You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 58 General Liu
Yanzhou Mansion, an alley.

Chen Shao stood under the wall that cut off the whitewash, staring blankly at the spring rain falling all around him.

As the saying goes, spring rain is as precious as oil, but that was during peacetime when people waited for the spring rain to nourish the earth in hopes of a bountiful harvest the following year.

Now is the time for me to transport the stockpiled supplies to the front lines in Yokoyama.

Although Tong Guan promised to supply him with enough resources for an army of 10,000 for half a year, he was allowed to stay at Hengshan.

But who knows if Tong Guan might suddenly change his mind? It's safest to get it first.

Just as he was lost in thought, a few people came from one end of the alley. The one in the lead called out from afar, "Brother Shao, what are you daydreaming about in the rain?"

Knowing who it was just by the voice, Chen Shao turned around and asked, "Brother, how have you been lately?"

Behind him, Liu Guanglie nodded to Chen Shao; their relationship didn't require any greetings.

There were two others, slightly older, Xie Ning and Zhang Ge, who were both scribes under Tong Guan in charge of the armory and supplies.

They were all from the same hometown as Tong Guan.

Yang Keshi repeatedly agreed, and said with a smile, "With you here, Commander Xuan is in a better mood, and we brothers are also more comfortable."

Tong Guan actually treated his subordinates quite well, and he genuinely gave them benefits, but he also had very strict requirements for military discipline.

If he could be so strict with himself, even if he wasn't a famous general, he would still be a good one.

Unfortunately, he was all bark and no bite; when real danger struck, he was the first to drop his load and run away.

After fighting for decades, he ultimately suffered complete disgrace and ruin.

No amount of scolding is too much!
Yang Keshi laughed heartily, pulled Chen Shao a few steps, and came to a side gate. He raised his hand and knocked on the gate, explaining to Chen Shao, "The war at the front is intense. It would be bad for our reputation if we went to brothels all the time. Today, General Liu is hosting a banquet here, which will make it easier for us to visit each other."

Liu Guanglie nodded.

The "Little General Liu" that Yang Keshi mentioned was actually his elder brother, Liu Guangshi. Although he was called the elder brother, in this kind of family, his status was completely different from that of Liu Guangshi.

Liu Guanglie was considered a relatively important servant in his elder brother's household.
Chen Shao already knew that Liu Guangshi was hosting the banquet today, saying that he wanted to get to know him.

The side gate opened, and a pretty young maidservant, still bearing the innocence of childhood, stepped out. "Gentlemen, you have arrived. Please come in."

Yang Keshi stepped in, "Zhui'er, where is General Liu?"

"My master has already prepared a banquet at the waterside pavilion, just waiting for you gentlemen to take your seats," the maid named Zhuier replied crisply.

"Come, come, let's not keep Shunqing waiting." Yang Keshi called to his friends, and the group filed in.

This place, like the prostitutes Liu Guanglie kept in Fuzhou, was where Liu Guangshi kept his canaries. Given his status and position, the canaries he kept were naturally of a higher class than those of Liu Guanglie.

Li Guiniang, whom Liu Guanglie supported, even had to take in other customers to make a living when he was away.

Upon arriving at the residence, a man with fair skin, appearing to be in his thirties, wearing a soft hat, a brocade robe, and a jade belt, with only a simple jade pendant hanging from his belt, came into view.

"Come, come, this must be Chen Shao? Truly a young hero!" Liu Guangshi shook Chen Shao's hand and said with a smile, "Speaking of which, we are relatives."

"Though I dare not claim patronage, I have long admired General Liu!"

"What do you mean by 'Little Liu'? We're all brothers, just call me elder brother."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony with you, brother."

Liu Guangshi laughed heartily, "That's exactly right, please take a seat!"

More than a dozen dishes were already laid out on the round table, and several pots of wine were warming on the clay stove next to it. The room was clean, elegant, quiet and secluded, making it a truly good place to eat.

A beautiful woman sat beside Liu Guangshi, her face radiant with a smile as warm as spring. Her fingers, white as peeled scallions, held the wine pot, and her movements as she poured the wine were gentle and elegant. Having such a woman serving him made one's appetite increase. With Liu Guangshi present, Liu Guanglie became somewhat silent, a testament to the absolute dominance of the eldest son over the son of a concubine in a large family.

He used to be very active, especially in situations like this.

Xie Ning leered at the beauty beside Liu Guangshi and laughed, "Brother Shao, you may not know, but this girl is no ordinary person. She is Du Lianqing, the most beautiful woman in Yan'an Prefecture. I was wondering why Miss Qingqing suddenly disappeared. It turns out that you, General Liu, have kept her hidden away like a mistress."

Liu Guangshi's face showed a smug look.

That's just how things were in those days; beautiful maids and concubines were things that could be shown off.

Those who are close can even host banquets for each other or simply give each other gifts.

Liu Guanglie had invited Chen Shao several times before to share a prostitute, but Chen Shao was similar to Song Jiang at that time, not interested in such things, but rather in practicing with spears and sticks to strengthen his body.

That's why I didn't become like-minded with my cousin.

Liang Shicheng, who now wields immense power, is Su Shi's son. His mother was Su Shi's concubine, and after she became pregnant, Su Shi sent her away.

Liang Shicheng also acknowledged his scumbag father, and would give any amount of money that a descendant of the Su family asked for.

"Qingqing, this is Shaoge'er. He's the one who recently defeated the Xia bandits in Hengshan. Quickly offer him a toast."

"Brother Shao, your fighting on the front lines is truly admirable. I would like to offer you a toast first," Du Lianqing said softly, without any affectation, covering her mouth with her red sleeve as she drank the wine.

Chen Shao couldn't refuse, so he drank the wine she poured in one gulp and praised, "Thank you, Miss Qingqing, this is truly fine wine."

"Brother Shao, you flatter me." The woman bowed slightly, her demeanor graceful and poised.

Xie Ning then laughed and said, "Miss Qingqing's dancing skills are truly exceptional. General Liu, how about showing Shao-ge'er your skills later, so we can also enjoy the spectacle?"

"What's the big deal? We'll show them in a bit."

Du Lianqing nodded with just the right amount of shyness.

Liu Guanglie stood to the side, secretly sneering to himself, thinking that Shao-ge'er still wanted to broaden his horizons like this.

The best dancer in the Song Dynasty might be right in his backyard.

In his opinion, Li Shishi not only surpassed Du Lianqing in appearance, but her voice alone was on a completely different level.

My cousin is really lucky with women.
Since it was Chen Shao's first time meeting Liu Guangshi, he didn't want to ask about Tong Guan directly. Fortunately, Xie Ning and Zhang Ge had a few drinks together, so Chen Shao started talking first.

They recounted in detail the recent news that Tong Guan was about to accept peace talks with the Western Xia.

Chen Shao was immediately amused.
"Peace?"

He sneered inwardly, wondering what the person was thinking.

The Western Xia was like a thorn in your side. If you were to go out to fight, instead of removing the thorn, you were thinking of covering it up with a cloth.

Who can you fool?
After the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty went to war, it would be strange if the Western Xia did not take the opportunity to invade.

It should be noted that the current Empress of Western Xia is a member of the Liao imperial family, Princess Cheng'an of the Liao Dynasty, Yelü Nanxian.

"Once the Xia traitor submits to the court, Shao-ge'er, you'll be relieved."

Chen Shao smiled and said, "I don't think it's that simple. The Xia bandits fear power but not virtue. I predict they will definitely cross Hengshan. I'm preparing for another fierce battle these next few days."

Xie Ning frowned and said, "Why do we still want to fight? What if something bad happens?"

(End of this chapter)