After leaving guards for Pei Ying, Huo Tingshan seemed to have other matters to attend to and turned to leave, leaving Pei Ying staring wide-eyed at his retreating figure.
Pei Ying hadn’t expected that this man, who had brought her to the Xiao residence, would actually have her pick out flowers and plants.
It was her first time witnessing a confiscation that included even the backyard garden.
Her gaze shifted to the array of blooming flowers, and she felt a faint, unspoken thrill. The blossoms were in full splendor, suggesting that despite the Xiao family’s masters being imprisoned and their servants dismissed, someone had still been tending to them.
A guard spoke, "Please give your orders, Madam Pei."
Pei Ying replied softly, "Let me take a look around first."
Her stroll lasted half an hour. After exploring the entire garden, she indeed found several plants she fancied. The guards made multiple trips back and forth, gradually filling an empty carriage originally meant for transporting supplies.
Once she had selected the exotic blooms, Pei Ying went to find Huo Tingshan.
Following the guards through the sprawling Xiao estate, she finally spotted him in the grand storeroom. He was directing soldiers to carry out items one by one, loading them onto a carriage parked outside.
Huo Tingshan noticed her arrival. "Finished picking, Madam?"
Pei Ying nodded.
She glanced around. The storeroom, larger than a basketball court, was nearly emptied—most of the work had clearly begun much earlier.
Huo Tingshan said, "Later, I’ll give you an inventory to look through. If anything catches your eye, let me know. If not, we’ll dispose of it all."
Pei Ying sensed his intention wasn’t to take these treasures back to Youzhou. "General, are you planning to sell these valuables?"
"Naturally," Huo Tingshan replied matter-of-factly. "They’re neither edible nor drinkable. What’s the point of keeping them? Better to sell them for supplies we can actually use."
The Xiao family’s treasures were abundant. Huo Tingshan planned to sell the finest pieces to the wealthy elites of Chang’an, while the next tier would be sold in Yanzhou at slightly reduced prices—local magnates would likely snap them up.
The proceeds would be exchanged for provisions, easing the burden on Youzhou’s finances caused by maintaining the army in the field.
As for the remaining items—merely better than average—they would be distributed as rewards to officers. After all, a well-fed horse runs faster.
With that, Pei Ying spent the entire afternoon with Huo Tingshan at the Xiao residence.
By the end, they returned laden with spoils.
The people of Yuanshan County counted the days, waiting for the tenth day to arrive—the day of judgment.
As the appointed day dawned, most eateries and teahouses closed their doors, and the usually bustling marketplace lay eerily quiet.
Crowds surged like a tidal wave toward the government office.
Huo Tingshan had dressed specially for the occasion in official robes. Great Chu favored black and red, with military officials wearing black and civil officials red.
His tall, imposing frame stood out even among warriors. Now clad in a deep red robe with a slightly open collar revealing black undergarments, his usual sword was replaced with a jade pendant, tempering his usual fierceness.
When he arrived at the government office, the area outside was already packed. Without preamble, Huo Tingshan ordered the Xiao family brought forward.
The once-glorious Xiao clan members were led in, shackled and kneeling, disheveled and reeking of filth.
At the front was Xiao Xiong, followed by his three sons, then a brood of grandsons, and finally Xiao Xiong’s younger brothers and their descendants.
The hall was packed—a testament to the Xiao family’s once-flourishing lineage.
Though much of the evidence was irrefutable, formalities had to be observed.
When asked if they pleaded guilty, those who refused were beaten. Witnesses and evidence were then presented. More beatings followed for continued defiance.
Under this relentless approach, every member of the Xiao family confessed—or perhaps they simply realized there was no hope left.
Once the guilty pleas were entered, the charges were read.
Starting with the gravest crimes: murdering officials, arson, seizing farmland…
The initial thirteen charges listed in the official bulletin had now grown to seventeen.
Sentencing followed.
Xiao Xiong’s direct line—his sons and brothers—were condemned to execution. The third generation was exiled.
Some of the most ruthless servants shared their masters’ fate, while others, mere followers with minor offenses, received floggings or canings.
The century-old Xiao family, with each pronouncement, withered like a tree scorched by fire, reduced to ashes.
