Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 232 No wonder the scholar is so favored by the Emperor…

When Li Qingzhao asked him a question, Su Wu had to organize his thoughts and ponder for a moment on horseback before answering, "Why doesn't the Laywoman Yi'an have a son..."

Su Wu was smiling, and upon hearing this, Li Qingzhao, inside the carriage, also smiled and said, "Is the scholar making fun of me?"

"How dare I? I was just thinking of certain people and certain things. I am incredibly foolish. Compared to the wisdom of Li Qingzhao, I could only say such things..." Su Wu was straightforward and sincere.

Li Qingzhao nodded, and then asked, "Has the scholar encountered trouble in governing the army and in the campaign against Liao?"

Su Wu nodded: "This campaign against Liao will require hundreds of thousands of imperial guards and laborers, and the cost in money and provisions will be incalculable. As for Hebei... Yi'an Jushi also said that Cai Jing is a treacherous and wicked man. Many officials in Hebei are his protégés, so they cannot be trusted entirely. I will not speculate on the power struggles in the court. However, I am the one leading the troops, and the soldiers under my command are all born of my parents. I cannot be negligent in the slightest. If Hebei cannot be relied upon, then in the end, we should rely on our fellow villagers..."

When Su Wu said this, how could Li Qingzhao not understand?
Li Qingzhao frowned slightly and slowly said, "I only heard that my brother is to be transferred to Qingzhou?"

Li Qingzhao herself had no elder brother; the elder brother she referred to was Zhao Cuncheng.

Su Wu nodded: "Yes, that is. It seems it's about to happen. And there's also my second brother, Yi'an Jushi. I wonder if he's willing to go to Mizhou..."

Mizhou was the ancestral home of the Zhao family, and it was also a place where scholars of the Su School often served as officials. Su Shi himself once served as the chief official in Mizhou.

After thinking it over carefully, Li Qingzhao said, "It seems there's no problem. Since my elder brother is willing to return to Qingzhou, my second brother will naturally also be willing to go to Mizhou. I will write to my second brother again to put in a good word for him. It shouldn't be difficult."

“That would be perfect…” Su Wu nodded, then asked, “How old is the younger brother of Yi’an Jushi?”

Upon hearing this, Li Qingzhao understood and replied, "I am thirty-two years old..."

"He must be a well-read scholar. I wonder if he would be willing to work as a clerk in the General Administration of the Two Military Commands of Jingdong?"

Su Wu asked this question because, in reality, this matter might not necessarily be a temptation for the sons of these wealthy and powerful families today.

In other words, these people are from wealthy and powerful families, and they live like gods at home. A minor official position is actually a miserable job. They are subject to control and orders, and they have to leave their hometown. Why bother?
Take the Wang family as an example. Wang Zhongshan was too lazy to take up an official post, and Wang Huan was too lazy to become an official. Instead, they found a son-in-law named Qin Hui, who was extremely ambitious.

When the country was destroyed and the family perished, they could not take their enormous wealth with them. Everyone fled to the south to start anew. Wang Zhongshan was willing to become the prefect, and Li Hang was willing to take a minor official position in Lin'an City, all for the sake of earning a salary.

This kind of family is completely different from Zhang Shuye and Zong Ze... At this moment, they are truly supporting their families with their wages, and their sons have to work since they are grown up.

Therefore, Su Wu asked this question in order to get Li Qingzhao's opinion.

Li Qingzhao indeed replied, "If I can help the scholar, my younger brother at home, who has been lazy for years, should do something."

Su Wu, his joy evident on his face, said to Li Qingzhao, "That would be wonderful. As long as he's willing to come to Dongping Prefecture, I won't force him on any job. I just hope he'll travel around and socialize a lot, and I'll take him with me..."

"Okay, that's all for Qizhou. I'll talk to my brother about it myself." Li Qingzhao understood that she would help Su Wu with whatever he wanted if she could.

"I will personally go to Qizhou to invite him, just like I did when I visited Zhuge Liang three times!" Su Wu wasn't joking; he really intended to do it.

Stabilizing territory, securing the rear, and establishing a base—Liu Bei's methods have always been effective.

“There’s no need for that…” Li Qingzhao waved her hand.

"I will not heed what Yi'an Jushi says..." Su Wu said with a smile.

Li Qingzhao feigned helplessness and slowly said, "Qizhou is a good place, a strategic location since ancient times. Duke Huan met with the Marquis of Qi at Luo, and Scholar Zeng ordered the Baotu Spring... Scholar, you should stay a few more days and see more..."

“Let’s go take a look…” Su Wu nodded and looked ahead at the road.

Zeng Xueshi refers to Zeng Gong, one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, a student of Ouyang Xiu, a fellow student of Su Shi, and a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) on the Dragon and Tiger List in the second year of the Jiayou era. Three members of his family became Jinshi.

His younger brother, Zeng Bu, also passed the imperial examination and became a high-ranking official. He was about ten years older than Cai Jing. When he was a high-ranking official, he competed with Cai Jing for power but ultimately lost.

