Their personal guard was the marshal's close entourage. They only obeyed the marshal's orders.
The guard said, "If the other seven men displease the marshal, I will certainly do my duty to kill them."
What if you have children?
The guard said, "Of course we should teach them well and not let them go astray. As parents, we all hope that our children can live up to our expectations and be worthy of us."
Xie Lanzhi had no other reaction; she turned around and went back to the palace.
Jianzhang Palace was very busy at the moment, with the Western Guard and officials from the capital constantly coming and going, and occasionally there were civil officials from the Xie family, but the civil officials from the Xie family always left the palace in unpleasantness.
The Xie family's civil officials gathered together, each grumbling: "The Marshal has been neglecting his duties lately, delegating power everywhere without even a word of consultation."
“If this continues, the Xie family’s space for survival will become smaller and smaller.”
"We can't just sit here and wait to die. Let's go find the marshal!"
"Foolish! The Marshal is willing to merge the two armies. If you go, wouldn't you be going against the Marshal's wishes?"
"But all the land we originally occupied was taken away by Jingchen and his gang. How can I swallow this insult!"
The Xie family was, after all, a martial family, and even their civil officials had fiery tempers.
One of them pointedly said, "Xie Zhengfeng, what are you thinking? Don't think that just because your son Xie Meixiang is in Xiwei, he's safe."
Xie Zhengfeng is now a fifth-rank official under the Ministry of Personnel. His peers suddenly turned their anger towards him, still treating him with condescension.
Xie Zhengfeng immediately flicked his sleeves and snorted coldly: "If this world were reasonable, it wouldn't be our turn in the first place."
"Know when to quit while you're ahead!"
"You coward, you're running away again." The others accused him of being uncooperative.
Xie Zhengfeng ignored the two of them because his eyelids had been twitching lately, and he was having trouble sleeping and eating, always feeling anxious and uneasy.
He didn't know why this was happening either. It was as if the Xie family had suddenly lost their pillar of support.
Why would he have this feeling when the marshal is still alive?
Then I thought of Xie Guang's story.
Xie Zhengfeng couldn't help but say, "Even if the Marshal treats the General this way, we shouldn't treat the General like this."
"Everyone should have a conscience. The general did wrong, but if you hadn't given your approval back then..."
"Xie Zhengfeng!" someone interrupted him.
Xie Guang's words immediately caused the others' faces to darken, and they all avoided him.
Xie Zhengfeng simply refused to associate with them.
As he was leaving the palace, he happened to run into Xie Meixiang. The father and son met, and Xie Meixiang deliberately left his men behind to go on their business, while he himself took a little time to talk to his father.
“Father, I saw Xie Ying in the Censorate. She’s been spared by being sentenced to hard labor, but her future is uncertain…”
Xie Zhengfeng nodded silently.
Xie Meixiang glanced cautiously to the left and right, then leaned close to Xie Zhengfeng and said the truth: "Father, the tricks played by the clan lately are getting worse and worse."
“I definitely wouldn’t have been able to see it before, but since I joined Xiwei, I’ve been able to see it more and more clearly.”
“Meixiang, just say it,” Xie Zhengfeng said. “Like you, I’ve been feeling uneasy lately, but I don’t know where this unease comes from.”
Xie Meixiang finally said, "Father, the Xie family is not what it used to be."
Both father and son looked regretful. They then chatted about recent events at their posts, and after their conversation, they felt relieved. They were relieved to have kept up with the marshal's pace.
The Xie family moved again, this time to a place closer to the county government office. The county magistrate was Xie Qing, Xie Meixiang's cousin.
Xie Qing repeatedly advised Lady Wang to go to Yi Jin, where she would at least be the mother-in-law of Marquis Lu Ping, a woman of high status whom no one would dare to bully.
Xie Qing also stated that not all members of the Xie clan hated the General.
Madam Wang insisted on staying with the father and daughter, and every month Xie Guang gave her a monthly allowance, which she donated to poor families in addition to household expenses.
The once elegant wife of a great general was reduced to washing clothes day and night to earn a living.
Xie Ying was being supervised by officials sent by Hai Yun as she went to clear silt and remove fallen rocks from the abandoned canal. Xie Ying carried them without complaint.
The two officers on the shore whispered among themselves, "She's the daughter of a great general, and a skilled soldier. Yet Xie just threw her away and went after her to the point of death. It's truly disheartening."