After the Xiao family came the Hua Family, the Qi Family…
Huo Tingshan spent the entire day at the government office.
Not just that day—for the next two, he left early and returned late, taking three full days to settle the affairs of the powerful clans.
During this time, the daily bulletins in Yuanshan County ran longer than ever. The people listened eagerly, never tiring of the updates.
Some quick-witted individuals even took up storytelling, vividly recounting the courtroom scenes in exchange for tips—which proved quite lucrative.
Three days later, the dust settled.
Governor’s Residence, Study.
"Commander, here are the ledgers cataloging the confiscated items from each family," Chen Shichang presented three thick volumes.
It wasn’t that he wanted to split them, but the wealth of these clans was simply too vast to fit into one.
Huo Tingshan waved a hand. "Take them to Madam Pei. Let her choose what she wants before returning them."
Chen Shichang was stunned. "Commander?"
These ledgers listed treasures worth cities—some items rivaling or surpassing imperial tributes.
But seeing Huo Tingshan’s unwavering expression, Chen Shichang complied. He couldn’t help thinking that Youzhou might soon have a new mistress.
"Wait." The voice behind him suddenly spoke again. "Bring the ledgers back."
Chen Shichang immediately turned and handed them over. Perhaps he’d been mistaken—Youzhou wouldn’t be gaining a mistress so soon after all.
Huo Tingshan flipped through the ledgers, starting with the wealthiest families. His brush occasionally marked items.
After a long while, he finished reviewing the three clans’ inventories and tossed the brush aside. "Everything I’ve marked is to be transported back to Youzhou."
If he sent the ledgers for her to choose, she’d likely dawdle, picking only one or two items after much deliberation. It was faster to select them for her.
Chen Shichang’s eyelid twitched.
Everything?
He’d been standing there for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, and the commander had marked quite a lot.
Bowing, Chen Shichang accepted the ledgers and left. Once outside, he opened them—and gaped.
From the three clans’ storerooms, every single exquisite piece of women’s jewelry had been selected.
His earlier speculation resurfaced. Perhaps the arrival of a new mistress was much closer than he’d imagined.
Chen Shichang stepped out with the ledger in hand and happened to run into Gongsun Liang. The two exchanged greetings, and Gongsun Liang noticed an odd expression on Chen Shichang’s face, prompting him to ask further.
After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Shichang eventually shared what had just transpired: “…Taihe, do you think Youzhou will soon have a new mistress?”
Taihe was Gongsun Liang’s courtesy name.
Gongsun Liang stroked his goat-like beard. “Not necessarily.”
Chen Shichang frowned in confusion. “Why not? Our lord has never shown such interest in any other woman before—not even the Lady Ning, whom he married out of filial duty, with all the proper rites and ceremonies.”
Gongsun Liang nodded, not denying this.
By the time he had entered their lord’s service, the late mistress had already passed away. Over the past decade, their lord had shown little nostalgia for her, much like many others who respected but did not love the marriages arranged by their elders.
“Then why?” Chen Shichang grew even more puzzled.
Gongsun Liang chuckled. “Because the other party seems unwilling.”
Chen Shichang’s face turned pale, then flushed, as if he had much to say but forcibly held back.
“Qingzheng, I know what you’re thinking, but Lady Pei is no ordinary woman—she’s far beyond comparison with most.” Gongsun Liang’s smile carried a hint of deeper meaning. “Our lord’s path to winning her heart won’t be easy.”
From what he had observed, their lord was the only one invested in this pursuit, yet he seemed utterly unaware of it.
There was no method to his actions.
As an outsider, Gongsun Liang didn’t know how—or whether—to intervene. Matters of the heart were best left untouched by meddling hands; a well-intentioned suggestion could easily backfire.
“Taihe, keep these words between us—don’t speak of them outside,” Chen Shichang said quietly.
Gongsun Liang smiled in agreement. “Of course.”
Before the fervor over the debate on the powerful families of Yuanshan County could fade, another bombshell exploded across the region.
The Grand General had designated Yuanshan County as the testing ground for a new land policy.
It was common knowledge that tenant farmers were bound to their landlords’ household registries, obligated to perform labor and even serve as private militia.
But under the new policy, tenant farmers could now have their own household registries. This granted them the status of ordinary citizens, freeing them from forced labor for the powerful families—let alone serving as their private soldiers.
