Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 238 Congratulatory Gifts from Luoyang

The celebrations in Jinyang City began with the aromas of wine, meat, and wheat wafting from the entrance of the General's Mansion.

The intoxicating fragrance permeated the warm June breeze, and the grand banquet lasted for seven days.

This was an order issued by Zhang Xian to satisfy the pent-up emotions of the people of Bingzhou.

He had an heir, and the most fervent supporters were not himself, but the entire population of Bingzhou.

The gates of the former general's mansion were wide open, and servants carried out baskets of steaming hot buns, buckets of thick beef soup sprinkled with bright green scallions, and jars of rice wine with red paper stickers, exuding the fragrance of newly brewed wine, and piled them directly on the open ground outside the mansion gate.

"By order of the General! The safety of the Lady and the young master is a blessing upon Bingzhou, and all its people rejoice! From today onwards, there will be no curfew in Jinyang City for seven days, and the markets will be open! All citizens of Bingzhou may come to the General's residence to receive a meal, a soup, and a bowl of wine, and share in the joy of the birth of our newborn son!"

Xiahou Lan's loud voice pierced through the noise, drawing even louder cheers!
"General, you are truly benevolent! May your wife be blessed with long life! May your young master live a long and healthy life!"

"Thank you, General! Thank you, Madam! Thank you, young master, for your good fortune!"

A man, his clothes old but clean, was supporting his white-haired mother and a woman holding a young child. Behind them followed a timid yet curious teenager.

The craftsmen, dressed in short tunics and covered in dust, had just returned from work... The crowd surged in from all directions, yet the order was surprisingly good.

Their faces beamed with pure and simple smiles as they lined up, carefully accepting the snow-white, fluffy steamed buns, the rough earthenware bowls filled with meat broth, and the bowls of clear, sweet new wine.

The steamed buns felt heavy and warm in my hands, the aroma of the meat broth filled my nostrils, and the crispness of the new wine slid down my throat, bringing a slightly tipsy warmth.

Many people were reluctant to finish their food immediately. They carefully broke off a small piece of steamed bun and put it into their child's mouth, then took a small sip of wine themselves, their faces filled with undisguised satisfaction and gratitude.

The area in front of the mansion was filled with the aroma of food, wine, and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

This is just the beginning.

Soon, this generosity and joy originating from the General's Mansion spread rapidly to every corner of Jinyang City, and then swept across the entire Bingzhou region.

The East Market is the most bustling and vibrant place in the entire city of Jinyang.

On ordinary days, this place is filled with shouts from all over the country, the clamor of bargaining, the neighing of mules and horses, and the rumbling of cart wheels.

Today, the noise remains, but with an added touch of grandeur and celebration.

"Liu's Steamed Bun Shop! All-you-can-eat steamed buns today! Buy three, get one free, to celebrate the birth of your little master!"

The burly shopkeeper, Liu, stood beside the steaming bamboo steamer, his voice booming, his face glistening with oil, radiating joy.

He grabbed a few plump, steaming steamed buns that had just come out of the steamer and handed them to a few men who were clearly refugees passing by.

"Take it! Share in the joy! With the general having an heir, our good days are yet to come!"

"Zou's Tavern! The newly brewed 'Jin Yang Chun' is free today! One bowl brings good fortune, two bowls bring longevity! Congratulations to the General on the birth of his son!"

At the entrance of the tavern, red silk hung high, and the aroma of wine filled the air. A waiter dressed in clean clothes carried a tray with a dozen or so small ceramic bowls filled with clear, slightly yellow wine, and greeted passersby attentively.

"Would you like a bowl? To share in the young master's good fortune! It's free! The shopkeeper said he's happy today!"

An old man who had just received steamed buns from the General's Mansion happily accepted a bowl, but instead of drinking it right away, he first offered a respectful toast in the direction of the General's Mansion.

"This old man is offering this bowl of wine as a token of my respect to the young master! May he be safe, healthy, and blessed with long life!"

After saying that, he took a sip with relish, smacked his lips, and exclaimed, "Good wine! It's even more fragrant than in previous years!"

