“You really allow Wenliang to go out and explore?”
After Ji Wanglan and Ji Wenliang left, Tao Yu couldn’t help but ask Huo Shu.
Wenliang was much younger than him, only sixteen this year, and was the youngest son of his seventh uncle’s family.
When his paternal grandfather and grandmother were still alive, and his father was still a child at home, he was closest to his seventh uncle among his siblings. After the family split, they remained the closest.
Seventh uncle’s family had one son and one ge’er. They then had Wenliang. It was said that when their branch of the family had no sons for a long time, seventh uncle originally intended to adopt Wenliang.
His father and mother did not agree. All children were flesh and blood born to their parents. Although seventh uncle’s family was not rich, they could still afford to raise their children. How could they feel at ease sending a child away?
Since the adoption did not succeed, both families treated the children as their own.
Huo Shu said, “Didn’t you say you quite liked Wenliang? You said he was upright and motivated, and it’s a good thing he has the spirit to go out and explore. Why would I not allow it?”
“Age is not a hindrance. I joined the army at fifteen and was already fighting on the battlefield at sixteen. For him to go out and see the world at this age, it can only be said that it’s not too late.”
Ji Yangzong said, “Huo Lang is right. Since your seventh uncle and seventh uncle’s wife agreed, let him go out and see.”
“You also know that your seventh uncle had some illnesses when he was young and can’t do too much heavy or tiring work now. The family hasn’t split up, and the eldest brother acts as the father. Wen Shan is married, and the whole family relies on him.”
“But your brother Wen Shan broke his leg last year and only recently recovered, and then they had another child. Seeing that Wenliang is also old enough to get married, and everything costs money, life is tight.”
Ji Yangzong sighed, “Your sister-in-law has worked tirelessly for many years, and now she wants to split the family. Wenliang feels like he’s a burden, so he wants to develop some abilities on his own.”
Tao Yu fell silent. Every family has its own difficulties, all revolving around the trivial matters of daily life.
They say having many children brings many blessings. Having many children means a thriving lineage, but it also means more troubles.
“Let’s just leave it at that for now.”
Ji Yangzong said, “By the way, how did your shopping trip to the city go today?”
“We have found and decided on everything, and the price is fair,” Tao Yu said with a smile.
“That’s good.”
Ji Yangzong also nodded in relief, then took out a small bundle and handed it to the two of them. “When starting a business, money is essential. Your mother and I cannot help you much. Take this and use it. If it’s not enough, just ask. Your uncles and cousins can also think of ways.”
“Dad, we have money.”
“Take it.”
Ji Yangzong stuffed the silver into Tao Yu’s arms. “Before, you used to cling to me for money. Now you have Huo Lang’s money, and you’re being polite to your parents when you have money to spend.”
“Your parents only have you, their child. This will all be yours sooner or later, whether you take it now or later, it’s all the same.”
Tao Yu hugged the silver, and a wave of warmth flowed through him.
“Then I won’t be polite.”
After tidying up and washing, Tao Yu returned to the room, feeling very tired.
He took off his clothes and lay down on the bed. He opened the money bag that Ji Yangzong had given him and saw fifty taels of gleaming silver inside, and immediately felt more energetic.
“Mom and Dad have really gone to great lengths for our business, giving us so much!”
Although it was nothing compared to the money Huo Shu had, it was rare for ordinary families to be able to come up with thirty to fifty taels of silver.
Although his father was the village head, the prefectural household department gave some firewood money every month. Nicely put, he was just a minor official, earning only a few hundred copper coins a month. Besides, during festivals, they usually received some rice, flour, salt, and oil, which saved a lot of expenses.
However, in recent years, the salary and festival gifts had been decreasing year by year. Tao Yu didn’t know if it was because the prefectural officials were embezzling it or if the court was really reducing its expenses.
In any case, the money the family could save was still from the forests and fields.
For this reason, fifty taels of silver was the most the family could support, after all, they still had to live. They couldn’t drain all their savings for the business.
Speaking of money, their family had many sources of income: the monthly allowance from the prefectural yamen, the filial piety from the villagers, the forests and fields. Moreover, they only had him as their child. Such income made them outstanding among the villagers in the surrounding ten villages, with savings of no more than a hundred taels.