The reform effectively shattered the heavy chains binding tenant farmers, transforming their relationship with landlords into a more straightforward employment arrangement rather than a quasi-slavery system.
The common people rejoiced at the news, while the powerful families… the powerful families dared not speak.
The few remaining families kept their gates shut, wishing they could vanish from public sight lest Huo Tingshan remember them and sharpen his blade once more.
The Qiu family also kept a low profile, though not as fearfully as the lesser clans. Having chosen the right side, they were spared from utter ruin.
Still, upon hearing the litany of charges against the Xiao family, Qiu Botong frantically began self-inspections.
With such a vast operation, he knew there had to be some dirty dealings. Turning a blind eye had been acceptable before, but not anymore.
First, he would root out the problems himself and have the culprits confess. Then, he would send over a trove of treasures and silver, hoping to placate the Grand General completely.
While the family head was overwhelmed with work, the fourth master of the Qiu family had leisure to spare. Returning home one day, he sought out his daughter first.
“Xiaobao, I brought you a letter from that young lady at the Governor’s residence.”
At the mention of the Governor’s residence, Qiu Banxia rushed out of her room. “Ling’er wrote to me? Let me see!”
Too impatient to return indoors, she tore open the letter right there.
Standing nearby, Qiu Fourth Master watched as his daughter’s expression shifted between delight and dismay. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
Qiu Banxia replied, “Father, Ling’er wants to meet in a few days. She says it might be the last time for a while.”
Qiu Fourth Master was taken aback. “The last time? Why? Is she leaving Jizhou?”
Qiu Banxia shook her head—the letter didn’t say.
But Qiu Fourth Master’s guess wasn’t far off. With the new land policy in place, Huo Tingshan was indeed preparing to depart.
The powerful families had been subdued, and Jizhou—now fully under his control—would soon be handed over to a trusted administrator from Youzhou.
The temporary overseer was none other than Chen Yuan’s elder brother, Chen Zan. Though the Chen family had once been slaves to the Huo clan, they had since risen as loyal vassals.
Jizhou’s strategic passes had made its conquest difficult. Without Yuan Ding’s demise and the shared threat of the Blue Turban rebels, even capturing Yuanshan County would have taken far longer.
After careful consideration, Huo Tingshan had summoned Chen Zan from Youzhou. While no military genius, the man had a talent for governance.
Pei Ying also received word of their impending departure.
She learned of it during a meal. Huo Tingshan mentioned it casually, but Pei Ying froze for a long moment. “We’re leaving already?”
Huo Tingshan gave a quiet hum.
Pei Ying asked, “Are we heading to Sizhou next? Or Bingzhou?”
Huo Tingshan replied, “Southwest, to Sizhou.”
Though Bingzhou’s location and its undisclosed iron mines were tempting, attacking it without justification would be unwise. Sizhou, however, had previously provoked them—giving him ample pretext. As for Bingzhou, he needed the right spark…
Pei Ying glanced at him, her gaze lingering on the stir-fried pork on the table before meeting his eyes again.
Her hesitation was too obvious for Huo Tingshan to ignore. “Do you have something to say, my lady?”
Pei Ying lowered her voice. “Since you’re heading south, perhaps Nannan and I should wait for you in Jizhou. Once you…”
“My lady.”
The sharp tone made her heart clench.
Huo Tingshan’s expression was unreadable. “Don’t even think about it.”
Pei Ying held his gaze.
When he wasn’t smiling, he was intimidating. Under the weight of his dark eyes, she eventually looked away.
She returned to her meal, eating slowly—much slower than before, as if she’d lost her appetite.
Huo Tingshan frowned.
Her temper was growing more unpredictable by the day, quick to sulk over nothing.
Coolly, he remarked, “I’ve hired two gardeners. The exotic plants in the rear garden will be packed up tomorrow or the day after, then sent back to Youzhou.”
Pei Ying looked up, but his face gave nothing away. She couldn’t decipher his intentions.
Since he was watching her, silence seemed impolite. So she gave a quiet “Oh”—and noticed his expression darken slightly.
“How is the embroidery on that pouch coming along?” Huo Tingshan suddenly asked. “The one-month deadline is in four days.”