Zeng Gong was a protégé of Ouyang Xiu, who was then the Vice Minister of the Privy Council and a Councilor of State Affairs. Su Shi and Su Zhe were also protégés of Ouyang Xiu. Zeng Bu, on the other hand, was a protégé of Wang Anshi.

Actually, it was still the same group of people; Cai Jing's younger brother, Cai Bian, was also Wang Anshi's son-in-law.

Perhaps this is why the political struggles and infighting in the Northern Song Dynasty did not actually involve bloodshed.

In the center of power, those who win political struggles become prime ministers, and those who lose political struggles become mayors in local areas. There's really no need to risk your life.

The most tragic case was Su Shi, who offended both sides and was demoted by both, forced to travel all over the world, but this did not prevent his younger brother Su Zhe from rising steadily in rank.

Moreover, on his way back after being demoted to various places, Su Shi visited Wang Anshi, who had retired, in Jiangning. The two reconciled with a smile, even teasing and joking with each other, and wrote poems to each other.

Some say it was due to Su Shi's magnanimity, while others say that there was no real deep-seated hatred within this circle, and it didn't even prevent Su Shi's children from rising to high positions in officialdom later on.

In truth, perhaps only Su Wu was an anomaly, ruthless in his actions and disregarding human relationships.

In the twenty years or so since Zhao Ji ascended the throne, and Cai Jing held power for twenty years, the usual practice was broken. In the past, from Emperor Renzong to Emperor Shenzong, the center of power in the court was always a succession of power. Only in the last twenty years has someone been able to control the sky for so long.

Take it slow. We'll continue through Daming Prefecture. Su Wu needs to assess the situation after Liang Shijie's departure. Li Gang is probably coming...

We should also go and appease Suo Chao, and even see Wen Da and Li Cheng again. We've already made the necessary arrangements, so we should see them and try to win them over. We'll need them in the future, even if not on the battlefield, we should use them for logistics.

War is a huge system, and Su Wu needed to be familiar with every link in this system.

After staying in Daming Prefecture for a day or two, Su Wu set off again to return to Dongping Prefecture.

Along the way, Su Wu and Li Qingzhao chatted from time to time, sometimes just casual conversation, asking each other where they were, if they were tired, and how many more days of travel were left...

Sometimes, I can't help but read some of Li Qingzhao's newly composed lyrics. Sometimes they are melancholic, sometimes they are carefree, and sometimes they are even joyful...

Su Wu stopped pretending. Poetry was Li Qingzhao's domain, so he forced her to finish the show by herself.

Su Wu could just keep shouting "Awesome!" but unfortunately, there was no one around to sing it.

Sometimes, we would also talk about the political situation at court, the situation in Jingdong, and what was happening in Qizhou...

However, Su Wu rarely spoke of military affairs. He had gradually learned to keep a low profile and not let people really notice that he was raising tens of thousands of troops in Dongping Prefecture.

Such matters are not a big deal as long as no one takes them seriously. But once someone does pay attention to them, they can become a major issue, especially after the war, when things can become extremely troublesome.

Su Wu was also planning ahead. What would happen to his 50,000-strong army if he were to actually win the battle of Yan and Yun? How could he hide them?
This is a big problem, and a major proposition.

You must think of ways to hide it in advance, so that when the time comes, someone will bring it up.

The so-called "hiding" inevitably means dispersing these troops within the framework of the Privy Council, while still keeping them under control.

To summon everyone at once, Su Wu didn't have the resources on hand, neither openly nor on paper.

Su Wu still needs the power of the Privy Council!

Su Wu was about to return to Dongping Prefecture, and he was eagerly anticipating his return. Madam Meng's belly had grown considerably; it was originally six or seven months along, but now it was almost eight or nine months, and she would soon give birth.

The news had already been sent back by fast horse, saying that Scholar Su was returning.

Meng Yulou ordered people to keep watch at the west gate every day, and to report back immediately as soon as they spotted Scholar Su's cavalry.

Inside the government office, Cheng Xiaoniang was both anxious and relieved. When Su Wu left, she feared he would be distraught and heartbroken. Now that news had come back, he was not distraught and heartbroken. How could she not be happy?

These days, I'm filled with countless worries.

Cheng Wanli was also eagerly anticipating this, thinking that his son-in-law was truly remarkable. His reputation was now even greater than before, and everyone said he was the leading figure of the Qingliu faction...

Although it was a compliment, it was still pleasing to hear. "The leader of the pure stream"—it had been a long time since I'd heard that phrase…

Yet there are still worries, and no one knows what the future holds, whether it will be good or bad. Now, they are on the opposite side of Grand Tutor Cai, which is truly frightening.

Hu Sanniang would also ride her horse to the west city from time to time, looking and looking... Although it was Cheng Xiaoniang who sent her, it was Hu Sanniang who insisted on coming. Cheng Xiaoniang originally sent a servant from the mansion, but Hu Sanniang insisted on coming herself.

Just look at that official road...

After waiting for three days, the cars finally arrived, stretching as far as the eye could see, with riders moving about majestically.

The carriage was filled with Li Qingzhao's belongings: many books, various items, paintings, fine wines and teas, everyday items, and even a game of "da ma" (a card game where money could be wagered).

