Chapter 98

Sighing heavily, Xia Hongsheng lamented, "Isn't this just making a mockery of me? Who has ever seen a thirteen-year-old training spies in the army? How could those old soldiers possibly listen to me?"

Thinking about the words of Li Laoer, conveyed by Wang De as he chased after him out of the palace gate, made Xia Hongsheng even more frustrated: "I have given you a chance; do not disappoint me. By next year at the latest, I want to see results. Before I dispatch the main army, I hope you can make Liang Shidu lose all his support."

Xia Hongsheng scratched his head in agitation. What a mess!

Just as he was feeling烦躁, a voice came from outside: "Young Master, Prince of Han is here with a group. Should we...?"

Xia Hongsheng was taken aback, got up, and walked out. In the front, he saw Li Ke and the group of rich young men, all of whom had come. Xu Hui and Li Lizhi were also there, the two girls having followed after hearing that Li Ke and Xu Qixian were coming for a meal.

"Ha, congratulations, Brother Jingshi, for being favored by His Majesty and appointed as a Zhedou Duwei! You are the first among us to have a real position, so you must treat us to a feast!" Li Yexu said, putting an arm around Xia Hongsheng's shoulder before he could speak.

Everyone cheered, urging Xia Hongsheng to set up a banquet. The noise in the courtyard made Xia Hongsheng laugh, and his earlier frustration disappeared. What do I have to fear? With my years of experience from the future, can I not handle a bunch of ruffians? Besides, even if I do nothing, by next year, when Chai Shao and Xue Wanjun's armies move out, Liang Shidu will be beheaded by his brother. This is the course of history; I have nothing to lose. What do I have to fear?!

With this thought, Xia Hongsheng's spirit soared. He waved his hand and said, "Alright! Let's go to Zui Xian Tower and set up a feast, I'll treat all of you!"

"No, no, no, we absolutely will not go to Zui Xian Tower today," Cheng Chuliang said, emerging from behind. "This morning at the academy, Prince Ke, Princess Chang乐, and the Xu siblings all praised the oil-splashed noodles. We are here specifically to eat those noodles! Don't try to trick us with Zui Xian Tower!"

"Want to taste my skills?" Xia Hongsheng raised an eyebrow and looked at the group of rich young men.

"Of course!" they all responded loudly.

Xia Hongsheng clapped his hands and said confidently, "Alright! Someone, go buy the ingredients! Today, I'll show you what it means to be a scholar who can't cook but can still be a good general!"

The steward from Qu Tongsong's house was very reliable. He knew what Xia Hongsheng usually needed and went to the market without further instructions. Soon, the ingredients were bought, including some that Xia Hongsheng had decided on himself, and they were delivered to the kitchen.

Setting up a table full of dishes was not difficult. What can't I cook? Large plate chicken, spicy hot pot, braised pig's trotters, and more. Not only can I cook them, but I've already taught the chef many things over the past few days, with my sister-in-law's help. Today, I'll make sure they never forget the feast at the Xia residence! The only regret is that my own residence is not yet built. When can I host a proper banquet in the real Xia residence? That would be perfect.

The dishes were placed in hot steamers to keep them warm. Xia Hongsheng made a lot, so the servants could also enjoy a good meal. They were not really his servants but were sent by Qu Tongsong. They had helped him a lot over the past few days. Even though they were servants, I am a civilized person from the future and should show gratitude.

Working until the sun set, everything was finally ready. Xia Hongsheng took a towel from a servant to wipe his hands and said, "Bring everything over. You all should gather and have a few tables. Consider this my way of thanking you for your help."

The steward's eyes widened, and he either genuinely felt grateful or was a great actor, as tears streamed down his face. He fell to his knees, "This... Your Excellency actually... I... I..."

He was sobbing!

Xia Hongsheng smiled, "Alright, alright, stop that. Have them all come over. I made plenty, enough for everyone. You sit at one table, and Qi Yong and the others at another. The food is the same. Go ahead and eat."

The steward's head hit the ground with a thud, and Xia Hongsheng shook his head, knowing they wouldn't really eat while he was there, so he left.

In the front, the group of rich young men was already seated, rubbing their hands in anticipation, like generals waiting to charge into battle. They were ready to launch a fierce assault on the dishes as soon as Xia Hongsheng gave the command.

Xia Hongsheng sat down and picked up his chopsticks, "Everyone, please!"

