Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 234 My brother is on top of me!

With Su Xueshi back, many things have become inconvenient. If Su Wu weren't home, Cheng Xiaoniang would handle her own wedding arrangements, such as how to decorate the bridal chamber...

Now that Su Wu has returned, she can no longer manage things herself.

Meng Yulou was also heavily pregnant and would give birth in a month at most. Fortunately, she had Gu Dasao and Dong Huan. Recently, another person had joined them, namely Xiaozhi Niang. Others did not call her "Xiao" but mostly called her Zhi Niangzi.

Dong Huan was the mistress of the house, and although she had married out, she was still like the housekeeper of the Su family.

There are many things that only Dong Huan can tell Su Wu, and only she is someone he can talk to.

Even at home, while Donghuan was busy with chores, she took a moment to ask, "Husband, Sister-in-law Gu also mentioned something, saying that some arrangements should be made..."

Su Wu then asked, "What is it?"

Dong Huan then spoke frankly: "As for the matter of Lady Meng's marriage, we should take care of it after your wedding, so that her child can be born at home..."

This is a matter that really needs someone to take care of. Meng Yulou herself can't say anything, and no one else is qualified to say anything either, so only Dong Huan can.
Su Wu nodded, also pondering: "This matter..."

Dong Huan immediately replied, "Madam Cheng also inquired about this matter, saying that I should be the one to ask her..."

It turns out that everything had been discussed before Donghuan spoke up.

Su Wu nodded again: "Oh, if that's the case, then what kind of procedure should it be?"

Dong Huan was clearly prepared, and simply said, "When the time comes, please invite a large sedan chair and a small table, and have it carried in from the side. This way, it will be both grand and in accordance with etiquette."

"Have you discussed this matter with Madam Meng?" Su Wu asked again.

Dong Huan nodded: "I've already asked..."

Everything had been arranged; all that was needed was to report to Su Wu and get his approval. Su Wu nodded again: "Okay, that's settled then..."

Su Wu understood some things, and then said, "From now on, you should help Madam Cheng and Madam Meng manage the affairs of this household. You should act as a housekeeper, taking care of everything inside and outside the house!"

Dong Huan felt a warmth in her heart and curtsied, saying, "Yes, I will certainly repay you, my husband!"

"It's not about repaying a debt. I have no family, so you'll be my family. You'll be in charge of everything at home! You're familiar with many things, so if we need any maids or servants, just go and buy them..."

Su Wu said that national affairs, family affairs, public affairs, and private affairs should all be thoroughly understood.

Now, Su Wu can be considered to have a home, which is not only a house, but also a person.

The mistress of the house is Cheng Jiyue, Meng Yulou handles the business outside, and Dong Huan manages the household affairs.

Even Sister-in-law Gu helped out from time to time, and could be considered a guard in the inner quarters, so she could come and go as she pleased.

Suddenly, Su Wu thought of someone: Hu Sanniang.

Then I thought of Li Qingzhao's poem "To the Tune of Dian Jiang Chun": Where is he? The withered grass stretches to the horizon, I gaze until the road home is lost...

Things always turn out this way in a big house.

Su Wu was a little confused, but Dong Huan just kept replying, "Don't worry, my lord, I will do my best."

Su Wu then asked, "Lately, has Xiaozhi's mother been helping out more with chores?"

Dong Huan nodded: "Yes, she had no relatives or friends in Dongping Prefecture, so Commander Fan took her to the main store to meet people, and that's how they started spending more time together."

“Good, that’s excellent. If men fight side by side, women should fight side by side too. This is very good. Tell her that she will be able to move around the household from now on…”

Su Wu also quite liked this atmosphere, which stemmed from the intelligence and understanding of many people, among whom Cheng Xiaoniang was the most understanding, and Meng Yulou was the same.

This truly makes life easier.

"Yes, I will tell her myself!" Dong Huan nodded.

Then a soldier came in and bowed, saying, "Reporting to the sir, Commander Hua has arrived!"

"Yes, let him come to see me!" Su Wu nodded, then said to Dong Huan, "You go ahead and do your work, oh... prepare some tea."

After giving a brief greeting, Dong Huanfu went about her business without a word.

As for the outer quarters, the affairs of the men in the household were actually handled by Li Cheng, Dong Huan's husband. Li Cheng and Dong Huan even had two rooms in Su Wu's house. Of course, they also had a house in the city, and Li Cheng had his elderly parents, sister-in-law, nephews, and nieces...

As for where they stay, it's up to them; whatever they feel is fine.

