You have truly caused me great suffering!

December 12th, the first year of the Jingkang era.

News came from the northwest that the Tatar and Naiman tribes of the grasslands had joined forces and marched south to harass Heishui Town.

Blackwater Town was heavily guarded, and they were thoroughly defeated. The chieftains of the two tribes were captured, and a report was submitted asking whether they should be executed on the spot or sent to Taiyuan.

They were also unlucky; the troops in Blackwater Town were specially prepared for the Jurchen Wanyan Balisu, and were well-trained, well-supplied, and ready for battle.

Who knew that Wanyan Balisu didn't come, and they ran into him. At this time, the Mongol tribes came to harass them, and you didn't need to think too much about it.

They had no other reason than they were starving. If they didn't come, they would starve to death; if they came, there was a one percent chance they could snatch something.

These people were riding horses without saddles, and many of them were even carrying wooden sticks and bone spikes. How were you going to expect them to fight?

Chen Shao was in his study, looking at the report, when he was slightly taken aback.

I almost forgot about this bunch of grassland savages.

This group of mixed Hu people heading south reminded Chen Shao of an old acquaintance, Wanyan Balisu.

Guangyuantang has information about him. In recent years, he has been quietly making a fortune there, acting arrogantly and domineeringly, and plundering the grasslands whenever he has nothing to do.

I heard that they caused quite a bit of trouble for the Mongols.

However, he was shrewd enough not to cause trouble for the Dingnan Army, which was also the same as not causing trouble for himself.

Chen Shao's troops were very busy, constantly advancing eastward, so they didn't touch him.

According to the intelligence I gathered in the Northwest, these two tribes were considered relatively strong on the grasslands.

Chen Shao had no experience in this kind of thing, and the advisors in the study at this time might not know how to handle border affairs either.

He casually asked a few questions, and all the staff said it was just a minor ailment and there was no need to pay attention to it, especially since the Tartars had been dealt a heavy blow.

Chen Shao remained silent, inwardly disapproving, for he was aware of the potential of these nomadic tribesmen from the grasslands.

If it could be used to deal with the Jin Dynasty, that would be perfect.

Since the time of Yang Jian, the Central Plains dynasties have favored supporting weaker forces in the north to challenge the strongest.

In this respect, Li Shimin's father-in-law was the most skilled, and at one point he rendered the nomadic tribes of the grasslands completely harmless.

The Jin Dynasty, established by the Jurchen Tartars, is now brutal and ruthless, an enemy of human civilization.

The next version of the public enemy, the Mongols, could you perhaps make a contribution now and offer some redemption for their sins in another time and space?

Chen Shao wanted to ask someone knowledgeable, but there didn't seem to be any good candidates. Ma Kuo knew a lot about the foreign tribes, but he might not be on the same page as him.

Whenever Chen Shao thought of those loyal and talented people, most of whom were devoted to the Song Dynasty, he felt a pang of regret.

However, Chen Shao then thought that a talent from a single county could sweep across the entire country.

There may be talented people in this field among my own people, but they just haven't been discovered yet.

His methods of selecting talent have always been flawed, and in the past, he made many compromises in order to quickly consolidate his rule.

Now that they are holding onto power more and more tightly, it's time to make some reforms.

The common people of the Song Dynasty have always been a place where hidden talents abound. When Chen Shao first arrived, he was actually quite superstitious about the heroes in history books.

At that time, I couldn't wait to find Yue Fei and befriend him.

But after years of hard work and experience, he discovered that many people are simply overlooked.

Everyone says that gold shines wherever it is, but that's pure nonsense. Life is only a few decades long, and you only have about twenty years to really get ahead.

So what if it's real gold? If you cover it with a rag, where will it shine?

If no one helps you, you'll just live a mediocre life and get through it all.

You yourself may not even know how capable you are.

After spending half a day in the study, at noon, Chen Shao smiled and said, "Everyone, please take a rest for a day."

"Thank you for your concern, General Jie. We will take turns."

Most of these staff members came from the Northwest with Chen Shao, while others were recruited from Hedong. Among them were two of Cai Jing's grandsons.

Everyone is following Chen Shao mainly for a better future, so being a little tired at this point is nothing.

It's important to understand that once this opportunity is missed, it may not come again for hundreds of years.

Chen Shao nodded, got up and walked out of the study. It had just snowed heavily outside, and the rooftops were covered with a blanket of white snow.

The antique buildings looked exceptionally beautiful in the hazy snowflakes, like a painting, and also very serene.

Chen Shao has always felt that many things in this era have a unique and beautiful charm: architecture, gardens, calligraphy, and clothing. If you look closely, you will always find yourself unconsciously immersed in them.

They are not as flamboyant as Gothic architecture, but rather possess a grand and understated beauty that requires a certain mindset and discerning eye to appreciate.

