Chương 278: The four brothers and civil and military officials came to visit one after another.

The news spread quickly.

When Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xun Yu, the three core strategists, heard the full report at the governor's mansion, they exchanged glances and saw relief and deep satisfaction in each other's eyes.

"Five sons and six daughters..."

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and smiled, "Your Majesty's legacy has a worthy successor."

Du Ruhui nodded and said, "Most importantly, both mother and child are safe. This is already an auspicious sign among the people, and it will greatly benefit Your Majesty's reputation."

Xun Yu, however, thought more deeply and said, "The five young masters... how to raise and arrange them in the future needs to be planned as soon as possible. But right now, the most urgent task is to prepare congratulatory gifts and arrange a proper celebration. The birth of a son to our lord is a joyous occasion for the entire Youzhou region."

Guo Jia strolled over, carrying a teapot, and said with a grin, "Wenruo is overthinking it again! Children and grandchildren have their own blessings! How could someone like our lord not raise his children well?"

Xi Zhicai smiled and said, "Fengxiao is quite right. However... my lord's fertility is truly astonishing."

All the civil officials laughed.

When military generals such as Xu Da and Xue Rengui learned of the news, their reactions were even more direct.

"Hahaha! My lord is amazing! Eleven in one go!" Cheng Yaojin slapped his thigh and laughed wildly in the military camp.

"Now, our Youzhou won't lack lords for the next few decades!"

Yuchi Gong smiled憨厚ly and said, "It's a joyous occasion that our lord has both a son and a daughter. We must prepare generous gifts!"

Qin Qiong calmly replied, "The gift is not about its value, but about the sentiment. I have a pair of family heirloom peace locks, which would be perfect for the young master and young lady."

Lu Bu scratched his head and said, "I... what should I give him? How about I give the young master my newly acquired gold-threaded soft armor? It's a bit big, but he can wear it for many years!"

Xue Rengui chuckled and said, "Fengxian, that soft armor that the young master wears can now be used as a blanket. We should send him something more practical, like a longevity lock or a gold bracelet."

......

A few days later, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Dian Wei arrived together at the Prince of Yan's residence.

These four were Liu Ce's sworn brothers, the closest of friends. They didn't stand on ceremony and barged straight into the backyard, of course, after giving prior notice.

Liu Ce was looking at the children's roster in his study. He had Xun Yu make a detailed "prince and princess file," including the time of birth, the midwife's evaluation, the loudness of the first cry, and so on. He was reading it with great interest.

Seeing the four men enter, Liu Ce smiled and looked up, saying, "Hey, brothers, what brings you here today? Missed your big brother?"

Zhang Fei shouted in a loud voice, "Brother! We didn't come to see you, we came to visit our nephew and niece!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard, a smile playing on his phoenix eyes, and said, "I heard that my elder brother has been blessed with eleven daughters and granddaughters. As his uncles, we naturally have to come and offer our congratulations."

Zhao Yun was newly married, a time when the topic of "children" was sensitive, so he asked gently, "Brother, are the children all well? How are your wives?"

Dian Wei, being the most honest, carried two large boxes and said, "Brother, I... I didn't know what to give, so I bought some fine silk to make clothes for the children, and some tonics for the ladies."

Liu Ce felt a warm glow in his heart and stood up to invite them to sit down: "Everything's fine! The children are all eating and sleeping well, and the sisters-in-law are recovering quite well too. Come on, let me take you to see them!"

The group walked towards the backyard.

The children are now housed in a specially converted "nursery," an independent courtyard with excellent ventilation and lighting. There are twenty full-time wet nurses and maids taking turns to care for them. Zhang Zhongjing also sent two female medical students to be stationed there to be responsible for daily health checks.

Before even entering the courtyard, one could faintly hear the cries and whimpers of a baby, as well as the soft humming of a wet nurse.

