Chapter 58 Reporting Victory

  Xu Wei was busy recruiting soldiers and expanding his forces, enjoying himself immensely. Meanwhile, Zhang Shu Ye had not been idle either. Although he said they would report their achievements to the imperial court after returning to Jinan, he actually had two reasons for acting quickly: firstly, he wanted to show his appreciation for Xu Wei's help; secondly, he was eager to contact his old friends and acquaintances in the capital, so on that very day, he wrote a report of their victory and several letters, ordering them to be sent urgently to Dongjing.

  In the imperial capital of Tokyo, inside Xuanze Gate, the Cai Manor, known as the "Little Prime Minister's Residence", was always bustling with activity and open to all. Flatterers and sycophants flocked to it without end. But today, for some reason, the main gate was tightly closed, and no guests came to visit. A sedan chair stopped in front of the gate, and an official got out, gazing at the desolate scene, couldn't help but sigh: "The master hasn't left yet, but the tea has already gone cold."

  After a moment of emotion, he hurriedly went to the gate and called out. The gatekeeper at Cai's residence was used to receiving bribes, but these days were quiet and boring. It wasn't easy to catch an official, yet this one didn't even have a good attitude, thinking about reporting directly without showing any respect. As for the Prime Minister's gatekeeper being a 7th rank official, that wasn't just a random rumor. The official realized his mistake and quickly took out a silver ingot to offer as a bribe. Only then did the gatekeeper go inside to report, but soon rushed back, returning the silver ingot intact, repeatedly apologizing.

  Who is this person? The newly appointed Shu Shou, Xu Shao. As the third in command of the Imperial Secretariat, he naturally came to the Cai residence on official business. Collecting silver from him would be suicidal! No wonder the doorman was both returning the silver and apologizing. Xu Shao didn't even acknowledge it, and walked in by himself. The doorman hastily stepped forward to lead him, until they reached the flower hall where he sat down. A servant presented tea, and they waited for Cai Shou to come out.

  After a while, Cai You came out with the support of his servants. His face was full of illness, his left cheek was swollen high, and he kept humming, looking very sick. Xu Shao hastily stood up and bowed: "Junior official Xu Shao, pays respects to Prime Minister Cai."

  Cai You sat down and looked up at him. He was over 50 years old, with a tall and strong build, although he stood there with a serious expression, his eyes fixed on Cai's nose, his nose fixed on Cai's heart. A few days ago, he had only heard that the Imperial Secretariat was sending someone to "sign documents", but he had not seen him before, so he said: "Sit down."

  Cai You had taken sick leave because he could not help it. As soon as he went to court, his old father and his brother who was a scourge would gang up with a group of sycophantic officials, barking loudly! They did not understand military affairs, missed opportunities to fight, restrained their subordinates ineffectively, harmed the local people, and had dozens of crimes, with an attitude that they would not rest until Cai You was overthrown.

  The government was forced to make a complaint against him again, and he explained himself again. Moreover, his strategy of recruiting brave soldiers from the local area to fight against the rebels seemed about to be foiled, so he took sick leave at home, avoiding going to court early in the morning to be scolded by others.

  "What's wrong, speak up." Cai Yi covered his cheek and hummed, looking like he had a toothache.

  Xu Shao took something out of his sleeve and said slowly, "Jinan Zhang Shuye sent a swift report, which has just arrived at the Imperial Secretariat. I dare not delay, so I hurriedly brought it over for Your Excellency to review."

  Good news? Hearing these two words, Cai You slightly regained some spirit, but after a moment's thought. He won the battle and it has nothing to do with me, nor can he save me. Alas, this time I'm in trouble. Don't mention blowing auspiciousness or playing the fool, even if I escaped from Guang, the official family will not be happy. This one pass, it seems that it cannot be passed. Why was I so talkative at first? Master Tong wanted to go and fight against the Khitan people, what excitement did I follow him for? Now it's good, let the Khitan people beat him back with a grey head and a dirty face, he hid in Taiyuan and refused to return to Beijing, letting me come back to take the blame. Only now do I understand that this old eunuch had no good intentions!