All I can say is that our ancestors had the most sophisticated aesthetic sense.

Today, we are having a small family dinner at your home. Everyone is here, and the dishes are quite exquisite.

Chen Shao only realized it was his birthday after he arrived.
Since arriving here, he has been busy with military affairs and has never had a chance to celebrate. It was only when his cousin-in-law came that he started making preparations.

After dinner, the maids busied themselves clearing the table, then set out tea and snacks such as small pastries, and the family members chatted while drinking tea.

Several concubines were about to offer tea when Chen Shao smiled and said, "You all look tired, and I'm also full from drinking. Let's skip it and just have a happy get-together."

Li Yumei smiled and said, "The master cares about us."

“That’s exactly right,” Chen Shao said with a smile.

Zhang was still very enthusiastic, chatting away around Zhong Lingxi about trivial matters from Chen Shao's past.

Everyone found it amusing, except for Chen Shao, who reacted as if he were being publicly executed.

Seeing Zhong Lingxi laughing loudly, Chen Shao said irritably, "Slow down, don't upset the baby."

"It's only been a month, what's with all this talk about pregnancy issues?" Zhong Lingxi rolled her eyes, ignoring Chen Shao's words.

When Zhang recounted how the two brothers were punished by their aunt for being drunk, Chen Shao finally couldn't bear to listen anymore, stood up, and walked out of the courtyard.

Just then, Ms. Zhe, who was on her way back from visiting her daughter, met her and asked with a smile, "Why are you out here?"

“They’re talking badly about me inside.”

"Then I'll have to go listen to it."

Chen Shao grabbed her arm and asked with a smile, "Have you been corresponding with your family this year?"

"Yes, they sent over some of my favorite cheese a few days ago. Would you like to try some?"

Chen Shao nodded. His strategy with the Zhe family was to stabilize the situation first. "Didn't you return the favor with a gift?"

"They're all our own parents, no need to be so polite," said Madam Zhe nonchalantly.

Although she is of a higher generation, she is not very old. She has only been living in the deep courtyard of the Zhe family for a few years and still has a very close relationship with her family.

Moreover, she was probably pampered at home, otherwise she wouldn't have developed such an innocent and carefree personality.

Chen Shao laughed and said, "I'm afraid they'll think I don't care about you."

Zhe Shi raised her sleeve to cover the lower half of her face, grinning from ear to ear: "No wonder you've grown a year older today, and your voice is so much nicer now."

A gust of wind blew by, making them both feel chilly. Chen Shao said, "Let's go to your room and have a private talk."

Zhe blushed and said, "Alright."

Chen Shao took her hand and led her to the courtyard not far away. He went into the house, gently pulled her to sit on a chair, and let her plump, round buttocks rest on his lap. He then lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.

Although Lady Zhe gave birth to A-Suo, she maintained her figure and skin very well, with not a single fine line on her face. Lady Zhe's ancestors were from the Zhejue tribe (also known as the Zhequ tribe) of the Xianbei people during the Northern Wei Dynasty, belonging to a branch of the Xianbei Murong clan.

The ruqun and xiaogao that Zhe Ningxiang wore today incorporated some features of Xianbei clothing in their tailoring, with narrow sleeves and a slender waist, accentuating her curvaceous figure.

Held in his arms, there was a faint scent of perfume, which became even more fragrant and sweet as her hot body warmed him.

The two are now in a close relationship, which has long since transcended mere lust and has become a genuine source of mutual pleasure.

Even just holding him in his arms like this, Chen Shao felt completely content, experiencing a wonderful sense of peace and tranquility.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Chen Shao said, "I have a set of gold jewelry sent by the gentry of Hedong. Also, take some Hainan sago palms from your residence and send them to Fugu."

"How could I let you spend so much money?" Madam Zhe said with a charming smile.

"Why should we distinguish between each other?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhe Shi slid smoothly off him and knelt down beside the chair—
December 28th.

My aunt has arrived.

Liu Guanglie and Chen Shao, who had arrived two days earlier, stood outside the city to greet them.

The two brothers are now the same height, laughing and talking, while a group of guards escort a carriage in the distance.

The two hurried to greet them and climbed into the carriage together. Chen Yuexian was overjoyed to see them.

The two brothers were no longer naive boys; they sat on either side of her, telling her what she wanted to hear.

Back at the mansion, the women of the household came to pay their respects one by one. When Chen Yuexian saw Huanhuan, she couldn't help but beam with joy and kept looking at her belly.

When they met Shishi again, they held hands tightly and wouldn't let go.

She knew better than anyone that Shao Ge'er's wealth came from other people.

To this end, she even got an expensive bracelet to deceive Shishi.

Unfortunately, Shishi saw through it at a glance, but she wasn't angry. Instead, she was happy that someone was willing to coax her.

