novelSusiti Chapter 76 New Year's Eve Thoughts
Chapter 76 New Year's Eve Thoughts
Two days later, Shimizu Collection
Qingshui Village was a settlement of the Feng clan, similar to Lijia Town. However, the Feng clan arrived in Guangling a few years later and their power was not as strong as that of the Li clan in Guangling, so the Feng clan leaders never considered renaming it Fengjia Town.
Feng Daoji's villa in Qingshui Village was the place where Feng Niaoniao left home when Li Xuan and Feng Niaoniao got married. On this day, Feng Daoji and his wife returned from the city to pay respects to their ancestors.
The ancestral worship was just a pretext; in the living room, Feng Daoji and his wife hosted a casual banquet for Li Yuantu and his son Li Chang.
Li Chang was about to report on Li Xuan and his wife's trip to Bianliang when Feng Daoji stopped him, saying, "Brother Chang, please sit down. It's freezing cold, and it's not easy for you and your son to come all this way. Let's have a few drinks first. Just tell Brother Xuan and my daughter and grandchildren how they are doing in Bianliang."
Li Chang immediately said, "All is well, all is well. Madam has bought half a street to run a business in Bianjing, and has also purchased two or three thousand acres of various types of land, saying she wants to establish an estate."
Feng Daoji stared blankly at Li Yuantu. Li Yuantu could only look at him with affirmation. In fact, Li Yuantu had never been to Bianliang; he had only heard about it from Li Chang.
But people need a little certainty, and having another person confirm it is a great comfort.
Feng Daoji and his wife finally breathed a sigh of relief and cheered together.
Madam Feng quickly said, "Don't say anymore. It's cold outside, and it's not easy for you and Brother Chang to come all this way. We should enjoy ourselves today. Let's eat and talk."
Li Chang pulled an envelope from his chest and handed it to Feng Daoji, saying, "Uncle Ji, this is a letter from Xuan to you two. On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, our army captured Haizhou. Xuan saw the opportunity and immediately wrote this letter, preparing gifts and valuables, and ordered me to secretly bring some villagers back. Because things were rushed, there wasn't time to ask Madam Bianliang to send the letter with us. Please forgive me, Uncle Ji and Madam. Xuan said that since we have the opportunity to return home, we should still give him the traditional New Year's gifts."
The son-in-law was so polite and considerate, not forgetting his parents-in-law even in his busy schedule. Feng Daoji and Madam Feng were deeply touched, but they couldn't help but complain a little.
Feng Daoji said, "In this time of war and chaos, you're risking your lives to return home just for some trivial holiday gift? That's too reckless. Come, come, take a seat. You rarely come from such a long distance. You've suffered alone guarding the house. You must drink a full jin of liquor today."
Li Yuantu said happily, "Young Master Xuan and Madam Xuan are thriving in Bianliang, and I'm happy for them at home too. I don't feel bitter at all. Since you're in such a good mood, I won't stand on ceremony today."
After directing everyone to their seats, Madam Feng said, "Brothers who have traveled a long way, please drink as much as you like. It's not easy to come and go, so let's rest here for today. We'll continue drinking tonight. My wife and I have nothing to do anyway, we're quite free."
Li Yuantu declined, saying, "That would be too much trouble. I can drink at noon, but I'll eat less in the evening. Xuan-ge has a father-in-law and mother-in-law. My Chang-ge also has a wife's family. Tomorrow morning, we have to go and deliver holiday gifts to my in-laws."
Feng repeatedly said, "That's the proper way; this is the right thing to do."
So, in this secluded living room, Feng Daoji and his wife didn't ask anyone to serve them. The four of them ate and talked at the table. Li Chang recounted the events that had occurred since their arrival in Bianjing, as well as the news of Li Xuan leading the Black Spear Dragon Cavalry to capture Haizhou.
Feng Daoji cautioned, "Judging from what Changge said, this Guo family emperor is indeed capable of accomplishing things. However, Haizhou only controls the seaport. Chuzhou is the true hub of waterways and land routes in Huaidong. The Zhou Kingdom is not yet in a position of absolute victory."