  "Never mind, take it back. I'll look at it again when I'm better." Cai Yi finished speaking and gave the order to expel the guest. Xu Shao was taken aback, and as a newcomer, he didn't want to say too much, so he stood still on the spot, waiting for the prime minister to enter before taking his leave.

  Ts'ai Yu was supported by his attendants and walked a few steps unsteadily, then suddenly stopped and turned around to say: "Hey, you're called..."

  "Junior official Xu Shao." Xu Shao was speechless in his heart. The Grand Tutor was far away in Taiyuan, and the Imperial Secretariat was managed by this Princess of Yan on a daily basis, yet she didn't even know the name of her subordinate.

  "Where is he from?" Cai Yi asked again.

  "My ancestral home is in Daming, and I am from Xiajin County." Xu Shao replied.

  Cai You's interest was piqued, and he asked again: "A native of Xiajin? What is your relationship with Xu Zhen, the original commander of the Yu Hou guard?"

  Xu Shao was silent for a moment, then expressionlessly said: "Xu Zhang is the second brother of our household."

  He was Xu Zong's younger brother, so he was also Xu Wei's uncle. As soon as he thought of Xu Wei, Cai You couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. It wasn't that he felt sorry for Xu Wei himself, but rather that the strategy to pacify the bandits that he had racked his brains to come up with had been ruined by his father and brother. Thinking about it now, Xu Wei was probably already dead, having fallen in battle. Alas, writing a few words of condolence would be the least he could do to make amends.

  He thought of this and came back to sit down, saying: "Bring me the telegram to read."

  Xu Shao presented it with both hands, Cai You took it with one hand, opened it and took a look. Suddenly he let out an "eh" sound, changed to holding it with both hands, looked at it for a while, then let out a "heh" sound, saw the end, slapped his palm on the armrest, and let out a big "ha" sound. Xu Shao watched from below, full of suspicion, wondering if the Prime Minister was possessed by a spirit?

  "Heaven helps me! Heaven helps me!" Xiaoyu looked at it and tightly grasped the telegram, extremely excited.

  Xu Shao was perplexed, and just as he was wondering what was going on, the Prime Minister suddenly said: "Elder Xu, you have an extraordinary nephew! Your Xu family is truly worthy of being a military family for generations! Haha!"

  My nephew? I have four nephews, which one is he referring to? Is it the eldest brother's house or the second brother's house? If it's the second brother's house, it has nothing to do with me.

  Cai You was so excited that he couldn't help but dance with joy, accidentally knocking over the teacup and shattering it on the ground. But this only added to his delight: "Blossoming on impact! Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

  "This nephew of yours is quite extraordinary! Good kid, at the age of ten or so, he already has such skills! If he's trained further, won't he be even more impressive? It's fortunate that I have an eye for talent, otherwise this young genius would be wasted in some rural village. What a great talent, what a great talent!" Cai Yi spoke to himself, but Xu Shao listened clearly.

  At the age of ten or so, it must be Xu Wei, the son of Second Brother Xu Zhang. No, that's not right, I often saw Xu Wei before he was ten years old. Born to be a troublemaker, good at showing off his bravery, causing trouble in the countryside, and being regarded as a big worm. It is said that one can see an old man at the age of three, and I had already determined that this guy was a prodigal son, how could he be so appreciated by Prime Minister Xu? Besides, looking at Prime Minister Xu's appearance, the report presented by Zhang Shu Ye must have something to do with Xu Wei, why would his name appear in the report?

  Cai You didn't have time to answer his questions, and without even saying hello, he slipped into the inner room. He was surprisingly energetic and agile, with not a hint of illness about him?

  ....................

  Third update! Book club group: 33701828