"Who is your master? Do I know you?"
On the streets of Xuelin City, Zhou Fugui was stopped by an old servant and asked in surprise.
"Heh, General Zhou, don't ask questions. If you come with old man, you'll know," the old servant replied with a smile.
"Oh, alright, please lead the way, elder," Zhou Fugui nodded.
"General Zhou, please!"
After the old servant finished speaking, he led Zhou Fugui through two intersections to a grand mansion. In front of the mansion stood a pair of stone lions, and the buildings within towered high, offering a panoramic view of the city from their upper floors.
After ushering Zhou Fugui into the mansion, the old servant ascended a tall building. Upon reaching the top, Zhou Fugui saw a middle-aged eunuch waiting for him.
The middle-aged eunuch had three long strands of beard under his chin. He was Hou Luoqi, a palace attendant of Yandong Palace, a Wuhuan guard, and a captain of Changshui. Hou Luoqi had met Zhou Fugui several times before. The fact that he was now adorned with a few long strands of false beard did not surprise Zhou Fugui. What did surprise him, however, was the presence of two beauties by his side, nestled close to him with an intimate air. It appeared they were his concubines.
There were at least seven or eight more beauties serving nearby, seemingly also women of Hou Luoqi.
"Damn it, are you a real eunuch or a fake one?" Zhou Fugui muttered to himself before quickly stepping forward. He cupped his hands in greeting before Hou Luoqi and the two beauties. "So it was Commander Hou who invited me. Why didn't you say so earlier? I, Zhou Fugui, pay my respects to Commander Hou."
Several months of rigorous training in the Ice Bone Camp had made Zhou Fugui's physique even more robust. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a well-built back, a muscular chest, and thick arms. Coupled with his youthful, heroic countenance and dense short beard, he involuntarily drew the gaze of all the beauties. The seven or eight beauties in the distance whispered among themselves, seemingly appraising Zhou Fugui.
"Heh, General Zhou, please rise. I spotted you strolling on the street from upstairs. Do you have nothing to do today? Thus, I sent someone to invite you to my humble abode for a few drinks," Hou Luoqi said with a genial smile.
Hou Luoqi then seemed to casually turn his head and glance at the seven or eight beauties behind him. The beauties immediately lowered their heads in fear, no longer daring to look at Zhou Fugui.
"So this is Commander Hou's residence..." Zhou Fugui cupped his hands and said, "If Commander Hou commands, how dare I disobey? I fear I am imposing on Commander Hou."
Hu Yan Sheng, the commander of the border army of Great Yan, the scattered earl of Ningshuo, the Left General, and the governor of Guiguan Pass, Qilin Pass, and Xuelin City, lived almost entirely in military camps or watchtowers. It was said he had no personal residence. Yet, Hou Luoqi possessed such a luxurious mansion. This stark contrast allowed Zhou Fugui to perceive something amiss.
However, some within the border army of Great Yan were diligent, while others were greedy for wealth or indulged in pleasure. What did this have to do with him? Zhou Fugui mused inwardly.
Zhou Fugui's courteous demeanor, so different from the rough generals in the Flying Bear Army, caused the beauties to quietly appraise him again, though they avoided Hou Luoqi's gaze.
"Hmm, why are you addressing me as General Pi, Zhou? Your reputation has long preceded you in Great Yan. It is my household's honor to have invited General Zhou today. How could you be imposing? Someone, bring out the wine and food. I intend to drink to my heart's content with General Zhou today," Hou Luoqi said with a laugh.
"Commander Hou flatters me. I will impose on you for a drink then," Zhou Fugui, who was thirsty, said as Hou Luoqi was so hospitable. He then followed Hou Luoqi into a large room.
The large room was opulent, decorated with extreme luxury. Within the curtains sat some singing girls and musicians.
Inside the room, Hou Luoqi naturally occupied the main seat facing south. He embraced two beautiful concubines, who poured wine and served him dishes. Hou Luoqi barely had to move as he ate and drank. Two young maids even draped a sable fur over his lap to gently massage his aching old legs. This made Zhou Fugui inwardly curse, "The old man really knows how to enjoy himself."
Zhou Fugui knelt to one side to accompany him.
"Liuxia, Feiyun, go and serve General Zhou," Hou Luoqi then instructed two beautiful women standing by the room.
The two beauties, named Liuxia and Feiyun, gracefully walked to Zhou Fugui's side. One knelt to his right, using a long-handled ladle to scoop wine from a wine jar and pour it into his goblet. The other beauty knelt to his left, using long chopsticks to serve him dishes or a small knife to cut his meat.
Liuxia, who was pouring the wine, was slender and delicate. Her complexion was as clear and lustrous as jade. Her refined and elegant face was slightly furrowed, as if she was troubled by something, evoking a sense of pity.
Feiyun, who was serving the dishes, was very plump. She had a round, oval face with dark, bright eyes and rosy cheeks. She looked at Li Sanjian with curiosity, exuding an aura of youth.
The two young beauties, around fifteen or sixteen years old, served Zhou Fugui wine and dishes. Their bodies inevitably brushed against Zhou Fugui, making him uncomfortable. His face turned slightly red, and he shrunk back, trying to avoid contact with the two women, feeling extremely awkward.
Having not smelled a woman's scent for a long time, and being a man who had tasted the delights of the flesh, any man would have some reaction when two beautiful maidens were so close, unless he were a eunuch. But perhaps even some eunuchs, whether truly or falsely, might react, like Hou Luoqi...
