Chinese New Year

Chapter 663 Banquet Guests
In fact, it was not just the Luoyang Lu Bu that was reported quickly.

After the news of the pacification of Qingzhou came back, all the counties in Henan sent out knights to spread the news everywhere. They also copied a copy of the victory report and posted it at the city gates or important road intersections to let everyone know.

The response was very enthusiastic!

Wang Dun was organizing his troops in Sui County and was about to attack Yiyang, but he was frightened when he heard the news and stopped.

Gan Zhuo led his army northward and captured Xinxi County. He was about to advance into Runan to sweep the area, but he hastily retreated to Xinxi.

Ji Zhan went north along the canal and penetrated deep into Ruyin. After burning, killing and looting, he defeated the reinforcements sent by Qiao State. When he was feeling proud and triumphant, he heard that Qingzhou had fallen and had no choice but to retreat.

The Wu soldiers north of the Huai River retreated to the military city and even stopped looting.

In the direction of Hanoi, the Zhuosheng Army became increasingly active, fighting repeatedly with the Huns and their morale was high.

Han Anxi General Liu Ya had planned to besiege Wen County, the only stronghold of the Jin people in Hanoi. Shi Hu was even ready to send troops from the direction of Ji County, but the plan was finally terminated.

The herders were very excited about this. The grass only turns green in March and April, and it's late May when they finish their farm work. They can finally take a break, but you say they're sending troops to fight?

The only one who had not given up was probably Shi Le.

He led his troops from Jingxing and attacked Changshan and Zhongshan. Some local people responded, causing quite a commotion.

However, he had no basis for his actions. He just plundered some people, livestock and food and brought them back. It might disgust people, but it could not change the overall situation in Hebei.

Of course, the most enthusiastic response came from Bianliang.

Yu Wenjun, who gave birth to a son in early March, gradually recovered and was overjoyed when she heard the news of her husband's victory in the Eastern Expedition. She did not consider too many military and political issues, but was simply happy for her husband.

The husband got what he wanted, he was happy, and she was happy too.

Compared with Yu Wenjun, the meaning of happiness for Yu Chen and Yu Liang, father and son, is different.

On June 12, Yu Liang held a grand banquet in his new house in Bianliang to entertain his guests.

The Liang State originally had four generals of the front, back, left and right armies. Later, four more generals were added: Qingcha, Wuya, Huwei and Caiguan.

Compared with the former, these four generals are filled with a mixed atmosphere, but it’s not bad, after all, they are generals.

Especially since Yu Liang was the general of materials, he had the important task of building the palace, and Liang Gong had also held this position before, so it was not so complicated.

Today's grand banquet at Yu Mansion is hosted for Yu Liang.

I don’t know if it’s an illusion, but since Mrs. Yu gave birth to a child, more and more people have been approaching the Yu family, and their attitudes have become more and more respectful.

Yu Liang was so happy that he inevitably drank a few more cups. After apologizing and leaving the table, he went to his backyard and drank a bowl of tea to suppress the surging drunkenness.

The general, the Western Pavilion Chief Academician Hu Wu Fuzhi, the military advisor, the chief academician Wen Qiao, the military assistant Shang Zhi, the recorder Jing Chan, the Liang State Guard Chen Jing, the Revenue Minister Yin Xian, the Left Minister Zao Song, the Palace Attendant Yang Man, the Yellow Gate Assistant Minister Chen Kuang (formerly the Yingchuan prefect) and others gathered here, chatting and laughing.

Among these people, Hu Wu Fuzhi, Wen Qiao and Yang Man were considered to be Yu Liang's good friends.

Shang Zhi was the elder brother of Madam Shang in his mansion and was from Dongqiu.

Jing Chan was also from Dongqiu. He was a small local noble family who came to Yu Chen when he was the prefect of Ji County.

Yu Liang's other concubine, Li, was also from Dongyu. Her uncle Li Shou was the current governor of Dongyu.

Ji, Wei and Dunqiu counties were all part of the territories of Liang State. Yu Chen and his son Yu Liang were still very influential here, and there were many people who flattered them openly or secretly - most of them were laid by Yu Chen.

