My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is the auspicious day of Double Ninth Festival.

The ceremony of presenting betrothal gifts was carried out as scheduled.

Li Ju got up before dawn, took a bath, changed his clothes, put on a black ceremonial robe, wore a jade belt, and wore a Jinxian crown.

The young man in the bronze mirror had a calm face, and his features already showed the air of a high-ranking official.

Li Xiaochang, dressed in official robes, stood in the main hall waiting. Seeing Li Ju emerge, he looked him up and down, then nodded: "Let's go, don't be late."

The father and son rode horses, followed by a long procession of betrothal gifts.

Black and red silks, carriages, horses, coins, grains, gold and jade—carried in baskets and boxes, tied with red silk, were carried by servants from the front of the Li residence all the way to the street corner, stretching for half a street.

The people of Luoyang lined the streets to watch, marveling at the spectacle.

"Junior Supervisor Li has made the betrothal! What a grand affair!"

"Madam Wei is so lucky!"

"Li Shaojian is a fifth-rank official and the Marquis of Wu'an County, while the Wei family is a prominent clan in the capital. They are a perfect match!"

Amidst the murmurs, the procession slowly made its way to the Wei residence.

The Wei residence was already brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and red silk hung all over the lintel.

Wei Kuangbo and his family greeted the guests at the gate. Seeing the grand procession of betrothal gifts, he was pleased but showed no emotion on his face.

Li Xiaochang stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Wei, I am offering my son as a betrothal gift. Please accept it with a smile."

Wei Kuangbo returned the greeting: "General Li, you are too kind. Please come inside."

Li Ju followed his father into the hall to perform the betrothal gifts.

Black and red silks were presented on the table, and coins were displayed to the side. Gold, jade, and grains were also presented for inspection.

They were extremely polite and meticulous.

The servants sent by Yuwen Shu mingled among the crowd, secretly noting down the amount of betrothal gifts and ceremonial items, and then returned to report.

Some people in the Censorate were also secretly observing, trying to find any overstepping of the rules.

However, Li Ju had made preparations in advance. Although the betrothal gifts were generous, they were all within the bounds of propriety, without overstepping or being ostentatious.

After hearing the servant's report, Yuwen Shu remained silent for a moment, then said to his advisor beside him, "This young man's actions are meticulous and flawless. He is so mature for his age."

The advisor said, "General, this man should not be underestimated."

Yuwen Shu nodded and said nothing more.

In the main hall of the Wei residence, the betrothal ceremony was completed.

Li Ju walked into the hall and bowed deeply to Wei Kuangbo.

Wei Kuangbo sat in the main seat and received a bow from him.

Just as Li Ju stood up, he slightly raised his eyes, his gaze passing over Wei Kuangbo and landing on the screen on the side of the hall.

The screen is made of rosewood and carved with flowers and birds, with the figures behind it faintly visible through the silk surface.

A tall, slender figure.

Wei Gui stood behind the screen. She saw him slightly raise his eyes, his gaze piercing through the silk gauze and meeting hers.

Just one glance.

His eyes were brighter and deeper than before, as if they held a thousand words, yet he refused to utter a single one.

Her fingers tightened, her jade-like hand warmed by her body heat.

Then he lowered his eyes, took a step back, and finished his greeting.

Behind the screen, Wei Nizi whispered in Wei Gui's ear, "Sister, he looked at you! I saw it!"

Wei Gui did not answer, but simply held the jade to his heart and gently closed his eyes.

After the betrothal ceremony, Li Ju left the Wei residence with his father.

Just as they stepped outside, they encountered the Zheng family's carriage parked at the alley entrance. Zheng Jibo's steward was carrying lavish gifts, heading to the Wei residence.

"Congratulations, Li Shaojian." The steward bowed. "My master said that the marriage between Li and Wei is a grand event in Luoyang, and he has prepared a small gift to express his congratulations."

Li Ju cupped his hands in thanks: "Lord Zheng is too kind. I will visit you another day to express my gratitude."

The steward agreed and entered the Wei residence with the gifts.

Wei Kuangbo received the gifts from the Zheng family in the main hall. After glancing at the gift list, he understood what was going on.

The Zheng family is trying to curry favor. Li Ju is currently riding high, and Zheng Jibo, being shrewd, will not let this opportunity slip by.

"I'll accept it," Wei Kuangbo said calmly. "Prepare a generous return gift."

The butler agreed.

Looking at the autumn sunlight outside the hall, Wei Kuangbo pondered in his heart. From now on, the Wei, Li, and Zheng families would be in the same boat.

The day after the betrothal ceremony, Yang Guang summoned Li Ju to the palace.

Inside the Hanliang Palace, Yang Guang had dismissed his attendants, leaving him alone.

On the emperor's desk lay a map showing the mountains and terrain of Liaodong.

Yang Guang changed into casual clothes, reclined on the couch, holding a scroll in his hand. When he saw Li Ju enter, he raised his chin and said, "Sit."

Li Ju kowtowed to express his gratitude, then sat down on the prayer mat with his back straight.

Yang Guang put down his book and casually asked, "When is the wedding date set?"

"Your Majesty, it is scheduled for October," Li Ju replied.

Yang Guang nodded, then suddenly smiled and asked, "Do you need me to bestow a marriage upon you?"

The question was asked casually, but Li Ju's heart skipped a beat. An imperial marriage was both an honor and a constraint. If he accepted, the emperor would be acting as matchmaker, and his every move would be under the emperor's watchful eye.

