Chapter 44

As the sun set, more than ten horses approached on the dusty official road. Yueyang was riding leisurely on one of the horses in the middle, surrounded by over a dozen guards.

"I laugh with satisfaction, I laugh with satisfaction..."

Yueyang urged his horse forward while singing in a voice that was far from pleasant, creating a cacophony of noise.

"Master, are you really going to go to the frontier yourself?" Shunbao, who had been closely following Yueyang, looked at him with a worried expression and continued to persuade him, "Master, the frontier is not like the interior. I've heard that the frontier is full of Tartars, who are ruthless killers. You are the backbone of our Yue Family Village. If anything happens to you, our village will fall apart!"

"Shunbao, today I am in a rare good mood, and you are ruining it for me?" Yueyang turned his head to look at Shunbao, his face full of displeasure.

Shunbao, seeing Yueyang's unhappy expression, defended himself, "Master, I'm not trying to ruin your mood, but this trip to the frontier is too dangerous. The old lady won't agree to you taking such a risk."

Yueyang sighed lightly, "I know, but if we want to form a cavalry, we must go to the frontier. Otherwise, where can we get so many warhorses?"

Yueyang had not hidden the plan to form a cavalry from Shunbao. He knew Shunbao well, having grown up with him since childhood. Apart from his lack of courage, Shunbao's loyalty to him and the Yue Family Village was no less than that of his father, Yue Laifug.

"But... Master, don't we already have a militia? You said five hundred was too few, but now we have over two thousand. Isn't that enough?"

Shunbao was puzzled by Yueyang's relentless expansion of the militia. In his view, a militia of over two thousand people was more than enough to make the Yue Family Village the dominant force in Yingzhou Prefecture. Expanding the militia further was purely a waste of money. Moreover, Yueyang was forming a cavalry, which was the most expensive military unit. Although Shunbao had not read many books and only knew a few hundred characters he had learned secretly while serving as Yueyang's book boy, he understood that a warhorse was not easy to maintain. The amount of grain a warhorse consumed each year was enough to make a well-off family feel the pinch. Although the Yue Family Village was now prosperous, it could not afford to feed so many horses.

"You!" Yueyang sighed again, not knowing how to explain to Shunbao. Should he tell him that in a few years, the bandits they had just repelled would sweep across the country, and the savage Jurchens from the frontier would invade like wolves, causing widespread slaughter, and the Ming Dynasty, which had lasted for over two hundred years, would collapse in agony?

Since he couldn't explain, Yueyang decided not to waste his breath. He glared at Shunbao and put on his master's airs, "Enough, I have made up my mind. No one should try to dissuade me. It's settled!"

"Go..."

"Clump... Clump..."

With that, Yueyang raised his whip and galloped towards the Yue Family Village...

After returning to the Yue Family Village, Yueyang first reported his safety to the old lady, then told her about his plan to go to the frontier to buy horses.

The old lady was silent for a long time before she looked at Yueyang and asked seriously, "Grandson, ever since you formed the militia, I've noticed your genuine enthusiasm for military affairs. Tell me honestly, do you plan to make a name for yourself in the military?"

Yueyang smiled, "Grandma, what's wrong with a military career? Think of the founding heroes of our Ming Dynasty, none of them were not from the military. Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, and others all became famous generals and were ennobled for their military achievements. The current state of the Ming Dynasty is different from the past. Although the current emperor is diligent in his duties, I believe he lacks the grand vision and talent of the founding emperors. The Ming Dynasty is already on the brink of collapse. I must prepare for the future!"

"Silence!"

Even though the old lady had lived for many years and had a strong heart, she was still shocked by Yueyang's words and quickly stopped him.

"Are you trying to get us all killed? If these words reach the ears of the court, we will all be executed. You must never say such things again, do you understand?"

Seeing the old lady's pale face, Yueyang realized how shocking his words were to people of this era. He lowered his head and said softly, "Yes, Grandma, I understand."

"Ah..."

Seeing Yueyang's indifferent expression, the old lady sighed and shook her head, "Fine, since you insist on going to the frontier to buy horses, I won't stop you. But you must promise me that buying horses is secondary. The most important thing is to return safely. Do you understand?"

"Yes, thank you, Grandma!" Hearing the old lady's words, Yueyang breathed a sigh of relief. In the modern world, Yueyang had no family, and in this era, he considered the old lady one of his closest relatives. If she had not agreed, Yueyang would have been in a difficult position.

Before Yueyang could finish his relief, the old lady spoke again, her expression serious, "Zhenghong, you are going to the frontier on official business, and I won't stop you. But there is something I must ask you. Linglong and her sister have been in your room for quite some time. Have you... consummated the marriage?"

"Ah..."

Yueyang was taken aback by the old lady's directness, something he had not expected.

"What are you staring at? I'm asking you a question!" Seeing Yueyang's stunned expression, the old lady tapped her cane on the floor.

"Um... I... " Yueyang swallowed and said helplessly, "Grandma, it's too soon. We haven't even discussed it yet..."

"What do you mean, 'too soon'?" The old lady became agitated, tapping her cane on the floor, "You're a grown man. How can you not understand this? Linglong and her sister were personally trained by me. They are excellent in every way and are loyal to our Yue Family. I sent them to your room, and you still don't understand my intentions? If it were someone else, they would probably be pregnant by now!"

Hearing the old lady's forceful words, Yueyang could only wipe the sweat from his forehead.

The old lady continued, "Fine, I agree to let you go to the frontier, but you must promise me that before you leave, you will consummate the marriage with Linglong and her sister."

"Um..." Yueyang wiped the sweat from his forehead.

The old lady waved her hand, "No more 'ums.' It's settled. Do you understand?"

In the end, Yueyang left the old lady's courtyard, his face full of helpless laughter, but he felt a hidden excitement in his heart.

After living with Linglong and her sister for several months, it was hard for Yueyang to say he didn't like these kind and beautiful sisters. But due to various reasons, he had not taken the final step with them. Now, with the old lady's approval, Yueyang felt a sense of relief.

"Is this what they call consummating the marriage by imperial decree?"

Yueyang muttered to himself. Soon, he walked to his courtyard, and for some reason, his heart suddenly felt hot...

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