Farmers of Shu Han

Chapter 1446: National Affairs, Family Affairs, and World Affairs

The willow breeze is gentle on the face.

Despite the clear blue sky, Feng Da Sima still felt a bit chilly.

He glanced back quietly, then looked at the location of the soldiers' families in front.

The spring breeze carried the whispered conversation between Grand Marshal Feng and the Emperor of Han:
"Your Majesty, is there a victory celebration banquet in the palace later?"

"That's a must." Fatty Liu nodded repeatedly. "We can't let the soldiers suffer at the expense of anyone else."

"Not only were banquets arranged in the palace, but tents were also set up outside Chang'an City to provide a continuous feast for the soldiers. There might not be enough wine, but the barbarian rice and meat would definitely be plentiful."

Grand Marshal Feng gave a thumbs up: "Your Majesty is so magnanimous!"

Liu Shan chuckled: "It wasn't all money and grain provided by the Imperial Treasury; the elders and gentry of Guanzhong also contributed a considerable amount."

The war in Hebei consumed a great deal of money and grain. In addition, the government also had to support spring plowing and production recovery in Yanzhou and other parts of Hebei, leaving the treasury somewhat empty.

Fortunately, the emperor still had some money left in his private treasury.

Having recovered three prefectures in a single battle, and with the prospect of the Han dynasty's revival seemingly within reach, Fatty Liu, in his excitement, generously emptied his entire savings treasury.

Everyone thought, "How can we let His Majesty monopolize the credit for rewarding the victorious soldiers?"
The Xinghan Society was the second to contribute money and grain.

The number one gang in the Han Dynasty has set a good example. Which gang that still wants to survive in Chang'an would dare to be so ungrateful?
Chang'an is the capital city. No matter where you are in the country, which family that wants to make progress doesn't have a base in Chang'an?

The Han Dynasty no longer prohibits drinking, but in Guanzhong, if one wants to brew wine, one must buy yeast from the government.

Yeast is not cheap, and even if you have money, you may not be able to buy it.

Therefore, soldiers eating at the banquet might have a chance to drink a few sips and taste the wine, but it was impossible for them to drink to their heart's content.

But with good things like rice and meat, you can definitely fill your stomach.

Although it cost a lot, Fatty Liu secretly checked the accounts when he returned to the palace, and lo and behold, the inner treasury still had money left over. It can only be said that the gloves from the Xinghan Society were really useful.

Compared to the boisterous shouting, hearty eating, clapping bowls and singing, and sumo wrestling for amusement in the sheds outside the city, the banquets in the palace seemed much more sophisticated.

Not only was there fine wine, but there were also special palace music and dances, with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments never ceasing.

Feng Da Sima had been fighting on the frontier for over a year, enduring hardships and exhaustion. Now, upon returning to Chang'an, with fine wine in his mouth and beautiful women before him, he was overwhelmed with pleasure and lost control of himself, becoming completely drunk.

Fatty Liu was very considerate and quickly had someone help him to a palace to rest.

As night fell, the banquet finally ended, and everyone left. Grand Marshal Feng, like a dead pig, was still snoring and sleeping soundly.

The emperor couldn't bear to wake him, so he sent someone to inform the Grand Marshal's residence that the Grand Marshal would be sleeping in the palace tonight, and that the emperor wanted to sleep with the Grand Marshal.

After all the palace servants had retreated to the doorway, Grand Marshal Feng turned over, his eyes slightly narrowed. Seeing that Fatty Liu was still standing before the couch, he hurriedly sat up.
"No, Your Majesty, are you really going to sleep with me?"

Although no one dared to force the emperor to drink at the banquet, it was obvious that Fatty Liu was also somewhat drunk.

He sat down on the couch and asked with a smile:

"is it not OK?"

Of course not!
Grand Marshal Feng chuckled twice:

“Your Majesty can sleep wherever you want in this palace, how could I dare to object? It’s just that I’m a rather noisy sleeper, and I’m afraid I might disturb Your Majesty at night.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan pointed at Grand Marshal Feng and smiled: "Clever words and a flattering appearance!"

