minions live

Chapter 761 Promotion
On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, the sky was clear and the air was crisp.

Although the snow had stopped around Xingji City, the biting cold remained unabated.

Xinglan Grand Canal

With the gentle sound of oars, a huge three-story passenger ship sails upstream, slowly heading north.

On the deck, Xiao Yongrui, who was missing an arm, couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to look around.

In the distance, a magnificent corner of Xingji City was gradually coming into view.

"Your Highness, we are almost at Xingji City."

Ok.

Xiao Gang nodded with emotion, and his eyes welled up with excitement.

"Time flies, I'm almost home."

The fighting in the East China Sea has now largely ended, and the fleets are returning to port in an orderly manner for rest and recuperation.

As the new leader of the East China Sea Barrier, Xiao Zheng still has things to do and cannot go home.

Xiao Gang, however, received the emperor's decree and was able to return to Xingji City to celebrate the New Year.

He was no longer the once infamous playboy of Xingji City.

Despite being dressed casually, he was tall and imposing, with a sword hanging at his waist. His dark, rough skin and scarred hands made him a formidable figure.

The change is so drastic that even people who used to know him well might not recognize him at first glance.

As he walked, Xiao Yongrui suddenly looked left and right.

Despite being surrounded by subordinates of the Marquis of Zhongyong's household, he still lowered his voice.

"Your Highness, the journey here seems... rather peaceful."

“It is very calm.” Xiao Gang’s eyes flickered, his voice full of matter-of-factness.

In the twenty-sixth year of Changxing, he went to Sulan to visit his maternal grandfather.

However, on the passenger ship returning to Beijing, they were attacked by several assassins.

If it weren't for Ren Ning, who happened to be escorting Xiao Gang's remains back to his hometown, it would be questionable whether Xiao Gang would even still exist.

“Uncle Yong,” Xiao Gang looked at the old servant who had risked his life for him and added casually, as if it were a promise or a guarantee, “things will be more peaceful in the future.”

Those who came from the battlefield all had lives on their hands.

If some people are law-abiding, that's fine, but if they continue to act recklessly as before, he wouldn't mind crushing them with a flick of his wrist.

I doubt the Marquis of Yongchang's residence will say anything.

Xiao Yongrui breathed a sigh of relief, "Your Highness is wise."

The passenger ship sped along and soon entered Xingji City. As usual, it bypassed the East Wharf and headed straight for the west of the city.

More than an hour passed.

The passenger ship finally docked at the West Wharf.

Looking up, the dock was teeming with people, looking like ants moving house at first glance.

"Wow, there are so many people." Someone nearby remarked.

Xiao Gang was not surprised.

The West Wharf only picks up and drops off wealthy and powerful families.

Any family that can be called a wealthy family will have a grand procession for its masters, whether they are going out or returning home.

In addition, it was the end of the year, and everyone was rushing home for the New Year, so the entire passenger ship was almost packed with people.

Therefore, it is not surprising that there were many people on the shore.

Soon.

Tap, tap, a few soft sounds.

Several gangways were erected on the shore.

Seeing this, the distinguished passengers on the second and third floors could no longer contain their excitement and rushed off the ship to the shore.

Xiao Gang and his group were no exception.

As soon as they set foot on solid ground, they heard a joyful shout from not far away.

"Young Master, Young Master, over here, over here."

Xiao Gang looked in the direction of the sound and saw a servant dressed in the attire of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion jumping and waving at them from outside the human wall.

"Your Highness is one of ours."

Xiao Gang nodded. "Let's go."

Squeezing through the crowd, the group hadn't taken more than a few steps when Xiao Gang's eyes lit up.

Beneath the familiar clan emblem stood a long row of tall horses.

The first three are the most outstanding.

One black, one red, and one white. They were Ren Ning's Chasing Wind, Lei Er's Thunderclap, and Bai Yu, whom he longed for day and night.

Neighing.

The white horse recognized its master and neighed happily while eagerly pawing the ground with its front hooves.

Look at how excited and happy it is! If the area around the dock wasn't covered with hard rock, it would have shattered into pieces.

