Chapter 220 My son, you are not the cowardly person!

Su Wu breathed a sigh of relief. This old man still needed to be pushed to move…

That’s fine too, just keep pushing it.

The two men had just finished their conversation, but by coincidence, at this moment, Cheng Xiaoniang came in with two cups of tea and bowed.

Su Wu looked at her. It was mid-afternoon, and the excellent sunlight shone in through the window, shining on Cheng Xiaoniang’s face, making her fair complexion appear slightly yellowish…

He didn’t think about it in the past, but now, as an engaged couple, how could Su Wu not think about it?
For a moment, they were really stunned. Su Wu reacted quickly, standing up and bowing slightly. But Miss Cheng looked shy and lowered her head and left…

Su Wu was quite embarrassed, but he said: “Thank you…”

Cheng Xiaoniang came over with her head down, and went to put the teacups aside, and asked, “Are you drunk?”

Cheng Wanli smiled and waved his hands: “I’ve never been drunk…”

Su Wu also shook his head: “I didn’t eat much…”

“Well, then you two can talk slowly… I’ll be leaving…” After saying that, Cheng Xiaoniang took the tea tray and went out.

Only then did Su Wu sit down, but he was slow to look away and even walked a few more steps following Cheng Xiaoniang’s back.

Cheng Wanli looked at the good girl, then at Su Wu, and smiled: “Okay, okay…”

Su Wu smiled awkwardly: “It’s been a long time since we last met, I must have missed you a little!”

“I miss you, it’s nothing serious…” Cheng Wanli smiled and did not want to embarrass Su Wu. He continued, “Did that kid get into any trouble when he followed the army south this time?”

“No, I did a good job and made great contributions!” Su Wu replied.

“He also did a job?” Cheng Wanli didn’t believe it. After all, serving tea and water couldn’t be a job, right?
“Sir, you may not know that he was in charge of all matters, big and small, of the march of hundreds of thousands of troops, including the overall planning of the crossing of the river, the supply of food and fodder, and the progress of various units. He handled everything in an orderly manner without any confusion. No one from the unit complained, and everything went very smoothly.”

“There is such a thing? He is capable of this?” Cheng Wanli expressed his disbelief. This matter may sound insignificant, but when it comes to actually doing it, it is an extremely complicated organizational work. It is extremely difficult to avoid any mistakes.

“Is this true? Sir, just ask the soldiers under your command whether there was any delay on the way back? Are there any problems with the daily food supply at the various camps?”

“Well…that’s right. You must have sent people to help him. Just count it as his work.” Cheng Wanli didn’t believe it at all. How could Cheng Hao not know what kind of person his son was like? How could he do such a job?
“Alas…” Su Wu shook his head. He couldn’t say anything about his father, so he smiled bitterly: “If he can’t do it, why should I force him to do anything? There are hundreds of thousands of troops, and there will be a war against Liao in the future. I should take him to help manage the logistics. How can I take it lightly?”

“Are you serious?” Cheng Wanli suddenly stood up.

“Seriously, sir, I am not that kind of person?” Su Wu said.

Suddenly, Cheng Wanli became inexplicably excited again. He paced back and forth twice, very briskly, with a look of surprise on his face. He just kept asking, “Does he really have this ability?”

“Oh… Never mind. You don’t like him, but I do! You don’t trust him, but I just use him for my own convenience!” Su Wu also pretended to be angry.

Cheng Wanli waved his hands again and again: “Ziqing, that’s not what I meant, that’s not what I meant, it’s great, this guy, he… my son actually has some potential, it’s really unexpected, how can I not be happy? I am happy, I can’t help it!”

“Haha…” Su Wu was laughing. As a father, this was also strange.

But Cheng Wanli suddenly came back and said, “He got promoted? Why didn’t he write to tell me the good news?”

“Promoted! I also have the title of deputy imperial secretary.” Su Wu replied.

“He was promoted so quickly, but how many days has he been in office? Back then, when I passed the imperial examination and entered the government, I copied official documents for more than three years.” Cheng Wanli said this, and suddenly said, “At such a young age, his achievements came too easily, and his promotion was too easy. Ziqing, you must warn him well and never let him get carried away!”

Su Wu smiled and nodded: “I know, I know. Don’t worry, sir. Just order me around every day. If I don’t do well, just beat and scold me…”

“That’s not what I meant…” Cheng Wanli waved his hand again, but suddenly he saw Su Wu’s smile and laughed, “You are teasing me…”

“Haha… Husband, don’t worry, Deputy Cheng will do a good job…” Su Wu laughed.

