Chapter 40: The Delicate and Beautiful Sister-in-law is Gone

  Back home, he first went to the main hall to pay respects to his father, Xu Taigong. Seeing both sons return together, Xu Taigong was overjoyed and ordered his daughter and daughter-in-law to prepare wine and dishes for a family banquet. He also heard that Xu Sheng had been promoted and Xu Wei had won a battle, which made him even more delighted. He hugged his grandson, Fan Yilian, and kissed him several times. Xu Wangshi and Xu Xiuping were also overjoyed and quickly led the servants into the kitchen to prepare wine and dishes. Originally, Xu Wei wanted to discuss military affairs with his fourth brother, who had just returned, and ask about the actions of the Imperial Guard. However, seeing how happy his father was, he didn't want to spoil the mood, so he kept the conversation in his stomach, waiting for an appropriate time to bring it up.

  Three people, father and son, sat together, chatting for a while. It turned out that this time Xu Sheng returned to his hometown, he was ordered to escort grain and military rations to Jingwei Camp, as well as to cut off the head of the rebel leader and reward silver. This matter should not have been handled by him, but Zheng Jianyi intentionally gave him an opportunity, letting him return home for a trip, out of gratitude for Xu Wei's kindness.

  Fan Yi kept playing with her grandfather. Xu Taigong was delighted to dote on his grandchild, so he carried his little grandson out of the guest hall and said to Xu Wei as they were leaving: "Your fourth brother doesn't often come home, if there's anything you can discuss it with him."

  Xu Wei's heart was filled with gratitude, and he responded with a "yes" as the old man left. He couldn't wait to tell his brother about the current situation of the Jingwei Camp in detail, asking for his guidance. In particular, he mentioned the most pressing issue at hand - the problem of personnel. Xu Sheng listened intently, and after his brother finished speaking, he pondered for a moment before suddenly asking: "Old Nine, what do you want to do?" Although it was nominally under the Anfu Si (Pacification Commissioner) of the Daming Fu (Prefecture), the Jingwei Camp, in essence, was still a local militia, albeit with some special privileges. A local militia organization was actually set up according to the imperial guard's organizational structure, with various levels of officers, logistics, clerks, craftsmen, and military doctors - wasn't Old Nine just messing around with the local militia? Although his brother had grown up under his care, since he fell ill, this kid had changed into a completely different person, and Xu Sheng couldn't figure him out either.

  Xu Wei certainly knew what his brother meant and didn't evade it at all, speaking directly: "I want to form an army."

  Xu Sheng's eyebrows moved slightly as he asked in pursuit: "What kind of army?"

  "Attack and you must win, besiege and you must capture, advance and you can seize the city and plunder the land, defend and you can be as solid as gold and iron." Xu Wei replied loudly.

  Xu Sheng still didn't understand, and asked: "You have such great ambitions, why not directly join the Imperial Guard? With your abilities, you would soon become a general in charge of a region. Why...?"

  Xu Wei let out a sigh and looked straight at his brother, saying: "Because in just over two months, the Golden Army will be marching south."

  Xu Sheng's reaction was exactly the same as when Xu Taigong first heard this sentence. Xu Wei didn't want to beat around the bush, and before he could ask, he had already told him the reason for everything in detail, and especially explained that with the current strength of the Song army, as long as the court maintained a vigilant heart, it might be possible to fight against them. But the problem is that nowadays, from top to bottom, almost no one in the Great Song has any vigilance towards the Jin country. If he were to join the Forbidden Army, at most he would just be a low-ranking officer with less than a thousand soldiers under his command, what could he do? So, he had to pull together his own troops.

  For a long time after that, the two brothers fell into silence. Xu Sheng was serving in the army with only a thousand or so men under his command. In the battle against Liao, his troops did quite well, but as a low-ranking officer, he could not turn the tide of the war, and with the defeat of the main army, they retreated back home. After repeated reflections on the reasons for this, he finally understood. Firstly, it was a problem with the military system, which could not be changed, so he did not mention it. Secondly, the soldiers were afraid to die, and their combat effectiveness was low, mainly because the imperial court's source of soldiers was largely made up of convicts and vagrants, who had been forced into the army for various reasons, and would not fight to the death?

