After finishing the farm work, Shao Xun returned to the Golden Moat City.
The auxiliary soldiers had already started their meal.
Shao Xun quickly ate his food and then took some prepared meals, heading towards the central city.
Passing through a gate, he arrived at a courtyard filled with flowers, trees, and artificial mountains with flowing water.
More than a dozen exquisitely decorated houses were scattered around.
Princess Pei and the Empress were playing chess.
When they saw Shao Xun enter, they both looked up.
Princess Pei had a cheerful smile, exuding a calm and elegant demeanor.
Recently, she had become even more approachable, like a delicious dish, fragrant and juicy.
She was also gentle and tolerant.
Shao Xun appreciated women who were both physically and mentally accommodating.
The deposed Empress, Yang Xianrong, was not as voluptuous as Princess Pei but had a graceful figure.
However, Shao Xun felt that this woman had a complex mind—though Princess Pei also had her complexities, she sometimes acted foolishly.
He had only met the Empress twice.
The first time was in the palace when he captured Sima Yi.
Without hesitation, the Empress ran towards him, softly calling for help, showing her sharp judgment and calmness in critical moments, knowing how to act in her best interest.
The second time was during the recent audience.
Before leaving, the Empress lifted the bead curtain, revealing her delicate and beautiful face.
What schemes she had in mind, only she knew.
In fact, Shao Xun felt that Yang Xianrong and he were somewhat alike, both having flexible moral boundaries.
To achieve their goals, they sometimes resorted to unconventional means.
Shao Xun himself lacked a sense of reverence due to his excessive killing, sometimes acting without scruples.
As for why the Empress was like this, he wasn't entirely sure.
Perhaps it was due to her environment.
Women from prominent families often had heavy hearts and strong ambitions.
Yang Xianrong had been deposed and imprisoned several times, constantly facing life-threatening dangers.
It was highly likely that she had become hardened.
Thinking of her historical words to Liu Yao, Shao Xun was almost certain.
Yes, Empress Yang was indeed beautiful, but that wasn't the main reason Shao Xun paid attention to her.
There were countless women more beautiful than Yang Xianrong, but they weren't empresses.
In short, Shao Xun was only interested in the Empress, regardless of whether her name was Yang Xianrong.
"Greetings to Princess Pei and the Empress," Shao Xun said, placing the large food box down and bowing.
"I am now a commoner, General, no need for such formalities," Yang Xianrong said softly, her expression tinged with fragility and sorrow.
Princess Pei, who had intended to discuss the matter of welcoming the Emperor with Shao Xun, seeing this, said, "Just leave the food box. If you have military affairs to attend to, go ahead, don't delay."
"I have important matters to seek your advice on," Shao Xun said, setting down the food box and taking out the dishes one by one.
"This is steamed bread made by a chef from the Prince of Wu's residence," Shao Xun introduced each dish as he took them out.
The Prince of Wu had gone "north to conquer" and hadn't returned yet.
Shao Xun had heard that his chef was skilled in making steamed bread and had invited him over.
The bread made by this chef would split into a cross shape at the top, similar to the later "flowering buns."
This skill was not simple at the time, as fermentation techniques were not widely known and were mastered by only a few.
Former Grand Commandant He Zeng would only eat steamed bread that split into a cross at the top.
The same went for baked bread; if it didn't split into a cross, he wouldn't eat it.
Later, Shi Hu of the Later Zhao dynasty required dried dates and walnut kernels to be stuffed into the bread, which had to split into a cross after steaming or baking before he would eat it.
It seemed a bit pretentious, but such food indeed had a high "technological content."
"This is 'can' made by the chef from the Prince of Langya's residence," Shao Xun continued.
"Just fried and taken out."
'Can,' also known as 'luanji,' is a glutinous rice product.
Half water and half honey are mixed with rice flour to form a thin paste, which is then poured into a perforated bamboo ladle, allowing the paste to drip into a pot of hot oil.
Once fried, it is taken out.
It's crispy, sweet, and very delicious.
The Prince of Langya had also gone "north to conquer."
Unlike the Prince of Wu, Sima Yan, the Prince of Langya had managed to sneak back.
Shao Xun had just heard about it.
Upon his return, Sima Rui stayed at Wang Yan's house.
Then, through Wang Yan's intervention, he obtained Mi Huang's permission to take his mother, Lady Xiahou Guangji, and return to his fief—apparently, he was scared.
The grand stage of Luoyang wasn't for everyone, and being able to exit gracefully was already quite an achievement.
Chen Yougen had once suggested capturing and killing Sima Rui in Luoyang.
After some thought, Shao Xun decided against it.
He couldn't afford to offend Mi Huang, who was now on good terms with Wang Yan.
Mi Huang's eldest son, Mi Zhi, had been praised by Wang Yan as "resolute and decisive, with great talent, capable of handling major responsibilities."
This was undoubtedly high praise.
With Wang Yan's endorsement, Mi Zhi could now be recruited by various princes, generals, and commanders, at least as a clerk or secretary, possibly even as a mid-level official.
This was the power of a famous scholar's endorsement.
Mi Huang owed a great favor.
Capturing and killing Sima Rui would obviously offend both Wang Yan and Mi Huang, which wasn't worth it.
Moreover, Shao Xun wasn't very enthusiastic about returning to Xu Province to serve as an official anymore, and there didn't seem to be much conflict of interest between them.
"This is 'bo cake'..."—made by boiling water in a large pot, scooping batter into a copper bowl with a small ladle, placing the bowl into the boiling water, and rapidly spinning it to evenly coat the inner walls with batter.
