Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 846 Sheng Hong's Dedication Leads to Ren Zhi's Departure from the City [Thank you! Bows again! 8k words owed]

The setting sun slants down,

Guangfufang
on the street,
A group of cavalry and infantrymen from the prince's entourage escorted several carriages toward the prince's residence.

Inside the carriage
The three ladies, including Chai Zhengzheng, were already quite sleepy.

Xu Zaijing, sitting in the middle of the carriage, reached out and lifted the curtain to look outside.

The hot air blowing in through the car window made Minglan, who was still half asleep, open her eyes: "My lord, what's wrong?"

Rong Feiyan also looked at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing smiled and pointed outside the car, saying, "Listen."

As Xu Zaijing spoke, Chai Zhengzheng nuzzled her head against Xu Zaijing's shoulder without opening her eyes.

Rong Feiyan and Minglan listened attentively to the sounds outside.

Sure enough, someone could be heard shouting, "Put your strength in!"

"Hooray!!!" came the loud shouts in unison.

"Walk steadily, please—"

"Hoho!!!"

“It’s the craftsmen and laborers in the courtyard who are working,” Rong Feiyan said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing nodded.

With his eyes still closed, Chai Zhengzheng said, "My lord, don't worry. These days, we work in our courtyard in the early morning and late evening to avoid the hottest part of the day."

"Mothers always keep tea and beverages on hand."

Xu Zaijing continued looking out the window, nodding and saying, "Yes! Zhengzheng, you've gone to a lot of trouble."

Chai Zhengzheng closed her eyes and smiled.

As they spoke, the convoy drew closer to the Prince's residence, and the shouts grew louder.

Back at the Prince's residence, Xu Zaijing, having changed into old clothes, appeared in the courtyard separated by a wall with Qingyun, Alan, and others.

At this moment, the courtyard was a huge and bustling construction site.

In the dusty field, craftsmen of all kinds came and went.

As Xu Zaijing and his entourage walked, they were soon greeted by people.

The young official in the lead, accompanied by several subordinates, bowed and greeted the Prince.

Xu Zaijing smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Hey! Brother Mingzhong, you are Zongge's uncle, just call me Renzhi."

Li Jie shook his head and smiled, "Your Highness, that won't do."

Xu Zaijing: "Why can't it be?"

“You are a prince of our dynasty, how can I address you by your courtesy name? Why don’t I take you for a stroll around the neighborhood?” Li Jie said again.

Xu Zaijing nodded helplessly: "Alright! Brother Mingzhong, please."

"please."

As they spoke, Li Jie lagged slightly behind Xu Zaijing, leading him through the vast construction site.

During the walk, Li Jie introduced the various raw materials placed in the thatched shed, saying, "Many of the wood and stones here were personally ordered by His Majesty to be allocated from the royal treasury."

"In this way, the foundation is solid, and we can continue construction! Otherwise, just preparing these things will take years."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "It's all thanks to Your Majesty's great kindness."

Afterwards, the two discussed the progress of the project as they walked.

After the discussion, Xu Zaijing said with a hint of melancholy, "So, even at the fastest pace, construction won't be finished until next autumn?"

Li Jie pointed to the foundation of the main hall not far away and said, "That's right, the main body of the Prince's Mansion will definitely be completed before the twelfth lunar month, but the remaining decorations will also be extremely laborious and time-consuming."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, looking in the direction Li Jie was pointing for a while.

Having heard and seen much news about the Northern Liao in the palace these past few days, and looking at his unfinished mansion, Xu Zaijing felt quite emotional.

After watching for a while, Xu Zaijing didn't say anything. He just went with Li Jie to the cooking shed and looked at the rice, flour, vegetables, and meat.

Before parting, Xu Zaijing entrusted Li Jie with a series of tasks, which Li Jie patted his chest and repeatedly promised.

night.

Jiying Lane, Sheng Family Residence, Weirui Pavilion.

Inside the main room, Sheng Hong leaned back in a chair, closing his eyes and leisurely sipping a cold drink.

Hearing Wang Ruofu's words, Sheng Hong suddenly opened his eyes and sat up straight: "What did you say?"

Wang Ruofu pursed her lips: "My lord, my cousin asked on behalf of Madam Wu of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion, and she said that Madam Wu has taken a liking to our Sheng family's fourth daughter."

"You've taken a liking to Mo Lan?" Sheng Hong asked, quite surprised.

Wang Ruofu nodded helplessly: "Yes."

Sheng Hong: "Hiss—the Yongchang Marquis's residence? Which son is Madam Wu asking on behalf of?"

"The sixth son of the Liang family, named Liang Han! I've seen that boy before; he's handsome and dashing! He was even the best man when Liu Ya and Ming Lan got married."

Sheng Hong nodded: "Oh! Now that you mention it, I remember! The Liang family, the Pei family, tsk! Our fourth daughter is still quite sought after."

Wang Ruofu pouted and secretly rolled her eyes in disgust.

"Madam, which of these two families do you think is better?" Sheng Hong asked.