After they had all met, Chen Shao gave a wink and led his aunt to his study.

My cousin was waiting here early.

“Aunt, I want my third brother to go back and inherit the Fuyan Army.”

Liu Guanglie's expression was somewhat complicated. He remained silent, as he wasn't particularly power-hungry.

If he were to return now to inherit the Fuyan Army, it would undoubtedly be after his father made a deal with Shao Ge'er and made concessions.

It should be in exchange for Liu Guangshi and Liu Anshi.

No one knows a son better than his mother, so Chen Yuexian didn't ask her son directly, but instead asked Chen Shao, "Will this do you any good?"

"Naturally there is."

"Then let's go back!" Chen Yuexian glanced at her son and said, "Are you worried that your old man won't like you?"

"What am I afraid of?" Liu Guanglie said insincerely.

He is a very sentimental person; the bond between father and son is something that cannot be severed.

Just like Huo Qubing, his father finished his pleasure, pulled up his pants, and left, completely ignoring his mother and daughter.

However, after Huo Qubing rose to prominence, he still went to acknowledge his father as his father.

At this moment, Chen Shao suddenly said, "Third Brother, I'm naturally at ease if you go back to inherit the business. Otherwise, I'll have to take over the Fuyan Road territory myself."

Upon hearing this, Liu Guanglie sighed.

If he doesn't go back, his father Liu Yanqing will probably be in an even worse situation. It would be very easy for Shao Ge'er to take over the current Fuyan Road.

After the Fuyan army was routed, half of it was taken over by Chen Shao and the other half by the Zhe clan.

The Zhe family now relies on Chen Shao's influence; getting those defeated soldiers is just a matter of a word.

The economy of Fuyan Road had long been hijacked by grain transport teams.

The Fuyan Road was located on the only route for the Dingnan Army to enter the Central Plains, and it was adjacent to Hongzhou and Longzhou. Caravans had to take the Fuyan Road to enter the Central Plains.

The local gentry all wanted a piece of the pie.

Chen Yuexian listened to their conversation and finally decided, "Go back!"

Liu Guanglie nodded.

Chen Shao said, "Third Brother, your return will be a good thing for the Liu family."

“Would Brother Shao harm you?” Chen Yuexian said.

"Then you should bring my older brother back." Liu Guanglie thought that if his older brother and the others came back, his father would be happier.

Chen Shao was very happy and said with a smile, "These things are not in a hurry. Let's spend the New Year here in Taiyuan first!"

"Let my older brother go back home for the New Year too."

"No problem!" Chen Shao said, "I'll send someone to the Zhe family in Fugu right away."

Taking advantage of Zhe Ningxiang's gift-giving trip, Chen Shao sent someone over, and the Zhe family would surely give him face.

Zhe Kecun probably felt that the world was about to descend into chaos, so he boldly annexed a portion of the Fuyan army.

Who would have thought that Cai Jing and Chen Shao could actually join forces? After the Jin troops retreated, the situation gradually became clearer.

The Zhe family of Fugu has absolutely no chance of competing for power.

After centuries of division, the Zhe family has gained considerable experience in recognizing an elder brother.

They were surrounded by Chen Shao's territory on all sides. What else could they do but submit to Chen Shao?
It's likely that Zhe Kecun already regrets it now, realizing he shouldn't have revealed his ambition.

In fact, you can't blame him.

When Wanyan Zongwang marched south, he swept through the city with unstoppable momentum and besieged Bianliang.

The Jurchen Tartars and the Dingnan Army were locked in fierce fighting, and it was clear that both sides were going to suffer heavy losses.

The Song Dynasty was in turmoil, and Liu Guangshi, leading an army of 50,000, suffered a crushing defeat.

By any measure, it seems as if the world is about to descend into chaos, with numerous warlords rising up.

In this situation, who would have thought that things would actually stabilize?

Although everyone knows that the current stability is temporary, and that next year will inevitably be filled with fierce fighting.

No one dares to say what will happen after the great war.

However, if your ambition is revealed prematurely, that would be very bad, and the price you'll have to pay would be far more serious than you imagine.

Chen Shao immediately ordered Wang Yin to send someone to deliver a message: Fugu and Fuzhou are not far apart, and it would be too late on New Year's Eve. If they were lucky, the Liu brothers could return on the fifth or sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

Chen Shao didn't even consult with Liu Yanqing beforehand.

Having suffered two defeats at Baigou River and Cizhou Gushan, Liu Yanqing and Liu Guangshi had run out of bargaining chips.

The once prosperous Fuyan Army was squandered by the father and son, who squandered all their wealth.

In fact, given Liu Guanglie's background and abilities, he might not have been able to control the local bullies and generals of the Fuyan Army.

However, everyone knew that Liu Guanglie had the Dingnan Army behind him. (End of Chapter)