Guo Jia and Cheng Yu looked at the excited crowd around them, including civilians and soldiers, and they couldn't help but look at each other silently.

"Heroes Monument. The word 'hero' is truly extraordinary."

"My lord, this is truly a wise move. Now the army is motivated. If another war breaks out, everyone will be willing to die and compete for the first place."

Guo Jia and Cheng Yu were both impressed by Wang Jing's generosity.

Cheng Yu was a little worried: "This is a good thing, but can we sustain it financially? The pension alone is a huge sum of money, not to mention the various subsequent expenses."

Guo Jia knew that Cheng Yu had no ill intentions, but he still reminded him: "Brother Zhongde, don't worry about this matter. Forget about the other things. As for money and food, the lord really doesn't lack much."

The military farming has begun to show results. Thanks to the large-scale promotion of improved varieties, the grain output of the military settlements under Wang Jing's name has increased again, and the sale of snow salt and iron tools has also brought in excess profits of more than ten times or even dozens of times.

If we really had to choose the richest man in the Central Plains today, Wang Jing would probably be the one who deserves it.

The Zhen family of Hebei and the Mi family of Xuzhou, these world-famous wealthy merchants, are no match for Wang Jing. The two sides are several orders of magnitude apart in terms of resources and financial strength.

"That being the case, I'm relieved."

Seeing Guo Jia's confidence, Cheng Yu breathed a sigh of relief, and then smiled again: "Haha, those who learn from me will live, those who imitate me will die. Our army has strong financial resources to implement this strategy. Even if other princes want to follow suit, I'm afraid they are powerless."

Guo Jia also laughed out loud: "That's right, so this method can only be used by the lord. Whoever learns it will die."

In fact, many princes also know how to boost the morale of the army. The way to employ people in this world is nothing more than to give them enough money. But the key is that most of the princes have no money at all, so it is difficult for a good cook to cook without rice.

Of course, there were also fools like Yuan Shu, who would rather use the money to enjoy themselves than improve the treatment of ordinary soldiers and do some grassroots construction, resulting in disunity between the top and the bottom, with generals not paying their attention and soldiers not fighting for their lives, and the country was already showing signs of defeat.

After paying tribute to the fallen martyrs, Wang Jing prepared to return to Changyi.

Guo Jia brought Wu Dun and Yin Li to meet Wang Jing and said, "My lord, I will bring the person to you."

"We greet the Lord!"

Wu Dun and Yin Li knelt down immediately, trembling with fear and not daring to look up.

Wang Jing glanced at the two men indifferently. They had mediocre abilities, but they were at the top third-rate level and could barely be used.

Seeing that the two men were acting reserved and were obviously sincere in their surrender, Wang Jing's expression softened a bit and he encouraged them, "Get up, both of you, and do your best in the future. I will reward you for your merits."

"Thank you, my lord."

In this way, the relationship between monarch and minister was established.

Then he asked about the two men's specialties. Yin Li was good at robbing and was a ruthless man who could squeeze oil out of stones.

Wang Jing was careful about his reputation, so he naturally would not allow his soldiers to plunder. But then he changed his mind and thought of letting Yin Li serve as the county lieutenant. In the name of arresting thieves, he could crack down on local powerful families. This was considered to be the best use of people's talents.

As for Wu Dun, he gave Wang Jing a little surprise.

As one of the Four Bandits of Mount Tai, Wu Dun's martial arts skills are not the best among the Sikou, but he is very good at mountain warfare and can lead troops to fight in complex terrain with good results.

Wang Jing immediately had an idea in his mind. He thought that Wu Dun could serve as Dian Wei's military commander and assist him in training a special force that was good at mountain warfare.

Both Qingzhou and Xuzhou have a lot of mountainous terrain. If we start training now, it may come in handy soon.

"There is nothing important happening in Yanzhou anymore. It seems like it's time for me to go back to Luoyang."

"My lord has been away from the center for a long time. It would be good for you to go back."

Guo Jia and Xun You both strongly agreed that Wang Jing should return to the capital. In fact, Wang Jing had wanted to return to Luoyang for a long time. He had been away from home for a long time and missed Diao Chan and Cai Yan very much.

However, in Yanzhou, a place where four wars have occurred, things have been happening one after another. If Wang Jing had not had extraordinary abilities and had not made preparations early on, if someone else had come, he would have probably collapsed directly.

