Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 207: Nicknamed Fuli, Discussion on Taking the Huns

"Why don't you look like me, kid?"

Zhang Yu, who returned to the back house from the provincial government, looked at the son born to him by Alahai in his arms and said in confusion.

"It was only recently born, and its face hasn't even fully grown yet, so how can you tell what it looks like?"

Seeing Zhang Yu talking nonsense, Wang Ji glared at him and said, "People often say that sons resemble their mothers and daughters resemble their fathers. When you have a daughter, you will understand this saying."

Before Zhang Yu went on the expedition, Alahai was pregnant, and now when Zhang Yu returned, Alahai was already pregnant.

A Lahai didn't care about that. He looked at his chubby son and said with a smile, "My husband is handsome and brave. It's best to be like him."

Holding the baby's hand, Zhang Yu stroked Alahai who was recuperating on the bed and said with a smile: "Don't be like me, I didn't have much time to love you. You should teach him to be filial and polite, so that he won't make you angry in the future, and he will be filial to you and me when he grows up."

"It's natural!"

Alahai looked kind and said, "When he grows up, let him follow your husband to fight!"

"Ha ha!"

Zhang Yu handed the child to Alahai and said with a smile: "When he is able to go out to fight, I will have conquered the world. If I cannot conquer the world by then, the task of pacifying the world should be handed over to a virtuous son."

"If the world is at peace then, I will go to fight the barbarians for you and bring the world under your rule." Alahai said with a smile.

"it is good!"

Zhang Yu touched the baby's head and asked, "Now that the baby is born, have you given him a nickname?"

"I have some nicknames ready, and I am waiting for my husband to choose one!"

Alahai pondered for a moment and said, "My nicknames are Fuli, Tuotuo, and Xiaomu, which my sister named."

Seeing so many potential nicknames, Zhang Yu thought for a moment and said, "You can name him Fuli. I hope he can be a man of both wisdom and courage in the future."

In the Han and Jin Dynasties, Fuli was not a nickname for a great man, but simply referred to a fox. There was no particular preference for nicknames, and people would either use animals or plants as nicknames, or use the word "jian" as a nickname, hoping that the child would be easy to give birth to.

Zhang Yu also had a nickname, but few people called him by it when he grew up, and even fewer people know his nickname today. Wang Ji gave his eldest son the nickname Mumo, which means the tip of a branch, hoping that he would grow up as healthy as a tree.

"Folkley sounds nice!"

Alahai muttered something and stroked the grinning child, she couldn't help but laugh as well.

Seeing Zhang Yu caringly giving a nickname to Alahai's son, Wang Ji felt jealous. She was the only one who took care of the child without Zhang Yu by her side.

Seeing Wang Ji remained silent for a long time, Zhang Yu realized what Wang Ji was thinking and said with a smile: "You are pregnant now, so your body is not in good condition. I will come to accompany you early tomorrow."

"Husband, sister, walk slowly!"

After leaving the house, Zhang Yu and Wang Ji went to the bedroom.

Wang Ji took off her outer robe, revealing her graceful figure, and said, "My husband, a few days ago, the nobles of Bingzhou and Guo Yanmen sent people to send brocade, gold and silver. In addition, your husband's brother-in-law came to visit, and when he saw that you were not in Jinyang, he left some gifts and said goodbye."

"Brother-in-law?"

Because there were so many brothers-in-law, Zhang Yu was unable to react for a moment and asked, "Which brother-in-law?"

"It is Brother Alahai, Yufuluo!"

"Oh~"

Zhang Yu reacted and asked, "Why did he come here? For food and fodder? Or for the restoration of the country?"

"For the restoration of the country!"

Wang Ji hung Zhang Yu's cloak on the hanger and said, "Since my husband conquered Dingxiang and Yanmen, he has often sent people to ask about things. This autumn, when he learned that my husband had taken Henei, he couldn't help but want my husband to fulfill his promise and help him to restore the country!"

"You don't need to tell me, I have plans to restore his country next year!"

Zhang Yu sat cross-legged on the couch. The maid brought hot water into the room, first took off Zhang Yu's shoes and socks, and then washed Zhang Yu's feet.

Looking at the maid with delicate face washing his feet, Zhang Yu leaned comfortably on the cushion and couldn't help but miss the days when he was a merchant in his previous life.

Being a prince and conquering the world is too tiring; it is more comfortable to make a little money, travel, and have a foot massage.

"Are you really going to help Yuvro restore his country?"

Wang Ji frowned slightly and said, "Although the Xiongnu rebelled before, they are now very peaceful. If I help Yu Fuluo to restore his country, it may help my husband for a while, but it may cause trouble in the future."

Zhang Yu stretched out his hand, motioning Wang Ji to lie in his arms. Wang Ji obeyed, crossed his legs, and rested his head on Zhang Yu's shoulder.

Zhang Yu hugged Wang Ji's slightly plump waist and said with a smile, "Is it not okay for the Xiongnu to be a vassal state?"

"what for?"

Zhang Yu put his hand through his clothes, touched the warm flesh, and said, "Although I promised to help Yu Fuluo restore his country, I never agreed to hand over the Xiongnu to him."

"Who does my husband want to be the Chanyu?" Wang Ji asked.

Seeing that Wang Ji was still confused, Zhang Yu shook his head and smiled, saying, "No matter how smart you are, why don't you understand my intention now?"

"When all the Xiongnu tribes surrender, I will detain Yufuluo in Jinyang. After that, I will enfeoff the new and old Xiongnu nobles who surrendered and set up a Duwei Mansion to manage it, similar to the Duwei Mansion in Mayi." Zhang Yu said.

“That’s a good idea!”

Wang Ji nodded and said, "But who can do the job?" Zhang Yu patted Wang Ji's buttocks again and said, "I will make the decision on personnel matters!"