“I hope so, I hope so…” Cheng Wanli nodded, and as he spoke, he felt inexplicably happy. Suddenly, he took a few steps toward the door and shouted, “Good girl, good girl…”

“Hey, father, I’m here…” Cheng Xiaoniang responded.

“Come, um…Mr. Su said he wanted to find some books, but I can’t find them. Come and help him find them…” Cheng Wanli shouted as he walked out.

Su Wu stood up to see him off, and the good girl also ran over. The three of them stood at the door, and Cheng Wanli said, “Give the book to Mr. Su. I have drunk too much, so I’m going to rest first.”

“Oh, okay…” Mrs. Cheng nodded.

Cheng Wanli left, and Cheng Xiaoniang didn’t even look up. She went into the study and asked, “What book does Master Su… want to find?”

Su Wu was stunned for a moment: “Uh… the Book of Tang newly compiled by Scholar Ouyang.”

“Ah? There is no such big book in the study, but we have it at home in Tokyo…” replied Mrs. Cheng.

“Then… “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms”…” Su Wu said casually.

“Yes, I’ll find it for you…” Cheng Xiaoniang went to look for it in the bookshelf.

Su Wu stood behind and watched. He could not see her face, but her hair bun, her back, her waist, her skirt…

Sometimes Su Wu was actually in a trance, this is my wife? The one who will accompany me for the rest of my life?
“Here…” The book was handed over.

Su Wu lowered his head to answer it, and when he looked up a little, he saw her face. She looked less childish than a few months ago. There was panic in her big eyes, and her cheeks were red. Her head was tilted, revealing one side of her jaw. When the lines were gone, she was completely pale…

“What other books does the Master need?”

“Ah, here comes another “Seven Military Classics”…” Su Wu still said casually.

“This…this one is not available either. I will ask someone to buy it in a few days.”

“Then let’s have a copy of The Art of War. There must be something like that, right?”

“Yes, some…”

Cheng Xiaoniang turned back to look for it on the bookshelf and soon found it. She handed it to Su Wu and asked, “Scholar, do you want any other books?”

Su Wu shook his head: “Finish reading it first and come back to borrow it next time.”

“Oh…” Cheng Xiaoniang seemed a little disappointed and lost.

“That…” Su Wu spoke again.

“You said…” Cheng Xiaoniang responded very quickly.

“I need your help with something. Are you free?”

“some……”

“I brought back a manuscript that is extremely important and precious. I need to compile it into a book and then print it, but I don’t have the time, so I want to entrust this matter to you. There are booksellers in Dongping Prefecture. You can go find them and talk to them. You can also proofread the text and help with the layout. It also needs to be beautifully bound… I wonder… whether…”

“Okay, sure!” Cheng Xiaoniang nodded repeatedly and asked, “Then how many copies do you want to print?”

“Thank you!” Su Wu bowed and replied, “Let’s print 500 copies first… or 1,000 copies will be fine, and then we can send them out to people everywhere…”

This is how it was done. After it was printed, Su Wu planned to send it to all the scholars he knew, not to mention the Wang, Li, and Zhao families, as well as Huzhou and Hangzhou. Su Wu also wanted to send it to the emperor, and the Secretariat just sent it one by one according to the list…

Anyway, the imperial court will distribute it to everyone, even to the Imperial College and the Imperial University. In fact, it is like sending Buddha to the west. Since we have helped with this matter, we should promote this “Jinshilu” thoroughly. It is also a great academic work and deserves to be promoted in this way.

Actually, proofreading and printing is not a difficult task, and anyone can do it. The important thing is that Su Wu personally wrote a preface and then promoted it personally.

Cheng Xiaoniang simply replied: “Well, I will definitely take care of this matter. There is no need for us to thank each other…”

“No need to thank me, what do you want? I have prepared a gift for you…” Su Wu said straight.

Cheng Xiaoniang suddenly raised her head slightly, glanced at Su Wu with a strange look, and said, “There’s nothing much you need…”

“Also, I will send someone to deliver the money for printing to the government office, and I will also send someone to deliver the manuscript…” Su Wu added.

“okay……”

“Is there really nothing you want?” Su Wu asked again.

“No……”

Su Wu scratched his head. Dating was a bit tricky for him. He was not good at it. So he said, “Then I will give you a set of writing utensils, including a Huzhou pen, a Shezhou inkstone, Huizhou ink, and Xuanzhou paper…”

Now, Su Wu actually… has more or less monopolized these businesses, so this trip to Jiangnan and Liangzhe was not in vain.

This is the four-piece gift set for Liang Shicheng, this is the one for colleagues, and this is the one for Cheng Xiaoniang.

