"Lord Xiao, this is a General of the Great Yan, appointed by imperial decree. His surname is Zhou, given name Fugui, courtesy name... Zhou, what is your courtesy name?"
Inside the wooden house of Xiao Family Village, Yan army deputy general Ji Duo'er spoke to a middle-aged man around forty years old.
"My humble courtesy name is Hancang," Zhou Fugui replied.
"Indeed, Zhou Fugui, Zhou Hancang, a valiant general of our Great Yan. During the southern campaign, he achieved countless merits and rose through the ranks to become a general. General Zhou also has a title, known as 'Yan's Yang Youji,' his archery skills are quite extraordinary, with few rivals in our Great Yan," Ji Duo'er did not spare any praise for Zhou Fugui.
A courtesy name is far more imposing than a given name, Ji Duo'er thought to himself. Your given name is simply too vulgar, insufferably so.
"So it is General Zhou..." Xiao Guanshan, the lord of Xiao Family Village, stroked his three-strand beard and smiled, "Indeed, a dashing young man, a vision to behold. A young general at that, how magnificent! How heroic!"
Xiao Guanshan's envy was palpable, appearing exceptionally admiring.
"You flatter me!" Xiao Guanshan praised greatly, causing Zhou Fugui's face to redden. He hastily replied with humility, "This junior is but a convict at present, I do not deserve such high praise from you!"
"Alas, even a dragon may be stranded, why should General Zhou be so concerned?" Xiao Guanshan stroked his beard and smiled, "This old man believes General Zhou will soar to the heavens before long."
"Thank you for your auspicious words, Village Lord," Zhou Fugui clasped his hands in thanks.
Xiao Guanshan appeared no older than forty, clad in a brocade robe with a fur collar, accentuating his imposing stature. He had a square face with a three-strand beard, thick and neatly trimmed eyebrows, and a pair of very spirited eyes, truly a distinguished middle-aged man. Furthermore, Xiao Guanshan's refined speech greatly increased Zhou Fugui's favorable impression of him.
A strong fragrance emanated from Xiao Guanshan, mingled with an indescribable peculiar scent, which made Zhou Fugui slightly perplexed.
However, no one is perfect, and no gold is pure. Perhaps Xiao Guanshan had body odor, which he was attempting to mask with perfume, Zhou Fugui mused.
Such a distinguished and handsome middle-aged man, having several women would not be surprising.
Just then, Xiao Guanshan suddenly reached out and grasped Zhou Fugui's wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze. He seemed startled.
"Village Lord, what... what do you mean?" Zhou Fugui's wrist was held, yet he did not wish to forcefully break free, unsure of his intentions, he asked in surprise.
Zhou Fugui felt that Xiao Guanshan's hand was ice-cold, colder than ice from a ten-thousand-year-old ice cave. The area around his wrist felt almost frozen stiff.
"Heh heh, nothing, Someone, bring wine and dishes to entertain General Zhou and General Ji." Xiao Guanshan smiled, released Zhou Fugui's wrist, and gave orders to his subordinates.
"Thank you, Village Lord!" Ji Duo'er and Zhou Fugui thanked him in unison.
"Mere wine and dishes are hardly worthy of thanks," Xiao Guanshan nodded and smiled.
In a short while, over a dozen maidservants brought the wine and dishes, which flowed like a stream and filled an entire table.
The maidservants were all girls of twelve or thirteen, their faces devoid of any expression, cold as frost.
The wine and dishes were delicious, and Zhou Fugui and Ji Duo'er ate heartily. However, there was one thing that perplexed Zhou Fugui immensely: although a pair of chopsticks and bowls were placed before Xiao Guanshan, he did not touch them, nor did he drink any wine, merely keeping his hands tucked in his sleeves, smiling as he watched the two eat and drink.
"Village Lord Xiao, why do you not partake in the wine and dishes?" Zhou Fugui asked after putting down his chopsticks.
"Heh heh, General Zhou..." Before Xiao Guanshan could answer, Ji Duo'er chuckled upon hearing this, "Village Lord Xiao is a living immortal, he would not eat such crude food. You and I should just eat and drink."
"It is not quite like that," Xiao Guanshan said with a slight smile. "My internal organs are humble and cannot tolerate such food. I usually subsist on mountain fruits and clear water."
When Xiao Guanshan smiled, Zhou Fugui always felt that his smile did not reach his eyes.
"Oh, I see..." Zhou Fugui's expression suddenly dawned with understanding, and he chuckled, "May I ask if the Village Lord practices Buddhism or Taoism? You do not eat worldly food but only immortal fruits, immortal elixirs, and immortal water, ascending to immortality! Heh heh heh..."
Xiao Guanshan's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, a flicker of anger quickly passing, then he said calmly, "This old man believes neither in Buddhism nor Taoism."
"General Zhou, with so much fine wine and delicacies, are you still so idle?" Ji Duo'er said to Zhou Fugui with some displeasure.
"Oh, oh, I apologize, I apologize. I have offended the Village Lord, please forgive me, forgive me," Zhou Fugui said hastily.
Most people in the north believed in shamanism. Zhou Fugui's mention of Buddhism and Taoism at this moment was indeed rather abrupt.
"It is nothing, nothing," Xiao Guanshan smiled again with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "They say children speak without guile. General Zhou has not yet come of age, has he?"
"I have already passed twenty years old," Since Xiao Guanshan was not eating or drinking, Zhou Fugui was too lazy to pay him any mind. He took a large gulp of wine and answered vaguely with a mouthful of fatty meat.