"Originally, Lord Hai only wanted her to sweep the streets and sprinkle water, and that would be it. Who knew that someone from the Xie family pressured the lord to make her do labor according to the severity of exile."
"In this world, once you're exiled, it's uncertain whether you'll even make it back alive. And who knows, the officials who accompany you to exile might not even make it back alive either."
"These guys are too ruthless. Aren't they afraid of being childless?"
"I heard it was at the Marshal's behest..."
Xie Ying's voice came from the canal below the river: "Gentlemen, it would be better if you did not make any rash remarks."
The two constables immediately shut their mouths. These lowly people rarely had the opportunity to meet a noble lady like Xie Ying, so hearing her call him "sir" was just a novelty to them.
The two officers mustered their courage and asked, "Hey, we heard your father did something wrong, but isn't it normal for people to die in war? Why was he punished so severely?"
"Is it because your father usually acts like a tyrant at home and offends a lot of people?"
A silence followed. Once Xie Ying admitted it out of guilt, their sympathy for her diminished considerably.
"Tch, so he brought it on himself."
Xie Ying suddenly shouted, "No, that's not true!"
"My dad isn't that kind of person!!"
"He has always been devoted to the clan, and even more so to... the Grand Marshal." In the end, even her voice gradually weakened, and the soldiers still thought she was guilty, that even she herself lacked confidence in what she said.
At the same time, Xie Ji took over the position of Grand General within the clan, and he even went to the Golden Palace to receive the Grand General's seal and half of the Tiger Tally.
Xie Lanzhi did not personally go to the Golden Palace to receive the seal. Wu Qiu received the seal, but when Wu Qiu presented the official seal with both hands, Xie Lanzhi did not immediately hand over half of the tiger tally.
Xie Ji received the official seal and specifically hinted to Wu Qiu to quickly hand over the tiger tally to him.
Wu Qiu took out half of the tiger tally and asked specifically, "General, have you thought this tiger tally through?"
"What do you mean by this?" Xie Ji snatched the tiger tally away, believing that he was only standing up for Xie Guang. But what did Xie Guang's trouble and dismissal have to do with him? He should be the one without the most remorse, and it was perfectly justified for him to take over from Xie Guang.
Out of consideration for their past relationship, Wu Qiu asked again, "Are you really sure about this?"
Xie Ji immediately retorted with displeasure, "What do you mean, Lord Wu? Do you think I am unworthy to be the Grand General?"
"No, I'm just asking you, are you truly without guilt?" Wu Qiu pressed on repeatedly, making Xie Ji a little impatient; he was already in a bad mood. For various reasons, only the position of Grand General could bring him some solace. Therefore, he had come to take up the post in a good mood.
Wu Qiu sighed and said nothing more. His silence made Xie Ji uneasy.
He knew Wu Qiu's character well; he never spoke nonsense, much less played games. Now, he was giving him such an obvious hint.
Xie Ji took the initiative to ask him, "Lord Wu, can you tell me clearly why you are asking me this question?"
Wu Qiu said, "If you can have a clear conscience, that's good."
In the end, he still didn't fully explain his intentions. Wu Qiu bowed to him and then said that he was busy with official business and went directly to the Military Affairs Pavilion.
Xie Ji was even more annoyed by his attitude. After he left the palace, the Xie family lined up in two rows to welcome him, with congratulations and well wishes all expressing their joy at Xie Ji's ascension to the position of Grand General.
Overwhelmed by such a warm welcome, Xie Ji quickly forgot about Wu Qiu. A wedding banquet was even held that evening.
Xie Lanzhi sent a gift over. Xie Shangguang, Xie Meixiang and others did not attend. Originally, many members of the Xie family thought the celebration banquet would be a lively affair, but at least half of them did not come, leaving more than a dozen tables empty.
Those from Xie Ji's faction thought it foolish for these people to still be thinking about Xie Guang and dwelling on the past. Xie Ji was initially a little annoyed because his subordinates kept congratulating him and even gave him gifts he liked, which immediately dispelled his annoyance.
From now on, Xie Ji will be the Grand General of the Xie family. No matter who is dissatisfied, no one can remove him from the position of Grand General.
Xie Ji was clearly the happiest person that night.
