Chapter 380: Tactful
Editor: Atlas Studios
The smile on Qi Xiuyuan’s face gradually faded. He glanced at his brother and asked, “Is it because you have someone in mind?”
Qi Haoran exhaled and relaxed. “Don’t you know, Big Brother? I like Ah Ling.”
“Ah Ling is going to be your wife. Other than Ah Ling, isn’t there another girl that catches your fancy?”
Qi Haoran immediately shook his head. He couldn’t allow this conversation to spread. Otherwise, that jealous Ah Ling would definitely explode.
Qi Xiuyuan frowned. “Then who do you want to take as a concubine?”
In Qi Xiuyuan’s opinion, there must be an inside story for him to go to the brothel. He said in a displeased tone, “Haoran, don’t be silly. A stable family is very important to the children and your future. Ah Ling is your fiancée. You can’t take in a concubine and cause trouble for her before she enters the family. Even after she enters the family, you can’t overly dote on your concubines. The servants fawn on the favored and trample on the neglected. If you don’t want the family to be in chaos in the future, it’s best to remember this. Mother and us brothers are a good example.”
It wasn’t that Qi Xiuyuan was opposed to concubines, but he disliked men who couldn’t differentiate between wives and concubines.
However, Qi Haoran thought of the stories that Mu Yangling had occasionally told him about the fights between wives and concubines in the past. Thinking of his family’s situation, he sighed and said, “Ah Ling is right. Wives and concubines are indeed unable to get along peacefully.” If he took a concubine, it was only a matter of time before his family descended into chaos.
Qi Xiuyuan frowned slightly. How could wives and concubines not get along peacefully? As long as a man could handle the situation well, there were many instances of wives and concubines complementing each other. However, at this moment, he was worried that his brother would be seduced by a woman outside and result in family disharmony in the future. Hence, he nodded against his will and said, “So you have to be careful. If there’s anything in the future, do discuss it with Ah Ling.”
When Qi Haoran saw that his wise and mighty Big Brother had agreed to this point of view, he was even more convinced. If it was embarrassing, so be it. Anyway, no one would dare laugh at him in his face.
If Qi Xiuyuan knew that his momentary approval would make his younger brother world famous for being henpecked, he would definitely deny it now.
Recalling this many years later, Qi Xiuyuan was still filled with regret. What made him regret the most was that this kid would later on attribute his fear to listening to his big brother. This made Qi Xiuyuan grit his teeth several times.
Qi Haoran was clearly the one who was afraid of his wife, but he blamed it on his brother.
Of course, neither of them knew this at this moment, so Qi Xiuyuan still calmly wanted to arrange a handmaid for Qi Haoran. Qi Haoran rejected him righteously and almost rolled on the ground to make his point.
Seeing that his younger brother was really not interested in that kind of thing, Qi Xiuyuan decided it was fine to wait a few more years for him to slowly understand. Anyway, he was not even 16 years yet. Therefore, the matter of arranging a handmaid for him was left unsettled.
Qi Haoran heaved a sigh of relief. Then, he smugly decided to look for Mu Yangling tomorrow to show off and ask to be praised.
But the next day, before he even left the house, the Xingyuan Prefecture sent an emergency military report, and he was dragged to a meeting.
Ever since last year, the Great Zhou had been unstable, having to suppress rebellions every year. Because the people in Qi Haoran’s prefecture had been busy hating the Jin soldiers, there were no rebellions, but there were a few rebel armies against the Jin.
However, it was different within the pass. Not only did the rebellion not subside after a winter and spring, but it also became increasingly intense. The Emperor had no choice but to mobilize the soldiers at the border. This time, not only were they going to fight in a place like Tongchuan Prefecture, but they might also have to go south or east.
There were two assistant commanders assigned to Qi Xiuyuan, and it was a mission that required 20,000 people. Most importantly, considering Qi Xiuyuan did not have many usable talents under him to begin with, anyone he chose to send out would result in a disadvantage.
Qi Haoran thought for a moment and volunteered. “General, count me as the last general.”
Qi Xiuyuan glared at his brother but didn’t agree because all the assistant commanders hadn’t arrived yet. There were still six days before the date given by the Xingyuan Prefecture, so Qi Xiuyuan would postpone the discussion.
Qi Haoran immediately jumped up. “Big Brother, let me go to war. It’s a good opportunity to make a contribution.”
Qi Xiuyuan shook his head. “I’ve already made arrangements for you. Anyone can go except you.”
“What arrangements?”
Qi Xiuyuan brought his brother home and pondered for a long time before saying, “I want you to be in charge of all the intelligence about the outside world.”
This included the Jin Kingdom, West Xia, and Tibet.
Qi Xiuyuan took out the map and said, “Haoran, with your straightforward temperament, you are very to the taste of the people of West Xia and Tibet. You’re also considered familiar with the Jin Kingdom and West Xia, so I want you to be in charge of this. Leave the suppression of the rebellion to others.”
Of course, it was better to handle the external affairs than the internal affairs. Qi Haoran’s attention was immediately diverted, and he asked excitedly, “Then should I go to the Jin Kingdom?”
“Yes.” Qi Xiuyuan paused before continuing, “Haoran, bring Ah Ling there.”
Qi Haoran’s face darkened and he said unhappily, “Why make Ah Ling go? Big Brother, war is a man’s business. How can you implicate Ah Ling?”
“You can’t deny that Ah Ling is very talented in this aspect,” Qi Xiuyuan said. “Besides, with her covering for you, many things will be much simpler and safer. In the past few years, Ah Ling has been learning the Jin language and West Xia language with you. She even knows a lot more than you.”
Qi Haoran braced himself and said, “That’s because I’m always delayed by war.”
Qi Xiuyuan looked at him and said, “Is that so?”
Qi Haoran hesitated and finally gritted his teeth. “Big Brother, I will definitely learn the Jin and the West Xia languages well. I’ll also learn the Tibet language. Don’t let Ah Ling go with me. No one knows what will happen in the enemy’s territory. She won’t be able to do much as a girl.”
Seeing that Big Brother was unmoved, he begged, “I’ll definitely study hard in the future. I’ll do whatever you say.”
Qi Xiuyuan took a sip of tea. “You’ll forget everything you promised today tomorrow.”
Qi Haoran gritted his teeth and swore. “Big Brother, I’m serious this time. Even without Ah Ling, I can still handle the intelligence well.”
Only then did Qi Xiuyuan nod. “Remember what you said today. If you still cause trouble everywhere when you go out, I’ll send Ah Ling over. Since I don’t have time to take you in hand, it’s not such a bad idea to let Ah Ling restrain you.”
Qi Haoran patted his chest loudly to reassure him that he would not get into trouble.
Satisfied, Qi Xiuyuan let him go. The candidates sent out to quell the rebellion were quickly confirmed. They brought 20,000 troops to support them.
Meanwhile, Qi Xiuyuan started a new round of recruitment.
However, Qi Haoran disappeared without a trace from Jingzhao Prefecture after having lunch with Mu Yangling. No one knew where he went.
Mu Yangling went to the General’s Residence a few times to take a look, but she didn’t manage to find him. She didn’t ask further and just sighed before turning around to get busy.
Qi Xiuyuan nodded in satisfaction, pleased that she knew what questions not to ask. He wondered if his future wife would be as tactful.