"Fine, I know you don't like sleeping in the same bed with others, so I won't force you. Besides, the Empress is waiting outside, and I'm going back to Gui Palace with her tonight."

A victory celebration banquet is being held in the palace today, and the Empress will definitely be there.

It's so late, and the Emperor and Empress still want to return to Gui Palace together. It seems that the Empress really has a unique way of managing her husband.

Grand Marshal Feng looked towards the door: "Has everyone else left?"

A Dou understood the unspoken meaning in Grand Marshal Feng's words:
"Don't worry, General Guan left the banquet and the palace shortly after you got drunk. The palace gates are now locked, and no one will come looking for you to return home."

General Guan was always aloof and rarely interacted with others.

Let alone outsiders, even members of the Guan family rarely see their fourth uncle even once a year.

Therefore, as long as the emperor had no objection, no one would find it strange that he left the banquet early.

"That's good."

Seeing his brother-in-law's relieved expression, Emperor Liu couldn't help but tease, "General Feng, are you also afraid of women?"

Feng Lianjin retorted sarcastically, "Your Majesty is not afraid? Then let the Empress return to Gui Palace alone, and Your Majesty will sleep in Weiyang Palace tonight?"

The emperor silently patted his forehead.

I've had a bit too much to drink, how could I have forgotten who I just called a smooth talker?

"You can hide for a while, but can you hide forever?"

Mr. Feng yawned:

"There's no need to hide forever, just get through tonight. My two wives are no ordinary people; they don't drag their feet, they're very quick."

"What you're saying sounds like your wife wants to chop someone up and throw them into a well?"

Mr. Feng yawned again, looking somewhat sleepy.
"Your Majesty is overthinking it. She is, after all, a concubine registered by the court. How could my lady not know what is important?"

"Alright," A Dou stood up, "Anyway, you can stay if you want. You don't need to attend court tomorrow, so I won't come over. You can leave the palace whenever you want."

"If you're hungry tomorrow morning, just tell the people outside. I've already told them."

"Okay, thank you Your Majesty."

A Dou didn't wave his hand, but turned and left.

After seeing A Dou out the door and politely greeting the Empress, Grand Marshal Feng turned back to his bed to continue sleeping.

I rode all the way from Luoyang back to Chang'an, and it was still chilly in early spring. It would be a lie to say I wasn't tired.

I don't want to go home tonight; I just don't want to be even more tired.
-
Compared to the harmonious atmosphere between Feng and A Dou in the palace, the atmosphere in the Grand Marshal's residence was much more chilling.

It wasn't until Madam Zuo returned to the Grand Marshal's residence that Yang Huiyu learned that Guan Yihu, the renowned fourth son of the Guan family and Grand Marshal Feng's top henchman, was actually one of her future mistresses.

"This concubine...serves tea to the lady."

Although Yang Huiyu's face was respectful, her fingers holding the tea were trembling slightly, and the ripples in the pre-Qingming tea in the cup revealed the unease in her heart.

Madam Zuo did not accept the teacup.

Sitting upright like a golden knife, straight as a sword, even though she had regained her female identity, the murderous aura on Lady Zuo was no less than when she was wearing her crown.

Although Yang Huiyu was a woman from a prominent family and had considerable experience, the Yang family's upbringing for women had never taught her how to face a female general who had killed countless people.

Unfortunately, this female general was also his mistress.

What mistress of a household would carry a horse-slaying sword with her when she returns to her own residence?

"The Taishan clan..."

As she uttered these words, Madam Zuo's fingertips gently traced the blade, and finally, her thumb flicked it slightly.

"Qiang!"

The half-exposed blade gleamed brightly, reflecting the candlelight, which, by sheer coincidence, landed on Yang Huiyu's eyes.

"I am terrified..." Yang Huiyu lowered her head even further, exposing the back of her neck to the other person's view.

