Tiger Guards

Chapter 138 Wen Shi Yuan Si
At dusk, Pei Xiu left the city.

Zhao Ji was seen leading several knights to escort the carriage into the city, near the city gate.

Zhao Xing sat in the car and greeted Pei Xiu. Pei Xiu and Han Shu and others walked away.

Before leaving, Zhao Xing gave him this instruction: "You are about to go to war. Alan and I are very worried about you. Grandfather Zhong has made all the arrangements. When the army wins, we will hold the ceremonies of adoption and coming of age for you. From now on, you will be the only branch of Grandfather Zhong's family. You should take more concubines."

"I do, but the soldiers in the camp are very strict. I can't be harsh on them. I enjoy it alone."

Zhao Ji dismounted and stood at the shaft of the chariot, his face free of embarrassment. He spoke frankly, "Sister, you know how chaotic this world is. If I lose, no one will have a good ending. Even if I marry Alan, what's the point? When I return victorious, you don't have to worry about these matters. I will also marry Alan."

"What about the Wei widow?"

Zhao Xing asked, adding, "Alan and I are not very educated, but we know you shouldn't get too close to that widow. Many people in the city are talking about this, and the palace is also discussing it. Some say that the widow has killed her husband and brought trouble to the Wei family."

"The innocent are innocent. I have nothing to do with her. I simply asked her to collect and organize the books collected by the Wei, Fan, and Beiguo families, and compile a set of easy-to-learn historical records, criminal law, military books, and agricultural books for the Tiger Guards in the camp."

All these books were transported to the Hou family manor, and Cai Zhaoji also moved there.

Many of the captive women were literate and would help her copy and organize the books.

Zhao Ji glanced at the crimson sun in the sky and said, "Hurry back to the city! Don't leave the city to see me off when I go to war. When the emperor and the court leave with the army, there will inevitably be some unrest in Anyi. If the bandits kidnap you, it will make things difficult for Grandfather Zhong."

"I know you don't like to hear me talk about this, so get out of the way."

After Zhao Xing finished speaking, he whipped the ox and flicked it. The ox pulling the cart heard the crack of the whip and started moving its four hooves, pulling the cart away.

Several of Zhao Yan's waiting guards rode up on horseback and escorted the ox cart into the city.

Zhao Ji watched the ox cart leave. Alan, who had been sitting on the cart, turned around and looked up at him just as it was about to leave. Zhao Ji smiled at her.

This guy is not stupid either, he knows how to please Zhao Xing.

Watching the ox cart go away, Zhao Ji bit his lower lip in thought, and quickly put aside all distracting thoughts.

He cared more about the stability of the army than women.

Moreover, the skill of 'Concentrating the Mind and Nourishing the Qi' is currently developing slowly, and there are only three possible reactions to being close to women.

The first is irrelevant, unresponsive, with no gain or loss.

The second type is gain. This has its advantages, but the only problem is that you may lose control and things may get out of control.

The third is to damage growth progress.

Anyway, the skills will grow slowly during this period, and the most important thing is to stabilize the army.

Wait until the situation stabilizes and see if there are gains. Even if there are losses, just accept it. It's just a matter of wasting more time.

Through the research during this period, although the power of "qi" cannot be as magical and bizarre as internal force and true qi.

However, it can slightly enhance his reaction and judgment abilities, but it is difficult to mobilize.

This kind of power can only be mobilized and stimulated when you are angry.

Therefore, "Qi" is more of a potential that the human body should have. It should be stronger than hard Qigong, but its strength is limited.

Even if you want to climb walls and jump over rooftops, you probably have to take off your armor.

As for walking on the waves, it can probably only be done in dreams.

Han Shu followed Pei Xiu, leading his horse. Pei Xiu asked, "Are you being urged again?"

"Well, right now, we should focus on state affairs. How can we be distracted by women?"

Seeing that Han Shu had already helped Yue Lihei to stabilize himself, Zhao Ji turned over and mounted his horse, and Pei Xiu and several others also mounted their horses.

He and Pei Xiu rode ahead and asked, "I heard that many people have been hanging out with Third Aunt these past few days. Is there any sign of marriage?"

Even Pei Mao wanted to interfere in Pei Xiu's marriage.

Pei Xiu smiled calmly: "I rejected them all. Getting married is not difficult, but after getting married, I have too many worries and I won't be myself anymore."

He hinted at something. Zhao Ji smiled and asked, "How's Ah Xing?"

"His brother is guarding the gate. He said he went to deliver a letter."

Pei Xiu narrowed his eyes and said, "I don't believe it. I asked the Hedong knights patrolling nearby, and they all said Ah Xing was at home. But..."

After a brief pause, Pei Xiu smiled and said, "It's just that they heard crying and wailing in the Guanqiu family's mansion in the afternoon. I suspect that Ah Xing was given a stick by his father."

"He deserves to be beaten. He's the only one among us who dares to steal someone else's bride."

It’s not really a robbery. It’s just a rural custom during weddings.

Playing is playing and joking is joking, but Guanqiu Xing is the worst, with the darkest hands.

His father was a general in a remote area, and many young and strong men from various families in the village had served under Guanqiu Yi. They were more partial to and protective of Guanqiu Xing and did not care about this little problem.

Zhao Ji, somewhat gloating, said, "Wei Ziang wrote to say his arrow wound has scabbed over and he wants to join the army. I'd rather have him stay at the Hou family manor. Seventh brother, write to him and persuade him. Wait at least another half month until his wound has healed better, and then I'll let him join the camp."

"He's worried about falling behind Tang Xian. These two have been at odds with each other since they were young."