Historically, Cao Cao occupied Yanzhou for less than two years, after which he encountered a series of major battles. He first faced the Black Mountain Army and then fought with the Huns. In addition, there were harassment from Yuan Shu, and even Tao Qian dared to take the initiative to attack Rencheng.

Fortunately, Cao Cao was a man of great talent and strategy, and was also an expert in military strategy. In the end, he won these wars with his excellent military command ability.

But even so, Cao Cao didn't even get to sit back and relax. He was stabbed in the back by Chen Gong, lost Yanzhou, and ran to Xuchang to lick his wounds in shame.

If the Qingzhou soldiers he had surrendered in Yanzhou were not still there, he would have never recovered. How could he have become the Prime Minister Cao who later dominated the world?
From this we can see that Yanzhou is a place that cannot be controlled without some ability.

However, Jizhou is now in civil strife, Xuzhou is weak, and Yuan Shu and Liu Biao are fighting fiercely. Yanzhou, which is located among many forces, has rarely obtained a peaceful external environment.

Wang Jing relied on his own layout to achieve the peaceful situation he wanted.

After giving some instructions, Wang Jing immediately packed up and set off on his journey back to Luoyang.

Luoyang, the residence of the Five Classics Doctors.

Cai Yong was drinking gloomily, and sitting next to him was naturally his close friend Ma Riti: "Bo Ji, why are you so sad?"

"Alas, isn't it all for Yan'er's marriage? If she doesn't get married soon, she'll become an old maid."

Cai Yong sighed and was in a depressed mood because he was worried about his daughter's lifelong affairs.

In fact, Cai Yan was only nineteen years old, in the prime of her life. If this age were put in later times, she would just be a girl who had just entered college. Who would she marry?

The legal age for women to get married is 20 years old, okay?
At the age of nineteen, you can’t even get a marriage certificate because it’s against the law!

But in the Eastern Han Dynasty, if a girl did not get married before the age of fourteen, it would be illegal and her family would have to be fined.

It's not that Cai Yong couldn't afford the mere one hundred and twenty coins. With his salary, it would be easy for him to raise his daughter at home and provide her with good food and drink for the rest of her life.

The printing house paid him as much as 100,000 yuan in royalties every month just for publishing the books he compiled.

But it’s not a big deal if my daughter never gets married!

Who knows how many people are gossiping about him outside. For example, Wei Zhongdao from the Hedong Wei family was very unhappy after he returned. It was said that he died of an inexplicable illness a few months ago.

The Wei family therefore took their anger out on Cai Yan, saying that it was she who killed Wei Zhongdao.

Cai Yong had been sulking recently because of this matter. After a few cups of rice wine, he started to talk. He asked Ma Riti, "Uncle Weng, please judge for yourself. Are the Hedong Wei family talking like human beings? They are simply not behaving like human beings. They are going to ruin Yan'er's reputation!"

Ma Ritian naturally supported Cai Yong, so he spoke for him: "Bo Ji, why do you have to argue with the Hedong Wei family? They joined the New Party at first, but later betrayed Qi Hou, and now their influence is declining. As for Wei Zhongdao's death, I think he was born to have a short life. Fortunately, you didn't marry Zhaoji to the Wei family, otherwise she would have been a widow."

Cai Yong complained to Ma Riti for a few words, and his mood improved a lot, but his face was still worried: "Alas, but now no one comes to ask for marriage, I can't go and ask for a son-in-law myself, right?"

After all, he is a great writer, calligrapher, and famous figure in the world.

Cai Yong really couldn't bring himself to do this. Besides, in his eyes, his daughter was well-educated, talented, and beautiful. How could she be left alone to find a husband?

However, after hearing this, Ma Riti tilted his head slightly and said with a smile: "It's okay to ask for a son-in-law."

"No, Uncle Weng, what do you mean by that? Don't the Cai family of Yu County have any respect?"

Cai Yong thought that Ma Riti was just trying to make fun of him, but since this concerned his daughter's reputation and lifelong affairs, a bit of anger appeared on his face.

Even if we are good friends, we can't make such jokes!

However, Ma Riti was not joking with Cai Yong. Instead, he made a serious suggestion: "It's easy to get a lot of money, but it's hard to find a good son-in-law. Bo Ji, you should really consider this matter seriously." "A son-in-law? Me?"

