Chapter 140 The feeling of going home

When Yuan Xi and Taishi Ci returned to Ye City, it was just a few days before the New Year. Ye City was filled with joy and the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Every household pasted tiger images on their doors, placed peach wood plaques with images of Shen Tea and Yu Lei on both sides of the door, and hung a reed rope on the door lintel for the door gods to catch ghosts.

At that time, there were no firecrackers, but there were similar things.

Firecrackers.

The so-called firecrackers at that time did not have gunpowder; they were just burning bamboo.

People lit fires in front of their doors or in the backyard, burning bamboo joints to make crackling sounds to scare away mountain goblins and monsters.

In the midst of this early celebration and the crackling sounds, vendors on both sides of the road shouted energetically, children ran back and forth in the streets, and women chased after them, holding up their short skirts, scolding them but with smiles on their faces.

The hubbub of voices, mixed with the smell of burning bamboo, entered the carriage. In a daze, Yuan Xi's thoughts seemed to return to his previous life. The memories of two lifetimes intertwined in the cheers and laughter, and finally the creaking of the axles pulled him back to reality.

Listening to the cracking of the bamboo joints, Yuan Xi remembered that gunpowder had not yet been invented at this time. Charcoal was easy to obtain, but saltpeter and sulfur would require some effort.

Youzhou might have saltpeter mines, and the easiest way to obtain saltpeter at that time was from the soil saltpeter formed on walls and corners over the years, but the yield was not large.

Sulfur was more troublesome; it could be found around open volcanoes and hot springs, but most of it was brought from the Western Regions.

Because these two things were not used in many places, and were mostly needed by alchemists, the output was not large.

That's why Yuan Xi was eager to open up maritime trade routes. If he relied on the Zhen family's trading house, the chances of obtaining these things would be much greater.

He had a headache because slight differences in the purity and proportion of these things would result in vastly different effects, but he had long forgotten how to process these things.

He was far inferior to the alchemists of this world in how to use existing tools to purify and utilize these materials.

However, during this period, most of these alchemists were related to Taoism and even the Yellow Turban Army, and alchemy had not yet flourished, so there were not many alchemists.

Historically, after the Three Kingdoms period, because of Cao Cao's special position in Taoism, the Wei Kingdom greatly promoted Taoism, and alchemists devoted themselves to the emerging Taoism, carrying forward alchemy and gradually gaining momentum.

The most famous product during this period was the Wushi Powder, which became popular during the Wei and Jin Dynasties.

Yuan Xi suddenly remembered that the symptoms when Yuan Shang drugged him last time, as judged by Wu Zhao, were very likely to be the extremely rare Wushi Powder!

At that time, this thing was very precious and only occasionally appeared among a few aristocratic families. Cai Yong, as a famous scholar of the time, had naturally been gifted it by scholars.

Cai Wenji had also seen the symptoms when Cai Yong took it, and the symptoms when it occurred were very similar to Yuan Xi's at the time.

Yuan Xi speculated afterward that if Yuan Shang had Wushi Powder, did it mean that he was related to Taoism or even the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army?

This guess was not impossible, after all, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Yellow Turban Army took the upper-class route.

Now that the Yuan family occupies Ji Province, and the surrounding provinces were originally the base camp of the Yellow Turban Army, it is reasonable for their remnants to seek refuge with Yuan Shang and take the opportunity to rise again.

The carriage first arrived at Yuan Shao's official residence. Yuan Xi and Taishi Ci went in to see Yuan Shao and told him about the negotiations with Liu Bei.

Yuan Shao nodded slightly after listening. Although he didn't show it on his face, he was quite satisfied in his heart.

This time, the Yuan family actually gave away very little benefit, mostly verbal and moral support, which was very important to Liu Bei, but for the Yuan family, it was like getting something for nothing.

Xu Province's allegiance suppressed Yuan Shu's route north on the one hand, and secretly undermined Cao Cao on the other hand, laying a very good foundation for attacking Gongsun Zan next year.