Although they are small things, they are still important and cannot be taken lightly.

Hua Rong entered the room, bowed in greeting, and sat down. After exchanging pleasantries, he seemed hesitant to speak.

Su Wu knew that Hua Rong must have come for something, so he asked directly, "What is it? Just tell me..."

Hua Rong said with a smile, "I've only heard that General Wu has never married. I imagine the tax collector of Yanggu County must be quite anxious, and you must be just as anxious, sir..."

"Oh, this is...good news!" Su Wu immediately understood.

Hua Rong felt much more at ease, and then said, "I'm also afraid that General Wu's standards are too high, and he might not be interested..."

Su Wu waved his hand and said, "How could I not like her? I've seen your sister before. She's beautiful, has a great figure, and is a perfect match for Wu Er. You must be the one who's been to me since you've come here. You're just a blockhead."

Hua Rong nodded repeatedly: "That's right, that's right... My husband has always been incredibly insightful."

“In that case, I have many things to do, so I’ll deal with them all at once, lest I forget about them when I have official business to attend to.” Su Wu said, then called out, “Li Cheng, go and call Erlang!”

Hua Rong was overjoyed. If you were to ask who the second-in-command in the Jingdong army was, it would undoubtedly be General Wu. General Wu and the husband were so close they were practically inseparable. There were plenty of tough guys in the army, but if you really wanted a good husband, you should choose General Wu. You had to act fast, or you might miss out.

Li Cheng rushed to the yamen (government office), and if he couldn't find it there, he would search the camp.

Before long, Wu Song arrived, swaggering in with a smile: "Hey, Brother Hua is here too?"

Hua Rong even stood up to greet him: "Greetings, General Wu."

"We're brothers, no need for formalities." Wu Song rolled up his sleeves to sit down, while also bowing to Su Wu, "Brother!"

There was absolutely no politeness whatsoever.

Su Wu also liked this approach and got straight to the point: "A great war is about to break out, so I'm in a hurry to get married. You should get married too."

"Huh? Me?" Wu Song was serving tea, which had already been prepared, and stared blankly at it.

"Yes, I was talking about you!" Su Wu nodded.

"Why should I be in such a hurry? I... women are the most troublesome, it's much easier to play around in the army." As Wu Song spoke, he didn't even sip a cup of good tea, but drank it all in one gulp.

"Look at you..." Su Wu looked you up and down, his face full of disgust: "You haven't changed your clothes in days?"

"Huh? Does it smell bad?" Wu Song even sniffed around himself.

Hua Rong just smiled from the side...

"Do you think it stinks? Not to mention it stinks, all the other brothers know to get themselves a few good outfits, but you probably don't even have a decent set of clothes to show off, do you?" Su Wu still looked disgusted.

“Brother, don’t I have an official robe? Isn’t an official robe presentable?” Wu Song was naturally unconcerned with formalities.

Su Wu was also helpless and waved his hand: "Forget it, there's no use talking to you about this. I'll just have to be tough with you. Here's what I'll do: I'll have your brother hire a matchmaker, prepare the betrothal gifts, and go to Commander Hua's house. Then you'll marry Commander Hua's sister. That's settled. Hmm... within a month, no delays!"

Wu Song stood up abruptly. Looking ahead at Su Wu and opposite him at Hua Rong, he immediately said, "Well, well, Hua Rong, Hua Rong, I was just saying why you invited me to drink earlier? You've been plotting against me all along. You're quite the schemer!"

Hua Rong was stunned for a moment, his face full of bitterness: "This...this..."

Su Wu slammed his fist on the table in anger: "What kind of precious body do you have? People are trying to befriend you with good intentions, but you make it sound like you're being harmed!"

Wu Song looked back and forth again: "Brother is pressing down on me!"

“Not only will I put pressure on you, but your elder brother will also put pressure on you. You’re a brute in your twenties, how can you not have a wife and children? If this continues, how can your elder brother not worry? Others will only think that I’m disloyal, only caring about my own marriage and not caring about my brother who is all alone. How can I face others?”

Su Wu had a solution.

Upon hearing this, Wu Song indeed fell silent. He then looked at Hua Rong and said, "His sister is quite beautiful. I am a big, burly man, not some refined scholar. How could she possibly be interested in me?"

"I like it, I like it!" Hua Rong nodded repeatedly.

Su Wu glanced at Wu Song, wondering what other skills this guy had left. Unless he dared to say that he liked men, there was no way he could escape this situation.

