Chương 270: Zhao Yun's Wedding, Heading to the Military Camp

A few days later, Liu Ce and his party set off back to Youzhou.

An extra carriage joined the procession, carrying Xiahou Qingyi and her personal maid.

Upon returning to Zhuo County, Xiahou Qingyi arrived at the Prince of Yan's residence.

She was warmly received by the ladies Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, and Zhen Jiang.

A group of women gathered together, chatting about clothes, jewelry, Zhao Yun... They quickly became friends and chattered non-stop.

...

A month later, Zhao Yun held his wedding at his residence in Zhuo County.

The wedding was organized by the Prince of Yan's mansion. Although it was not as grand as Liu Ce's wedding with ten beauties, it was still extremely solemn.

Liu Ce brought all his civil and military officials to offer their congratulations, and the people of Zhuo County also spontaneously came to join in the fun. After all, Zhao Yun had an excellent reputation in Youzhou, and the people all liked this young, handsome, and gentle general.

At the wedding, Zhao Yun wore a bright red wedding robe, looking handsome and dashing; Xiahou Yuan wore a light dress, phoenix coronet, and embroidered robe, looking as beautiful as a fairy.

Liu Ce, as the officiant, sat in the high seat. Zhao Yun's parents had passed away early, and his elder brother was like a father to him.

Xiahou Jie came all the way from Changshan County.

"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"

"Bowing to the parents a second time!"

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

After the ceremony, the banquet began.

At the banquet, Liu Ce raised his glass and said, "Today is my fourth brother's wedding day. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

"A salute to General Zhao! A salute to the bride!"

May you have a son soon!

Zhang Fei shouted at the top of his lungs, "Fourth brother! Keep it up! Let's have a big, healthy son tomorrow, so he can learn to use the eighteen-foot spear from me!"

Dian Wei and Xu Chu huddled together and whispered, "Fourth Brother's already married, when are we going to find wives?"

"What's the rush? My brother said he'll have my wives find us some when we get back."

As the eldest brother, Liu Ce naturally received the most drinks.

But he accepted all offers, drinking until his face was flushed, and patted Zhao Yun on the shoulder, saying:

"Zilong! Treat your sister-in-law well! Have a big, healthy son soon, so I can have him as my nephew!"

Zhao Yun blushed and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, brother."

The banquet lasted from noon until evening, and was very lively.

Guo Jia, quite drunk, pulled Xi Zhicai aside and said, "Zhicai, look, Zilong is already married. Shouldn't we hurry up too?"

Xi Zhicai rolled his eyes and said, "You should quit drinking first."

"Give up alcohol? That's impossible!" Guo Jia shook his head.

"What's the point of life without wine?"

The crowd laughed.

As night deepened, the guests departed.

Liu Ce, slightly drunk, watched Zhao Yun enter the bridal chamber, feeling a warm glow in his heart.

One by one, my brothers have settled down and started families, and Youzhou is becoming more and more prosperous. Life is truly promising.

...

In the seventh month of the fourth year of the Zhongping era, in Zhuo County, Youzhou.

The summer sun was scorching, making the ground almost steam.

Liu Ce felt like he was going to rot away while staying in the Prince of Yan's residence.

backyard...

"My lord, this is the statistic of new household registrations in various counties this month. A total of 35, 621 households have been added, 80% of which are refugees who fled from Bingzhou and Qingzhou and have been resettled." Xun Yu held a pile of books, his voice as steady as if he were chanting a sutra.

"My lord, the military workshop has produced 570 sets of Mingguang armor, 3, 000 horizontal swords, 2, 000 composite bows, and 4, 000 champion crossbows... As per your orders, 30% will be put into storage, and 70% will be distributed to the various armies," Du Ruhui reported immediately.

"My lord, Shen Wansan has sent a letter from Xuzhou, saying... that the supply is insufficient among the aristocratic families in Jiangdong, and the price has increased by several times..." Before Fang Xuanling could finish speaking, Liu Ce had already propped his head up with his hand, his eyes half-closed, with an expression that said, "I'm listening, but I'm about to fall asleep."

Cai Yan sat to the side, cradling her slightly protruding belly, and smiled gently.

Zhen Jiang lowered her head and sipped her tea, a knowing glint in her eyes. Her husband was up to something again.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Liu Ce finally raised his hand.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen! I know you are all very capable and handle things very well. But look at me, the Prince of Yan, the General of the Cavalry, spending all my time here listening to reports, stamping documents, and keeping company with my wife... My martial arts skills are practically rusted!"

He stood up, stretched, his bones cracking softly, and said, "No, I need to go out and stretch my muscles. Wenruo, you handle the rest; I trust your judgment!"

After saying that, without waiting for Xun Yu's response, Liu Ce dashed out of the backyard, faster than a rabbit.

Xun Yu, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui looked at each other in bewilderment.

Fang Xuanling shook his head and smiled wryly, "My lord's temperament..."

"Young people, they're bound to want to get moving after being cooped up for so long," Du Ruhui said understandingly.

"Besides, our lord's martial arts are unparalleled in the army, it would be a real shame if he didn't train for a long time."

Xun Yu sighed, resignedly picking up the pile of books, and said, "Very well, let's continue. But with our lord gone, the military camp is likely to become lively again."

...

Military camp outside Zhuoxian County.

Dust flew everywhere, and the shouts of battle made the wooden fences of the camp vibrate.

This wasn't just for show; it was real training. Of course, the spearheads were wrapped in cloth, and the swords weren't sharpened, but the ferocity they displayed was no different from someone actually going into battle.

Liu Ce didn't ride a horse or bring any ceremonial guards; he just strolled over in his everyday clothes.

When the soldiers guarding the camp saw him, their eyes widened. Just as they were about to salute, Liu Ce stopped them with a gesture.

"Don't make a sound, I'll just take a look." Liu Ce waved his hand with a smile and walked inside on his own.

He strolled to the high platform at the edge of the training ground, squinting...

Wow! What a lively scene!

Just then, I saw Xu Da yelling at a group of new recruits.

"Legs! Legs straight! Is this how you stand at attention? You're as limp as noodles!"

Xu Da, carrying a willow twig, pointed at the sweating young men one by one, saying, "His Highness the Prince of Yan said this is called 'military training,' so all of you better stay focused!"

The new recruits wore pained expressions, muttering to themselves: Where did His Highness the Prince of Yan get so many strange training methods? Push-ups, sit-ups, standing at attention... it's even more tiring than charging into battle with swords and spears!

Liu Ce watched from a distance and grinned.

These kids have no idea that when the real fight breaks out, these "weird training sessions" will give them a significant advantage over their enemies.

...

Xue Rengui led his cavalry in practicing mounted archery, and arrows whizzed as they struck the grass targets.

Guan Yu led his infantry in practicing sword formations; their gleaming armor reflected the sunlight, dazzling the eyes.

Zhang Liao led his infantry in practicing slashing and hacking; with a single stroke, they snapped the wooden stakes in two.

Zhang Fei was yelling at the top of his lungs, "Give it your all! Didn't you eat? We'll have extra meat tonight!"

Lu Bu, riding the Crimson Flame, led his cavalry in a practice charge, displaying utter arrogance.

Zhao Yun was training spear techniques on the other side, wielding his silver spear with dazzling skill...

"Not bad, not bad!" Liu Ce smiled, walked down the steps from the platform, and clapped his hands twice.

"It's only been a few months, and the recruits are already quite capable!"

Upon hearing the voice, the generals turned around and exclaimed, "Oh, the King is here!" They quickly gathered around him.