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

Chapter 246 Xie Peiyao Goes to Xiliang
"But this kid's appetite is a bit too big."

The emperor narrowed his eyes. "The original three counties of Xiliang almost covered a thousand miles of grassland. From Shangdang to Tianxian Pass, it was already big enough. Now, the five counties of Youzhou have been swallowed up."

"I heard that he rebuilt the Northern Army, expanded it by 60,000 soldiers, and rewarded the six guards of Xia Pi and the three guards of Shatuo. He should have 300,000 soldiers under his command."

"almost."

Only then did Gao Qian start talking.

"Eight counties can support 300,000 cavalrymen."

The emperor was a little unhappy. "If he were to occupy the entire Jiaozhu Three States, wouldn't he have to raise an army of 800,000?"

"Gao Qian, Xie Xuanli asked me for two million shi of grain and fodder. Do you think I should give it to him?"

He looked at the old eunuch next to him.

"Yes."

Gao Qian nodded: "At present, Jizhou cannot fall, and the Xiezi Wangqi cannot fall either, otherwise Xiliang and Northern Wei will benefit."

"The question is whether these two million grains can reach Jizhou."

The emperor sighed: "According to Xiao Han's temper, he is clearly determined to exhaust Jizhou this time, and I'm afraid he won't give up easily."

"After all, for the sake of your majesty, Xiliang Hou should not be too presumptuous."

"Or, Your Majesty, you can ask the Marquis of Qingzhou to escort the grain and grass."

Gao Qian said: "As long as food and grass can enter Jizhou, the current situation can be stabilized."

"Send an imperial edict to Xiliang Hou, ordering him to send troops to Northern Wei in the near future."

The emperor hesitated for a moment and said, "Use harsher words, and send a secret decree to Ning Xi."

"promise."

Gao Qian fetched writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone. When the edict was finished and given to him to read, he stamped it with the seal, called the eunuchs, and led the imperial guards to Xiliang to convey the edict.

"Go and tell the Ministry of Revenue to speed up the collection of food and fodder."

"promise."

The court's every move was quickly reported back to Xiliang and into Xiao Han's ears.

He scoffed at the imperial edict to send troops, thinking that when the time came, it would be nothing more than sending a thousand cavalrymen to wander around Orange Island.

"Where is the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict?"

he asked.

"still on the way."

Miaoyu said: "It will take at least half a month to get there."

"Yesterday, Cao Cheng sent someone to bring the news that Master Xun from the academy will set out to Youzhou on a certain day to worship the ancestors."

"Sacrifice to ancestors?"

Xiao Han smiled and said, "Master Xun rarely leaves the academy, why did he suddenly think of offering sacrifices to his ancestors?"

"That's a good thing."

Miaoyu pursed her lips and said, "If you can persuade Master Xun to stay, then scholars from all over the world will surely flock to him. Even if we can't keep him, we must make friends with him."

"Many of our officials in various government offices have practiced in the academy before, and they highly respect Master Xun's knowledge."

"Anyway, just don't offend them."

"Don't worry, your young master is not stupid."

He nodded.

"And one more thing."

Miaoyu brought hot tea and continued, "Xie Peiyao has left the academy and entered Qingzhou this morning. It seems that she is heading for Xiliang."

"Xiliang?"

Xiao Han raised his eyebrows, "If she wants to go back, she will go back to Jizhou. Why is she coming to Xiliang?"

It has to be said that he, the former trusted general of the Marquis of Zhenbei, was an extremely unsuccessful person and had a bad relationship with Xie Xuanli's children.

"I don't know."

Miaoyu shook her head.

Three days later.

The commander of Qingyou Pass sent someone to report that Xie Peiyao entered Xiliang County from Qingyou Pass and headed straight for Xiliang City.

Half a month later.

A horse-drawn carriage slowly came towards Shuiyun Mountain and finally stopped in front of the gate of the Marquis' Mansion. The servant driving the carriage got off.

He said to the guards guarding the gate of the mansion: "Please go to the mansion and report that the second daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei wants to see the Marquis of Xiliang."

Xiao Han did not show up. Instead, he was greeted by the mistress Ning Xi, accompanied by two groups of maids and guards.

"Meet the princess."

Xie Peiyao bowed slightly. "You're welcome, sister."

She was very enthusiastic and walked forward very familiarly, taking Xie Peiyao's arm. The latter's expression was slightly stiff, but she did not refuse.

"I've heard from my husband a long time ago that Miss Pei Yao is not only pretty, but also has a kind heart."

Ning Xi took Xie Peiyao's arm and walked towards the Marquis' Mansion: "He is proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and songs. What is rare and precious is that he also has a very high level of insight in the art of war."

In terms of age, Xie Peiyao is older than Ning Xi, but in terms of title, one is a princess of a marquisate, and the other is a princess.

Besides, Ning Xi is Xiao Han's wife, and her seniority is higher than Xie Peiyao.

It was still snowing heavily outside. He was led to Tinghua Palace, where servants brought him hot tea.

"My sister is coming, why didn't you say hello in advance?"

Ning Xi pretended to be angry and said, "It will also allow me, as your sister-in-law, to prepare earlier."

"You're welcome, princess."

Xie Peiyao shook her head: "I came in a hurry, so I didn't send someone to inform you in advance. It's my fault."

"It's a bit strange for the princess."

Ning Xi shook her head: "If calling me sister-in-law doesn't sound right to you, then just call me sister."

"My sister is such a busy person that she didn't even come to my husband and I's wedding. My husband was sulking for a few days because of this."

"During those days, I happened to be practicing in the academy and couldn't get away."

Xie Peiyao looked calm.

"May I ask where the Lord is?"

"My husband has been practicing in seclusion in the Grinding Hall recently."

She said, "I haven't seen you for a while. Is there anything important?"

"No."

Xie Peiyao did not get straight to the point.

She knew that it would be extremely difficult to persuade Xiao Han, and she must not act rashly.

"Nothing urgent is good."

Ning Xi pursed her lips, "Just stay in the mansion for the next few days. We are all family, so we should move around more often."

"It just so happens that I have also dabbled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Sister Haoqing, please give me some pointers."

"I don't deserve your advice."

Xie Peiyao said calmly: "But if the princess is free, I can accompany you to have fun."

"Ok."

Ning Xi didn't frown at the coldness that kept people at a distance. She said softly, "I'm sure you must be tired after the long journey. Why don't you take a rest first? I'll ask the servants to prepare some wine and food and send them over later."

"it is good."

Xie Peiyao nodded.

"Cui'er, send Princess Xie down to rest."

Ning Xi waved.

"promise."

Cui'er nodded and led Xie Peiyao to the guest room.

"Hoohoo."

The cold wind was howling and the snow was falling heavily. There was heavy snow flying all over the sky and the earth.

Inside the Tinghua Garden, the grass, trees, bamboos and rocks were all buried by the wind and snow, but the ice and snow on the Bi Bo Pond had not yet melted.

Leaving Tinghua Garden and arriving at the central courtyard, we saw many servants clearing the snow.

"how?"

In the main courtyard, Xiao Han waved.

"A bit arrogant."

Ning Xi commented.

"How can you call yourself Xie Peiyao if you're not cold and arrogant?"

He joked.

"Who?"

Qingyao, who was practicing sword in the courtyard, heard the name and turned back suddenly as if her foot was stepped on.

"The Xie family's tigress is here?"

Her brows were furrowed, with seven parts of anger mixed with three parts of fear. It was obvious that she had been dealt with by Xie Peiyao before.

(End of this chapter)