Wu Song scratched his head and cheeks, completely losing his momentum, and slowly said, "Brother, I... I'm afraid of women. Women are such a hassle. I have to treat them well, care for them, teach them how to make money, and control their comings and goings. If I'm not careful, they'll give me a cold shoulder and make me suffer... I'm terribly afraid of them. Unlike men, who can rely on their own abilities, I can't hit or scold a beautiful woman. I just suffer."

“Where is it as you say? I’m married now, aren’t I? There’s nothing wrong with it. What’s wrong with it? What have I been mistreated?” Su Wu asked.

“Brother, you don’t understand. Things change once you get married…” Wu Song seemed to really understand, perhaps because he had been around the streets since he was a child and had seen it all.

"Stop talking nonsense! It's settled then. Just take this as a military order. If you don't, I'll chop off your dog's head and hang it on the flagpole!" Su Wu was really at his wit's end and extremely annoyed.

"It's so bitter, so bitter..." Wu Song said with a bitter face, then looked at Hua Rong and said, "You've really made me suffer. If I'm ever wronged, I'll go after you and never let you get away with it, I'll make you suffer!"

Hua Rong nodded with a wry smile: "Alright, alright, if you're upset, go find me to vent your anger on you!"

"That's a good deal!" Wu Song was in a much better mood. He cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Brother, I'm off now. The army is very busy."

"Hurry up and go!" Su Wu waved his hand and left.

As soon as Wu Song left, Su Wu immediately put on a smiling face and said to Hua Rong, "You know what Erlang is like. Actually, he's always been kind-hearted. Your sister is very fortunate to have married him; she can't stand the slightest humiliation..."

Hua Rong nodded: "This humble servant is aware of it. My younger sister is betrothed to General Wu, so she is naturally enjoying a good life. Don't let General Wu's carefree appearance fool you; he has plenty of ways to deal with men, but I'm afraid he has no way to deal with women..."

Hua Rong really knows how to pick people; he's already seen through you. Su Wu laughed, "I'm afraid you'll suffer then. If he's up to no good, he might really come looking for you..."

Hua Rong smiled wryly and said, "Just teach him to hit or scold as he pleases, but... don't worry, my little sister is also a well-educated and reasonable person."

"Then this matter is settled. I will write a short letter, and you can send someone to Yanggu. You can also meet with Wu Dalang. Everything will be fine. Just the two of you take care of it. As for Erlang, we can't count on him. When the time comes, just have him put on his new clothes and go to the wedding ceremony."

"Very well, thank you, husband!" Hua Rong stood up and bowed deeply. A major matter was truly settled, and the marriage could not have been better.

After a few more words, Hua Rong took his leave to attend to the wedding arrangements.

Not long after, when the soldiers finished their shifts, many men inexplicably gathered there. It wasn't by prior arrangement, but whenever they weren't on duty, they all came to Su Wu's new residence.

The new house isn't actually very big, but the front yard can easily fit a hundred or so people.

Since Su Wu had arrived, he had to provide food and drink. Dong Huan hurriedly made the arrangements. Since there weren't enough people at home to do it, she went to the main store to call people.

At the banquet, Su Wu really had something to say: "Brothers, we may have a month or two of leisure recently. Of course, the army is still busy, but take a break from the busyness and find someone to marry or get married as soon as possible. The same goes for the soldiers under your command who have reached marriageable age. Tell those who are not married to get married to start arranging it at home. Hmm... In the General Administration Office, give ten strings of cash to every soldier who gets married, as a congratulatory gift from me to them."

"General, you are truly righteous!" These were Hua Rong's words.

Su Wu also went to see Lu Da, but Lu Da was only focused on drinking. Su Wu then went to see Lin Chong, but Lin Chong seemed to have no interest in the matter.

Su Wu sighed and went to look at Yang Zhi again; Yang Zhi was an old bachelor.

Yang Zhi simply nodded: "General, rest assured, I will find a matchmaker in the city to speak with you..."

Su Wu nodded, then looked at Shi Jin and said, "Brother Shi, you are a man of great talent, so don't delay."

Shi Jin chuckled and said, "My lord, I have no worries. Countless matchmakers have come and gone. I just need to find a time to choose one or two!"

Being handsome is a great advantage!

Huyan Zhuo laughed heartily, "General, you've really gone to great lengths."

But then Wu Song said, "Brother, you just harmed me, and now you're making all the brothers suffer!"

The audience burst into laughter!

