"Wuji, come quickly, come and greet the Grand Marshal."
After Hong Wuji arrived at Hong Mingyuan's residence, Hong Mingyuan called out to him.
"Nephew greets Grand Uncle!" As Hong Mingyuan and Grand Marshal Xia, Lu Qiyue, were close friends, Hong Wuji paid his respects to Lu Qiyue as a junior.
"Supervisor Hong, you need not be so formal." Lu Qiyue gently supported Hong Wuji and smiled, "Supervisor Hong is young and promising, like a roc soaring with the wind. This old man dares not be your elder."
"Grand Uncle is my father's close friend, naturally he is also my elder." Hong Wuji also smiled.
"Hehe..." The three gathered happily. Hong Mingyuan also smiled and asked Lu Qiyue, "What do you think of this young man?"
"A talent like a roc!" Lu Qiyue did not spare his praise.
In truth, Hong Wuji had an ordinary appearance and was somewhat frail. However, in the Great Xia Kingdom, people valued family background and talent. As for appearance, as long as one was not too ugly and presentable, it was acceptable.
"Hehe..." Hong Mingyuan smiled and then said to Hong Wuji, "Your father, Biru, unfortunately died at the hands of the barbarians. As your uncle, I should consider your marriage. Duke Lu's legitimate daughter is virtuous and gentle, a perfect match for you. What do you think?"
For noble families to expand their influence or consolidate their status, marriage alliances were an important means.
"Nephew's family has suffered misfortune; there is no one left at home. Everything will be decided by my uncle." Hong Wuji replied after a moment's hesitation.
In truth, Hong Wuji still longed for Murong Huiying, whom he had only met once. However, Murong Huiying was like an unattainable dream to Hong Wuji.
Hong Wuji, of course, did not know the appearance or character of Duke Lu's daughter. But what did it matter? Even if Duke Lu's daughter were a sow, Hong Wuji would have married her without hesitation at this moment.
...
"Your subordinates bid farewell to Old General Zhang!"
Where there was joy, there was sorrow. Just as Hong Mingyuan and others were busy arranging Hong Wuji's wedding, Zhang Huchen, the Grand General protecting the state and Commander-in-Chief of the expeditionary forces of Great Xia, was again expelled from the capital and the central court of the Xia dynasty. Min Wuyan and other generals saw him off at the ten-mile pavilion outside Jiankang City.
Zhang Huchen advocated for war and dedicated himself to recovering the lost territories of Xia. However, at this time, the peace faction held sway in the court. Emperor Yang Liang of Xia, in order to consolidate his throne, was wholeheartedly seeking peace. Therefore, how could the Xia court tolerate Zhang Huchen at this time? Thus, Emperor Yang Liang promoted Zhang Huchen but stripped him of his military command and ordered him to retire and return home.
"Commander of Chariots, come here for a moment. I have a few words to say." Zhou Huchen, along with his disciples, former officials, and retainers, saw him off at the ten-mile pavilion. Just as they were about to part, Zhou Huchen suddenly called Min Wuyan, the Commander of Chariots, to his side.
After the "Battle of Niuzhu," Min Wuyan led his troops in several more battles against the Yan army, achieving many great merits. Therefore, Zhou Huchen recommended Min Wuyan as the Commander of Chariots of Xia.
In this world, many people accumulated merits but did not receive promotions. Thus, Zhou Huchen could be considered Min Wuyan's patron.
"Old General..." Min Wuyan clasped his hands.
"What is your opinion of the current situation?" Zhou Huchen asked Min Wuyan.
"Old General..." Min Wuyan said indignantly, "Yan has just been defeated, our army has won a great victory, and our morale is high. Therefore, we should take advantage of the enemy's unstable position and advance north with our army. Then, with one concerted effort, the Central Plains can be recovered! But the court... the court... alas..."
"What do you think of the matters in the court?" Zhou Huchen nodded and asked again.
"Matters in the court?" Min Wuyan replied, "I only know how to lead troops in battle. I cannot concern myself with other affairs."
"Hmm..." Zhou Huchen nodded and said, "You are resolute, brave, and loyal to the country, but you must be cautious in your words and deeds, and guard against the schemes of villains."
Be cautious in words and deeds, and guard against the schemes of villains? Min Wuyan was stunned and stared blankly at Zhou Huchen.
...
"Brother Min, why are you here?"
The person Hong Wuji feared most in his life was Min Wuyan. Today, when Min Wuyan came to his door, he couldn't help but feel a little scared, but he asked calmly, "Why? Does my dear brother not wish to see me?" Min Wuyan vaguely felt that Hong Wuji was intentionally avoiding him, so he asked.
"Hehe, Brother Min is joking." Hong Wuji smiled awkwardly and said, "I owe my life to my brother's rescue; otherwise, I would not be here today. The campaigns in Lianghuai were the happiest days of my life."
"Hmm..." Min Wuyan nodded and said, "It is the same for me. Brother Liang was a jovial person, always happy, but after several major battles, he never smiled again. Dingyi was resourceful and intelligent. If he had survived, his future would have been extraordinary, but alas... it is not easy for the remaining brothers to survive. Dear brother, I haven't congratulated you yet."