Yi'an Jushi was most skilled at playing horse racing, almost like a gambling god, winning every time he gambled. He even wrote a gambling secret manual called "Illustrated Manual of Horse Racing".

The carriage was filled with money and valuables, not to mention cloth, spices, and even gifts to bring back to Qizhou for many relatives and friends...

The woman was unbelievably rich; no wonder Wang Zhongshan offered to pay for her travel expenses…

Su Wu had not expected the woman to be so wealthy; he thought it was just a matter of a few cartloads, but he never imagined it was a "caravan."

Li Qingzhao offered to give him some money along the way, but Su Wu absolutely refused.

Here comes Su Xueshi, riding at the very front, and he immediately spotted Hu Sanniang sitting on her horse at the city gate.

Hu Sanniang seemed about to turn and leave, but then paused and did not go.

Su Wu called out from afar, "Third Sister!"

Hu Sanniang seemed to rein in her horse and turn around, presumably to report something, but Su Wu's shout made her stop.

Su Wu noticed both hesitations and called out again, "Third Sister, what's wrong? Don't you want to see anyone?"

The third sister seemed to have no choice but to urge her horse forward and come forward to greet him: "Greetings, Scholar."

Su Wu asked bluntly, "What are you doing here? Were you waiting for me?"

Hu Sanniang lowered her head and shook her head: "No, no, it just so happens to be here..."

Su Wu rode forward slowly, while Hu Sanniang rode alongside him. Su Wu casually asked, "How have you been lately?"

"Okay, nothing's wrong with it..."

"What's wrong? Why are you so hesitant now? In the past, you rode swiftly on horseback, wielding the Sun and Moon Twin Blades, a truly dashing figure. How come you've changed so much?"

Su Wu was genuinely asking, which was why he found Hu Sanniang to be so strange.

Unexpectedly, when Su Wu asked, the third sister became even more puzzled. Suddenly, she spurred her horse, turned it around, and galloped away, saying, "My husband is back. I'll go back and inform Madam Cheng first..."

"What are you doing..." Su Wu was stunned for a moment, wondering what was going on.

Su Wu didn't dare to chase after him, so he just smiled awkwardly. The people around him gathered to watch, and the soldiers waved.

Su Wu still had to respond to those around him.

But then the curtain of the carriage beside them was lifted, revealing Li Qingzhao. She chuckled and asked, "Scholar, you don't know?"

"Know what?" Su Wu turned around and asked.

"That woman who rode away on horseback just now..." Yi'an Jushi's smile widened. She was an unconventional person and a person who enjoyed amusement. She had found something amusing.

Having traveled for quite some time, Su Wu and she had become increasingly familiar with each other, so how could Yi'an Jushi not stir things up?

"Her? She's no ordinary woman. She's a heroine skilled in martial arts, wielding spears and clubs!" Su Wu only praised Hu Sanniang.

“Oh… then you really don’t know, scholar…” Li Qingzhao’s smile held a hint of amusement.

"What exactly do you know?" Su Wu asked again.

“I have a song called ‘Dian Jiang Chun’ that perfectly suits this scene. What do you think, Scholar?” Sister Li said with a smile.

Su Wu was stunned: "Oh..."

"In the lonely depths of her chamber, her tender heart is filled with a thousand strands of sorrow. She cherishes spring, but spring departs, leaving only a few drops of rain to hasten the flowers' demise. She leans against the railing, but finds no joy. Where is he? The withered grass stretches to the horizon, and she gazes until the road home is lost." What do you think of this song, "To the Tune of Dian Jiang Chun"?

As Li Qingzhao spoke, she covered her face and laughed.

Su Wu was completely bewildered. How could he not understand what Li Qingzhao meant? He could only blurt out, "Yi'an Jushi is truly playing the zither haphazardly!"

"Wasn't that woman just now looking out for someone? She must have been longing for the way home!" Li Qingzhao added fuel to the fire.

How could Su Wu not be pondering this? He could only think: Could it be that this is not true?

"Scholars don't understand a woman's heart, how boring!" Li Qingzhao was scolding someone.

“Please don’t joke, Master Yi’an,” Su Wu said. “Sister Li, I’m being honest.”

"Whether it's a joke or not, only the person in the heart knows." Li Qingzhao leaned against the carriage window, peeking out slightly to look at the back of Hu Sanniang riding away ahead.

Inside the government office, Cheng Wanli and his beloved daughter were talking in the small study.

Cheng Wanli simply said, "Now that Ziqing has returned, she shouldn't be leaving again anytime soon, so we can get married. We should hurry up and find someone to choose an auspicious date, the sooner the better."

If these words had been said before, the obedient daughter would have left with a coquettish sigh. But today, she simply nodded and said, "Yes, Father, you should hurry up and get things done, or who knows when you'll be gone again..."

"You're so impatient! Girls are so outgoing. I've raised you for over ten years, but it's all gone in such a short time. It's infuriating!" The old father was about to feel bad again.

