Chapter 11: Grand Marshal of the Shang Kingdom, Supreme Commander of the Three Armies!
Zhang Residence.
“Congratulations, Master! Congratulations!” Heitu beamed, unable to hide his smile, lavishing endless flattery.
Even Guan, usually rather taciturn, was beaming with a broad smile at that moment.
He said, “Heitu, you should call him Grand Marshal.”
As he spoke, Guan held his head high and chest out, filled with pride.
The Grand Marshal commands the nation’s military and holds vast military and political power, akin to the Supreme Commander of the Three Armies!
In this era, he is also one of the Six High Ministers.
The nation’s highest military commander.
In any country, those who can serve as Grand Marshal are never ordinary individuals.
Heitu suddenly realised and hurriedly clasped his hands in salute. “Quite right, quite right. Heitu pays respects to the Grand Marshal.”
Zhang Yang’s lips curled slightly as he chided, “You two~~”
Heitu chuckled. “This disciple has yet to congratulate Master on receiving Lady Nongyu.”
“Lady Nongyu’s feelings for Master are clear for all to see.”
“Heh heh, Master will now also be an imperial kinsman of the Shang Kingdom.”
Zhang Yang furrowed his brows slightly.
Just moments ago, Lady of Shang, acting in the name of the Marquis of Shang, had appointed him as Grand Marshal of the Shang Kingdom, its highest military commander, and had granted Lady Nongyu to him in marriage.
At the same time, she bestowed upon Zhang Yang the former capital of the State of Li, Li City, along with nearby Liang City as his fief.
By all normal standards, although Zhang Yang’s merits were enormous, it would have been absolutely impossible for him to leap directly to becoming Grand Marshal at once.
The Grand Marshal oversees the military throughout the entire country and holds one of the most crucial official posts in the nation.Only the Chief Minister could compare to this position.
So many people had their eyes fixed on it.
Typically, the post would be chosen from the Royal Clan or the monarch’s close relatives.
No matter how great Zhang Yang’s achievements, they could not outweigh the bonds of blood and clan law.
But!
There was always an exception.
Nongyu was that opportunity!
As long as Zhang Yang married Nongyu, he would become part of the royal family, a legitimate member of the imperial kin.
Zhang Yang pondered and then said, “I’ll pay a visit to Marquis Shang Palace. You all can disperse for now.”
“Understood.”The gathered crowd respectfully responded with a chorus of acknowledgement.
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“What brings the Grand Marshal here?”
Lady of Shang's gaze softened as she looked at Zhang Yang, who was walking in from outside the door, a slight smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Zhang Yang cupped his hands together and said, “Your servant comes with two matters.”
“First: to thank Lady of Shang for her generous reward.”
“Second: as the Grand Marshal of the Shang Kingdom, I must become well acquainted with the Grand Marshal’s duties and the current situation of our kingdom.”
“This is the only way to ensure peace and safeguard the people, as well as to protect you, my Lady.”
Upon hearing the last sentence, the Lady of Shang’s brows lifted, her delight barely concealed.
She said, “The Grand Marshal has performed remarkable feats and created an unprecedented archer cavalry for the Shang Kingdom.”
“This reward is well deserved by the Grand Marshal.”“As for the Grand Marshal’s duties...”
Lady of Shang considered this carefully before slowly rising to her feet.
She smiled and said, “Grand Marshal, please follow me.”
Zhang Yang followed Lady of Shang to the Council Hall near the bedchamber.
At that time, there was no one else inside the Council Hall—only palace maids and eunuchs.
In a side room of the Council Hall, rows of bookshelves were arranged.
On these shelves were bamboo slips, embroidered scrolls, as well as animal bones and tortoise shells.
Each bookshelf bore a label: Hao City.
Li City.
Similar labels continued along the shelves.
“This bookshelf records information on the population, land, military resources, and so forth of Hao City.”
“And this one details the population, land, and military resources of Liang City.”
Lady of Shang led Zhang Yang slowly deeper inside.
On either side of the palace, flickering candlelight barely illuminated the dim rooms.
Lady of Shang approached the bookshelf marked with the label Li City. Rising onto her toes, she reached up to take down an embroidered scroll from the upper shelf.
The embroidered scroll was placed rather high; she could only just grasp its edge.
“Ah—”
Suddenly, her footing wavered and she lost her balance.
Seeing this, Zhang Yang hurried forward at once.He immediately wrapped his arm around the slender waist of Lady of Shang, almost pulling her fully into his embrace.
