"Okay! I'll just take care of the kids if I don't do anything else. You can give me the same monthly salary as before." Huang Wan didn't mind.
But Ding Kui doesn't care. All the fine gears have to be made by Huang Wan. He doesn't feel comfortable leaving them to others.
"You're kidding, your master would kill me if he knew it. I'll have to ask him to dig tunnels for the railway in the future."
Fang Zhun led a group of disciples to open the Tuofengshan Tunnel. Railway construction is a long-term project, and there will be many places where Ding Kui will ask for help from Fang Zhun in the future.
"By the way, why haven't you seen Master Fang recently?"
"Well, it's not because of Master Shi." Huang Wan's expression became unnatural.
The Shishizu she talks about is Shi Ji who was killed by Ding Kui with one move. Shi Ji is Uncle Fang Zhen, a genuine master.
"I heard that the Southern Demon Branch has no intention of pursuing Shi Ji's death, and Brother Xie did not know about it when he killed him." Ding Kui sent Cai Ran to Nanjing City to inquire.
"It was President Master who asked the teacher to go back. I don't know the specific situation."
Fang Zhen didn't know anything about Shi Chu, and he didn't know Zhe Taixuan's attitude either, so he didn't tell Huang Wan too much to avoid Ding Kui's suspicion.
Ding Kui felt a little uneasy after hearing this. At this moment, Hai Mengji came into the room and reported: "The housekeeper wants to ask the master if the news should be announced?"
Only then did he realize that many people were waiting for news from the Earl's Mansion, so he said: "Announce and order that Nanzhao Prefecture will be tax-free for three days."
"By the way, when you said you would be rewarded with a hundred golds, does that include us?" Lu Ying looked directly at his senior brother. "Why do you want money? Did the Earl's Mansion treat you badly?" Ding Kui knew that she was not greedy for money.
, it’s a bit unusual to suddenly ask for money.
"I also have a place to spend money. Why don't I entertain my brothers and sisters when they come to Juyang City? You don't need money to buy good things when you see them? A hundred gold can buy a lot of things."
Only then did Ding Kui realize that Lu Ying's clothes, jewelry, and attire were of higher quality than before, and they were more luxurious than Long Yan beside him.
"Well, junior sister is a big girl now, she should learn to spend money." He nodded, "As for you, you don't have to compete with the servants for rewards. If you need money, just ask your sister-in-law Long Yan for money. You can spend as much as you want. It's your own money.
Just keep her with you as pocket money, so that the Ding family can raise another eldest lady."
"Really?" Lu Ying's eyes widened, "As much as you want?" Happiness came so suddenly that she couldn't accept it for a while.
"Silly girl, why didn't you tell me that you were short of money?" Long Yan grabbed Lu Ying, "I would have given it to you even if your senior brother didn't mention it. Your parents are not around, so we should take care of you. Mine
The dowry is enough for you to squander."
She often heard Ding Kui mention the concept of "poor men and rich women". He was strict with his sons and lenient with his daughters in terms of money. Noble ladies who spent money lavishly would not make friends with too many family backgrounds.
Ding Kui treated Lu Ying like his own sister, so he naturally raised her as a lady from the Earl's Palace, hoping that she would associate with friends of similar family background.
"Okay!" The excited Lu Ying hugged Long Yan and kissed her. He also kissed Jingjing, "Giggle, Aunt Apple, kiss the baby." Jingjing smiled.
This is the idea that Ding Kui has instilled in his daughter since she was a child. No matter who she is kissing, she must tell her. He can know immediately who is being kissed secretly by his daughter.
"Well, be good, baby, you can't go out alone with Aunt Apple in the future." Ding Kui reminded his daughter by the way.
"My second uncle, Commander-in-Chief Yi and Commander-in-Chief Xing are here to visit." Hai Mengji returned to the room.
"Okay, I'll greet you right away!" Ding Kui handed his son to Li Fei and winked at Long Yan.
When Jiang Xi came, Long Yan naturally took Jiang Jing with him to greet him.
Ding Kui opened the middle door to greet the three new guests. After greetings, he took Jingjing's little hand, pointed at Jiang Xi and said, "Quickly call my second uncle."
"Two, two, Duke Zhou." The child slurred.
"It's Er! Uncle! Gong!" Ding Kui quickly corrected.
"Okay, what do children know?" Jiang Xi pushed Ding Kui away and opened his arms to Jingjing, "Here, let uncle give me a hug."
Jingjing's eyes were rolling and she couldn't remember the Jiang Xi she had met when she was a child. Long Yan behind her bent down and said, "My uncle hugged you when you were very young. Go quickly."
Ding Kui's daughter was not a timid child. She received encouragement from her mother and immediately rushed forward: "Zhou, Duke Zhou, hug her."
"It's uncle!" Ding Kui was still correcting.
Jiang Xi picked up Jingjing and turned around to avoid the little hands grabbing his beard, "Oh, don't pull that, Jingjing, be good! Look what uncle brought you."
A follower came up from behind, holding a chubby little pink animal in his hand. When Ding Kui saw it, he almost fainted. That was not a "grass mud horse"!
It was a "grass mud horse" less than three months old. Jiang Xi ordered someone to bring it from Kuai Ma, Pingzhong County.
Jingjing's eyes were immediately attracted to the small animals, and she stopped grabbing Jiang Xi's beard with her hands.
"Haha, its name is Jingbao, and it will be Jingjing's baby from now on." Jiang Xi was very satisfied with his niece's expression.
"Sir Jiang, you are so thoughtful! We old men don't have such good things." The other two legion commanders ordered people to send gifts to Jiang Jing respectively.