Su Wu glanced at it, feeling helpless, and then looked at Xu Guanzhong, saying, "Just treat it as a matter to be handled, write up a plan and issue it..."

Xu Guanzhong smiled and nodded: "Yes, sir!"

Su Wu then said, "These matters, Wu Yuhou, and even Commander Zhu of the Navy, you must all take them to heart. You are familiar with local affairs and have wide connections. Just remember which families have good daughters." Wu Yong also nodded with a smile, "Of course, of course... Just make sure all the brothers can get married."

Not far away, Wang Yin, Pang Wanchun, and others were sitting further away, but they were also chuckling. This Jingdong army was quite interesting; the people inside and outside were truly on good terms. General Su...Lord Su was indeed a man of great righteousness and integrity; the rumors were true.

This time, Dongping Prefecture, and even the neighboring Jizhou Prefecture, are likely to be quite lively.

Of course, many people don't need to worry about this...

After a night of drinking, no one got drunk; everyone just had a flushed face. They all went their separate ways, knowing they would come again tomorrow.

Su Wu's residence seemed to have become a gathering place for righteous men.

This can't go on forever. We need to get them all to find wives soon. The days of having wives, kids, and a warm bed are numbered.

It's fine if they come occasionally, but if they come every day, Su Wu can handle it, but Cheng Xiaoniang will probably start cursing, and Meng Yulou will probably frown. Not to mention how much money they would spend on food every day, how can people live if so many men come to eat and drink every day after get off work?
Slightly intoxicated, Su Wu found his new home rather lonely. His first wife was not yet married, and his second wife was about to give birth, but it wouldn't be proper for him to stay at his second wife's house until the wedding; it would be against etiquette.

But it was also boring, just showing off some fists, kicks, and weapons...

He also shouted, "Li Cheng, come here and see how your spear and staff skills have improved lately!"

Li Cheng arrived and chatted with Su Wu for a while, repeatedly saying, "Your Excellency is so mighty, I am no match for you!"

"This front yard should be spacious. Why do we need so many decorations? Put a weapon rack over there and some archery targets over here!" Su Wu, still a bit tipsy, started giving random orders.

Li Cheng looked shocked: "Husband, you're practicing archery at home?"

“Why not? Aren’t you good at archery? You can learn more from you!” Su Wu asked again.

Li Cheng shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, absolutely not! There are many people coming and going at home, and children will be playing around tomorrow. If we are not careful, it could be terrible. We must not shoot arrows at home."

Su Wu quickly realized the same thing and waved his hand, "Let's go to the camp!"

Li Cheng looked miserable. It was late at night... Why did my husband have so much energy but nowhere to use it?

The husband walked ahead, with Li Cheng following behind. After a few steps, they saw Dong Huan standing outside the house, looking pitifully at Su Wu and Li Cheng who were about to leave.

Su Wu walked away, then turned to look at Dong Huan, his resentment unspoken.

Su Wu stopped again, looked around, and muttered to himself, "Ah, it's quite late today. I'll have to get up early tomorrow. Oh well..."

Su Wu muttered to himself as he left, then turned back.

Li Cheng was overjoyed, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon. He gave his wife a highly approving look and then turned to her, saying, "I'll serve my husband so he can go to bed early."

Early the next morning, he went to the camp to inspect the surroundings and also arranged the task of reviewing and inspecting the troops outside the city soon.

In the days that followed, guests kept arriving in Dongping Prefecture, and the inns along the street were almost full. Meng Niang's shop was also packed with customers every day...

Needless to say, Su Wu's residence was always bustling with visitors and crowded with carriages and horses.

Su Wu's wedding was a grand affair, with people from all over the country, including those from the two routes around Jingdong and eighteen prefectures, arriving from nearby areas.

Su Wu received guests constantly—at the government office, at the chief steward's office, and at his home. He would meet with anyone who came, whether he knew them or not, and exchange pleasantries—it was a matter of courtesy.

Since they came to support Su Wu, Su Wu naturally had to give them a warm welcome.

For the first two days, there were more than a dozen groups of people meeting each day. After two more days, there were thirty or forty groups of people meeting each day... A smile was already etched on Su Wu's face, never stopping for a moment.

The same applies to the prefectural government offices, which are thousands of miles away, and even to Zong Ze.

Setting up a large operation is never easy.

On the day before the wedding, people from Qingzhou and Qizhou came in large numbers, their carriages stretching for a mile.

The people from Qingzhou, led by Zhao Cuncheng, included almost all the prominent families and gentry. Qizhou, being the home of the Li family, was in a similar situation.

