Northern Liang was in turmoil, and the news that Chen Zhibao entered Shu and was about to become king had spread all over the world.
It is estimated that Xu Fengnian will become the second king with a different surname in Liyang earlier than Xu Fengnian, who was the hereditary king of Beiliang.
An elegantly decorated carriage stopped slowly at the entrance of Chu Mansion, the porter who was leaning against the side door to eat melon seeds was a little dazed, the groom was a young woman in Tsing Yi, thinking that the owner of this house was really not afraid of letting the maidservant into the tiger's mouth , but when the concierge saw the people coming down from the carriage one after another, he was so frightened that he fell silent, his mouth trembled, and he staggered out the door after throwing a handful of melon seeds. The first person to step down was a white-haired man, wearing a black shirt over a white background, he didn't have much dignified style, but his face made the porter fearful. In Beiliang, this young master is really the only one who can hold back his master. Afterwards, there were Xu Longxiang, the second son of the general, Yuan Zuozong from Yushu Linfeng, and the burly and strong Qi Dangguo. The four were all prominent characters who could not visit the Chu Mansion. The concierge hurriedly gave a few peeps, General Chu's loyalty can be learned, and no one can copy here. Seeing the rare and distinguished guest headed by him, His Royal Highness Xu Fengnian, the clever concierge knelt down without saying a word, and was about to Holding back his energy and yelling, so as to make his master proud, Xu Fengnian laughed and said, "Okay, get up and lead the way."
A group of people sat down in the lobby of Chu Mansion, and felt the ground shaking. Chu Lushan, who was wearing loose casual clothes, stepped over the threshold and rolled into the hall. It’s a humble house, and the succulent plants are shining, and I’ll burn a few more sticks of incense for the ancestors when I turn back.”
Xu Fengnian kicked over, "Humble house? I don't think it's much worse than Beiliang Palace. Today I brought Brother Yuan and General Qi to drink with you. Stop talking nonsense and find a clean place that isn't so tacky. "
Chu Lushan stood up staggeringly with difficulty, turned his head and gave the old housekeeper a sharp look, then turned his head to see a flattering smiling face, holding Xu Fengnian's arm with a pair of soft, boneless white and fat hands, "Drink, drink, drink!" There is a good place for tea, and if His Highness is dissatisfied later, Lu Qiu'er cuts two catties of meat and drinks."
Xu Fengnian sarcastically said: "You are so fat, you have the nerve to serve the food and drink, we all can't eat chopsticks."
Chu Lushan said awkwardly: "It's because Luqiu'er is useless. He couldn't grow a body of pork belly that is fat and thin and suitable for serving with wine."
When I came to a bamboo house, the purple bamboos were sparse and not dense enough to make people feel desolate. The small pool was deep and green, and the sunlight shone through the gaps in the bamboo leaves. There was a palm-sized wild turtle dragging the house by the water. Basking in the sun with my mouth open, I heard the sound of people's footsteps, and I slipped into the oily green pool. The pool house is big, and the lighting is ingenious. When you push the door in, it looks quiet and bright, without the slightest sense of crampedness. There is also a Guqin with patterns in the bamboo house. Sitting here, whether you are drinking or drinking tea, it is a human scene. Tea and wine complement each other. Xu Fengnian glanced at the guqin, outsiders don't know the talent of the butcher Chu Bacha, he knows the inside story, Chu Lushan can master the piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and prose, but it's a pity that he doesn't have a celebrity appearance. After sitting down by the window, Chu Lushan first poured two glasses of wine for Xu Fengnian and Qi Dangguo, and then asked Yuan Zuozong with a smile, "Your old man doesn't dislike dirty hands and smelly wine, so I will boldly pour you a glass."
Yuan Zuozong raised his eyelids, and Chu Lushan followed the trend and poured out the glass of wine.