Cai Yong showed an expression of disbelief.

Seeing Cai Yong so stiff, Ma Riti had to remind him: "Bo Ji, let me ask you, has Yan'er ever had any contact with other men since Wei Zhongdao?"

"No, since Yan'er refused the marriage, he has been reading at home or teaching in the academy, except for occasional discussions with Marquis Qi... Wait, Uncle Weng, the son-in-law you asked me to ask for, could it be Wang Yuanxu?"

Ma Ritian teased, "This is a rare son-in-law, isn't he good?"

Cai Yong smiled bitterly and said, "I have never thought about this."

Ma Ritian sighed: "The relationship between Zhaoji and Qi Hou is seen by everyone. Do you think that no one will come to marry you? Are you really afraid of a mere Hedong Wei family?"

Cai Yong then understood that the reason why no one in the court came to ask for Cai Yan's hand in marriage was because they were afraid of revenge from Wang Jing.

Although Wang Jing has never expressed his opinion to the public, people outside will make their own guesses. Even if there is only a one percent chance, no one dares to try.

After all, there are not many people who have offended Wang Jing and are still alive.

Wang Jing knew nothing about this, and no one else was in Luoyang, so a blame fell from the sky and was put on his head.

After learning the whole story, Cai Yong laughed bitterly again: "This matter shouldn't be that serious, right?"

Ma Riti was too lazy to persuade her and directly suggested: "Bo Ji, whether it is true or not, call Zhao Ji to ask her, wouldn't it be clear?"

Cai Yong suddenly realized what was going on and asked his servant to call out Cai Yan. Then he asked anxiously, "Zhao Ji, your father wants to ask you, do you already have a lover?"

"Ah? Father... Why did father suddenly ask about this?"

Cai Yan, a talented woman who was usually smart and could answer poems and songs fluently, now blushed, stammered, and could not speak clearly.

Seeing his daughter so emotional, Cai Yong understood everything and immediately asked, "But what about Wang Yuanxu?"

"what?"

After her thoughts were exposed, Cai Yan's face became even more red, and her delicate skin seemed to be dripping with water. She twisted her slender waist and did not dare to look her father in the eye.

They initially met in obscurity in Chenliu, and Wang Jing was later impressed by Wang Jing's talent and courage. In particular, when Cai Yong's father was imprisoned, Wang Jing stepped forward and not only helped Cai Yong escape from prison, but also blocked the assassin from the Military Strategists' Hidden Sect who came to assassinate him.

Because of all these things, Cai Yan had already fallen in love with Wang Jingfang. Even she couldn't tell whether it was love or dependence.

"Shao Ji, whether it is or not, you should give me a definite answer."

Seeing her father repeatedly asking, Cai Yan had no choice but to nod shyly and utter one word softly: "Yes."

This is really the case!
Cai Yong was a little dumbfounded, and then he felt very melancholy.

It would be fine if his daughter liked a young talent from another family. With his current status and power, he was confident that he could negotiate a marriage even if he risked his reputation.

But since the target was Wang Jing, Cai Yong was completely unsure.

Ma Ritian encouraged him and said, "Bo Ji, this concerns Yan'er's lifelong happiness. It's not a bad thing to give it a try. Maybe Marquis Qi himself wants to marry Zhao Ji."

For the sake of his daughter, Cai Yong gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and decided to go all out.

What's more, a son-in-law like Wang Jing is truly unique in the world. He is a perfect son-in-law that is hard to find even with a lantern. If we can become in-laws with him, it would be a great blessing.

As soon as Wang Jing, Guo Jia and Xun You returned to Luoyang, the Grand Commandant Huang Wan drove over personally to invite them.

After watching Huang Wan and Wang Jing leave in the same car, Xun You was distracted for a moment. In his opinion, although Huang Wan had joined the New Party, he was still closer to the royalist forces in the Old Party.

Even if Huang Wan wanted to show goodwill to Wang Jing, there were other ways to choose. Why would she have to hold a separate banquet for him?
And since you are going to the Taiwei Mansion, aren’t you afraid that someone in the camp or faction will be dissatisfied?

"Fengxiao, what do you think is the purpose of the Grand Commandant's invitation to the Lord?"

Xun You asked Guo Jia who was beside him.