With Zhang Yu's reminder of patting his buttocks, Wang Ji gave up the idea of interfering in the personnel arrangements.

Having too many brothers-in-law is not a good thing. If wives and concubines are keen on participating in politics, there may be potential political risks. Now Zhang Yu is willing to participate in politics with Wang Ji, but it does not mean that she can be allowed to participate too much.

A mature politician must have the ability to look at emotions rationally!

“Nice press!”

The maid pressed the pleasure point on Zhang Yu's feet, and Zhang Yu couldn't help but say something. Because of Wang Ji's presence, the maid didn't dare to respond enthusiastically, and only responded softly.

After a while, the maid finished washing Zhang Yu's feet and left with the wooden basin.

Looking at the twisting figure, Zhang Yu asked, "What's your name?"

"Why? Are you interested?"

“It’s so adorable!”

"Then let her come to accompany you in a few days!"

Wang Ji propped himself up, revealing a white patch of skin due to his untied clothes, and said softly, "According to seniority, she should call me aunt."

"Then let me taste the flavor of my aunt first!"

Zhang Yu took Wang Ji into his arms.

Merchants were just merchants, and their power was almost crushed compared to that of ancient kings. With just a word or a look from Zhang Yu, he could enjoy what he wanted.

When power reaches its peak, it is no wonder that it will fascinate people. After all, that is human nature. If you want to be a wise ruler, it is more important to fight against your own nature!
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"My brother-in-law has traveled hundreds of miles, and it must be very hard."

Zhang Yu handed Fuli, who was crying non-stop, to Alahai, and then sat down in the outer hall. Since there were no outsiders around, Zhang Yu called Fuluo his brother-in-law.

Yu Fuluo sat on the couch and said with a smile: "Looking after my own children is not hard work. But you have been busy for a year, conquering Bingzhou and occupying Henei, which is really admirable!"

Zhang Yu poured wine for Yu Fuluo and said with a smile: "Fuli is the son of two families. When I was away, brother Lao often came to visit!"

"Easy to say!"

After Yu Fuluo returned without success, he learned that Zhang Yu had returned to Jinyang, so he went to Jinyang with Liu He. Now, under the pretext of visiting his nephew, he came to see Zhang Yu.

Yu Fuluo was naturally happy that his sister could give birth to a boy for Zhang Yu. After all, with Zhang Yu's rising popularity, his future prospects would be extremely bright. So whether the family could prosper, or go further, might depend on Zhang Yu.

The two of them drank a glass of wine, and Yu Fuluo couldn't hold back his excitement and asked, "Do you remember the oath you made last year?"

"Of course I remember!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "I had an alliance with you at the beginning, saying that when I conquer Bingzhou, I will send troops to help you restore your country."

Seeing that Zhang Yu had no intention of going back on his word, Yu Fuluo heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Then I wonder when you, my Lord, will restore the Xiongnu nation for us?"

Zhang Yu pondered for a long time and said, "When the troops are available next year, if nothing unexpected happens, we will dispatch them in summer or autumn."

Hearing this, Yu Fuluo was delighted and said, "In that case, I will wait for you to send troops. I would like to thank you here!"

"Not urgent!"

Zhang Yu stopped Yu Fuluo who was about to pay his respects and asked, "I wonder how you will treat me now that I have helped you to restore your country?"

Yu Fuluo frowned and thought for a moment, then asked carefully, "I wonder what you want?"

"If you have ambitions for the world, I am willing to lead my people to serve you!"

Zhang Yu carefully chose his words and asked, "What is your name and identity?"

Yu Fuluo gradually understood the meaning of Zhang Yu's question and said, "The Xiongnu have been attached to you, my lord. As long as you are in Bingzhou, we Xiongnu will serve you."

Zhang Yu naturally did not meet these conditions, so he remained silent.

Seeing that Zhang Yu did not answer for a long time, Yu Fuluo felt a little depressed, thinking that his reputation among the Xiongnu tribes was weak. Without relying on Zhang Yu, his own tribe would not be able to rule the Xiongnu.

After thinking for a while, Yu Fuluo said, "I wonder what the story of our dynasty is like? Your Excellency is the protector of all the Xiongnu tribes, and the replacement of the Chanyu must be subject to your orders. I can serve as the Chanyu and restore the prestige of my tribe!"

Although Yu Fuluo thought this answer was the most sincere condition, Zhang Yu was not satisfied with it. Instead, he hoped to completely control the Xiongnu tribe as he and Wang Ji had said.

Zhang Yu put down the wine jar he was playing with and said slowly, "I am related to you by marriage, so I am very pleased with your words. However, I am worried that your clan's prestige has weakened and it is difficult for you to rule over your people. So if you can subdue the tribes, I would like to rule over them. What do you think?"

Considering the relationship with Alahai, Zhang Yu was unwilling to break off relations with Yu Fuluo after surrendering the Xiongnu and forcibly imprison him in Jinyang. Moreover, if the rules could be negotiated in advance, it might be possible to get Yu Fuluo's help.

Listening to Zhang Yu's request, Yu Fuluo fell silent. If he allowed Zhang Yu to supervise the Xiongnu tribes, wouldn't he be giving the power of Chanyu to Zhang Yu? From now on, although he is Chanyu, he can only supervise the headquarters, and the title of Chanyu will be in name only.

"How do you plan to govern the Huns?" Yu Furuo asked.

"Submit household registration, take over punishment, and have the people pay taxes." Zhang Yu said.

Seeing that Yu Furo remained silent, Zhang Yu was reluctant to push him too hard.

Zhang Yu smiled, eased the atmosphere and said: "It's just idle talk, brother, you can consider it first. If you have different opinions, you can discuss it later!"

"Let me think about it!"

(End of this chapter)