The obedient daughter smiled and comforted him, "Father, I'm getting married, but I won't leave home. You've found a good husband, so what's there to be angry about?"

The old father was in a much better mood and nodded, saying, "It's alright that you don't have to leave home lately, but in the future, you will still have to leave home. You can't really be a live-in son-in-law. I don't mind, but I'm afraid people will laugh at Ziqing."

"Then I'll stay at home often too..." How could a good daughter not be able to handle her father?

"That's good, but I'm afraid you'll forget it again in a few years." The old man wanted a guarantee.

"I can't forget, I definitely can't forget, just come home more often!"

But then her father said, "If you come home too often, people will laugh at you and think you're not doing well in your husband's family..."

"Sigh... there are so many jokes out there..." The obedient girl was getting a little impatient.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside. Third Sister had already arrived home and called out, "We're here! We're in the city!"

Both father and daughter got up. Cheng Wanli went to the front office happily, while Cheng Xiaoniang sat back down in the small study, her heart pounding inexplicably and her face flushed.

Su Wu arrived slowly, first settling Li Qingzhao in the best inn in the city before returning to the government office.

Upon meeting, the father-in-law and son-in-law clasped hands. One asked about the situation in the capital, while the other explained in detail. The two then went to sit in the main hall of the government office.

Before long, Lao Zongze arrived, Zong Ying also came, Xu Guanzhong, Wu Yong and others also arrived, and a little later Wang Xun also arrived, Wu Song, Lu Da... Han Shizhong also arrived...

Once again, everyone gathered together.

Although nothing serious happened, Su Wu asked around and everyone reported back.

It is said that the recruitment has been progressing smoothly recently, and the training is also on track. Now, it is no problem to organize 30,000 combat soldiers. This refers to strong young men with good physiques, that is, elite troops.

Let's also talk about the mining in Qingzhou. It's already started. Murong Yanda has been transferred to the capital, and Zhao Cuncheng hasn't arrived yet to take office. It will be another ten days or so...

The blacksmith workshop grew larger and larger, producing all the armor and weapons themselves.

Horses have also begun to be bred...

And so on, they kept talking, one person saying something, another saying something...

Su Wu listened slowly. Everyone knew that the campaign against Liao was imminent.

This is a great opportunity for wealth and prosperity. If you seize it, everyone will become incredibly wealthy; if you fail to seize it, all your previous efforts may be in vain.

Actually, the atmosphere wasn't warm; it was quite serious.

Su Wu said, "Everything needs to be done faster. I've been thinking a lot on my way back. The war should be brought forward..."

Cheng Wanli came and asked, "Why is that?"

Su Wu sighed and said, "If I've ruined someone else's plans, then they should step in to help."

Cheng Wanli understood; Cai Jing's counterattack was probably what Su Wu had said: the war needed to be brought forward.

Zong Ze immediately remarked, "Isn't this kind of thing done step by step, in an orderly manner?"

Zong Ze spent his entire life as a minor official; how could he have ever witnessed the power struggles within the imperial court?

Su Wu only replied with one sentence: "It is inevitable that some people think that time waits for no one and that the opportunity to fight will be lost in the blink of an eye! Both sides of the argument have their reasons. If you really think about it, the Jurchen offensive is slightly unfavorable at this time. They have been besieging Dading Prefecture for a long time without success. Perhaps it is time to send troops out sooner. If it is delayed for too long, Liao and Jin may really negotiate peace. Then the opportunity will be lost."

Su Wu knew that what he said was probably the same thing Cai Jing had said to persuade the emperor to start the war quickly; it was similar and not without reason.

Zong Ze also said, "Doing this has its advantages. With the war in the south, the Liao Kingdom is attacked from both sides, which can relieve the pressure on its ally, the Jurchen, and allow the Jurchen to regroup and focus on completely defeating the Liao Kingdom, rather than giving up halfway. However, there is also the fear that insufficient preparation and a hasty northern expedition will reduce the chances of victory..."

Old Zongze had a good eye for things.

Su Wu nodded: "This matter depends on what the Emperor thinks. If he really wants to start the war ahead of schedule, we will naturally follow the imperial decree once it is issued!"

All the soldiers, large and small, rose to their feet, cupped their hands in greeting, and Lu Da said, "Rest assured, my lord, we will fight to the death this time!"

Su Wu raised his hand to gesture for everyone to sit down before speaking again: "Master Lu has purchased a large amount of grain in Daming Prefecture, which should be transported to Qizhou first. This matter..."

Su Wu looked around and said, "Since Zhu Yuhou is in charge, he should first send a unit to garrison in Qizhou. Who should go?"

Han Shizhong had already stood up: "This humble general is willing to go!"

This was also the time for Han Shizhong, a newcomer, to make a name for himself.

Su Wu nodded and asked, "How are your troops? Tell me in detail."

"Under my command, I originally brought about a hundred men from Yanzhou. I also recruited over three hundred more from the Jingdong army, seven or eight hundred from Laizhou, over a thousand from the surrendered bandits in Liangzhe, and another seven or eight hundred from Jizhou and other places, totaling about three thousand. We have all the armor and weapons we need, but we are short of horses..."

