The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 95 Daily Life of the Imperial Guards
Xiao Yi wanted to have some peace and quiet for another day, but was disturbed again, so he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He said, "Why did you come so early?"

I missed you terribly yesterday since I didn't see you all day.

Guo Xin, not one to stand on ceremony, sat down by the bed and asked, "You've been asleep the whole time? You didn't even go to the victory celebration. All the taverns in the city were packed last night."

"It's comfortable to rest."

Xiao Yi stretched and yawned. He felt so comfortable that he thought he had grown taller.

Guo Xin said, "I haven't had any drinks either. I'll go today and vent my frustrations."

"We must reward the brothers."

"Ha, how clever I am! I've already collected the reward money. Hua Nong is in full bloom. We have the most merits in battle and also serve as Imperial Guards. From now on, we'll receive double pay. We're all so happy we're practically crazy."

Xiao Yi listened intently, and sure enough, there were cheers and jubilation outside the room.

He stood up, walked around the screen, naturally took the umbrella from Guo Xin's hand, placed it aside, and asked, "Did Brother Chongjin go and ask you for it?"

"what?"

Guo Xin was taken aback, clearly not seeing Li Chongjin, and said, "I'm here to shield you from the wind and snow."

She took the umbrella again and tucked it at her feet.

The brother and sister sat down at the tea table.

Guo Xin slammed a small bundle down on the table.

“Father said that the Empress Dowager’s decision to grant you an official position first has put him in a difficult position. If he doesn’t promote you, he will seem petty. But if he promotes you too high suddenly, it will harm you. For now, you will be assigned to the Tianxiong Army and the Inner Palace Guard. We’ll discuss it again once everything is settled. You should keep that in mind.”

"I understand the General's kindness."

"Hey, that's good. You even added the title of Inspector of the Imperial Academy. Your literary talent is inferior to mine; you've made a fool of yourself, haven't you?"

"Just a worthless honorary title."

Xiao Yi remained quite calm. He had met three Grand Tutors in recent days. Shi Dechong was appointed as the Inspector of the Ministry of Works as soon as he entered officialdom. It could be said that he had been to many high-ranking positions.

As for literary talent, he is definitely superior to Guo Xin; there's no need to argue about it.

The most crucial sentence in the conversation was actually "after everything is settled," meaning that Guo Wei's identity had to be established first.

It's not something you should ask around about, so he didn't ask.

"However, my father said you've made great contributions, so he's given you a military rank." Guo Xin took out his official document and badge from his bundle and said, "Cavalry Commandant, fourth rank, hehe, General Xiao, are you satisfied?"

"I'm a little worried about suddenly being promoted to such a high position."

"You're spouting nonsense again. A cavalry captain gets a few pennies more, and it's still a long way from his salary. I'm afraid you're short on cash, so I'll collect your reward for killing the enemy for you."

Guo Xin took a large bag of silver and poured it onto the table with a clatter.

"You killed many enemies, but you didn't teach them to count them. You got fifty taels. Don't give any more away. As you said last time, the 20th Battalion kept a portion of the spoils as public funds and made a list of expenses. In short, keep these for your own use."

"And you? Didn't you get a promotion?"

"No, he's still just one of your junior officers, hehe."

Guo Xin was actually happy that he wasn't going to take up an official post, and said carelessly, "I've already thought it through. Once Father has settled down with all his affairs, I'll go travel the world. I'm not in a hurry to seek a family fortune."

Xiao Yi wanted to offer a reminder, but then he changed his mind and decided against it.

Not to mention that Guo Xin was not mentally prepared for his new identity, he himself was a little uneasy. He had made great contributions this time, but he had no foundation and had offended Wang Jun. Who knew whether it would be a blessing or a curse?

He glanced at Guo Xin and asked, "Have the madam and the others been buried?"

Guo Xin lowered her head and replied softly, "Earlier, Empress Dowager Li issued an order for her burial, and we went to pay our respects yesterday."

"The lady has treated me very well, and I would like to go and pay my respects."

"Okay, we'll take you there."

Xiao Yi quickly washed up and ate some breakfast.

Before leaving, he sent Lü You to Yicheng Army to inquire about Lü Chou's whereabouts.

He and the Guo siblings, without any attendants, found the joint burial grave of the Guo family in an open space behind Fengxian Temple in the southeast corner of Kaifeng.

He had originally intended to strengthen his relationship with the Guo family, but after lighting an incense stick, he inexplicably felt calmer.

"Madam Chai, I have completed the task you entrusted to me."