Qi Dangguo has a good relationship with Chu Lushan, and he is the most popular among the six adopted sons. He and the other five adopted sons of the same generation often visit each other. After accepting him as a godfather, he almost failed to make a baby kiss for the two children. Chu Lushan beat and scolded his sons frequently, just like the ones he picked up. The only thing that loves and dotes on this young girl, and despises Qi Dangguo's young son is his vulgar appearance, and made Qi Dangguo ask Chu Lushan why my son is ugly every time we meet in the past two years.
Xu Fengnian took a sip of wine and looked around. Among the three, Yuan Zuozong, the white bear, had the highest military rank. From the second rank, General Zhen'an, he had a real high position and weight. In the Northern Liang army, he was only lower than the Northern Liangdu who commanded the two border states. Protecting Chen Zhibao half-rank, Yuan Zuozong is currently serving as the deputy general of the Daxue Dragon Cavalry Army. Chu Lushan is a Qianniulongwu general of the third rank, but he has no real military power in his hands. The state of Qi is even more miserable. He is just an insignificant lieutenant of Zhechong. Responsible for carrying the flag. Because Beiliang is under the jurisdiction of the vassal kings who are single-handedly controlled by the military and government, plus Xu Xiao, who was once a king of a different surname, who was once a super first-rank Dazhu Guowu was a first-rank hussar general, and the sky is high and the emperor is far away. The ranks are the same, but most of the generals can be higher by one rank or half rank. The court also opened their eyes and closed their eyes and pretended not to see it. Even the first assistant Zhang Julu said something similar to what Beiliang should be like. Now Beiliang doesn't say that there is no special civil service system, just talking about the group of military generals above the seventh rank, not mentioning the honored officials who have withdrawn from the border, there are still as many as 80 people, and these support Beiliang's 300,000 people. Most of the backbone of the iron cavalry may not have seen Xu Fengnian with their own eyes.
Xu Fengnian finished drinking a glass of wine, and while Chu Lushan was pouring the wine, he asked, "Lu Qiuer, who do you think will be the Protector of Beiliang?"
Chu Lushan said without hesitation: "General Yuan. Otherwise, the two old generals, Commander of the Cavalry Army Zhong Hongwu and Commander of the Infantry Army Yan Wenluan, are barely qualified and capable. But to be honest, General Zhong has a lot of prejudice against His Highness. I can't get involved with Chen Zhibao, so it's not suitable to be the second-rank general guard immediately. Yan Wenluan seems to be impartial, and there is a gap with Chen Zhibao, but the old general has a gloomy temper, and he is more difficult than Zhong Hongwu. I have been staring at him for more than ten years, but I have never heard him say a bad word about His Highness. On the contrary, it is not reassuring. After all, it has to be General Yuan who will be the guardian of the military power of the two states. It makes sense. Why are you staring? I said this in front of His Highness and you, Yuan Zuozong, and it was exactly the same with my adoptive father. Believe it or not. You don’t appreciate good things about you, you old man is hard to serve!"
Yuan Zuozong smiled and lowered his head to drink.
Huang Man'er has been squatting beside the guqin in a daze.
Xu Fengnian said calmly: "Lu Qiu'er, give me a list, and I can promote one or two official ranks as appropriate. If it is really necessary, it doesn't matter if I skip three ranks."
Hearing this, Chu Lushan handed out a stack of origami paper from his sleeve, and handed it to Xu Fengnian with a smile. Yuan Zuozong frowned, and stared coldly at Chu Lushan, the prophet.
Xu Fengnian smiled and spread out the three sheets of paper on the table. There were more than 60 people densely written on them. Apart from the names, there were also concise and concise military resumes. It was clear at a glance whether they were good or bad. Chic and smooth. After Xu Fengnian read every word, he pushed it to Yuan Zuozong. After reading it carefully, Yuan Zuozong frowned slightly. On paper, he was neither nepotism nor an overly sanctimonious meritocracy. People, but most of them are middle- and lower-level lieutenants who are depressed in the Northern Liang Army. What they have in common is that they are young and good at fighting, and they are full of vigor and vitality.
Xu Fengnian asked with a smile: "Lu Qiuer, you have no fear at all? Won't you take out this thing later?"