The brothers Chen Jing and Chen Kuang were scholars from Yingchuan, and Yin Xian and Zao Song were also scholars from Yingchuan.

To put it bluntly, this is the core circle of the Yu family at the political level.

Yuan Neng, the general's chief clerk, was also there, but he left after giving a gift, which made Yu Liang feel a little regretful.

The Yuan family is a wealthy family in Chen County. Yuan Chong is the Grand Coachman, and Yuan Neng is the brother-in-law of Lord Liang's sister. This family should not be underestimated. They are all members of the Yuzhou gentry, and we will have to get closer to them in the future.

"Yuan Gui, Lord Liang has taken Qingzhou and his reputation has risen. I heard that the Grand Commandant requested to add three counties to his title. Is this true?" The Minister of Finance Yin Xian asked after a burp.

"Yes." Yu Liang's face was flushed from drinking, and he spoke a little erratically: "After Qingzhou was taken, the threat from the heartland was eliminated, and Lord Liang's foundation became more stable. You must not slack off in the future, and you must do your best for my brother-in-law. Also, my brother-in-law--"

Wen Qiao didn't drink much, and upon hearing this, he patted Yu Liang and said, "Yuan Gui!"

"Taizhen, don't make a noise." Yu Liang said with a big tongue: "My brother-in-law——"

Wen Qiao clapped his hands again and said, "Yuan Gui, lend me some money."

Yu Liang was interrupted twice, but he didn't want to get angry at Wen Qiao, so he could only ask helplessly: "What do you want money for?"

"Get a wife." Wen Qiao said as a matter of course: "If you don't give it to me, I can only cheat my cousin."

"Cousin?" Yu Liang was stunned.

"Yes." Wen Qiao nodded and said, "My cousin is not young anymore, and my aunt is unfamiliar with the place, so she asked me to find a talented person for her in Bianliang. I thought about it, if I really don't have the money to marry a wife, I'd better not let the money go to outsiders, so I'll recommend myself to my aunt."

Yu Liang laughed wildly and forgot everything he was about to say.

Everyone laughed. Wen Qiao was thick-skinned and didn't take it seriously. He just said, "Now all the talented people in the world are gathered in Bianliang. Fortunately, my cousin and I have known each other since childhood, otherwise how could I compete with her?"

Yu Liang was speechless: "You are already thirty years old, how can you have known your unmarried cousin since childhood? Do you have any shame?"

"Because of the hardships she endured, my cousin has been delayed and has yet to get married. In fact, she is the same age as Madam Yu." Wen Qiao said expressionlessly.

Yu Liang choked.

Wen Qiao is thirty years old and his cousin is twenty-one years old.

Duke Liang was thirty years old and Madam Yu was twenty-one years old.

Mr. Liang often said that he and Wenjun had known each other since childhood.

Who are you laughing at?

"Forget it." Wen Qiao waved his hands and pretended to be sad and said, "I know you don't want to. If there is no other way, I can only agree to the general and marry the daughter of Wang family of Langya. They don't want money, they just want me. Qingzhou has been recovered, and most of the children of Wang family of Langya have the opportunity to make a living. With Qing and Xu as one, their future prospects are limitless. If I marry the daughter of Wang family, won't I rise to prominence?"

Yu Liang came to his senses a little and bowed to Wen Qiao.

Wen Qiao stood up impatiently and said, "Why are you going through so much formality? Borrow money."

"You want to marry your cousin?" Yu Liang asked stupidly.

"I'm going to get my revenge." Wen Qiao said, "The daughter of Wang family of Langya not only doesn't want money, but also brings a large dowry. I will repay you in the future."

After that, he cupped his hands and said, "Just send the money to my home. I won't stay long, so I'll leave now."

Watching Wen Qiao's graceful departure, Yu Liang knew that he had decided to marry Wang's daughter. However, their feelings for each other still existed, as evidenced by his repeated reminders today.

Yu Liang sighed.

