Chapter 563: Yuwen Hu's Move and Expectations

Yuwen Ze caught a glimpse of his father, whose smile was on his face, but whose gaze swept over him with a barely perceptible gravity.

That look was not distrustful; rather, it was as if cradling a fragile treasure, full of caution and expectation.

Yuwen Ze instantly understood that the Right Marquis Guard Grand General concerned the safety of Chang'an and even the foundation of Great Zhou; in such a pivotal post, his father naturally could not afford any negligence.

He was far less steady and scheming than A Xiong, and his father's expression feared that he could not bear this thousand‑jin burden.

Thinking of this, Yuwen Ze sprang to his feet, his torso upright like a sturdy pine, both hands solemnly clasped in a fist with the thumbs facing, arms pressed firmly at his sides, his movement precise and respectful.

He stared intensely at Yuwen Hu, his voice booming like a bell, cutting through the wine fragrance in Ya Ge, and declared, "Father, rest assured!"

Those four words were filled with sincere devotion, without any pretension.

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his body, his gaze shifting to A Xiong beside him; his face shed its former frivolity, gaining a few degrees of earnestness and seriousness, his tone still firm: "I will diligently seek counsel from you, elder brother!"

"In future military matters, big or small, whenever I am indecisive, I will first consult A Xiong's opinion, never daring to act on my own, lest I betray the trust of father and A Xiong!"

Chen Yan also rose, smoothing his collar, likewise clasping his fist toward Yuwen Hu and bowing, his voice as resonant as a bell assuring, "I will also lend great support to A Ze!"

"I shall certainly help A Ze quickly master military affairs and command the Right Marquis Guard Guard, living up to Grand Preceptor's great trust!"

How could Chen possibly not know Grand Preceptor father's concerns?

A Ze has military merit but lacks prestige; those rank‑and‑file soldiers below are not seasoned officials, and they won't care whose son you are.....

Therefore, for this first solo responsibility, taking on the heavy burden of the Right Marquis Guard Guard, he still needs his elder brother's platform!

Yuwen Hu watched the two, the gravity in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by heartfelt relief and delight.

He laughed aloud, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes relaxing with mirth: "Good, very good!"

Speaking, he lifted his hand to raise the wine cup on the table; the liquid quivered slightly, reflecting the candlelight with rippling glints, "To command the capital defense is no small matter; it requires brothers united in heart, so that its advantage can cut steel!"

"With the two of you complementing each other, this king can also be far more at ease!"

What Yuwen Hu wanted was exactly this mutual support between the two brothers.....

Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze exchanged a glance, a flash of tacit understanding lighting their eyes.

Both nodded heavily, replying in unison, "Grand Preceptor (father) is absolutely right!"

Yuwen Hu smiled, tapping his hand, signaling the two to sit: "Sit down, all of you...."

They seated themselves as instructed, posture still upright, but the spirit between their brows grew ever more lofty.

The candlelight in Ya Ge still flickered, the aromas of wine and dishes growing richer.

Yuwen Hu picked up a bite of fresh tender bamboo shoot tip, placed it into Chen Yan's bowl, his tone casual yet probing, and asked, "A Yan, this king intends to promote Yu Jian to Right Marquis Guard General, pairing him with A Ze to assist him in managing the affairs of the Right Marquis Guard Guard; what do you think?"

Chen Yan was first slightly startled, blinking, a trace of contemplation flashing in his eyes, his mind racing to weigh the pros and cons; in a moment, a confident smile spread across his face, and he replied earnestly, "I think it is excellent!"

"Oh?"

Yuwen Hu, hearing this, let a hint of approval flash in his eyes, added more dishes for Chen Yan, and laughed, "Tell me the reasons you find it good!"

Chen Yan set down his chopsticks, chose his words briefly, and then spoke methodically, "First, Yu Jian has repeatedly earned meritorious deeds; he deserves promotion....."

Reaching this point, he paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over Yuwen Hu; seeing his calm demeanor, he continued, "Second, General Yu Jian is the most cherished grandson of the Old Pillar of the State...."

"The Old Pillar of the State devoted himself entirely to Great Zhou, once marching south and north with Emperor Taizu, pacifying the realms, also assisting Your Majesty's ascension, stabilizing the empire; his toil was immense, making him the lodestar of Great Zhou."