Xie Shangguang didn't attend because he was conflicted about Xie Guang, resentful that his recklessness had led to his cousin's death. However, as a soldier, he believed in following his general to the death and that obeying orders was his duty. Blaming Xie Guang would be an insult to himself and his cousin. Therefore, Xie Shangguang did not attend Xie Ji's wedding banquet.
The others didn't go because they were dissatisfied with Xie Ji. They felt Xie Ji was inferior to Xie Guang. Although Xie Guang was reckless, the position of Grand General was not one that just anyone could hold. Xie Guang's ability to maintain his position as Grand General was not solely due to the Marshal's protection, but more importantly, to maintain a balance of power.
The Xie family is not as united as it appears from the outside.
The fact that half the population hasn't grasped this sense of crisis has disappointed many. Some even regret that they should have followed the other soldiers and settled in various places. Staying in Tianjing, even if they enjoyed life, they probably wouldn't live to enjoy it.
At this moment, Xie Lanzhi and Si Xitong were having a drink at Lanzhang Palace, enjoying their time together under the bright moonlight and starry sky.
The two rarely discussed the marriages of their younger relatives.
Master Si has been urging me to get married several times this year, and he even recommended Li Ling's daughter.
Xie Lanzhi believes that marriage should be decided by the child, and adults should try not to interfere, since it is his life.
Si Xitong had no intention of arranging a marriage casually. So the two of them avoided mentioning Si Xinian and brought up Xie Shangguang.
Speaking of Xie Shangguang, this young man has been following them for two years. Although he is not very reliable, he is someone they have watched grow up.
"Lanzhi wants to set him up with Qiqi?"
Xie Lanzhi said, "Well, Shang Guang is still immature. I can help him, but whether he succeeds depends on himself."
Si Xitong didn't say much. She was very grateful to Shang Guang's grandmother for everything she had done for Lanzhi. She would remember this kindness, but marriage was a lifelong matter, and it depended on the wishes of the matriarch.
If the Northern Region were to form a marriage alliance with the Xie family, Bei Luo would certainly agree without hesitation.
The two clinked glasses, then leaned against each other, their heads touching. Under the vast starry sky, they were no longer alone.
The following day in the Golden Palace, Xie Ji proposed the Xie Clan's intention to reorganize the army, planning to rebuild a new Xie Clan army to make up for the 30,000 troops lost by the Xie Clan.
Logically speaking, Xie Ji was not at fault in fulfilling his duties as Grand General, but it was brought up at this critical juncture, and Xie Ji had to bite the bullet and make the request, simply because he had promised at the wedding banquet to support his confidants, prepare the army, and continue to maintain the Xie family's position in Tianjing.
The Marshal's intention to integrate the Xie clan into the Imperial Guard is a good idea, as it can accelerate the Xie clan's integration into Tianjing. However, not all members of the Xie clan maintain an open mind; some are stubborn and conservative. Xie Ji represents this group at this moment.
Besides integrating the Imperial Guard, Si Xitong also had her sights set on the newsstands, and she already had ideas for establishing a cultural troupe within the army, aiming to create a significant distinction between the Imperial Guard and the traditional Jin Army.
In the past, many Jin soldiers joined the army simply to have enough to eat. Now, with a bumper harvest in Tianjing and ample food supplies, the focus shifted to morale. Besides, there were a bunch of unruly rascals in the ranks, especially the Xie family—who were practically born soldiers.
In Ma Hong's training and selection of generals, the Xie family's troops were the best in terms of both quality and strength.
This leads to the Xie family's arrogance; they only respect the strong and not the weak, which inevitably results in their tendency to flatter the powerful and belittle the weak.
Xie Lanzhi agreed to Xie Ji's plan to prepare a new army, and anyone willing could report to Xie Ji.
She adopted a completely hands-off approach, treating everyone the same. This greatly surprised Xie Ji.
After the court session, Xie Ji immediately summoned the Xie clan to begin reorganizing the army. He had thought he could raise at least 100,000 troops, but in reality, the total number was only about 20,000. That was five times fewer than he remembered.
Xie Ji's joy instantly turned to sorrow. He was then furious, feeling that the Xie family did not obey him at all.
Those who supported him began to rally troops for Xie Ji both within and outside the clan, but the force still numbered no more than a thousand. The Xie clan itself was in disarray, with very little enthusiasm for joining the army. Anyone who could read or write, even if they were punished by their teacher every day in the school, was unwilling to serve in the army.