"Oh, General Zhou, where are you from?" Xiao Guanshan asked again.
"I am from Luoyan Village, Lumen Town, Youzhou," Zhou Fugui replied.
"Luoyan Village? Heh heh, Luoyan, Luoyan," Xiao Guanshan murmured to himself, as if suddenly enlightened.
"I am a Han of Yan Yun, what do you think, Village Lord?" Zhou Fugui asked, assuming Xiao Guanshan was concerned about his Han identity.
"Han people?" Xiao Guanshan seemed a little weary. He stood up and said to Ji Duo'er and Zhou Fugui, "Please enjoy your meal, Generals. This old man will take his leave."
"Oh, please do, Village Lord," Ji Duo'er rose and thanked him. "Village Lord, some local produce has been sent to your residence, please accept it."
"Heh heh, thank you," Xiao Guanshan spread his arms, and two maidservants helped him towards the inner chamber.
"Two Generals..." As he was about to leave, Xiao Guanshan suddenly said to Ji Duo'er and Zhou Fugui, "You two Generals and your men may enjoy everything here. However, there is one thing you absolutely must not touch."
Ji Duo'er nodded, but Zhou Fugui asked in astonishment, "What thing?"
Ji Duo'er frantically signaled to Zhou Fugui, but Zhou Fugui pretended not to see.
"My women," Xiao Guanshan said coldly and then strode away.
Zhou Fugui and Ji Duo'er exchanged glances.
May you work yourself to death, you bastard, Zhou Fugui cursed in his heart, watching Xiao Guanshan's retreating back.
Just as Wei Liang had said, this formidable master of Xiao Family Village, Xiao Guanshan, must have many women. The young maidservants serving Zhou Fugui and Ji Duo'er food and drink numbered at least twenty or thirty. Were they all his women?
This old fellow enjoys a great deal of fortune, like a groom every night and a wedding every day. With so many women, is it not allowed for anyone to interact with them? Could he possibly sleep with them all? Is he not afraid of dying from exhaustion on their bellies... Zhou Fugui thought dismissively.
"General Zhou, shall we continue drinking?" After Xiao Guanshan left, the host of maidservants also disappeared. Only Ji Duo'er and Zhou Fugui remained in the room. Ji Duo'er poured wine for Zhou Fugui and said.
"Oh, drink, Deputy General Ji Duo'er..." Zhou Fugui and Ji Duo'er had a cup of wine each. Zhou Fugui then asked, "What is this Village Lord's background?"
Zhou Fugui always felt that Xiao Guanshan was mysterious and was extremely curious.
"He is a Shaman," Ji Duo'er replied after pouring another cup of wine.
"Oh, a Shaman priest?" Zhou Fugui nodded. "How old is this person?"
People in the north believed in Shamans, and the status of Shaman priests or sorcerers was naturally extremely high. It was not strange that Xiao Guanshan could act tyrannically in Xiao Family Village. Zhou Fugui vaguely sensed a hint of decay about Xiao Guanshan, hence his curious question.
No wonder Xiao Guanshan was displeased when Buddhism and Taoism were mentioned earlier, Zhou Fugui thought to himself.
"His age?" Ji Duo'er looked at Zhou Fugui and replied, "I do not know his age. I only know that my grandfather knew him twenty or thirty years ago."
"Oh, is Deputy General Ji Duo'er from this region?" Zhou Fugui nodded and asked again.
"Mmm..." Ji Duo'er also nodded. "My family has served the Great Wei for three generations, and then the Great Yan. We have traveled this road back and forth countless times."
"General Zhou, you are so young, and yet a general of the Great Yan, and prone to lust in your youth..." Ji Duo'er then said in a low voice to Zhou Fugui, "It should not be a big deal to sleep with a few women. But the women here, you and your subordinates must absolutely not touch them, otherwise..."
"Deputy General Ji Duo'er, does youth always equate to lustfulness?" Zhou Fugui said with some displeasure upon hearing this. "Zhou dares not claim to be a gentleman, but regarding matters of carnal desire, I believe I can restrain myself. Otherwise...?"
During his southern campaigns, Zhou Fugui had countless opportunities to insult Xia women. In this world, women had a low status, almost equal to servants. Insulting them was not a major issue, yet Zhou Fugui had not committed any acts of insult towards women. As for Murong Huiying and Xiao Qing, it was a matter of mutual affection, and both women willingly consented.
"..." Ji Duo'er was speechless for a moment, then said, "From what I know, those who have previously interacted with his women are all dead."
"Damn it, this man looks kind but is so cruel?" Zhou Fugui exclaimed in surprise and asked, "Does the government not intervene?"
"The government?" Ji Duo'er looked at Zhou Fugui at the mention of the government, and said disdainfully, "In such a desolate wilderness, where is there any government? The nearest yamen is over five hundred li away from here. General Zhou, even if the government knew of this, they would turn a blind eye."
"Alas..." What Ji Duo'er said made sense. As the saying goes, the heavens are high and the emperor is far away. In the northern barbarous lands, it was indeed difficult for the court or government to pay attention, and perhaps the government was even colluding with Xiao Guanshan. Thus, Zhou Fugui sighed and then asked, "Which women are his women?"
"What do you want to do?" Ji Duo'er asked suspiciously.
"Nothing, just asking," Zhou Fugui shrugged and replied.
"All the women in Xiao Family Village are his women," Ji Duo'er replied after a moment of contemplation.
What? Zhou Fugui looked at Ji Duo'er in shock, utterly speechless.