"Didn’t you see that Hua Liandie was deliberately trying to get you drunk?" He Linghan muttered in complaint.
"You’re mistaken, it seed like she originally intended to get you drunk." Although Ye Shikai didn’t understand Hua Liandie’s thoughts, soone as clever as her wouldn’t make such a basic mistake like ’stealing the spotlight.’ It seed she planned to give He Linghan a ’show of strength’ at the table, but Ye Shikai ended up being the ’sacrificial victim.’ He didn’t expect Hua Liandie to have such a high tolerance for alcohol.
"Alright, too tired, ti to go back and sleep." Ye Shikai slowly stood up, and He Linghan reached out to support him as they headed inside. The two were already engaged, so it was reasonable for them to sleep together; however, Ye Shikai hesitated and still refused.
"Ling’er, tonight I still want to go back to my own ho to rest. It’s not yet the wedding day, and doing this seems inappropriate." Ye Shikai considered many things; after all, this was Master He’s house, and it wasn’t yet the joyous wedding day. If Ye Shikai and He Linghan shared a room here, it would be a laughingstock, not to ntion Ye Shikai’s personal guards are outside.
"Alright then," He Linghan said shyly, personally helping Ye Shikai out the door. The cold wind on their face instantly sobered them up.
"Man Cang, take him back ho," He Linghan carefully instructed.
"Yes, Military Marquis’ wife, rest assured, I’ll take care of the general."
The next day.
When Ye Shikai woke up, it was already near noon. He vaguely rembered being helped ho by Man Cang last night and then directly falling asleep in bed. Looking back, the wine they drank had a potent aftereffect; he felt fine while drinking it, but once the aftereffect kicked in, he ’blacked out.’
"General, you’re awake now." Man Cang was already outside the door with the guards waiting. According to the plan, Ye Shikai needed to personally visit the Commander Mansion in He Nei County to discuss the matters of grain requisition and tax collection with Han Hao.
"General, you’ve just sobered up. The journey to the Commander Mansion is quite so distance. How about I find a carriage for you? It’s more comfortable."
"No need, as a general, sitting in a carriage would be a joke to see." Ye Shikai imdiately shook his head to refuse. Though his head was still sowhat foggy, after rinsing it with cold water, he felt much more alert. After casually eating so noodles, Ye Shikai led the group out of the village towards the Commander Mansion. Upon arriving at the eting point, Ye Shikai noticed several ordinary garrison soldiers wearing light armor.
"General, although the security in He Nei County is better than in East County, there are still quite a few robbers. I am worried that if we only take our personal guard battalion, we may face troubles, so I have recruited so local garrison soldiers." Man Cang imdiately explained.
"What nonsense! Thousands from the Wolf Clan don’t scare , let alone a few robbers." Ye Shikai’s guards are his handpicked confidants. Although there are only two hundred of them, each is at the level of a squad leader or centurion, battle-hardened, and those robbers are no match.
"Moreover, if we withdraw a portion of the garrison, what if robbers attack the village?" Ye Shikai turned his horse around, looking at everyone.
"Garrison soldiers, follow orders and return to your units to continue your duties." Ye Shikai commanded.
"Yes."
"Yes."
"General, this was instructed by Mrs. He last night. She insisted on ensuring your safety." Man Cang said reluctantly, and Ye Shikai understood that with their wedding day approaching, He Linghan didn’t want any accidents.
"I understand, it’s not your fault this ti. Let’s head out quickly." Ye Shikai continued.
"Yes, entire team, move out!"
....................................
The group rode with haste, reaching the Commander Mansion within a day, but it was already late. Ye Shikai initially planned to camp overnight at an inn and seek out contacts the following day. Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at the inn, Han Hao personally approached with guards.
"Ye, why didn’t you inform upon your arrival here and instead went straight to the inn?" Han Hao was thrilled to see an old friend. Being the commander, it’s impossible to miss Ye Shikai entering the city with two hundred guards.
"I heard Ye perford well in East County, exterminating many rogue armies. Congratulations!" Han Hao personally escorted Ye Shikai to the mansion, arranging accommodation for his guards.
"It was all just luck."
"By the way, you were doing well in East County, why the sudden visit?" Han Hao instructed the servants to pour wine while won danced and played music in the mansion.
"To be honest, this ti I returned to get married."
"What? So, Ye is here for marriage? That’s wonderful news!" Han Hao laughed loudly upon hearing this.
"Yes, just three days from now." Ye Shikai nodded.
"Three days from now, alas, that’s unfortunately bad timing. I need to inspect various counties. As you know, lately the county hasn’t been peaceful. The pressure on as a commander is imnse. I hope you understand." Han Hao patted his shoulder, then turned to the servant, "Go, fetch my treasured jade to gift to Ye as a wedding gift."
"Yes."
"Lord Han, please wait, my visit this ti isn’t for that." Ye Shikai waved his hand.
"Then what is the reason? Ye, please speak plainly."
"Upon returning to Shangshui Village, I found that the granaries are nearly empty, not only there but in several nearby villages as well. The villagers are living frugally, yet many are starving." Ye Shikai got straight to the point, having traveled hundreds of miles to the Commander Mansion for clarification.
"I inquired with the Three Elders in the village and found out that the county had dispatched people to collect large amounts of grain and taxes even though the war with the Wolf Clan has ended. It should be the ti to recuperate and restore the people’s strength. Why is this the case, Lord Han?"
"So Ye ca for this matter." Han Hao’s expression changed imdiately upon hearing these words, his brows slightly furrowed, and he gently waved his hand to dismiss the surrounding attendants.
"Ye extinguished rogue armies in East County and should be aware of the current situation. Although we defeated the Wolf Clan, the uprising armies erging everywhere are even more troubleso than the Wolf Clan. The authorities requisitioned this grain fearing it might be seized by these unpredictable rogue armies." Han Hao put down his wine cup, explaining to Ye Shikai.
"Is it just because of this?"
"Ye, do you really think this matter is trivial? Honestly, there have been nurous attacks in the county for quite so ti. These rogue armies don’t shy from seizing even carriages on official roads, let alone village granaries."
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