Li Chang replied, "What Ji Weng said is true, and what Xuan Ge said is also true. However, Xuan Ge told me that the Zhou ruler and his ministers are extremely capable and will definitely make full use of Haizhou."
Feng Daoji nodded and said to Madam Feng, "It seems we shouldn't go back to Guangling after the New Year. We'll stay in the countryside. If the fighting continues in Haizhou, prices in Huaidong will definitely skyrocket. It's safest to stay with our clansmen at times like this."
Madam Feng agreed: "I'm fine wherever I am, I just hope that Xuan-ge and my daughter will come back with their grandson soon. I also hope that my daughter can give the Li family another child."
Li Chang hurriedly said, "Oh dear, I forgot to tell Master Ji and the old lady the good news. In August, the eldest daughter-in-law was diagnosed with pregnancy. Not only the eldest daughter-in-law, but the newlywed daughter of the Pan family is also pregnant. Xuan and Ji have already prepared a feast in Sweetwater Lane."
Feng Daoji and his wife laughed heartily with delight.
That night, Li Yuantu and Li Chang rested at the Feng family's house. Before leaving the next day, Feng Daoji and Madam Feng gave Li Chang another package, saying, "This is for you. Take it to your father-in-law's place to make a good impression. It must have been hard for you to travel so far to send the news back before the New Year. Before you go back after the New Year, you must come over. We need to prepare some children's clothes for you to take to Bianliang."
Li Chang and Li Yuantu were unwilling to accept it, but Feng Daoji and Madam Feng insisted. After a long negotiation, Li Chang finally had no choice but to accept it.
Watching Li Yuantu and his son ride away, Feng Daoji sighed and said to his wife, "After the New Year, let's call our son and daughter-in-law back. What's the point of being a lowly official? Xuan Ge has captured Haizhou, and Jinling will definitely organize a large army to counterattack and take it back. The back-and-forth stalemate between the two armies near Haizhou is deadly. The situation is about to descend into chaos. Our Feng clan must continue to transport our stored grain and belongings to more remote rural areas to avoid disaster. Our son and daughter-in-law can lend a hand when they return. It's only forty li from here to Guangling City, but that's still too close."
Madam Feng laughed and said, "At worst, we'll just move into Xuan-ge's empty house. I'm sure my in-laws won't have any objections."
Feng Daoji smiled and shook his head. There were so many members of the Feng clan; there was no reason for them to leave the clan and hide with their son-in-law.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Li Yuantu and Li Chang, finally freed from their in-laws' situation, returned to the village and retrieved the cattle and horses they had entrusted to the villagers for care. The father and son then began to seriously prepare for the New Year.
Li Xuan and Li Ji's house needed cleaning, and Li Yuantu's house also needed to be cleaned as soon as possible. The father and son worked up a sweat in the twelfth lunar month, and finally finished the cleaning work on New Year's Eve.
After finishing these tasks, Li Yuantu took Li Chang to visit the Li family ancestral graves, offering incense and prayers to the ancestors and reporting the good news from Bianliang. Following tradition, Li Yuantu wept bitterly before the graves of Li Xuan's parents, as it was believed that only by crying could the message be conveyed to their spirits in the afterlife.
Originally, Li Yuantu was a tough guy who didn't easily shed tears. But after spending a long time in the Li family and organizing many sacrificial rites, his skill in crying has become more and more refined. He can cry whenever he wants, and he does so very sincerely, emotionally, and forcefully, without it seeming like he's acting.
On the evening of the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, Li Yuantu and Li Chang racked their brains and hurriedly prepared a New Year's Eve dinner. There were five dishes on the table, but four sets of bowls and chopsticks. One small bowl was particularly eye-catching. Inside the small bowl was a wooden spoon, which was extremely rough and ugly. The bottom was uneven in thickness, and it was definitely not made by a professional craftsman. It looked as if a careless man had cut it piece by piece with a knife.
Li Yuantu raised his glass and said, "Although Cui Niang and her grandson are not here, we can't leave their place empty. You didn't bring them back this year. I hope that next January, our family can be reunited."
Li Chang, with tears in his eyes, clinked glasses with his father.
After finishing his drink, Li Yuantu unconsciously looked in the direction of Li Xuan's residence and said, "I wonder how Brother Xuan and Madam are spending the New Year in Bianjing. Cui Niang and her grandson should be spending the New Year with them too."
