At the beginning, I gave up my military power with a cup of wine, and I ascended the throne

Chapter 20 The Cao Family Sends Their Daughter to the Governor's Mansion

"Serving you loyally and working for the people of Xiliang is my duty as a humble citizen."

Cao Xiong gritted his teeth and said, "My Cao family does not want a penny for this batch of weapons. In addition, we will give you another 100,000 taels of silver as military funds."

"Master Cao is righteous."

Xiao Han praised.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

He raised his eyebrows: "As long as it's not out of line, I can agree to it."

Cao Xiong heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that he had won the bet. He bowed and clasped his fists: "There are many strong men in my Cao family who have practiced martial arts since childhood. They are very skilled in swords, spears, sticks and clubs, and archery is no problem."

"I hope you will give us a chance to join the army and serve you as a soldier."

"can."

Xiao Han nodded, this request was not excessive.

"Your Excellency, I have another request."

"explain."

"I have a daughter who just turned sixteen this year and is still unmarried. She is gentle and virtuous, and has learned to play the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting since she was young. I heard that you have not married yet."

Cao Xiong looked at Xiao Han's face carefully.

"Send her to the governor's mansion and make her a maid."

There was no fluctuation in Xiao Han's expression.

The Cao family is not yet qualified to marry him.

"Thank you, sir."

Cao Xiong felt bitter in his heart.

But she also knew her own limitations and didn't dare to force it. It was fine for her to be a maid.

At least I have the opportunity to stay with Xiao Han, and there may be opportunities in the future.

"Sir, I have already asked the servants to prepare wine and food. Please move."

"No need."

Xiao Han stood up: "It's getting late, and the official business in the mansion is busy, so it's inconvenient to stay for long."

"Master Cao, serve Xiliang well in the future. I will not treat you unfairly."

After saying that, he took off the narrow and long sword from his waist and put it down: "This sword will stay in Cao's mansion."

"Thank you, sir."

Cao Xiong naturally understood the meaning of this sentence.

Being honest will bring you benefits.

If it is dishonest.

This dry knife will chop off the heads of all the people in the Cao family.

Holding the dry sword in both hands, he escorted Xiao Han out of the mansion and watched the two hundred cavalrymen go away until they completely disappeared in the misty rain.

The head of the Cao family then breathed a sigh of relief, and before he knew it, his forehead was covered with cold sweat.

"very scary."

He muttered to himself.

"It's really scary."

The middle-aged swordsman at the side echoed.

"Master Wei, can you tell the depth of Xiao Han?"

Cao Xiong spoke.

"Whether it's Xiao Han or the black-clad guards beside him, I am no match for them."

The middle-aged swordsman named Wei Da shook his head: "If we fight, I might not even be able to draw my sword."

"Is it so strong?"

Cao Xiong took a breath of cold air.

Wei Da had followed him for many years, and Cao Xiong knew very well how strong Wei Da was. Even his life was saved by Wei Da several times.

In terms of strength alone, the top three masters in the Xiliang martial arts world may not be able to defeat Wei Da.

"Very strong."

Wei Da nodded, showing a little fear.

"It seems I made the right choice this time."

Cao Xiong murmured to himself: "Our Cao family is going to be very successful."

……

"father."

A crisp voice reached his ears, and Cao Xiong turned around. A young girl in her twenties was looking at him. She was wearing an emerald green dress, and looked like a lotus emerging from the water. There was a trace of sadness and worry on her face.

"Rui Xue."

Cao Xiong's eyes were dim.

"Are you really going to send me to the governor's mansion to be a maid?"

Cao Ruixue spoke, looking dazed.

"Ah."

Cao Xiong forced himself to turn his head away: "Don't blame Dad, I have no choice but to do this for the Cao family." "Okay, I'll go."

Cao Ruixue showed a pale smile.

That evening, Xiao Han returned to the governor's mansion.

