Chapter 155
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Yuan Li finalized the character “Wen,” and from now on, Youzhou and Bingzhou would be known as the “Wen Principality.”
Yuan Li finally had his own feudal state.
In the Wen Principality, Yuan Li held the highest authority. He could collect taxes, govern the people and land, and have his own army. His position as Duke Wen could be hereditary, and he could establish the Yuan ancestral temple within his fief and appoint officials to form a small court.
At the same time, he also had certain obligations, such as paying tribute to the Emperor, reporting to the court, and providing military forces when the Emperor needed them for campaigns against rebels.
In other respects, Yuan Li’s power was not significantly different from the two wangs, Chen and Chu.
Chen and Chu’s fiefs were known as “Kingdoms.” Chen’s fief was Yangzhou, which was referred to as Chen (Wang) Kingdom, Youzhou as Chu (Wang) Kingdom and Yuan Li’s fief would be known as “Duke Wen’s Principality.”
The difference between “Kingdom” and “Principality” was not significant; the major difference lied in the status of the ruler, which had no impact on Yuan Li.
After selecting the title, Yuan Li also needed to choose the capital of the Wen Principality.
Should he choose Ye County in Jizhou or Jinyang in Bingzhou?
After discussions, Yuan Li decided to establish the capital of the Wen Principality in Ye County, Ji Zhou.
Firstly, Bingzhou was already stable and didn’t need him to be stationed there. Secondly, compared to Bingzhou, Ji Zhou was much wealthier, and its geographical location provided better military advantages.
Therefore, Yuan Li designated Ye County in Ji Zhou as the capital, and he started to appoint his subordinates to various official positions. He also brought the system of the Ministry of Government Affairs from the court and replaced the Ministry of Personnel with it to handle state affairs. Additionally, he established a new institution to handle military affairs called the Privy Council.
These two institutions, one for civilian matters and the other for military, were directly under Yuan Li’s control and managed all the important affairs of the Wen Principality.
As the capital was in Ji Zhou, Yuan Li needed to move and settle there after becoming Duke Wen. At least he had to fully establish Ji Zhou as his base before returning to Youzhou. Upon hearing this, Chu Hechao simply moved to Ye County in Ji Zhou together with Yuan Li, thinking of it as a change of scenery.
Once they arrived in Ye County, Yuan Li formally dressed in the attire bestowed by the Emperor for Duke Wen and held a grand ceremony to worship the heavens.
The courtiers looked on as Yuan Li gradually ascended to the high position, their excitement causing tears to well up in their eyes. That day, everyone joyously participated in the banquet, drinking and dancing, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Yuan Li’s subordinates were all given the appropriate official titles, and from then on, they became the subjects of the Wen Principality, with each being promoted. This was a significant turning point, and the smiles on everyone’s faces didn’t fade until the end of the banquet.
During this joyous occasion, Yuan Li was toasted many times by his courtiers, and even with his considerable alcohol tolerance, he became slightly intoxicated.
After everyone had left, his elevated mood had not yet subsided. He grabbed Chu Hechao’s hand and wandered around the unfamiliar Governor’s Mansion in Youzhou.
The Governor’s Mansion, which used to be Wu Shanshi’s residence, looked unremarkable from the outside, but inside, it was a realm of its own. It had flowing streams, small bridges amidst bamboo groves, artificial mountains, and elegant flowers. Everything was exquisitely luxurious, possessing the charm of a southern garden.
The residences were even more spectacular; they were filled with antiques, jewels, and silk, all constructed according to the Emperor’s specifications. It was luxurious to the point that even a reigning Emperor living in Yangzhou might not be as extravagant as Wu Shanshi.
When Yuan Li first arrived during the day, he was startled by the golden roof of the Governor’s Mansion and immediately ordered it to be removed to avoid unnecessary attention.
By now, the renovations hadn’t started, and Yuan Li walked from the south to the north, passing by jade-made Pixius and gold-tiled eaves. His gaze shifted from lush greenery to the bright moon in the sky. His robe fluttered in the wind as if carried away by the breeze.
