"My husband, this is the imperial wine that His Majesty bestowed upon us on our wedding day!"

Just as Xi Zhicai was enjoying the delicious food, Wang Yin came over carrying two wine jugs.

"Ah~, very well, Yin'er really knows my heart!"

Seeing his wife bring out the fine wine she had treasured for so long, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but beam with joy.

"Husband, is there something you want to say?"

Wang Yin approached and, while pouring wine for Xi Zhicai, asked him a question.

Xi Zhicai was slightly taken aback: "How did Yin'er know that her husband was in trouble?"

"My husband once said that this wine bestowed by His Majesty should be saved until our son can speak, but you want to drink it today, which means you can't wait!"

As they spoke, Wang Yin filled Xi Zhicai's wine glass and silently watched him.

"Sigh, you can see right through anything!"

Xi Zhicai sighed with a wry smile, then picked up his wine cup and said in a deep voice, "I have already petitioned His Majesty and am preparing to go to Kushan!"

How long will it take?

As Wang Yin asked the question, he picked up another wine glass and placed it in front of himself.

Xi Zhicai hesitated and said, "It might take one or two years, it might take three or five years, or it might take longer..."

Wang Yin was slightly taken aback, turned her head to look at Xi Zhicai, and saw a trace of determination in her husband's apologetic gaze.

She knew she couldn't stop Xi Zhicai, and of course, she wouldn't try.

"My husband, please rest assured, I will take good care of our son!"

As she spoke, Wang Yin picked up the wine pot and poured herself a cup. Then, she raised the cup and looked at Xi Zhicai: "Husband, how about we, husband and wife, drink a cup together?"

"good!"

Xi Zhicai agreed, then picked up his wine glass and lightly clinked it against Wang Yin's: "Madam, please!"

"Please, my husband!"

The couple exchanged a glance, then simultaneously raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

Setting down her wine cup, Wang Yin said softly, "My lord, these dishes were all prepared by my own hands for you. Please enjoy them today!"

"That's right, it's been a long time since I've tasted Yin'er's cooking!"

Xi Zhicai smiled, then picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of braised fish, put it in his mouth, and savored it carefully.

Wang Yin picked up another plate of food and put it into Xi Zhicai's bowl, looking at her husband with deep affection.

The deep affection between husband and wife is unspoken.

Meanwhile, back at their lodgings, Hachi and his two companions gathered their wives together.

In the new Buddhism studied by Hachi and his group, there was no mention of abstaining from meat or sex; on the contrary, they encouraged their disciples to have many children so that the light of the Buddha could be spread forever.

Therefore, during that period, Xi Zhicai also sent many women from the Western Regions, Japanese, barbarians, and grasslands to Hachi and his companions.

Today, each of the three Hachi has at least a dozen wives and concubines, as well as a dozen children.

Hatch looked at his fifteen wives and the children in their arms, and said with a reluctant expression, "I am about to return to Kushan. I don't know if I will be able to come back."

But rest assured, my Lord has promised to take care of you. You must take good care of our child!

"My husband, please go in peace. We will certainly live up to your expectations."

"Yes, my husband, we're waiting for you to come back!"

Hatch's wives also gathered around and offered words of comfort.

"Alright, you all wait patiently. Once I've established myself over there, I'll definitely bring you all over!"

Looking at the group of beautiful wives and concubines before him, Hachi also spoke solemnly.

After bidding farewell to their wives, Hachi and his two companions began packing up their belongings and the scriptures they had written.

After two days of preparation, Hatch and the other two were all ready and waiting for the order to depart.

Meanwhile, Xi Zhicai, along with five disciples sent by Yu Ji and a group of hired carriages, disguised themselves as a merchant caravan from the Cao family and left Luoyang.

...

Deyang Palace.

Putting down the memorial in his hand, Liu Hong looked up at the outside of the hall, his eyes filled with melancholy.

Xun Yu, dressed in a white robe and wearing a cloth turban, knelt in the place where Xi Zhicai had originally been.

“Your Majesty, Brother Zhicai is going there to pursue his own ambitions, which is a great thing for him. Your Majesty should be happy for him!”

Seeing the emperor's sullen expression, Xun Yu couldn't help but offer words of comfort.

"Yes, I should indeed be happy for him!"

Liu Hong chuckled softly, then looked at Xun Yu: "Wenruo, what are your ambitions?"

Xun Yu's expression turned solemn, and he said in a deep voice, "I will serve the king faithfully to repay His Majesty's kindness!"

Now, under Liu Hong's governance and a series of reforms, the lives of the people of the Han Dynasty are becoming more and more prosperous, the national strength of the Han Dynasty is rising steadily, and its military power is constantly being strengthened.

Phrases like "serving the people," "clarifying the world," "assisting a wise ruler," and "creating a peaceful and prosperous era" are no longer appropriate.

Although Xun Yu didn't say much, Liu Hong could still sense Xun Yu's loyalty and unwavering determination.

The Xun family is now only able to rank among the six top families of the Han Dynasty thanks to Liu Hong.

As a member of the Xun family, Xun Yu, under the tutelage of Xun Shuang and influenced by the environment of the Imperial Academy, naturally, like other young students, regarded serving the emperor and being loyal to the king as his lifelong belief.

Seeing Xun Yu's serious expression, Liu Hong smiled with satisfaction.

He knew that this was Xun Yu's true feeling, not flattery.

"Wenruo, I intend to send you to Dunhuang to serve as a county magistrate under Gongda for a period of time. Are you willing?"

Dunhuang?

Upon hearing that the emperor intended for him to serve as a county magistrate under Xun You, Xun Yu was slightly taken aback.

Liu Hong smiled and said, "I know that Xun Gongda is your nephew, so it might not be appropriate for you to serve under him. However, the Western Regions are an important hub for the future development of the Han Dynasty, so it is still very necessary for you to learn about them as soon as possible!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing Liu Hong's words, Xun Yu immediately understood and couldn't help but feel a little excited.

He knew that the emperor was telling him this to indicate the future direction of national policy and to pave the way for his future appointment as prime minister.

After all, only by going there first and getting familiar with the situation can one better assist the emperor in handling state affairs in the future.

Liu Hong smiled and said, "Alright, you can stay by my side for now and read more memorials from the Western Regions. After a while, you can go to take up your post!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xun Yu respectfully agreed, and then began to peruse the stack of memorials that Liu Hong had prepared for him.

Just then, Zhang Rang quickly approached Liu Hong: "Your Majesty, Mr. Hachi, Mr. Samo, and Mr. Sijia are ready and can depart at any time!"