How did Huo Shu manage to save so much money?
He turned his head to look at the person sitting in front of the candlelight, meticulously trimming their fingernails, who had been at it for a long time without finishing.
“Are you filing your nails so flat to enter a beauty pageant?”
“Almost done.”
After Tao Yu put the silver away and returned to bed, seeing that Huo Shu had finally finished, he intended to look at his hands but then remembered something more important.
He looked suspiciously at the person who was about to get into bed.
“How did you earn your money? You never tell me when I ask. If you don’t tell me today, I won’t let you get on the bed.”
Huo Shu looked at the person blocking the bed with their arms open, his eyebrows playfully raised. With a sweep of his arm, he scooped the person up and tucked them into the quilt.
“Trying to stop a chariot with a mantis’s arms is more dramatic than what’s shown in the opera house.”
Tao Yu kicked Huo Shu in annoyance. He wished he could train his arms and legs to be stronger so that Huo Shu wouldn’t dare to look down on him.
Huo Shu grabbed the kicking foot and placed the ankle at his waist.
He looked at the ge’er lying on the bed, his clothes slightly disheveled, revealing a bit of his protruding collarbone. He was clearly very alluring but still glared at him unknowingly.
This action was a bit dangerous.
“Let go, I’m freezing.”
Tao Yu struggled in Huo Shu’s palm, trying to pull his foot back into the quilt. However, the person in front of him suddenly leaned over.
In an instant, he was enveloped by Huo Shu’s unique, fierce, and powerful aura. This body could completely cover him.
As if a high mountain was collapsing upon him, his heart tightened, and he weakly pushed Huo Shu away.
Huo Shu, whose legs were pressed down, spread slightly apart. Discomfort and shame made him blush instantly.
“You’re crushing me.”
Huo Shu listened to the soft voice by his ear and said, “Why do you blush so much?”
Either his eyes turn red or his face turns red.
Tao Yu looked at the person close to him and couldn’t help but touch Huo Shu’s excessively high nose bridge. “Do you think everyone is as thick-skinned as you?”
Huo Shu’s nose tickled as it was touched. He held down Tao Yu’s hand, which was always stirring up trouble.
“Do you want to try again tonight?”
Tao Yu was completely restrained, with no power to resist, like a fish on a chopping board waiting to be slaughtered.
This only made him feel an unspeakable sensation.
His face turned even hotter, fearing that he wouldn’t be allowed to say no.
“Then, then you try, or do you use what the doctor gave you…”
Huo Shu said nothing and suddenly got up.
Tao Yu’s body was freed from restraint, and he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, both from Huo Shu’s pressure and from the fact that he was still using what he brought back from the doctor.
Although he always hoped to succeed sooner, when it came to the actual act, he couldn’t help but flinch a little.
Huo Shu, however, had already returned.
Feeling the large hand on his waist pulling at his pants, Tao Yu quickly grabbed Huo Shu’s hand. “Don’t you want to warm it up?”
“It’s warm.”
Tao Yu didn’t understand the meaning of these words at first. Only later did he realize why this person was inexplicably trimming his nails.
This was even more embarrassing than using the jade pillar before.
How could he have imagined it could be like this?
He was like duckweed on water, wherever the current carried him, that’s where he would go.
If his pain was amplified tenfold compared to ordinary people, then his pleasure… cough~
Tao Yu bit his lip, trying his best not to make a sound.
The next day, when Tao Yu woke up, his legs were so weak they felt stuck to the bed, completely unable to lift themselves. He had to use his hands to help move them down.
He lifted the curtain and saw Huo Shu entering the room, carrying breakfast.
“What’s for breakfast today?”
When Tao Yu spoke, he realized his voice was quite hoarse.
He couldn’t help but recall what happened last night and closed his mouth in embarrassment.
“Dumplings, lamb filling.”
Huo Shu finished speaking and saw the person sitting on the bed, their eyes sparkling, but still reluctant to get out of bed.
Indeed, some things couldn’t be relied on external factors; one had to do it oneself to feel more involved.
He took a thick fleece coat, walked over, and hugged the person in it to the table.
