Chapter 25: After Drinking, It's Easy to Handle Matters

  Chased away that blind sister-in-law, Xu Wei thanked the villagers and two brothers, turned around and returned to the mansion. Xu Xiuping and Xu Wangshi were already busy with their work, Xu Taigong was happy to be idle, and went to play with his grandson.

  Back in the backyard, accompanying two senior officials to drink tea and eat some fresh melons, enjoying the scenery of the fields. Zheng Huang and others were busy with mundane tasks every day, how could they be so leisurely? Moreover, Xu Wei said that he did not mention official business at all, only talked about some irrelevant anecdotes and interesting news. The three people were quite comfortable, until someone came to inform them that the banquet was ready, by which time the three of them had already become familiar with each other, laughing and chatting warmly.

  That Huang Qianshan is actually a scholar-official, with some elegant interests. He suggested that it's not necessary to make things so formal, why not just set up the wine and dishes in this pavilion? Zheng Ying also agreed, and Xu Wei naturally responded with alacrity. Before long, the wine and dishes were arranged, and since Xujiashan is a rural area, there was no rare delicacies from mountains and seas, only some fresh vegetables and wild game from the mountains. Those two high-ranking officials happened to be people who are tired of eating exquisite food, and when they saw this spread, they frequently praised it.

  Xu Wei refilled their cups and toasted: "In this rural place, I'm afraid we can't provide the kind of hospitality that two distinguished gentlemen such as yourselves deserve."

  Zheng and Huang both laughed, saying: "Where, where, usually can't even get to eat." The three drank, Xu Wei still didn't mention anything, just advised drinking. After the wine had gone through three rounds, and the dishes had gone through five flavors, when they were having a great time, he called over his servant, took out two paper packages, and placed them in front of the two officials.

  Huang Qianshan didn't react. Zheng Jian, who was drunk and had a red face, looked at him strangely and said: "Vice Envoy Xu, what's the meaning of this?"

  "Heh heh, a small token of my sincerity, I hope you two esteemed gentlemen will accept it with a smile." Xue Wei said with a sip of wine.

  "What's the point of this? You risked your life to get this reward, how can I just take it? It would be a joke if word got out." Zheng stretched out his hand and pressed down on the silver, as if he wanted to push it back.

  Xu Wei also pressed down with one hand and said seriously: "The two adults have favors on me, if I don't understand this little courtesy, that would be a joke."

  Zheng Yong withdrew his hand, smacking his lips as he gazed at the silver, and said, "As the saying goes, 'no reward without merit', Deputy Xu. If our department can be of any help, just say so." This person was indeed a military man by origin; after drinking wine, his excitement revealed his bold and uninhibited nature.

  Huang Zhi County, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "That's right, Deputy Xu. Today, Zheng Jian and I stayed behind to drink with you, which means we value this young junior of yours. If there's anything on your mind, just say it." He also sensed that Xu Wei was seeking something, so he didn't reach out to take the silver.

  "It's too much trouble for the two of you to come in person on such a hot day. I'm really sorry to have bothered you, but is there something specific you need?" Xu Wei pushed the silver closer with both hands.

  Zheng Yong was still hesitant, Huang Qianshan pondered for a moment, stretched out his hand and pulled the silver in front of him. Zheng Yong saw it and put down his mind, others' homes, parents, and officials all accepted it, what am I afraid of? He also accepted the silver, secretly sighing that Xu Taigong and Xu Sheng, as father and son, didn't have such insight. Huang Zhixian had said before he came that Xu Jiu was a fool, but this is quite clever.

  The two men accepted the silver and thought that Xu Wei would finally speak up. But to their surprise, he still didn't mention it, instead enthusiastically urging them to drink while also instructing his servants not to neglect the attendants of the two gentlemen, making sure they ate and drank their fill. After another round of drinking, the strong aftertaste of the homemade wine from the countryside began to take effect, and the three living Guan Gong appeared.