Li Chang nodded: "Definitely. Madam is very meticulous and would never let anyone suffer any injustice."
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Li Chang was right; his wife and children were indeed taken to Feng Niaoniao's home by her to celebrate the festival together.
In the residence of Li Xuan in Tianshui Lane, Bianliang, the house was bustling with people. Li Xuan, along with his adopted sons and retainers, occupied five large tables. Feng Niaoniao, along with her adopted daughter and the female members of her retainers, occupied six large tables.
At a few other small tables, Li Yuan and Li Ke were acting like adults in front of a group of children, imitating the mannerisms of parents and urging the children to eat and drink well.
The children cheered and raised their various spoons in response, drawing scolding from many adults. Among them was Li Chang's child, who excitedly held up his small spoon, which was generally simple, ugly, and uneven in thickness.
Li Xuan watched the group of children making a ruckus in the room with a smile, and said with a grin, "It's New Year's Day today, what else would we do but make a fuss? Let them make a fuss, children are meant to be lively when they're making a ruckus."
With Li Xuan speaking, the children cheered. Feng Niaoniao, however, threatened them, saying, "It's not good to settle scores during the New Year. We'll settle them after the fifteenth of the lunar month. It'll be much more satisfying to accumulate hundreds of lashes and give them a good beating then."
"Hahahaha." This was the unrestrained laughter of Li Xuan's personal guards and the women around Feng Niaoniao.
Madam Feng Niaoniao's words were clearly more intimidating, and the children immediately quieted down. After a while, they unconsciously started whispering among themselves, and then their voices grew louder and louder. Children aged six to ten are at the age where they remember being fed but not punished, so parental discipline has a very short effective period.
Feng Niaoniao shook her head, ignoring the unruly children, and continued talking to the women, even offering special comfort to Li Chang's wife, Cui Niang. Li Chang had been sent back to Guangling by Li Xuan and could only stay there for the New Year. With only Cui Niang and the children at home, Feng Niaoniao, as the mistress of the house, naturally had to take care of her.
Cui Niang said, "Madam, please don't worry about me. As long as my husband is safe, that's all that matters. I am so grateful that my lord sent him back to his hometown. The end of the year is approaching, and my father-in-law lives alone back home. How desolate it would be if he had no one by his side during the New Year. It is my husband's way of fulfilling his filial duty to return home and accompany my father-in-law. As a daughter-in-law, I am already very uneasy about not being able to serve my parents-in-law. Your departure will at least bring me some comfort."
Little did they know that Cui Niang's words resonated with everyone. Li Xuan's personal guards were almost entirely from Huaidong, some from Guangling, some from Chuzhou, and some from Hailing. Now, with Zhou's army attacking the Huai region, the situation was extremely tense.
These women, who had followed their husbands to Bianjing, had lost contact with their parents-in-law and their own families. Li Xuan's act of sending Li Chang with some personal guards back to their homes to deliver gifts and messages was actually a kind gesture.
The philanthropist Li Xuan showed no awareness of doing good deeds. He was currently feasting with his adopted son and personal guards, celebrating the New Year. However, even after drinking, Li Xuan's mind was still preoccupied with the war in the Huai River region next year. This year, Zhou's army's offensive was very fierce, but unfortunately, it was short-lived.
The Zhou and Yu states have temporarily ceased hostilities due to the cold weather, both learning from the lessons of their previous battles. It remains to be seen what kind of outcome the armies of both states will take once the weather warms up next year and they have made further preparations.
Given his cousin Li Jue's previous prominence, how would the Yu Kingdom's court treat him? Since the lavish gathering, Li Xuan and Li Jue had never met again. Based on Li Xuan's understanding of the Yu Kingdom's court, he knew Li Jue had truly committed a grave offense, especially violating the emperor's personal taboos; the consequences were unpredictable.
After failing to persuade Li Xuan to surrender that day, Li Xuan returned to the camp and found Guo Rong. Guo Rong listened to Li Xuan's report of the failed attempt to persuade him to surrender but did not express much reaction.