Tao Yu looked at the plump dumplings in the bowl and was very happy. As he picked up a spoon to taste one, he saw there was only one bowl and looked at Huo Shu. “Aren’t you eating?”
“I’ve already eaten.”
Huo Shu opened a window slightly. The sun was out today, and the sunlight had already fallen on the window frame.
The room was closed and quiet. Tao Yu didn’t even realize it was already past sunrise.
“Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”
Huo Shu sat opposite Tao Yu. “My uncle’s family is hosting guests today. They left early in the morning and told me to join them for lunch.”
Thinking that he had been busy outside all day yesterday and slept late at night, he let him sleep in.
Tao Yu was relieved to hear that his parents had already left. He bit into the delicious and flavorful dumplings.
The dumpling filling was seasoned very well, and the soup was a high-quality broth made from lamb bones.
The dumplings must have been made by his mother, and the soup was also boiled yesterday. It was likely that Huo Shu had cooked the dumplings.
Although it didn’t require much skill to scoop them into the soup once cooked, thinking that it was the first time he was eating something cooked by Huo Shu, he ate with particular relish.
Seeing Huo Shu sitting quietly beside him, watching him eat, Tao Yu asked, “You still haven’t told me how you saved so much money yesterday.”
Huo Shu saw that the person kept asking, as if they wouldn’t feel at ease without an answer.
“You really want to know that badly?”
Tao Yu quickly nodded. “Of course!”
Huo Shu’s eyes lowered slightly. “Do you know how ordinary soldiers are promoted in the army?”
Tao Yu didn’t know much about military matters and didn’t understand why Huo Shu suddenly brought this up. He said, “By fighting bravely and killing enemies.”
“That’s not wrong. However, on the battlefield, there are flashes of swords and shadows. Who can continuously watch if you are fighting bravely? You need proof to confirm if you are brave.”
Tao Yu nodded. “That’s true. So how is it proven?”
Huo Shu calmly uttered two words: “Heads.”
Junior soldiers who joined the army were counted by the number of enemies they killed. They would bring the heads of enemy soldiers with them. After countless battles, once they accumulated a certain number, they could be promoted from a private to a corporal.
To climb higher, in addition to beheading enemy soldiers, they also needed military achievements.
Tao Yu’s mouth opened, and the dumplings in his bowl seemed to lose their flavor for a moment.
He knew that war was cruel, but he never expected the actual battlefield to be so brutal.
Some scholars always criticized generals who achieved their positions through military merit as rough and crude, as if they felt that achieving a position through force was easier than through arduous study.
Little did they know that a failed imperial examination could be retaken, but a single mistake on the battlefield meant losing one’s life, with no chance to try again.
“I was young and reckless and wanted to climb higher. However, the court was corrupt, and the military camp was even worse.”
Huo Shu fought bravely and killed countless enemies. He was an outstanding performer among those who joined the camp at the same time and was quickly promoted to corporal.
He was once full of youthful spirit, truly believing that fighting enemies bravely was enough to advance, until he met a corporal who slacked off even during training, and relied on having connections to get ahead of those stronger than him.
There were many corporals, centurions, and even chiliarchs around who hired soldiers to fight for them, taking their heads to gain promotion opportunities.
Only then did he realize that there was no true fairness in this world.
Huo Shu served as a corporal for several years. Due to his lack of background, even with his strong abilities, he was repeatedly passed over by those who took shortcuts.
After so many times, his rough edges were smoothed out.
He was not a pedantic or inflexible person. He understood that without connections, even if he was capable of killing more, he would only be a stepping stone for others.
Money and military rank, one of them had to be in his hands.
“For this reason, I accept every time someone in the army offers money.”
Huo Shu looked at the silent Tao Yu and sighed, “It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, but you were born in a place like Tongzhou, and it’s not easy for you to accept these things.”
Otherwise, basic soldiers in the army received no money. If they had even a small military rank, they could receive a monthly allowance and military rewards.
On the front lines, simply surviving was difficult. If one wanted to have some savings, how could it be possible without some means?
Tao Yu pursed his lips, his emotions complex.
On the battlefield, human lives were like grass. It was either his death or theirs, and no one could blame the ruthlessness of those on the battlefield.