Although she tried to calm herself down, she could still feel a chill, like a knife blade, constantly moving along the back of her neck.

If she had known beforehand that the Grand Marshal's household had such a ruthless matriarch, she would never have dared to agree to enter the mansion so easily.

A concubine is still a concubine.

Especially when facing such a mistress, the status of a concubine cannot give her even the slightest sense of security.

Just as she was lost in thought, the tea tray was suddenly pulled away.

As Madam Zuo's black sleeves fluttered, Yang Huiyu's wrist was suddenly empty.

When I looked up again, the lady was tilting her head back and drinking tea.

After finishing her drink, Madam Zuo tossed the empty cup back into the dish, the porcelain bottom striking the cup with a clear, melodious sound.

"Now that you have entered the Feng family mansion, you should be prepared to endure hardship and adversity. The bamboo of Mount Tai has its own joints, so do not imitate the willow catkins of the Ba River, which dance in the wind."

Upon hearing his wife speak, Yang Huiyu almost wept with joy:

"Though I am but grass and wood, how could I forget the heart of pine and cypress? In the past, when I was still waiting to be married, I recited the 'Admonitions for Women' every day without fail."

General Guan nodded slightly: "Very good, you may leave now."

"Here."

Watching Yang Huiyu gracefully disappear through the doorway, the Right Lady, who was sitting on either side of General Guan, finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:
"When my sister looked like that just now, I thought she really had murderous intent."

General Guan glanced indifferently at Madam Right:
"Even if I kill her, I can just say to the outside world that she offended me. What can the court do to me? What can the Yang family do to me?"

At worst, they could be fined a few years' salary, and Madam Yang might even have to come and apologize, and send another legitimate daughter over.

General Guan had the confidence to say that.

Of course, given her personality, she wouldn't usually do that.

After all, she was no longer the Guan San Niang who fought her way back to Shu from Jingzhou, but the matriarch of the Feng family.

Her child is already of marriageable age.

"Yes, yes, what my elder sister says is true."

General Guan had just returned from outside, and his aura of conquest and killing intent was very strong.

Even the Right Lady wouldn't dare to joke too much.

Although she lowered her stance, it was clear that Madam Zuo was not going to let her off so easily.

"The matter concerning the Yang family is of little importance, but you are the mistress of the Feng household. While my husband and I are away from Chang'an, you are in charge of all matters in the household."

"But if His Majesty hadn't informed us, Ah Lang and I would probably still be completely unaware of the Yang family's affairs even after arriving in Luoyang. Shouldn't you give me a reason?"

The Grand Marshal was renowned throughout the land and held immense power in the court, yet he never had more than four wives and concubines in his household.

Even if we add one more who can't be brought to light, it's still only five.

That would be bad enough, but the household doesn't even have a single maid.

This is quite controversial.

Over the years, the two wives have endured countless injustices and accusations.

With the addition of Lady Yang, the quota of concubines allocated to the Feng family by the imperial court was finally filled, which was a relief for Lady Zuo.

But she could not tolerate the right lady's unauthorized actions.

I, the Left Lady, am not even dead yet, and you dare to make decisions about the inner quarters without consulting me?

Seeing that the left lady didn't seem to be joking, the right lady quickly lowered her voice and said:

“Sister, how could I dare to make such a decision on my own? It was only because you agreed that I allowed her into the mansion. If you hadn’t replied from Luoyang, I wouldn’t have dared to let her into this backyard so casually.”

"And what about before Luoyang?" General Guan said coldly, "Between Chang'an and Yecheng, news travels back and forth every three days. You can't even come up with a single word about this 'happy event'?"

"Or do you think," General Guan's hand once again touched his broadsword, "that this blade of mine can cut down Xianbei cavalry and slay the traitors of the false Wei, but it can't sever these private schemes in the inner quarters?"

"Sister, sister, please don't do this. Let's talk this out." Zhang Xingyi pressed her delicate hand on General Guan's hand and knelt down. "Let me explain."

