Chương 405: Cai Yan and others meet with Yin Ying and Feng Yu

After entering the city, all the civil and military officials who had been moved from Zhuo County in Youzhou were led by people arranged by Liu Ce to their residences in Luoyang.

These mansions were prepared in advance by Liu Ce's people. Their size, location, and layout were all taken into account, so they didn't have to worry about anything.

Fang Xuanling looked at his new house and nodded repeatedly, saying, "My lord has thought of everything."

Du Ruhui also laughed and said, "This house is much bigger than the one in Zhuo County."

Xun Yu stroked his beard and said, "Luoyang is located in the center of the world. Using it as a base makes it easier to control the overall situation. My lord has a profound vision."

......

Liu Ce, accompanied by Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Du Xiuniang, Zou Yu, Zhen Jiang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, Zhen Mi, He Lian, Mi Zhen, Gan Mei, and his large group of children, arrived at the Prince of Yan's residence in a grand procession.

Outside the gates of the Prince of Yan's residence, Yin Ying and Feng Yu were already waiting.

Both of them were dressed in new clothes, looking very nice, and stood properly at the door with just the right smiles on their faces.

Upon seeing the group approaching, the two quickly went to greet them.

Liu Ce introduced Cai Yan and the others, saying, "This is Yin Ying, and this is Feng Yu. They are both good girls. From now on, you will be family."

Yin Ying and Feng Yu stepped forward obediently, curtsied to Cai Yan and the others, and said softly, "Greetings, sisters."

Cai Yan looked them over and saw that the two women had delicate features, proper manners, and respectful attitudes, and she felt a certain fondness for them.

She smiled and took Yin Ying's hand, saying softly, "Good sister, we're family now, no need for formalities. You've worked so hard in Luoyang, taking care of your husband; we haven't thanked you yet."

Zhang Ning leaned closer, looked the two of them up and down, and laughed, "Hmm, they're really good-looking! My husband has good taste!"

Yin Ying blushed and said, "Sister, you flatter me."

Feng Yu also whispered, "The older sisters are the truly beautiful ones."

Zhen Jiang took their hands and said gently, "If you don't understand anything in the future, just ask us. You'll get used to things in the manor gradually."

He Lian smiled and said, "Yes, don't be nervous. Your husband is a good person, and your sisters are good too. You'll get used to it."

Ren Hongchang, Du Xiuniang, Zou Yu, and others also stepped forward, greeting them with smiles, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Yin Ying and Feng Yu had expected to be treated coldly, but the sisters were so kind that they felt relieved and genuine smiles appeared on their faces.

The greatest blessing is a harmonious household.

Several children gathered around, looking curiously at the two new "aunties".

Liu Chen tilted his head back and asked, "Father, who are they?"

Liu Ce patted his head and said, "Call me Auntie."

"Hello, Auntie!" Liu Chen called out in a childish voice.

Yin Ying and Feng Yu's hearts melted, and they quickly squatted down to pat his head.

He waved his hand dismissively and said, "Come on, let's go inside and see your new home!"

The women followed Liu Ce, chatting and laughing as they entered the Prince of Yan's residence.

The backyard had already been tidied up.

The backyard of the Prince of Yan's mansion was very large, with pavilions, terraces, ponds, and gardens...

Liu Ce had the courtyards prepared in advance, with each wife having her own courtyard and the children's living quarters arranged perfectly.

Cai Yan's main courtyard was in the very center, spacious and bright, with an osmanthus tree planted in the courtyard, its golden fragrance filling the air.

Zhang Ning and Zhen Jiang's courtyards were on either side, roughly the same size and layout, perfectly aligned.

Yin Ying and Feng Yu's courtyard was on the east side, next to Cai Yan's courtyard, making it convenient for them to move around.

He Lian's courtyard is in a slightly secluded place, quiet and elegant, suitable for her to recuperate.

Mi Zhen and Gan Mei's courtyard is on the west side. Although it is small, it is decorated with exquisiteness and warmth.

The children also had their own courtyard, where they were cared for by wet nurses and maids. The courtyard was furnished with slides, swings, and various small toys, all of which Liu Ce had prepared in advance.

Cai Yan felt a warm glow in her heart as she watched all this.

She took Liu Ce's hand and whispered, "My husband has gone to so much trouble."

Liu Ce laughed and said, "Of course. You've worked so hard in Youzhou for so long, you should be able to stay comfortably in Luoyang."

......

He Lian stood in her yard, looking at the flowers and plants all around, her eyes slightly red.

She recalled her days in the imperial palace in Luoyang...

Now, she finally has a real home.

Liu Ce walked over and gently hugged her from behind:

"What are you thinking about?"

He Lian leaned against him and whispered, "Thinking about the past. I never thought I'd be able to return to Luoyang and have a home again in this lifetime."

Liu Ce said, "This is your home. You won't go anywhere else from now on."

He Lian smiled, but tears fell from her eyes.

...

In the afternoon, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Xun You and others came to the Prince of Yan's residence to report to Liu Ce on the recent situation.

In the study, several people sat together. Fang Xuanling opened a thick book and reported to his superiors point by point:

"This year, Youzhou Academy has graduated more than 500 students, including more than 300 civil officials and more than 200 military officers. As per the lord's instructions, they have been assigned to various prefectures and counties. Officials in Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Liangzhou, and Jingzhou are basically in place."

"These people were all trained by us; they are loyal, reliable, and quite capable. Land surveys, resettlement of displaced people, and restoration of production have been fully launched in various regions."

Du Ruhui added, "The governance plans for each prefecture and county have also been issued. Land surveys, water conservancy projects, rectification of officialdom, and pacification of the people are all progressing steadily. It is expected that by next spring, each prefecture and county will be completely stable."

Xun Yu said, "Regarding provisions, the autumn harvest in all prefectures and counties has ended. Youzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou have had bumper harvests, and their granaries are full. Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou have just been recovered, and their output is not high, but they can still be self-sufficient..."

Xun You also said, "Regarding the military, the surrendered troops in various prefectures and counties have been reorganized. The able-bodied soldiers have been incorporated into the main force, while the old, weak, sick, and disabled have been reassigned to local areas for farming..."

Xun Yu added, "My lord, Lu Bing has already cleaned up all the powerful families and clans in the various prefectures and counties. Those who committed numerous evils have all been sent to the Merit Forest. The rest are either behaving themselves or voluntarily offering land and grain, and dare not make any further moves. The people are applauding and saying that my lord is a just and upright official."

Liu Ce smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare call myself a righteous official. I'm just happy to live a good life."

......

From the details of the relocation of Youzhou to the progress of governance in various prefectures and counties, to the allocation of talent in Youzhou Academy... everything is explained clearly.

After listening, Liu Ce nodded and said, "Alright, let's do it that way. Keep an eye on things in each prefecture and county. If there's anything you can't handle, report to me immediately. Talented people from Youzhou Academy will be given priority for assignment to the newly recovered prefectures and counties. They can wait until they're in their old places for now."

The group accepted the order.

...

That evening, Liu Ce hosted a grand welcoming banquet at the Prince of Yan's residence.

The banquet hall was brightly lit, and people were clinking glasses.

Civil and military officials gathered together, ladies and young women chatted and laughed, and children ran around in the courtyard, creating a lively atmosphere.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, raised his wine glass, and said loudly, "Come, everyone, this glass is a toast to our family! A toast to our new home..."

Everyone responded in unison and drank it all in one gulp.

The banquet was in full swing.

Military officers drank heavily, civil officials recited poems, children crawled under the table, and adults laughed heartily.

..................