He has done his duty faithfully and has a clear conscience. As for his future career, he will let it be.

After offering prayers, just as I was about to leave, I turned around and suddenly saw someone standing there.

The man's boots and knees were covered in mud, but his faded old military robe was clean, patched in several places. He wasn't wearing a turban, which revealed his gray hair. Judging by his clothes alone, he looked like a down-on-his-luck soldier, but he was tall and imposing, with an intimidating aura. It was Guo Wei.

He slumped dejectedly, his back hunched, holding a jug of wine in his hand.

Logically speaking, Guo Wei should be busy consolidating his power at this time, but unexpectedly he is here.

"Grandpa."

"I've met the handsome man."

"There is no general here, only Guo Que'er."

Guo Wei raised the hand holding the wine pot, waved it, and said, "Go, I don't have much time, I need to say a few words to them."

"Yes."

Guo Xin, being a considerate daughter, stayed behind out of concern for her father, holding an umbrella and standing at a distance.

Guo Xin, however, was quite afraid of Guo Wei, and pulled Xiao Yi away.

Xiao Yi didn't say much. He turned around and saw Guo Wei sitting in front of the grave, silently drinking.

On the way to the inner city, civil and military officials could be seen flocking towards the imperial city, their faces filled with excitement at having rendered meritorious service to the emperor, and their loud conversations were endless.

With such a grand undertaking before them, and so many brimming with ambition, the figure standing before the grave only served to highlight their loneliness…

"General!"

No sooner had they left Fengxian Temple than Lü You hurriedly came looking for them, saying, "I've found out that Achou isn't in the prisoner-of-war camp; he's been taken to Kaifeng Prison!"

"Don't rush." ​​Xiao Yi turned and asked, "Is Mr. Wei in charge of Kaifeng Prefecture?"

"No," Guo Xin said. "Mr. Wei has taken over the Taifu Temple. Last night I heard him tell my father that he was going to post a notice in the West Market to sell fifty shi of grain to the people every day at one hundred and fifty wen per shi, in order to prevent grain merchants from hoarding and speculating in the chaos."

"Who is in charge of Kaifeng Prefecture?"

"This is a difficult matter," Guo Xin said irritably. "It's the one person I hate the most under my father's command, old man Wang Jun."

"Let's go over and have a look."

Upon arriving at Kaifeng Prefecture, they suddenly heard a mournful cry.

"Let me go! I am the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and I have no connection with the likes of Li Ye and Su Fengji..." Xiao Yi looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the one who was shouting was a middle-aged man dressed in rich clothes. He was very agitated, and various keys were hanging on his belt. They jingled as he struggled.

This person is probably extremely wealthy, and since he has caught Wang Jun's eye, he will inevitably have to spend money to avoid disaster.

Guo Xin couldn't help but say, "That old man Wang Jun, if we don't let him plunder, he'll start extorting us again."

"Don't rush to conclusions, let's see."

Xiao Yi raised his hand and pointed, and many poor people were expressing their gratitude in front of the government office.

Upon inquiry, it turned out that Wang Jun had reopened an old case and released more than a hundred poor people who had been imprisoned for tax evasion during the tenures of Su Fengji and Wang Zhang.

As for a small number of powerful and influential people, they were arrested under the pretext of being treacherous henchmen.

Xiao Yi thought Wang Jun was quite skilled.

Unfortunately, Wang Jun harbors hostility towards him, and the more ruthless his methods, the worse it is. It's more reassuring to have a political enemy with whom you have a clear stance on everything.

Dispelling this thought, he inquired about Lü Chou's whereabouts from the yamen runners.

“Nie Wenjin’s personal guards are ‘accomplices awaiting punishment.’ Does the general know why they are imprisoned in the Kaifeng Prefecture Prison instead of a prisoner-of-war camp?”

"Please enlighten me."

“Those who can join the Imperial Guard are mostly wealthy, and their military pay is also generous. As long as they are found not to have committed any serious crimes, they can be redeemed for eighty strings of cash.”

"So expensive?!"

Even after accounting for their stipends and miscellaneous expenses, the Imperial Guards only earned three strings of cash a month, which was truly draining their coffers.

Lu You's family were butchers and did have some wealth. Xiao Yi lent them some money to help Lu Chou pay his ransom.

Before long, Lü Chou came out with a bitter face, tears streaming down his face.

"Thank you so much, Vice Commander Xiao... General Xiao, for saving my life. I could never repay your kindness even if I died ten thousand times."

"No need to be polite. Let me ask you, among the soldiers who were captured with you, were there any who were reliable, honest, and obedient?"

