"My brothers..." Zhou Fugui, newly released from prison, cupped his hands to his fellow villagers. "As Old Ghost said, I miss my mother and my family dearly. So today, if any of you wish to drink, do so freely. All expenses are on me. Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow, I will gladly accompany you all for a hearty drink!"
Fortunately, the court had not rescinded the rewards bestowed upon him. Thus, Zhou Fugui was quite the magnate at this moment.
"Haha, Brother Fugui speaks the truth. Brothers, let's not trouble him. He's busy going home to consummate his marriage. If anyone wants to drink today, I'll join you..."
"Slap!"
"Ouch, Brother Fugui, did I say something wrong? Why are you hitting me?"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Hurry back, Camp Commander. We'll find you tomorrow."
"Go back!"
Zhou Fugui nodded, cupped his hands in farewell, identified the direction of Murong Tengge's residence, and strode off.
Zhou Fugui was eager to return, his heart yearning for his family. He walked with rapid strides, two steps at a time, and finally broke into a run.
As Zhou Fugui, running like the wind, rounded a street corner, he suddenly encountered a large crowd of people, numbering over two thousand. Leading them were Ji Zhou's Dian Meng and Feng Cheng.
"Camp Commander..."
"Camp Commander, we have waited for months, finally..."
"Camp Commander..."
These more than two thousand men were all from the White Tiger Camp. They were not all from You Prefecture; many hailed from Yan Yun and surrounding prefectures. Now they had gathered in You Prefecture City, all to see Zhou Fugui and await news of him. Zhou Fugui, having narrowly escaped death, filled all the White Tiger Camp soldiers with excitement. Some even wept, while Dian Meng and Feng Cheng embraced Zhou Fugui, weeping uncontrollably and unable to speak.
Zhou Fugui treated the soldiers with sincerity, and they treated him as their own parents.
Dian Meng, Feng Cheng, and others close to Zhou Fugui, upon hearing of his predicament, had ridden day and night to You Prefecture. They had been trying to rescue him but were powerless.
"My brothers..." Zhou Fugui was also deeply moved, his voice choked with emotion. "What virtue or merit do I possess to earn such treatment from all of you? I truly... I don't know what to say. However, my brothers, I am no longer your Camp Commander, so there's no need... no need."
At this moment, Zhou Fugui had been stripped of all his titles by the Yan court, demoted to a mere soldier of the Yan army...
"General Zhou, you are our Camp Commander, and you always will be," Dian Meng said, looking at Zhou Fugui.
"Yes, yes, Flag Officer Dian is right. Camp Commander Zhou, you will always be our Camp Commander!"
Over two thousand White Tiger Camp soldiers shouted in unison, causing pedestrians on the streets of You Prefecture to turn their heads, wondering what had happened.
......
"Haha, Deputy General Zhou, congratulations, congratulations!" Murong Tengge was also extremely pleased to see Zhou Fugui, laughing heartily. "Someone, quickly prepare a banquet! Today, I will share a hearty meal with Deputy General Zhou."
"Ah, Minister, I am no longer a Deputy General," Zhou Fugui quickly thanked him. "Thank you for looking after my family, Minister. I am infinitely grateful. Such great kindness, I have no words to repay! However... where are they?"
After arriving at Murong Tengge's mansion, Zhou Fugui had not seen his mother or other family members, only the curious glances of the household staff.
Having almost turned You Prefecture City upside down, the renowned Yang Yuji of the Great Yan, Deputy General Zhou, how could Murong Tengge's household staff not be curious?
"You guess!" Murong Tengge, filled with joy, playfully bantered with Zhou Fugui for the first time in a long while.
"Oh, my Minister, how could I possibly guess? Minister, I was imprisoned for months and have longed to see my mother and family. Please pity me," Zhou Fugui pleaded repeatedly.
"Slap!" Murong Tengge slapped Zhou Fugui and said, "There's no rush for that. Don't worry, I have already made arrangements for your family. I will send you to reunite with them shortly. They also know you are out of prison and are overjoyed. However, Fugui, before that, wouldn't you like to share a few bowls of wine with me?"
"Oh, if that's the case, I shall trouble you, Minister," Zhou Fugui understood that Murong Tengge must have something to discuss, so he nodded in agreement.
In this world, in the Great Yan ruled by the Xianbei, perhaps only Murong Tengge genuinely treated him well, Zhou Fugui mused.
Zhou Fugui had always remembered Murong Tengge's kindness but had never had the opportunity to repay it.
Besides him, there were Yingying, Xiaoxiao, and others, Zhou Fugui thought. As for Murong Boli and the like... they were neither good nor bad. As for Empress Murong Qing, it was likely a matter of exploitation.
Until now, Zhou Fugui was unaware of the events unfolding in the Yan court. Therefore, agreeing to stay for a drink with Murong Tengge was also to seek his counsel on these matters.
