Chapter 1391 - 1308: New Year, New Atmosphere (Part 3)

Zhao Hanzhang agreed.

After a discussion, Zhao Hanzhang appointed Ming Yu, Zhao Ming, and Chen Si Niang as the leaders of the reform, commanding them to head the reform tactics, with Zu Ti, Fan Ying, and others assisting by their side.

They were all steadfast reformists.

As soon as Zu Ti left, Zhao Hanzhang called Liu Kun to the Capital City, appointed Dai Yuan as Xuzhou Governor, Zhao Shen to replace as Guangzhou Governor, and summoned Zhao Yong and Shi Le back to the Capital City for duty reporting.

Dai Yuan, who had been staying in Guangzhou, was moved to tears upon receiving the order and immediately slipped a big red envelope to the angel who came to deliver the decree.

The angel squinted with a smile, quickly tucked the envelope into the sleeve, and said with a grin: "General, Your Majesty values you, allowing you to select two thousand people from your troops to go to Xuzhou along, and sent you a radio."

Dai Yuan’s eyes lit up suddenly, ah, the radio, he had coveted it for a long time; he had seen it during a battle two years ago but never had the chance to obtain it.

Clearly, Yangzhou had received one, but Guangzhou had not, which always left Dai Yuan a bit dissatisfied.

Now he finally had one too. Does this mean he could talk directly with the emperor immediately?

Dai Yuan asked, "Should I proceed immediately to the appointment, or return to the Capital City for duty reporting first?"

The angel said, "Your Majesty’s intention is that heading north from Guangzhou will definitely pass through Xuzhou. Since you have the radio, you can report directly to Your Majesty with it, first take over Xuzhou, and then return to the Capital City after the autumn harvest for duty reporting, no rush."

Dai Yuan understood, "I will immediately set off for Xuzhou, but I do not know when I can contact Your Majesty; how is this radio used?"

This must be left to the telegraph operator. The angel handed a secret letter to Dai Yuan, "This is a secret letter from Your Majesty to the General."

Dai Yuan took it, and that night contacted Zhao Hanzhang, dismissed everyone around him, leaving only the telegraph operator, and had a secret conversation with Zhao Hanzhang through the radio for half an hour. Besides the telegraph operators, no one knew what they discussed.

Dai Yuan read the translated telegram once more, memorized it, and then threw it into the fire to burn it all.

Upon receiving the telegram, Zhao Yong, knowing he could finally return to the Capital City for duty reporting, was very excited, and he ran enthusiastically from the barracks back to the city to find Xie Shi, "Sir, sir, I am going back to the Capital City!"

Xie Shi said, "I know."

Zhao Erlang said, "Sir, it’s really a pity, Sister asked you to guard Chang’an."

Xie Shi said, "This is my duty, and besides, I have brought my wife and children over; what’s there to pity?"

Zhao Erlang thought for a moment and said, "Won’t you feel it’s a pity not to see me, sir?"

Xie Shi was momentarily speechless, to be honest, he didn’t feel it’s a pity at all.

Although Zhao Erlang could now stand on his own, as his teacher, Xie Shi still tirelessly taught him military tactics, strategy, and various classics and histories.

Of course, letting him read and understand on his own was impossible. Xie Shi had to explain everything in detail, and his servant read to him daily, by now, Zhao Erlang had accumulated considerable knowledge.

But teaching him was truly exhausting.

Clearly, he was just one person, but teaching him was as difficult as teaching a hundred students, so upon knowing Zhao Erlang was going back to the Capital City for duty reporting, Xie Shi did not feel any reluctance, only a sense of relief, happier than having a two-week vacation.

He said gently, "Erlang, walk slowly on the road, don’t rush. It’s cold in January, and there’s snow on the ground; be careful of your safety."

"I can’t dawdle, there’s a time requirement for duty reporting, I have to return to Luoyang within three days." Zhao Erlang looked troubled.

Xie Shi said, "Then go within three days."

Zhao Erlang said, "But I feel like I can arrive in two days, Luoyang isn’t that far, and I miss my sister and mother."

Xie Shi fell silent, cutting him off abruptly, "Why do you come to find me instead of preparing your luggage for returning to the Capital City?"

"I’m here to bid farewell to you, sir. They are packing my luggage already; there’s no need for me to do it. I’ll be away for at least half a month reporting my duty to the Capital City, and I will miss you, sir."

Xie Shi: ...

A rare wave of reluctance swept through Xie Shi’s heart, and a faint sense of sorrow for parting appeared.

He shook his head sharply, feeling he was crazy; how could he feel unwilling? It’s just half a month, not half a year.

But he still reminded Zhao Erlang of many things, like, "Listen to Your Majesty; do whatever Your Majesty asks you. Avoid mingling with the hedonistic sons in the Capital City, especially stay away from the offspring of Mrs. Wang and the Sima Family. No matter what outsiders say, remember, your future goal is to become a Great General, galloping for Your Majesty on the battlefield. It’s tiring and requires a lot of brainwork for Her Majesty to be the emperor; let’s not bring trouble to her."

Zhao Erlang nodded repeatedly, asking, "Anything else?"

Xie Shi sighed, "No more, stay safe on the road."

Zhao Erlang became anxious, "Sir, don’t you have any gifts for me to take back to my sister?"

Xie Shi: ...

Xie Shi then called Zhao Erlang’s retinue, only to find out, Zhao Erlang had spent all his salary again, and the imperial edict came unexpectedly; he had no money to bring gifts for his mother and sister.

Accepting fate, Xie Shi went to prepare gifts for him, and after shoving the gifts into the carriage, said, "Once you return to the Capital City, let Your Majesty find you a wife. Single people can’t save money; you need to get married."