"There are some."

"Ask them if they are willing to work under me. If they are, and the ransom is not enough, I can pay it first and deduct it from their pay later."

"Yes!" Lü Chou said, "Oh, by the way, the hundred strings of cash that the general entrusted me with before he left to buy a house are still here. I'll go get them..."

Finally, nine were selected who had no bad records and were quite strong.

The guards did indeed have some wealth. Xiao Yi spent all fifty taels of silver, and Guo Xin borrowed some more to cover the cost and redeem them.

During the process, they happened to see Yan Jinqing being escorted and interrogated, his charges yet to be determined.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yi decided to ask to see Wang Jun. Besides pleading for him, it was also to show that he had no grudge against Wang Jun and was willing to discuss the matter with him.

Upon meeting, Wang Jun had a cold face, and his gaze remained unfriendly.

"It's true that Xiao Lang is everywhere. He's a young man, quick on his feet."

"You flatter me, I don't deserve it."

Xiao Yi spoke calmly about how Yan Jinqing had tipped off the Shi family.

He didn't mention anything else; he was interested in seeing if Wang Jun was fair.

The case was tried quickly. Wang Jun examined a lot of evidence and interrogated him again. He concluded that Yan Jinqing was merely being coerced by the emperor into paying a ransom of one thousand strings of cash.

Xiao Yi was out of money and couldn't help him.

After finishing this matter, he left Kaifeng Prefecture and went straight to the Imperial Guard Headquarters, intending to transfer Li Chongju to the Inner Palace Guard.

Surprisingly, Li Chongju was transferred to the position of bodyguard by Guo Wei yesterday.

Having no other choice, he transferred thirty imperial guards recommended by Lü You, Fan Ji, and others, thus bringing his forces to over a hundred. He planned to train them first and then fill the remaining quota later.

I have little experience, so I'd rather have none than something bad.

On the way back to the Xuanwu Gate guard post, they saw Zhang Mantun in the distance, standing under a willow tree talking to his family.

Xiao Yi had never met Zhang Mantun's family before and initially thought he was a bachelor, but now he realized that he had a large group of children.

He wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but a rather loud noise came from the other side.

"Don't blame me for being stubborn. If I had confessed back then, the traitors would have killed you even more."

"Of course we can't betray our master. You and I have received great kindness from the Shi family, and we must hold on even if it kills us. I'm worried that the boys will have their toes clipped and won't be able to learn martial arts. How will they be able to start families and build careers in the future?"

Zhang Mantun's wife was clearly of servant origin in the Shi family; she was quite formidable and spoke in a very formal and measured manner.

"What's there to be afraid of? I'm good at earning military pay, enough to support them while they're idle."

“Girls are just like you, growing big and strong at such a young age. I’m afraid they won’t be able to get married easily, and I don’t know how much dowry I’ll have to pay.”

"I'll support him for life if he marries me."

"You make it sound so easy! I won't dwell on the future, but for now, what will you do without the Shi family's support? The deed to that house originally belonged to the Shi family, so you can't go back. Go and talk to Guo Que'er on her behalf."

"Isn't this annoying? Do you think Guo Que'er is still A Lang's subordinate? Tens of thousands of mouths are waiting to be fed. I can't say anything."

"So, are we, a mother and her children, going to sleep on the streets?"

"Here, these, and these too, take them all! Let's rent a big mansion for now, and then I'll go and earn some merit in battle..."

Xiao Yi walked away silently, thinking to himself that this was the consequence of marrying a slave girl and having a slave girl.

Let's help each other out in the future.

Back in his quarters, Li Chongjin from next door saw him and exclaimed, "Xiao Lang, what a pity, I haven't seen Wu Niang all day. I'll go and get her back for you tomorrow."

Before long, Zhang Mantun returned, and the soldiers immediately erupted in commotion.

"Iron Teeth, weren't we going to buy wine? Where's the wine?"

“No!”

"What about the cost of everyone's drinks?"

"I've already spent it, I'll make it up to you next time I give out rewards."

"You've given us so much money, why are you still greedy for our meager coins? Which woman crawled into bed so quickly? Or did she get itchy hands and feed us the dice?"

"Bullshit! I don't gamble, and I'm even less interested in women. I just want to kill the enemy. Get them all in training! The general is right, the more we train in peacetime, the less blood we shed on the battlefield!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi nodded.

After working tirelessly for more than half a month, it was time for rigorous training. He immediately stretched his muscles and bones, grabbed the eaves beam, and did pull-ups to warm up.

(End of this chapter)