Chapter 49: Begging
Editor: Atlas Studios
Shen San was the third son of the Shen family in Huizhou.
The Shen family of Huizhou was the number one imperial merchant in the Great Zhou Dynasty, as well as in-laws of General Yuan’s family. It was also because of the Shen family’s support that the Yuan family army was able to defend the border while the imperial court was in arrears.
The military officials had always been on good terms with the Shen family, and Qi Xiuyuan was no exception.
With the Zhang family as the leader, the squires worked together to lower the grain grains, but raised the price of rice. As Qi Xiuyuan was not a civil servant, he could not manage the government affairs of Xingzhou Prefecture. However, they had offended him by targeting military rations, so Qi Xiuyuan naturally did not stand on ceremony.
Coincidentally, because there was a drought in Tongchuan, they couldn’t buy grains even if they wanted to. The Shen family was very willing to play the good guy while earning a sum of money, so Qi Xiuyuan took out his military salary to buy grains while sending a letter to Shen San, who happened to be in the Jiangling Prefecture.
The Shen family aggressively acquired grains in Xingyuan Prefecture at last year’s price, undoubtedly causing the Zhang family’s plan to fail. Now, they had no choice but to take a step back and increase their purchase price of the grains and lower the selling price of rice.
When Shen San arrived at the general’s residence in Xingzhou, Qi Xiuyuan was chasing after Qi Haoran with a stick. “Stop right there. If you dare to run again, you’re not allowed to eat at night.”
Qi Haoran ran even faster, driving Qi Xiuyuan crazy. “I spent so much effort to buy this book, and you tore it up!”
Qi Haoran felt aggrieved. “I didn’t do it on purpose. I accidentally did it when I fought with them.”
Fan Zijin, who had come running after him, almost held his forehead. He quickly tried to salvage the situation. “Cousin, everyone was just fooling around. Haoran tore the book by accident.”
Qi Xiuyuan flew into a rage. “You’re actually fighting outside?! Tell me, how many more things are you hiding from me? Qi Haoran, come over here and let me beat you ten times . Otherwise, I’ll forbid you to eat for two days.”
Qi Haoran was hesitating between the plank and the meal when he saw Fan Zijin signaling him to run. He quickly retracted his outstretched foot and turned to run.
Qi Xiuyuan’s angry roar came from behind, making Qi Haoran run even faster.
Glaring at Fan Zijin with red eyes, Qi Xiuyuan reached out to twist his ear. “Did you shoot him a look?”
“No, Cousin, I’ve always been by your side. How would I have the guts?” Fan Zijin begged for mercy. “Cousin, we really didn’t do it on purpose. You know that Haoran is straightforward. Those people beat around the bush, mocking you for being a martial artist, so we naturally couldn’t take it lying down. Being highly skilled in martial arts, he couldn’t hold back his strength. But really, we only pushed them gently. Who knew that those people couldn’t even withstand a light push?”
Qi Xiuyuan snorted. “What else can those beetles do other than bullying the commoners? I originally sent you to the academy to let you interact more with the outside world. Since you’re unhappy, I’ll hire a teacher to teach you at home. That way, you don’t have to pay heed to those people’s words.”
Glad not to see those annoying people, Fan Zijin replied happily and looked at Qi Xiuyuan carefully. “Cousin, in that case can Haoran’s punishment be canceled…”
“Canceled my ass.” Qi Xiuyuan said angrily, “If he has the ability, don’t come back. If he comes back, I’ll starve him for a day first. Does he think that those books are so easy to buy? I don’t care if it was him or someone else who tore them. I only know that those books were torn under his care. Hmph!”
As Qi Xiuyuan turned around angrily and left, he met Shen San standing in the corridor with a smile. Qi Xiuyuan restrained the anger on his face and cupped his fists. “Third Young Master, what brings you here?”
“I’ve already started to wrap up my business. I’ll be leaving Xingyuan Prefecture in a few days, so I came over today to inform General.”