"This move is quite strange, but I think the Grand Marshal must have a deeper purpose. Could it be that he sees that the Lord is so brave and extraordinary, and wants to form a relative? I heard that the Grand Marshal has a granddaughter who is only 28 years old and in the prime of life... I don't think we need to worry too much about this matter. The Lord is invincible and has the Twelve Black Scale Guards accompanying him. Even if the Grand Marshal's Mansion is a den of dragons and tigers, I'm afraid it can't hold a proud dragon like the Lord."

Not to mention that Guo Jia and Xun You were puzzled, even Wang Jing himself was a little confused when he suddenly received Huang Wan's invitation to a banquet.

After getting in the car, Huang Wan said that he had to host this banquet because he was asked to do so.
But when Wang Jing asked him who had asked him to do so and what the matter was, Huang Wan was vague in his response and kept talking about other things, refusing to reveal the truth, which left Wang Jing confused.

In the end, Wang Jing simply calmed down and stopped asking questions. After all, he would know what was going on soon.

Wang Jing thought that given the character and intelligence of the Grand Marshal Huang Wan, he would not be stupid enough to set up a trap to murder him in Luoyang.

With nothing to do, Wang Jing chatted with Huang Wan about the time when they fought side by side in Yuzhou to fight against bandits.

Governing Yuzhou was the most outstanding achievement of Huang Wan's political career. When talking about this topic, Huang Wan became excited and talked incessantly, and his praise for Wang Jing was sincere in his words.

After a few exchanges, the two of them really had a very happy chat.

When they arrived at the Taiwei Mansion, Huang Wan led Wang Jing into a side hall, where a middle-aged scholar with an elegant face was already waiting. He was the Secretary General Cai Yong.

"Yuan Xu, Bo Ji asked me to invite you here today. He said he has something to discuss with you. Bo Ji is well-known throughout the country for his knowledge and talents. You two should have a good chat. I will go and prepare the wine and food first. I will leave you now."

Huang Wan asked the servants to serve tea to Wang Jing, and then introduced Cai Yong to him before she left the room. In the huge side hall, only Cai Yong and Wang Jing were left, staring at each other.

"Mr. Bo Ji, I wonder why you have summoned me here today to give me some advice?"

Wang Jing was a little amused and helpless. Cai Yong was really good at making trouble. If he really wanted to invite him to a banquet, couldn't he just send him an invitation?
They also had to invite him through Huang Wan, making it seem mysterious, like an underground party contact.

Although Wang Jing is young, he holds a high position of power and has saved his life and given him a helping hand.

Therefore, Cai Yong actually didn't want to put on airs in front of Wang Jing, but for the sake of his daughter's lifelong happiness, he gave it his all.

Cai Yong was sitting upright with a solemn expression, and he said in a loud voice: "Everyone says that Marquis Qi is a young talent, unparalleled in the world. At the age of twenty, he has defeated many bandits and put down rebellions. Now he has been canonized by the emperor. There is no one in the world who can compare to Yuan Xu."

Cai Yong praised Wang Jing without showing any emotion.

Wang Jing was also happy to accompany Cai Yong in this drama, and smiled and replied: "Mr. Bo Ji is a famous scholar of the time, praised by the world, with brilliant articles and profound poems. Even the country folk have heard of your name. You are truly a leader among Confucian scholars. I am really humbled to be praised by you."

Wang Jing was not stupid. Seeing Cai Yong's behavior, he roughly guessed his purpose.

But Wang Jing never expected that Cai Yan was so deeply in love with him that she even told her father about things that girls were too ashamed to talk about. Wang Jing was caught off guard by this incident, and Cai Yong, the future father-in-law, actually came to him on his own initiative.

Although strictly speaking, Cai Yong was just a subordinate.

But Wang Jing still placed Cai Yong in the position of his father-in-law, so there was a bit more respect in his tone.

Anyway, it won't go wrong to say more compliments. What literati like is nothing more than a "name". If that doesn't work, then you can improvise. But just after I finished speaking, I heard a faint chuckle from the next room.

After Cai Yong agreed to his daughter's proposal, he also thought hard. It would be too embarrassing to tell others about the idea of ​​seeking a son-in-law. If it failed, he might even be socially ruined.

Therefore, after much deliberation, Cai Yong found Huang Wan through Ma Ridi. (End of this chapter)