The thin cake is then removed, boiled, cooled in cold water, and finally served with meat sauce.
"Horse meat..."
"Beef..."
Shao Xun placed the five dishes he had brought on the table and served them.
Princess Pei smiled at him and began to eat.
Most of the time, Shao Xun only sent his personal guards to deliver food, only doing it himself when he had free time.
Today, with Yang Xianrong present, he served the food respectfully, which pleased Princess Pei even more.
Yang Xianrong softly thanked him and began to eat.
"I still need your advice on how to properly welcome the Emperor," Shao Xun said, kneeling opposite the two women, frowning.
"Most officials are in Ye City, and I really don't know who to consult."
Of course, there were people he could consult, like Wang Yan.
But for someone known for his glib talk, the origin of the phrase "speaking without thinking," Shao Xun felt it was better to keep his distance.
Princess Pei, coming from a prominent family, had some knowledge of such matters and was the best person to consult.
"You're mistaken," Princess Pei said.
"Etiquette isn't the most important thing; what matters is the act of welcoming."
Yang Xianrong remained silent, quietly eating.
In these chaotic times, even the most luxurious households couldn't enjoy many good things.
These meats and cakes, exquisitely made and delicious, were something she hadn't tasted in a long time.
Princess Pei was fortunate to have such a loyal and brave retainer, serving diligently and faithfully, ensuring she had nothing to worry about wherever she went.
Unlike her, who would wake up in the middle of the night at the sound of soldiers changing guard outside the palace, terrified and unable to sleep—fearing someone might come to "grant her death."
Having been deposed and reinstated so many times, she was already on the brink of collapse.
At first, she would cry, but now she didn't anymore, because crying was useless.
If death was coming, it would come.
"How should I welcome him?" Shao Xun pressed.
"Do you know of Fuping Ford?" Princess Pei asked.
"Yes."
"There is a floating bridge at Fuping Ford, built under the supervision of Du Wuku. You could lead your troops to Fuping Ford to welcome the Emperor," Princess Pei suggested.
Shao Xun understood.
Was this floating bridge over the Yellow River, built by Du Yu, the famous bridge connecting the three cities of Heyang in later times?
He had heard that the Tang Emperor sent people to Jiangxi's Hongzhou to cut large trees to make ships, then connected them with iron chains, linking the southern, northern, and central cities of Heyang (located on a sandbar in the river), making it an important transportation infrastructure.
"You have rendered great service to the state. Welcoming the Emperor back to the capital could make you famous," Princess Pei added.
"Thank you for your guidance, Princess," Shao Xun said, immediately standing up and bowing.
He still held onto his pre-transmigration mindset, subconsciously thinking that this Emperor, having fallen so low, had already lost face and didn't need to be treated with too much respect.
Thus, he had only planned to welcome the Emperor at the outskirts of Luoyang.
But Princess Pei's words made him ponder.
Indeed, going further to show more sincerity was necessary.
Princess Pei mentioned "fame," which was the key.
With greater fame, there would be many benefits, more people would come to join him, and it would be easier to get promoted in the future.
If the Emperor was pleased, he might even reward something.
At that time, would Wang Yifu, the Left Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel in charge of selecting officials, agree or oppose?
"Luoyang was protected by Commander Shao. If someone takes advantage of the situation during the welcoming of the Emperor, all previous efforts would be wasted," Yang Xianrong, who had initially not intended to speak, perhaps feeling indebted due to the food or for some other reason, added a comment.
"Thank you for your guidance, Empress," Shao Xun said, bowing again.
Yang Xianrong turned slightly to avoid the bow.
She had been deposed as a commoner, even a criminal, and couldn't bear such respect.
The two women continued to eat in silence, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Shao Xun waited quietly, not in a hurry.
Only after they finished eating did he clean up the dishes and prepare to leave.
"Since Luoyang is now peaceful, send me back to my residence tomorrow," Princess Pei suddenly said.
"Yes," Shao Xun responded and left with big strides.
Yang Xianrong felt a pang of envy.
She had no such person by her side, nor could she ever have one.
Now, this man, nominally the Commandant of the Eastern Sea State, actually controlled Luoyang's military affairs.
Even Commander Mi Huang couldn't easily oppose his wishes.
If she could have someone like him to assist the Crown Prince—also imprisoned in the Golden Moat City—her situation might improve.
At least, she wouldn't have to face the endless fear every day.
If the Crown Prince could ascend the throne smoothly, there might even be more benefits.
Since ancient times, the hardest thing was to face death calmly.
She truly lacked the courage to face death with composure.
Shao Xun didn't care what they thought.
After returning, he gathered the various battalion commanders and supervisors, explaining the matter of welcoming the Emperor.
Everyone agreed.
According to the scouts' reports, Zhang Fang had indeed left, not even staying long in Hongnong County, rushing as if under strict orders from Sima Yong.
Therefore, leaving He Lun, Wang Bing, and Miao Yuan with about eight thousand troops to guard Luoyang, while leading the central army of the kingdom and the Silver Spear Army, totaling over five thousand men, north to Fuping Ford to welcome the Emperor, seemed timely.
Thus, it was decided.
In the first year of Yong'an (304)—yes, after learning he would return to Luoyang, the Emperor issued another edict, changing the era name to Yong'an—on the fifth day of the tenth month, Shao Xun led his troops out of Luoyang, heading north to Fuping Ford with Commander Mi Huang and other "relatives and friends."
(End of Chapter)