Chapter 3: Expectations

Huang Laifu murmured, "I am fine, you need not worry." He still had a good impression of these two young men. In his previous memories, they had always been diligent in their work and had earned his trust. This incident could not be blamed on them. Moreover, since he had come to this Ming Dynasty, he still needed some trusted confidants, and these two were just right for the job.

He took the lead and walked outside, while Jiang Dazhong and Yang Xiaolu hurried to follow closely behind

Huang Laifu looked at his father's face, which was completely white with age, and thought to himself that his father had truly grown old. He replied, "Yes, Father, I understand."

Well, my child has truly become understanding

The children cheered in unison, competing with one another. Huang Xiurou, quick in both hands and eyes, had already snatched a chicken leg, while another was taken by Qian Niuer.

However, Huang Laifu's courage in daily life instilled both fear and admiration in them. Although Huang Laifu is younger than both of them, they do not dare to underestimate him. They serve him diligently, always attentive, fearing that Huang Laifu might be dissatisfied with something.

As the three of them took a few steps out, Huang Laifu said to the two, "Young lads, did you eat well just now"

At the beginning of the year, when Huang Laifu went out traveling, the two of them served as his close attendants and bodyguards, putting in great effort, which greatly pleased Huang Laifu. The journey went smoothly, and both of them hoped that upon returning to Wuzhaibao, not only would the young master rely on them even more, but the master would also commend them.

Huang Sihao also nodded slightly in his heart. He was not talkative, but his usual indulgence and concern for his son were not much less than that of the Yang family. His son used to be quite a headache for him, but unexpectedly, after going out to travel and encountering some events, he became more sensible than before. Perhaps this is what is meant by misfortune hiding within blessings and blessings lying within misfortune.

Thus, the two have been praying these days for Huang Laifu's safety. Although both of them have endured 20 strikes from Huang Sihao, making their movements somewhat inconvenient, they still persist in coming every day to inquire about Huang Laifu's news. Otherwise, if something were to happen to Huang Laifu, the two fear that their prospects would be bleak from that point onward.

After several days in the Qianhu residence, Huang Laifu indeed wished to go out for a walk and gain a better understanding of the external environment to determine his future course of action. Although Huang Laifu was well-acquainted with the surroundings of Wuzhaibao from his past memories, nothing could compare to seeing it with his own eyes. Moreover, there was another matter in Huang Laifu's mind that required his attention. This is how people are; once survival issues are resolved, they begin to concern themselves with their future prospects.

He picked up the wine jug, poured a cup of wine for Huang Sihao and Yang, and raised his glass, saying: "Father, Mother, you have worked hard to raise me all these years; I toast you with this cup."

As he walked towards the northern hall, Huang Laifu still took a keen interest in surveying his surroundings. Although he had memories of these scenes, seeing them with his own eyes brought an indescribable sensation. How should one put it? There was a sense of historical vicissitude.

The two nearly patted their chests and swore to the heavens. Only then did Yang feel at ease

Jiang Dazhong was even more pleased, grinning widely with a smile that revealed his teeth but not his eyes

As the banquet approached its conclusion, the children had already dispersed. Huang Sihao had also had quite a bit to drink, his wrinkled face glowing with a flush, clearly under the influence of alcohol. He said to Huang Laifu: "My son, next year you will take on the responsibilities of a father. You need to calm down and practice your archery and martial arts diligently. No more foolishness, do you understand?"

Huang Sihao and the two elders of the Yang family knew that Huang Laifu was not the type to stay put. In the past, he would leave without a word, but his behavior today had already made the two very satisfied and relieved. As long as Huang Laifu did not travel far as he used to, they would still feel at ease. After all, the Huang family has a history of nearly a hundred years in the vicinity of Wuzhaibao, and within this fortress, there would definitely be no issues.

Upon entering the main hall of the northern house, it was filled with people; all the family members of the Qianhu residence were present. A large table was already laden with food and drink, and several children were there shouting incessantly. Unlike later times, although northern families in the Ming dynasty commonly used heated kang beds, meals were still served on the large table in the main hall, unlike later periods when dining tables were reduced in size and moved onto the kang.

Yang Xiaolu is also busy confessing nearby

In the Jiubian region, Shanxi Town has always been impoverished, and since Wuzhaibao is not a strategic location within Shanben Town, there are even fewer avenues for acquiring wealth. Naturally, the entire Wuzhaibao is not particularly prosperous.

Huang Laifu smiled faintly, feeling a warm sense of comfort from the atmosphere reminiscent of home. The anxiety he had felt in recent days had long since vanished. He told himself that from now on, this would be his home, and these people would be his family.

Huang Sihao nodded, and Yang said: "He Tu Shu, my son, you are just fine; be careful when you go out"

However, it is not easy to support household servants, as it requires a substantial amount of silver on a regular basis. Wuzhaibao is a poor place, and even after Huang Sihao cuts the rations of other soldiers and exhausts all efforts, he can only afford to support 50 household servants, in addition to fewer than 10 personal guards.