He simply sighed, "It is my misfortune to have such a virtuous minister assist me. Well then, I will devise a plan for next year's campaign against Huainan. By the way, Ziyu, you are resourceful and wise; do you have any plans you may share?"
Li Xuan is now wholeheartedly devoted to following Boss Guo. Officers of his rank rarely have the opportunity to see the emperor; the emperor's favor is an opportunity to speak to you, and you must seize it.
Li Xuan had indeed given considerable thought to how to fight the war in the spring of the following year. He said to Guo Rong, "I believe that although our army has defeated the Yu state many times, the Yu state still has military strength. The main nodes of the Huai River and the Grand Canal are still in the hands of the Yu state. The Yu state's navy is still far stronger than our army. Therefore, we cannot allow the Yu state to take the initiative in next year's war. We should use our methods to maneuver the Yu army, making them passively respond to the battle, and unable to attend to both ends."
Guo Rong had discussed next year's battle strategy with his generals and prime ministers many times. Although the generals and prime ministers had differing opinions, they were all insightful, and any of their methods would be fine. Therefore, Guo Rong wasn't really seeking advice; he was simply giving Li Xuan a chance to demonstrate his abilities, to assess the true talent of this outstanding young man from Jianghuai, and to prepare him for future use.
Since Li Xuan had given it thought, Guo Rong was pleased and asked, "How can we use troops to force them into a defensive posture, preventing them from coordinating their attacks from both ends?"
Seeing that the Emperor was in a good mood, Li Xuan felt somewhat relieved and replied:
"In my opinion, unless the State of Yu establishes a General Command overseeing the Huai River region, the various military garrisons in Huai East and Huai West will forever remain independent and unable to form a united force. Our army should first attack Huai East, then Huai West. Huai East will serve as the outward defense, while Huai West will be the inner defense. After a winter of rest and recuperation, the State of Yu will surely reinforce the Huai River defense line. If these troops remain holed up in their respective cities, our army will be at a disadvantage."
The best strategy is to force the enemy to defend their territory and lure the main force of the Yu army into open battle. Moreover, Haizhou is under our control, and for the safety of Huaidong, the Yu state will surely send troops to retake it in the spring. Even if they fail to capture it, they will still amassed a large force around Haizhou to block our army. Although the Yu state is wealthy and has a large army, there is always a limit to the number of troops they can utilize.
The better our army performs in Huaidong, the more troops it will attract, and the weaker the enemy forces in Huaixi will become, receiving fewer reinforcements. For our dynasty, taking Huainan ultimately starts from Huaixi, where it is most convenient and easiest to supply the army's logistics.
Guo Rong smiled knowingly, pondering Li Xuan's deeper meaning. Li Xuan, as expected of a traitor, had a very deep understanding of the Yu Kingdom.
The State of Yu established four major military garrisons along the Huai River defense line. Among them, the Haizhou Garrison had been completely annihilated, and the main force of the Desheng Army in Luzhou had been wiped out, leaving only some local militia, which were sufficient for defense but insufficient for offense.
Only the two military governors of Shouzhou and Chuzhou remained to jointly defend the north, also checking and balancing each other's power. As the main forces of Yu in the south successively reinforced Jiangbei, the Yu army in Jiangbei accounted for almost half of the total number of Yu's troops, and they were all relatively strong soldiers.
Aside from the Emperor of Yu personally leading the expedition, who would dare to unify the command of the Yu army north of the Yangtze River? The Emperor of Yu would not allow anyone to unify the command of the Yu army north of the Yangtze River, especially Prince Qi, Li Da.
As long as the Emperor of Yu does not personally lead the expedition next year, Emperor Guo Rong of Zhou, who dares to personally lead the expedition, will have far greater flexibility in deployment than the Yu army at the front lines.
Li Xuan is truly remarkable. Guo Rong and the generals failed to consider the issue of command from the perspective of the Yu emperor. Whether in the Central Plains or among the Liao people, it was almost taken for granted that the monarch would personally lead the main army into battle and unify command of all military and political affairs in the war zone. Therefore, they all overlooked the differences in the national circumstances of Yu and Zhou.
With Li Xuan's reminder, Guo Rong seemed to have pierced through a layer of window paper, and the situation suddenly became clear.
