Chapter 64 Chapter 64 Your humble servant, Xie Shaobao, greets His Royal Highness the Emperor. ...
Just as Xie Qingyan said, a list of soldiers to be rewarded was immediately drawn up, and a petition to establish an army was submitted. After being reviewed by the Fengge, it was presented to the emperor.
Inside the Taiji Hall, the emperor looked silently at the memorial in his hand with his eyes lowered. The air pressure around him was inexplicably low, and even the scribes, palace maids and others who were serving beside him were all silent, not daring to make any sound to disturb the emperor.
With a bang, Ji Zhao threw the memorial in his hand to the ground.
Everyone looked at each other, and finally someone brave enough bent down to pick up the memorial, and handed it to the table with trembling hands.
Ji Zhao slammed the memorial vigorously, her face grimacing. "Do these aristocratic families still hold me, the emperor, in their eyes?" She stood abruptly, hands clasped behind her back. "Now even the Xie family is submitting a petition for a new army? What? The throne will go to the Yuan family today and the Xie family tomorrow?"
No one in the hall dared to respond.
Since the previous emperor's passing, Xie Qingyan and Yuan Zhaoyun had led the charge, assisting Ji Zhao, then only fifteen years old, in ascending the throne. It could be said that Xie and Yuan could be considered Ji Zhao's teachers, sharing a mentor-mentee relationship.
But now, rather than saying that Xie and Yuan are Ji Zhao’s teachers, it is better to say that these aristocratic families are the shackles that restrain the Ji family’s imperial power.
Previously, the Wang family of Langya used its unique power to suppress the previous emperor, but the iron-blooded Wang family army under its command was the backbone of the force against the barbarians, so it had no choice but to endure and deal with it.
Now, the Xie family, a family famous for their profound discussions, took advantage of the opportunity to suppress bandits and brought 70,000 brave soldiers into their pockets.
That’s a full 70,000!
After Ji Zhao paced around the hall for a few times with his hands behind his back, he gave a cold order, "Go and call Huan Zhanyue."
Huan Zhanyue stayed in Sirong Mansion after court dismissal. After receiving the order, he hurried to the palace. When he arrived at Taiji Hall, he saw Ji Zhao sitting cross-legged on the couch, holding a white chess piece in his hand, staring at the chessboard with concentration.
Ji Zhao raised his head and pointed at the chessboard in front of him, "The general is here, please take a seat."
Huan Zhanyue staggered when he heard the call of "General" and subconsciously held onto the corner of the couch. He first saluted Ji Zhao, then lifted up his clothes and sat opposite her.
"Your Majesty, I don't know how to do this either."
Huan Zhanyue stared at the chessboard as if facing a formidable enemy, with cold sweat on her forehead. She spent all day either in Sirong Mansion or in the martial arts training ground on the outskirts of the city. She had never been involved in such elegant pursuits as poetry, songs, calligraphy, and painting, so how could she know how to play Go?
"This is just a pastime between me and Lord Huan. Feel free to do it."
Huan Zhanyue, looking ashen, picked up a black piece. After being decimated several times, he saw a smile finally appear on Ji Zhao's face and took the opportunity to ask, "I wonder what your majesty wants me to do?"
"I noticed that Lord Huan praised Xie Tingyu highly in his victory report, but he didn't elaborate on how she persuaded the Black Mountain Army to surrender. Today, since you have some free time, please tell me in detail."
Changing his previous dull demeanor, Huan Zhanyue immediately recounted in vivid detail how Xie Tingyu cleverly captured Shen Yu and bravely rescued Yuan Wangshu.
"Oh? I heard that Yuan's wedding plans to invite Xie Tingyu as best man. Is that the reason?"
Huan Zhanyue laughed heartily and said, "Then I don't know about that. It's not appropriate for an elder to interfere in the friendship between younger generations." He then went on to talk about how Xie Tingyu persuaded Zhang Yan and others to surrender.
When Ji Zhao heard that Xie Tingyu had promised Captain Zhang Yan that she would retain the command of this troop, but in reality it would be directly led by Xie Tingyu in name, his fingers tightened around the teacup and a darkness gradually appeared in his eyes.
Since ancient times, troops incorporated into bandit suppression operations have initially remained under the command of their former masters. Xie Tingyu's practice of preserving the old system, a precedent set by previous dynasties, was indeed a sound policy. It not only restored the troops but also prevented them from rebellion.
But the phrase "directly led by Xie Tingyu" doesn't it mean that this army will eventually belong to the Xie family? The most taboo in military integration is to change the commander mid-term. At best, it will cause morale to weaken, and at worst, it will cause military disaster.
However, there was no evidence to prove Xie Tingyu's actions, as he was openly fighting under the banner of the court's new army.
The hand hidden under the table suddenly exerted force, nearly shattering the teacup. Ji Zhao lowered his eyes to breathe slowly, and when he raised them again, his stern expression had faded. "I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. I will follow the Feng Pavilion's proposal and promote her to Senior Cavalry Commandant. I wonder what Lord Huan thinks of Xie's request to establish the Northern Army?"