  Zheng Yong was delighted, his ears even turned red. When Xu Wei wanted to pour him another drink, he snatched the wine jug away and, swaying unsteadily, pushed Xu Wei down into a seat and personally filled his cup to the brim. With a mouthful of wine fumes, he said: "Xu younger brother..." At this point, he let out a belch that almost made Xu Wei pass out from the smell. "Brother, I don't easily praise people, you're not old but your vision is vast! Come on, let's make a toast!" This guy was quite forward, he was over 40 years old and yet he called a young man under 20 his brother, wasn't he afraid of shortening the other person's lifespan?

  With a cup of wine downed, Zheng Yong sat back heavily, glanced at Huang Zhixian who was eating with his head down, let out a sigh, and then hesitated for a moment before suddenly slapping the table: "Alright! Brother Xu, I really can't bear it in my heart! There's something that I've only heard about, I don't dare guarantee its truth or falsehood, but you might as well listen."

  Xu Wei's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained smiling as he asked: "Oh? Please enlighten me, sir."

  Zheng Yong let out another belch, and Huang Qianshan's face flashed a hint of disgust, but it was gone in an instant, without leaving any trace, as he shifted his body slightly, still focused on eating.

  "You've done a great job this time! Although you only caught a small-time bandit and became a temporary official, it's said that the higher-ups are considering something. Zheng Yong said up to here, then Xu Wei timely handed him a piece of watermelon, which he swallowed in two or three bites, still with the juice in his mouth, before continuing: "You might not know, but since the great army retreated, banditry has been severe in places like Hebei and Shandong. Although they're just small skirmishes, there are too many mountain strongholds, dozens of big and small gangs. The imperial court originally intended to dispatch troops to quell them, but you also know about the losses on the front lines, and besides, there are still remnants of Fang Ze's rebellion causing trouble in the south, so the imperial court can't spare any hands. Your victory in Xiajin County gave the higher-ups an idea. Someone suggested recruiting local strongmen and organizing brave warriors to defend the prefectures and counties, specifically mentioning you by name. However, it seems like the higher-ups still have some misgivings and haven't made a final decision."

  He paused for a moment, took another sip, and laughed: "That's all! It's all hearsay, little brother. Just pretend I didn't say anything!"

  Xu Wei's heart was overjoyed! Ah, mother, this is exactly what I've been waiting for! Who would have thought that because of my actions in Xiajin, the opportunity has come ahead of time! Wait, isn't organizing local strongmen to defend their hometown just like a militia? Hasn't the imperial court always done it this way? What's the difference?

  Xu Weixin's heart was delighted, but he didn't show it on his face. Zheng Ying saw that he wasn't overjoyed and burst out laughing: "Younger brother, have you had too much to drink? You still don't get it, do you? The local troops are organized by household registration, with a fixed quota. But this time the higher-ups discussed...". He didn't continue speaking, but the meaning was already very clear. This time, organizing the Brave Warriors and local troops is different, there's no fixed quota, how many people you can recruit depends on your ability.

  Zheng said this to thank Xu Wei's kindness, but also had another meaning that Xu Wei couldn't think of. That is, if you can lead a team and eliminate some bandits, the imperial court might incorporate your team into the Imperial Guard, or even give it a direct Imperial Guard number. At that time, wouldn't Xu Wei's official rank soar?

  Xu Wei felt himself getting a bit tipsy, so he made an effort to calm down and reminded himself not to lose his composure. He bowed his hands towards Zheng Ying and said: "Thank you, sir, for your advice!"

  Huang Qianshan listened attentively, then turned to Xu Wei with a smile: "Zheng Jianya has helped us greatly in this matter. Vice Xu, shouldn't you show more respect and offer him a few more cups? In the future, if you become successful, don't forget Zheng Jianya's kindness."

  Xu Wei repeatedly claimed to be, Zheng Yong was very pleased and came to drink without refusing. He drank seven or eight pots of wine before stopping. After getting drunk and full, Zheng Yong mentioned a few more things to Xu Wei before taking his leave. Xu Wei insisted on sending him off, and the soldiers who followed him supported Zheng Yong out the door. As he went down the steps, he still didn't forget to turn back and shout: "Don't send me off, take care! You're definitely going!"