Chapter 498: A Family

The surrounding guards and Aunt Guan all stood frozen on the spot. Guan Xiaodi's face went pale for a moment. Guan Dadi, who was being searched, heard the commotion and immediately wanted to run after his sister.

Guan Xiaodi grabbed his elder brother and said, "Brother, don't bother with that crazy girl. Good intentions she treats like donkey liver and lungs. Don't go. Lord Chen and Lord Liu are both here. You've earned battle merits but haven't been made an officer. If you can get to know these two lords, your future prospects in the army will surely be boundless."

Guan Dadi looked at his younger brother for a long moment, gently pushed away the hand Guan Xiaodi had on his sleeve, and turned to chase toward the gate.

"Aiya, what is all this about?" Aunt Guan hurriedly made to chase after them as well.

Guan Xiaodi grabbed his mother and said, "Mother, what more do you want? It's one thing if those two leave; I don't want to bother with them anymore either. But this time I told my father-in-law that family would be coming. If even you aren't here, where am I supposed to put my face?"

His mother had no ideas of her own. Hearing this, she hastily stopped and let Guan Xiaodi pull her along into the garden, though she kept turning her head back to look toward the main gate.

"Mother, you must remember, don't call me Xiaodi anymore. My name is Guan Dehong," Guan Xiaodi admonished as he walked.

After entering the garden, Guan Xiaodi again gave instructions: "Mother, when you meet Regional Commander Chen, you must address him as 'my lord.' The same for Lord Liu. You can't say 'hey you' or things like that. The others are all from various departments and the trading company. For the trading company people, it's best to call them 'Mr.' For the government officials, address them as 'my lord' as usual. Don't get it wrong and make people think we're from the countryside."

Aunt Guan's face was full of fluster. She kept trying to memorize it all in her mind but couldn't remember a single rule. Every part of this courtyard exuded wealth and nobility. Although she had been here once before when Xiaodi got married, she still felt somewhat intimidated. Now, overwhelmed by the bearing of the guests coming and going, and frightened by the guards, she was already dazed and disoriented, practically being dragged along by Guan Xiaodi.

They finally reached the place where Zhou Laifu was. Zhou Laifu came over amiably to greet them. Aunt Guan could only manage mumbled replies, utterly unable to utter a single proper sentence. Guan Xiaodi was secretly anxious.

Zhou Laifu quickly brought Chen Xin over. Chen Xin walked up with a completely genial expression and said to Aunt Guan, "Sister-in-law Guan, I am Chen Xin, Regional Commander of Dengzhou. I just heard from Zhou Laifu that all the Guan children have made something of themselves. You raised them well."

"Aiya, this, this..." Aunt Guan kept rubbing her hands on her clothes. So this Commander Chen was so courteous. Her heart relaxed, and she blurted out to Chen Xin, "Big, big... big brother. I actually don't know how I raised them. They all looked after themselves. Usually they don't listen to what I say. Look at this..."

The moment the words "big brother" came out of Aunt Guan's mouth, Guan Xiaodi nearly fainted. His mouth went dry. His face alternated between red and white. When he stole a glance at Chen Xin, he found that this Commander Chen was still all smiles, warmly chatting about family matters with his mother.

Guan Dadi hurried to the main gate. He asked a Zhou family servant guarding the door, who said she had gone west. He immediately sprinted after her and in just a moment caught sight of Guan Xiaomei's figure walking briskly away.

Guan Dadi caught up behind his little sister. He did not pull at her, just silently followed. Guan Xiaomei heard the footsteps and turned her head to glance back, her face already streaked with tears. She didn't say much either, and Guan Dadi didn't ask. He knew his sister was heading back to the theater troupe in Qingzhoufu.

The two walked one in front of the other. Guan Xiaomei had been to Dengzhou many times and knew that the most coach services were at the south gate. There were plenty of four-wheeled passenger coaches there, most heading to Laiyang and Pingdu. Those going to Qingzhoufu were relatively fewer, and it wasn't easy to gather enough passengers, especially during these days right around New Year's.