Han Shizhong spoke clearly and concisely.

With veterans as the backbone and many new recruits, the surrendered bandits from Zhejiang and Jiangsu were not prisoners, but rather former subordinates of generals like Wang Yin and Pang Wanchun. Now, they were scattered and reorganized, and Han Shizhong received a little over a thousand men.

Su Wu nodded: "When you get to Qizhou, you should train more. We can't provide horses for now, so we can only give you some scouts and guards. You should start with infantry formations first, and we'll figure out how to get you horses later."

Su Wu's words indicated that he knew Han Shizhong wanted a well-organized cavalry force, but Su Wu was helpless; the cavalry was already organized and couldn't be disbanded. Han Shizhong nodded, "Brother, please remember to get me plenty of horses."

Su Wu replied earnestly, "I will definitely remember, which is to grant you at least three thousand strong horses."

"Alright, it's a deal!" Han Shizhong trusted Su Wu completely; if Su Wu said he would give him three thousand horses, then he would definitely deliver.

"This time, I also need to go to Qizhou first. You go back and muster the troops. We'll leave tomorrow. I'm going to Qizhou to see what's going on and discuss many things with Prefect Zhang. We need to build granaries, prepare more military tents, and even have the official roads thoroughly inspected."

Su Wu has too many things on his mind. Now that he is managing the war with the mindset of controlling the overall situation, he must pay attention to every detail.

Han Shizhong nodded, but Cheng Wanli suddenly asked, "Are you leaving again?"

Su Wu paused for a moment, then nodded: "Qizhou is of paramount importance, the lifeline of our Jingdong Army, and even... the city defenses and walls need to be repaired. I have to go and see for myself!"

This is true. Although Su Wu was going all out, he couldn't help but consider the possibility of defeat. The attack relied on Qizhou as the main logistical base. If they were defeated, Qizhou would be the gateway to the northeast of Beijing and a crucial defensive stronghold, which they would also have to rely on.

Now that JD.com is Su Wu's own territory, he has to do it this way, considering both offense and defense.

Cheng Wanli waved his hand: "I wasn't talking about that. I was saying... you're leaving again after just getting back?"

Su Wu nodded: "There is one more thing. Entrusted by the Wang family of Duke Wengong, I should escort the Layman Yi'an to Qizhou."

“It’s not about that… it’s just… okay, when are you coming back?” Cheng Wanli asked again.

"I expect to return in ten days or so," Su Wu replied.

"Oh, that's alright. Now that you've returned, you won't be leaving for a while, right?" Cheng Wanli asked again.

"Yes, that's right. After we return, we should focus on training our troops. I'm afraid the imperial decree will arrive soon." Su Wu was actually very anxious and worried. There were tens of thousands of new recruits who had only been training for a short time and were already going into battle...

Su Wu's heart was set on this...

Cheng Wanli continued, "What I mean is, when you come back, you will get married. I will find someone to choose an auspicious date. The ceremony doesn't need to be grand, but this matter cannot be delayed any longer. If it is delayed any longer, we will have to go through another round of preparations."

"Oh, this matter, Father-in-law, please take care of it!" Su Wu quickly stood up and bowed, feeling quite embarrassed.

Cheng Wanli's face darkened: "If I don't take care of it, who will!"

The room erupted in laughter, and Zong Ze laughed so hard he almost fell over, saying, "Master Cheng, I'll take care of it for you!"

Cheng Wanli was even angrier: "The words were clear, he should ask for my hand in marriage, but he hasn't come to ask..."

Su Wu bowed deeply and said, "Father-in-law is right, I was wrong!"

The atmosphere suddenly relaxed, and Wu Song laughed and said, "Brother, hurry up and get married!"

Cheng Wanli wasn't really angry, and stood up again: "When the time comes, everyone come, everyone come, not one can be missing!"

Wu Song also said, "If the Prefect needs manpower, just send someone to give the order. My brother is getting married, and we will run around to help him."

"Well, let's leave that aside for now and get down to business..." Cheng Wanli chuckled, waving his hand slowly, his heart filled with joy.

Su Wu nodded and asked again, "The canal waterway can go directly to Cangzhou. We should also ask the Privy Council for an imperial decree. If war is to break out, the waterway should also be under military control. Along the waterway, we should also set up grain and fodder transshipment points. I should get this done as soon as possible. The Pacification Commissioner's Office should also prepare manpower to do this."

Su Wu was already thinking about the good wetlands in Cangzhou. The cavalry should go there as soon as possible. Horse breeding is very important, and the area is more suitable for horse breeding and cavalry training. The terrain there is also more expansive.

That side is also closer to the border, making it easier to deploy cavalry.

In other words, for the sake of the war, Cangzhou should first be brought under the temporary jurisdiction of the Jingdong Two-Route Pacification Commissioner's Office.

Cheng Wanli nodded: "Of course, Prime Minister Zong will take care of this matter!"

Zong Ze simply nodded: "Yes, I will definitely take care of it."

"Nothing else to say. All tasks are urgent and need to be completed quickly." Su Wu waved his hand, ending the meeting.