Huan Zhanyue was an honest man, and he was probably only concerned about the safety of the border. Seeing such a talented general, he naturally did not want to hide him. He immediately clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty is wise! Tingyu should indeed be entrusted with the important task of commanding the new army."
Ji Zhao's breath nearly got stuck in her nose. She'd intended to provoke Huan Zhanyue into opposing the Xie family, but the stone-headed man simply wouldn't listen. She waved her hand impatiently, "I'll spare you the trouble. If you need anything, please leave immediately."
After everyone left, Ji Zhao looked at the memorial again and again. He really couldn't find any points to criticize, so he had to use cinnabar to approve it.
The cinnabar had not dried yet, and an indigestible feeling of depression suddenly came to his heart. Ji Zhao supported his head with his elbows, but with a casual glance, he saw the peony in the celadon vase in the corner.
Peony.
When she had forced Ji Lian to attend the meeting at Yuan's Qingliang Villa, she had secretly prepared a coat soaked in a warm fragrance. She had hoped to lure Yuan Wangshu into her trap when Ji Lian's feelings were aroused, forcing him to marry and leave the court while also eliminating a threat. However, for unknown reasons, the coat had been replaced, and her plan had failed.
Now, Yuan Wangshu has also made contributions in this bandit suppression and is gradually getting closer to the Xie family.
How can we make the Yuan and Xie families alienate each other?
Ji Zhao thought for a few moments, then picked up the cinnabar and wrote a line of words on his memorial.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, several imperial decrees were transmitted throughout Fengge. One was to allow Xie to establish a new Northern Army; two was to promote the officers and soldiers who had suppressed the bandits by one rank; three was to grant Xie Tingyu and Yuan Wangshu the joint title of Grand Protector and to teach the princess the art of riding and archery.
Several officials went to congratulate Xie Qingyan.
"Thank you, Grand Minister, for your excellent education. Not only has he now held the rank of Senior Cavalry Commandant, he is also responsible for the Imperial Daughter's riding and archery training. You are truly highly regarded by the current Emperor!"
"Captain Xie, your career is prosperous and your future is limitless!"
"Congratulations, Master Xie, on your promotion!"
"The Xie family of Chen County is indeed a century-old prestigious family!"
Xie Qingyan smiled gently and responded politely one by one.
After this party ended, a group of people turned around and rushed to Yuan Zhaoyun.
"Grand Minister of Agriculture, your daughter is extremely talented and resourceful. Not only is she now involved in the preparation and supervision of the new army, she is also teaching the imperial daughter riding and archery at the palace. Now, she is about to marry the son of the Fanyang Lu family. This is truly a triple blessing!"
"Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"It's really the envy of others!"
Yuan Zhaoyun put on a smile and responded without a single leak. After the group of people left, his dark phoenix eyes pierced through the carved gaps in the screen and fixed tightly on Xie Qingyan who was looking down at the document, with endless undercurrents surging in his eyes.
This hostility disappeared without a trace the moment Xie Qingyan raised his head.
Three days later, a carriage with red wheels and gorgeous hubs slowly drove out of Xie Garden. The copper bells on the eaves swayed gently with the carriage. The clear tinkling sound spread all the way through the palace road until it stopped steadily outside the palace gate.
As the car door opened, a slender figure jumped down swiftly.
Xie Tingyu wore a dark, narrow-sleeved, round-collared military robe. The lapels were embroidered with a crane, its wings flapping, ready to take flight. A three-foot-wide sash cinched his waist, making him look as sturdy as a bamboo. His ponytail, held high by a golden crown, was traversed by a golden hairpin with a twisted branch pattern, adding a touch of valiant elegance.
As she walked, the crimson center singlet beneath the black martial arts robe could be vaguely seen.
The palace attendant who had been waiting for a long time stepped forward and saluted, "Thank you for your well-being, sir. I wonder where Master Yuan is now?"
"Mother Wangshu's leg injury hasn't fully healed yet, so today I'm the only one in the palace responsible for teaching horseback riding and archery."
"yes."
The princess that Xie Tingyu was in charge of teaching riding and archery was named Ji Xun, an orphan of the late Lord Feng who had a difficult birth and was now being raised by Xie Helan himself.
The two walked along the bluestone path to an empty garden, but there was no sign of Ji Xun. The palace maid looked around, sweat dripping from her forehead. "Thank you, my lord, for your patience. I will go find His Highness right away."
Xie Tingyu nodded calmly.
This small garden is beautifully landscaped. The lower level offers a spacious meadow with a pavilion for rest. The upper level is a series of stacked rocks, forming a barrier. At this moment, a small figure, hiding behind a rock, whispered, "Is this the young guard who taught me archery?"
"Your Highness, this is Xie Tingyu, the youngest of the Xie clan of Chen Commandery, and your Excellency's younger sister."
Ji Xun tugged at the sleeve of her personal palace maid, her eyes wide. "Isn't she said to be a skilled fighter? She was able to subdue two thieves barehanded in a busy city, and even beat the Black Mountain bandit leader to his knees and beg for mercy?" She tilted her head to study the tall figure in the distance. "Why doesn't she look very strong? Is she really a good fighter?"