Zhang Yang held her gently, his tone filled with concern. “Be careful, my lady.”
A faint blush coloured Lady of Shang’s cheeks. She leaned quietly against Zhang Yang without struggling, her voice soft as a whisper. “Mm, thank you, Sima.”
Zhang Yang then reached up and took down the embroidered scroll from the top shelf, handing it to Lady of Shang.
“My lady.”
Still resting against him, Lady of Shang said, “This is the population record of Li City.”
“In time, Li City will be your fiefdom, Sima.”
“You may examine it at your leisure.”
Zhang Yang gave a slight nod.
At that time, the political order was ruled jointly by kings and scholars over the realm.The practice of enfeoffment remained the norm.
Once ministers were granted their fiefs, they held full authority over them.
Politics, military affairs, and finance were almost equivalent to running a small court.
Zhang Yang was deep in thought, about to scrutinise the scroll in detail, when he suddenly realised that Lady of Shang was still tightly held in his arms.
Her back pressed against his chest, her full, curvaceous bottom boasting perfect lines and firmness.
It was enough to compel one to show proper respect.
Hurriedly, Zhang Yang released Lady of Shang and stepped back two paces, saying, “My apologies for the impropriety.”
Lady of Shang’s eyelids lowered slightly, a hint of shyness mixed with a trace of disappointment flickering across her expression.
She smiled and said, “If you hadn’t acted promptly, Sima, I might have ended up making a fool of myself.”
Just as they spoke, Nongyu’s cheerful laughter came from outside the door.Accompanied by hurried footsteps, Nongyu appeared before them.
She wore a bright red quju robe, her hair adorned with jade and pearl hairpins, moving gracefully.
Her flowing skirt softened her usual boldness, lending her a feminine charm.
Zhang Yang had never seen Nongyu like this before.
She was usually dressed in men's clothing.
Seeing her in women's attire now caught him somewhat off guard.
Nongyu hurried to stand before Zhang Yang and, noticing his startled expression, smiled inwardly and teasingly said, "Grand Marshal, how annoying of you not to let me know you had entered the palace."
"If I hadn’t happened to come looking for my sister-in-law, I wouldn’t have known you were already here."
Lady of Shang shook her head slightly, helplessly saying, "Nongyu, you~~~"
"I have already promised you to the Grand Marshal."
“Your wedding has yet to take place, yet look at your behaviour. How can this be proper?”
“If word of this gets out, who knows what others might say behind our backs.”
Nongyu pulled a face, clearly not taking any of it seriously.
Lady of Shang frowned sternly and reprimanded her, “You are to become the Grand Marshal’s wife. If others gossip, it won’t just be your own reputation at stake.”
“As a married woman, you must not be so wilful. If you bring shame upon your husband’s household, how will you face anyone?”
Hearing this, a subtle shift crossed Nongyu’s expression.
She glanced discreetly at Zhang Yang, her cheeks tinged with pink, and softly said, “Sister-in-law, your advice is well taken.”
“Grand Marshal~~~”
Nongyu called Zhang Yang’s name, then moved her lips silently.
But having known her for so long, Zhang Yang immediately understood what she was saying.
“I’ll sneak off to find you later for some fun~~~”
With that, Nongyu raised her eyebrows slightly at Zhang Yang and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Zhang Yang couldn’t help but laugh.
This girl really never changed her nature.
“Please forgive the Grand Marshal’s behaviour,” Lady of Shang said with a helpless glance at Nongyu.
Zhang Yang replied, “The young lady is innocent and straightforward, which is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Upon hearing this, Lady of Shang lifted her eyelids slightly and suddenly asked, “The Grand Marshal has been in the Shang Kingdom for over a year now, yet I still don’t know what kind of woman he likes.”
She added, “I wonder if Nongyu meets the Grand Marshal’s preferences.”
As she spoke, she brushed her hair back with her right hand, bowing her head slightly, her eyes flickering.
Zhang Yang was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said, “I’m a man of broad tastes—I like all kinds of women.”
"Life is about trying many things."
The Lady of Shang was briefly stunned before she laughed angrily.
"Hmph~~~" she scowled at Zhang Yang and swept her sleeve as she walked away.
Men!
In the second year of the Marquis of Shang, in the first month, Zhang Yang held his wedding.
The ceremony took place in Zhang Yang’s fief, Li City.
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