“Okay…” Cheng Xiaoniang nodded with a slight smile on her face and even more joy in her heart.

“Then I’ll go. Thank you again!” Su Wu said and bowed again.

“See you off, Scholar Su…” Cheng Xiaoniang bowed her head hastily, and when she looked up again, Su Wu had really turned around and left…

Cheng Xiaoniang stood there, needless to say, she was disappointed, but still angry, and muttered: “Yuan Dao is… a fool.”

It’s okay to be angry, but I laughed at the same time: “He is really a fool…”

As he said this, he went out as well. For some reason, he was in a very good mood and his steps were much lighter. But when he passed the corridor and turned through the round door, he suddenly saw his father standing next to the rockery behind the round door.

“Didn’t father go to rest?” Cheng Xiaoniang asked in surprise.

“I’ll just rest here. There are rockery, flowing water, flowers and plants here, which is perfect for a rest…” Cheng Wanli pretended to have nothing to do.

“Oh, then I’ll go back to the house.” Cheng Xiaoniang nodded and was about to leave.

“Wait… come back…”

“What’s up, father?”

“Is your heart happy?”

“Ok?”

“It’s just…are you happy or not? Do you like it or not?”

“What did father say…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. As long as you are happy and like it, then we can treat each other with respect and grow old together…”

“Oh, let’s go… I’m still busy…”

“Well, okay, okay, go, go, go, go, go…” Mr. Cheng patted his big belly and waved his hands. He was drunk and looked naive, and he was naturally doting…

The good girl left, but she whispered, “I’m afraid she’s become stupid from drinking too much…”

“How can this be absurd? How can someone frame his father like this? You are such an unfilial person! This is really absurd!”

But a sly man turned around and said briskly, “Father, I’m talking about Scholar Su, not you…”

“Speaking of Ziqing?” Cheng Xianggong felt much better, but suddenly said, “It’s not okay to speak of Ziqing. How can you speak of your own husband like that?”

Then I looked again, but there was no trace of the good girl…

He could only go back to the study room, as he had some important business to attend to. He had to write a letter of greeting to the Prime Minister Wang, and explain the matter of transferring Murong Yanda away and bringing in Zhao Cuncheng, and also prepare a very generous gift list.

They all have to write in person to show respect! They also have to carefully consider the words and sentences, which is even more cautious!
Su Wu rode his horse to Meng Yulou’s house, dismounted, and walked in. The servant at the door just bowed and followed him, and someone else hurried around to inform everyone that Su Xianggong had returned…

Su Wu, drunk, went straight to the backyard, sat down in the main hall, and called out, “Tea, tea…”

Then, Meng Yulou came out from the side room with a big belly. She bowed first, and then said, “Greetings, my husband. If you want to come, you should inform me in advance…” Meng Yulou, at this moment, was somewhat serious. Why was that?

How could she have really seen the world of the rich and powerful? She was inevitably learning on her own, and even a little self-righteous.

How can it be different? In a wealthy family, people should be serious, not smiling, not frivolous, and everything should be regulated by rules…

Su Xianggong glanced over and saw that Meng Yulou’s slightly fat face had a different kind of radiance, perhaps maternal, inexplicably moving…

But Mr. Su said frivolously: “Why can’t you smile? Are you not happy to meet again after such a long separation? Are you tired of it?”

Meng Yulou was slightly stunned, somewhat puzzled, and replied: “I will serve tea to my husband…”

“There’s no rush to have tea, come and sit down…” Su Wu, who was drunk, raised his hand and waved.

Meng Yulou also obeyed and slowly sat over.

Unexpectedly, Su Wu stood up, and his huge body seemed to completely cover Meng Yulou who was sitting. Looking at Su Wu again, he had already reached out and touched Meng Yulou’s chin, and then reached out to touch the big pregnant belly…

Meng Yulou was a little at a loss for a moment. In the past, Mr. Su had never been so frivolous…

Mr. Su asked, “Do you miss me?”

Meng Yulou was not shy, but rather a little dazed. It was broad daylight, and she was inexplicably nervous. She tilted her head slightly to look outside. Fortunately, there was no one outside, so she just answered, “I miss you so much…”

Unexpectedly, Su Wu reached out his hand again and rubbed Meng Yulou’s face a few times: “I miss you very much too…”

At this moment, Meng Yulou felt shy and lowered her head, but did not hide, just letting Su Wu’s hand move on her cheek.

“Are you tired lately?” Su Wu asked.

“Not tired…” Meng Yulou shook his head slightly.

Su Wu asked again: “Why weren’t you in the hotel just now? I thought I could see you as soon as I entered the hotel…”

“Mr. Cheng is kind to others, and I don’t want to make him unhappy…” Meng Yulou said what she was thinking.