Guo Rong poured tea for Li Xuan in a friendly manner and praised him, saying, "Your Guangling Li family has truly given me a great surprise. It was surprising that Li Jue ruined my grand plan to take Huainan, but it is a joy that Li Xuan helped me take Huainan."
To be honest, my generals and I had no confidence in completely conquering the Huai River region. We only intended to break the spirit of the Yu Kingdom's rulers and ministers, acquire funds to expand our army, and deter them from easily cooperating with the Liao Kingdom to attack us again.
I am deeply troubled by the fortified strongholds and important towns along the Yangtze and Huai Rivers of the Yu Kingdom. As long as Liu Renzhan and Lin Xiao hold fast to Shouzhou and Chuzhou, any further victories will be futile.
Li Xuan, flattered, said, "Your Majesty flatters me. In truth, both Chuzhou and Shouzhou are only useful if they are guarded by elite troops and fierce generals. As long as our army annihilates a large number of Yu's elite troops along the Haizhou line, we will deplete the strength of Yu's main reinforcements and force Yu to reinforce Huaidong. Shouzhou in Huaixi, with its troops in short supply, will only have a few cities to rely on and will certainly not be able to stop our army from advancing south."
Guo Rong said with satisfaction, "Any other suggestions? You're a real treasure, keeping everything to yourself. Even when I don't ask you, you still won't say anything."
Li Xuan awkwardly replied with humility, "Your Majesty is too kind. I simply couldn't help but let my mind wander. I believe that we cannot rush into conquering the Huai River region. We must have a long-term plan, and once we occupy a place, we must govern it. The people of Huai are not unapproachable; they did not fare well under the rule of the Yu state. As long as we rectify military discipline, clean up the bureaucracy, and win the hearts of the people, we will gain widespread support. Our army will naturally become more and more successful as we fight."
Furthermore, a navy must be established. If our army wants to control the Huai River region, it must surpass the Southern Dynasty in naval power. Otherwise, our army's advances, retreats, and transport will always be threatened by the Yu Kingdom's navy. Even a hundred victories will not guarantee security.”
Guo Rong laughed heartily: "Great minds think alike. When we captured a large number of defeated soldiers from the State of Yu, Prime Minister Li (Gu) and Director Zhao proposed to subdue them and use them to form a navy."
By the way, your Black Spear Dragon Cavalry suffered heavy losses in this battle and urgently needs replenishment. After the New Year, a batch of Huai people prisoners will be sent to your Black Spear Dragon Cavalry. You and your cousin will both become commanders of a full-strength army composed entirely of Huai people.
"Don't look down on your low rank. This dilapidated temple of mine doesn't have many official positions to assign. I can only promote you to military honorary titles and meritorious ranks. I'm afraid I'll have to make do with your military posts."
Li Xuan replied with emotion, "Your Majesty flatters us. My brother and I are just southerners, and we thought we would be treated unfairly. But the court has promoted us far faster than we expected. We became military commanders in just eight months. What more could we ask for?"
Guo Rong laughed heartily and said, "That's all thanks to your efforts. The court rewards merit and punishes demerit without showing favoritism to anyone. I have no northerners or southerners here, only people from the Zhou Kingdom."
After saying that, Guo Rong added in a low voice, "Train the Huai Army forces that have been replenished for you as soon as possible. They will be of great use next year."
......
Li Xuan didn't know what great use it would be next year. But Guo Rong's promise to the Huai Army still gave Li Xuan a glimpse of future wealth and prosperity.
Thinking of this, Li Xuan said to his personal guards, "After the New Year, I will open a military academy in the army to teach the Imperial Guards' drill manuals and basic military strategy. You all must come to attend the classes; I will be testing you."
The soldiers were happily enjoying their New Year's Eve dinner when they heard that they would have to go back to school and take exams after the New Year. Suddenly, the food and wine in their mouths lost their appeal.
The adopted sons, however, sensed an opportunity. They studied under Li Xuan and Feng Niaoniao for a considerable period, essentially completing their literacy education. They all volunteered to join the army for training. Li Xuan only selected a few who were sixteen years old or older to serve as his personal guards for the time being.
With a resounding boom from the bell tower of Bianliang City, the new year arrived.