What Yi Sheng gave as a gift was a doll made of pure gold, weighing no more than a pound.
What Xing gave away was a trap box. When the trap was pressed, two villains would jump out and fight. It was a strong Long family style.
"Please come in quickly, Jingjing has been delayed." Ding Kui then led the guests into the Earl's Mansion.
"What a coincidence, second uncle, that your nephew has just been born." He and Jiang Xi walked in side by side, Yi Sheng and Xing Bao were half a step behind, and Long Yan was at the end holding Jingjing.
"I heard outside. Congratulations on your son. There is a heir to the old Ding family! My brother-in-law is really not here at this time! How can he be someone's grandfather!" Jiang Xi noticed that Ding Qi had not been around for a long time.
Showed up.
Ding Qi's disappearance is one of the top secrets of the Ding family, and not many people know about it.
"Well," Ding Kui said in a low voice, "My father has gone overseas on important matters and will not be able to return in the short term. My nephew cannot contact him either."
He found that people on the mainland knew very little about overseas affairs, and some unexplainable things could be evaded overseas.
"Don't want to make progress! Your grandfather is absolutely right to let him go back to his old house!" Jiang Xi hated iron and steel, "Let's not talk about him anymore. I heard that you are going to Shouyang City?"
"Yes, Shao Dianrong sent an envoy to invite Luan'er and me. It is impossible to dispel the idea of interfering in our country. It is better to explore their true thoughts." Ding Kui did not hide anything.
"Well, that's not a bad idea. My queen is your aunt. You can't refuse the invitation from your elders. I guess she won't harm you, so it's okay to go and have a look. I'll be watching at home, so you don't have to worry." Jiang Xi could understand two words.
Matters concerning exchanges between countries.
Yi Sheng and Xing Bao exchanged glances and said together: "Master Ding, please travel safely, my subordinates will do their best to ensure the safety of the imperial court."
As they talked, they walked to the main hall, and the early guests came to the courtyard to greet them.
Today's topic is naturally to congratulate Ding Kui on having a son. Only a few senior officials know about Ding Kui's trip to his country, so it is inconvenient to continue talking in the main hall.
There was a big banquet at the Earl's Palace, and the heads of the small court gathered together. The five departments of the Government Council and the two departments of the Commander-in-Chief Mansion each took half.
The Government Affairs Council in Zhenjing City completely stood against Ding Kui, and the newly established Government Affairs Council of the small court did not give them any face at all. However, the equipment of the Commander-in-Chief's Office and the Logistics Department still maintained an ambiguous attitude, so Ding Kui did not build a new Commander-in-Chief's Office.
The General Staff Department originally belonged to the Ding family, and Jiang Xi had been the commander-in-chief for many years. The small imperial court had reason to claim that it controlled the General Staff Department; the former commander-in-chief of the Military Command Department was traitorous, and the new commander was unpopular. Ding Kui had enough strength to represent the Military Command Department.
At the table, the civil servants talked about government affairs, and the generals talked about military affairs. Ding Kui and Jiang Xi naturally talked about Weiguo County at the table.
Xing Baodao: "The next step for our government should be to capture Duping County first and block the road from Weiguo County to support Nanjing City."
"It's easier to concentrate troops first than the difficult ones. If it's easier, it's natural to attack Yanling County first. Nanjing City and the Gongsun family will be out of reach if they want to rescue." Yi Sheng had a different opinion.
Their eyes focused on Lei Feixiang, "General Lei, what do you think?"
Lei Feixiang represents the Red Army that protects the country, and can barely stand on an equal footing with the commander-in-chief of the regular army.
"Well, I'm humble enough to listen to Lord Ding." He didn't dare to express his opinion, as supporting anyone would offend the other person.
"If you want to go north, you must first eliminate the hidden dangers in the south. It's too early to say now." Ding Kui didn't seem to publicly deny that a certain commander would come to power.
"Taking the initiative to challenge requires a sure-fire way to win. Even if Nanjing City is defeated again and again, it is because they are not well prepared. The attack on Shibu County at the beginning of the year exposed many problems. Once the local government is prepared, it will definitely bring consequences to our army.
trouble.
The Nanzhao Prefecture local army was unable to form combat effectiveness in a hurry, but after half a year of training, they are already capable of fighting. Our new recruits need at least twice the training time. If the veterans suffer too many battle losses, our strength will be greatly weakened.
I am not against you taking back more places that are not amenable to rule, but I hope you have a sure-fire way to win without too much damage. If I ask the Supervisory State for orders, let you go to war." Jiang Xi's approach must be sophisticated.
many.
Nowadays, with one legion attacking a county, no one dares to say that they can win with less battle losses. The city of Nanjing is not a soft persimmon that can be manipulated by others.
Yi Sheng and Xing Bao both glanced at Ding Kui, who was still the commander-in-chief of the Eighth Army.
Ding Kui shook his head and said: "I received news that many magicians from outside have gathered in Nanjing City. I heard that they will join the local army. I am not sure that I can easily capture a county."
Shao Dianxi spent a lot of money to hire magicians and attracted many idle magicians from other places. According to the latest data, there are probably more than 500 magicians.
Level 6 combatants are not allowed to participate in the war in Nanzhao State, and the number of magicians becomes the key to winning the war.
"Give me another half year. The 20th Legion will be training the crossbow brigade. Once they master the crossbows proficiently, they won't be afraid of magicians." Yi Sheng got to the point.
The period of time for the regular army to replace the crossbows was too short. The original archers were not suitable for equipping the crossbows and required more powerful infantry to use them. However, the accuracy of the infantry was so poor that they could not hit the magicians flying in the air.