Chapter 9 The Imperial Decree Arrives

  "Father! I've brought all the brides back!" Wang Yuze said with a joyful face, looking at Wang Xiao. Whether in his past life or this one, this was his first time getting married, and he was marrying three beautiful women as lovely as flowers - how could he not be excited? Although he didn't have any feelings for the brides. Feelings can be slowly cultivated, isn't there a saying that goes "familiarity breeds affection"? After spending more time together, emotions will naturally develop. Moreover, Wang Yuze also believed that he would definitely win over the hearts of these beauties.

  "Haha, okay, okay! Yu Ze ah! You've finally grown up!" Wang Xiao Xin said with relief.

  The wedding continued afterwards. This time, the wedding was different in attire but not in spirit. Wang Yuezhe wore a military uniform while his three brides wore white wedding gowns. The ceremony itself was completely traditional.

  Wang Xiao wore a red ceremonial robe, sitting upright in the main hall of the Provincial Inspector's mansion, ready to receive the new couple's greetings. Although Xiong Wu and his wife, Yang Hua and his wife, as well as Zhou Rongxuan and his wife were also elders, they stood voluntarily on either side of Wang Xiao. They didn't dare to be presumptuous, nor did they have the qualifications to sit alongside Wang Xiao. After all, this was still an era where imperial power reigned supreme. In the three provinces of western Sichuan, Wang Xiao was like a local emperor; even if he had become their in-law, Xiong Wu and his wife didn't dare show any disrespect.

  However, even so, the Xiong Wu couple, Yang Hua couple and Zhou Rongxuan couple were all filled with joy. Their daughter was getting married, and the groom was still the young marshal of the patrol office, which made them very proud. This is equivalent to being a relative of the imperial family in western Sichuan!

  The master of ceremonies at the wedding was an old scholar with white hair and beard, who was also flushed red in the face. What an honor it was to host the young marshal's grand wedding! After Wang Xiao occupied western Sichuan, he ordered the people to shave their heads and not wear queues again. This order was first well executed in the army, because when fighting, no one would want a pigtail hanging behind their head. Secondly, ordinary civilians also ended quickly, because the queue on the back of their heads not only affected production activities but also hid dirt and affected hygiene and health. It was those scholars who reacted extremely to this. Especially some old scholars shouted out slogans that they would rather die than give up their queues. They completely forgot the bloody policy of "keep the head but not the hair, keep the hair but not the head" when the Qing dynasty entered the pass.

  However, Wang Xiao has now occupied Western Sichuan for thirty years, and most of the scholars have also begun to integrate into Western Sichuan. After all, as the old saying goes, "Learn literature and martial arts, sell them to the imperial family!" After Wang Xiao occupied Western Sichuan, the scholars in the three provinces of Western Sichuan could no longer participate in the Qing court's imperial examinations. If they wanted to become officials, they had to integrate into Western Sichuan. Therefore, doing things according to the requirements of Western Sichuan is the most fundamental thing. Later, Wang Xiao began to promote new learning in the three provinces of Western Sichuan, abolishing the eight-legged essay, and there was no longer a big reaction. In today's Western Sichuan Province, except for some elderly scholars who are nearly seventy years old, you can't see anyone with a pigtail behind their head anymore.

  The host said a lot of congratulatory words, completely praising Wang Yuze to the point where he was unmatched in heaven and earth. This time, the three brides were able to marry Wang Yuze, which was entirely due to their good fortune from past lives. Hearing this, Wang Yuze's face, which was already somewhat thick-skinned, couldn't help but turn red. But when he saw Wang Xiao smiling and nodding in agreement, he couldn't help but think to himself: "Even if you're the father who loves his son, can't praise him to this extent!"

  The wedding continued, and after the host finished his blessing speech, all the guests in the hall applauded loudly. Many people also took turns praising Wang Yuze, praising him like a flower. Everyone knew that this was a good opportunity to flatter Wang Xiao.

  Below, the most important ceremony of the wedding, the worship hall began. Just as the host was about to loudly say that the worship hall had begun, a sharper and more piercing voice came from outside the hall, like the sound of a wild duck.

  "The imperial edict has arrived!"

  Then, three eunuchs with long pig tails behind their heads entered the hall under the escort of several strong and fierce guards. The guests automatically retreated to both sides, and Wang Yuze and the three brides also stopped their courtesy. Wang Xiao also stood up from his chair and walked to the front of Wang Yuze and others, looking at the three eunuchs coldly.