Yang said to a group of children: "Alright, you little gluttons can start eating now"

From then on, people began to engage in idle chatter, stating that enlightened individuals do not advocate for excessive drinking, but rather sip slowly and in moderation. This trend also influenced the soldiers of the border troops, affecting Huang Sihao.

How could one have anticipated such a calamity? Huang Laifu encountered an incident, and Huang Sihao was filled with rage, severely punishing the two individuals. Had it not been for Jiang Baihu and Yang Baihu, who boldly interceded on behalf of their sons, the two would have been expelled from the household staff.

From a distance, Huang Laifu heard Yang's complaints from behind: "Look at you, if you can't drink, then drink less. Just look at you like this"

Huang Sihao and Yang exchanged a glance, both expressing a sense of satisfaction in their eyes. The two elders raised their cups and drank them in one go. After setting down his cup, Yang's eyes showed an even greater tendency to redden.

Can that frail appearance of my younger brother really support this family? In the future, the responsibility of managing the household will still have to be shouldered by oneself

Jiang Dazhong chuckled and said: "It's nothing, young master need not worry, just 20 military canes, and I will be able to walk freely that very day. As long as the young master is safe, what does it matter if I receive a few military canes from the master?"

The Huang family originally hailed from the south, but was later relocated to Wuzhaibao in Shanxi. Under the military system of the Ming Dynasty, to prevent soldiers from deserting or mutinying, a broad range of troop movements was generally employed, avoiding the conscription of soldiers near their place of residence. For instance, soldiers from the Jiangnan region would be transferred to the Jiangbei region, while those from Jiangbei would be sent to Jiangnan. Although the Huang family is from the south, they have lived in Shanxi for a century, and their customs and habits have long since become indistinguishable from those of the local population.

Yang Xiaolu shot him a glare and said, "I understand, you are impressive now, is that enough?"

Huang Laifu said boldly, "That's good, follow me." In later generations, he was known to be a decisive person by nature; however, others were often deceived by his slick exterior as a businessman. Upon inhabiting Huang Laifu's body, he also absorbed some of his domineering temperament

Huang Xiurou had long been eyeing that plate of large, fatty chicken. Upon seeing Huang Laifu approach, she called out in a crisp voice: "Elder brother, come quickly wwwhetushucom .com, I've been waiting for you!"

Huang Laifu let Huang Lingbin go ahead while he paused his steps. The two young men approached timidly, and upon seeing Huang Laifu full of vigor and appearing completely recovered, both of them revealed expressions of joy in their eyes

However, Huang Sihao is still a thousand-household leader of Wuzhaibao, a position that has been passed down through generations. For over a century, most of the fertile land here has been occupied by the Huang family, coupled with the prevalent practice of withholding soldiers' rations in the military garrisons at that time. Therefore, the ordinary landlords of the Huang family still lead a decent life, allowing family members to occasionally enjoy fish and meat, while the ordinary military households...

Huang Laifu turned his head to look, only to see two individuals dressed as house servants approaching in a timid manner. From his previous memories, Huang Laifu recognized them as the two guards who had accompanied him on his outings some time ago. One was named Jiang Dazhong, and the other was called Yang Xiaolu.

Jiang Dazhong is 19 years old this year, and true to his name, he is dark-skinned and robust, with a simple and honest personality Yang Xiaolu is 20 years old this year, with a fairer complexion and a more astute temperament

Huang Laifu, in later generations, also did not enjoy excessive drinking. He and his son Huang Sihao slowly sipped their wine while listening to others speak. Huang Laifu was very satisfied with this meal; he ate a lot of dishes and had several bowls of noodle soup. The only shortcoming was that the flavor of the dishes was a bit mild, likely due to the absence of chili peppers. In Shanxi, it seems one might have to wait several decades to enjoy chili peppers; one must gradually adapt.

Huang Laifu, standing, was even taller than Jiang Dazhong. Noticing that the two seemed somewhat inconvenienced in their movements, he said, "I heard that you two were punished by my father. Are you alright now"

The household servants include recruits, those assigned to the garrison, and the offspring of generals. They are all trusted confidants of the commanders, and compared to ordinary military households, they enjoy generous treatment. If a household servant dies, there is compensation; if they become disabled, the head of the household will provide for them in their old age. Their equipment is of high quality, and their pay is prioritized. In fact, the head of the household may even sustain these household servants by exploiting the soldiers' pay, withholding military rations, and siphoning off funds from other soldiers.

Huang Sihao and Yang were naturally seated in the main seats. Upon seeing Huang Laifu approach, Yang called out, "Fu'er, come, sit beside your mother." Huang Laifu smiled and sat down beside her

She smiled and sighed, repeatedly serving food to Huang Laifu: "Come on, Fu'er, you are just recovering, eat more." The three elder sisters looked on enviously. However, their younger brother had always been favored at home, and they had long since grown accustomed to it. They also felt that the once arrogant younger brother had truly become more sensible.