Three days later, Cao Xiong personally brought Cao Ruixue to his house.

A little maidservant didn't cause Xiao Han too much trouble, nor could she cause much trouble.

But the Cao family needs such a woman to bind themselves to Xiao Han.

into the night.

Governor's Mansion, Study.

The lights are on.

Xiao Han was concentrating on reading the official documents sent from various counties. Pan Yuanshao had approved them in advance, so he was just doing a routine review.

"Sir, have a bowl of ginseng soup."

A maid knocked on the door and came in.

"Where's Miaoyu?"

He said without looking up.

Cao Ruixue's body trembled, her eyes slightly reddened, and she suppressed her shame and replied, "Sister Miaoyu was busy, so she asked me to serve the soup."

Tonight, Cao Ruixue was wearing very cool clothes.

The long tulle skirt is barely visible.

There was a faint fragrance on her body, and her face, which was lightly made up, was as white as mutton-fat jade.

Two curved willow-shaped eyebrows and big watery eyes.

Especially at this moment, when he looked wronged, he looked even more pitiful.

However, Xiao Han was very unromantic. After taking the ginseng soup, he said, "Go back and rest early."

Cao Ruixue left the study and walked to the railing next to her. Looking at the bamboos swaying in the night wind, she felt even more miserable.

A few days ago, she was still the young lady of Cao's mansion, dressed in fine clothes and eating delicious food, living a high and mighty life, and never having to do any housework.

But today, she has become someone else's maid.

Not only did he do the work of a servant, he also did as his father told him, dressed like that and threw himself into the arms of a man.

But that person didn't even look at him.

The gap was so huge that Cao Ruixue found it hard to accept. If she were honest, she was also very beautiful.

All the dignitaries and wealthy men in Xiliang wanted to marry Miss Cao.

"what happened?"

Miaoyu appeared behind her, put a cloak on Cao Ruixue and said, "It's windy outside."

"Sister Miaoyu, the young master kicked me out."

She turned around and leaned on Miaoyu's shoulder, the grievances in her heart burst out and she burst into tears...

After persuading Cao Ruixue to go to bed, Miaoyu came to the study, first added lamp oil and made hot tea, then stood behind Xiao Han and massaged his shoulders and neck.

"Miaoyu is still considerate."

After Xiao Han finished reading the last volume, he put away his pen and ink, and enjoyed the rare quiet time.

"Sir, if you want the Cao family to be loyal to you, you have to get closer to Ruixue."

Miaoyu said softly.

"A 20-jin dry sword can chop off a person's head, but it cannot cut off greed."

"Young Master, if you want to dominate Xiliang, the Cao family will be your biggest help. If you only have power, you will inevitably have second thoughts."

"Miaoyu, I know you are doing this for my own good."

Reaching out and grasping the fair hand of the woman behind him, he squeezed it and then frowned: "It's not that fair anymore. There are so many servants in the mansion. You don't have to do everything yourself. Just tell them to do it."

"Sir, you are changing the subject again."

Miaoyu's pretty face turned slightly red and she pretended to be angry.

"No."

Xiao Han said with a smile: "The Cao family is not worthy of competing with me. If they are honest, I will give them some benefits. If they are not tactful, I will kill them in an instant."

"Tomorrow, I'm going out."

"It may take seven or eight days at the shortest, or half a month at the longest."

"Sir, would you like to take a look around Xiliang County?"

Miaoyu asked.

"Ah."

Xiao Han nodded: "Knowledge gained from books is always shallow. To truly understand this matter, one must personally experience it. Although the map of Xiliang is very detailed, I still have to go and see it in person."

“Sometimes, a stream, a hill, or a path can be the key to victory.”

"I have already told Yuan Shao about the county government office. I will leave the affairs of the mansion to you."

"no problem."

The candle went out and the drizzle continued.

In the room, there is a faint and charming feeling, which makes people fascinated...

(End of this chapter)