Ji Wan knew in her heart that she couldn't rush the matter of letting women join the army, and she hadn't found the commander yet, so there was no point in rushing, and she could only take it slowly.
As the sun set, Ji Wan couldn't wait to go back to the largest inn in Shicheng.
This battle made everyone in the city feel insecure. Almost every household stayed indoors, and there were no guests in the inn.
Of course Ji Wan still gave the silver.
The innkeeper was smiling, after all, it didn't matter whose money he made.
This sucker gave even more, hehe.
I heard that when this person was in Qingshizhou, he was able to make Qingshizhou more prosperous than the royal capital. I wonder if Shicheng can also be made like Qingshizhou.
A kid from Tongcheng had told him before that the streets were paved with bluestone bricks. Even the houses built by every household were made of blue bricks and large tiles!
It is really enviable.
The place was simple, so Yang Guan simply asked the eunuch to put a few soft cushions on the ground around to use as stools.
At Ji Wan and Xiling Mingyue's place, many large cushions were placed to show hierarchy.
Ji Wan was the first to raise his glass: "This is a toast to all the nobles for your generous support in this battle!"
The subordinate group also raised their glasses to toast Ji Wan.
Ji Wan raised his glass again: "Besides hosting a welcome party for Mother, the most important thing I want to do this time is introduce two people to you."
Ji Wan looked towards Zuo Yue and Gong Xu, extended her hand, and introduced them to everyone: "Zuo Yue, courtesy name Zhongyang, is from Wangdu. This Gong Xu, courtesy name Weixiao, is also from Wangdu."
The subordinates raised their glasses to celebrate, and Zuo Yue and Gong Xu also humbly raised their glasses to salute their colleagues.
For this kind of social occasion that was not serious, Ji Wan was happy to relax and leaned on Yang Guan's shoulder as if she had no bones.
After three rounds of drinks, Ji Wan drank a lot of wine because of the excitement of Xiling Mingyue's arrival. He was in high spirits and started teasing his subordinates.
They were all employees working for Ji Wan. They saw each other all day long. They were like friends, so they spoke more freely.
Ji Wan first called out Tuoba Feng and teased him, "Ah Feng, if you ask me, you just don't go to brothels enough. Last time, your face was as red as a monkey's butt."
"Chanhua, take Afeng with you to broaden your horizons."
Tuoba Feng also drank some wine. When he heard Ji Wan mention what happened that day, his already flushed face turned even redder.
"Your Highness is so skilled, I thought you were the one who was really into it!"
"A Feng, what are you talking about? I was trying to help us complete the mission. I was sacrificing myself."
Lin Chanhua also nodded in agreement, livening up the atmosphere: "That's right, Xiaofeng, you really should visit those places more often. After all, I also want to hold a grandson in my arms and play with him in the future."
The atmosphere at the banquet was just right, and Ji Wan didn't want to constrain his subordinates: "I know a delicious food, I will bring it out for you to taste tomorrow."
"Your Highness is not talking about barbecue!" Jin Lie was the first to expose Ji Wan's suspense.
"Ahem, don't expose me! I have a surprise for you guys tomorrow!"
"Your Highness gave such clear instructions to your subordinates yesterday, it's hard for us not to know!"
The day before yesterday, her mother came to Fanzhou. She was so excited that she ordered her subordinates to make many new and interesting gadgets to give to her mother.
Xiling Mingyue took the initiative to chat with Jiang Jian who was standing in front of her.
Jiang Jian was previously cleared of suspicion and rescued from death row by Xiling Mingyue, so he was very grateful to Xiling Mingyue.
"Your Majesty, may you be well and at peace. Due to etiquette, we have only communicated through letters, and I have never thanked you in person for saving my life. I am sorry for my impoliteness."
Although Xiling Mingyue is no longer a palace concubine, Jiang Jian still respectfully addresses her as "Empress."
Xiling Mingyue nodded with satisfaction: "Governor Jiang, you have worked hard to take care of Fu Guang. How is your wife's health recently? It has been a whole year since we last saw each other."
Of course, Jiang Jian couldn't enter the harem, but his wife could. When Ji Wan was a child, many of her novel toys were brought into the cold palace by Jiang Jian's wife.
"In reply to your Majesty, my wife is currently in the Governor's Mansion in Qingshi Prefecture. I sent her a letter when I learned you were coming. The next time Qingshi Prefecture sends something, my wife will probably come along."
Jiang Jian replied respectfully. He always remembered that it was the General of the Cavalry who, following the order of the Empress, personally pulled him out of prison and even promoted him from a fifth-rank minor official to a fourth-rank governor.
Even though he was a governor of a remote area, without even a chief secretary, he was still a fifth-rank official! His monthly salary was much higher than that of a fourth-rank official.
Fortunately, he was given the opportunity to follow a master who was more powerful than the imperial concubine.
"The war zone is chaotic. There's still time to ask your wife to wait. I have to go to Qingshizhou anyway."
Cui Min was surprised to see the Imperial Concubine chatting with Jiang Jian without any airs. In his impression, most favored imperial concubines were domineering and few were kind.
Among them, the current Empress Dowager is the worst.
"Min greets Madam Xiling." Cui Min respectfully interrupted their conversation.
"A member of the Cui family?" Xiling Mingyue guessed that this person must not have a good relationship with the Cui family, otherwise he would not have fallen to such a place as Qingshizhou.
"Yes, I am grateful for your trust, Your Highness. It is for this that Min is where he is today."
"Thank you for your hard work, child. If I'm not mistaken, you should be from the second branch of the Cui family. Are you uncle and nephew to the Duke of Zhenguo?"
"Madam is extremely talented and intelligent. Min admires her very much..."
Cao Ke, Gong Xu and Zuo Yue were all later recruits of the advisory group. Everyone was unfamiliar with them and no one came to toast them for a while. However, Pan Zhuo had been living in Qingshi Prefecture with his wife for the past few years and had met many people from all over the country.
For the sake of harmony within Ji Wan's tent, he took the initiative to bring a glass of wine to the table of the three people and took up the wine glass: "From now on, we will all make a living under His Highness. I hope the three of you will take good care of me."
The three of them also raised their glasses and responded, "Mr. Yuqing, please take good care of us."
Among the three, Pan Zhuo was the only one of similar age to Cao Ke. Both of them were half-buried in the ground, and they were more compatible in conversation.
"I heard that Xing's family is on the border of Beirong Kingdom. Does that mean his ancestors lived in Xiangcheng, Beirong Kingdom?"
There was a hint of surprise in Cao Ke's eyes: "Has Yuqing heard of it?"
"He mentioned it before when we talked to General Gu."
Zuo Yue was more kind to Ji Wan's subordinates than Gong Xu. Now that someone took the initiative to make friends with him, the vague feeling of being excluded in his heart finally disappeared.
"Mr. Yuqing, Yue and Weixiao would like to ask if there are no dancers to entertain His Highness at his banquet?" Gong Xu beside him also nodded inquiringly.
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