Having received the order, everyone rose to take their leave.

Su Wu also left the government office and returned to his own office. Xu Guanzhong and others had sorted out all the official documents, and each document also had a note on it, summarizing what the matter was, its urgency, and the proposed solution.

Su Wu quickly flipped through the pages, checking how this matter was handled and how that matter was handled...

In reality, it mostly involves spending money. Su Wu only needs to make a decision, whether he nods or not, he can give some advice or ask for some feedback.

Zong Ying stood by, constantly taking notes of Su Wu's words.

Su Wu also instructed that even if he was in another place, official documents should be delivered to him by fast horse so that he could handle them.

Spending money, spending money like water.

Su Wu was so numb to the flowers that he was almost desensitized...

Inside the government office, in a small study, the obedient young woman was asking, "Are we leaving again tomorrow?"

The old father replied, "Yes, he returned in just over ten days. He had urgent official business and personal matters to attend to. Yi'an Jushi accompanied him and was to escort him to Qizhou."

"Is Yi'an Jushi in the prefectural city?" The girl's face showed surprise.

When it comes to Li Qingzhao, and her poems, which woman in the world wouldn't love them? Every single one touches a woman's heart.

"Yes, I'll leave tomorrow!" The old father nodded in reply, but after thinking for a moment, he added, "There's no rush this time, and it's not convenient to cause trouble. In the future, after you and Ziqing get married, it will be a regular occurrence for you to visit each other."

"Oh..." The girl was a little disappointed, clearly she really wanted to pay her respects to Yi'an Jushi in person.

A woman who lives like Li Qingzhao, how could she not be an idol? She could do and say things that others couldn't or wouldn't do, and dared to do and say them!
Especially those girls who could read and write, which one didn't envy Li Qingzhao?

To put it in more fashionable terms, Li Qingzhao was a role model for women's rights in the Song Dynasty! A true woman of feminism, a woman who transcended the feudal era.

Su Wu was still busy, busy with various things. Finally, he went back to see Meng Yulou. Nothing was said that night. He got up early the next morning, practiced his spear and staff skills, and then set off again for Qizhou.

Han Shizhong gathered his troops and marched with him, a force of over three thousand men.

Su Wu also rode over to take a look. Although there were only a few hundred veterans and many new recruits, the army still had a certain imposing presence. At least during the march, the ranks were orderly and the military discipline was clear.

Su Wu only praised Han Shizhong, saying, "Brother Liangchen, your military management skills are excellent!"

Han Shizhong grinned and said, "Last night I repeatedly reminded you that you must not embarrass me today while marching with your brother. Today you have truly lived up to my expectations."

Su Wu laughed and said, "It's because you've been training so well lately!"

Han Shizhong chuckled and turned to look. Su Wu followed his gaze and turned his head to see Liang Hongyu from Jingkou. She had her hair tied up, was holding a long spear, and was sitting upright on her horse.

Her heroic and dashing appearance goes without saying.

Isn't she also a role model for women's rights in the Song Dynasty?
Then Han Shizhong said, "Brother, Hongyu has been a great help in managing the army."

"A harmonious couple, how wonderful!" Su Wu was genuinely excited, and simply raised his hand to beckon: "Liang..."

Not knowing what to say for a moment, which was rather awkward, Su Wu thought for a moment and then called out again, "Lieutenant Liang, come forward!"

"Huh?" Han Shizhong was taken aback.

Su Wu chuckled and said, "Why not? It might not be allowed elsewhere, but in my army, I make the decisions. As a scholar of the Privy Council, I'm making this exception and promoting Liang Hongyu to the rank of Colonel Xuanjie, an eighth-grade official! The official decree will be issued to you later!"

Han Shizhong was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. He turned around and left. Liang Hongyu was still confused and did not know that the captain Su Wu was calling was her. Han Shizhong then said, "Yu Niang, come quickly!"

As Liang Hongyu rode closer, Han Shizhong excitedly said, "You've become an official, a Xuanjie Colonel of the eighth rank! Hurry up and thank your master!"

Liang Hongyu thought she had misheard and stared blankly at Han Shizhong, and then blankly at Su Wu.

"Hurry up and bow!" Han Shizhong added.

Only then did Liang Hongyu realize that she had not misheard and that it was true. Her face fell with sorrow, and she bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, sir."

As soon as Liang Hongyu raised her head, tears were already streaming down her face.

Su Wu also asked, "Why is this? There's no need to shed tears. Just remember how you, as husband and wife, fought side by side and killed the enemy!"

Liang Hongyu nodded, quickly wiping away her tears, and said, "It is because I thought of my father and brothers. My family has been military generals for generations, but my father was defeated by bandits and was imprisoned. I was also forced to sell my official position. Today... my husband, I will go into battle and fight to the death!"

In the Song Dynasty, civil officials generally did not go to jail, nor did their property be confiscated, and there was no such thing as a capital offense.

But military officers are a completely different story. Imprisonment, confiscation of property, extermination of family members, and even beheading are all common occurrences for them.

Su Wu did not know the extent of Liang Hongyu's father and brother's crimes, nor did he know where they were imprisoned or exiled to serve in the army.

