Chapter 344: Return to the Guest House
After the warehouse layout was completed on the parchment scroll, Zhao Xiping found his former subordinates, the ten centurions under his command, and asked them to help him find fifty or sixty craftsmen to build the houses.
"Sir, do you want to build another house? The guesthouse is not big enough?" asked Captain Sun.
"It's not a guesthouse. It has other uses." Zhao Xiping didn't say clearly. "Also, there's one more thing. On May 28th, I'm hosting a party at my house. You guys can come over and join in the fun."
The centurions readily agreed. "We've been looking forward to your dinner, but we haven't received any news. We thought you were going to keep things secret like you always do, whether it's a promotion, a birth, a baby's full month, or a first birthday. We don't even know how old your eldest son is. Does he have any brothers or sisters?"
"He's nine years old, and he'll be ten in six months. He's the only child in the family right now," Zhao Xiping said. "His mother and I don't care about these things, and he's not one to enjoy display or pretense."
"When the young master gets married, you can make up for the loss of face by doing something good for him." A captain who had some friendship with him joked.
Zhao Xiping smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll ask you uncles to help him out when the time comes. I'll leave the job of finding the craftsmen to you. Work will start on the first of June, so don't delay my work."
"It won't be delayed, just keep it in mind. If there are not enough craftsmen at that time, I will build a house for you." Captain Sun promised.
Zhao Xiping glanced at his big belly, shook his head and said, "I'm not going to argue with you any more. I still have to go to the Captain's Mansion."
In the past, when Zhao Xiping came to visit, the gatekeeper of the Captain's Mansion would first inform him and ask him to wait outside. But this time, the gatekeeper attentively led him in without any objection.
When he entered the reception room, Captain Qu also came out to greet him.
"Brother Zhao, how are you?" Captain Qu bowed and joked.
Zhao Xiping choked up. He found it difficult to adapt to being in the presence of his former superiors. He had only felt the changes in his official career, while he spent his days in the fields. In the presence of his crops, he only experienced freedom and relaxation.
Captain Qu saw the awkward expression on his face. He laughed and punched Zhao Xiping. "Why? Is it harder for you than it is for me to accept that your subordinate has become my colleague?"
"Indeed," Zhao Xiping admitted calmly, "I subconsciously wanted to say hello to the adults."
"That won't do. You and I are now of the same rank. You were personally appointed by His Majesty and have met the Emperor. You are much more valuable than me." Captain Qu joked.
"You can't say that. I couldn't have come this far without your support." Zhao Xiping bowed and said, "I'm here to thank you today. I also want to invite you to dinner at my house in six days to celebrate on my behalf."
"Of course, that's no problem. Twenty-eight, right? I'll definitely be there that day." Captain Qu gestured for Zhao Xiping to sit down and asked, "Has your General of the Central Army's residence been allocated to you yet? Are you still living in the guesthouse in the north of the city?"
Zhao Xiping nodded. Dunhuang had never had the position of General of the Interior for Agriculture, and naturally, no General of the Interior's Mansion. This position was newly created, and the magistrate couldn't find a suitable vacant mansion to assign him. He had previously told the magistrate that he would like a new mansion built near the guesthouse, but the magistrate couldn't make the final decision; he still had to consult with the prefect.
"There is a teahouse next to the guesthouse. The banquet will be held in the teahouse. There is also a stage in the teahouse, and there will be entertainers performing on the stage that day. If you find it too noisy, there are vacant rooms in my main courtyard where we can hold the banquet." Zhao Xiping explained.
"I'm a rough guy, so I don't care about this. I'm just asking. I don't think there's any suitable house in the city for you." Captain Qu waved his hand. "Let's not talk about that. Tell me about the palace. I haven't met His Majesty yet. What is the palace like? What is His Majesty's personality like?"
Zhao Xiping picked out what he could say and said that when Captain Qu learned that Sui Yu had also received a plaque written by Emperor Xuanping himself, he could not wait to go and pay homage to His Majesty's handwriting.
However, the plaque had not yet been unveiled, so Zhao Xiping could only let him wait.
After leaving the Captain's Mansion, Zhao Xiping thought for a moment and then went directly to the fields to inspect.
When it was evening time for military training on the parade ground, he would ride his camel covered in dust.
"Sir General, it's been a long time since I last saw you." Captain Gu bowed in a formal manner.
"Greetings, General Zhonglang."
"My Lord, all is well."
“…”
The others greeted him with a flurry of chatter.
Zhao Xiping looked at Captain Hu. Captain Hu had no time to escape, so he could only salute reluctantly with a grim face.
Zhao Xiping was in a good mood. "Captain Hu, please don't be polite. I'm hosting a banquet at my home on the 28th of this month. I hope you will all come and show your support."
"I have prepared the gifts and am waiting for you to speak." Captain Yang said loudly.
"I've been so busy lately, planting cotton, that I finally have time to prepare the banquet. Don't mind," Zhao Xiping explained politely. "I'm organizing the banquet together with my wife's celebration gifts. Everyone, bring your families and go early in the day. Don't blame me for being rude. I came here personally to tell them that I won't let the servants deliver invitations anymore."
"No wonder."
"Of course, of course."
After receiving the notice, Zhao Xiping left the parade ground and went into the city to the Supervisory Office to talk to Supervisor Hu again.
As for the families of Zhao Xiaomi and Huang Ancheng, Zhao Xiping did not visit them in person. He asked the children of the two families to bring a message back.
…
It was the first time for Sui Yu to handle such a big thing. She was worried that she might not be able to do it well enough, so she asked Song Xian to discuss it.
The Song family had a glorious past, and Song Xian was quite knowledgeable in this area. She agreed to help with the matter for real.