He did not speak to Yuan Xi, but turned to Taishi Ci first and said, "My son has been saved by Ziyi several times, you have made great contributions."

Taishi Ci said modestly, "I am terrified, this is my duty."

Yuan Shao nodded slightly. He had learned from the side that Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci, whom Yuan Xi had recruited, were both truly capable and were not inferior to the Four Pillars.

Yuan Shao was very surprised at the time. Yuan Xi had only found two generals, but they could all compare to the top combat power in Ji Province?

Now that Yan Liang is dead, Yuan Xi's two generals, plus Qu Yi in the dark, are already a force to be reckoned with, and Yuan Shao has to pay a little attention to them.

As for Zhang He and Gao Lan, they are still nominally under the command of Yuan Shang. If Yuan Shao knew that Gao Lan had already defected to Yuan Xi, he didn't know what he would think.

Yuan Shao said to Taishi Ci, "I heard that Ziyi is wholeheartedly supporting his elderly mother and acts with the utmost filial piety, which should be an example for the scholars of the world. Now that the New Year is approaching, I have prepared some small gifts to reward Ziyi's filial piety."

A guard came over. As soon as Taishi Ci saw it, he understood that Yuan Shao wanted to talk to Yuan Xi privately, so he thanked him and left.

Only the two of them were left in the room. Yuan Shao then said, "You've done well."

Yuan Xi bowed and said, "It's all thanks to Father's reputation. I'm just going with the flow."

What he said was sincere. Now his plans are all based on the historical process, just following its development and giving it a push.

Including Cao Cao's attack on Xu Province, Lu Bu and Zhang Miao's uprising in Yan Province, and the alliance between Liu Bei and Yuan Shao, it was not that Yuan Xi could single-handedly change the general trend of the world, but that he profited from the needs of the lords.

However, now the situation in the world has taken a different track. Yuan Xi may not get as much benefit from using the same method in the future, and it may even run counter to expectations.

Yuan Shao said, "If we can defeat Gongsun Zan next year, the Yuan family will be able to stabilize the north and plan to move south for a decisive battle with Yuan Shu."

When he spoke Yuan Shu's name, there seemed to be a lot of resentment in his words. Yuan Xi remembered that Cao Cao was also like this, and thought to himself that if a person is not favored by his family when he is young, he will really hold grudges when he grows up.

Yuan Shao said, "What are your thoughts on attacking the north?"

Yuan Xi pondered for a moment: "Most things, Father's strategists should understand much better than I do."

"I only worry about one thing, will Cao Cao take advantage of our all-out attack to try to sneak attack Ye City?"

"Oh?" Yuan Shao became interested, "Your statement is quite interesting. Only Tian Feng has mentioned a similar statement, but he only mentioned it briefly, and he wasn't as certain as you are."

"Do you have any evidence?"

Yuan Xi said softly, "No."

"But who was behind the Ye City Rebellion in the fourth year of Chuping is still unclear, isn't it?"

Yuan Shao shook his head and laughed: "You are all overthinking it. At that time, Cao Cao was still struggling to take care of himself, let alone anything else?"

Yuan Xi knew that without evidence, it would be difficult to persuade Yuan Shao. No one could be sure whether Cao Cao was related to the Black Mountain bandits who attacked at that time, so he stopped talking.

Yuan Shao added: "If Ye City is not safe, other places are even less safe. I have been managing this place for so long, it is by no means easy to take down."

"Moreover, Cao Cao and I both understand that family members should be placed in the safest place. For me, it's Ye City, for him, it's Juancheng. Otherwise, if the family members are captured, the soldiers will collapse."

Yuan Xi thought to himself that this was true. Beixin City is now surrounded by enemies on three sides, and it would not be safe to bring Zhen Mi there, and he would have to be distracted during the battle.

However, now that he was married, did he really have to leave Zhen Mi in Ye City?

Moreover, according to the Han system, officials who marry before taking office cannot bring their wives for three years, but concubines can. Wouldn't this make Zhen Mi a widow for three years?