Wang Ruofu forced a smile: "It's all good! As you said before, Mother and Husband, the Pei family's child has a promising future; and the Liang family's sixth son comes from an excellent family and will have a large inheritance to share in the future."

After listening, Sheng Hong patted the armrest of his chair with a cheerful smile and nodded, "What you say is absolutely right, Madam! Hehe—"

Looking at Sheng Hong, who was laughing heartily, Wang Ruofu felt a tightness in her chest.

After the couple got into bed, Wang Ruofu tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

After a long while, just as Wang Ruofu felt her eyelids drooping and she was about to fall asleep.

"hey-hey--"

Sheng Hong, lying next to him, seemed to be dreaming of something wonderful and chuckled foolishly.

Upon hearing this noise, Wang Ruofu instantly lost her sleepiness and turned her head to glare resentfully at Sheng Hong, who was smacking his lips.

After taking several deep breaths, Wang Ruofu finally lay back down.

A moment later, someone inside the tent sighed, "This is truly outrageous!"

The next day.

In the morning, at Shou'an Hall.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu, who had just finished court, sat together below the old lady.

The old lady on the daybed nodded and said, "So, Hong'er, you and Madam have already decided which family to choose?"

The couple nodded, and Sheng Hong said, "Yes, Mother, I think the Liang family is better!"

Seeing the old lady's questioning gaze, Sheng Hong took a deep breath and said, "The Pei family's child has a promising future, but this child may have to go to the battlefield in the future."

“Liang’s sixth son is different. He is the youngest son of the Liang family, and Madam Wu couldn’t bear to let him go north to make a living.”

"Moreover, Madam Wu's brothers had previously held Brother Wei in high regard."

"So, my son thought it would be better to choose the Liang family."

After speaking, Sheng Hong looked at the old lady with a questioning gaze.

The old lady smiled and nodded: "Hong'er, you've really gone to great lengths for Mo Lan."

Sheng Hong quickly lowered his head: "Mother, this is what your son should do."

“You’ve got a good idea! Now that we’ve reached a decision, let’s do as Hong’er and Madam say. We’ll politely decline the Pei family’s offer and then give your cousin-in-law a reply.”

"Yes, mother."

at the same time,

Outside Bianjing City,

In summer, all kinds of plants are in full bloom.

Along the official road leading to the Cuifeng Army camp, on a high slope by the roadside, several soldiers, their bodies covered in leaves as camouflage, stood on the thick branches of tall trees, looking out.

suddenly,

A soldier in the tree shouted down, "Boss Meng, there's dust rising from the southwest."

The officer, who was resting under the big tree, swallowed the melon in his mouth and casually replied, "Hmm! Got it! Make sure you know how many men are coming, and give me a rough number."

"Once we get closer, I'll do another count. If you count too many, I'll beat you up! If you count too few, I'll still beat you up."

"Yes, Chief Meng," the soldiers in the tree replied in unison. A moment later.

One of the soldiers in the tree exclaimed, "Hey! Why did those guys rein in their horses?"

Another person said, "Hiss—is the leader looking in our direction?"

"Impossible! We're so far away, and we're wearing leaves! Maybe we just got lucky!"

"You scoundrel! Those cavalrymen who scattered just now were actually circling around behind us!"

Listening to the voices of his subordinates under the tree.

"Tch!" The officer eating melon seeds below spat them aside, looked up and cursed, "What nonsense are you all spouting? I, Meng Xizhou, have only ever seen one person with such good eyesight!"

"Boss Meng, we're not lying! Come up here and see for yourself!" shouted the soldier in the tree.

The officer nodded: "Alright, if you're lying, I'll give you a good beating."

As he spoke, the officer nimbly climbed the tree using both his hands and feet.

He raised his hand to shield his eyes and looked down, then Meng Xizhou's eyes widened: "Are you all blind?!"

After saying that, Meng Xizhou jumped down to the bottom of the tree in a flash, faster than he could climb it.

Looking up at his subordinates who were still standing in the tree in a daze, Meng Xizhou cursed, "Get down here now! Damn it, that's the Prince of Wei!"

"Huh?" The soldier in the tree looked surprised, and then hurriedly climbed down the tree.

After mounting their horses, the group, one person and three horses, galloped towards the direction where the dust was rising.

Xu Zaijing's place,

Seeing the dozen or so cavalrymen and dozens of horses galloping towards them from afar, Xu Zaijing waved his whip at the accompanying knights who were escorting him: "No need, they are scouts from the Cuifeng Army."

While talking,
The troops had already arrived in front of Xu Zaijing.

"Xilulu!"

The neighing of horses could be heard incessantly.

The elite officer at the front gracefully dismounted, knelt on one knee, cupped his hands, and called out, "Meng Xizhou, commander of the Vanguard Army and reconnaissance team, greets the Prince!"

The scouts behind Meng Xizhou, dressed in brightly colored clothes, also dismounted and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Rise! Are you honing your skills outside the camp?"

“Yes, Your Highness!” Meng Xizhou stood up and smiled.

"Hmm, not bad!" Upon hearing Xu Zaijing's words, Meng Xizhou and the scouts behind him all laughed.