  To enhance the military's combat effectiveness, when the system cannot be changed, we must think of ways from the aspects of troop sources and training. The ninth brother is currently doing just that. But if it is true as he said, the Jurchen people will march south in more than two months, at that time even if he recruits a thousand strong soldiers, what's the use?

  "It's up to people."

  In Xu Sheng's heart, he was still hesitant and undecided. After all, this was the words of his ninth brother, whether it was true or false, no one could predict until October. Xu Wei did not persuade him too much, only reminding him that even if there was no actual action, having a mental preparation was good.

  Two brothers were engaged in a lively discussion, and they forgot about the time. It wasn't until Xu Wangshi and Xu Xiuping had finished preparing lunch that they came to call them, and only then did they temporarily put aside their conversation. The dishes were extremely sumptuous, and even the old wine stored in the cellar was brought out. However, after Xu Wei toasted his father and brother with a cup of wine, he wanted to return to the camp. His sister-in-law and sisters repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay, but Xu Taigong Xu Sheng understood that he wanted to go and have a big pot of rice with the soldiers.

  Looking at Xu Wei's hurriedly departing back, Xu Wang said: "Uncle has never suffered such hardships? Being a laborer commander, he is busy to this extent." Although Xu Jiu used to be no different from a beggar, he was born into an official family and had his sister taking good care of him, so he could be considered to have been dressed in brocade and eaten delicacies. Now he has to eat and live with a group of rough soldiers, it's no wonder Xu Wang is heartbroken.

  Xu Shengbai gave a cold glance: "What do you know? Ninth Brother has great ambitions, and yet you still think of him as that child who had to be coaxed into eating his meals?"

  Xu Xiuping listened and rolled her eyes: "What's the big deal? To us, he's still a useless little brother."

  Xu Sheng seemed to be somewhat afraid of this sister, nodding repeatedly: "Yes yes yes, Third Sister is absolutely right. Then I'll trouble you again, can you help Old Ninth find a wife? He's almost twenty years old and still hasn't married, what kind of situation is that?"

  This joke stirred up a hornet's nest, and Xu Wangshi and Xu Xiuping immediately brought out the story of how they had rescued Xu Wei and his mother. They also talked about how beautiful He Gu Niang was, saying that she and Lao Jiu were a match made in heaven. Finally, they asked Taigong to make a decision: could this marriage be arranged? Taigong had met the mother and daughter when they came to the mansion and had a good impression of them. If they were indeed from a respectable family in Tokyo, then it wouldn't hurt to try. Upon hearing these words, the two women were overjoyed and immediately began discussing whether to invite He's mother and daughter over to sound out their intentions.

  Just then, He Gu Niang supported her mother and appeared at the door. The two women of the Xujia family hastily stood up to welcome them and asked the mother and daughter to sit together. Unexpectedly, He's mother said indifferently: "Having troubled your esteemed household for several days, there are many inconveniences. Now that my body has recovered, I should bid farewell. This small amount of silver is just a token for food and lodging." After speaking, He Gu Niang took out two ingots of white silver, twenty taels, and handed them to Xu Wang Shi in front of her.

  The two aunts and sisters-in-law looked at each other in dismay, what's the point of this? Old Ninth arranged for her to come home, just to eat and stay for a few days, and invited several doctors, how could she want money from them? Moreover, our Xu family is planning to form an alliance with another family. At first, they refused to accept it, but after repeated persuasion, He's mother suddenly snatched the silver from her daughter's hand, stuffed it into Xu Wangshi's hand, said "goodbye", and pulled her daughter out. The aunts and sisters-in-law of the Xu family looked at each other in dismay, we didn't offend her, who is she putting on a show for?

  "Hmph, this woman, how dare she be so rude? Her life was saved by my brother and arranged to live in our house with food and shelter, just like one of our own family members. What does her attitude owe us? Alright, alright, let's just drop it! Let's go!" Xu Xiuping was a straightforward person who didn't mince words, seeing that the other party clearly looked down on the Xu family, she said with annoyance.

  Xu Wang also felt that He Mu was a bit too much, it's just a pity that there is no more a lovely younger sister, but then saw Miss He come back again.

  .....................

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