Tiger Guards

Chapter 316 The Empress's Judgment
In the manor near the Mausoleum of Emperor Yao, north of Pingyang City.

Zhao Ji brought over thirty cartloads of gifts to see the Empress and others; his sister had also been staying there during this time.

Although Zhao Ji regarded Jinyang as his base, Pei Xiu was also working hard to develop Jinyang.

But Jinyang was still a distant and unfamiliar place for Zhao Xing.

She didn't like Wenxi or Anyi either, so Pingyang, which wasn't too far away, became her new home.

Inside the manor's reception hall, the Empress sat at the head of the table, with Consort Zhao and Consort Dong seated on either side, and Consort Song standing by her side.

After reading the letters from the Emperor and Fu Wan, Fu Shou then said, "I have heard that the Liu families of Zhongshan intend to lead their troops south to protect the Emperor. I wonder what the Grand Marshal's intentions are?"

Separated by a bamboo curtain, Zhao Ji sat calmly in the living room. Upon hearing this, he frowned and said, "I have also heard of this matter. Previously, when the army was about to return, more than 100,000 soldiers and civilians migrated and crowded the Zhiguan Pass. I was worried that they would block the roads when they went south, so I did not allow it. I never expected that they would actually come to the Empress for help."

Fu Shou immediately replied, "Grand Marshal, please don't misunderstand. I have no intention of interfering in military affairs."

“I dare not. I believe that if they want to leave, they can set off now. I will issue a document shortly, allowing the Liu family to go south to the Central Plains and serve the Emperor.”

Zhao Ji couldn't understand what was so good about the Central Plains that made people like Liu Hui so persistent.

These people together numbered just over three thousand. If we include the cavalry under Tian Yu who had previously entered to guard the emperor, plus these three thousand infantry and cavalry, the total number would be nearly five thousand.

The two sides will most likely merge. Zhongshan State is located north of Jizhou, not far from Daijun, Yuyang, and Shanggu.

The emperor's acquisition of these people was tantamount to Lü Bu indirectly acquiring them as well.

If Jizhou, Youzhou, and Jingzhou have all dispatched troops to protect the emperor, then Yangzhou and Xuzhou will also send troops.

As the number of troops increases and the emperor's influence grows, it also means that the resources and room for maneuver for the ministers to cause trouble expand.

As the army grew larger, the pressure on winter food supplies increased dramatically, making it more difficult for Lü Bu to stop.

Seeing that Zhao Ji easily let these people go, Fu Shou fell silent and asked, "Grand Marshal, how is the situation in Langya recently?"

"I have appointed Zhao Fan to succeed as Chancellor of Langya, and he will certainly take care of everything. If the Empress misses her hometown, next year I will urge Langya to select more than a hundred palace women to be sent to Hedong. In this way, the Empress will have more people from her hometown around her, which will help alleviate her longing."

"Alright."

Fu Shou responded, and Zhao Ji then stood up, saying, "Your subject takes his leave."

"Consort Zhao will see off the Grand Marshal on my behalf."

"only."

Consort Zhao rose to respond, and Zhao Ji also bowed, took a few steps back, and turned to walk out of the hall.

Consort Zhao lifted the bamboo curtain and stepped out with her head down. Her face was covered with thick powder, obscuring the outline of her eyebrows, with a cluster of tadpole-like silkworm eyebrows above each eyebrow.

Zhao Ji was waiting under the eaves outside the door. When she came out, he cupped his hands and said, "Sister."

“Yuan Si has been fighting for the country for several months and has not been seen... He has obviously grown a lot.”

Consort Zhao scrutinized Zhao Ji, examining him closely, and could sense his weariness.

"Fortunately, seeing the Central Plains deserted for miles around, it's hard not to feel sad."

Zhao Ji gestured for her to go first, and after taking a few steps, Consort Zhao said, "My uncle has resigned from his post. I heard that Yuan Si wants to recruit my uncle as the Eastern Secretary of the General Staff?"

"Yes, I have sent someone to inquire with my uncle, but he has not responded. I did not expect my sister to find out first."

Zhao Ji's left hand rested on the hilt of his sword, while his right hand was tucked under his cloak. As he walked, he said, "Sister, please persuade him for me. The court is now a place of trouble. My family and the former officials are now at odds. If my uncle still wants to enter the court to serve the emperor, he will surely be persecuted by the officials."

“Then I will do my best to make this happen for Yuan Si.”

Consort Zhao also lowered her voice: "When Yuan Si was conquering Changshan, there was an opportunity to defeat Yuan Shao in one battle, but he suddenly gave it up. Before the battle, my uncle sent my brother Kai to persuade the families in Changshan. I felt that I had broken my promise to the villagers and was ashamed to face them. That's why I resigned from my post and stayed at home to appease the grudges of my old friends."

Zhao Ji remained silent. Zhao Fan, as an envoy of the imperial court, returned to his hometown to mobilize the powerful clans and local magnates of Changshan to resist Yuan Shao. As a junior, Zhao Fan's influence was limited.

Zhao Fan made various promises on behalf of Zhao Rui, such as defeating Yuan Shao in one battle and then the people of Changshan would be able to rise up and become their own masters.

As a result, the actual situation did not allow it, and Zhao Ji was unwilling to fight Yuan Shao to the death, so he took the initiative to peacefully withdraw his troops from Yuan Shao.