He said, "What about my marriage?"

Yuan Shao said, "Your mother asked a Fangshi to perform divination, and said that there will be a lot of fighting next year, and marriage in the family before that is unlucky, so we have to wait until Gongsun Zan is defeated before discussing this matter."

Fangshi? Where did the Fangshi come from?

Yuan Xi felt a surge of anger in his heart and had already developed a murderous intent towards Madam Liu.

In history, the previous Yuan Xi should not have shown any talent or ambition, and had a good relationship with Yuan Shang, so the marriage was not targeted.

But now Yuan Xi's goal is to dominate the world, so he has shown his talent and joined forces with Yuan Tan, so he is suspected by Yuan Shang and begins to target himself everywhere.

It's normal to think about it. Mediocrity is not envied. Since he has intervened in the disputes, it is impossible to always take advantage of everything. There will always be gains and losses.

However, Yuan Xi was a grudgeful person. He kept track of all the debts of Madam Liu and Yuan Shang, and he would always get them back with interest when the time came.

He really wanted to see what tricks Yuan Shang could come up with.

Yuan Xi bid farewell to Yuan Shao and left the house, looking up at the somewhat gloomy sky, thinking that all the preparations and foreshadowing had been done, and it was up to the Battle of Yijing next year to make a final decision.

As long as Gongsun Zan is defeated, he will be able to truly obtain his own territory, Youzhou!

Although Youzhou is very tasteless to the Yuan family, with foreigners, bandits, and Liaoxi occupied by the Gongsun Du family, it can be said that it is far inferior to other states.

But in today's world, where is there any territory that can be easily obtained? A good place is being contested by several parties. Even with Cao Cao's ability and a wealth of talents, he is still trapped in Yanzhou for a long time.

Yuan Xi temporarily put his worries aside. He and Tai Shici returned to the mansion, and everyone was waiting outside the mansion gate, including Wu Zhao, Zhao Yun, Cao Xian, and Cao Jie.

Wu Zhao looked good, and her illness should have healed.

Cao Xian stood beside Wu Zhao. From her figure to her temperament, she was three points similar. Moreover, she should have been living a more peaceful life these days, and her complexion was radiant and she became more and more beautiful.

Cao Jie was still thin and small, probably because she was young and had not yet developed.

Yuan Xi talked to Zhao Yun for a while and asked him and Tai Shici to go back to rest. Before Zhao Yun left, he mentioned Guo Jia's matter, and Yuan Xi nodded, indicating that he knew.

Wu Zhao and Cao Xian followed Yuan Xi back to the house and knelt down together, saying, "The son has worked hard."

The two women, one large and one small, when they bowed to Yuan Xi side by side, the mountains formed a mountain range, and waves rolled on the Ru skirt.

Yuan Xi saw it and had a moment of trance.

It's good to be home.

The two women came up to massage his shoulders, but Yuan Xi pulled Wu Zhao into his arms and smiled, "Are you feeling better?"

When Wu Zhao saw Cao Xian watching, she felt quite shy and struggled a few times. Seeing that Yuan Xi didn't let go, she could only say angrily, "I've been fine for a long time, it's just a small problem."

Yuan Xi stretched his hand down, and Wu Zhao jumped up like a startled rabbit, "The son asked me to compile teaching books earlier, and I have already listed the names into a booklet, as well as some originals. I will sort them out and give them to the son to see."

She ran out in a hurry, Yuan Xi knew that Wu Zhao was creating opportunities for Cao Xian and himself, smiled slightly, and didn't say anything.

Cao Xian gently pinched Yuan Xi's shoulders, and then Yuan Xi spoke, "If you are only doing this for Mother and sister, you don't have to do this, I will arrange for them properly."

Cao Xian lowered her head: "Does the son want his concubine to marry someone else?"

Yuan Xi laughed when he heard this, "That's right, how could I be willing to let others take advantage of me."

Cao Xian felt happy in her heart, gently leaned against Yuan Xi's back, and stretched out her hand.