Instantly, the group erupted like water droplets hitting hot oil.

"That pig's trotter is mine!"

"Let go, or I'll punch you!"

"Who took my braised pork?"

...

Xia Hongsheng watched the group devour the food, grinning for a while before remembering to raise his wine glass, "Come, everyone, let's drink together!"

"Wait... wait!" Li Ke, with a mouth full of food, waved his hands, "I'm eating! We'll drink later!"

Xia Hongsheng's face turned black. Li Lizhi, sitting next to Li Ke, looked like she was about to cry, clearly wanting to show disgust but not daring to be too obvious. She moved away, pretending not to know him.

The scene was like a tornado had passed through, leaving a mess of empty plates and cups. Everyone looked satisfied and full, their bellies round.

Li Ke burped and rubbed his stomach, sighing, "Oh no, I'm too full to drink any more..."

Xia Hongsheng tried to persuade them to drink a few more times, but they all found it hard to swallow, so he gave up.

"Brother Jingshi, your skills are unmatched. Even my father hasn't had such a variety of delicious dishes," Li Ke said, leaning back lazily, his stomach looking like he was pregnant. Xia Hongsheng thought maliciously.

They chatted and started giving Xia Hongsheng advice on how to handle the ruffians in the army, so he wouldn't be bullied. Their words showed that they truly considered him a friend.

It was not until it was completely dark that they finally said their goodbyes, their bellies full and round, and left together. This was the first time in the history of the Tang Dynasty's group of rich young men that they had been too full to drink.

Xia Hongsheng saw them off and then turned to Xu Hui and Li Lizhi, "Princess, little girl, how did you like the food?"

"Don't call me little girl!" Xu Hui immediately protested.

Li Lizhi pulled Xu Hui and then bowed slightly to Xia Hongsheng, "Lizhi has never tasted such delicious food. The oil-splashed noodles from yesterday were also... Lizhi thanks Commander Xia. Tonight, Lizhi was... very happy, very happy indeed!"

"Happy is good," Xia Hongsheng smiled. It wasn't the food that made her happy, but the carefree atmosphere.

After seeing them off, Xia Hongsheng turned to walk back and suddenly realized a problem...

Tomorrow, I have to start work, but where do I report?

Xia Hongsheng returned, and the servants and Qi Yong all came out to bow to him, making him feel quite uncomfortable. It was just a meal, and they had helped him for so long... It seems he still wasn't used to the feudal landlord lifestyle.

The next morning, just after the morning drum, Xia Hongsheng set out with Qi Yong and a few of Qu Tongsong's guards.

"Qi Yong, where should I report... for duty?" Xia Hongsheng asked.

"Since you are appointed as a Zhedou Duwei by His Majesty and are to select spies from the Right Yulin Guard, you should report to the Right Yulin Guard office," Qi Yong replied. "I know the way, I'll take you there."

Xia Hongsheng nodded and asked, "Qi Yong, you are a military man. Do you think they will look down on me?"

"Um..." Qi Yong hesitated. Seeing his hesitation, Xia Hongsheng knew the answer. "Young Master, you must show them your strength. If you don't, both the generals and the soldiers will bully you. After all, you have no military achievements yet..."

Xia Hongsheng nodded, understanding. He had been directly appointed by Li Laoer, was young, and had no battle experience or military achievements. The army values strength, so he would likely be looked down upon.

Humph, Xia Hongsheng sneered. A higher rank commands respect. I'll show them my strength. First lesson of the new term: military training!

Outside the military office, Qi Yong and the others stopped. "Young Master, we can't enter the military office. We'll wait outside. Be careful. The Right Yulin Guard is commanded by General Duan Zhixuan, the Duke of Bao. General Duan is extremely strict, even more so than General Qu Tongsong."

Xia Hongsheng nodded and walked into the military office. In the main hall, a general with a slightly graying beard and a stern expression sat straight, looking very solemn and commanding respect. On both sides, many people were kneeling, all with serious faces. Xia Hongsheng walked to the center and said, "This subordinate, Zhedou Duwei Xia Hongsheng, pays respects to the Right Yulin General!"

Duan Zhixuan nodded, "Sit."

Xia Hongsheng didn't say more and sat down.

Duan Zhixuan scanned the room with his eagle-like gaze, immediately making everyone even more solemn.