"General Zhou, you have endured much hardship with your training... It has been tough..." Hou Luoqi, of course, noticed Zhou Fugui's embarrassment. He chuckled inwardly, feeling a pang of sympathy. He smiled at Zhou Fugui and said, "Liuxia and Feiyun have been with me for a long time. They are well-behaved and intelligent. How about I give them to you today?"
Upon hearing this, Liuxia and Feiyun's faces instantly flushed red. They lowered their heads, secretly delighted. The other concubines, though outwardly calm, were filled with envy.
Hou Luoqi was a eunuch, and his life with the beauties was merely a facade. Although the beauties lived in luxury, none of them wished to live like this indefinitely until they grew old.
To serve such a young and heroic general, and one who was a real man... how could they not be pleased? Even if it meant following Zhou Fugui and eating coarse food, they would be willing.
Of course, these matters were not for them to decide. As Hou Luoqi's concubines, they were virtually his female slaves. Without Hou Luoqi's permission, no one dared to have any contact with outsiders.
"Commander Hou..." Zhou Fugui hurriedly cupped his hands. "I am merely a condemned prisoner. How dare I take what belongs to another? Thank you, Commander Hou. I dare not accept such a generous gift."
"Haha, women are like clothes. What generous gift could this be?" Hou Luoqi laughed heartily. "General, there is no need to refuse. They are merely two humble slaves. Let them serve General in his daily life."
"This... isn't it too improper?" Zhou Fugui glanced at Liuxia and Feiyun and said, "I am a soldier of the border army, and I am currently in the Ice Bone Camp..."
To have two such obedient and beautiful girls serve him, it would be a lie to say Zhou Fugui was unwilling. However, doing so would not only be unfair to Murong Huiying and Xiao Qing, but Zhou Fugui also spent his days in the military camp. Having two beauties constantly by his side, what would that look like? If Tu Tis and Hu Yan Sheng found out, they would surely be furious. If Xu Mancang, Suo Dacheng, and Xue Wentai found out, they would undoubtedly tease him endlessly.
"General Pi Zhou is a general who has experienced countless battles. Why would the governor insist on sending you to the Ice Bone Camp to suffer? Is it necessary? I truly cannot understand," Hou Luoqi said. "However, General Zhou, rest assured. When you emerge from the Ice Bone Camp, you will come under my command as a Zhonglang Jiang of the Flying Bear Army."
Hou Luoqi's earnest attempts to win over Zhou Fugui caused Zhou Fugui some surprise. "Well-intentioned people are often driven by ulterior motives." Moreover, although Zhou Fugui had been reinstated by the Yan court, his current status was still extremely low. Given this, why was Hou Luoqi so eager to win him over? And what use was it to win him over?
Although Zhou Fugui harbored some doubts, his expression showed overwhelming gratitude. With a "moved" gesture, he cupped his hands and said, "I am a humble person. To be so appreciated by Commander Hou, my heart is truly... truly... However, I fear I am unable to repay Commander Hou's great kindness!"
Zhou Fugui's unspoken words were: Why do you want to promote me? If I cannot repay you, why promote me?
It had to be said that after experiencing so much, Zhou Fugui had become increasingly adept at navigating social complexities.
"Well-intentioned people are often driven by ulterior motives." Without understanding the reason, Zhou Fugui would rather not become this so-called Zhonglang Jiang.
"Heh, General Zhou, drink this cup of wine, and I will explain it to you in detail," Hou Luoqi said with a smile, having understood Zhou Fugui's implied question.
"I toast Commander, one cup!" Zhou Fugui drank the wine in his goblet in one gulp, licked his lips, and looked as if he wanted more. Liuxia immediately refilled his goblet.
After drinking the wine, Zhou Fugui felt a warmth spread through his body.
"The border is a place of constant battles and dangers, but also a place to achieve great deeds." A beautiful concubine brought the wine to Hou Luoqi's lips. After taking a small sip, Hou Luoqi said to Zhou Fugui, "General Pi Zhou, you are so young. Don't you wish to achieve great deeds? To achieve great deeds, to be ennobled and appointed to high office, and then to have a beautiful wife and concubines, heh, isn't that the height of life's pleasures?"
"How can I achieve great deeds? Commander Hou... what do you mean?" Zhou Fugui asked.
To be ennobled and appointed to high office, and then to have a beautiful wife and concubines, was the desire of everyone in this world, and Zhou Fugui was no exception. But pie doesn't fall from the sky. Without paying some price, how could one achieve such aspirations?
"Governor Hu Yan is experienced and prudent, guarding the border. The barbarians dare not invade," Hou Luoqi said slowly. "However, by merely defending Xuelin City and not daring to move even half a step, many opportunities for advancement are lost. To expand the territory for my Great Yan, that would be a great achievement!"
Although Hou Luoqi was a guard in the Yan border army, the Flying Bear Army, Governor Hu Yan Sheng had long been stationed at the border, and most of the generals in the Flying Bear Army were his confidants. Therefore, it was extremely difficult for Hou Luoqi to overthrow Hu Yan Sheng's cautious strategy.
His intention in trying to win over Zhou Fugui was twofold: first, he was acting on someone's behalf; second, he wanted to cultivate his own influence.
Zhou Fugui had been in Xuelin City for less than a year before he was embroiled in the vortex of the border power struggle.