"Why be so formal with me, young man?" Murong Tengge patted Zhou Fugui again and then led him into a side chamber of the mansion.
"Hui'er, come and pour wine for General Zhou!" Inside the side chamber, after the host and guest were seated, Murong Tengge said with a smile to a young boy in the household.
A boy of about ten years old came over with a wine pot and respectfully poured wine for Zhou Fugui.
"Fugui, this is my grandson, Hui. What do you think?" Murong Tengge then pointed to the boy and asked.
The boy had fair skin and was slightly thin but had a ruddy complexion, indicating good health.
"A father's son... uh, a grandfather's grandson, indeed a fine young man, just like his Minister!" Zhou Fugui said with a smile.
"Haha..." Murong Tengge burst into laughter. "Your Deputy General Zhou is an expert archer and also eloquent. I hear you can write essays. Are you a scholar-warrior? Hui'er, why don't you pay your respects to General Zhou? He is the foremost brave general of our Great Yan!"
"This humble one pays his respects to General Zhou!" Zhou Fugui's name was now known throughout the land, at least throughout the Great Yan. Murong Tengge's grandson, Murong Hui, had naturally heard of him and respectfully bowed.
After paying his respects, Murong Hui stared curiously at Zhou Fugui, wondering privately why Zhou Fugui, unlike other warriors of the Great Yan, was not burly and strong, yet was hailed as the Yang Yuji of the Great Yan? And why did his grandfather call him the foremost brave general of the Great Yan?
"I dare not!" Zhou Fugui hurriedly rose to return the bow and said, "Minister, I have been dismissed from my official post by the court. Please do not mention the title of Deputy General in the future, okay?"
"Fugui, I am certain that with your abilities, you will soon make a comeback even after being stripped of your official position," Murong Tengge said with a smile.
"Make a comeback?" Zhou Fugui shook his head with a wry smile. He did not stand on ceremony, picked up his wine bowl, and took a large gulp. "Xue Lin City, where is that? I have heard of it, but making a comeback is easier said than done! Moreover, a discerning eye and a swift steed... After I arrive in Xue Lin City, where will I find a discerning eye like yours, Minister?"
"Haha..." Murong Tengge also took a sip of wine, then laughed heartily. "You, Zhou Fugui, underestimate our Great Yan too much. I will consider myself a discerning eye. And there are more discerning eyes in Great Yan than just mine. Fugui, do you know why you were spared death?"
"I truly do not know. Please enlighten me, Minister." Zhou Fugui said.
After killing someone, Zhou Fugui had also taken some self-preserving actions. For instance, he learned from Qin Yulian that Duan Mu and his son harbored rebellious intentions. Thus, he seized some "treasonous items" from their home and used them to sow discord in the Yan court. Later, Empress Murong Qing visited him in prison, Princess Murong Xiaoxiao visited him, and there was also the reminder from that garrulous cellmate. However, he was still unsure who or what ultimately saved him.
"It is truly because the Great Chieftain cherishes and values talent!" Murong Tengge replied.
"He cherishes and values talent? That can't be right?" Zhou Fugui asked in surprise. "Minister, you must understand, I am merely a Han person."
Zhou Fugui was actually of mixed Han and barbarian descent. This was revealed to him by his mother, Madam Liu, before he committed murder. Zhou Fugui's veins flowed with the blood of the Xiongnu, but this was something only he and his mother knew and could not be disclosed.
After all, the Xianbei and the Xiongnu were sworn enemies.
"If the Great Chieftain did not cherish and value talent, you would surely be dead!" Murong Tengge nodded. "However, the court is also extremely complicated, with deep-rooted connections. Your survival is due to various reasons and coincidences. It is difficult to explain clearly at the moment. I only know who wanted you dead and who wanted you alive."
"Who wanted me dead, and who wanted me alive?" Murong Tengge's mention of this matter was the same as Empress Murong Qing's. Thus, Zhou Fugui asked.
"What happened today, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know," Murong Tengge said in a low voice to Zhou Fugui after sending his grandson Murong Hui out of the side chamber.
"Minister, it has been two years. You should know how I conduct myself. Therefore, please rest assured," Zhou Fugui said.
......
It was too chaotic, too complex, like a tempestuous storm. After leaving Murong Tengge's mansion, Zhou Fugui was greatly shocked.
Zhou Fugui had disrupted the Yan court with the intention of simply muddling through. Now it seemed his objective was achieved, but Zhou Fugui had never expected things to be so unpredictable and ever-changing.
These matters needed to be sorted out properly, otherwise, he wouldn't know how he would die in the future, Zhou Fugui mused.
However, he had already saved his life and was soon to be dispatched to Xue Lin City. In Xue Lin City, he would be nothing more than cannon fodder, a laborer, and perhaps would never return to You Prefecture in his lifetime. Why bother with these messy affairs? Zhou Fugui thought again.