Chapter 921 Chapter 921, Pregnancy
The death of Chen Jingbing frightened the commander of Xintunwei, Hong Zhong, and he did not dare to deliberately obstruct the construction of the military town. When Xiao Yeyang came to inspect, the three military towns had already taken shape.
Hong Zhong is a better person than Shen Jingbing. He always listens to Xiao Yeyang on all issues concerning the border troops and will never oppose Xiao Yeyang openly.
Seeing that he was sensible, Xiao Yeyang did not make things difficult for him.
Watching the city wall rising rapidly, Hong Zhong whispered to his staff, "I don't know where Xiao Yeyang found the building materials. I had someone test it out, and it's much stronger than ordinary rammed earth."
The staff nodded and said, "It rained a few days ago, and I noticed that the road was made of cement, and there was no mud at all. If all the official roads in Xiliang were built like this, it would not only increase the speed of marching, but also make it more convenient for the people to pass through."
After every rain, the road becomes muddy, which not only makes walking difficult but also damages shoes.
Hong Zhong sighed. Even though his heart was on Lord Wei's side, he had to admit that Xiao Yeyang's arrival had improved many problems in Xiliang.
Xiao Yeyang put a lot of effort into controlling the border troops. In order to investigate the power and loyalty behind the border army generals, most of his Jinling Guards and Secret Guards were used for this.
The generals of Jianzhou Guard, led by Shen Jingbing, were lazy, corrupt and indulged in pleasure. The soldiers they led had no military discipline or appearance at all. It took Xiao Yeyang a lot of effort to change this bad habit.
The situation in Xintunwei is better, but only slightly better.
Looking at the emaciated soldiers, Xiao Yeyang asked Defu to find Hong Zhong.
"Master Xiao, what do you want from me?"
Xiao Yeyang looked at Hong Zhong, who looked respectful: "You are smarter than Shen Jingbing!"
Hong Zhong was a little confused by this sudden praise.
Xiao Yeyang flipped through the records of the border troops receiving rations and continued slowly, "Even if you surrender to others, your life is your own. If you throw your life away for others, you are as stupid as a pig."
Hong Zhong felt nervous. Was Xiao Yeyang warning him?
"Master Xiao, please tell me what you want to do."
I just hope you won’t scare him by saying such specious things anymore.
Seeing the fear in Hong Zhong's eyes, Xiao Yeyang frowned and shook his head. Such a person actually managed a garrison. If the Western Liao people really broke in, could he lead the soldiers to resist the enemy?
"I've looked at the records of food that the Xintunwei provided to the border troops in recent years, and you haven't provided enough in any one year!"
Hong Zhong opened his mouth to say that the harvest in Xintunwei was not good, but unfortunately Xiao Yeyang did not give him this opportunity.
"Don't tell me the harvest isn't good. Xintunwei's geographical environment is much better than Ganzhouwei and Jinweiwei. There are grasslands and plains. The land resources are considered good among the nine Xiliang guards. If you can't even pay enough military rations, you might as well quit being the commander."
Hong Zhong is not a man of great ability. He was able to sit in the position of commander mainly because he listened to Wei Hongcai. He was also a bit timid. After hearing what Xiao Yeyang said, he was so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead.
Xintunwei had a good harvest of grain, but except for a small portion that he withheld, most of the rest was sent to the Wei family.
Xiao Yeyang looked at Hong Zhong coldly, "The autumn harvest is coming soon. If you fail to provide enough food to the border troops this year, I will personally submit a memorial to the emperor. By then, no one will be able to protect you."
Watching Hong Zhong leave in a daze, his face pale, Daohua, who was standing by as a guard, walked over to Xiao Yeyang and shook his head, saying, "How could such a person be a third-rank official? How does the Xiliang Commandery select people?"
Xiao Yeyang sighed, "Wei Hongcai appoints people based on personal connections. Although Hong Zhong doesn't have much ability, he is obedient." As he said that, he pulled Daohua to sit down.
"Master Wang has contacted several officials from Xintunwei. I'm going to make an appearance later, so it's not convenient to bring you with me. Please stay in the tent and don't run around."