The trip would cover several li. Both had been used to running in the mountains since childhood, so they walked it quickly and didn't feel tired. They walked along the coach market outside Chaotianmen. A row of coaches lined the roadside, the vast majority belonging to the coach service run by the Dengzhou Tunbao. Some were local to Dengzhou, others had come from outlying tunbao and were waiting for return trips.

These coaches included two-wheeled and four-wheeled ones, and there were even ox carts running short trips to Huangxian and Zhaoyuan. Some coaches had signs propped up, bearing place names like Pingdu, Jiaozhou, Jimo, Yexian, and Changyi.

"Pingduzhou! Just need two more!"

"Changyi, Changyi! Anyone going back to the cotton cloth factory?"

The drivers howled loudly from their front driving seats, calling out their destinations so that those who couldn't read would know. But there wasn't a single one for Qingzhou. Guan Dadi asked around and heard that the Qingzhou troops hadn't been given leave, so no coaches had come from there, and very few people from Dengzhou were heading that way.

Guan Dadi grew somewhat anxious. When Xiaomei had returned to Wendeng, she had several colleagues with her, but now she was alone. He didn't want Xiaomei to have to change coaches in Pingdu or Changyi; after all, she was a woman. If there were a coach going directly to Qingzhoufu, he could note down the driver's tunbao household number, which would guarantee Xiaomei's safety.

He walked a full round without seeing any coach going directly to Qingzhoufu. Gritting his teeth, he said to Guan Xiaomei, "Xiaomei, I'll escort you to Qingzhoufu, and then I'll head back to Pingduzhou."

Guan Xiaomei lowered her head and said, "You're not going to see Lord Chen? Maybe if he sees you, he'll promote you to an officer."

Guan Dadi touched the soft military cap on his head. "I've met Lord Chen before. He personally pinned this medal on me."

Guan Xiaomei asked in surprise, "How come I never heard you mention it?"

"What's there to tell?" Guan Dadi recalled the scene from back then and couldn't help letting out a simple, silly laugh. "Lord Chen even praised me as a king among soldiers back then."

Guan Xiaomei had already forgotten her earlier displeasure. She pursed her lips in a smile and said, "Actually, I've met him too. He even taught me how to sing opera. I always found it strange. It's one thing that Lord Chen is formidable in battle, but how does he even understand opera singing? Anyway, I actually think Lord Chen is truly a good official. I wasn't angry at his guards just now. Every time he comes to listen to opera, the guards also check the backstage; I've seen them before. I just couldn't stand the way Xiaodi was acting. His name was given by our parents, and he changed it without even asking Mother. I think he's a snob."

Guan Dadi said quietly, "Xiaodi has been clever since he was little, not dumb like me. He has big ambitions, and I can't really help him. We should think more from his perspective. After all, isn't it good that the Guan family has someone who's made something of himself?"

"I can't be bothered to look at him. I don't depend on him for my meals." With that, Guan Xiaomei tossed her head and walked straight toward a Changyi-bound coach.

Guan Dadi followed. Just then, a coach suddenly came along the road. A voice shouted, "Anyone going to Qingzhoufu? Just need one more!"

Guan Dadi hurried into the middle of the road to stop it. The coach quickly halted. The driver, exhaling white puffs of breath, asked, "Going to Qingzhoufu?"

"Yes. There are two of us."

The driver shook his head. "Only one seat left."

Guan Xiaomei had come over by now. Guan Dadi said with some difficulty, "Brother, look, if my sister travels alone, I won't feel at ease. How about I just crouch down somewhere?"

The driver tilted his head and said, "Soldier, if you don't believe me, go look. The middle inside is piled full of luggage. There really is no room. But don't you worry about your sister's safety. Inside are two soldiers from your Dengzhou garrison, heading to Qingzhoufu. With them there, what do you have to worry about?"

"Really?" The moment Guan Dadi heard there were soldiers from the Dengzhou garrison, he immediately felt reassured. He quickly went around to the back. The door of this kind of passenger coach was at the very rear, a thick cloth curtain for blocking the wind. Guan Dadi lifted it to look. Sure enough, two men in red regular military uniforms were sitting at the outermost edge, chatting with a traveling merchant beside them. Further inside, two women were sitting at the very back.

