I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

Although Shi Hongzhao was a roughneck, he was a man of his word.

After leaving the imperial city, the commander of the infantry guards did indeed lead Shen Lie straight to the armory.

But that's it.

No sooner had he stepped through the gate than a guard rushed in to report that there were official documents from the Infantry Command waiting for his signature.

Shi Hongzhao didn't mince words. He simply pointed his riding crop at the gate and said, "If you see anything you like, just have someone bring it to you. If these soldiers dare to utter a single word of nonsense, just say my name."

After saying this, the busy Commander Shi turned his horse around and galloped away surrounded by his personal guards.

It's not that Shi Hongzhao was unrefined.

Shi Hongzhao is now a figure of immense influence in Liu Zhiyuan's eyes, holding half of the military power of the new dynasty in his hands.

Who has the time to accompany a mere commander as he picks and chooses in this warehouse?

To personally escort him on this journey is already a tremendous honor, a declaration to the entire court: Shen Lie is under my protection.

Shen Lie was fully aware of this and respectfully saw Shi Hongzhao off.

He glanced at the smiling gatekeeper, but a bitter smile crept into his heart.

They've saved face, but the situation is rather awkward.

Although the armory was open, selecting armor and weapons was not a task that could be completed in a short time. Even more critically, Shen Lie suddenly realized a very real problem.

He had no money and nowhere to live.

He had given all the money he had to the mother and son, and now his pockets were indeed much cleaner than his face.

Although the emperor granted his request to make repairs and promised him equipment, he never received any of the promised gold, silver, or mansion.

It wasn't that Liu Zhiyuan was stingy, but rather that the new dynasty had just been established and everything needed to be rebuilt.

The inner treasury was rolled up by the Liao people before they left, and it's probably a rat hole big enough for a horse to run through now.

In addition, with the major task of suppressing Du Chongwei taking place these past few days, such trivial matters as bestowing rewards have probably been forgotten long ago.

Thus, the dignified Sixth Commander of the Fuwei Army, who was registered with the Emperor, became a homeless vagrant in the prosperous city of Daliang.

This is the hardship of those who drift to Beijing.

No matter how powerful you are in other places, once you arrive in Daliang City, where every inch of land is precious, you won't even have a place to stand if you don't have a foothold.

"That's enough."

Shen Lie shook his head and chuckled, glancing at the warehouse officer who was bowing and scraping to him. "This commander is tired today. I'll come back to inspect tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Since the weapons couldn't be retrieved immediately, they could only go to Li Congxi's residence first, summon Yang Ting, and then make further plans.

Even squeezing into the military camp outside the city would be better than wandering around on the street.

Having made up his mind, Shen Lie spurred his horse and turned back.

When they arrived at Li Congxi's mansion in the east of the city, they found it empty.

The gatekeeper apologized, saying that his master had not returned after sending Shen Lie to the palace, saying that he had been dragged away by some colleagues to drink.

This aligns with Li Congxi's adept social skills; with various regional warlords gathering in Daliang, it's the perfect opportunity to build relationships and exchange resources.

Shen Lie nodded without giving it much thought, and followed the servant into the front hall, preparing to call Yang Ting to pack his things and leave.

"Brother Shen is here?"

"Congxi has been summoned to a meeting of the Privy Council, which is said to be about the deployment of the Northern Expedition. He probably won't be back until later."

Shen Lie looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman slowly walking in from the doorway.

The woman was about thirty years old, dressed in a silk skirt, with her hair tied up in a high bun and adorned with a red-gold hairpin.

Although she wasn't exceptionally beautiful, there was a shrewdness in her eyes, clearly the kind of matriarch capable of managing a large family business.

This person was Li Congxi's first wife, Li Yuniang.

In those days, military officers were often away fighting on the front lines, and their wives and wives often had to support them in all the social interactions and welcoming ceremonies at home.

Moreover, this era had not yet been poisoned by the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism, and the wives of generals were mostly not the pampered young ladies who never left their homes.

"I hope your wife is well."

