Liu Jin stepped down from the carriage, a smile appearing on his face as he looked at the familiar mansion before him.
It had been several months since he left this place, and he missed his wives and concubines in the Prefect's Mansion somewhat.
Li Li, Jian Yong, Wang Yan, and other officials came out, and upon seeing Liu Jin's return, they bowed deeply and loudly declared,
"We congratulate Marquis for defeating the Xianbei and achieving a great victory!"
Liu Jin waved his hand and said with a smile,
"This great victory was also thanks to all of you for stabilizing the rear, appeasing the people, and transporting grain and fodder."
"I have already reported your merits to the imperial court; your contributions will definitely not be overlooked."
Upon hearing this, the officials all showed joy on their faces and bowed again.
Liu Jin waved his hand, signaling everyone not to be so formal, and directly stepped into the mansion, taking a seat at the head of the table.
After everyone was seated, his voice slowly emerged,
"During the time General was on campaign, did anything happen in the Commandery?"
Jian Yong immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and reported,
"Reporting to Marquis, everything in the Commandery is stable as usual, and nothing has happened."
"However, the efforts to attract refugees have not been very effective, because the weather in the north is gradually warming, and with Hebei already stable, no common people have left with their families."
Liu Jin nodded upon hearing this, and his voice slowly emerged,
"Since that is the case, then temporarily suspend the efforts to attract refugees. It won't be too late to find a way to attract them again when there are major upheavals and refugees appear in the future."
"As for the refugees who have been attracted, they must be properly appeased and treated as the people within the jurisdiction. There must be no bullying."
"If General discovers any such incidents, the perpetrators will be severely punished without leniency."
After saying this, he swept his fierce gaze around.
The officials sitting around, hearing these words, trembled slightly, and the expressions on their faces became even more respectful, not daring to defy Liu Jin's words, unless they wanted to die.
Liu Jin looked at their obedient demeanor and nodded slightly, quite satisfied.
Ever since returning victorious from defeating the Xianbei, he could clearly feel that these officials in the Commandery were even more respectful and honest than before.
It was likely that any orders he issued would be immediately carried out by these people, and they would absolutely not dare to feign compliance while acting otherwise.
It seemed that one still had to rely on victories to increase one's prestige. For someone with a relatively weak foundation like himself, this was the only way to increase his standing.
After a moment of contemplation, Liu Jin, with a majestic expression, declared loudly,
"General has decided to expand the military force, recruiting a total of ten thousand men, and issuing recruitment announcements in all counties."
"You all must cooperate fully to complete the recruitment of soldiers as soon as possible."
The officials sitting in the hall were somewhat surprised to hear this.
The most stunned was Wang Yan, the Jun Cheng of Yanmen Commandery, who hesitated for a moment before standing up and asking,
"Prefect, if we expand the army by ten thousand, shouldn't we report it to the imperial court?"
"If we don't notify them, it would be somewhat against protocol. If the imperial court finds out, they might even blame us and accuse us of rebellion."
Liu Jin raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, a cold light flashing in his eyes as he stared at Wang Yan, his voice coming out faintly,
"I am the Defender General of the Xiongnu personally appointed by the imperial court, overseeing three commanderies. Expanding the army is also to prevent the Xianbei from causing trouble. Even if the imperial court knows, they will not blame us."
"Jun Cheng Wang, do you understand?"
After being stared at by that gaze, Wang Yan's body already began to soften.
It was an invisible killing intent; if he dared to utter another word of nonsense, he would surely die.
He couldn't help but feel some regret, wishing he hadn't stood up to say those words, which now only served to offend Liu Jin for nothing.
The imperial court's rules were the imperial court's rules, but these three commanderies before him were controlled by Liu Jin, and whatever rules he said counted.
If Liu Jin found an opportunity to kill him, it was likely no one would even mourn him.
He quickly lowered his head, cupped his hands, and stammered,
"Sub...subordinate understands."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin's gaze remained fierce, his hand stroking the sharp blade at his waist as he scanned the officials of all ranks in the hall, asking again,
"Do you all understand?"
Officials, both high and low, all stood up, with respectful expressions on their faces, cupping their hands, and loudly declared,
"We respectfully obey the Prefect's order."
Liu Jin nodded at this sight, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Although it didn't conform to the rules, in these three commanderies in northern Bing Province, what he said was the rule. All military and political power was in his hands; unless these people wanted to die, they wouldn't dare to stand up and object.
After discussing the matters and settling them, he signaled everyone to withdraw and start handling these affairs.
He himself stood up and headed towards the back garden of the Prefect's Mansion.
In the pavilion of the back garden, two people were seated. One was younger, with a pure and beautiful appearance, none other than Lady Yin Yue.
The person sitting opposite her was older, with delicate features and a graceful figure. A purple long dress worn on her body made her appear still charming and attractive. It was Lady Zhen Yu.
Yin Yue's clear and pleasant voice was heard,
"Sister, I heard news from the guards in the mansion that Husband seems to have returned."
As she spoke, her beautiful eyes were filled with longing, as the two had not seen each other for several months, and her heart was already sick with yearning.
Zhen Yu's beautiful eyes were also filled with longing upon hearing this.
Although she was only a concubine, her status in the Marquis's residence was not low, and she often received the affection of that man.
Both her heart and body were completely occupied by that man, and every time she recalled it, it made her body go soft and her face flush red.
She lowered her head slightly and whispered,
"I suppose Husband will not leave for a short time after returning this time, and Sister can also relieve the longing in her heart during this period."
Yin Yue's cheeks flushed slightly upon hearing this, and she said softly,
"Don't worry, Sister, I will also let Husband properly relieve your longing."
The two exchanged a slight glance, their cheeks both a little rosy, revealing a hint of mischievous smiles.
Just then, the maid standing beside them quickly lowered her head and whispered,
"Ladies, Marquis is here."
Upon hearing this, the two women both raised their heads, their beautiful eyes looking into the distance.
Liu Jin, dressed in a black brocade robe, with handsome features and a hint of a mischievous smile, slowly walked towards them.
Yin Yue and Zhen Yu did not dare to neglect, quickly stood up, and hurried over. After reaching him,
The two bowed deeply, and their clear and pleasant voices came,
"Your concubine greets Husband."
Liu Jin's eyes surveyed the two. There was no difference from when he left; they were still stunningly beautiful and captivating. A smile appeared on his face, and he said gently,
"My two wives need not be so formal."
So the three of them sat down again in the pavilion and chatted. The two women recounted their longing during this period.
Liu Jin, on the other hand, pricked up his ears and listened slowly, finding it quite interesting.