"Brothers, are you heading to Qingzhoufu?"

The two soldiers turned their heads to look. Seeing the tiger-head medal on Guan Dadi's chest, their attitudes became very respectful. One of them said, "Yes. We're from the Third Battalion."

"I'm from the Guard Battalion..." Guan Dadi quickly explained the situation. The two soldiers agreed at once. They immediately helped make room in the coach and arranged Guan Xiaomei in the innermost spot. One of the soldiers even showed Guan Dadi his military identification plate, guaranteeing he would deliver Guan Xiaomei right to the main gate of the theater troupe.

Guan Dadi thanked them profusely and pulled out a pay chit to show his gratitude. The soldier waved his hand and said, "Doesn't our training officer always say it? The Dengzhou soldiers are an army with honor and character. Helping the common people is our character. Don't worry, we'll definitely get her there. If anything goes wrong, come find me in the First Battalion."

Guan Dadi set his mind at ease. He went to the front of the coach to pay Xiaomei's fare, then returned to the rear.

Guan Xiaomei poked her head out from the innermost spot. "Brother, are you still going back to Xiaodi's place?"

Guan Dadi took out a few pay chits and gave them to Xiaomei. "I have to go. If too few of our family show up, Xiaodi will lose face. I can't help him with anything else, but going to take a look is the least I can do. Keep the pay chits safe. Don't skimp on food and lodging on the road. Obey your superiors in the troupe. Don't worry about home; I'll escort Mother back to Wendeng."

The coach slowly started moving. Guan Xiaomei accepted the pay chits, still carrying her elder brother's body warmth. Her eyes were red. Habitually, she gave Guan Dadi a military salute in farewell, which made the two Dengzhou soldiers watch in amazement.

Guan Dadi stopped his chasing steps and returned the military salute. The coach's cloth curtain dropped, hiding Xiaomei's figure. Guan Dadi slowly lowered his hand and watched the coach until it disappeared around the bend in the road. Only then did he turn and stride briskly back toward Zhenguan Street.

After another round of fuss at the gate, the guard captain now recognized Guan Dadi and didn't need to confirm his identity with the master again. After a search, Guan Dadi finally entered the courtyard.

By now, lunch was already over. The guests were sitting in a circle chatting in the spacious main hall. Some of lower status were in the various side halls playing Ma Diao, backgammon, dice, and other games of chance with a gambling nature. Normally, gambling was strictly forbidden in the Dengzhou garrison, except during the Spring Festival. So Chen Xin had also gone over to play a few rounds, though the stakes weren't very large.

Although the civil affairs officers hadn't been specifically ordered not to gamble, these people knew their superior's preferences and kept it very low-key on ordinary days. Today, with New Year's as an excuse, they finally let loose, and the whole courtyard was filled with shouts and noise.

Guan Dadi walked to the entrance of the main hall. Guan Xiaodi was at the doorway talking with a young man. The moment he saw his elder brother arrive, a flicker of joy crossed his face, but then he immediately put on a stern expression again.

Guan Dadi walked up to his younger brother and said quietly, "I, uh, I saw Xiaomei off. Your father-in-law didn't get angry."

Guan Xiaodi grunted in acknowledgment without going into detail. The young man beside him bowed to Guan Dadi and said, "So it's Brother Dadi. I am Xu Pingjie. I once met you in Qingzhoufu."

Guan Dadi opened his mouth, sizing up the person before him. Xu Pingjie smiled, unbothered. "That day, Brother Dadi gave that fat man playing a Tatar a sound beating. I, Xu, was playing the good man Yang Gang that day and happened to be on stage to witness it. Even now, I still find it immensely satisfying."

Guan Dadi only then realized. He immediately said, "That Tang Wei is now a combat soldier in the Guard Battalion. Although he has a lot of petty schemes, he's also become quite able to endure hardship..."

Xu Pingjie shook his head, cutting him off. "That opera Tatar is a born swindler. Brother Dadi, you absolutely must not be fooled by him. You should punish him more, best beat him till he can't walk. Haha."

Guan Dadi gave an awkward smile. Tang Wei was now in his exact company. Although the man had some minor flaws, he wasn't nearly as worthless as Xu Pingjie described.

