Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 323 The Return
"Big brother, you've finally decided to come back!"

Half a month later, inside the Shi family's Wu Fortress, Shi Li's delighted voice rang out: "I haven't seen you for more than half a year, from last year until now."

Two mischievous boys who looked alike grabbed Shi Yan's hands, one on each side, calling out "Uncle, Uncle!" repeatedly. An even younger toddler came running over, wobbling, to join in the fun.

After marrying into the Shi family, Wang Mengyi gave birth to twins, breaking the Shi family's curse of only having one son for three generations. Two years ago, she gave birth to another son.

Grandpa Shi was all smiles, his three great-grandchildren in his arms, having long forgotten about the outgoing Shi Yan.

Grandpa Shi doted on his great-grandson, but Wang Mengyi, as his biological mother, never spoiled the children. Seeing the children being naughty and making a fuss, Wang Mengyi's face darkened slightly: "Come here, all of you."

The three naughty boys immediately became well-behaved and obediently retreated to their mother's side.

Shi Yan chuckled: "My cousin is getting more and more amazing these days!"

The pampered young lady of the Wang family in the past is now not only the matriarch of the Shi family, but also manages two embroidery shops and four clothing stores.

The Pei family army's military flags were all made by Wang Mengyi's embroidery shop. The four clothing shops exclusively supplied uniforms and footwear to the Pei family army. As the Pei family army continued to expand, Wang Mengyi's clothing shops naturally prospered.

Last year, the Xiongnu barbarians suffered a crushing defeat and fled back to the grasslands in disarray. The Liaoxi and Fanyang armies largely submitted to the Pei family's army. Wang Mengyi immediately prepared a large quantity of military uniforms and sent them to Liaoxi City, where they proved invaluable. The soldiers of the Liaoxi army all donned brand-new uniforms, and newly recruited soldiers also received theirs. Furthermore, Wang Mengyi sent people to open branch offices in Fanyang and Liaoxi prefectures.

Today, Wang Mengyi is a well-known and influential merchant in Youzhou. When merchants mention her, they all give her a thumbs up and praise her for her abilities.

Wang Mengyi laughed and said, "Cousin, please don't laugh at me. In front of you, all the merchants in Youzhou have to bow their heads in respect. Who would dare to claim to be powerful?"

Shi Yan, the Grand Commander of the Pei Family Army, was no ordinary figure. All the taxes collected from the various counties and prefectures went into his hands, and the amount of supplies the Pei Family Army needed to purchase was enormous. More importantly, General Pei was relatively benevolent towards the merchants, not killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. They paid in silver for everything, and even made a small profit.

Even without profit, establishing a connection with the Pei family army would tangibly elevate one's status and provide an extra layer of protection for one's family. Merchants throughout Youzhou flocked to the area, all eager to cultivate a relationship with Chief Steward Shi.

When news of General Pei's marriage spread last year, the Shi family's doorstep was practically worn down by a constant stream of distinguished guests.

While pleased, Old Master Shi also felt sorry for Shi Yan. With no one else around, he muttered a few words in a low voice: "He was so quiet before, and suddenly he got married in Liaoxi City. The wedding was too simple."

Shi Yan laughed and said, "Originally, I didn't plan to do this. It was the emperor of Bohai County who suddenly went mad and came up with the foolish idea of ​​bestowing a marriage by imperial decree. Killing people all the time is not a solution, so the general simply got married and let me enter the Pei family, thus completely extinguishing the emperor's thoughts."

Mentioning the mad Emperor Jian'an, Old Master Shi's lips practically curled to the sky: "I've lived for decades and witnessed four reigns, and I've never seen such an outrageous emperor. General Pei, a hero of such stature, fought valiantly to protect the people. Not only did the emperor not reward him handsomely, but he also stabbed him in the back, even trying to make General Pei a concubine in the palace. Bah!"

"Anyone with a brain wouldn't do something so despicable!"

Shi Li was also indignant: "Such despicable behavior is disgusting. Fortunately, General Pei did not pay any attention to it and killed Vice Minister Han and Physician Ma. If you ask me, we should have just killed Prime Minister Pang as well."

Shi Yan glanced over and said, "How can you say such things? General Pei is loyal to the emperor and loves his country. He has never done anything disobedient. Vice Minister Han and Physician Ma both died at the hands of bandits. Prime Minister Pang was also a few days late. The imperial decree arrived late. General Pei had already invited me to marry into the family. What's done is done and cannot be changed."

At this stage, prestige and reputation become increasingly important, and everything must be done with a legitimate and justifiable purpose.

In short, General Pei acted prudently and there was nothing to criticize. Shi Li grinned and changed his tune with a smile: "Today, we brothers are reunited after a long separation. I got excited and talked nonsense. Don't worry, I never talk nonsense when I'm out in public."

Old Master Shi suddenly coughed and said, "The general is training troops in Liaoxi and cannot come back with you. Our family and friends have been waiting for you. In a few days, I will host a banquet to celebrate your happy occasion."

Grandpa Shi's feelings were similar to those of the woman who had married into a better family. He was both happy and a little regretful. All he cared about was making his grandson proud.

At least we should invite our relatives and friends to the wedding!
For these trivial matters, Shi Yan nodded and smiled, agreeing with his grandfather: "Okay, I'll listen to whatever you say, Grandfather."

Old Master Shi's temper immediately subsided, and he smiled broadly: "You don't need to worry about these trivial matters. You should take a good rest."

Shi Li immediately chimed in: "Grandfather will decide on the guest list for the wedding banquet, and I'll handle the rest."

……

The Shi family didn't publicize it, but news of Shi Yan's return spread with astonishing speed. From the second day onwards, guests came to visit Shi Yan one after another.

Families on good terms with the Shi family, merchants who wanted to supply the Pei family army, and even Prefect Tang of Yan County came in person to curry favor.

From morning till night, Shi Yan never has a moment to rest.

Grandpa Shi was both proud and distressed. Only after the guests had left could he have a private conversation with Shi Yan: "You're so busy every day, can your body handle it?"

Shi Yan smiled and replied, "I'm used to being busy in the military camp, so I can handle this kind of situation."

As the saying goes, "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." Shi Yan is no ordinary son-in-law. Pei Qinghe has reached the highest point in Youzhou, and Shi Yan is the genuine commander of the Pei family army. Having reached the same heights, he must deal with all sorts of tedious affairs.

It would be a very bad thing if it were truly shelved and left idle.

Grandpa Shi understood the reasoning behind it, but he also felt sorry for his grandson's health: "No matter what, you have to take care of your health."

Shi Yan was frail and sickly from a young age, and it took Old Master Shi a lot of effort to raise him to adulthood.

Although Old Master Shi didn't say it aloud, he regarded Shi Yan as the apple of his eye.

Shi Yan was moved and whispered, "Grandfather, don't worry. For your sake, I will definitely take good care of my health."

Old Master Shi rolled his eyes: "I'm an old man, what do you care about me? You have to take good care of yourself for the sake of the general and the Pei family army."

Then, he coughed and asked vaguely, "How do you get along with the general?"

(End of this chapter)