Wei Shao said: “No. I just suddenly thought of it and asked casually.”

Xiao Qiao sighed lightly and looked sad, “My father has a clear mind. He only wanted to be safe, but his illness has brought him down to this level. Even if we put out a recruitment notice, there may not be wise and capable people willing to go and join us. It’s just a matter of treating a dead horse as a living one. Husband ……”

She seemed to think about something, stretching her arms, hooking his neck, and widening her eyes to look at him.

“Although my father is embarrassed to ask for help from you again. But just in case there is trouble in Yanzhou again, you won’t just ignore it, will you?”

“If that happens, Man Man will be sad.” She added.

When Wei Shao heard that Yanzhou had issued a recruitment notice, he immediately smelled something unusual.

As Xiao Qiao once said, Yanzhou was like a piece of meat on his plate, which existed in the hands of the Qiao family. He would take it later when he needed it.

Suddenly, that piece of meat, the Qiao family, tricks him behind his back.

He was naturally alarmed. There was a resentment – similar to being offended. Besides, it happened during Xiao Qiao’s visit. So he asked her about it.

After hearing Xiao Qiao’s explanation, his dissatisfaction dispersed.

His heart still had some doubts, but Xiao Qiao hooked his neck and opened her deer-like eyes to ask him pitifully. His doubts turned into tenderness. He said assuredly, “Don’t be afraid. I will not allow anyone to get their hands on Yanzhou. Do not worry.”Xiao Qiao smiled. Her eyebrows arched: ” I am not afraid with my Husband around.”

“Then what does Husband think of my father’s idea?” She quietly looked at him and asked again.

Wei Shao hesitated.

He did not think much of the two brothers, Qiao Yue, and Qiao Ping. Both of them were mediocre people. Otherwise, they would not have turned a large ship inherited from their ancestors into a pile of rotten iron nails. Even if someone gave them a way out, they could not turn in any significant changes.

As for Qiao Ci, although he was astounding at the Luli Conference, he was still young.

The only thing left in the Qiao family that can make him feel threatened is the green-eyed straggler who recently entered his sight.

If this green-eyed straggler entered the Qiao family, he would have to re-evaluate the Qiao family’s power.

The green eye’s origin was low, his difference from the Qiao family’s daughter was like a cloud and mud, but he was able to marry a Qiao daughter. It was easy to guess that the marriage between the green eyes and Xiao Qiao’s sister was unallowed in the Qiao family. He would not be able to join the Qiao family in the meantime.

Wei Shao generously said: “Your father intends to do something. What is wrong with that? As I said earlier, I was asking casually. Don’t take it seriously.”

Xiao Qiao blinked her eyes and meekly mumbled, “I understand. I won’t worry about it.”

Wei Shao always loved her obedient appearance, so he smiled and gently patted her cheek comfortingly.……

The next day, someone reports they can cross the river.

The next river crossing is about ten miles from the Wu Chao crossing. The two banks are about ten feet wide and located at the convergence. Usually, the stream is rapid, and the boats can’t cross. Now, the frozen surface is thicker than anywhere else and enough to carry the weight. After sprinkling soil on the ice, laying straw, and wrapping the horses’ hooves in cloth, the group crossed the river to the north bank after many days of stagnation on the south bank of the Yellow River and rushed to Youzhou.

Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao finally returned to Yuyang on the last day before the end of the year.

……

The first day of the first month of the year is New Year’s Day. One of the most important festivals of the year.

On this day, the Emperor, in the imperial palace of Luoyang, will receive a grand congratulatory ceremony in the Hall of Deyang.

Almost 10,000 people, including lords, princes, ministers, generals, officials, and envoys from other countries, swarmed into the hall according to their rank and order. They hail the Emperor and present him with congratulatory gifts.

On the first day of this year of Tai’an, Liu Tong, the seven-year-old son of King Wenxi, sat on top of the dragon chair, which was extremely wide compared to him. He stared at Xing Xun with fear, who was standing in front of his dragon chair, almost blocking his view.

Xing Xun is nearly fifty years old with a big belly, but his spirits are great, and are capable of taking care of several women in one night.

He had just won the battle of Bingshui against Yuan Zhe. At this moment, he stood with his head held high, replacing Liu Tong to receive the pilgrimage of 10,000 people in this hall with unparalleled vigor.

His gaze swept the black mass of heads in the hall, and he did not see Wei Shao, the Marquis of Yan.

This New Year’s Day, Wei Shao did not come to Luoyang.

He only appointed a messenger to present the courtesy of worship to the Emperor of Han, Liu Tong.