drill ground this morning and thought of dividing the soldiers into three ranks based on their elite status. Can the military also conduct selections, selecting elites from the troops of various feudatories to be assigned to the Imperial Guard, and then dismiss the old and weak from the Imperial Guard? In this way, there will be fewer provincial troops, but the Imperial Guard will be strong, and with less provisions and wages, we can support more elite soldiers loyal to Your Majesty…”
Xiao Yi actually knew that this method had a slight drawback: over time, the Imperial Guard would become weak from not experiencing battle for too long, and the border troops would be unable to fight, turning into a weak Song dynasty. However, even if it was an overcorrection, it had to be corrected before being guided onto the right path.
Guo Wei heard this and his expression was calm. He merely nodded slightly and said, “Bao Yi, what is your opinion?”
“Replying to Father-in-law, this humble son believes that the power of the Imperial Guard all lies with the Imperial Bodyguard Cavalry and Infantry Bureaus. If elite soldiers from all over the realm are selected for the Imperial Guard, it will be difficult to curb them if something happens. It would be better to establish another bureau to counterbalance them.”
“Chong Jin, you speak too.”
“Uncle, your nephew feels both methods are good and can be used together. Elite and fierce generals will be assigned to the Imperial Guard, and any who disobey, your nephew will beat them into submission one by one!”
“You blackie, always fighting and killing.”
Although Guo Wei scolded Li Chongjin, he then sighed slightly and asked, “After marrying Miss Ma, do you like her?”
“If Uncle wants your nephew to like her, your nephew will like her.”
“Do not mistreat her. I have chosen a courtyard house in the Capital City and bestowed it upon you. Take your wife to see it tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Uncle. Your nephew will definitely treat her well!”
“Bao Yi, after I move into Da Ning Palace, this house will be bestowed upon you and Fourth Sister.”
“Thank you, Father-in-law. This humble son will definitely guard every blade of grass and every tree here.”
Xiao Yi listened from the side, thinking to himself that Guo Wei liked obedient and steady people, and he would definitely not be able to compete with these two in that regard.
“Since we are talking about courtyard houses.” Guo Wei looked at Wang Jun again and said, “Brother Xiufeng, I bestow Su Fengji’s courtyard house upon you, how about it?”
Wang Jun shook his head, “That was originally Li Song’s residence. Su Fengji wanted to seize this house, so he exterminated Li Song’s entire family. I do not wish to be associated with it.”
“Then, between Yang Bin’s and Li Ye’s residences, which one do you, Brother Xiufeng, prefer?”
“Your Majesty is frugal, how could I live in a large house?”
“What does it have to do with frugality? You meritorious officials should have courtyard houses to live in when you are in the Capital.”
Xiao Yi’s mind wandered. Looking again at the gap under the screen, he saw a corner of a blouse and skirt revealed below, clearly made of cotton cloth based on the material.
“Young man, you’re sitting there like an old immortal.” Guo Wei tossed a map over, saying, “Since you’ve offered thirty qing of imperial land, you can choose one too.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Yi took the map and opened it. It roughly depicted the various wards of Kaifeng, marking the residences of the guilty officials and stating how many courtyards each had. Yang Bin’s and Wang Zhang’s relatives had all died, and their residences were also vacant, but Li Song’s was not marked.
He imagined that Wang Jun would definitely want Li Song’s large mansion.
After looking, he thought Hou Kuangzan’s residence was quite good; although not large in area, its location was excellent; Nie Wenjin’s was also good, large in area, and he could presumably practice martial arts at home.
However, deep down, he wanted Li Song’s former residence the most.
While he was considering, he suddenly smelled a faint fragrance, neither incense nor the scent of flowers. Looking up, he saw Guo Xin had arrived at some point.
She still wore her double-ring hair buns, adorned with two cloth strips, adding a touch of prettiness.
Her cotton cloth blouse and skirt were very modest, like a fairy from a lotus.
Seeing him look up, she glared at him with some displeasure, then smiled and casually pointed at the map.
“Choose this one. If you choose quickly, we can start the banquet.”
Xiao Yi’s gaze followed, and her beautiful, slender index finger was pointing at Li Song’s former residence.
He was also not polite and said to Guo Wei, “This subject once received kindness from Duke Li…”
“It is bestowed upon you.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
Guo Wei suddenly became displeased, his face stiffened, and he stood up, saying, “Let the banquet begin.”
Guo Xin let out a soft “hmph,” secretly waved her fist at Xiao Yi, and then ran over to support Guo Wei.
“Father, when I move into the palace, will you have those three help me move?”
Xiao Yi deliberately lagged behind.
As he got up, he saw Li Chongjin still standing there, lost in thought.
“Brother Chong Jin?”
“It’s that piece of cotton cloth.”
“Brother Chong Jin, now that you are married, why do you still care about this matter?”
“That is also my most cherished sister, and she must not be coveted by those with ulterior motives.”
“It was a misunderstanding. The cotton cloth was given by me, but I had no other intentions.”
“Is that so?” Li Chongjin was taken aback and said, “Then I will ask Wu Niang about it later…”
“There’s no need to ask. By the way, since Your Majesty plans to establish another bureau besides the Imperial Bodyguard Cavalry and Infantry Bureaus, who do you think should lead it, Brother Chong Jin?”
“No matter who leads it, I will have no complaints.”
Xiao Yi had a vague feeling that he would probably have to practice martial arts diligently recently, otherwise, if a fight broke out, he might not be able to defeat Li Chongjin.
The banquet began, and they were still the seven of them, eating at separate tables, continuing to discuss military systems.
