Chengdi raised his hand: "Quickly flatten your body."
Huo Linfeng lowered his eyes and raised his eyes slowly. He didn't look at Tianzi Longyi, but he glimpsed vaguely and vaguely from the corner of his eye. Paved with gold bricks, a crimson carpet, and two gilt bronze auspicious animals. Emperor Cheng, who was over fifty years old, was sitting in a high position, speaking caring words for his subjects, but his whole body was full of killing and decisive spirit.
"Master Hou traveled hard." Emperor Cheng said, "I haven't seen you for many years, but now that I see you, I know that Lord Hou is as healthy as ever, so I can rest assured."
Huo Zhao bowed his hand and thanked the emperor for his concern. Thank you, the holy will is unpredictable, so it is better to say in a low voice first: "Report to the emperor, the old minister brought his second son to Linfeng this time, and I am really panicked. I am afraid that the child will offend the emperor with his stubbornness, and I ask the emperor to forgive me."
Emperor Cheng didn't take it seriously: "What's the matter, Lord Hou?" His eyes turned lightly, and he moved to Huo Linfeng to look at him, "You naughty boy cut off Mohelu's head in anger, and his bravery has long been spread to Chang'an. General Huo, how old is this year?"
After waiting for a long time, Huo Linfeng replied: "Go back to the emperor, there are three out of 20 ministers this year."
Emperor Cheng praised: "I remember that when you were thirteen years old, you went to the battlefield with Lord Hou, and you were almost swept away by barbarians. Just four years later, you faced a fierce battle for the first time, and took command to quell chaos for the first time."
Huo Linfeng was stunned for a moment. He was in command at the beginning of the seventeenth year, and the army in the tent was stable and undisturbed, but the troops were sent out with madness, killing madmen with anger. After the victory, they led troops to massacre the city, no matter they were old or young, women or children, they killed any living ones. Weeds did not prevent the growth of weeds and young children grew up, and the city was slaughtered almost as wasteland.
The emperor clapped his hands and said with a smile, as if saying something funny.
Little did he know that after that battle, his dreams for several months were all bloody red, and he was crying blindly. He was a little distracted at the moment: "Thank you for your absurd praise. I hope that the great Yong will prosper and the world will be peaceful and the people will be happy."
Long Yan rejoiced, and Emperor Cheng gave a satisfied "Mmm", his eyes wandered between the two father and son. With a big victory in this battle, those barbarians must be honest for a while, and their smiles are even deeper when they say this.
The court officials knelt down and shouted in unison, congratulations to Dayong, congratulations to the emperor, according to the customary court rules. After shouting, one person came out and said: "Your Majesty, General Huo is brave and good at fighting. He is really a rare talent."
Ordinary compliments, but only a few words are not unusual when they reach the court. The speaker was about forty-five or sixteen, but under the crown, most of the hair was gray and white, with light eyebrows, and red phoenix eyes, with deep lines in the eyes, thinking about worry and work.
Huo Linfeng inquired from the corner of his eye, but he didn't recognize any official or soldier when he first came to Chang'an. Then identify this person's court clothes, the purple robe with big sleeves, the white crane embroidered on the horizontal hem, inlaid with jade beads, and the position in the front row, it is estimated that he is the prime minister of the current dynasty.
He guessed right, this person is the prime minister Chen Ruoyin, the word "sheng", Chen Sheng.
Chen Ruoyin praised him, but Huo Zhao said, "Dayong has a lot of talents, and the prime minister is really flattering me."
"Your Majesty is too modest." Chen Ruoyin smiled politely and bowed to Emperor Cheng, "Your Majesty, the border is peaceful, and the interior of the pass can be free of worries. General Huo's achievements in this battle are indispensable. I have many things, and I want to ask for a long-term favor for General Huo. reward."
Huo Linfeng's heart skipped a beat, and he knew before coming that it was not as simple as a reward. Right now, there is a hidden hope, hoping that my villain's heart will save the holy will of the emperor.
The auspicious beast breathed out smoke, tranquility, neutralizing the undercurrents in the court, Chengdi paused for a while: "Let's listen to what the prime minister said."
Chen Ruoyin then said: "My Majesty, General Huo's talent is not inferior to that of his elder brother Jinghai, and there is no need for two generals to guard the border. Therefore, according to what I see, you might as well let General Huo stay in the pass and display your grand plans." .”