However, hearing that human lives were traded in such a manner to improve military merit, he couldn’t help but be shocked.
Books say it’s better to be a dog in peace than a person in chaos, and it seems that’s how it is.
If the world could be peaceful, then there would be fewer such cruel things.
“I, I understand.”
“Eat your dumplings quickly.”
Huo Shu gently stroked Tao Yu’s hair.
“It’s getting late. After breakfast, we should be able to go over there.”
Tao Yu responded.
When they finished tidying up and went over, Ji Yangkai’s house was already filled with many people.
It was mainly Ji’s siblings, along with the younger generation, their sons-in-law. By this morning, half the courtyard was already filled with people who had come at their leisure. If everyone arrived, there would be several dozen more people.
“It’s not that I’m saying this to you, Sixth Brother, but we’re family. Why are you signing death certificates and hurting your family’s feelings? Your third sister has doted on you since she was little. Whenever there was something good, she always thought of you. You even apply the rules of the village head to your own family. Don’t blame me for being angry.”
Ji Yangkai stood in the courtyard, with Ji Wanglan by his side. Clearly, he had been rebuffed there yesterday and turned to his elder brother, Ji Yangkai, to complain.
This morning, Ji Yangkai was earnestly persuading him. “Yuan Fei is also coming today. Elder brother will make the decision. Let him go out and explore with your son-in-law. It’s also mutual support, isn’t it?”
Ji Yangzong saw the two of them singing and dancing in harmony. They were like this when they were little. After all, it was about who they were thinking of.
His anger flared up, but thinking that the whole family had finally gathered, he shouldn’t cause a scene, so he crossed his arms and did not respond to their words.
“Uncle, Aunt Third.”
Tao Yu stepped forward and greeted them.
“You two are here.”
Ji Yangkai was shrewd and knew that Huo Shu was a tough nut to crack. He immediately stopped talking about what he was saying and changed the subject. “Go inside and eat some fruit. Your cousins are all talking inside.”
Tao Yu replied with a smile but didn’t move.
Instead, he said, “It’s been a while since I’ve visited Uncle’s place. Is the construction team led by Uncle building sheds and houses smoothly? I heard Brother Li say recently that the team even worked in the county town, and he said the scenery there was beautiful, which enthralled me. Uncle, you’re truly amazing!”
“Our Brother Tao is so thoughtful, knowing to ask about family matters. Everything is fine.”
Ji Yangkai’s face was covered in wrinkles from being praised. He said, “Working in the county was just a small project. Previously, we built a house for a merchant, and they said it was good, so they introduced us to their relatives in the county.”
Tao Yu smiled knowingly and turned to look at Ji Wanglan. He changed the subject and said,
“Aunt Third, didn’t you mention yesterday that Cousin Yuan Fei wanted to find something to do? It’s unstable outside. If Cousin were to go to such a distant place alone, not only would he not be able to cope, but it would also be inconvenient to take care of the family.”
“If he could work under Uncle’s construction team, wouldn’t he be able to take care of his family and occasionally go to other places to build, and also gain experience?”
“Perhaps if he went to a local place, the girls and ge’er there would see that Cousin is a good and capable person and would follow him back.”
Tao Yu said, “Aunt Third, don’t you think so?”
Ji Yangzong quickly agreed. “What he said is not wrong. If Yuan Fei were to go with Huo Shu to such a distant place, even if he met suitable girls and ge’er on the way, those people would think that a traveling merchant is unstable. Why would they be willing to let their children follow Yuan Fei?”
“If it’s a place within Tongzhou city, how far can it be? Perhaps they would even think that Yuan Fei is closer to the prefectural city and like him even more.”
The marriage of their son was Ji Wanglan’s concern and top priority.
Hearing Tao Yu and Ji Yangzong’s father and son calculate this, she thought it was indeed good and immediately changed her mind. “Elder brother, why don’t you let Yuan Fei follow you?”
“With Elder brother watching over Yuan Fei, even if he wanted to act foolishly, he couldn’t!”
Ji Yangzong said, “I think this matter is settled. Elder brother, alright?”
Ji Yangkai coughed dryly. “This might not be appropriate. I already have enough manpower. I was embarrassed to tell two people who have been with me for a long time that they couldn’t come at the end of the year. The construction team’s work hasn’t been much in the past two years.”