Bai Yu!

Xiao Gang let out a soft exclamation and couldn't help but hurry up and walk away.

Although I had already learned from letters home that my beloved horse was safe and sound, I still couldn't help but be overwhelmed with excitement when I saw it with my own eyes.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Gang arrived in front of the horse.

However, instead of immediately touching and checking his beloved horse, he turned to a tall figure and bowed.

"Your subordinate greets the General."

Ren Ning, dressed in casual clothes, smiled and nodded, "No need for formalities, it's good to be back."

"There are too many people and too much talk at the dock, let's talk about it when we get back. The brothers are all waiting to welcome you back."

A large group of people who couldn't stand still any longer rushed over with smiles upon hearing this.

"Xiao Gang, you've really put us through a lot. It's freezing cold everywhere in the dead of winter, and we brothers have been waiting for you the whole time. Aren't you being a good friend? No matter what, you have to treat us to drinks later."

"Please have a drink! Please have a drink!" Some busybodies, like Lei Er, chimed in.

"What kind of wine should we drink?" Huang Ming shook his head in objection. He glanced at Ren Ning and said, "The general said that brewing wine is the most wasteful of grain. Let's choose something else instead."

"That's right, then let's go back and have hot pot. It's the perfect time to snuggle up together and enjoy hot pot on this cold day."

"Hot pot is great. Just thinking about the taste of spicy broth makes my mouth water."

“Speaking of which, the Zuixianlou hot pot restaurant in Yonghefang is the best, and it happens to be owned by Xiao Gang. Everyone, don’t be shy, let’s go over there and eat and drink to our hearts’ content, and give him a good beating.”

"Haha. I definitely won't be polite."

……

Amidst the commotion, Xiao Gang quickly recognized the group of people.

They're all old friends.

Apart from Ren Ning and Lei Er, the rest were either the generals who escorted prisoners back to the capital from the east, or their partners who had raced dragon boats together on the moat.

Anyway, they're all brothers who've risked their lives for each other.

Xiao Gang suddenly realized.

No wonder that whole row of horses behind them were all top-quality steeds.

Thinking of this, he reached out and took the reins of his beloved horse, laughing heartily as he stroked the long white-feathered horse's face.

"Thank you all for waiting for me here, brothers. It must have been tough in this freezing weather."

"In that case, everyone get on horseback and let's go to Zuixianlou for hot pot. I'll put everyone's bill on my tab."

After he finished speaking, he subconsciously looked at Ren Ning in the center of the crowd.

"General, do you have some free time?"

Ren Ning smiled and shook his head, "It's almost the end of the year, what could possibly happen?"

Moreover, even if something happens, he doesn't need to take action personally.

“Let’s go together.” Ren Ning made the decision immediately, jokingly adding, “But with so many brothers eating and drinking together, it must cost quite a bit. Just make sure your wife doesn’t mind the expense.”

"No, no, not at all." Xiao Gang laughed heartily. "Everyone, please eat and drink without worry. If Madam knew, she wouldn't be upset at all; she'd probably be proud of it."

After saying this, he instructed Xiao Yong to send the old servant back to the mansion to explain the situation.

He then mounted his horse and followed Ren Ning and the others towards Yonghefang.

The next day, early in the morning.

Most of Xingji City remained quiet.

The Ministers of War and Personnel have arrived at Yong'an Hutong.

After a series of procedural explanations, amidst a chorus of congratulations from Guan Yi, the Marquis of Zhongyong was officially promoted four ranks from the third rank to the second rank of military marquis.

Remove the old plaque and hang a new one.

Unlike Lin Hanmo's Annan Earl's Mansion, the plaque that the Xiao family hung this time was covered with fine silk.

Xiao Gang's family was so excited that their faces were flushed.

After finally waiting for the official who was hanging the plaque to come down the ladder, he couldn't wait to step forward and forcefully tug at the ribbons hanging down on both sides.

Amidst the enthusiastic sound of firecrackers, the silk cloth covering the plaque fluttered down.

Everyone looked up.

Zhongyong Hou Mansion.

The four large golden characters gleamed in the morning sun.