Daohua knew that Xiao Yeyang was probably going to win over the officials of Xintunwei, so it would be inappropriate for her to go with him: "Okay, I understand."
Xiao Yeyang: "By the way, we received a letter from the capital. My eldest brother, as well as my second and third brother-in-law, are willing to come to Xiliang. After we have arranged things in Xintunwei, we will return to Ganzhouwei."
It wasn't surprising that Yan Wenxiu came to Daohua, but she was a little surprised that Yan Yihuan and Yan Yishuang's husbands were also here: "What are you going to do with them?"
Xiao Yeyang was silent for a moment. "Jinweiwei, Jianzhouwei, and Xintunwei border Western Liao. The garrisons are related to the food and salary supply of the border troops. These three garrisons must be under my control."
"Yuan Xuan is already in Jianzhou Guard. I plan to send my second and third brother-in-laws to Jinwei Guard and Lanwu Guard respectively. As for my eldest brother, I want him to stay in Xintun Guard."
Daohua was a little hesitant. The commander of Xintunwei was Wei Hongcai's man. She was a little worried about her brother's safety if he stayed here.
Without hiding anything, Daohua spoke directly what was in her mind.
Xiao Yeyang also expressed his thoughts: "It is because Xintunwei is not under my control that I want Big Brother to stay here. There are risks, but the credit is also great."
"I will discuss this matter with my eldest brother. If he is willing to stay, I will leave some secret guards to protect him."
Daohua nodded: "Then when big brother comes, you can have a good talk with him."
By the time Xiao Yeyang had arranged the affairs of Xintunwei, it was already August.
Xiao Yeyang and Daohua returned to Ganzhou City the day before Mid-Autumn Festival.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Daohua invited the Dong, Su, and Li families to the Xiao Mansion to watch the moon. After seeing them off, she lay down on the bed with a tired look on her face.
Seeing that she was listless, Xiao Yeyang asked distressedly, "Are you tired?"
Daohua shook her head: "I don't know what's going on, I've been feeling very sleepy lately."
Xiao Yeyang looked self-blaming: "He must be tired from following me around lately."
Daohua thought this was the reason and fell asleep quickly after washing up.
I thought the situation would improve after a few days of rest, but until September, the rice flowers still looked listless and had no energy during the day.
Gu Jian noticed his apprentice's situation and pulled Xiao Yeyang aside and scolded him.
Xiao Yeyang felt a little aggrieved. He felt distressed when he saw Daohua was listless during this period. She slept peacefully at night without tossing and turning at all.
"Girl, don't just worry about us, take care of yourself too. I see you've lost weight."
Seeing Daohua coming over with the freshly brewed milk tea, Gu Jian couldn't help but say something.
Daohua was stunned and touched her cheek: "I've lost weight?" She had obviously eaten much more recently than before, and she thought she had gained weight.
Xiao Yeyang listened to his uncle's nonsense and the corners of his mouth twitched. How could Daohua have lost weight? She had obviously gained weight. When he gave her a massage at night, he could clearly feel a circle of soft flesh growing on her waist, which felt very good to touch.
At this time, Guyu walked in: "Miss, Madam Dong is here."
As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Xiaoman walked in, with a maid behind her carrying two bamboo baskets.
Daohua greeted her with a smile: "Sister-in-law is here."
Liu Xiaoman smiled and said, "My father sent me some fruit again. I saw that you liked to eat it, so I thought of sending you some."
Daohua looked at the fruits in the basket, thanked them, picked up one and smelled it: "Is this a green tangerine? It looks delicious." As she said that, she peeled it and started eating it.
When Liu Xiaoman saw the maid actually brought the sour oranges over, she hurriedly tried to stop her, but was surprised to find that Daohua was eating them petal by petal, "Sister-in-law, isn't it sour?"
Daohua shook her head: "It's not sour." As she said that, she fed Xiao Yeyang a petal.
After Xiao Yeyang put it in his mouth, he suddenly felt so sore that his eyes narrowed.
Seeing this, Liu Xiaoman looked at Daohua and asked tentatively, "Sister-in-law, are you pregnant?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Daohua, Xiao Yeyang and Gu Jian all stared at Liu Xiaoman.
(End of this chapter)
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