Before Ji Wanglan could speak, Ji Yangzong said, “One more person means more help. Who would ever dislike having more people? Besides, even if the manpower is sufficient, what does it matter to have one or two more relatives? He’s a nephew, not an outsider.”
He threw Ji Wanglan’s words from yesterday back at his elder brother verbatim.
Ji Wanglan felt that these words were somewhat familiar, but overall, they hit the mark. She said, “Yes, Elder brother. You can’t just watch Yuan Fei grow this old with no prospects for marriage.”
“Before, I also found him something to do, but he quit within half a month. The construction team’s work is tiring, and he can’t handle it.”
“But that’s someone else’s work, and he has no motivation. Elder brother’s construction team’s work is family work, and you’re overseeing it personally. He’ll definitely be willing to work.”
Seeing Ji Wanglan pestering her elder brother, Ji Yangzong was happy in his heart. It was also to let his elder brother taste this feeling, so he wouldn’t just stand by and act like an elder brother, pointing at others and telling them what to do.
“Elder brother, just agree. You’ve always doted on Third Sister the most since you were little. Don’t you consider your sister as family anymore after she’s married?”
With things said to this point, Ji Yangkai, out of consideration for everyone present, had no choice but to say, “Let’s leave it at that for now. We’ll discuss it later.”
After eating at Ji Yangkai’s house and returning, Ji Yangzong was still chuckling with his hands behind his back.
“Now your uncle will have something to worry about. That lazy good-for-nothing Yuan Fei being kept in the construction team is simply annoying. He clearly knows his character, yet he insists on stuffing him into someone else’s place. This morning, when it fell on his own head, he finally knew better.”
Tao Yu, feeling full, swayed Huo Shu’s hand.
As the few of them arrived at the courtyard entrance, Da Niu’s voice was heard first.
“There’s a guest.”
“Who is it?”
Ji Yangzong asked.
Da Niu said, “Looking for the son-in-law.”
Huo Shu’s brow twitched upon hearing this.
“Is it someone looking for you?”
“Perhaps Ge Liang.”
Huo Shu quickened his pace and entered.
He saw that the person who had arrived in the courtyard was Fang He.
“Brother Huo, New Year is better than the old year.”
Fang He greeted him with a smile, bringing some New Year’s gifts, and greeted everyone one by one.
“Why have you come?”
Fang He did not answer directly.
Ji Yangzong said, “Take the guest to the main hall to sit and have some tea.”
Huo Shu responded.
Since returning from the butcher shop last time, he hadn’t seen Fang He.
He led the person to sit in the reception hall, and Da Niu brought tea.
“How have things been lately?”
“Everything has been fine. My master understood my situation and knew that I wasn’t the type to inherit his craft. Perhaps he’s come to terms with it.”
“After Qiao’er and I got engaged, he told me not to work at the shop after the new year. He told me to go back and focus on my own business. We’ll get married in March when the weather warms up.”
Huo Shu nodded upon hearing this. “That’s good news. You are meant for business. You’ll be more comfortable running your own shop.”
It was only a matter of time before Butcher Qiao understood. Fang He’s family was well-off, and he was the youngest son of the family, yet he was willing to stoop to working at the butcher shop. Any parents who cared about their children would be willing to marry their daughters to such men.
“Brother Huo, please come and have a drink at my wedding banquet then.”
Huo Shu said, “Okay.”
Fang He said, “I’m not just here to invite Brother Huo to the wedding banquet today. A few days ago, I heard my master mention to my mistress about the matters in the village, and they mentioned Brother Huo going north for business. I don’t know if it’s true.”
“It is true. We have already finalized the manpower and planned the route. We will depart in the second or third month.”
Fang He said, “What goods has Brother Huo prepared?”
He paused and immediately said, “Brother Huo, please don’t misunderstand. I have no intention of prying. I want to discuss business with Brother Huo. My family is in the tea business, and last year we opened up a new mountain. We have quite a lot of tea.”
“What I mean is, if Brother Huo intends to take tea to the north, and if you think highly of our family’s tea, you might as well bring some. Since we are familiar with each other, the price is negotiable.”