Chu Lushan, who was sitting on a small hill, smiled and said: "There is no need for this. The general is my adoptive father who is willing to die. Needless to say, Your Highness is my Luqiuer's obedient master. These things are sneaky and hidden." Ye, it seems so hypocritical. By the way, there is one more thing that has been stuck in my throat for many years, and I am not talking about it today. If I make a mistake, don't take it offence, Your Highness."
Xu Fengnian nodded and said, "Tell me about it."
Chu Lushan sat upright, and said: "We Beiliang's nearly a thousand civil servants who can be called Shangguan are just a mess. Most of them have retired from the Beiliang army. Those who disturb the people are the honest and good officials who make the people feel grateful. Most of these people have a lot of bad tempers that are a good habit in the military. Don't mention being a majestic official. Fortunately, the people of Beiliang have been used to being poor and fearful. Otherwise, in any place in the Liyang Dynasty, there might be an uprising. Besides, the officials protect each other. It has become a terminal illness, those old generals who are idle at home, big and small, can bump into a few when they find a bigger brothel, and they can bump into a few of them after a casual drink. As long as they stay at home, nine out of ten are lawless and domineering dandies, who are the only ones capable of harming the village. Damn, Yuan, are you addicted to staring at me? What I say Can you tell the adoptive father? Do you really believe that the adoptive father can’t see this kind of situation? It’s because he is an old man who is not good at all! They are all old brothers who have followed him with his head tied to his waistband and fought for decades. Don't tell me, I, Lu Qiuer, will tell you about the mess of the Meng family in Lingzhou the year before last. The old general Meng and his two sons died beside you in the concubine's tomb. Remember? He was the only child of the old man The grandson grew up, robbed his daughter-in-law, bought murders and murdered a whole family of forty or so people, but what did you ask the adoptive father to do? With a click, just cut off the incense of old General Meng? Are there not enough bastards who use the smog to test the bottom line of the foster father?"
Yuan Zuozong snorted coldly.
Chu Lushan said angrily: "Confucian benevolence and righteousness always come before the word "benevolence". If you are unrighteous, you are just not a courtier. If you are not benevolent, you are not even a human being. If you follow the legalist way of life in this world, It's even more chaotic. Since Zhang Shengren, for a thousand years, for a whole thousand years, Confucian scholars and scholars have been trying to find a balance between the two words of benevolence and righteousness, which are fundamentally opposites. You really think it is a simple matter. ?! It's not easy to win the world immediately, but it's easy to defend the world immediately?"
After saying what was in his heart, Chu Lushan quickly wiped the sweat on his forehead with his sleeve, slapped himself a few times, and said nonchalantly, "I lost my temper, I should slap my mouth."
Xu Fengnian changed the subject lightly and skillfully, and said with a smile: "Let's get to the point. This time I came to the door, just to tell you Lu Qiu'er that Dianxiong Wei Fucheng and those people should let them go, don't make things difficult for them."
Xu Fengnian paused for a moment, and said flatly: "Also, Xu Xiao promised me to let you be the guardian of Beiliang."
Chu Lushan fell backwards with a bang, and the whole bamboo house shook a few times. The fat man, who was trembling violently, sat on the ground, his eyes glazed over, and he forgot to stand up.
In fact, both Yuan Zuozong and Qi Dangguo heard this appalling news for the first time, and the former remained motionless with a calm expression. The latter opened his mouth wide and was speechless.
Xu Fengnian didn't go to see Chu Lushan, and said to the two people present: "Second brother Yuan, old general Zhong Hongwu will definitely resign from the military post in a fit of anger, and you can take over generously at that time. General Qi, you will take over Dianxiong. Six thousand iron Buddha heavy cavalry, and Wei Fucheng's crossbow cavalry. Ning Emei will be your second-in-command. If you think there are too few soldiers, I can add more for you. If there are too many, I will ignore it."
Yuan Zuozong put down his wine glass and said, "I'll do whatever I want."
Qi Dangguo rubbed his cheeks vigorously, "Your Highness, can I do it?"
Xu Fengnian joked: "Then you can't let me be a strong general?"