Pei Ying answered truthfully, “Almost done. Just a few finishing touches left.”
Huo Tingshan’s expression softened. “Good.”
Huo Tingshan was a man of decisive action. Once he had resolved to march on Sizhou and ensured Chen Zan was in place to complete the handover, the Youzhou army set out.
This time, it wasn’t just the Youzhou army that moved—Huo Tingshan also took a group of Jizhou’s generals with him. The original Jizhou leadership was dismantled, split into three and seven parts, with three parts remaining behind and seven following him. This not only weakened Jizhou’s local power but also made it easier for him to absorb any military talents who might truly be capable.
Huo Tingshan made no effort to conceal his southern advance. Sizhou’s scouts had already detected the movement while his army was still preparing. One urgent report after another was sent back at full speed to the Governor’s residence in Sizhou.
The Governor’s residence was located in Luoyang, where Li Xiaotian, the Governor of Sizhou, had resided for twenty-five years.
"Urgent report—"
A Sizhou soldier rushed in.
Hearing the familiar, urgent announcement, Li Xiaotian felt a throbbing at his temples.
The soldier knelt and reported, "Lord Li, the scouts sent to Jizhou have returned with news."
Li Xiaotian took the sealed report, broke the wax, and quickly scanned its contents before his expression darkened. "That Huo Tingshan is truly audacious."
Li Kangshun, Li Xiaotian’s son, asked his father what had happened.
Li Xiaotian handed him the report. After reading it, Li Kangshun frowned. "Huo Tingshan is quite the schemer."
While the Youzhou army advanced on Sizhou, they also spread word far and wide about Sizhou’s unjustified initial attack, ensuring the world knew the justification for their campaign.
"Father, if Huo Tingshan attacks directly, it means he has no regard for Emperor Zhao. Surely the court will send troops, won’t they?" Li Kangshun said.
At the mention of the court, Li Xiaotian stroked his beard. "Perhaps they will, perhaps they won’t."
Emperor Zhao had grown weaker over the past two years, and the court’s control over the provinces had dwindled to a superficial layer. The treasury was empty, corruption rampant, and it was clear to all that regional warlords had fully emerged.
When the massive Blue Scarf Rebellion erupted, the court had only sent Huang Muyong with a small force to Jizhou. While part of the reason was to weaken Jizhou’s forces by pitting them against the rebels, there was another factor—
The court had no one left to send.
The imperial army was in such disarray that even after careful selection, few capable soldiers could be found.
"They won’t? Why not?" Li Kangshun asked, puzzled. "Chang’an is in Yongzhou, and Yongzhou isn’t far from Sizhou. If Sizhou falls to Huo Tingshan, won’t Chang’an be in danger?"
Li Xiaotian replied, "In Emperor Zhao’s eyes, what difference is there between us and Huo Tingshan?"
Li Kangshun was stumped.
There seemed to be little difference—both were provincial governors, both ruled their own territories. Huo Tingshan had crushed the Blue Scarf rebels, and in Emperor Zhao’s mind, he might even be seen as a pillar of the state.
After a moment, Li Kangshun answered, "Father, perhaps there is still a difference. If Huo Tingshan takes Sizhou, he’ll control Youzhou, Jizhou, and Sizhou alone. The court won’t allow him to grow so powerful, will they?"
Li Xiaotian scoffed. "If Emperor Zhao had that kind of awareness and vigilance, he wouldn’t have fallen to this state. Regardless of what the court does, we cannot sit idle. Huo Tingshan has set his sights on Sizhou, and Bingzhou must be anxious too. If he takes Sizhou, Bingzhou will be next. My son, reach out to Bingzhou—I believe they’ll be eager to ally with us."
Li Kangshun acknowledged the order, then recalled another detail from the report. "Father, the report mentioned that Huo Tingshan has a Lady Pei by his side. Her surname is Pei—could her family be connected to the Pei’s Soap that’s taken Chang’an by storm?"
The craze for Pei’s Soap hadn’t just swept Chang’an—it had reached other provinces as well. As the Governor of Sizhou, Li Xiaotian had naturally been presented with this luxurious item, and after using it, he had been astounded.
Beyond the initial shock, Li Xiaotian saw the immense value behind the soap.
It was an endless stream of silver. In these troubled times, who would turn down more wealth?