The palace servant who led the way finally found Ji Xun behind the lake rocks and rubbed his hands anxiously, "Your Highness, now that Young Guard Xie has arrived, please hurry down and don't keep him waiting anxiously."
The personal palace servant also whispered, "After all, she is your Majesty's biological sister. Your Highness must not neglect her."
Ji Xun patted the hem of her skirt and stood up. She took two steps and then turned back. She raised a little finger and instructed seriously, "Go get the golden arrow for pitching pots. I must test her." Her childish face was full of seriousness. "If she can't even pitch pots competently, can't hit the target five or ten times in a row, how can she be my master?"
"Are you the Xie Shaobao assigned to me?"
Xie Tingyu turned around when he heard the voice and saw a little girl with two buns walking down the stone steps, her apricot-yellow skirt swaying with her steps.
"I pay my respects to Your Highness."
Ji Xun put his hands on his hips and circled around her, suddenly grabbing her skirt. "You're quite tall, but not very strong." His nose wrinkled. "You don't look like a martial artist, but more like a teacher. Did you really subdue that Black Mountain bandit with your bare hands?"
"Your Highness, it is indeed my fault."
"It doesn't count if the Queen Mother approves of you! If you want to be my master, you must first pass this test!"
Ji Xun turned his head and shouted, "Bring the pots up to me."
Xie Tingyu looked over.
Two palace maids came over carrying a bronze pot together, and two other palace maids each held a quiver in their arms, which was filled with gilded arrows.
Ji Xun said loudly, "Place them two arrows away." He then looked at Xie Tingyu and said, "See if you can hit them five times in a row."
Xie Tingyu smiled and raised her hand, and a palace maid considerately handed her five arrows.
Then, Ji Xun looked at this Mr. Xie as if he was playing. He just raised and lowered his hands in a few simple movements. After a few whooshing sounds, five golden lights broke through the air and penetrated into the heart of the pot. The copper pot did not move at all, and even the sounds were combined into a clear clang.
"Wow! You're so amazing!"
Ji Xun's eyes widened, his mouth wide open enough to fit an apricot, and he immediately jumped up, "Add three more arrows to the distance! Send out five arrows!"
The so-called "five arrows for bravery" is the first threshold to enter the long-range shooting in the Zhou Dynasty's touhu ritual.
Xie Tingyu took the ten arrows. She weighed them in her hand, pulled one out, and with a twist of her wrist, the gilded arrow spun in a half circle of golden light at her fingertips before flying out and firmly piercing the mouth of the pot.
Ji Xun couldn't help but applaud.
Every time Xie Shaobao threw an arrow, it precisely split the previous one's shaft. The sound of arrows colliding and wooden shafts breaking at the mouth of the pot continued.
By the time Xie Tingyu had thrown the last arrow in his hand, the two-and-a-half-inch mouth of the pot was already filled to the brim.
"Wow!" Ji Xun grabbed Xie Tingyu's clothes and jumped up and down. He asked curiously, "I read in a book that a true sharpshooter can hit the target every time even with his eyes blindfolded. Can you do that?"
The palace maids and servants passing by could not help but stop and watch when they saw that Xie Shaobao was playing the game of tossing the pot in a lazy manner but his arrows never missed their targets, and his every move was full of elegance and grace.
The outermost palace servant was standing on tiptoe to peek through the crowd when she suddenly smelled the cool fragrance of a green lotus. She turned around, her face pale, and she knelt hurriedly, "Your Highness, the Emperor, is well."
The palace maids around scattered like startled birds, and the sounds of kneeling and greetings rose one after another.
Xie Tingyu's ears twitched slightly, and he pulled off the blindfold. He saw the man wearing a straight-collared shirt with an ink-colored landscape pattern, a plain white waist belt with tassels, and the hem of his shirt adorned with ink-painted plum blossoms that swayed with each step.
The whole person looks like a beautiful fairy who walked out of an ink painting.
"How's my uncle?" Ji Xun bowed politely, then stood on tiptoe, grabbed Xie Tingyu's thong with his little hands and pulled it down.
Xie Tingyu was forced to bend down, only to hear the child whisper, "This is my uncle. He doesn't usually like to walk around the palace, so it's normal that you don't recognize him. According to etiquette, you should call him His Highness the Emperor."
Ji Lian pursed her lips and watched the man straighten up in a serious manner, crossed his arms, and bowed, "Your Highness, the Emperor, is greeted by your Majesty."
This was the first time Xie Tingyu respectfully called him "Your Highness the Emperor".
He tried his best to keep his expression tense, his fingertips unconsciously curled up under his wide sleeves, and he coughed lightly, "Thank you, Master Bao, please stand up."
Ji Xun stepped forward and bowed to Ji Lian, "Uncle, this is the archery master that the Queen Mother assigned to me."
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Author's note: There will be one tomorrow too!! Ahhhhh, my author collection is almost 80!!
This chapter completes the foreshadowing of the peony coat worn by Ji Lian in Chapters 1 and 2.
7.27 Modify the title, change the uncle title to uncle
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