Chu Lushan got up with a mournful face, and was about to speak when he saw His Royal Highness Shizi waving to the window.
Not long after, a beautiful woman was holding the little girl and stood timidly at the door. Chu Lushan trotted over and slapped her on the face.
The child in the young woman's arms was crying loudly, Chu Lushan hugged her in her arms and comforted her in a low voice, the corner of the woman's mouth was bleeding, she still resisted the piercing pain, and gracefully bestowed blessings on everyone in the house, Yuan Zuozong and Qi Dangguo were not surprised , did not get up and did not return the gift.
Only Xu Fengnian walked to the door and said with a gentle smile, "I've seen my sister-in-law."
She is uneasy when she looks like a woman with a face that is as shameful as a closed moon. She is just a concubine of the Chu family, how can she be called a sister-in-law by His Royal Highness? She didn't know how to respond, Chu Lushan said coldly with disgust in his eyes: "Go back!"
The woman gave another blessing and slowly resigned.
Xu Fengnian didn't take a second look, but just stared at the pink and jade-carved little girl doll, stretched out his hand to pinch the little cheek, and hid it, so he had no choice but to withdraw his hand, "Lu Qiu'er, fortunately, your girl looks like a little sister-in-law, so it's no wonder you I don't want to make a baby kiss with General Qi. Little girl, how old are you?"
The tearful little girl pouted and said nothing, sullen.
Chu Lushan could only smile and said: "I'm only a little over three years old, and I speak much later than ordinary children, but the first word I uttered was daddy, which made me very happy. I have been able to walk for half a year, but I like to cling to people."
Chu Lushan rubbed his daughter's flushed cheeks, and said with a smile, "Come on, call our Royal Highness Daddy."
Xu Fengnian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and scolded: "Go to hell."
Xiao Nizi is not very sensible yet, but she already knows how to protect her weaknesses. She puffed her cheeks at this big villain who spoke fiercely to her father, neither exhaled nor inhaled, and soon her little face flushed red.
Chu Lushan laughed and said: "This is her trump card. I don't know who learned it. I don't know what to do every time."
Xu Fengnian was also amused, "Hurry up and let her rest for a while, be careful and hold your breath."
Chu Lushan hastily kissed his daughter's forehead, "Chang Changsheng, good boy, I will give you beautiful clothes later, don't be angry."
The little girl raised her head and smiled brightly at her father, then turned her head to look at Xu Fengnian, puffed up her little cheeks and held her breath fiercely, but she couldn't stand being tickled by Chu Lushan, and soon failed, so she had to hide in her arms Just don't look at Xu Fengnian.
Xu Fengnian laughed loudly, "Hey, it's because I didn't have a meeting gift, right? Little Changsheng, do you know that I gave your father a second-rank Beiliang Governor, is this gift too light? Well, I'll leave the words here today. Here, if I have a son in the future, I will let you be my daughter-in-law."
Chu Lushan said with ecstasy, "Your Highness, do you really take Lu Qiuer seriously?"
Xu Fengnian nodded and said: "You really are. But the premise is that your daughter has changed a lot."
Chu Lushan was very excited and said: "Don't worry, my parents will follow her mother all their lives, and they will not be ugly in the future!"
Chu Lushan turned his head and said: "Yuan Zuozong, Qi Dangguo, you two have to testify for me. If His Highness ever repents, I will have to rely on you two to speak out!"
Yuan Zuozong stood up and said, "It depends on your mood."
Qi Dangguo laughed proudly, feeling comfortable all over his body, and the little green ant wine on the table was not enough to drink.
Xu Fengnian made a funny face at the little girl who glanced at him furtively, and then said to Chu Lushan, "Don't give it away."
Watching the four of them walk on the bluestone slab path that he had carefully built with his own hands, Chu Lushan came to sit by the pool with his daughter in his arms when their backs gradually faded away and disappeared from sight.
Xiao Nizi yelled "Dad" crisply.
Chu Lushan came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Little Changsheng, it depends on whether you have the fate to be a queen in the future."