"Now the Old Pillar of the State is advanced in age, and fostering his juniors is both gratitude for his achievements and a display of the Court's generous treatment of a meritorious family's descendants....."

"It lets the world know that Grand Preceptor and Your Majesty do not forget old favors; the meritorious are rewarded, and the descendants of meritorious officials also receive the Court's high appointment, thereby inspiring more soldiers to serve the nation!"

Yuwen Ze heard this and couldn't help but silently praise, "A Xiong sees truly through it!"

He only thought that Yu Jian's abilities were fine, and pairing with him might be less worrisome.

But he never imagined this also involved the deeper intention of soothing the Old Pillar of the State and consolidating hearts.

Such far‑reaching consideration, he indeed was far from achieving.

Yuwen Hu ate his dishes while listening to Chen Yan's analysis, nodding continuously, the approval in his eyes growing deeper.

Chen Yan then lifted the wine cup on the table and took a light sip.

The spicy wine slid down his throat, yet it did not dull the clarity in his eyes; instead, his gaze suddenly flashed with a sharpness like a cold blade drawn.

Setting the cup down, he immediately spoke in a deep voice, his tone more decisive than before: "This three‑fold purpose is to use this chance to draw A Ze and Yu Jian closer!"

His gaze swept over Yuwen Ze beside him, then fell back onto Yuwen Hu's own face, each word landing with weight: "Yu Jian is the direct grandson of the State Duke Mansion, and the Old Pillar of the State's line holds decisive influence in both court and the army."

"Let the two work together, sharing day and night; this will forge a Pao Ze friendship between A Ze and Yu Jian, and also ensure the Duke of Zheng's line forever stands with us!"

He paused briefly, Chen Yan inhaled deeply, his tone soaring like sudden thunder as he continued aloud, "More importantly, the Old Pillar of the State's lifelong military career commands great respect; his former students and officials are spread across all camps....."

"With Yu Jian assisting A Ze, they can leverage the Old Pillar of the State's residual prestige, causing the soldiers of the Right Marquis Guard Guard to more quickly submit to A Ze...."

"This will help A Ze further, smoothly seize command of the Right Marquis Guard Guard's forces, removing many constraints!"

These words struck the core, uniting court factions and exposing the deep considerations of solidifying military power, causing a flash of keen light in Yuwen Hu's eyes.

Immediately, setting his chopsticks down, his gaze heavy as he sized up Chen Yan, the smile at his mouth deepening, he suddenly lifted a finger at him and loudly praised, "You, child, still see matters as sharply as ever!"

"Every sentence hits the mark, matching my own thoughts down to the smallest detail!"

As the saying goes, parents who love their child must plan far ahead.

As a father myself, I naturally paved many roads for my mediocre‑talented son, letting A Ze's path be smoother....

Yuwen Ze, standing aside, had already felt his spirit stirred.

He had only known that his father promoted Yu Jian to help share his military duties, never imagining such far‑reaching scheming lay behind it.....

He must both win over the Duke of Zheng's line to solidify the court and borrow the Old Pillar of the State's prestige to steady his own footing; everything is arranged to smooth his way.

Recalling his father's daily strictness, seemingly humorless, yet planning every detail for his future, this deep paternal affection surged like a warm current in his heart, making his nose tingle, and he couldn't help exclaiming, "Father actually considered so much for me?!"

Chen Yan, hearing this, showed a faint smile, rose and respectfully clasped his fist toward Yuwen Hu, his tone modest, "Grand Preceptor, you overpraise!"

"My insight today is wholly owed to Grand Preceptor's careful cultivation and constant guidance; otherwise I could not have thought so comprehensively!"

Unlike Chen Yan's steadiness, Yuwen Ze could no longer contain his excitement.

His eyes reddened slightly, he sprang to his feet, smoothing his collar, bowing deeply before Yuwen Hu, his torso bent low, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible choke, "Thank you, father!"

Yuwen Hu looked at his demeanor, a softness flashing in his eyes, teasing, "You're already an adult, holding the position of Marquis Guard Grand General, why still weep?"

"If it spreads, won't people laugh at it?"

Though his words were teasing, his tone was full of tenderness.

He paused, a look of rightful confidence appearing on his face, and said slowly, "As a father with only you as a son, I naturally must devise many plans for you!"

These plain, unadorned words moved the heart more than any grand proclamation.

Yuwen Ze's nose grew sourer, and his eyes turned completely red.