"What is there to congratulate?" Hong Wuji asked, feigning ignorance.
"First, your rise from obscurity; second, I heard you are engaged. These are two joyous occasions!" Min Wuyan replied, "I wonder which family's young lady it is?"
"Congratulations, congratulations! It is the second daughter of Grand Marshal Lu. Brother Min, this is not me climbing the dragon and clinging to the phoenix; it was arranged by my uncle." Hong Wuji smiled and said, "Has Brother Min also been promoted to Commander of Chariots? I congratulate Brother Min as well."
"Hmm, promotion and wealth, becoming a marquis and a general, bringing glory to one's ancestors – this is what everyone desires!" Min Wuyan nodded. "But whenever I think of my fallen brothers, my heart is filled with grief. Dear brother, don't forget why they died."
"Brother Min, what do you mean by that?" Hong Wuji asked displeasedly.
"My brothers died fighting the barbarians and recovering our lost territories, but you became a Minister of Assembly and sued for peace with Yan. If my brothers knew in the underworld, they would surely be disheartened and sorrowful."
"Brother Min, this is a matter of state and military importance, the Emperor's will. It is not up to you or me." Hong Wuji said displeasedly.
"Hmph, don't you want to avenge your family?" Min Wuyan snorted and then asked.
"I said it is the Emperor's will. I am merely carrying out orders." Hong Wuji retorted angrily, "Besides, how can national hatred and family revenge be confused?"
Min Wuyan's brows furrowed. He remained silent for a long time, then sighed and suddenly asked, "Where is that batch of treasures? And where are Officer Liu and the others?"
Min Wuyan had ordered Hong Wuji to hand over the captured gold and silver treasures to the court, but the treasures had vanished without a trace, and the people escorting them had also disappeared. Min Wuyan had always been suspicious and wanted to find Hong Wuji to clarify the matter.
"Commander Min, are you interrogating me?" Hong Wuji's face turned red with anger. "The treasures have been submitted to the court; believe it or not. After the treasures were submitted, Officer Liu and the others dispersed. I don't know their whereabouts. In this chaos, perhaps they have become bandits, or perhaps they have surrendered to the barbarians."
"You..." Min Wuyan was so angry that he pointed to the sky and said, "Man acts, Heaven watches. Three feet above your head are spirits. Good and evil will be rewarded! The truth will eventually come out."
Thus, the two, who were like brothers, parted on bad terms and became strangers.
...
Bei Bei Gucheng, Beipang'er City
Beipang'er City was a stone-built city, hidden deep in the grasslands, consisting of an inner and outer city, with a circumference of about two or three li. The city walls were uneven, the tallest being just over ten feet high.
Beipang'er City could not be compared to cities in the Central Plains like Xuzhou, Ye City, or You Prefecture. The inner city had no barbican, the city walls had no buttresses, and the four corners had no corner towers. The tribal lords' residences and civilian houses within the city were also relatively low, mostly two or three-story flat structures.
Although Beipang'er City was far inferior to the large cities in the Central Plains, it was a relatively large city on the grasslands and a major market. Merchants from the Western Regions and nomadic herders from the grasslands flocked here daily, bustling and noisy. The main method of trade was barter, with a small number of Jin merchants exchanging goods for money, gold, or silver, or purchasing goods with money, gold, or silver.
In times of chaos, it was extremely difficult for Jin merchants to travel back and forth, even risking their lives. However, as long as they could return safely once, the profits were immense, so immense that they were willing to take the risk.
The lord of Beipang'er City was the leader of the Xiongnu Chiyue tribe, Tunjizhele. The Chiyue tribe was also known as the Tiele, Dingling, or Gaoju, and was a branch of the Xiongnu.
"Da Yanzhi..." The escort who came to Beipang'er City with Lin Yue was a middle-aged warrior named Zhunjin. Zhunjin was over forty years old and was actually Han. His family had also been a noble family of the Former Wei dynasty. After the Former Wei was destroyed by Yan, his family declined. Zhunjin later followed the Lin Yue siblings. After Lin Yue's elder brother died, Zhunjin followed Lin Yue.
"Uncle Zhunjin..." Lin Yue shook her head and said, "What Da Yanzhi? Don't call me that anymore."
"Yes, Princess." Zhunjin nodded.
Although Da Yanzhi and Yanzhi differed by only one word, their meanings were vastly different.
"Let's go!" Lin Yue looked at Zhunjin and said softly.
Duoyongjian had killed Lin Yue's elder brother, but he doted on Lin Yue even more. Today, she was allowed to come to Beipang'er City, partly to buy daily necessities and partly to relax.
Although Beipang'er City was far from Ye City, the capital of the former Wei, Lin Yue had been living in tents for a long time. Therefore, she was curious and excitedly wandered around, looking everywhere.
"Customers, come and take a look!"
"We have slaves from Anxi, slaves from Yuezhi, slaves from Kangju, and so on."
"Look at their teeth, their physique, their bones. Guests can buy them as servants or guards. Selling them cheap!"
"These big chests and big buttocks can bear children and work. You can order them around without complaint, cheaper than a horse!"
The liveliest part of Beipang'er City was the slave trade, which attracted Lin Yue's attention.