Jiang Dazhong laughed heartily beside him, saying: "I have always said there is no need to worry. The young master is destined to be protected by fate and will definitely be fine. The little donkey just doesn't believe my words"

One of them is the son of Jiang Baihu from the headquarters of Wuzhaibao, and the other is the son of Yang Baihu from the same headquarters. Both were selected as personal attendants of Huang Sihao from a young age. A few years ago, after Huang Laifu was confirmed as a Sheren, Huang Sihao designated the two as Huang Laifu's close attendants.

The Huang family's thousand-household residence is not much different from the ordinary siheyuan in Shanxi. If it were located in places like Taiyuan, it would merely be considered a typical dwelling of a local landlord at that time. However, within the city of Wuzhaibao, it is already regarded as the best house here

He knows that the hopes of the Huang family rest entirely on him. Next year, he will inherit his father's position and become the next Qianhu of Wuzhaibao. As for the qualifications for succession to the position of a Ming dynasty officer, his younger brother, Huang Lingbin, will remain at home to manage the household

However, the final outcome will still depend on Huang Laifu's recovery. Huang Laifu can be said to be Huang Sihao's greatest hope. If anything were to happen to Huang Laifu, Huang Sihao would lose all hope and would naturally no longer show any goodwill towards Jiang Baihu and Yang Baihu.

Yang said: "You two must take good care of the young master, do you understand? If anything happens to the young master again, I will not spare you."

The two were aware that Huang Laifu would eventually succeed the position of the Qianhu of Wuzhaibao. If they performed well, they too would become trusted confidants of Huang Laifu. Their futures were entirely in Huang Laifu's hands, so naturally, they devoted themselves to serving him diligently, not daring to be negligent

Yang Xiaolu stealthily approached Huang Laifu, scrutinizing him for a moment before hesitantly whispering, "Young Master, you... you really are alright?"

Jiang Dazhong and Yang Xiaolu hurried to catch up

He stood up and said to Huang Sihao and Yang: "Father, Mother, I have been bored in the residence for a few days and would like to go out for a walk. I kindly ask for your permission, Father and Mother"

Yang Xiaolu let out a sigh of relief and patted his chest, saying: "That's good, that's good. Young master, you have no idea, these past few days have nearly driven me to despair"

The two responded in unison: "We have finished eating!"

Speaking of "family soldiers," this term appeared more frequently during the late Ming Dynasty. For instance, in the 21st year of the Wanli reign, during the campaign in Korea, General Li Rusong, unwilling to share the credit with his troops, secretly led 2,000 family soldiers to participate in the Battle of Bitiguan. Generally speaking, the emergence of family soldiers coincided with the early Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty; previously, there were only personal guards assigned to protect the main general.

Huang Laifu responded. Yang called out: "Da Zhong, Xiao Lu!"

On a low table beside it, there was a large bucket of steaming noodle soup. Generally speaking, during the Ming Dynasty, the staple food of people in the south was primarily rice, while those in the north mainly consumed wheat and noodles. Particularly in the regions of Shaanxi and Shanxi, staple foods consisted mainly of noodles and sorghum.

Huang Laifu chuckled, "Alright, alright, big brother is here, you little glutton."

Jiang Dazhong and Yang Xiaolu hurried over, respectfully saying: "We are here, please give your instructions, madam." Just moments ago, when Huang Laifu and the others were having their meal in the main hall, a group of servants and attendants were also dining at a small table not far away. They had plenty of meat and noodle soup, which naturally could not be compared to what Huang Laifu and the others were eating. However, this kind of meal had already made the military households outside very envious.

... ...

He comes from a future of great material abundance, and as a successful businessman in that future, he has grown weary of the daily socializing and indulgence in food and drink. Naturally, he is not particularly interested in these lavish dishes. However, seeing the eager expressions of the people in the house, not to mention the drooling children, it is clear that these dishes are not something one can enjoy frequently in a grand household.

They and the head of the family share both honor and disgrace; in battle, a typical general is reluctant to let them go to the front lines, but once they do, these individuals become the absolute main force in combat

Huang Sihao replied vaguely, "Are you happy..."

The elder sister laughed and said, "It is just his nature; he has only been home for a few days and already cannot sit still."

Huang Laifu patted each of them on the shoulder, causing them to grimace. He said, "You two little rascals, finally showing some conscience. Alright, go eat first. After you finish, I still have some matters to attend to." With that, he left.

Jiang Dazhong and Yang Xiaolu, both sons of hundred households, did not suffer from the hunger and cold typical of ordinary military families. They joined Huang Sihao's household staff not merely to secure a meal. However, within the garrison, unless one was a trusted servant of the commander, there was generally little prospect for advancement.

Huang Laifu took a look and found the dishes to be quite abundant. On the large table set with a variety of platters, there were large servings of roasted pork, fat chicken, roasted goose and duck, grilled lamb, steamed fish, pork sausages of various sizes, and fatty kidneys, among other meat dishes. Alongside some seasonal vegetables, there were also wine pots and cups, filling the large table to the brim