How could Su Wu have any idea about the complications of this matter?

After thinking about it again, he finally understood a little. If Meng Yulou stayed away from the civil and military officials in the prefecture, it would save Cheng Wanli’s face.

Su Wu understood and said, “It’s hard for you…”

“I am not miserable… Mr. Cheng and Madam Cheng are not harsh people. I am blessed…” Meng Yulou replied.

“Have you seen it?” Su Wu was a little surprised.

“Well, we first met during the New Year. We had a reunion dinner at the government office. Recently, Madam Cheng has been visiting me more often…” Meng Yulou answered…

Of course it was true. Miss Cheng really did bring Miss Hu to visit from time to time. She was checking Meng Yulou’s pregnant belly and asking about the girl’s private matters, such as pregnancy…

Cheng Xiaoniang and Hu Sanniang had no idea what was going on, but they couldn’t help but be curious. They asked and consulted again and again…

Su Wu smiled slightly, but he was also touched in his heart. This matter should be accepted. It is the kindness of Cheng Wanli and Cheng Xiaoniang…

Su Wu also realized it later, and suddenly realized that he seemed to really have a wealthy family? He even had the family affairs of these wealthy families…

Just like what is written in the novel, and what is seen in Tokyo City…

It’s just that he himself never really worries about anything…it’s always someone else who worries about it for him…

Su Wu slowly sat down and thought about this matter seriously. He asked first: “The house purchase matter…”

“I have already placed it there. I will go and see it when my husband comes back…” Meng Yulou answered, and added: “Madam Cheng has also been there many times…”

“Oh…” Su Wu understood that Cheng Xiaoniang and Meng Yulou were both involved in buying a house and decorating it.

It seemed that Su Wu didn’t need to worry about anything anymore. He just needed to focus on his future. In fact, he was happy, but also sad…

“Why aren’t you laughing?” Su Wu suddenly asked again.

“Ah?” Meng Yulou touched his face subconsciously.

“Smile…” Su Wu said.

How could Meng Yulou smile like this? She just looked embarrassed and said, “I…I am happy in my heart…”

Su Wu suddenly stood up again, walked over and hugged him around the waist: “Maybe you are not happy enough, let’s go…”

“My slave, my slave…” Meng Yulou was quite panicked, but she did not resist. She had experience in the past, so she said softly: “A pregnancy of six or seven months is not dangerous, but my husband must not be reckless, and must be extremely careful…”

“I don’t need to!” Su Wu nodded, went to the side room, and whispered in the ear: “It sounds better when you call me Su Lang!”

“Hmm…”

“Why don’t you scream?”

“Um……”

“You said, Su Lang, you are compassionate, so I will be compassionate too…” Having already entered the wing room, Su Wu kicked and closed the door.

“My husband, please have mercy on me…”

“Wrong!” Su Wu held the person tightly by the bed.

“Su Lang pity…”

Su Wu was overjoyed, laughing loudly, and gently placed the person on the quilt…

The step-out bed was a lot easier this time…

As soon as the storm was over, I woke up, had dinner and washed up. Yang Zongtie also came back. There was no need to ask where he went. I just knew he went to play in the military camp in the city…

After washing up, I went to sleep. As I stepped out of bed, I could hear whispers in my ears.

Talking about business matters, the flow of money and grain, business matters, and many other things…

Also touch the belly and feel the response of the new life.

Maybe also…

Before the sun rose, Su Wu had already stood up and headed straight for the military camp.

First he inspected the military camps inside the city, then the military camps outside the city, and also the military camps that were about to be expanded. He just urged them to hurry up and do everything, recruit soldiers, train, and build military equipment…

Military orders came out of Su Wu’s mouth one by one, and there must be one sentence at the end that could not be delayed.

Then he went back to the military governor’s office to look at the recent account books and official documents.

The prefect of Dongping Prefecture, Zong Ze, came with his son Zong Ying.

Su Wu quickly stood up to greet him. While Zong Ze was greeting him, he was about to speak.

Su Wu interrupted immediately: “Sir, please don’t be so polite!”

Zong Ze was stunned, and could only answer: “I still have to say that this time, the whole family, young and old, relied on Ziqing’s care and saved their lives. In the midst of war and chaos, how can I not express my gratitude for this favor?”

Zong Ying, who was standing aside, just bowed with great respect.

Su Wu hurried to help…

Zong Ze then said, “Ziqing, let’s not say those words of gratitude. I have already told him that such a great favor cannot be repaid even if I die. I brought him here for one thing. I hope that he can follow you and be a clerk in the future…”

“Why not? But I don’t want to be a clerk, I can just record and serve in the army!” Su Wu nodded and answered.