He rose and kowtowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor. I wish to complete my marriage this winter and follow Your Majesty on the expedition to Liaodong next spring. I dare not let family matters interfere with national affairs. I dare not accept the honor of being granted this marriage. I only hope that Your Majesty will grant me permission to serve on the battlefield with my humble merit."

Yang Guang looked at him, his gaze deepening.

"The expedition to Liaodong next spring?" he said slowly. "You certainly have the inclination."

"As the minister in charge of the grain transport, I know that the grain route is the lifeline of the campaign against Liaodong. If Your Majesty launches another campaign against Liaodong, I am willing to go to the front lines personally to supervise the transport of grain and fodder, in order to repay Your Majesty's grace."

Yang Guang was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"A loyal subject." He nodded. "I did not misjudge you."

Most of the suspicion has been dispelled.

Yang Guang leaned back on the imperial couch, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his gaze fixed on Li Ju, as if weighing a piece of jade.

"Minister Li, I ask you—where does the key to the Grand Canal transportation lie?"

Li Ju's heart skipped a beat. This was no casual conversation; it was a test. A good answer would pave the way for a bright future; a bad answer would diminish all his previous achievements.

He pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the key to the Grand Canal transport lies first in people, then in laws, and lastly in the river itself."

"Oh?" Yang Guang's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Go on."

"People are officials. If superiors are greedy, subordinates will be corrupt; if superiors are honest, subordinates will be clean. The defeat at Liyang was due to Zhao Huaiyi's embezzlement of funds for dike repair. It was not that the river was not secure, but that the people's hearts were not secure. Therefore, I believe that when employing people, we should prioritize integrity and value competence."

Yang Guang nodded without saying a word.

Li Ju continued, “Law is a system. During the first campaign, the canal transport was in chaos, the order of ships was unclear, the waterways were congested, grain ships were stranded halfway, and starvation was rampant on the front lines. When I was in the Directorate of Waterways, I reorganized the ship order, divided the waterways, set up single numbers, and fixed the schedule, which greatly increased efficiency. If this law can be made a permanent system, then the canal transport will have rules to follow and will not be ruined by people.”

"The key lies in the river." Li Ju paused. "The river is fundamental. If the river channels are silted up, countless ships will be unable to sail. I believe that during the off-season for farming, we should conscript laborers to dredge the Yongji Canal and the Tongji Canal, and reinforce the dikes to prevent flooding. If the river flows smoothly, the grain will be transported; if the grain is transported smoothly, the army will be able to operate."

Yang Guang stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"I ask one question, and you answer three. It seems you think about these things quite often."

Li Ju kowtowed: "Your subject is in charge of the grain transport and dares not forget it for even a day."

Yang Guang sat up straight, his gaze sharpening.

"How much food and provisions were lost during the first campaign?"

"Your Majesty, the reported losses are 35%, but the actual losses are about 10%," Li Ju replied frankly. "Of that, 50% was due to natural disasters, and the rest was due to embezzlement by officials. I have recovered some of it, but there is still a shortfall."

"What about the second expedition?"

"The second campaign was interrupted due to the Yang Xuangan Rebellion, and the previous grain losses were kept within 10%. If Your Majesty launches another campaign against Liaodong, I am confident that the losses can be reduced to less than 50%."

A glint of light flashed in Yang Guang's eyes.

"Half a percent? What guarantee do you have?"

Li Ju raised his head, his gaze calm and resolute.

"I guarantee with my life. I have already placed honest officials in every granary, dock, and ferry crossing to strictly investigate corruption. The grain transport teams patrol day and night, and the river embankment camps are on duty in sections. With the waterways unobstructed, there is nowhere for corruption to hide. If even one more bushel of grain is embezzled, I will offer my head to you."

Yang Guang remained silent for a long time.

The only sounds in the hall were the wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner and the occasional birdsong coming from outside the window.

"Very well." Yang Guang finally spoke, his voice not loud, but every word was firm and unyielding. "I trust you. Next year, during the Liaodong campaign, the entire grain transport will be entrusted to you. If you handle it well, I will be generous with rewards. If you botch it—"

He paused, his gaze turning cold.

"You don't need to bring your head to me; I'll take it myself."

Li Ju prostrated himself and kowtowed, his forehead touching the ground: "Your subject obeys the decree. Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."

Yang Guang nodded in satisfaction: "Go then. Arrange the wedding beforehand, lest it delay the campaign."

"I obey your decree."

Li Ju kowtowed to express his gratitude and then left Hanliang Palace.

He walked out along the palace corridor, turned the corner of the corridor, and met a group of people.

The leader was a woman dressed in a phoenix-patterned robe and a nine-dragon, four-phoenix crown, followed by a dozen or so palace maids and eunuchs, forming a grand procession.

Empress Xiao.

Li Ju's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly retreated to the edge of the corridor, bowing his head in greeting: "Your subject Li Ju greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Empress Xiao paused for a moment. She looked at the young official before her, dressed in a scarlet official robe, with a silver fish-shaped pouch at his waist, a handsome face, and an upright posture.

"Li Ju?" Her voice was soft, with a hint of languid magnetism. "Is that the young marquis who ran out of food while guarding Luoyang?"

"Your subject dares not accept such praise," Li Ju said, bowing his head.

Empress Xiao smiled slightly, said nothing more, and left with her palace servants.

Li Ju waited until she was far away before straightening up and quickly leaving the palace.

He didn't turn around, so he didn't see that after taking a few steps, Empress Xiao glanced at his back slightly.

Li Ju walked out of the palace gate, stood on the steps, and gazed at the deepening twilight.

The Third Expedition is finally coming.