He couldn't utter a single word, only kept nodding vigorously.

The surge of emotion in his chest was almost about to overflow.

He knew his father's love was never the soft words hanging on his lips, but hidden in every stern teaching and every carefully considered plan…

Weighty and profound.

Yuwen Hu looked at his blood‑red eyes, sighed lightly, and said with a hint of expectation, "If you could be even half as good as your older brother—no!"

"Shi Yi's skill, and as a father I can be at ease!"

Yuwen Ze suddenly lifted his head; though tears still glimmered in his eyes, there was now a hint of resolve and determination.

He straightened his back, clasped his fists, and with a resonant, earnest voice, full of a burn‑the‑bridges resolve, said, "I will work hard, father!"

Yuwen Hu, seeing Yuwen Ze standing there with reddened eyes, raised his hand to press gently and said warmly, "Sit down; no need to keep standing."

Yuwen Ze sat as instructed, his fingertips still trembling slightly, the emotion in his heart not yet fully settled.

Yuwen Hu turned his gaze to Chen Yan, lifted a piece of steamed sea bass with his silver chopsticks, chewed it carefully, and then said slowly, "Feng Muye and Peng Chong have meritorious deeds; they must be rewarded…"

He set down the silver chopsticks, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and in a deep voice said, "Feng Muye, promote to General Pingdong; Peng Chong, appoint as General Ningyuan!"

As soon as the words fell, his tone shifted, his gaze landing on Chen Yan, his eyebrows slightly raised with a hint of amusement and consideration, "Your brother‑in‑law Lu Ming, then promote to General Mingwei!"

"The others each have their own rewards!"

Chen Yan immediately stood, straightened his robe, bowed deeply to Yuwen Hu, and said respectfully, "On their behalf, I thank the Grand Preceptor for his great grace!"

Yuwen Hu, thinking of Qi State's losses after these successive campaigns—depleted troops and wounded generals, its vitality severely damaged—felt elated, clapped his hands loudly and laughed, "Hahaha!"

The key to achieving all this, after all, is not an outsider…

There's no need to worry about one's achievements shaking the ruler!

The hearty laughter made the candles in Ya Ge flicker slightly.

He lifted a wine cup from the table, the liquid overflowing, yet he paid no mind, and shouted, "Come, the three of us won't leave until we're drunk; keep drinking!"

Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze hurriedly raised their cups and in unison replied, "As the Grand Preceptor (father) commands!"

The three cups clanged together again, wine splashing, but it couldn't dampen the exhilaration in their hearts.

After three rounds of wine and five courses, more than an hour passed in a flash; the scent of wine filled Ya Ge, and a rosy flush spread across the three faces.

Yuwen Ze, holding his cup and about to toast his father again, suddenly saw a graceful figure flash in his mind, as if recalling something; he froze, set the cup down, his face showing a hint of shyness and urgency, and asked Yuwen Hu, "Father, how has Shu Ying been lately?"

Yuwen Hu, still holding his cup and taking a sip, glanced sideways at him, deliberately set a stern face, and teasingly chided, "You youngster, have you really forgotten your father after getting a wife?"

"You haven't even asked if your father is well, and now you bring up Shu Ying?"

Yuwen Ze's cheeks flushed from his father's words; he laughed awkwardly, scratched his head, and with a tone of slight defense and flattery said, "Father, aren't you just sitting here nicely…"

"You look vigorous and rosy; with one glance I can tell you are healthy, no need to ask further!"

Yuwen Hu, seeing his flushed, hurried demeanor, chuckled inwardly, but feigned seriousness and waved his hand, "Alright, alright, seeing how impatient you are, go quickly!"

"Go back to the room and see Shu Ying; she's been waiting for you for many days."

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, instantly broke into a brilliant smile, rushed to his feet, bowed to Yuwen Hu, and said urgently, "Yes, I take my leave!"

Having said that, he turned and hurried away.

Chen Yan, seeing Yuwen Ze depart, also stood, bowed to Yuwen Hu, and said, "Grand Preceptor, I shall also take my leave!"

Yuwen Hu nodded and instructed, "Go back and rest well!"

"Yes," Chen Yan replied respectfully, bowed again, then turned and walked away steadily.

Ya Ge fell silent at once, leaving only Yuwen Hu.

He held his wine cup, gazed toward the doorway, and a look of satisfied smile appeared on his face.