“You can use it however you want. This is a time of trouble. War is about to break out. You should do this for your country, your family, and your gratitude! I feel at ease leaving it to you!” Zong Ze said as he sat down, and Zong Ying stood aside.

Zong Ze turned around and looked at his son, saying, “My son, you are not the kind of person who is afraid of death!”

Zong Ying immediately spoke up: “Don’t worry, father. Life and death are not easy. With the grace of the emperor above and the grace of the scholars below, it is a worthy death!”

“Good, my son is very good!” Zong Ze nodded, his eyes sharp!

When others say this, they may be speaking falsely and casually, but when Zong Ze and his son say this, it is actually very moving.

Su Wu nodded: “Okay, then I won’t say much. I will start my shift today and help sort out the documents first.”

Zong Ying really went behind the table and started working.

Zong Ze looked at his son’s nimble hands and feet, nodded, and turned to ask, “When will the troops start?”

“Maybe at the end of this year, maybe at the beginning of next year.” Su Wu replied.

“I really want to go with you!” Zong Ze said, and then said: “The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are the land of our ancestors. Angelica, Angelica!”

“If you really want to do this, why not go with me?” Su Wu knew that Zong Ze, a last-rank Jinshi, was actually suitable for the battlefield.

“Really?” Zong Ze’s eyes lit up for a moment.

“Isn’t it serious? I know that my husband loves military affairs. If I go north this time, why not assign me to be in charge of logistics and baggage in the army? If I can see me enter Yanjing City with my own eyes, wouldn’t it be a great thing?”

Su Wu was not joking. It was true that Cheng Hao was responsible for logistics, but such a big event required an experienced and steady person to take charge. Zong Ze was the most suitable person. With Zong Ze in charge of the overall situation and Cheng Hao running around, it was also an opportunity for Cheng Hao to learn.

“Okay, okay, if I could really see with my own eyes the Song army entering the Yanjing city, I would die without regrets in this life!” Zong Ze said a little excitedly.

“It’s settled!”

“I’m just waiting for you to come and challenge me!” Zong Ze stood up, bowed, and didn’t stay any longer.

Su Wu was still busy. The next day, he had to travel far away to Jezhou to visit Zhang Shuye and bring Zhang Shuye’s sons back to visit him. Zhang Bofen and Zhang Zhongxiong were both captains of the sixth rank and they were also brave when they fought with the army.

Su Wu wanted to talk to Zhang Shuye about something concerning the overall situation. It was a bit of a waste to keep Zhang Shuye in Jizhou, so Su Wu thought about transferring Zhang Shuye to Qizhou, which is Jinan.

At this time, Qizhou was considered the gateway to the north of Jingdong, adjacent to Hebei. Qizhou was more prosperous and had a larger population.

If a war breaks out, civilians from both directions of Jingdong will be deployed to support the front line in Hebei with the supply of food and fodder. Qizhou will certainly be the distribution base, and Zhang Shuye will have to go there and be in charge, which will be a heavy responsibility.

It is not difficult to discuss this matter. Zhang Shuye is the one who does the work. The more important the responsibility, the less likely he will shirk it.

Then he had to go to the mountain stronghold of Liangshan Water Margin to inspect it, to look at his large sum of money, and even the many captives detained there, and to give them some instructions…

We also need to write a letter to Qin Ming in Qingzhou, asking him to start collecting all local mineral information. Once Murong Yanda leaves and Zhao Cuncheng arrives, we will start mining in Qingzhou!
All kinds of mines, both small and large, need to expand production. Qingzhou and even the surrounding areas still have huge coal resources that need to be mined. After digging out large quantities, Su Wu can then promote their use.

After coming back, Su Wu was about to set off for Daming Prefecture. Li Gang had already arrived. There were about 300 riders with him. Wu Song was beside him, and Wang Xun followed.

Yan Qing also went, but he did not go in public, and he brought a lot of people with him.

He had also sent a letter to the capital, asking Ma Zhi, or should it be Zhao Liangsi, to come and join him.

The campaign to conquer Liao had already begun. According to the plan, we would sort out the frontline and logistics, sort out the key nodes of officials, find out the situation on the border, and find out the strengths and weaknesses of the Liao people…

In history, there were two campaigns against the Liao people, and both ended in complete disarray. Su Wu thought that if he did so, he should either not move at all, or move with great force, not only to attack the Liao people, but also to show the Jin people!

Never show your weakness!
(Good night, brothers…)
(End of this chapter)