Inside the blacksmith's shop, the furnace was blazing, and the clanging of hammers was more rhythmic than usual.

Bare-chested and muscular, blacksmith Wang Wu was vigorously hammering a red-hot plowshare blank, sparks flying everywhere.

As he swung the sledgehammer, he yelled at his apprentice who was helping him, "Hurry up! Get that batch of new plowshares ordered by Zhao Village out of the way! The general has a new son, this is a very auspicious sign! Our farm tools need to keep up too, so that the crops in the fields can grow even better!"

In the neighboring cloth shop, the shopkeeper's wife was smilingly greeting several women who were selecting fine linen cloth.

"Madam, look at this piece of cloth. The color is perfect, and the weave is dense. It's the softest and most comfortable material for making baby undergarments! I'll give you a discount because of the young master's good fortune!"

A young mother blushed and gently stroked the soft fabric, her eyes full of anticipation.

Seeing this, the shopkeeper's wife picked up another bolt of festive maroon cotton cloth: "Cut some more of this? The quilt made for the young master to bring him good fortune and auspiciousness should also be made of good material, shouldn't it?"

On the street corner, a large crowd had gathered in front of a makeshift stall.

The stall owner was an old gentleman with white hair and beard, wearing a clean cloth robe. In front of him was a large red paper, and next to him were writing brushes and ink.

He picked up his brush and wrote, and one after another, full and rounded characters, full of joy, such as "福" (fortune), "寿" (longevity), "安" (peace), and "康" (health), appeared on the paper.

"Master Li, please write me the character '福' (fortune)!"

"I want the character '安' (peace/safety) to hang above my son's bed!"

"Write down 'Qilin Brings a Child'! My wife is newly pregnant, let's share in the noble aura of the General's Mansion!"

The old gentleman accepted all comers' requests, his writing flowed effortlessly, and he kept muttering to himself.

"Excellent! Excellent! These are all good omens! The birth of our young master is a blessing for Bingzhou! This blessing should be shared by every household!"

A few slightly older children ran through the streets and alleys, singing newly learned nursery rhymes in their tender and clear voices.

"In Jinyang City, joy is in the air, for the general's mansion is filled with a splendid young man!"

With green wheat seedlings and strong cattle and sheep, Bingzhou will prosper even more from now on!
God bless my hometown.

The clear, childlike voices drifted through the streets and alleys filled with the aromas of food, wine, ink, and bustling voices. Passersby, whether merchants or laborers, couldn't help but smile when they heard the song, and their steps seemed to lighten.

Lüsi countryside
Along the Hutuo River, fertile fields stretch for thousands of miles.

In the fields, the farmers seemed more energetic than ever.

"Ruan Li! Look at these furrows, aren't they straight enough now?" Er Gouzi, holding the plow, wiped his sweat and smiled憨厚ly at Ruan Yu, who was standing on the ridge with his hands on his hips, revealing a set of white teeth.

Ruan Yu was wearing a short brown outfit covered in mud, with the trousers rolled up high to reveal his muscular calves.

He squinted at it, then nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad! You've improved! If you keep doing this, your new granary will probably be overflowing with grain by harvest time!"

The surrounding farmers laughed good-naturedly upon hearing this.

Er Gouzi scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.

Just then, the village head, along with several young boys carrying heavy loads, came along the ridge of the field, shouting as they went.

"Take a break! Take a break! The lady has given birth to a son! The General's Mansion is holding a grand banquet for seven days! The former general, out of consideration for us, has ordered all counties and villages to slaughter pigs and sheep, and steam millet porridge to reward the farmers! Everyone will get a share! Let's share in the young master's good fortune!"

The basket contained large chunks of stewed beef and pork, cooked until tender and fragrant, as well as buckets of steaming, plump millet rice.

"General, you are truly benevolent!"

"May the lady enjoy boundless blessings! May the young master live a long and healthy life!"

"Thank you for the reward, General! Thank you for the reward, Madam!"

The farmers put down their tools and gathered around.

There was no crowding or scrambling; everyone lined up voluntarily, their faces beaming with simple and genuine smiles.

