Tiger Guards

Chapter 482 All People Are Incomplete
Soon, after the Empress drafted the name, the eldest prince finally had a name: Feng.

Feng means to ride a horse on ice, to ride a fast horse, and also implies strength, anger, and forcibly crossing a river.

Zhao Ji didn't care what the child's name was; he just needed a name so that the child could serve as a concrete political symbol.

The fact that this child was born, raised, and educated in their own household was something that the emperor, nobles, and other prominent families would find extremely difficult to accept.

They will deny the eldest son Liu Feng's right to succession from all sides, which is quite ingenious.

Upon their first meeting, Zhao Ji presented the eldest prince, Liu Feng, with a pair of jade discs, which the prince gladly accepted.

This meeting, which had put everyone in the Empress's palace on high alert and required their utmost effort, came to an end.

At the gate of Changqiu Palace, Consort Zhao walked to see Zhao Ji off and urged him to stay: "It's getting late, Yuan Si, why don't you stay overnight at my sister's villa and set off again tomorrow?"

“The fleet is waiting, and my grandfather is also waiting in Jinyang. If it weren’t for the fact that the army had to withdraw and we were in a hurry to deal with the military supplies and spoils, I would have rushed to Jinyang long ago. Now we really can’t delay any longer.”

Zhao Ji then changed the subject: "There are many noble ladies here. I intend to escort Consort Dong back to the capital when I escort her there. Sister, please make a list here. We can keep some of our close friends and acquaintances. For the rest, it would be better to go to the capital and reunite with their families."

Consort Zhao, not finding the question abrupt, asked directly, "Where is the Empress?"

"It's hard to find true friends in this world, and I don't want to put the Empress and my elder sister in a difficult position."

Zhao Ji also gave a vague list of nominees, leaving the final decision to the Empress and Consort Zhao.

However, regardless of whether they choose seven or eight, or a dozen or so to stay, those who stay can only accompany him for life; Zhao Ji would never give them the opportunity to marry into the ranks of his generals and officers.

Although people have the instinct to act as matchmakers, pairing up men and women around them and enjoying the pleasure of manipulating the fates of others, this instinct will be suppressed when it brings disaster.

Consort Zhao said nothing more. She walked a dozen steps to see Zhao Ji off to his carriage and then said, "There are also some sewn winter clothes in the villa. In addition to Yuan Si, Grandfather, A Shu, and Zhao Ji each have a set. I hope Yuan Si can convey this message."

"Okay, I'll send someone to get it."

Zhao Ji then asked, "Sister, what kind of person is Lady Tian Chunfang?"

"The daughter of a convicted official, a descendant of the Tian family of Jingzhao, is a confidante of the Empress."

Consort Zhao thought for a moment and then said, "Yuan Si, do not fall in love with her. If you miss her, let her serve you again next time."

She appeared completely at ease, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Given the current situation, if Zhao Ji wins in the future, they will have to think of other strategies for making a living and establishing themselves in the world; if Zhao Ji is unfortunately defeated, their misfortune will begin.

Not to mention the emperor, even those under his command would arrange for them to die a martyr's death without authorization, and then persuade the emperor to grieve in moderation.

Not only her, but even the Empress was irreplaceable.

The world situation changes rapidly. If people's understanding cannot keep up with the changes and they go against the trend, they will not be far from death.

Zhao Ji didn't have any special feelings for Tian Chunfang. Just like with shoes, some shoes fit the foot perfectly.

After thinking for a moment, she said, "There is a very gentle palace maid today, who is outwardly soft but inwardly strong. She is called Consort Yi by those around her. I gave her the jade pendant I always carry with me. Please take good care of her for me, elder sister."

Consort Zhao smiled and agreed, "As long as Yuan Si doesn't mind."

"The world is in ruins, and there is turmoil from all sides. We are all colliding with each other. Who can be perfect?"

Zhao Ji bowed deeply and said, "Sister, please stay. When spring comes next year, I will have Ashu and Zhaoji come to keep you company. If the war goes smoothly, they will also come here to accompany you in advance."

"Yuan Si has gone to great lengths."

Consort Zhao bowed and watched Zhao Ji turn and get into his carriage, feeling very reluctant to part with him.

This place, though seemingly a vast expanse within a hundred miles, only allows her to travel between the imperial palace and her own estate. For more distant destinations, the Empress must make the suggestion, and the Imperial Household Department Director Dai Lie must arrange the trips; she can only manage a few times a year. As for Cai Zhaoji and Zhao Xing, their visits to the imperial palace and estate involve a considerable number of attendants, making their travel costs quite high.

Zhao Ji finding someone to accompany Consort Zhao was one thing, but the key was to enhance his family's influence within the imperial palace estate.

To avoid letting things go unchecked, lest the Empress's policies become impenetrable.

An empress only needs two or three estates; it would be somewhat risky for her to have full control over a hundred miles of land.

Zhao Ji had no intention of letting the Empress secretly train a group of dance masters here. Dancing itself could improve physical fitness, as well as enhance a dancer's reaction speed, endurance, and obedience.

With proper training, a group of young dancers could become assassins, perhaps needing only a noble reason for their sacrifice.

The convoy of vehicles was much lighter, and the return journey was quick. They traveled more than 30 li eastward without stopping, and arrived at a small ferry crossing on the east bank of the Fen River as dusk fell.

The ferry dock is newly built, and the nearby houses and ferry terminal were also completed this year.

There are no ruins or relics nearby; at a glance, the scars of the chaotic era have been healed.

It's also possible that the lighting was dim and the line of sight was limited, preventing the observation of distant objects.

Ferry Crossing was a military settlement with fifty households. The area was surrounded by low mud walls made of reeds. Ten Tiger Infantry soldiers took turns on duty, and one Tiger Guard officer was stationed there to manage the area.

Besides the ferry crossing, there is another civilian settlement and two government-owned farms in the vicinity, each with thirty to forty households.

As darkness fell, Zhao Ji came down from the lookout tower but did not board the ship.

Sailing at night is too dangerous; there's no need to rush unless absolutely necessary.

He first went to the stable, where his entourage of Tiger Warriors and Righteous Cavalry were feeding the horses, and Zhao Ji's usual horse, Moonlit Night, was enjoying its finest feed.

This is indeed a fine horse, but compared to the White Wave period, it is a rare gem.

After subduing the Xiongnu, Zhao Ji obtained many fine horses, and the dark of night under the moon became commonplace.

But this horse was of great significance; he had snatched it from Li Le.

At this moment, it is eating with the surrounding horses, and its overall silhouette is noticeably smaller.

Even so, it was still a proud horse, and no other horse dared to eat its feed.

On the contrary, when it's dark in the moonlight, even though it has its own food, it will pick out a bite from the mangers on either side, and may even rudely shake its head to ram or bite other horses.

Because the officials who take care of the horses will certainly not let them suffer any injustice.

This time, Zhao Ji caught them red-handed. Upon seeing this, Zhao Ji laughed and said to the men feeding the horses, "Even a horse that has gained power becomes arrogant, let alone a person?"

"Grand Sima."

Several officials bowed and greeted him, but Zhao Ji only smiled. He still wanted to ride Yue Li Hei, so he didn't punish him.

After leaving, he said to Guan Shang, who had followed him, "If it steals horse feed again under the cover of darkness, whip it."

"Here."

Guan Shang immediately agreed, but he didn't have much tolerance or affection for Yue Lihei.

His horse was also bullied quite a bit by Yue Li Hei.

(End of this chapter)