My Fantastic Chef Wife

334. Returning to the Capital City

Translator: ChowvanLee

On the day that Xiao Baoshan reached the capital city with a group of soldiers, the weather was gloomy, but many people spontaneously ran to the crowded streets to welcome Xiao Baoshan.

In the past few years, Daqi fief had been disturbed by the Northern Qing Kingdom, especially after Prime Minister Xun died and the princess, who married to another country for peace, killed herself, people were worried about the country’s future.

Therefore, the victory of Xiao Baoshan undoubtedly gave them hope.

In the past, people thought Great Qi Dynasty had no competent generals, but now it was different. There were generals like Xiao Baoshan.

Also, Great Qi Dynasty got patriotic people like Yan Ziyan. If the imperial court valued these people, it meant that the emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty loved his people and would not disappoint every ambitious citizen.

Xiao Baoshan and his large contingent rode big horses, walking into the capital city.

The people came over spontaneously to send them flowers, steamed stuffed buns and desserts. Some wanted to send their own chicken and ducks to them, and some even threw money onto them.

Xiao Baoshan had banned the soldiers from accepting people’s gifts.

He rode on the horse, serious and solemn. His bright eyes were full of righteousness, which made some evil people afraid.

Also, there were many women on the streets.

It was normal for ordinary women walking on the streets.

But some ladies had to sit in tea houses on both sides of the street, wearing veils to avoid being recognized.

When they saw the tall and serious Xiao Baoshan, they couldn’t help but marvel in their hearts.

In this era, the men of the Great Qi Dynasty were mostly bland in appearance, very normal. When they grew older, they would get fat. But Xiao Baoshan, who was going to be thirty, still looked energetic.

‘If he were my husband…’

The ladies couldn’t help but dream about it.

Some unmarried also made their mind that they must marry someone like Xiao Baoshan in the future.

…

Xiao Baoshan and the rest had to finish a fixed process of etiquette when they arrived in the capital city.

For example, Xiao Baoshan had to meet and be awarded by the emperor in front of the officials first.

Before this, a minister had suggested that Xiao Baoshan be the general of the Northern Region and guard the northern part of the country.

However, Li Chengkun and State Preceptor did not agree.

Therefore, the officials were looking forward to what kind of job the Emperor would give to Xiao Baoshan.

In the hall, Li Chengkun looked at the soldiers who came back from the battlefield, especially Xiao Baoshan.

He first acknowledged Xiao Baoshan’s achievements and praised that Xiao Baoshan fought for the Great Qi Dynasty and with all his might and risked his life. He was also proficient in tactics. Finally, he won this battle and beat Northern Qing Army.

The Northern Qing Kingdom had sent envoys to seek peace, agreed to compensate for the loss of the Great Qi Dynasty, and would not launch any attack for ten years.

Finally, the emperor talked about awards.

Speak of awards, Li Chengkun was vague.

First, he said that he wanted to reward a manor to Xiao Baoshan, and tens of thousands of taels of gold, a large number of acres of land and a lot of jewellery, but he didn’t mention what position Xiao Baoshan would be in.

Xiao Baoshan didn’t care about his position.

He just said, “Your Majesty, the reason why we can defeat the Northern Qing Army this time is not only because of me, but Yan Ziyan and the rest who are guarding the northern desert. Although they can’t come back with me for the time being, Your Majesty, please reward them, too.”

When State Preceptor heard this, his expression turned gloomy.

Not only did Xiao Baoshan not kill Yan Ziyan, he even spoke good words for him, which meant that Xiao Baoshan didn’t listen to him at all.

Li Chengkun had already discussed with State Preceptor how to deal with Yan Ziyan, so he pretended to be kind, “Well, General Xiao’s suggestion is very good. Yan Ziyan and the rest should be rewarded. In view of his contributions to battles, after discussion with State Preceptor, I decided to appoint him as the commander of Heihe City.”

The commander of Heihe City?

If Yan Ziyan became the commander of Heihe City, then the imperial court needed to send someone else to take charge of the northern desert, because the northern desert was the real Northernmost Realm.

Xiao Baoshan said bluntly, “But Yan Ziyan is now guarding northern desert County.”

Li Chengkun said, “I will send someone else. General Wen Qi will be the general of the Northern Region and guards the northern desert.”

In the hall, everyone took a deep breath.

Wen Qi originally looked after soldiers’ registers in the Ministry of War. He didn’t join this war, but he was appointed as the general of the Northern Region!

Li Chengkun added, “General Xiao has made great contributions in the war. It’s time for you to enjoy your life in the capital city. Now, I appoint Xiao Baoshan as the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, managing soldiers’ registers.”

The crowd took another breath.

‘Although the assistant minister works for the Ministry of War, it is actually equivalent to a civil official. He doesn’t need to fight in battles and doesn’t need to go to the military camps to make plans. It is really an inappropriate position for Xiao Baoshan.’

‘So, the Emperor is afraid that Xiao Baoshan would be a threat to him?’

“Xiao Baoshan, do you have any different opinion?” Li Chengkun asked again.

Xiao Baoshan said, “No, but I have a request.”

“Tell me.”

Xiao Baoshan said, “My wife has been taken care of by State Preceptor since she entered the capital city. She is currently living in State Preceptor’s residence. I want to take her home and won’t bother State Preceptor.”

The officials in the hall couldn’t help but look at each other at his words.

They all knew that Xiao Baoshan’s wife had been living in State Preceptor’s residence, and everyone knew State Preceptor’s intention. When  Xiao Baoshan had arrived in the capital city for the first time, they were worried that if Xiao Baoshan was colluding with the Northern Qing Kingdom, so they kept his wife as a pawn.

But now Xiao Baoshan has proven his loyalty with actions, so Xiao Baoshan was cleared.

Naturally, it was reasonable for Xiao Baoshan to get his wife back.

However, Li Chengkun smiled, “You has your own residence now. Naturally, you should bring your wife back to help you handle the family matters. But as far as I know, your wife is not at State Preceptor’s residence, but at Empress Dowager’s palace. Empress Dowager is close to her and wants her to stay in the palace for a few more days. As for when she would go home, it depends on them. You might need to wait for some days.”

State Preceptor also smirked at this moment.

Fortunately, Empress Dowager took Ye Xiaoxian into the palace. Otherwise, State Preceptor wouldn’t be able to refuse Xiao Baoshan in the hall.

Since it was Empress Dowager who summoned Ye Xiaoxian into the palace, it had nothing to do with the Emperor. Xiao Baoshan had to give up.

…

After the assembly, Xiao Baoshan was walking out of the palace with his fellow soldiers.

The soldiers were indignant at what Xiao Baoshan had gone through in the hall. Although Xiao Baoshan was rewarded with tens of thousands of taels of gold and thousands of acres of arable lands, the so-called “arable lands” were in deserted north region.

And Xiao Baoshan didn’t know when he could get the money.

Besides, this money had to be used for renovating the manor and buying some servants. If Xiao Baoshan wanted to make the manor more decent, this money was not enough.