Just then, Chen Xin emerged from a side room where he had played a couple of rounds of dice and was walking toward the main hall with Yang Yunnong. Guan Xiaodi hastily pulled his brother over to greet him. "Lord Chen, this is my elder brother..."

"Guan Dadi! I personally awarded you your medal back then." Chen Xin came over, pointed at the medal on Guan Dadi's chest, and laughed heartily. "Do you know that your deeds were published in the military gazette and have spread all the way to Nanzhili? I hear that in Jiangnan, the storytelling version of 'The Great Battle at Zhenhaimen' is nearly overtaking 'Qin Shubao Visits the Maiden' in popularity."

Guan Dadi immediately snapped to attention and saluted. Chen Xin returned the salute with a face full of smiles, then patted Guan Dadi on the shoulder and said, "The king of soldiers back then has now become a master sergeant. Just now I heard from Zhou Laifu that I've actually met all of your Guan family before. Your younger sister was the first to play the role of Tang Xiaoxiao, Guan Peipei — that stage name was even chosen by me. Has she come this time?"

Guan Xiaodi had originally been so excited his eyes were shining, but upon hearing this, he looked somewhat embarrassed and said to Chen Xin with a smile, "It is kind of you to still remember, my lord. That is my elder sister. She is not at home this time and missed the chance to see you, my lord. My eldest brother also arrived late. For these discourtesies, I beg your lordship's magnanimous forgiveness."

Chen Xin waved his hand dismissively. "A trivial matter. What discourtesy is there to speak of? Our Dengzhou Garrison values substance over empty formalities the most. Your whole family is outstanding. Doing your own work well is the greatest courtesy you can show me."

"My lord is magnanimous," Guan Xiaodi said with an accompanying smile.

Chen Xin invited Guan Dadi to enter the house together, intending to let this combat hero meet the chief officers of the Civil Affairs Department. Suddenly stopping at the doorway, he asked, "Dadi, you've only just arrived now — have you eaten?"

Right on cue, Guan Dadi's stomach let out a series of rumbling growls. Normally in the army he had eaten his way to becoming a big eater, but today he had gone hungry for a long time and had also walked such a long way. The moment Chen Xin mentioned it, he felt extremely famished.

Not knowing how to stand on ceremony either, he said somewhat sheepishly, "I... I haven't eaten yet. Well..."

"Zhou Laifu!" Chen Xin called out toward the inside of the house.

Zhou Laifu inside came running out at top speed. Chen Xin said to him, "What kind of in-law are you? Your son-in-law's eldest brother still hasn't eaten. Hurry and have the kitchen prepare something."

"Ah?" Zhou Laifu looked at Guan Xiaodi and said, "How come Dadi still hasn't eaten? Dehong, why didn't you say anything?"

Guan Xiaodi said somewhat awkwardly, "Well, my eldest brother ran into his lordship the moment he reached the gate. I hadn't had a chance to ask yet."

Chen Xin said, "It has nothing to do with Dehong. Zhou Laifu, you are the host — this is your oversight. Go quickly and have someone prepare food." He turned his head back to Guan Dadi and said, "I will be staying here for a while longer. Once you've eaten, come to the main hall. It will be a good chance to let the Civil Affairs people meet our combat hero."

Guan Dadi saluted gratefully. Zhou Laifu personally led Guan Dadi to a side hall, and his attitude toward Guan Dadi instantly became extremely warm and cordial.

Chen Xin entered the main hall and continued chatting idly with the group from Civil Affairs and the trading company. In the middle of it, he found a spare moment to call Dong Yu over and whispered into Dong Yu's ear, "Come to my residence tomorrow."

Dong Yu assented in a low voice. Chen Xin rubbed his forehead and said, "We need to discuss with Li Donghua that matter Mr. Liu brought up last time — regarding only sons among the common soldiers and those whose burdens are too heavy. If the numbers aren't large, we can swap them out from the reserve troops. Those replaced veterans will return to their native garrison villages to serve as reserve NCOs. That will reduce the pressure on the Civil Affairs side for pensions. Also, the concrete expansion plan for the army next year." (To be continued...)