Inside the hall, it was extremely quiet. The Marquis of Dingbei's contribution to protecting the country, the mainstay of the imperial court, was about to hand over one of his sons to keep the quality in the pass. The prime minister's words are definitely not on a whim, and there is a holy intention behind it.
Huo Linfeng suddenly felt tired. He was brave in the fierce battle in the morning and evening, but at this moment he was extremely tired. He said: "Your Majesty, I am afraid that I will be embarrassed by this important task."
Emperor Cheng waved his hand: "Is the son of Lord Hou a mortal, so don't underestimate yourself. Besides, you are only twenty-three years old, and it's boring to stay in Saibei all your life. It's better to stay and make a living."
These two understated words, for this trip to clear the clouds and see the sun, Huo Linfeng's thousands of words stuck in his throat, like a stick in his throat. He knelt down and knelt again: "I am a humble minister, but according to the emperor's order, I will not hesitate to die." After a while, he saw Huo Zhao's clenched fist.
When the time came, he retreated to court. Emperor Cheng put his servant's arm on his shoulders, raised his eyes all the time, exuding the aura of wealth and undeniable majesty. I only said to stay, but I haven't decided where to go yet. I will hold a banquet tonight to welcome the father and son of Dingbeihou, and we will discuss it again.
The courtiers knelt to send them off, and they dispersed. Huo Linfeng followed Huo Zhao out of the hall, and asked Chen Ruoyin to catch up with him in two or three steps.
"Your Majesty strode like a shooting star, so I'll chase after you." Chen Ruoyin stroked his beard, smiled in his phoenix eyes, and let out a little bit of light, "I wanted to invite Master Hou to come to the mansion to have a talk, since there is a banquet in the palace, then you and I must discuss each other A few cups."
Huo Zhao clasped his hands: "Naturally, the prime minister is eloquent, so he should moisten his throat well."
Chen Ruoyin didn't get annoyed, and moved closer, the white crane and purple robe touched the Qilin cloak. "Don't blame me, Lord Hou," he whispered, almost close to Huo Zhao's ear, "It's just using my mouth to express the emperor's heart. If Lord Hou annoys me, I will be wronged."
These two people have equal status, as long as he can afford to offend him, that's naturally up to him.
Chen Ruoyin smiled gloatingly, laughing at Beihou's jealousy, or something else. Glancing at Huo Linfeng again, he said, "Nephew, listen to my advice: since you're here, you'll be safe."
At the feet of the Son of Heaven, you must never show off your abilities. If you are a little restless, you will be in charge of your lord or prime minister.
Chen Ruoyin walked away, his purple robe shaking, and the white crane fluttered its wings above it, ready to fly. Huo Linfeng looked, this was the first person who acted arrogantly in front of his father.
Before he could think about it, the servant came to call and led his father and son into the palace to rest.
It's night, Qu Luan Terrace, three hundred red candles, and the lights are smoky for a long night. The musician played the piano and plucked the strings, and sang a Xiaoyaoqu, with small squares, silk and silk, and warm wine with mountain delicacies. The Master Attendant knelt down to pour the wine, Huo Linfeng picked up the cup, and when he drank it with his neck up, he caught a glimpse of a person opposite him.
The dancing girl posing across the waist is hard to see clearly. That man was about the same age as Huo Zhao and Chen Ruoyin, but he had neither a cast iron figure, nor a face that revealed his eyes. He was as quiet as sinking water, pale and thin, with a refined and bookish air about him, and he was terrified in this extravagant night banquet. It's eye punching.
Just as a stewed goose with sweet pears was on the table, he closed his eyes and couldn't help thinking about the steamed pears at home. Suddenly, with a crisp sound, Emperor Cheng's chopsticks touched the wine vessel, and there was a sudden silence. The surrounding voices were silent as if no one was there, and the servants who were picking up were holding their breath.
"I'm drunk." The words were clear and piercing, and Emperor Cheng called out protractedly and affectionately, "—Linfeng, among the four seas, wherever you like, I will let you go, and I will never treat you badly."
Huo Linfeng was startled but not afraid, he got up and quickly knelt down: "The emperor is very flattering, I am a newcomer, and everything is strictly in accordance with the emperor's will."
Emperor Cheng raised his eyes a little, Zhonglang would agree and asked the musicians to continue playing.
Huo Zhao looked at Chen Ruoyin as expected and prepared. Chen Ruoyin took a look, with a smile as thick as a plate of ink, all poured on Huo Zhao. He stood up and said, "My Majesty, I have a proposal, which is Xiganling at the foot of Lengsang Mountain."