  Leading was an old eunuch wearing a large red eunuch uniform, with a hat on his head. Behind him were two younger little eunuchs.

  When they saw the eunuchs appear, the guests all started discussing it. Everyone knew that the relationship between Sichuan and the imperial court was not close at all. Although there had been no major conflicts, the imperial court's intention to eliminate Sichuan was well-known to everyone. However, the current Sichuan army was strong and powerful, with advanced weapons that far surpassed those of the Qing army. Therefore, before making thorough preparations, the Qing court did not want to turn against Sichuan either, lest it trigger another upheaval. If another Taiping Rebellion were to occur, the great Qing dynasty would really be finished.

  Wang Xiao was also puzzled, not knowing what trick the Qing court would play next. It's worth noting that Wang Yuezhe didn't report this marriage to the Qing court, nor did he invite the consulates of various countries in Chengdu. The goal was for the wedding to proceed smoothly and without incident.

  "West River Inspection Commissioner Wang Xiao, Wang Xiao's son Wang Yuezai has received the imperial edict!" The old eunuch shouted loudly.

  However, Wang Xiao and his son still stood there, motionless. Without even a hint of intention to kneel down and receive the imperial edict.

  A small eunuch behind the old eunuch saw this and couldn't help but get angry, wanting to scold. But he was glared at by the old eunuch. Instantly, he swallowed his words back into his belly and retreated timidly to the back of the old eunuch.

  "That damned little rabbit, almost got us into trouble. Wait till we get back and settle the score with you. This is the King of Western Sichuan! The King of Western Sichuan who kills without blinking an eye! If we provoke him, we won't be able to return to the capital!" The old eunuch thought to himself secretly. This trip to Western Sichuan to deliver the imperial edict was originally a difficult task. In their eyes, Western Sichuan was simply a hell on earth! And the King of Western Sichuan was a demon king who killed without blinking an eye. But since the emperor's order had been issued, how could he dare disobey it? He had no choice but to come with a stiff upper lip.

  "By the Emperor's decree! Wang Xiao, the Governor of Western Sichuan, has been stationed in the southwest for many years, toiling and laboring with great merit. As a special reward, he is granted 10,000 taels of gold to show imperial favor. His son, Wang Yuezhe, is hereby appointed as General of the Southern Garrison. His wives, Lady Xiong, Yang, and Zhou, are all conferred the title of Third-Rank Imperial Noblewoman. Let this be known!" The old eunuch read out loud, seemingly oblivious to the disrespect shown by Wang Xiao and his son.

  Other guests, some of whom couldn't help but want to kneel down and listen to the edict at that moment. But seeing Wang Xiao and his son standing still, they could only stand still in a learned manner. To be honest, after Wang Xiao solidified Sichuan for thirty years, there was really nothing to fear about the imperial court. At this time, if they knelt down, wouldn't it be clear that they were loyal to the imperial court? Then how would they be able to mix in Sichuan in the future?

  "General Wang, Young General Wang, congratulations! This is just a small token of our family's esteem, please don't think it's beneath you!" The old eunuch said with a face full of flattering smiles.

  "Hmm! Yu Ze, haven't you thanked your grandfather yet?" Wang Xiao nodded.

  "Thank you, eunuch!" Wang Yuze suppressed the discomfort in his heart and bowed slightly to the old eunuch. As for eunuchs, these people who were neither physically nor mentally healthy, he was also extremely disgusted with them. After all, in many dynasties throughout history, their decline and darkness were inseparable from the chaos caused by these eunuchs.

  Wang Xiao casually handed the imperial edict and the old eunuch's gift to Wang Quan, then said: "Thank you for coming all the way to deliver the edict, please take a seat, sir, and have a cup of celebratory wine with me!"

  "The Grand Marshal has been polite, our family still needs to hurry back to the capital to report to the Holy Order, so I won't disturb you!" The old eunuch had no reason to stay here any longer and hastily excused himself.

  "Hmm! Is this how you treat me, Wang Mou? Not giving me any face?" Wang Xiao said coldly.

  "Ah! I dare not, I dare not! Since the general is kind enough to offer, our family will trouble the general!" The old eunuch hastily changed his tone, with a face full of trepidation. Even when facing the emperor, he had never been so nervous before!

  (New book uploaded, seeking collection)