After receiving a large piece of oily meat and a big bowl of fragrant millet rice, they sat down in twos and threes on the ridges of the fields and under the shade of the trees.

"Uncle Laoshuan, your teeth aren't good, here's a piece of fatty meat for you, stew it until it's very tender!" A sturdy young man put a piece of fatty and lean meat from his bowl onto an elderly man with sparse teeth next to him.

"No, no! I'll just have some meat broth..." The old man waved his hands repeatedly, but his cloudy eyes were fixed on the meat, and he couldn't help but swallow.

"Take it! It's a gift from the general, so we can all eat well!" The young man put the meat into the old man's bowl without saying a word. "Ah... thanks to the general, thanks to the young master..." The old man held the bowl with trembling hands, his eyes a little moist.

He carefully took a bite of the tender meat, chewing it slowly, his wrinkles smoothing out.

Ruan Yu also took his share. He didn't eat immediately, but instead carried his bowl to a slightly higher ridge in the field.

Before me stretched an endless expanse of wheat fields, shimmering with the luster of life under the sunlight.

Between the ridges of the fields, farmers sit on the ground, enjoying their meals and laughing heartily.

Further away, the surface of the Hutuo River shimmered, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds.

He took a deep breath; the air was filled with the fragrance of soil, the scent of seedlings, the rich aroma of stewed meat, and the sweetness of rice.

A few months ago, he was a scholar in Luoyang who talked about classics but knew nothing about farming. Now, his feet are firmly planted in the soil of Bingzhou, and his sweat is sprinkled on this land full of hope.

He witnessed many things he had never paid attention to before.

"The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace..." Ruan Yu murmured the words of the sages. He looked at the glistening pieces of meat and plump grains of rice in his bowl, and then at the satisfied smiling faces in the fields. An indescribable sense of peace and pride welled up in his heart.

He raised his bowl, facing the direction of Jinyang, and silently offered a toast to this vibrant land, then began to shovel his food into his mouth, eating with exceptional relish.

A few days later.

Strong Yin.

The June wind swept across the foothills of the Yinshan Mountains.

In the valley.

The massive stone dam is already taking shape, resembling a stone dragon lying across the turbulent river.

Among the thousands of men were Han soldiers wearing the standard leather armor of the Bingzhou army, young men from the surrendered Yuwen tribe dressed in various Hu clothing with their hair in braids and buns, and Hu prisoners wearing tattered prison clothes, their hands and feet in shackles, yet their expressions were numb but with a hint of liveliness.

At this moment, they are struggling on the steep banks of the valley and in the icy river water.

The shouts of workers echoed through the sky.

"Hey—hey! Give it your all!"

"Steady the winch! Pull—!"

"The tenon and mortise are aligned! Drop it!"

Xi Zhicai, wrapped in his worn-out blue cloak, stood on a huge rock, the mountain wind making his clothes flutter.

His thin face was covered in dust, and his eyes were sunken, yet his gaze was sharp, scanning the entire construction site like a hawk.

"Mr. Zhicai! Mr. Zhicai!"

The young overseer practically scrambled up the steep rocky slope on his hands and feet, his face beaming with undisguised excitement.

"Good news! More good news from Jinyang! The former general's mansion is hosting a seven-day grand banquet to celebrate with the people! All markets and wards are offering half-price wine and meat, and there's a continuous stream of feasts in front of the general's mansion!"

Xi Zhicai paused for a moment as he waved the command flag, and an uncontrollable smile spread across his face, revealing a tired yet incredibly joyful expression.

"Bingzhou is secure!"

"Pass down the order: finish work early today, and slaughter sheep and pigs for a feast!"

"promise!"
-
The joyous news of the birth of a precious son in Bingzhou and the ensuing jubilation throughout the province naturally reached the majestic palace walls and grand mansions along the Shangdang-Luoyang line.

in the palace.

A congratulatory letter wrapped in bright yellow brocade and stamped with the emperor's seal, along with several heavy sandalwood chests, was escorted by a team of gleaming armored palace guards with solemn expressions, and embarked on the journey to Bingzhou.

The congratulatory message was ornate and full of praise.