The dishes were also crude, such as millet rice and roasted lamb, only slightly better than the military rations, which showed that Guo Wei intended to adopt a path of diligent governance and frugality.
During the meal, Guo Wei went to change, and Xiao Yi also got up to relieve himself.
As soon as he left the small flower hall, he saw a small snowball thrown towards him.
He originally intended to dodge it, but then changed his mind, lowered his head, and took the hit on his head.
Not far away, Guo Xin was standing there, patting the snow off her hands and muttering, “You’re much slower than before.”
“I ate too much.”
“There wasn’t much good to eat.” Guo Xin said, “The food on the streets tastes much better. My father wants to be frugal, so you’ll bring me delicious food from now on, okay? You owe me money.”
“Alright.”
“I know why you don’t dare to see me.”
“Because I owe you money?”
“Nonsense.”
After saying that, Guo Xin quickly looked around, then whispered, “Because they are discussing marriage for us, right? How annoying.”
“You know too?”
“Mm, I already scolded Father and told him not to keep thinking about arranging marriages.”
“That’s a crime of insubordination.”
“I’m not afraid of that. Just now, Fourth Sister and Sister-in-law were saying that you seem less steady than Brother-in-law or Cousin. Hmph, who wants to marry you.”
Thus, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.
The two naturally walked side by side, passing through the corridor.
Xiao Yi said, “I really can’t compare to Brother Bao Yi or Brother Chong Jin.”
“Those two are so boring, I hate talking to them the most.” Guo Xin realized she had said too much and covered her mouth with her hand, asking, “In short, don’t ruin the camaraderie between us, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Then you’ll still come to play with me?”
“Mm.”
“You’re lying, I think I’ll have to wait for Third Brother to come back.”
“When Guo Xin returns, I’ll treat you to an expensive meal.”
“Then I’ll write to Third Brother… Huh? Why are you standing there?”
“I’m going to change over there.”
“I’ll go this way. By the way, will you escort me and Father into the palace tomorrow?”
“Yes, Princess Your Highness.”
Guo Xin’s cheerful personality made Xiao Yi feel much more at ease.
It made sense, they were both still underage and didn’t understand romantic feelings.
The next day, while escorting her into the palace, she asked Xiao Yi about his relationship with An Yuanzhen in front of Li Chongjin.
“I heard that you were dismissed from your post because of Miss An, is that true?”
“It wasn’t Miss An, it was a palace female official.”
“Or rather, they say you were involved with the former Empress, that sounds interesting. Was Miss An prettier or was the female official prettier?”
“Each had their own merits.”
“Let me teach you, next time if you’re afraid you can’t resist female charms, shave off their eyebrows.”
Xiao Yi rode his horse beside the carriage. Before he could reply, Li Chongjin suddenly laughed from behind him.
“Haha, Fifth Sister is truly intelligent.”
“Not bad.”
“Xiao Lang, you really are something, so easily tempted by female charms. Look at me, I never flirt around.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi saw that Li Chongjin was much more cheerful and thought that this conflict would likely not erupt for the time being.
Upon entering the palace, they were led by a Shanggong female official to select palace halls for Guo Xin.
Passing by a long corridor, Xiao Yi saw Zhang Wan peeking from behind a pillar, watching them. The beauty’s posture was graceful, exuding a quiet elegance, her expression gentle as if waiting for her husband.
He stopped, deliberately lingered at the back, and went over.
“Young Master.”
“His Majesty has agreed, I will take you out of the palace today.”
“Yes, Young Master, your servant has already packed.”
“Wait for me at the Zhi Gate.”
Xiao Yi knew it was not appropriate to bring Zhang Wan back to the Two Corridors Guard Room. Since Li Song’s former residence had already been bestowed upon him, it was perfect for her to reside there.
After settling this, he turned back and saw Guo Xin also stop and look over, seemingly wronged, pouting her lips and beckoning.
Xiao Yi went over, but Guo Xin ignored him and looked at Zhang Wan, praising, “You are so beautiful.”
“Princess.”
“I’ve just arrived in the Imperial Palace, it’s too desolate here. Will you accompany me for the next two days, please?”
“This…”
“Just two days, you don’t need to do anything, just play doubles with me and chat to pass the time.”
Guo Xin turned to Xiao Yi and said, “I’m not delaying your meeting. If you want to see her, then go see her.”
Xiao Yi wasn’t worried that Zhang Wan would reveal secrets, but he felt a hint of jealousy in Guo Xin’s gaze, and was slightly taken aback.
She had clearly been naive the night before.
Guo Xin let out a soft “hmph,” then took Zhang Wan’s hand and left, her skirt fluttering, leaving behind only a wisp of fragrance.
…
After completing this task, Xiao Yi had a premonition that his position as Commander of the Inner Palace Guard was coming to an end.
The successor should be Zhang Yongde.
As expected, as soon as he returned to the Two Corridors Guard Room, he saw a eunuch arrive to deliver an imperial decree—
“Now that a new dynasty is established and military preparations are being rectified, it is imperative to strictly organize the troops to enhance their might. Henceforth, the ‘Tianxiong Army Left Wing Cavalry Twentieth Command’ shall be changed to the ‘Palace Army Left Wing Iron Cavalry First Army First Command.’ From the date of this decree, all military insignia, banners, registers, and documents shall be altered, and it shall be under the jurisdiction of the Dianqian Division. Within one month, select elites to replenish the troop numbers…”
Xiao Yi did not receive any new assignment.
However, the only assignment he had left had undergone a drastic change.