Shen Lie quickly bowed respectfully, not daring to be negligent. "I came to the capital to meet the Emperor today, and I am very grateful for the Commander's care. Now that my official business is finished, I dare not disturb the peace of your residence any longer. I plan to take my personal guard to find a place to stay."

"Where to stay?"

Li Yuniang covered her mouth and chuckled, "Brother Shen, are you joking? Where in this Great Liang City could you find a more suitable place to stay?"

"This..." Shen Lie paused.

"Uncle, you're being too polite."

Li Yuniang stepped forward and offered a helping hand. Although there was no physical contact, her warmth was palpable.

"Before leaving, Li Congxi specifically instructed me that Brother Shen was new to Daliang and unfamiliar with the place. Moreover, the Emperor had not yet bestowed upon him a residence. If he were to send you to stay at an inn, it would be a slap in the face to Li Congxi."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lie's impending refusal was abruptly cut off.

"You flatter me, sister-in-law," Shen Lie said with a smile. "Although I only have a few personal guards under my command, they are soldiers after all, and they are clumsy and rough, so I'm afraid they might disturb the peace of your residence."

"What are you saying, Uncle?"

Before she could finish speaking, Li Yuniang raised an eyebrow and feigned anger, saying, "Do you think my Li family mansion is too small to accommodate such a great figure as you?"

"My sister-in-law has misunderstood..."

"What misunderstanding!" Li Yuniang interrupted him. "Before Congxi left, he repeatedly told him that Brother Shen was not only his subordinate but also his benefactor. If you were to stay outside, he would probably blame me, his sister-in-law, for being impolite when he returned."

Furthermore, the relationships between people are often divided into three levels.

The first tier consists of fair-weather friends who will scatter when the benefits are gone; the second tier consists of colleagues who are outwardly friendly but inwardly hostile; but the third tier consists of life-and-death friends who will lend a helping hand in crucial moments.

Li Congxi and Shen Lie each possess two of these three qualities.

Firstly, Shen Lie was indeed his subordinate.

In the Five Dynasties Army, which emphasized factionalism, the stronger Shen Lie's forces were, the more assertive he became in front of Shi Hongzhao.

Secondly, there was that incident in Daizhou.

If Shen Lie hadn't led his men to kill Wang Hui and saved face for the Fuwei Army, Li Congxi would have certainly suffered a humiliation at Shi Hongzhao's hands.

However, to regard Li Congxi merely as a petty person who only cares about profit would be to underestimate him.

In this chaotic world, besides scheming, there is still a certain degree of mutual respect and loyalty among martial artists.

Li Congxi was willing to let Shen Lie stay in his mansion and to have his wife come out to greet him.

This shows that they don't treat Shen Lie as an outsider and genuinely want to forge this close family bond.

Having said all that, if you still insist on leaving, then you're being ungrateful.

"You flatter me, sister-in-law."

Shen Lie felt a warmth in his heart and understood the crux of the matter. "In that case, I will take the liberty of troubling you."

"That's right!"

Li Yuniang's anger turned to joy, and she immediately ordered her servants to tidy up the side room.

"Your personal guards have already been settled in the side courtyard, with plenty of wine and meat. Brother Shen, just relax and make yourself at home here."

"Congxi also said that after he finishes his mundane affairs, he will come back in the evening and have a good drink with his uncle, and they won't go home until they're drunk."

"Then I, Shen, will await Commander Li's command."

······

The west wing of the Li residence was clearly reserved by Li Congxi.

Not only was it spacious and clean, but there were even several jars of fine wine on the table.

Shen Lie poured himself a bowl of wine.

"This man is a traditional warrior, loyal and fraternal. Following him means you don't have to worry about being stabbed in the back."

Just as he was pondering this, Yang Ting tiptoed in.

"My lord, the chef at the Li residence is truly skilled; the brothers are all enjoying their meal in the courtyard. Just now, Madam Li even sent over two bolts of silk, saying she'd make you a few sets of everyday clothes."

"Take it."

Shen Lie picked up his wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. "Remember this debt. We may be poor now, but we might not be in the future. We'll have to repay this favor someday."

Yang Ting chuckled.

"Of course. Following the magistrate, can we stay poor forever?"