"Oh? A gift for His Majesty?"
Yang Ci was taken aback, and his gaze toward the cart became even more curious.
Yuan Shu nodded solemnly, "Yes, I was able to succeed at Yamatai entirely thanks to the might of the Han Dynasty, which enabled me to make those Japanese surrender. I will never forget such kindness!"
"Well, just like that old man Cao Song said, the Yuan family is truly blessed to have you all!"
Hearing Yuan Shu's words, Yang Ci couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
Who would have thought that the good-for-nothing, competitive, and spoiled brat would turn into what he is today?
"By the way, what gifts did you bring? I'll make a note of them and present them to His Majesty!" Yang Ci also looked at the convoy with curiosity.
"In reply to Lord Yang, these are merely local specialties from Yamatai, totaling five million taels of silver and one hundred and twenty beautiful women..."
"Uh~".
Upon hearing Yuan Shu's words, Yang Ci was also taken aback, shocked by Yuan Shu's grand gesture.
In the context of the entire Han Dynasty, five million taels of silver might not be a large sum.
However, for a family, this is a very considerable number.
However, the Han Dynasty is currently facing a significant silver shortage, and these five million taels of silver are equivalent to seven billion coins.
Such a large sum of money is considerable, even for the entire Yuan family.
Yuan Shu gave it away so readily; such boldness is something most people couldn't do.
At this moment, Yang Ci's gaze toward Yuan Shu held a hint of approval.
Even if such a person does not enter officialdom, their future achievements are immeasurable.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Yang Ci smiled and said, "I will send someone to receive the silver. As for the beauties, let's forget about them. His Majesty is not fond of women."
Moreover, they are Japanese women; I fear they might taint the royal bloodline!
Although the social atmosphere in the Han Dynasty had changed somewhat by this time, many officials and their families had taken in women from foreign lands.
However, Yang Ci, as the Minister of Rites, still held firm to his principles.
Women from foreign lands can be taken by others, but not by the royal family.
"What Master Yang said makes sense; it was my oversight that I failed to consider it!"
Upon hearing Yang Ci's words, Yuan Shu suddenly realized that he had indeed been somewhat reckless.
For scions of prominent families like them, if they had children with women from foreign lands, they could simply dispose of them or raise them like pigs.
But the royal family is different. In the hearts of the people, the emperor is the most sacred and noble.
The people naturally could not accept that the sacred and noble emperor had given birth to a prince with foreign blood.
After handing over the silver to Yang Ci, Yuan Shu led his men and the carriages carrying beautiful women toward the Yuan residence.
Once on the street, Ji Ling stepped forward and said, "Young master, since you are going home, we brothers will also find a place to stay first!"
Yuan Shu waved his hand, "It's alright, the Yuan residence is large enough to accommodate all the brothers!"
Ji Ling shook her head: "Young master, that's not what I meant. You see, we're just some rough men. Going to the Yuan family might not be appropriate..."
Yuan Shu gave Ji Ling a disapproving look. "What's wrong with that? I'm still a rough man, aren't I?"
“But sir, you are alright, I am just worried…”
"No need for further explanation. My name is Yuan Gonglu, and my words carry weight in the Yuan family. Just come with me!"
Yuan Shu raised his hand to interrupt Ji Ling, and walked forward with a confident expression.
Ji Ling and the others behind them couldn't help but exchange glances, feeling that their young master might be exaggerating.
Although they had some doubts, Ji Ling and the others didn't show it and could only silently follow behind Yuan Shu.
Before long, Yuan Shu and his entourage crossed the street and arrived at the Yuan residence.
"Still the same as always!"
Looking at the familiar gate of the mansion in front of him, Yuan Shu murmured softly, his nose slightly sore.
Just as Yuan Shu was feeling sentimental, the gate of the mansion suddenly opened, and an elderly man walked out. When he looked up, he was almost scared back.
There, in the open space in front of the Yuan residence, were thirty green-canopied carriages and several hundred men standing there, staring intently in their direction.
Such a scene would make anyone who didn't know better think that an attack on the Yuan family was about to take place.
Yuan Shu then stepped forward, looked at the old man with a smile, and said, "Uncle Yuan, how are you?"
"Young...Young Master?"
Upon seeing Yuan Shu approaching, the elderly man, addressed as Uncle Yuan, rubbed his eyes.
Yuan Shu smiled and nodded, "It's me!"
Upon hearing this, the old man cried out "Ah!" and immediately turned and ran towards the mansion, shouting as he ran:
"Master, it's the young master! The young master is back!"
"Uh~!"
Watching the old man's running figure, Yuan Shu was stunned and stood there in astonishment.
He hadn't even finished saying hello when he suddenly ran off... What does that mean?
Seeing their young master standing there awkwardly, Ji Ling and the others behind him couldn't help but purse their lips and turn their heads to the side.
The study in the Yuan family mansion.
Yuan Feng, whose temples were already gray, sat in a chair, staring blankly at the opposite wall, his eyes filled with melancholy and longing.
On the wall hang two exquisitely framed calligraphy scrolls. One reads "Father of Concrete, Yuan Zhouyang," and the other reads "Pioneer of Navigation, Yuan Gonglu."
These two calligraphy scrolls, handwritten by the emperor himself, were treasured by Yuan Feng and hung in his study, where he would look at them for a long time every day.
"Master! Master!!"
Just as Yuan Feng was thinking of his son, a hurried shout came from outside. Then, the door was pushed open, and the old man called Uncle Yuan walked in, panting.
"What's going on? How can you be so unruly?!"
Distracted from his thoughts, Yuan Feng's face darkened, and he reprimanded him with great displeasure.
Ignoring Yuan Feng's reprimand, Uncle Yuan exclaimed excitedly, "Master, the...the young master is...back!!"
"What? You mean, Highway is back?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Feng stood up abruptly, looking at Uncle Yuan with a hint of disbelief.
"Yes, sir, the young master is right outside the manor!" Uncle Yuan replied.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Feng's face lit up with joy, and he quickly walked out of the house, with Uncle Yuan following behind.
Soon, Yuan Feng arrived at the front hall. He had just stepped out of the hall when he stopped, and the smile on his face disappeared.
"master?"
Uncle Yuan, standing behind, was also taken aback, staring blankly at his master.
"Hmph, this unfilial son, he actually knows how to come back! Go and tie him up and bring him to me!"
Yuan Feng snorted coldly, then flicked his sleeves and turned to walk towards the chair at the head of the table.
Seeing the master's sudden change in attitude, Uncle Yuan was also stunned.
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