Su Wu was too busy with the wedding procedures and details to handle anything else; he was only concerned with meeting people.

The guests from the two prefectures met right there in the governor's office.

Li Hang stood beside Su Wu, introducing him one by one, starting with Zhao Cuncheng.

Zhao Cuncheng bowed and said, "There are many things I should thank Scholar Su for, but I was in a hurry to come and go. It was only today that I was able to meet with Scholar Su. Please forgive me."

Su Wu returned the greeting: "What are you saying? We're family, so let's not stand on ceremony. But it's me who has already arrived in Qizhou but hasn't gone to visit Qingzhou. That's really impolite. From now on, we must not be so polite with each other."

Some things don't need to be said; they are understood without words. Whether it's a transaction or a cooperation, many times it happens subtly and naturally. What you rush into is not a business deal.

It's like dating. You look at each other and you hit it off. Naturally, you end up together.

Zhao Cuncheng smiled and said, "I'll bow again, I'll bow again!"

Su Wu returned the greeting: "Brother Zhao, please introduce me to everyone..."

Thus, Li Hang stood on the right, Zhao Cuncheng on the left, and all sorts of people came forward one by one to greet him. There were bound to be some pleasantries, whether it was a pleasant meeting or a request, and inevitably a few words of thanks...

Despite the dullness of the scene and the considerable amount of insincere politeness involved, it was of great significance. Just as a sedan chair is carried by many people, Su Wu's sedan chair was now truly being carried by others.

As the crowd slowly dispersed, Su Wu saw them off one by one. Night was falling, and he then laid Zhao Cuncheng and Li Hang to rest.

The three of them sat down again, all of them exhausted.

Su Wu also asked, "How has Yi'an Jushi been lately?"

This was an opening remark, but Li Hang replied unexpectedly, "My lord, you don't know yet? My sister has also come. She couldn't come here, so she's staying at the inn..."

"Ah? Yi'an Jushi is here too?" Su Wu was genuinely surprised. Three hundred miles, coming and going, is it fun to walk like this?
"Hehe, you really came!" Li Hang laughed, then added, "In that case, it seems more important, just as my sister said..."

"I appreciate this kindness!" Su Wu was also moved; this emphasis makes it important.

Zhao Cuncheng nodded in agreement: "Things are different now. The land of Jingdong is under the jurisdiction of the scholars, who were not able to govern it in the past. Now it is under the jurisdiction of the Pacification Commissioner's Office. With the important national affairs at hand, we should unite as one and strive for great achievements and a powerful backer. Speaking of which, the scholars of Jingdong are now in great decline. Shandong is the land of the sages, how can we let it be like this?"

These words reveal a great deal.

In the past, the Zhao family's father was a prime minister, the Wang family's elder was also a prime minister, and the Li family was a leading family in the literary world, serving as officials in the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Rites. They were a family of famous scholars and great Confucianists.

Now, compared to the past, how could it not be a decline? And it's not just Li and Zhao who are declining, but the entire Shandong officialdom.

In terms of geography, during the twenty years that Cai Jing and his ilk held high office, scholars from Fujian began to rise to prominence, from Lü Huiqing to Cai Jing. Recently, the Fujian faction has become truly remarkable.

Of course, this is not entirely a zero-sum game. After all, the successful candidates in the imperial examinations came from all over the country, and places with good economies and prosperous cultures naturally had more officials.

But Zhao and Li were once very powerful, and they were punished by Cai Jing, which also punished the entire Shandong literati.

Now, he is also determined to start over. Su Wu and Cai Jing are at war. How could Li Zhao not be happy?
If Su Wu could eliminate Cai Jing, that would be even better.

The Shandong scholars needed someone to take the lead again, and it seemed that Su Wu was the most suitable. The others, of course, weren't even qualified to meet the emperor; they were far too inadequate…

Zhao Cuncheng's words were essentially a pledge of loyalty, and there were even things he didn't say. His younger brother, Zhao Mingcheng, had truly disgraced the Zhao family. If things continued like this, the Zhao family would probably decline. If this were to happen to the family of a prime minister, wouldn't the children be heartbroken?
Su Wu looked at Zhao Cuncheng and said, "Brother Zhao is a man of great talent. He will surely repeat the glory of his predecessors in the future!"

Su Wu was not just praising Zhao Cuncheng casually. Zhao Cuncheng was a man of great use, a man who had stood the test of history. How could Su Wu not sincerely use him?

