Chapter 121: The Arrogant Yun Hao

"There is no need for such an extravagant display just to go to Beiping," Chai Shao remarked. Despite having prepared himself mentally, he was still taken aback when he saw the sheer scale of Yun Hao’s entourage and vehicles.

The spacious ox-drawn carriages were equipped with stoves, and three chefs were tasked with managing Yun Hao’s meals. It was said that one was responsible for cold dishes and flour-based foods, another for hot stir-fries, and there was even a person dedicated solely to chopping vegetables—whom Yun Hao affectionately referred to as the "prep cook." Stir-frying was a technique not meant to emerge until the Song Dynasty, but Yun Hao was too impatient to wait. He had skilled craftsmen forge special ladles and pans, items unheard of in this era. Even the serving platters were made of pure silver, polished until they gleamed with a blinding brilliance.

There was also a massive carriage pulled by two oxen, loaded to the brim with charcoal and honeycomb briquettes. As for the other wagons carrying various fresh vegetables and meats, there were at least five or six. Counting the drivers alone, there were over a dozen men, and with the addition of Laishun and Qi Biao, Yun Hao’s party numbered nearly twenty people.

As for Yun Hao’s personal carriage, it was a colossal vehicle pulled by four oxen. Every metal component of the carriage was crafted from brass. From a distance, it shone with a golden luster, looking outrageously ostentatious. Had Yun Hao not considered using actual gold a bit too flashy, he would have opted for that instead.

The bright red carriage roof featured silver bells hanging from its four corners, with tassels woven from silver thread swaying in the breeze. As this carriage moved along the road, it was an absolute magnet for attention. The interior was like a suite, complete with a parlor, a bedroom, and even a lavatory. If the weather was pleasant, Yun Hao could lean against the railing to admire the scenery, and if the mood struck him, he could even improvise a poem.

Chai Shao was left speechless by the sheer luxury. While his own family might not be considered a top-tier noble house, they were at least a family of officials, and he had seen his share of pretentious figures. However, he had never seen anyone so young put on such a grand show.

"The journey to Beiping is long; bringing extra food and staff is just being prepared," Yun Hao said nonchalantly. He thought to himself: *I’m going to be spending the Lunar New Year in Beiping, what else do you expect?* Forcing someone to travel during the holidays away from their family—was there any humanity left? Besides, where was his travel allowance? To be sent on a business trip during the New Year without even an allowance—was that how a prominent aristocratic family was supposed to behave?

Chai Shao was speechless. If this procession were joined by palace maids and eunuchs, it would be no different from a prince’s royal tour.

Li Er was the first to react, immediately assigning twenty of his own personal guards to accompany Chai Shao. This wasn't just being "flashy"; it was a beacon for every bandit in the woods. While Lady Dou had sent generous gifts that filled three carriages, they paled in comparison to Yun Hao’s entourage in both scale and luxury. The road to Beiping was long and treacherous, and once they left the territory of Jinyang, the influence of the Li family would no longer be enough to protect them.

Bandits on the road would never let such a "fat lamb" pass them by. It might even attract some of the most notorious outlaws.

In the Sui and Tang eras, what was most important? Talent! Having witnessed Yun Hao’s miraculous methods, Li Er was convinced that he was a rare talent. It would be a profound tragedy if he were to have his head chopped off by some random bandit.

His mother’s intent was clear: the carriages of gifts were merely a facade. Yun Hao himself was the true gift. If anything went wrong with him, his mother’s well-intentioned efforts would be in vain.

It must be said that Li Er, before he became the "Heavenly Khan," was indeed a thoughtful man. He handled matters with care, and Yun Hao was truly grateful for his consideration. After thanking Li Er, he climbed directly into the carriage. The weather in Jinyang was far from warm; even though Yun Hao was bundled up like a small bird, he still felt as though he were freezing. It was strange, too—having grown up in the Northeast in his later life, he had never felt such biting cold.

Inside the small room of the carriage, a stove was lit, and Xin’er was adding a piece of honeycomb briquette to the fire. A copper kettle filled with water sat atop it; on such a cold day, there was nothing better than a hot drink.

"Hehe! He is still just a child after all, not yet knowing how to be discreet. That is fine; if he were calculating in every aspect, he would be a monster," Li Er said with a smile as he watched Yun Hao climb into the carriage.

Yun Hao was far too uncanny; seeing him display such childlike behavior was actually a relief. No matter how brilliant his schemes were, it was hard to change the fact that he was only eight years old.

"Indeed! Those who know him realize he is an eight-year-old child; those who don't might think he is an old man of seventy or eighty. This is more normal. Sometimes I even think he is a spirit transformed into human form," Chai Shao added.

"The journey to Beiping is long and dangerous. Be careful on the road. If you can stay within city walls, do so. With him being so showy, I fear the bandits will set their sights on him. By staying in the cities, the local authorities might offer some protection out of respect for the Duke’s estate," Li Er said confidently.

Although the Duke of Tang had been dispatched to Jinyang as the administrator, he was still a high-ranking noble of the imperial court. He was far from someone a local minor official could afford to offend. As long as they heard it was the Duke of Tang’s convoy, they would certainly send local soldiers to provide an escort, which put Li Er’s mind at ease.

"Hahaha! No worries! The Duke has dispatched a hundred battle-hardened elites, and the twenty you’ve sent are even fiercer. A few petty thieves are certainly no match for them. Farewell!" Chai Shao cupped his hands and climbed into Yun Hao’s carriage.

Li Er smiled helplessly. Ultimately, Chai Shao was the smart one; he knew exactly where the most comfortable spot in the convoy was. As for the concerns about the road, Li Er also believed that a few stray bandits would be no match for the Li family’s veterans. To take down these men, armed to the teeth, would require thousands of people. So far, there hadn't been any reports of such large bands of brigands between Jinyang and Beiping.

Chai Shao ducked into the carriage, and at the lead guard's command, the convoy slowly set off. Being seasoned veterans, they didn't need instructions to deploy scouts. The 120 fierce soldiers fanned out, guarding the front, rear, and sides of the procession.

"This is my carriage!" Yun Hao complained, highly dissatisfied with Chai Shao, who had barged in like a wild boar. Being on friendly terms was one thing, but lying on his daybed was quite another. Especially since Chai Shao’s eyes were darting toward Xin’er.

"It won't break just because I lay on it—hey! What are you doing!" Though a bit surprised that Yun Hao had scrambled into the corner of the carriage, Chai Shao sat down anyway. The sharp, searing pain in his backside made him jump up instantly. To make matters worse, his head slammed into the ceiling of the carriage with a dull thud.

The sound was loud enough that wood shavings shook loose from the gaps in the wooden ceiling.

"I was just tinkering with some iron nails... you came in, and I left them on the bed..."

"Damn it all!" Chai Shao wailed, clutching his backside, and the convoy officially began its journey to the accompaniment of his groans.