Pei Xiu explained, then asked, "Has Lord Yuan Ming chosen a courtesy name for Aji?"

First the adoption is done, then the ceremony of coming of age and the name is chosen. This process cannot be messed up.

Originally, Zhao Yan wanted to follow the court rules and adopt Zhao Ji under the name of Zhao Yu, so that he would not have to resign from his official position to observe mourning for Zhao Yan's death in the future.

Now that these constraints were abandoned, Zhao Yan naturally came to eat the blood food himself and enjoy the offerings of Zhao Ji's lineage. Zhao Ji frowned slightly and said, "I've proposed seven names: Yuanchu, Yuanshao, Boshao, Boyan, Wenshi, Yuansi, and Chengsi. Each has its own meaning. Let me choose."

Pei Xiu listened and analyzed secretly that if Zhao Ji did not succeed him, according to the customs and trends in Hedong in recent years, the first character would be "Wen" and the second character would be the meaning of "Ji", so it is very likely that it was Wenshi.

The first character is Yuan, which basically indicates that Zhao Ji is the first crown of this generation of Langya Zhao family and the future patriarch.

Because it is adoption, the second character can abandon its meaning and use characters that represent the meaning of adoption and inheritance, such as Shao, Si, Yin, Miao, Ji, Cheng, etc.

You can also choose Fengxian, Fengxiao, Chengxian, and Jixian, which are common courtesy names related to clan inheritance and filial piety to ancestors.

Pei Xiu pondered for a moment, weighing the meaning of each courtesy name, and chuckled, "Lord Yuan Ming gave you many choices, but there are only two that can be used."

"Well, either Bunshi or Genji."

Zhao Ji said with emotion: "If this battle is a great victory, I will be Zhao Yuansi. If my achievements are ruined, I will need to take the name Wenshi to win the hearts of the people in Hedong."

This text is not something that ordinary people can use.

For example, Wei Xing dared to choose the name "Wen'ang", which would only make him a laughing stock among the learned scholars in Hedong and other young people of his generation.

The eldest brother, Zhao Jian, was able to take the name Wen Gu because he had completed the Pei family's clan studies and was always included in the Pei family.

His character "Wen" was recognized by the Pei family.

If Zhao Ji took the name Wenshi, the word "Wen" naturally did not need to be recognized by the people of Hedong, as it was a word he made up himself.

The more mature these rules and regulations become, the more likely it is that one can judge a person's family background and personal status based on his or her given name and courtesy name.

After talking about himself, Zhao Ji asked, "Where's Brother Seven?"

"My uncle talked to me and advised me to change the word 'xiu' in the military book, but I didn't agree."

Pei Xiu, who had a tough side to his character, calmly said, "As for my courtesy name, I could choose Wenli or Fengxiao, but I'll choose Fengxiao."

Judging from his tone, it seemed that Pei Mao had interfered with the choice of courtesy name again.

Zhao Ji did not ask any further questions. This was Pei Xiu's family affair and there was no need for him to intervene too much.

It's just a courtesy name, so I'm still hesitant and treat it as a major event in my life.

After the real coming-of-age ceremony, that’s all.

Pei Xiu briefly explained what had happened, but didn't want to go into detail.

Zhao Ji has been smart since he was a child. He can guess the general idea of many things without having to explain them in detail.

Even though we were silent along the way, it didn't feel awkward.

They rode side by side, leading a dozen Tiger Guards into the newly built camp gate outside the northern city.

The camp gate slowly closed and the camp became quiet.

They walked slowly along the passage inside the camp and entered the gate of Beiguo's manor.

Zhao Ji did not rush back to the hall, but followed Han Shu and others to lead the horses to the stable.

The stables in the manor are not large, and the main cavalry are stationed in the newly built camp outside Beiguo Manor.

The small stable was cleaned very cleanly, but the brocade clothes of Yang Qi and the other four became dirty again, with their cuffs and hems frayed.

Seeing Zhao Ji coming to the toilet near the stable, the five ministers sitting in the haystack looked at each other, no one spoke, and they simply lay on their sides, pretending to sleep.

Zhao Ji walked out of the toilet and asked the guard guarding the stable, "How are you today, my lords?"

"The Duke of Wei wanted to eat meat, and the Duke of Situ wanted a pair of shoes and socks. The Grand Marshal's earthenware bowl had a broken corner, and I was worried it might hurt the Grand Marshal, so I replaced it with a new bowl."

I was afraid that these old guys would commit suicide using the broken pieces of the pottery bowls.

Wei gave a simple answer and then asked, "Minister, what should be done?"

"As for meat, prepare fish soup tomorrow, but don't give them any fish meat to prevent the bones from hurting anyone. And give them all new straw sandals. As usual, keep a record of the money they spend and deduct it from their salaries."

"Here!"

After finishing this, Zhao Ji returned to the hall to arrange the night shift.

Only 10% of the salaries of officials were paid out, and the other 90% was donated for military use.

The salary saved during this period has been used to make new clothes.

When going to war, the ministers must always wear new clothes and sit in carriages to accompany the army... As for shoes, they can just wear straw sandals barefoot.

Of course, there are no such things as brocade trousers.

To put it simply, it means wearing a crown, a middle coat, a bright robe, a sword, and a pair of straw sandals.

No underwear, pants, socks, or jade ornaments.

Naturally, there were no calf-nose trousers that farmers wore when working in the paddy fields.

Just give some face, there is no need to give the real thing.

In this way, these guys will always know that they have no substance and naturally won't do stupid things.

(End of this chapter)