Xiganling is far away from Chang'an, and it is the border of the south of the Yangtze River that Huo Linfeng has never seen. After hearing this, Emperor Cheng seemed to think it was good, but he got up and said, "Your Majesty, I think it's not right."
This sudden and sonorous sound made everyone stare at him, and Huo Linfeng saw that it was the Confucian official. "It turned out to be Grand Tutor Shen," Shen asked, and the current Grand Tutor, Emperor Cheng agreed, "Teacher is a generalist who has practiced knowledge, what's wrong with talking about it?"
Shen Wenwen said: "Back to the emperor, Xiganling is really not a good place for the huge rivers and lakes outside the court. Firstly, Xiganling is far away and south of the Changhe River. I am afraid that General Huo will not be able to adapt; secondly, I heard The bullies of the rivers and lakes are entrenched in it, and the previous officials have suffered from them for many years, and they are extremely dangerous. The old minister thinks that it is really inappropriate to let General Huo go."
The reasons for pros and cons are clearly laid out in detail, and the emperor will decide. Emperor Cheng closed his eyes, seeming to think about his words secretly. At this gap, Chen Ruoyin sneered: "What the Taifu said is not true. Is there any king's land in the world? No matter how far away Xiganling is, it is also the land of Dayong. No matter how far the people of Jianghu Ferocity is also under the control of the court. Besides, how can other officials compare with the son of Marquis Dingbei? General Huo has been named a young hero for a long time, with outstanding military exploits, will he not be able to deal with mere Jianghu people?"
Shen Wenwen immediately agreed: "What the prime minister said is true."
Chen Ruoyin was taken aback, and everyone was taken aback. They all thought that the Tai Tuo was going to fight with the prime minister, and it was unexpected that they agreed suddenly. Shen Wen asked to lift his robe and knelt down: "Your Majesty, according to what the Prime Minister has seen, General Huo's going to Xiganling will definitely be able to restrain Cao Ze's thieves, but..."
Emperor Cheng said: "But it doesn't matter."
"It's just that General Huo is single-handed, even if he has three heads and six arms, it's useless." Shen asked and kowtowed, "I suggest that if General Huo goes to Xiganling, he will still be a general, and the local army and horses will be taken over by General Huo, and the barbarians will definitely be punished. .”
Chen Ruoyin's eyes widened slightly, and she used a trick to get off the donkey and use her tricks!
There is no light of the sword, no shadow of the sword flashing, just fighting with lips and tongues is better than fighting with swords and crossbows. After a long time, the stewed goose on the plate became cold, and the sweet pears were covered with icing sugar, and the whole hall waited with bated breath.
Emperor Cheng held the cup and said slowly: "According to what the Prime Minister and the Taifu said, send Huo Linfeng to Xiganling to hold the local military power, and give me a good way to rectify the atmosphere in the world."
Fearing that something might change, Huo Linfeng kowtowed: "My minister obeys the order, and I will never hesitate to die."
At this moment, the reception banquet really began, with gold, stone, silk and bamboo brimming with laughter, warm wine and a hundred cups of chatting and laughing. The bustle lasted until late at night, Emperor Cheng was slightly drunk and sleepy, and as soon as he left the hall, it was over, and his eyes were full of messy cups and plates.
Many people were drunk, few were sober, they went out together, Huo Men and his son met Shen Wendao, under the bright moon, but they were also inside the palace walls, they both swallowed some words.
Huo Zhao cupped his fists and thanked him. Shen Wenwen faded away the sonorous voice, and said very calmly: "If you want to weave Shu brocade robes, you must get ramie clothes. You can't wear them, and you should use them as wages."
The current fate is like this, but it is not the end of the road. Good wine can be heard hidden in the deep alleys. A general with a soldier in his hand can overturn the world. In order to avoid suspicion, Shen Wenwen strode away and went first.
Huo Linfeng's heart was shaken, he was more grateful and admired, he turned to look at his father, and found that Huo Zhao had a serious face...
"Father?" he called.
Huo Zhao shouted, "Shu brocade robe and ramie clothes. The person who originally said that has been dead for seventeen years.
"yes… "
A celebrity with a strong character, Tai Fu Tang Zhen.
Huo Linfeng suddenly remembered, but he didn't dare to say anything, he could only chew on the aroma of pears and wine, and swallowed it cleanly.