"But!" Upon hearing this, the smiles of Meng Xizhou and the others vanished.

Xu Zaijing continued, "Don't stare at people like that, like you're looking at an enemy. If someone has a keen sense of smell and sharp eyesight, they might notice!"

Meng Xizhou quickly cupped his hands and nodded: "Yes, Your Highness, I will keep it in mind."

"Yes!" Xu Zaijing laughed. "Tonight, let's invite Lao An and the others, and have a get-together for a few of us old comrades from the Western Army."

Suppressing his doubts and surprise, Meng Xizhou cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

"Well, you guys continue!"

"Yes."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, then lightly tapped the horse's belly before leading Qingyun, Alan, and the others on their way back to the camp.

In front of the camp gate.

The officer on duty examined Xu Zaijing's seal and scrutinized him carefully for a few moments before bowing and saying, "This humble officer greets the Prince."

"Rise, open the door."

"Yes, sir." The officer straightened up and shouted towards the camp gate, "Open the gate!"

"Squeak!" The heavy camp gate was pushed open by the soldiers.

"what!"

Amidst the thunderous sound of hooves, Xu Zaijing, accompanied by his guards, rode into the camp.

At noon.

"Clang, clang, clang!" The sound of the watchtower, signaling the start of mealtime, rang out in the army.

In the camp,

Outside the kitchen, the doors, windows, and walls were covered in soot and grime.

As usual, cooks carried out large wooden buckets filled with porridge, rice, and pickled vegetables.

"You really remember?"

"Hahaha! How could I not remember? Such merit is recorded in the military newspaper!"

A hearty laugh rang out.

The cooks ignored him and put down the wooden bucket. One of the cooks, who was holding a large ladle, looked up and saw a tall, muscular man standing at the front of the group, whose face he didn't recognize.

Just by looking at his attire, the cook knew that this man was no ordinary soldier.

"Sir, what is this?" the cook asked, noticing that the surrounding soldiers were all looking to the side.

Qingyun laughed and said, "Brother, get two servings of rice! Please give me a generous portion, the Prince has a big appetite!"

"The... the Prince?" The cook's hand trembled as he spoke with a surprised expression, looking in the direction from which the laughter had come from.

You wouldn't believe it until you look, and what you see is astonishing. There sits a young man with an extraordinary air, wearing a golden crown, a blue robe, and a jade belt, on a shady wooden bench not far away.

He was surrounded by several smiling captains and squad leaders, who were talking to other soldiers.

"He, this, why is the Prince here?" the cook asked in a trembling voice as he served food.

Qingyun laughed and said, "Of course I want to see if the food his soldiers eat is delicious."

"Oh, oh!" the cook said, as he diligently served Qingyun two large bowls of thick rice.

As Qingyun left, the soldiers who were getting their meals followed his figure with their eyes.

During this time, soldiers could be heard whispering among themselves from time to time.

'Can this person, so pampered and noble, really eat such coarse food?'

'The Prince is emulating famous generals of antiquity!'

'Would the Prince really eat it? Or is he just putting it there as a decoration?'

'If you don't want to eat it, you can leave it for me!'

"Dudu!"

The cook banged on the wooden bucket: "Are you gossiping or eating? If you can't keep quiet, go wait over there!"

not far away,
Xu Zaijing reached out and took the food from Qingyun, looked at it and nodded: "Oh, not bad, there's even some diced meat!"

Zheng Xiao laughed from the side, "Of course, the soldiers' monthly salary is not low, so it's not impossible for them to add some money to treat themselves to a good meal."

Xu Zaijing nodded, and seeing that his subordinates had all taken their rice bowls, he then began to eat.

Previously in Baigao, Xu Zaijing had endured all kinds of hardships, so he was quite adept at eating the food in the military camp.

After the meal, Xu Zaijing chatted with the soldiers in the camp, asking about their well-being and catching up on their daily lives.

In the afternoon, Xu Zaijing reviewed the soldiers' training progress over the past few days.

The Vanguard Army consisted of a quarter of elite veterans, and the rest of the new recruits were mostly from respectable families in the Great Zhou Dynasty, who already had a foundation in horsemanship.

Xu Zaijing was very happy after just one afternoon of watching.

at night,

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace

The emperor nodded repeatedly as he looked at the urgent message sent to the palace: "This lad is quite like his father."

Zhao Fang, peering in from the side, chimed in, "Father, Jing-ge isn't coming back to the capital tonight!"

"Isn't this what should be done?" the emperor said as he looked around.

Seeing that Zhao Fang remained motionless for a long time, the emperor looked up.

After only one glance, the emperor shook his head and said, "Fang'er, I will not let you go to the camp to watch! If you want to see the cavalry and infantry drills, you can watch them to your heart's content at Baojin Tower in the west of the city every March or April."

"Father—Jing-ge is here," Zhao Fang pleaded.

The emperor was speechless for a moment. After looking at the post, he sighed and said, "Alright, let's do as this kid Ren Zhi says. When the Cui Feng Army receives its monthly salary in August, you can go and take a look."

"Thank you, Father!"

(End of this chapter)