He was feeling drunk.
Chu Hechao held his hand tightly, as if afraid that he would truly be carried away by the wind. The evening breeze blew gently, bringing refreshing coolness. Chu Hechao’s gaze remained fixed on Yuan Li, and suddenly, he took off Yuan Li’s jade crown.
His black hair, originally coiled on his head, fell freely on his back. Yuan Li turned around and smiled at Chu Hechao for no reason, asking, “What are you doing?”
“You’re drunk,” Chu Hechao said, looking at him. “Are you this happy?”
Yuan Li nodded honestly, his lips curved, “Very happy.”
Chu Hechao couldn’t help but laugh too. “I’m happy too.”
Both of them grinned foolishly at each other for a long time, slowly walking back hand in hand.
“You look good in this attire,” Chu Hechao said.
The formal court attire was complex, with nine layers, but fortunately, each layer of fabric was lightweight and comfortable. Once he put it on, Yuan Li’s already handsome appearance seemed even more dignified and inviolable. With an air of nobility, Yuan Li looked utterly captivating, causing Chu Hechao to stare at him, wanting to tear off his clothes.
Yuan Li chuckled happily, pulling Chu Hechao along for a few more rounds. However, they kept getting lost, unable to find the main bedroom.
The place was too large, and they were wandering aimlessly.
Chu Hechao glanced around and saw that everything looked the same; there was no way to tell the directions. He clicked his tongue and said, “Look at the way you led us.”
Yuan Li, in a show of bravado, said, “I’ll lead you out.”
Chu Hechao didn’t say anything and just snickered.
Yuan Li couldn’t resist the temptation and immediately made a bet, saying, “I bet that I can lead you back within a quarter of an hour? If I can, I win.”
Chu Hechao became cautious as soon as he heard the word “bet.” “What are we betting on?”
Yuan Li had been walking for quite some time, and he was now mostly sober, feeling mischievous. He said, “Let’s bet three taels of silver.”
Three taels of silver was Chu Hechao’s monthly allowance.
Chu Hechao replied, “…..I won’t bet.”
Yuan Li almost couldn’t help but laugh. He deliberately looked disappointed and shook his head, saying, “The mighty Grand General of the Northern Zhou is afraid to bet even three taels of silver. How regrettable.”
Chu Hechao’s expression remained unchanged, and he kept silent.
The more Chu Hechao was like this, the more Yuan Li wanted to tease him. Yuan Li rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment. “How about this? You suggest something as the reward if you win.”
Chu Hechao asked, “Anything?”
Yuan Li wasn’t foolish, so he said, “You tell me first.”
Chu Hechao mumbled something, and his voice was so soft that Yuan Li couldn’t hear clearly.
Yuan Li frowned. “Speak up.”
“I want to undress you,” Chu Hechao raised his voice, and his ears turned red.
Originally, this wasn’t anything unusual; Chu Hechao had already torn many pieces of Yuan Li’s clothes before. But with Chu Hechao’s ears turning red and saying it in such a way, Yuan Li’s face flushed too. He quickly glanced around, coughed a few times, and tried to act nonchalant, saying, “If you want to undress, then undress.”
“I also want you to kiss me,” Chu Hechao took advantage of Yuan Li’s easy-going response and continued climbing up the pole, stepping forward to hug Yuan Li, burying his head in Yuan Li’s shoulder like an affectionate puppy, “It’s been a long time since you kissed it.”
Yuan Li wasn’t going to indulge him at all. “No way.”
He raised a finger and pointed at the man stuck to him. “Either undress or kiss, you can only choose one.”
Chu Hechao sighed, leaving a mark on Yuan Li’s neck with a kiss, “Undress, undress.”
“Are you sure you want to bet with me?” Yuan Li asked again, “If you lose, I won’t give you money next month.”
“I’m sure,” Chu Hechao said confidently, “I like this reward. Even if I have to bet thirty thousand taels with you, I’d still be willing.”
Alright, since he said something like that, Yuan Li became very willing, with no hesitation at all.