“Then I’ll hold a banquet to celebrate for Third Young Master. Coincidentally, I just obtained a jar of 50-year-old Green Bamboo Leaf Liquor not long ago.”
“Then I’m in luck…”
The two of them chatted as they walked. Naturally, they drank and chatted happily at night.
Fan Zijin took the opportunity to sneak out and bring Qi Haoran back. The two of them secretly went to the kitchen to get some food before returning to their room to fill their stomachs.
“I want to beg Big Brother to let me train in the army,” Qi Haoran said as he nibbled on a drumstick.
“You’re only 12 years old. Cousin won’t agree.”
While Qi Haoran was deep in thought, Fan Zijin reminded him in a low voice, “Don’t get into trouble. I heard that the quartermaster of the West Camp was killed by Cousin, despite the fact that he’s from the local squire’s family, the He family. Even the magistrate was alarmed by this matter. Don’t provoke him.”
Qi Haoran simply responded insincerely. At night, he sneaked into his brother’s room, and seeing that his brother was not back yet, he could only sit cross-legged on the bed and wait.
Qi Haoran fell asleep as he waited. When Qi Xiuyuan returned, he was already sprawled on the bed, unconscious.
Qi Xiuyuan looked at his brother with a deep gaze before rubbing his forehead helplessly. He pushed him further into the bed and covered him with a thin blanket. Then, he took off his shoes and climbed into bed.
Qi Xiuyuan had just laid down when Qi Haoran rolled over and hugged him. Qi Xiuyuan said calmly, “Let go.”
“No.” Qi Haoran said in a muffled voice, “Big Brother doesn’t even dote on me anymore.”
Qi Xiuyuan slapped his back and kicked him away. Sitting up, he asked, “I don’t dote on you? I specially hired teachers to teach you. If you work harder, I won’t have to worry so much.”
Qi Haoran leaned over again. “But I don’t like to study. I want to train in the army.”
Qi Xiuyuan frowned so hard that his face could squeeze a bug to death. “How old are you?”
“The disciples of the Yuan family have to go to the battlefield at the age of 12.”
Qi Xiuyuan sneered. “You’re dreaming. They claim they go to the battlefield at that age, but they’re just training in the army. Have you seen the Yuan family send children under 14 to the battlefield to kill the enemy? You’re only 12 years old, but you’re already thinking of training in the army.”
Qi Haoran puffed out his chest and declared proudly, “I’m more skilled in martial arts skills and more familiar with military strategies than them. When I was in Lin’an Prefecture, they were never my match when it came to arranging troops and formations. Even Yuan Wulang admitted defeat.”
The corners of Qi Xiuyuan’s mouth twitched. He couldn’t bring himself to tell his brother that the arrangement of troops on the chessboard was different from the arrangement of troops on the battlefield.
However, Qi Haoran looked at his brother persistently.
Qi Xiuyuan thought for a moment before saying, “The disciples of the Yuan family all start as foot soldiers when they enter the military camp. You said you want to be like them? Then go to the camp every morning after you finish your studies with your teacher and start as a foot soldier.”
Qi Haoran gritted his teeth. “Why do you have to follow the Yuan family’s rules? Since you’re a general, why can’t you just let me train the troops directly?”
Qi Xiuyuan couldn’t help but smack Qi Haoran on the head. This time, the smack was a little heavy, causing the latter’s head to tilt to the side. Still not appeased, Qi Xiuyuan kicked him again before saying, “How can one be a good general if he doesn’t know how to be a good soldier? I started at the bottom too. If you want to manage the soldiers well, you have to know what they’re thinking and doing. There’s a lot to learn here. Put effort into learning. Also, don’t fall behind on your teacher’s homework. Otherwise, I won’t allow you to go to the camp again no matter what.”
Only then did Qi Haoran reluctantly agree. However, his heart was bursting with excitement. To him, it was fine as long as he could go to the camp.