Su Wu simply said, "If Commandant Liang achieves great merit, I will personally petition the court to exonerate your father and brothers. What do you say?"

This is the will of the people... As long as Liang Hongyu can truly make meritorious contributions, this deal is fine, and the imperial court will approve it.

Liang Hongyu was overjoyed and bowed respectfully, saying, "I bow again to you, my lord."

"Alright, you two can go with the team..." Su Wu said casually, waving his hand, and knew that Han Shizhong would be even more desperate this time to save his father-in-law and brother-in-law.

The two bowed again, then turned and followed the procession.

But then the window of the carriage next to them was rolled up again, and Sister Li said, "I've never seen a woman actually go to war before."

Su Wu laughed and said, "I saw it with my own eyes. It's extraordinary. He can even wield a sword on a rope. What a skill!"

"She must be a fierce and brave person!" Sister Li became genuinely interested.

Su Wu immediately said, "They are currently stationed in Qizhou. Han Shizhong is my sworn brother, and Liang Hongyu is his wife. If you have time, Master Yi'an, please visit them more often. I will definitely broaden your horizons!"

The female heroes who fought against the Jin dynasty, as recorded in official history, were certainly not undeserving of their reputations. In the Battle of Huangtiandang, Han Shizhong took to the field while Liang Hongyu beat the drums. Their battle cries shook the heavens, and amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, they charged relentlessly, forcing the Jin army into a desperate situation.

Li Qingzhao leaned out again to look at Liang Hongyu from afar. Only after Liang Hongyu was out of sight did she slowly withdraw her gaze and say, "Why don't you give birth to a son? What's wrong with giving birth to a daughter?"

"Does the Hermit of Yi'an perhaps also yearn to go to the battlefield and kill the enemy?" Su Wu was joking.

Unexpectedly, Li Qingzhao answered seriously: "It's a pity that I only studied since childhood, and I was born with a frail appearance, unable to wear armor or wield weapons..."

Su Wu then realized that Li Qingzhao had taken it seriously. Indeed, it's normal for someone who says, "To live, be a hero; to die, be a ghost," to take it seriously.

"Just kidding..." Su Wu said casually.

"I knew you were joking, but I didn't know that your words would leave me with such regret..." Li Qingzhao replied.

Su Wu didn't say anything, and just kept riding his horse slowly forward.

This official road really needs to be repaired. When the time comes, cartloads of military rations will be sent to the front lines, whether by donkeys or oxen, along with auxiliary soldiers and civilians, and heavy cart wheels. If this official road is not properly repaired, there will definitely be trouble later.

Su Wu's plan was for the long term. Fighting the Liao was one aspect, but in the future, there would definitely be war between the Song and Jin dynasties. This official road was crucial to the grain supply of the entire Jingdong region, and it was Su Wu's lifeline. It had to be repaired.

Thinking of this, Su Wu turned to look at Li Qingzhao. The carriage window was still open, and Li Qingzhao was also looking at the scenery along the way.

His hair was all black, and his face was smooth, except for faint lines at the corners of his eyes.

Yet his eyes held a resolute determination, though his sorrow was not on his face.

Why do we need to consult Sister Li when we're repairing the road?

We need money, we need manpower, we need wealthy gentry along the way to organize manpower, we need wealthy families to provide financial assistance, we need someone who can make a single statement and everyone will respond.

This person could be Su Wu. If Su Wu were to issue a strict order, he could go to every village, town, and city and accomplish the same thing.

But Li Qingzhao was different; she could go first, exchange letters, and speak politely...

Countless local families owe favors to the Li and Zhao families, and countless wealthy households have received their care and support.

It was still a local affair, with intricate relationships. Whether it was the Zhao family's collateral branches or the Li family's collateral branches, they had countless in-law relationships with prominent families from various places, which had continued for several generations.

Local wealthy families would seek Li Zhao's help to get their children into schools, to become their students, and even if their children were lucky enough to pass the imperial examinations, they would still seek Li Zhao's help. Local officials also frequently received Li Zhao's assistance.

Li Zhao was not just Li Zhao; he was also a scholar of the Su School, a prime minister of the imperial court, a member of the Imperial Academy, an official of the Ministry of Rites, a censor, and the capital of Bianliang (Kaifeng).

Li Zhao was also the emperor's partner in Shandong, and the representative of various households in Shandong in Tokyo.

This is the underlying logic of the Song Dynasty's ruling system!

That's why Li and Zhao married, and that's why Su Wu wanted to build a road and went to see Li Qingzhao.

Of course, with the country destroyed and the family ruined, Shandong became the territory of the Jin dynasty, and the Li and Zhao dynasties took a sharp turn for the worse.

"What are you looking at, Scholar?" Sister Li asked, referring to Su Wu's blank stare.

Su Wu quickly looked away, pretending not to be embarrassed, and said, "This road needs to be repaired."

Sister Li looked down at the road as well, but said, "It's alright..."