"Your dining table isn't even presentable. It's made of inferior wood and hasn't been painted yet. Even a shovel can't clean out the grease marks." Song Xian said disdainfully. "Luckily, my family didn't fall so low as to sell off their property. My ancestors saved up a lot of fine things, but it's a pity they've been left to gather dust since my father died. I'll go back and open a warehouse and have your servants help me move it."
Sui Yu responded repeatedly, "Thank you, Sister Song."
Zhang Shun, Li Wu and others drove camels and followed Song Xian back to the city. Lacquer tables made of old elm and jujube wood were sent out of the city one after another. In addition to these, copper wine jugs, silver wine jugs and wine cups were also moved in in boxes, as well as various screens. Although some of them were faded, they were still as exquisite and valuable as ever.
The teahouse had already been cleaned, with a red and black carpet on the floor, beige linen hanging on the walls, and a screen in the middle to make it easier for men and women to walk.
On the twenty-seventh day, the lacquer tables were put in one by one, and the copper and silver pots were washed, dried, and filled with wine, suitable for both boys and girls, while children were given honey water and mulberry water.
Everything is ready, just waiting for guests to come.
The first to arrive were Zhao Xiaomi and Huang Lianzheng's family. Huang Ancheng arrived only an incense stick's time later than them and presented them with gifts. The two families then rolled up their sleeves to help and did not treat themselves as guests.
Immediately afterwards, ten centurions came together. They did not bring their wives, but each brought a child.
"Sir, Captain Sun's son is studying in your school. I heard that he is doing quite well. I wonder if you can send my son in there?" Captain Gu handed Zhao Xiping a wooden box.
"We can't keep up with the progress. Captain Sun's kid has been studying here for several years. He is like a seven or eight-year-old child who can run and jump. If your kid comes here now, he will be like a toddler who can't even eat. He won't even understand what the teacher is saying." Zhao Xiping politely declined.
"That's all." Captain Gu handed the wooden box to Huang Lianzheng, who was waiting beside him, and said, "This is a gift from me, please don't despise it, sir."
Huang Lianzheng saw Zhao Xiping nod, and he accepted it.
"Brother-in-law, the county magistrate is here." Sui Liang reminded.
Zhao Xiping hurried over to greet him. He said apologetically, "I've caused you a lot of trouble since I came back from Chang'an. I passed by the government office twice and didn't even have the nerve to come and give you an invitation."
"Your Excellency, your words are too kind. It's a difficult matter, but it's my responsibility to resolve this." The magistrate accepted a thin wooden box from his subordinate and said, "I'm offering you a gift. This is a land deed. Please choose a location you like, and I'll have the craftsmen choose a good day to begin construction."
Zhao Xiping liked the gift and personally escorted the magistrate to the teahouse.
As soon as Zhao Xiping went out, he bumped into Hu Jianguan and Hu Ansui. Hu Jianguan bowed and said, "My lord, you are busy. There are guests coming later. You don't need to entertain us. I'll let Ansui show me around."
Zhao Xiping didn't say anything polite to him, but he told Huang Ancheng to be careful.
"Sir, please forgive me for coming uninvited." The newly appointed agricultural official handed over two gifts and said, "One of them was sent by Wang, the agricultural supervisor, to an official before he left for Chang'an. He must have anticipated your promotion. My name is Ma, and I'm the new agricultural supervisor. I arrived in Dunhuang just five days ago. When I heard you were hosting a banquet, I didn't bother you."
"Thank you for your expense. Come in and have a seat." Zhao Xiping took the gift and handed it to Sui Liang. He led the group to the teahouse and asked, "Where did you work before?"
"Chang'an, I have the trust of the Minister of Agriculture and have sent my subordinates to assist you."
Oh, this is a spy, and he is also here to take credit. Zhao Xiping understood it instantly.
"This is the magistrate. Please sit with him and get acquainted with him first. You will inevitably interact with him later." Zhao Xiping led the man to the magistrate and introduced him, "Master Guo, this is Ma Nongjian. He just arrived from Chang'an five days ago."
"Nice to meet you." The magistrate stood up. "Did you have a smooth journey? When did you leave Chang'an?"
Zhao Xiping asked them to stay and talk while he went out.
Ten captains arrived one after another, their wives and children in tow. Sui Yu and Zhao Xiping greeted them, with men and women seated on opposite sides of the teahouse. She knew Captain Gu and Captain Yang's wives well, so she asked them to help look after the others. She also asked Song Xian to accompany them while she went out to greet the others.
Afterwards, Captain Hu came over alone, but Captain Qu gave him face and came with his whole family.
The guests had all arrived and the time had come. The servants brought out a plaque made of ebony, and Zhao Xiping invited everyone to come out and witness it.
The place where the plaque used to be hung was now vacant. The servants climbed up the wooden ladder and lifted up the plaque covered with red cloth.
Gan Er and Qingshan came out carrying an iron pot with a burning fire, and Xiaozai and Aning followed them with excitement on their faces, each holding a bundle of cut bamboo tubes.
This was bought by Sui Yu after the date of the banquet was set. Bamboo was not produced in Dunhuang and was heavy, so few caravans could carry it. After traveling all over Dunhuang, they only bought three bamboos.
After the plaque was hung, people came down the ladder. Xiaozai and Aning threw the bamboo tube into the fire, and then they covered their ears and ran away quickly.
The sealed bamboo tube with a bamboo knot burned and deformed under the flames, and correspondingly, the crackling sound of firecrackers exploded in the iron pot.
The guests looked over in surprise, and the next moment, bright red silk fell like flowing water amid the sound of firecrackers, and four large gold-plated characters sparkled in the sunlight.
Changgui Guest House——
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