Night fell, and Oliver Sheng lit a bonfire right in the courtyard of the marquis’ residence, showing no concern for formality.
The Hu brothers had brought plenty of chicken, duck, and lamb. Tonight, they would feast and drink to celebrate.
After all, becoming a marquis called for a proper celebration!
Oliver hadn’t invited any outsiders; it was just him and his subordinates, enjoying themselves.
Xiao Chuyi also arrived at Oliver’s residence by dusk.
“Tonight, it’s just us. Drink to your heart’s content,” Oliver said to everyone.
“Marquis!”
“General!”
“We toast to you first, congratulations on your new title,” Sawyer Shangguan and the others raised their cups to Oliver.
“Let’s all drink together, no need for these formalities,” Oliver waved his hand dismissively.
“Come on, drink up!”
Outside, everyone was talking about Oliver Sheng’s new title, but Oliver himself was partying with his subordinates in the marquis’ residence.
Others would celebrate their new titles with grand fanfare, but Oliver was nowhere to be found.
In the palace, Empress Hazel Han had just finished dealing with the day’s memorials.
Rubbing her wrist, Hazel slowly stood up.
“Your Majesty, please have some food first,” Jade Han brought over a bowl of medicinal cuisine.
“Alright.”
Hazel nodded. Recently, she had been so busy with state affairs that she hardly had time to cultivate.
“What is the Champion Marquis up to?” Hazel inquired.
“He’s roasting whole lambs with his subordinates at the marquis’ residence,” Jade replied.
Oliver Sheng was now the center of attention, so it wasn’t hard for the palace to keep tabs on him.
“This marquis is quite different,” Hazel remarked.
“Indeed, others would celebrate grandly, but General Sheng is quite low-key,” Jade added.
“Let’s go join the fun,” Hazel suddenly suggested.
“Yes, let’s go!” Jade had been wanting to go for a while.
The two disguised themselves and left the palace, heading straight for the Champion Marquis’ residence.
Upon arrival at the marquis’ residence.
“General Sheng, I hope our sudden visit hasn’t interrupted your celebration,” Jade said, running ahead.
Oliver looked up to see Jade and Empress Hazel in disguise, both dressed in black robes, looking like men.
“It has!” Oliver said helplessly.
“What, are you going to chase me away?” Hazel smiled as she spoke.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” Sawyer Shangguan quickly stood up to salute.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” Upon hearing that the Emperor had arrived, Wang Zhan, Zane Wang, and the personal guards all stood up to salute.
“It seems we have indeed interrupted your celebration. Everyone, please rise. No need for formalities. Just consider me a guest here to enjoy the food and drink,” Hazel waved her hand.
“Your Majesty, please have a seat. I don’t have any chairs, so make yourself comfortable,” Oliver said, still seated.
“No problem!”
Hazel sat down right next to Oliver, directly on the ground.
“Everyone, sit down. Eat and drink as you please. The Emperor won’t eat you,” Oliver said to his subordinates, who were visibly tense.
Only then did everyone sit back down and continue eating and drinking.
The Hu brothers, Hu Yan and Hu Xue, were seeing the Emperor for the first time and were extremely excited.
As small-time merchants, they never expected to meet the Emperor.
“We only have Western Wind Blaze here, I hope Your Majesty doesn’t mind,” Oliver handed a jar of Western Wind Blaze to Hazel.
Hazel took the jar and said to everyone, “Brave soldiers, I toast to you. Thank you for defending the borders and fighting valiantly to protect our nation.”
“We dare not, we dare not,” Sawyer and the others quickly responded.
Oliver glanced at Hazel. Truly worthy of being an emperor, she was already winning over his subordinates.
“You all follow General Sheng to guard the borders and fight the Foreign Tribe. It’s only right that I toast to you,” Hazel’s voice was gentle, without a trace of imperial authority.
After a few drinks, the initially tense Sawyer and the others began to relax.
“What brings you here?” Xiao Chuyi whispered to Jade.
“The Emperor wanted to come celebrate with General Sheng,” Jade replied.
Xiao Chuyi glanced at Empress Hazel, feeling quite curious. Based on her understanding of Hazel, she wouldn’t normally attend such celebrations.
“General Sheng, I heard you now own millions of cattle and sheep. Would you be willing to sell some to me?” Hazel asked.
When she learned from Jade that Oliver had two to three million cattle, she thought of acquiring some.
Cattle were crucial for productivity. If she could have a million cattle for plowing, it would greatly increase agricultural output.
“How many does Your Majesty want?” Oliver asked without hesitation.
“A million. I want a million cattle,” Hazel said.
With a million cattle, a million families could have plowing oxen, which would allow for the cultivation of countless fields and the production of vast amounts of food.
“Alright, but I only want pills in exchange. Can Your Majesty afford that?” Oliver asked.
“That’s no problem,” Hazel agreed readily.
In such a vast empire, there were naturally Taoist cultivators and departments for pill refining.
There were countless Taoist sects in the world, and many small Taoist temples couldn’t refuse cooperation with the imperial court.
“Alright, send someone to collect the cattle and remember to bring the pills,” Oliver said nonchalantly.
If worse came to worst, he could always go to the grasslands and rob the Huns. Besides, he had too many cattle and sheep, and raising them was a burden.
“When do you plan to return to River West?” Hazel asked.
“In the next couple of days.”
“I want you to launch an offensive against the Huns after you return, to force the Hun army in the three Yan provinces to retreat,” Hazel brought up the matter.
The three Yan provinces occupied by the Huns were a thorn in her side. She didn’t want them to end up like River West County, occupied by the Foreign Tribe for a hundred years.
“You don’t need to tell me, I was planning to do that anyway. But I do need Your Majesty to replenish my 200,000-strong army,” Oliver said with a smile.
“Rest assured, I’ve already issued an edict to transfer 100,000 troops from Qin and Yan provinces to your command.”
“Additionally, you will have command over the military affairs of River West Protectorate, Ding Prefecture, and Yong Prefecture. The military forces of these three regions will be under your control,” Hazel said.
Oliver paused, looking at Hazel. This girl was bold, giving him control over three regions. Wasn’t she afraid he would declare himself king?
“What, is there something on my face?” Hazel wiped her face.
“No,” Oliver shook his head.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
“Your Majesty is stunningly beautiful. It’s only natural to admire beauty,” Oliver said with a smile.
Hazel looked at Oliver. This guy was bold. Since ascending the throne, no one had dared to speak to her like this.
“Who is more beautiful, me or Fairy Isla Qin?” Hazel asked.
Oliver thought: Why does this question sound so familiar?
Oh, right, Jade had asked the same thing.
What was it with everyone wanting to compare themselves to that Fox Demon?
“Your hesitation means the Fox Demon is more beautiful!” Hazel said.
A few black lines appeared on Oliver’s forehead. “What are you talking about, Your Majesty? Of course, you are more beautiful.”
“Your words are insincere, Oliver. It seems the Fox Demon is indeed more attractive.”
Well, these women were really jealous!
All he did was write a poem for that Fox Demon, and now everyone was jealous of her!
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