The Yuan residence.
Following Yuan Feng's instructions, all the servants in the mansion were mobilized to move tables and chairs into the courtyard.
The men who had returned with Yuan Shu also clumsily stepped forward to help, but they didn't know how to arrange things, and ended up making a mess of things.
Looking at the lively scene in the mansion, Yuan Feng stroked his beard in the living room, his smile never fading.
He discovered that these rugged men possessed a unique charm that scholars lacked; you wouldn't know it until you met them, and once you did, you felt exceptionally comfortable.
In the back hall of the Yuan residence, Madam Cui frowned as she looked at the hundreds of Japanese women that Yuan Shu had brought back.
"Shu'er, I know your temperament, but I will absolutely not agree to you taking these women in!"
Seeing that Cui was somewhat angry, Yuan Shu couldn't help but shrink back. "Uh, Mother, please calm down. I didn't mean to take them in. I'll do whatever you say!"
"Hmph~, that's good!"
Cui gave a soft hum, and her furrowed brows relaxed.
Madam Cui looked at the maid beside her and said in a deep voice, "Go and bring me the register of all the unmarried servants in the manor!"
"Yes, Mistress!"
The maid respectfully agreed and then turned to leave.
Yuan Shu stared blankly at Cui Shi: "Mother, are you planning to distribute them all to the servants in the mansion?"
Madam Cui smiled and said, "Of course, not long ago His Majesty called on all eligible men in the Han Dynasty to marry and have children as soon as possible, and I have been keeping this in mind. Now that you have brought back these women, it is just the right time to arrange marriages for them!"
"Shu'er, you're not young anymore. It's time to heed His Majesty's call and get married and have children as soon as possible!"
Then, Cui steered the conversation back to Yuan Shu.
"Ah, it's all up to Mother to decide!!"
Yuan Shu originally intended to decline, but upon hearing that it was the emperor's call, he swallowed back the words he was about to say.
Just as the mother and son were talking, the maid who had left earlier came over with a register in her hand.
Lady Cui took the roster and immediately assigned it to the servants in the mansion and the Japanese women.
After the news spread, the servants who were busy working cheered and jumped for joy, and their hands moved even faster.
Just as the Yuan residence was bustling with excitement and jubilation, a squad of elite guards escorted a carriage slowly to the gate of the Yuan residence.
After the carriage stopped, a young eunuch quickly stepped forward and lay down beside the carriage. Zhang Rang then stepped on the eunuch's back and jumped to the ground.
"Wow, is the Yuan family celebrating something? It's so lively!"
Hearing the commotion coming from inside the Yuan residence, Zhang Rang became interested and immediately started walking towards the residence.
The servants on duty at the gate of the Yuan residence also hurriedly came forward to greet them.
"May I ask who this gentleman is...?"
“My master Zhang Rang has an imperial decree to deliver to your young master.”
Zhang Rang smiled and announced his name and purpose.
He is not the same as before, and rarely personally delivers imperial edicts anymore. It is not surprising that the two servants in the Yuan family do not recognize him.
"Ah, it's Zhang Changshi who has arrived! Please come in!"
The servant called out, gestured to his companion, and led Zhang Rang toward the mansion.
"What are you doing in your household?"
After climbing the steps in front of the Yuan residence, Zhang Rang saw a bustling scene inside and asked with curiosity.
"Reporting to Attendant Zhang, our young master has just returned, and our master has prepared a banquet to entertain the brave men who guarded him!" the servant said respectfully.
"Oh? Your master entertained those men?"
Zhang Rang raised an eyebrow, looking at the burly men in the Yuan residence with a strange expression on his face.
As they spoke, Zhang Rang had already stepped over the threshold of the Yuan residence. The servant responsible for guiding him also stepped forward and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Zhang Changshi has arrived!!"
As the shouts subsided, the once bustling courtyard immediately fell silent, and everyone turned to stare blankly at Zhang Rang.
The term "常侍" (chángshì) refers to the emperor's close attendants, a fact that people are generally aware of.
When a close attendant of the emperor arrives, it must be because an imperial edict has been issued.
Thinking of all this, people looked at Zhang Rang with a hint of respect.
Of course, this respect was for the emperor, not for Zhang Rang.
Seeing the crowd suddenly quiet down, Zhang Rang couldn't help but show a look of enjoyment on his face.
Although he no longer has any desire for power, he still quite enjoys the feeling of being high and mighty.
Zhang Rang, with his head held high and chest puffed out, strode towards the front hall of the Yuan residence, adopting the gait he had learned from the emperor.
Wherever Zhang Rang passed, people on both sides bowed their heads and clasped their hands in respect.
When Zhang Rang walked into the courtyard, Yuan Feng and his son Yuan Shu, who had received the message, also rushed over.
"Haha, I had no idea that Attendant Zhang would grace us with his presence. Please forgive me for not greeting you properly!"
As Yuan Feng walked, he smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhang Rang.
"Oh, greetings, Minister Yuan!!"
Upon seeing Yuan Feng, Zhang Rang exclaimed "Oh dear!" and stopped puffing out his chest and walking with his feet turned to shoulder. He then put on a chrysanthemum-like smile and returned the greeting with clasped hands.
Yuan Feng asked with a smile, "Has Zhang Changshi come in person because His Majesty has issued any decree?"
Zhang Rang smiled and nodded, then turned to look at Yuan Shu beside him.
Upon seeing this, Yuan Shu also hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.
Zhang Rang immediately shouted, "His Majesty has decreed that Yuan Shu and all the seafaring heroes be summoned to the palace for an audience tomorrow!!"
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