Zao Song observed the situation and said, "Why is Yuan Gui sighing? Liang Gong has pacified Qingzhou, and no one on the north or south of the Great River dares to touch his tiger's whiskers. This is a prosperous situation, and it is the time for us to serve."

Zao Song was from Changsha, Yingchuan, but his family was a little estranged from the Yingchuan gentry, and he himself had been an official in Hebei for many years. Now that Lord Liang had risen from Henan, Zao Song was eager to reintegrate into the Yingchuan gentry circle and had been very active recently.

"That's right." Yu Liang nodded and said, "Qingzhou has been very exciting. There were some ignorant and ugly people in Runan, Ruyin, Nanyang and other places who were secretly communicating with the Wu people, but now they are quiet. Taichan is right, it's time for us to serve. We should take good care of the place for Lord Liang, help him capture Bingzhou and establish his great cause."

After saying this, Yu Liang suddenly remembered that he was just a general in charge of the people, and he felt a little discouraged.

As of today, more than two-thirds of the Guanfeng Hall has been completed, and the Huangnu Palace is also half completed.

The Shao Clan Ancestral Temple has been completed, and the Bianliang Martial Arts School is under construction.

The site for the Lingbo Hall, the third building complex of the Liang Palace, has been selected, and the foundation can be laid once the captives from Qingzhou arrive.

This is a waterscape palace. Yu Liang discussed it many times with Liu Qiao and Yu Hua, striving for perfection. He even planned to transplant some precious flowers and trees from Luoyang to embellish the palace.

It's an important matter, but it's not what he wants to do.

He was actually aiming for the post of Minister of Personnel in the Six Departments. There had been no suitable candidate for this post - or perhaps there was, but Lord Liang was undecided - and for the past year, all affairs of the department had been concurrently managed by the Minister of the Secretariat Pei Miao.

There have been rumors recently that Vanguard General Liang Fen may take up this position.

This is undoubtedly a surprising choice.

The scholars of Xizhou have always been in a weak position under Lord Liang, and are mostly concentrated in the Mianbei Shogunate and the General's Mansion. If Liang Fen is appointed as the Minister of Personnel, it will be the first time that scholars of Xizhou have invaded high-level positions in Liang.

This is even more meaningful considering that Liang Fen was the leader of the scholars in Xizhou.

But - how could Liang Fen betray the emperor and join Lord Liang?

Furthermore, there were previous rumors that he was going to be the Inspector of the Imperial Capital, but later this position was obtained by Du Yin, the Prefect of Hongnong. Du Yin's granddaughter married Liang Gong's nephew, the newly promoted General Huwei Shao Shen. Yu Liang once thought that Liang Fen was unwilling to take up an official position.

I didn't expect this old guy!

When he offered Wancheng, he spoke with compassion, but I don't know if he really meant it or was just pretending. Anyway, after Liang Gong promoted him, his fame increased greatly, and many people were impressed by his character and had frequent contacts with him, including many Henan scholars.

Irritability!

Why do people come out one after another to challenge the Yu family and even the Yingchuan scholars?
Recently I heard that another descendant of the Pei family secretly fled to Bianliang, and some members of the Wang family of Langya also returned north. These two families have arranged two marriages within a year, and the trend of convergence is very obvious.

Yu Liang felt a sense of crisis.

He felt that the scholars of Yingchuan and even Yuzhou must not be careless. At this time of pacifying Qingzhou, they still had to refresh and revitalize themselves to let Lord Liang see that his foundation was still Yuzhou after all.

Besides, my nephew is already 100 days old. Although it is a bit early to establish a crown prince at this time, it is not necessarily impossible.

Thinking of this, I have made a decision in my heart.

Although he could only continue to work hard to build the palace, he could ask his father to come forward and use his influence to collect more supplies and troops in the counties of Henan, so as to prepare for the next stage of Liang Gong's northern expedition to Henei, Ji County and even Bingzhou.

Duke Liang has taken Qingzhou, and his territory is getting bigger and bigger. If he doesn't make up for it, the ruling status of the scholars in Yuzhou may be shaken, and the status of the prince will also be threatened.

(End of this chapter)