"Regarding this Lady Pei, find a way to extract her," Li Xiaotian instructed his son.
She had appeared mysteriously, and digging into her origins would be difficult. It would be simpler to just take her.
She was just a woman—surely she wouldn’t be heavily guarded. A few scouts ought to be enough to get the job done.
Li Kangshun nodded.
The one-month deadline for the promised embroidered pouch had arrived. Pei Ying stared at the pouch in her hands, her expression conflicted.
Xin Jin reported, "My lady, the General requests your presence."
It was mealtime.
Pei Ying hummed in acknowledgment, tucked the pouch into her sleeve, and rose to head to the main tent.
After leaving the city of Yuanshan County, they had returned to the usual routines of military life—marching by day, and if no towns or villages were found by nightfall, camping in tents.
Her daughter, Nannan, was still suffering from motion sickness, so Pei Ying went alone.
As soon as she stepped out of the tent, a cold wind swept past, hitting her full in the face.
The beautiful woman shivered and pulled her cloak tighter around herself. Gazing at the withered yellow landscape in the distance, she felt a sudden sense of unreality.
Winter had come.
Time had passed so quickly. Unconsciously, she had already spent an entire autumn in this era.
"My lady?" Xin Jin called softly.
Pei Ying snapped out of her thoughts. "It’s nothing."
The curtain of the main tent was rolled up. Pei Ying entered directly and saw Huo Tingshan already seated before a low table, on which stood a bronze cauldron. The cauldron had handles on either side, a furnace at its base, and even compartments inside—it looked very much like a hot pot.
In fact, Pei Ying wasn’t mistaken. It was indeed a hot pot, albeit an ancient version.
Huo Tingshan added charcoal beneath the pot. "The weather has turned cold lately. Come, my lady, try this gudong stew."
Gudong stew was the ancient name for hot pot, derived from the "gurgling" sound of food being dropped into boiling water.
Pei Ying saw an array of ingredients laid out on the table—meat and vegetables alike—along with an assortment of seasonings. The water in the pot boiled with the seasonings, allowing their aromas to fully infuse the broth.
Pei Ying took her seat.
Huo Tingshan began adding meat to the boiling broth, filling all five compartments in no time.
With pepper and other seasonings in abundance, even the gamier meats were masked by the rich flavors.
Pei Ying thoroughly enjoyed this gudong stew. In fact, it was her first hot pot since arriving in ancient times, and she finally felt a trace of familiarity with the modern world.
Satisfied and invigorated, she finished the meal.
After setting down his chopsticks, Huo Tingshan said, "My lady, the one-month deadline has arrived."
He didn’t mention the pouch, but both of them knew what he meant.
Pei Ying hummed again, then, under Huo Tingshan’s gaze, slowly retrieved the pouch from her sleeve. "General, this is my first time embroidering a pouch. It may not be to your liking."
"That’s alright. Everyone starts somewhere. The fact that you finished it is commendable enough," Huo Tingshan said, his eyes fixed on the pouch in Pei Ying’s hand.
In these times, both men and women commonly used pouches—the only differences lay in the patterns and colors.
The young lady often favored bright and lively colors, such as peach pink and apricot yellow, while her gentleman preferred more subdued tones like deep blue or charcoal gray.
When Huo Tingshan saw the dark blue pouch, the corners of his lips curled slightly.
Good—this color was well chosen.
At least her big, bright eyes had finally proven useful for once.
Pei Ying glanced at him, noticing his unusually pleasant mood, and slowly handed over the pouch.
As she passed it to him, the back of the pouch faced upward. Huo Tingshan flipped it over, and upon seeing the embroidered design, his brows lifted. "Madam, this teal is quite skillfully done—lifelike, plump, and adorable. It seems you have a natural talent for needlework."
After speaking, he noticed Pei Ying’s cheeks flushing pink, the color spreading to her earlobes and even trailing down her neck.
Had a mere compliment pleased her so much?
Pei Ying burned with embarrassment. "General, this isn’t a teal. It’s an eagle."
Huo Tingshan lowered his gaze to the pouch again, studying the round-headed, chubby-bodied gray duck, and fell into silence.
After a long pause, the man cleared his throat lightly. "This eagle must be eating well."