These words struck a chord with Zhao Cuncheng, who nodded repeatedly, saying, "We will certainly work hard and not disgrace our ancestors."

Su Wu then looked at Li Hang and said, "Brother Li, we should also strive together!"

Li Hang nodded: "We should strive together!"

While scholars don't follow the traditional sworn brotherhood ceremony, they still have their own sense of ritual.

This is precisely the sense of ritual.

Su Wu cupped his hands to the left and right and nodded. The two men on either side did the same, their faces serious and full of vigor.

Even Zhao Cuncheng, facing the notorious thief Yang Zaixing with extreme ferocity, died in Guangdong. How could it not be because of this spirit in his heart?

Su Wu saw the two men off again, and before leaving, he asked Li Hang one more question: "Why didn't Yi'an Jushi (Li Qingzhao) write any poems this time?"

Li Hang was taken aback by these words, and then said, "Scholar, you are just teasing my elder sister. How can she not be angry?"

Su Wu was stunned: "When did I ever ridicule Li Qingzhao?"

"The scholar sent a fast horse back immediately, and my elder sister was so angry she almost fainted..." Li Hang felt indignant for his sister, assuming it was all Su Wu's fault, not his own...

"Huh? How could this be?" Su Wu really couldn't understand.

“Sigh…you people, you can curse without using a single swear word, yet you still manage to insult people quite severely. It’s only because my sister is so magnanimous that she would have come this time…” Li Hang continued, then cupped his hands in farewell and left.

Su Wu was stunned. Where exactly did things go wrong?
Is the mighty Yangtze River flowing wrong? Or is the question of who the hero is the best at? Or is it simply that one shouldn't boast too much?

Confused, Su Wu shook his head and hurried to sleep. The house was still bustling with activity, with the wedding day just around the corner.

Get up, put on new clothes, and be surrounded by a sea of ​​people. You become like a robot, just listening to the orders of the crowd.

Standing at the front of the hall, they greeted guests. As one person came and another arrived, they simply bowed and thanked them, announcing what gifts souvenirs they had received. The person calling out names shouted the entire place at the top of their lungs…

Su Wu didn't need to arrange anything or do anything; he only needed to follow orders. The person who mainly gave Su Wu these orders was Sister-in-law Gu.

Welcoming guests to their seats, enjoying the drinks...

In the afternoon, Su Wu mounted his horse, surrounded by people in front and behind, horses and carriages... gongs sounded in front, and a long line followed behind...

Go out into the street, head towards the government office.

The streets were packed with onlookers.

Countless people share in this honor.

Through the teahouse window, someone was saying, "Our Master Su's wedding was such a grand affair! Even the inns in Dongping Prefecture were full!"

That one also said, "That's right, from the two routes of Jingdong to the eighteen prefectures, which one wouldn't come? Which one wouldn't be a great gift?"

"That's how things are these days. Who doesn't know that our Prime Minister Su is a favorite of the Emperor? Even the old Prime Minister Cai Jing, Prime Minister Su is not afraid of him!"

“Our Dongping Prefecture has good feng shui, producing such a talented and accomplished person. My nephew has also benefited from this, and now he has a house in the city and farmland outside the city... In the past, his family was extremely poor…”

"So many people have benefited from this, but I haven't gotten a single thing..."

"You haven't benefited yet? You sell tea, and now your business is much better than before..."

"So...you could say you benefited from it all..."

"A person like you truly lacks a conscience!"

"Look, look! Master Su is truly majestic!"

They then saw Master Su ride past, and shouts rose and fell throughout the streets...

After passing this point, we arrived at the government office. Minister Su dismounted and followed the others inside. The back office was bustling with activity, decorated everywhere with bright red banners…

Cheng Wanli had also prepared a big surprise, and all the important guests had arrived, just waiting for Su Wu to come.

Of course, Su Wu had not yet met his bride; he had only met his father-in-law in the hall.

Suddenly a shout rang out: "Imperial edict has arrived!"

Su Wu was stunned. Everyone in the hall, both inside and outside, was shocked. In his life, he had never heard of an imperial edict.
It was an imperial edict, which actually arrived yesterday. The eunuch who delivered the edict had received a bribe from Cheng Wanli, and only came to announce it on this occasion.

Without anyone saying a word, the entire audience was kneeling on the ground, and some were even trembling with fear.

Su Wu realized what was happening and went to the hall to receive the imperial decree.

(Brothers, thank you all for your votes and tips. Love you all. I'll come back later to thank you all after I've collected a lot of tips.)
(End of this chapter)