As you push open the door, a faint scent of milk and herbs wafts out, the herbs being a mosquito-repelling and disease-preventing sachet prepared by Hua Tuo.

The eleven children were divided into six rooms, with two small beds in each room.

It was morning, and the sunlight streamed in through the window, making it feel warm and cozy.

Cai Yansheng's twins, Liu Chen and Liu Ying, lived in the largest room.

Liu Chen was awake, his bright black eyes staring curiously at the painted mural on the roof.

Liu Ying was fast asleep, her little fist resting beside her face.

"These are my elder brother's eldest son and daughter?" Guan Yu leaned down and examined them carefully.

"Hmm... Liu Chen does indeed have my elder brother's features in his brows, and his heroic spirit is beginning to show. Liu Ying resembles my elder sister-in-law, with a delicate and gentle demeanor."

As Zhang Fei approached, his large, dark face drew near, Liu Chen not only didn't cry, but instead giggled and reached out her little hand to grab Zhang Fei's beard.

"Hey! This kid's got guts! He's not afraid of me!" Zhang Fei chuckled, wanting to reach out and touch him, but then, afraid his rough hands might hurt the child, he sheepishly withdrew.

Zhao Yun looked at the children with tender eyes.

His newlywed wife, Xiahou Qingyi, was also pregnant and would become a father in a few months. At this moment, he was deeply moved and said, "The continuation of life is truly miraculous..."

Dian Wei wanted to hug it but didn't dare. He circled the cradle, muttering, "So small... so soft..."

Liu Ce then showed them the other children.

Zhen Jiangsheng's son, Liu Heng, was awake, neither crying nor making a fuss, quietly watching the person who came, showing the composure of a mother.

Zhang Ningsheng's son, Liu Yao, was being breastfed by his wet nurse, eating heartily with great appetite.

Ren Hongchang's Liu Sui had the fairest skin, like a porcelain doll, and slept soundly.

Zou Yusheng's daughter Liu Yi and Du Xiuniang's daughter Liu Mei were placed in the same room. The two little girls slept side by side, their little faces rosy.

Zhen Tuosheng's Liu Yongzheng is playing with his fingers, making little noises.

Zhen Daosheng's Liu Ran cried the loudest, truly befitting her fiery mother's daughter.

Liu Nong, born to Zhen Rongsheng, and Liu Yan, born to Zhen Misheng, were the youngest. They lay side by side. Liu Yan slept soundly, while Liu Nong occasionally kicked her legs.

After looking around, the group returned to the front hall, all filled with emotion.

"Brother," Guan Yu solemnly clasped his hands in greeting, "Congratulations! With these eleven children, the foundation of Youzhou is sure to last a hundred years!"

Zhang Fei nodded vigorously and said, "Me too! When my nephews grow up, I'll teach them martial arts! I guarantee they'll all become fierce generals!"

Zhao Yun smiled and said, "They also need to study and learn to read and write. Qingyi said that in the future, she can teach her nieces music, chess, calligraphy and painting."

After hesitating for a long time, Dian Wei finally managed to say, "I... I taught them to lift stone weights! To build their strength!"

Liu Ce laughed heartily, patting each of them on the shoulder and saying, "Good! Good! When the time comes, none of you uncles will escape; you'll all have to be my teachers!"

...

A few days later, the civil officials and other military officers came to offer their congratulations.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Shen Pei, Chen Gong, Xu Shu, Cheng Yu... Almost the entire civil official group came, each bringing gifts, speaking auspicious words, and looking at the children with a look of satisfaction in their eyes.

Xu Da, Xue Rengui, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Luo Cheng, Yuwen Chengdu, Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Huang Zhong, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, Yu Jin, Taishi Ci, Gan Ning, Cheng Pu, Gongsun Zan, Qu Yi, Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao... The group of military generals also arrived in batches. These men who killed without blinking an eye on the battlefield were at a loss when they saw the baby. They spoke softly, afraid of startling the child.