Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 38 : Military Discipline

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The snow fell for three or four days. Xiao Chiye became lazy to the point he hardly went to the military drill grounds. He had recently made the acquaintance of several Longyou merchant  and purchased some valuables such as pearls imported from Yongquan Harbor and jasper produced from Hezhou, all of which were exquisite items.

Li Jianheng was very diligent now. No matter how cold the weather was, he would attend court sessions as usual and ask Hai Liangyi to give lectures every day. When he saw Xiao Chiye neglecting his tasks, he would also exhort him a word or two. He seemed as if he genuinely had a change of heart.

Xiao Chiye was glad to see the change in him. He hunted two deers from Mount Feng and presented them to the palace. Frightened by the donkey roast the last time, Li Jianheng kept wild creatures at arm’s length and bestowed the deers to Hai Liangyi instead. 
It was soon to be the end of the year, when the sacrificial ceremony and officials’ banquet were major events. The Six Ministries and Twenty-four Yamen of the Imperial Palace were all up to their neck in work. The Directorate of Ceremonial lacked manpower, and there were many matters that they could not get a grasp on, so they still had to ask Li Jianheng. Li Jianheng was baffled when it came to these matters too, so he had to trouble Hai Liangyi and the Ministry of Rites to decide every time.  

It began to grow busy in Qudu. When Li Jianheng saw that Xiao Chiye had nothing to do, he gave him an important job and handed him the task of reviewing the Eighth Great Training Divisions’ roster. This way, Qudu’s patrols and defenses fell completely into Xiao Chiye’s hands. 

Xiao Chiye could not turn it down, so he had no choice but to start busying around. 

Shen Zechuan followed Xiao Chiye as the latter bustled about. Consequently, that made it inevitable for him to run into the Imperial Army. 

Tantai Hu had yet to remove his blades after his patrol ended this one day. When he returned to the office, he saw Shen Zechuan standing outside. He rubbed his frozen, scarred face and strode over.

Shen Zechuan turned his head and watched as Tantai Hu moved menacingly towards him.

“Shen the Eighth?” Tantai Hu stopped in his tracks and said coldly to Shen Zechuan. “Shen Wei is your old man, right?”

Shen Zechuan asked, “Are you looking for my old man or for me?”   

“Of course, I’m looking for you. Shen Wei has already been fucking burned to ashes.” Tantai Hu paced around Shen Zechuan and said, “Your days in Qudu are still comfortable. Look at this figure. It’s comparable to the courtesans in Donglong Street. The pampered kind with an appetite for food and wine.”

Hearing his tone, Shen Zechuan knew that he did not come with good intentions. Chen Yang said nothing beside him, while the Imperial Army in the courtyard all craned their necks to watch the show. 

Tantai Hu continued, “Perky ass and a slender willow waist. Rosy peach blossom cheeks and foxy eyes. In Xiangyun Villa, you’d be a first-class top courtesan material. Why are you running around in the wind and snow with our Viceroy instead of living the good life?” 

Tantai Hu stood fixed in place and stared daggers at Shen Zechuan. He continued, “It was only because Shen Wei licked the hooves of the Libei Armored Cavalry horses five years ago that the Six Prefectures of Zhongbo did not turn into manure pits for the Biansha Twelve Tribes’ horses. And now you are also learning from your old man. Which part of our Viceroy are you going to lick? The brothel prostitutes are all great talents skilled in a certain technique once they let down the bed curtains. What skill do you have that makes you worthy of standing together today with all the men who have fought battles?”