Those powerful clans and local strongmen in Changshan who participated in the rebellion against Yuan Shao could only lead their families, followers, and fellow villagers to migrate west to Taiyuan.

If all these people had perished in the war, no one would have blamed Zhao Rui.

However, they all moved to Taiyuan with their clans and followers, which put enormous pressure on Zhao Rui.

Zhao Ji understood that while the official reason for the dissatisfaction was Zhao Rui, the real reason was Zhao Ji's dissatisfaction with him, and Zhao Ji wanted to gain more benefits.

For example, they could be allowed to acquire land at virtually no cost, or their corvée labor, military service, and taxes could be reduced.

After a moment of silence, the two arrived at the gate. Zhao Ji then said to the apprehensive Consort Zhao, "Sister, after next year's spring planting, I will send people to build another manor for you nearby. As for the resentment and injustice of the people of Changshan, I will consider it accordingly. If you are willing to stand with my family through thick and thin, you must be prepared to overcome all obstacles. Otherwise, the Liu family of Zhongshan is about to enter to protect the Emperor, so we can accompany them." In any case, Taiyuan's food supply was very tight this winter, and losing one or two thousand people would make things easier for Zhao Ji.

Not only are they not of one mind, but they are also the kind of people who are unsatisfied... It's already a great favor that these rebel leaders are not executed.

Consort Zhao smiled, then quickly composed herself: "Very well, Yuan Si can decide for himself. I will advise my uncle."

"Yes, take care, sister."

Zhao Ji cupped his hands in greeting. At this moment, Han Shu led over a horse, and Zhao Ji mounted it. Consort Zhao also bowed slightly, watching Zhao Ji and his hundred-odd riders gallop away.

I stood there watching for a long time, until they disappeared from sight.

Consort Zhao rubbed her hands together, then led a palace maid back, and the gate slowly closed.

More than twenty strong women and widows were added to the palace, forming a team of more than forty palace women.

The gatekeepers were also armed women who served as guards.

To protect this area, Jia Kui had already established military outposts on the outskirts, and in the autumn, he had planted willow walls, making the area inside the walls a restricted zone.

Knights patrol regularly, and if caught, they are thrown into the mines.

After Consort Zhao returned, she saw Fu Shou leading the palace servants to inspect the gifts. Consort Song held the gift list, and Fu Shou checked the gifts one cart after another according to the list.

Besides cloth and utensils, there were also many books, some of which were obtained during military campaigns, and others were sent by generals and county officials in Guanzhong during this period. These were books that had been left behind when the imperial court moved east.

In addition to these, there were also three cartloads of five-zhu coins so that Fu Shou could daily reward the palace servants, or purchase utensils and manage this area.

No one can collect taxes here. Right now, what we lack are oxen and horses for spring plowing, as well as about a hundred eunuchs.

To properly manage and develop this place, we need some skilled workers who perform criminal castration.

Fu Shou was not in a hurry. Zhao Ji would definitely provide more manpower here in the future and take good care of them.

The child she and Consort Dong were carrying was the Zhao family's biggest bargaining chip in their future counterattack against the imperial court.

In the future, when the two sides fight each other, with them around, Zhao Ji's side will have a legitimate reason to fight and will not be passively attacked in terms of public opinion.

Who knows, she might one day become a traitorous minister in a personal campaign.

As for Consort Dong, she fared much worse. After Zhao Ji left, she was helped away by two newly arrived, strong female palace maids.

Once she has completed her mission, Fu Shou will naturally kick her away.

Raising children can be solved by recruiting more wet nurses.

Although she was the one raising them, she didn't feel any pressure at all.

Historically, empresses raised emperors' illegitimate sons in this way, without much pressure.

After dismissing the palace servants, Fu Shou touched a piece of bright red Shu brocade: "It is truly a rare item."

Consort Zhao looked at the other Shu brocades and said, "This should have been presented to His Majesty by Liu Biao of Jingzhou, and His Majesty bestowed it upon the Grand Marshal."

"Liu Biao is not that kind of person."

Fu Shou categorically denied it, guessing, "This must have been given to him by a prominent family in Jingzhou. The prominent families in Nanyang have a lot of wealth and don't lack this little bit of Shu brocade."

She guessed that if Zhao Ji stayed in Yingchuan for a longer period of time, the representatives of the major clans in Jingnan might also present a batch of local specialties upon their arrival.

While transporting money and grain was inconvenient, bribery with luxury goods to curry favor with powerful leaders could often be done quickly and without hindrance.

Even if the officials in the counties and prefectures along the way knew about it, they dared not extort money from the people.

Fu Shou patted the Shu brocade and instructed the Song beauty beside him, "Take two sets of clothes for each person. One set for daily use, and the other set for festivals, audiences, and visits."

Consort Song asked, "Your Majesty, what about Consort Dong?"

"Why mistreat her over such a small matter? Similarly, don't let the Grand Marshal see us as a laughing stock. Make her a few more sets of spring and summer clothes, and also make two sets of all-season clothes for His Majesty. Send them over together later."

Fu Shou pondered, "I can give her the scraps of fabric so she can make some clothes for the children in her spare time."

"only."

Consort Song agreed, and then Fu Shou looked at Consort Zhao and said, "You should also take some Shu brocade and make winter clothes for the Grand Marshal and Duke Yuanming. I will send someone to deliver them in the twelfth lunar month."

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)