Yuan Li’s lips twitched. After looking around for a moment, he turned back along the same path.
However, as the quarter of an hour was about to pass, Yuan Li still couldn’t find the way back. Not only that, but it seemed like they were getting deeper into unfamiliar territory. They ended up in a secluded grove with hardly any human presence.
Yuan Li felt tired, and he simply gave up and collapsed on the grass, gazing at the stars in the sky. “I won’t search anymore, I’m tired.”
Chu Hechao found Yuan Li’s surrender amusing, “It’s better to admit defeat early. Let me teach you, sometimes you shouldn’t be stubborn.”
Yuan Li turned his body over, “I don’t want to hear you talk; you’re so annoying.”
Chu Hechao laughed in amusement and leaned over, gripping Yuan Li’s hands. He chuckled and said, “I was planning to undress you when we got back to the room, but I might as well do it here.”
Yuan Li’s eyes widened, feeling tense all over. “Here?!”
Whether Chu Hechao was just teasing him or serious, his hands touched Yuan Li’s waistband, effortlessly restraining Yuan Li’s struggles, as if suppressing a flipped turtle. With a sly smile on his handsome face, he said in a low voice, “There’s no one here. Don’t you want to try?”
Yuan Li swallowed hard; he had never tried anything so thrilling.
The breeze outside blew, but it wasn’t cold. Yuan Li was wearing several layers of clothes, and he felt a bit hot. The alcohol he drank earlier had gone to his head, making him a little restless.
Yuan Li pretended to struggle for a moment before relaxing. Chu Hechao’s hands skillfully untied his belt.
The clothing had nine layers, and as each layer was taken off, the grass around them was covered in Yuan Li’s garments.
Lying there, his black hair spread out like an inky shadow, Yuan Li gazed at Chu Hechao with an eager yet shy expression, urging him to continue.
“…” Chu Hechao’s nose itched, and he cursed under his breath before lifting Yuan Li up and walking briskly towards the main bedroom.
Caught off guard, Yuan Li exclaimed, “Aren’t you undressing?”
“Forget it!” Chu Hechao cursed irritably, “Continue undressing when we get back!”
Yuan Li still felt a bit regretful, “Oh.”
Chu Hechao’s forehead veins throbbed, and he smacked Yuan Li’s butt. He grumbled through clenched teeth, “There are ants and bugs on the ground. Do you really want to do it here naked?”
Yuan Li’s fleeting curiosity about outdoor activities quickly vanished, “No, no, let’s go back.”
A few days later, two familiar figures arrived in Ji Zhou, looking dusty from their journey: Xiang Hongyun and Zhan Shaoning.
They had performed exceptionally well in Bingzhou, so Yuan Li had called them to Ji Zhou to assist him.
As soon as they arrived in Ye County, they went to pay their respects to Yuan Li. He greeted them with a smile and invited them to sit down, discussing various matters with them.
However, both Xiang Hongyun and Zhan Shaoning were much more cautious in their words compared to before. Xiang Hongyun showed greater respect, and even Zhan Shaoning, who used to be relaxed and addressed Yuan Li with his courtesy name, was now more formal and refrained from doing so.
“Shaoning, I heard your wife is five months pregnant?” Yuan Li asked.
Zhan Shaoning stood up and respectfully bowed, “Yes Duke Wen, she has been pregnant for five months.”
After a moment of hesitation, Yuan Li swallowed a sigh and pretended to be unaffected. He smiled, “When your child is born, you must bring them to me. Your child is sure to be beautiful and intelligent, endearing to everyone.”
Zhan Shaoning relaxed slightly, “It will be my child’s fortune to receive praise from Duke Wen.”
Yuan Li paused and suddenly didn’t want to continue the conversation. He waved his hand, “I have prepared a residence for you. Rest well today and go to the government office tomorrow.”
The two men stood up, bowed respectfully, and left the provincial governor’s residence.
After they left, Yuan Li sat alone and sipped a cup of tea in silence.
After a long time, the light in the room gradually dimmed, and a soft sigh was heard.
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