Su Wu added, “If the army is at war and supplies of provisions and weapons are constantly being supplied, this road will probably not be able to sustain us. In the past, there was no overall coordination between the two routes in Jingdong, but now that we have the Pacification Commissioner’s Office to coordinate the overall situation in Jingdong, this road should be repaired for the long term!”

Li Qingzhao understood and nodded: "I'll just wait until I get home, discuss it with my younger brother, and then talk to my elder brother in Qingzhou..."

Su Wu nodded: "Thank you, Master Yi'an..."

Unexpectedly, Li Qingzhao suddenly said, "Actually, you could have gone and said it yourself..."

That makes sense. Whether it's Zhao Cuncheng or Li Hang, it doesn't matter if Su Wu speaks for them himself, since the relationship is already established.

Zhao Cuncheng and Li Hang both knew their current relationship with Su Wu and believed they should work together for a win-win situation.

Su Wu smiled and said, "Li Qingzhao, you are no less a man..."

Li Qingzhao smiled slightly: "No wonder the scholar enjoys such high favor with the Emperor..."

This is an insult...

Su Wu understood...

Su Wu nodded: "Alright, next time if there's anything, just go and tell them, so as not to disturb Yi'an Jushi's peaceful enjoyment of drinking, riding horses, and composing poems."

Su Wu also cursed.

Who hasn't sworn at someone? Who hasn't lost an argument with someone else?
Li Qingzhao was taken aback when she heard this. She was always the one who scolded others; when had anyone ever scolded her?
With a flick of the carriage curtain, it clattered shut, and the person vanished.

Su Wu was laughing heartily...

When it came time to spend the night, Su Wu led a large army, and as is customary for marching, he did not enter cities but stayed with his soldiers.

This was Li Qingzhao's first time camping in the wild, and she became quite interested, looking around everywhere.

Su Wu was also seen inspecting the area. After all, there were many new recruits, so Su Wu had to scold them a bit. The scolding wasn't the main point; it was to make the soldiers remember this and be more serious about setting up camp in the future.

Li Qingzhao would only watch Su Wu come and go, and she would always hide and look at him from other places, so as not to meet his face.

This was the second time Su Wu had scolded her. The first time he called her a pretentious, artsy young woman, and this time he called her a rich heiress who only knew how to enjoy life.

Who wouldn't be angry after being scolded like this? And in anger, she would recall the past when Su Wu had dismissed her poems as worthless.

Su Wu didn't take it seriously. He was busy with work, looking around and scolding everyone he met. It's always easy to find fault, especially since new recruits are not as capable as elite veterans and are bound to make mistakes.

They criticize veterans for being irresponsible, and they criticize generals for having a weak sense of safety...

After scolding everyone, inside the main tent, they still had to light lamps to review official documents, give their opinions, and then be sent away by fast horses in rotation.

We set off again early the next morning...

It was much less interesting; the windows on the frame were no longer open.

Actually, Su Wu didn't see it; the other person had opened the other window and was looking at the scenery from the other side.

Su Wu simply swayed and rode along on horseback, with people constantly coming and going around him, just like in a drill, with scouts in front and those covering the rear...

Han Shizhong was also getting angry, and he kept getting angry. Yesterday, Su Wu gave him a long lecture, and although he didn't say anything to Han Shizhong, it still made Han Shizhong lose face. Today, he was extra strict with the army during the march.

If the ranks were even slightly out of order, he would be met with a barrage of criticism; Han Shizhong was known for his fiery temper, and this was no joke.

Liang Hongyu, on the other hand, often stayed by his side to offer advice, which was quite effective.

Looking at the soldiers in the ranks, from officers to common soldiers, every single one of them cast grateful glances at Liang Hongyu.

As an observer, Su Wu also thought of many things. This couple was truly a match made in heaven. He also realized why the historical records said that Liang Hongyu was deeply loved by the soldiers.

After setting up camp again at night, Han Shizhong personally directed the operation on horseback, checking the condition of the stockades, sentry posts, ditches, fire prevention, and even the disposal of excrement...

Qizhou was soon reached; it wasn't far, about three hundred li away.

Upon entering the city, soldiers walked to the military camp. Su Wu walked to the government office. Li Qingzhao walked along the same path; her home was in Qizhou, a sprawling mansion.

As the time for parting approached, Su Wu went to the government office, while Li Qingzhao, carrying many carriages, headed home. At the crossroads, Li Qingzhao slightly lifted the carriage curtain to take a peek...

Su Wu left without looking back, eager to see Zhang Shuye. There were many things to do in Qizhou. First, he needed to sort out the troops under Qizhou's command. Those who needed to be laid off should be laid off, and those who were laid off should be given a job as miners. Their positions should be freed up. This matter was very important. Su Wu wanted to hide his troops!
Another issue is building granaries, which need to be adjacent to military camps. This is actually quite troublesome, as it requires "relocation." However, this is not a difficult matter, as it involves the Li family of Qizhou.

Even road construction is needed...

I'm in a hurry to go home and get married! Just last night, a fast horse delivered the date that Cheng Wanli had chosen. It's urgent; I can't miss it.

(Brothers, this chapter is packed with information; the pace is about to pick up.)
(End of this chapter)