Looking at the Right Lady kneeling before him, General Guan's voice remained completely calm: "Speak, I'm listening."

"My sister does have some selfish motives regarding the Yang family matter, but it's not entirely selfish. The court, the palace, and even my husband all need the Yang family's help in Shandong."

"I was just doing this as the trend was taking place. In fact, I really wanted to win over the Yang family."

General Guan asked calmly, "What's the reason?"

“Achong will definitely inherit Alang’s title in the future, and Ashun (the third son of Lady Zuo) has your title waiting for him. In addition, with the help of Achong and Shuangshuang, he will definitely not be shortchanged.”

“Amei is a teacher at the academy. He has inherited the true knowledge of Alang’s school and is also in charge of the imperial court’s craft secrets. Anan (Amei’s son) is far superior to others in the study of things and will surely be highly valued by the imperial court in the future.”

"And even if he doesn't like it here, he can go to the south, or even go to Jiaozhi with Guan Sheng (Hua Man's son)."

"As for Abu (Li Mu's son), there's no need to say more. Liangzhou, Jiuyuan, Bingzhou, and possibly Youzhou in the future, all the wool workshops in these places, Li Mu can decide their lives or their deaths with a single word."

"Only Amo (the Right Lady's son), although he was granted a title early on, it was merely compensation given to him for cutting off his path to inheriting the Feng family's title. In the future, he will not be as good as his elder brother in the household, and he will have no property to rely on outside."

"He's reached the age of settling down and starting a family. He's not as learned as Ah Chong, nor as skilled in martial arts as Shuang Shuang. He's just an ordinary person."

“As his mother, if I don’t help him build up some wealth, he will suffer in the future.”

Upon hearing this, General Guan remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "The cotton fields of Shandong?"

"Correct."

The right lady answered in a low voice, then added:
"Yang Shuzi, the younger brother of the Yang family, is well-known in Shandong. He has only been in Chang'an for a few years, but he has already won the praise of many. In the past two years, he and A-Chong have become quite close..."

General Guan's expression shifted, then he fell silent for a moment:
"With such a large estate, Ah Lang has long said he would not show favoritism, so why do you need to worry?"

The right lady smiled wryly:
"As a mother, I always want my child to have a better life. Besides, Ah Lang once said, nothing beats having it yourself."

“Alang is famous throughout the land. If Amo, as his son, only relies on the family for food in the future and does nothing, he will inevitably be ridiculed as a tiger father and a dog son.”

At this point, she whispered again:

“Sister, for so many years, we have been gossiped about behind our backs and called jealous women. Do you really feel good about it? I don’t want Ah Mo to suffer like that in the future.”

General Guan gently placed the knife on the table and sighed.

"Fine. Since that's how you think, then let's consider this matter over. For Amo's sake, I won't blame you, but this is a one-time exception."

Upon hearing this, Lady Right immediately beamed with joy, stood up, and leaned against General Guan.
"I knew my sister wouldn't blame me. I heard there was a guy named Wang Jun who did pretty well in the battle in Hebei?"

General Guan glanced at her but did not push her away.

The Wang Jun mentioned by the Right Lady was from the Hongnong Wang clan.

Of course, this is not the point.

The key point is that this person was recommended by Young Master Feng, A-Chong. (Chapter 1367)
The children already have their own ideas, so what's wrong with a mother helping them out?
"Ah Lang, why aren't you home yet, it's so late?"

"He probably won't be coming back." General Guan stood up. "With unrest in the rear, what would he do back home?"

The fact that I'm not coming back tonight means that I'll leave the matter in the backyard to General Guan to decide.

Lady Zuo was quite satisfied with the Grand Marshal's attitude.

“Then I’ll sleep with you tonight, sister? You’ve been gone for so long, there are so many things I need to talk to you about.”

“The four of us are all busy with our own things, and sometimes we neglect Ah Lang. It’s good that Yang Shi has come in; she can spend more time with Ah Lang.”

"What my elder sister said is true..."