"...General Zhang Xian, Marquis of Jinxiang, was renowned for his loyalty and bravery. He recaptured the ancient prefectures of Shuofang, Yunzhong, and Wuyuan, his contributions to the nation will be remembered for generations. Now, I hear of the joyous birth of a son to your household, a truly auspicious sign, a blessing from Heaven upon the Han Dynasty and its border regions! I am deeply gratified..."

The text is filled with praise for the meritorious individuals and blessings for the newborn.

Along with the congratulatory message came a congratulatory gift.

This is a gold-plated, jade-inlaid "Longevity" lock, bestowed by the emperor. It has a gold base and is inlaid with warm white jade. The craftsmanship is exquisite and unparalleled, making it priceless.

Ten bolts of Shu brocade and ten bolts of Yun brocade, shimmering and exceptionally beautiful.

This is a finely crafted gold and jade ruyi, symbolizing good fortune.

The Imperial Guard General in charge of escorting them was a close confidant of Liu Hong. He was secretly summoned to the palace before their departure and given instructions in person.

"...On this trip to Bingzhou, the purpose is to offer congratulations as a pretext, but to conduct thorough investigations. We must observe the atmosphere in Jinyang, Zhang Xian's words and actions, and the hearts of the soldiers and civilians... No matter how small the matter, it must be reported secretly! In particular... we must pay close attention to the planning of that 'World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament,' and see where their true intentions lie?"

The General's Mansion.

More than ten fully loaded carts, escorted by the He family's soldiers, formed a grand procession.

Fifty top-quality warhorses, plump and strong, exceptionally handsome, with their manes all combed smooth and glossy.

Three thousand catties of refined iron were forged into square ingots for easy transport, which were piled up heavily on several carts.

One hundred fine steel ring-pommel swords, crafted by renowned artisans in Luoyang, gleam with a cold light, have sharp blades and handles wrapped with cow sinew. They are excellent military weapons that demonstrate the strength of the General's Mansion.

Ten cartloads of various rare medicinal herbs from the Central Plains, mostly practical medicines for treating wounds, colds, and dysentery, were securely packaged.

A hundred bolts of brocade, a number of gold and silver utensils, and no amount of superficial decorations is spared.

He Jin's trusted retainers accompanied him, and their message to Zhang Xian was even more direct.

"The General is overjoyed to hear this good news! General Zhang has served the country and defended the borders with great merit. Now, with the addition of a son, the foundation is even more solid! This small gift is just to express my gratitude. If the General ever needs Luoyang's help, the General is willing to provide assistance! Let us work together to support the Han Dynasty!" The intention to win him over was obvious.

The Ten Attendants, Zhang Rang's residence.

The Ten Attendants, led by Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, also unexpectedly began preparing congratulatory gifts.

The general who once needed their help has now grown into someone they need to befriend and win over.

Fortunately, for these people, they didn't have many other things, but they had plenty of rare treasures.

A box of twelve pearls from the South China Sea, each the size of a longan, perfectly round, with a radiant glow, their value immeasurable.

A set of six glass cups, presented as tribute from the Western Regions, were colorful, crystal clear, and considered rare treasures in the Central Plains at that time.

Four stunningly beautiful songstresses, meticulously trained, are skilled in singing and dancing, and possess unparalleled beauty. They are transported in a luxurious carriage adorned with tassels, attracting the attention of countless people along the way.

Several boxes of precious jade artifacts, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings were displayed, a dazzling array of exquisite pieces.

Naturally, they also sent messages.

"Lord Zhang is overjoyed to have a son! Attendant Zhang and the other attendants are extremely happy! These are all toys that the attendants have carefully selected for the Lord and the young master to play with."

The Attendant-in-Ordinary said, "My lord is guarding the border for the country, and his family is in Jinyang. If he lacks anything rare, or if his household needs capable eunuchs or maids to serve his wife and young master, please don't hesitate to send a message to the palace! We're all family, so please don't stand on ceremony!"

The phrase "one family" was spoken with exceptional warmth.

It's unclear when exactly, but Zhang Xian's every move has begun to influence the entire world.

(End of this chapter)