A carriage stopped on the outskirts of Liangzhou City, and the young man with a sword and jade got out of the carriage, holding a pot of green ant wine he just bought in his hand. Tufts of bright yellow fall on the branches, barely letting the barren northwest land get a little bit of the word "harvest". The young man walked forward slowly, looking at those familiar persimmon trees near or far from time to time. He remembered that he often slipped out of the city and wandered here. He was bored and gave those persimmon trees many nicknames. It is called hanging armor, if you see it in the twilight, it is a bit scary. I haven't seen this small persimmon tree for several years, and it has been raised a few points. At a glance, it is more fruitful, golden, and very beautiful. Xiqi, the nickname he gave it back then was Little Yellow Robe. The young man continued along a dry creek, and finally came to a hut with no earthen walls around it. Behind the house grew a few strange elm trees with crooked necks.
The house has no owner.
The young man walked to a tree stump, knelt down and wiped the dust with his cuff, then sat on it, looked around, put the green ant wine gently on his robe, and shouted loudly: "Blind old Xu, Here's a drink for you."
If it was those days in the last years of Yonghui, there would definitely be a blind and lame man running out in a flash, taking the jug from him, uncovering the mud seal deftly, lowering his head and sniffing hard, and then the vicissitudes of life on his old face A big smile will bloom, like a persimmon tree in autumn, but when the old man shares the drink with himself, he will always get a bargain and teach him by being a good boy. It's ruined, no matter how small the copper coins are, you have to save them one by one, and then you can marry a daughter-in-law. The world is big, and the matter of marrying a wife and having a baby is the biggest. At that time, Old Xu always thought mischievously and said that there is a place called Yanzhi County in Youzhou, Beiliang, and the mother-in-law and aunt are the most watery. The news came that I, Old Xu, would go to your house to drink the wedding wine even if I walked for three days and three nights.
I remember that time, after the old man said these words, he carefully asked himself, would it be embarrassing to have a blind old man like him come to visit such a great event, such a good thing? If the elders and in-laws in Xu Xiaozi’s family would dislike him, then he, Old Xu, would not join in the fun, and just go back and make two pots of green ant wine at a decent price.
The young man who often brought green ant wine or stolen chickens and ducks to the old man, at that time patted his chest and said that his family members were the most effective in talking, and if Lao Xu didn't go when he held a wedding, he would be anxious with him and said he would definitely Ask Lao Xu to sit at the main table.
At that time, the old man only thought that the young man who often chatted with him was a common young man in Beiliang city. Invite him to sit at the main table and drink the wedding wine, happy to be happy, but didn't think much about it. Not to mention linking that young man with a big tone with that Qingliang Mountain. There are too many people with the surname Xu in the world, right? Young people at that time always expressed their longing for something other than Beiliang in their chats. They wanted to be a chivalrous knight-errant, use the best sword, drink the strongest wine, and find the most beautiful woman in the rivers and lakes. , she must be prettier than Aunt Yanzhijun. The old man always sings against the young, telling him in the tone of someone who has experienced it, don't be so big-hearted, no matter how good the Central Plains is, it is not home after all. At that time, the young man also expressed emotion, saying that he also understood the truth. The master who taught him to read and write at home once said, "Ten years is not a long time for a young man to leave home, but for an old man, one step away from home is a long journey." . After the old man heard this, he smiled and said that your teacher is really knowledgeable, how did he teach you such a half-bucketed apprentice.
Sometimes when the two of them sat together and chatted, the elderly blind old Xu would sit on the tree stump next to him, leaning on the crutch with both hands, dozing off secretly in the sun.
Perhaps, many years ago, on the battlefield of Xileibi, there was a young soldier of the Old Characters Battalion who was not crippled or blind, but he would doze off in the sun, but the crutches in his hands were replaced by If it becomes an iron spear, maybe not far away there will be a big flag with the word Xu, fluttering in the strong wind.
Now it is the autumn of Xiangfu's third year, and the blind old Xu has died long ago, so naturally there will be no more chatter.
The old man did not live long enough to drink the wedding wine of the young man.
The young man also promised the old man that after the old man died, he would personally carry the coffin for the old man.
But young people didn't do it.
At that time, he was far away in the south of the Yangtze River.
He didn't go to the grave of the blind old Xu, but poured the pot of green ant wine lightly on the ground in front of the tree stump, and said softly while bending down to pour the wine: "Old Xu, the wine was bought secretly from the wine seller Xi Shi." , now that the world is not peaceful, and there is going to be a war soon, we in Beiliang have started to prohibit the private brewing of wine, so this pot of wine is not cheap, if it is not an acquaintance, the shop may not dare to sell it to me, the daughter of the proprietress is now very happy Yes, the Eighteenth Change of Women’s University is indeed true. I heard that the girl has now fallen in love with a young foreign scholar who is teaching in a private school near her home. When I bought wine earlier, the proprietress joked, saying I'm late, her daughter has actually been waiting for several years. Look, I really didn't brag to you back then, I just said that girl has good eyesight, otherwise she wouldn't be able to pick me... "
Some regrets, like an old dog crawling on the corner of the street sobbing alone, slowly and slowly, scratching the heart and lungs.
He left the flagon on the stump and got up to leave.
The carriage returned to Qingliang Mountain.
Today, there are two places in Beiliang Prince's Mansion that are famous all over the world. Wutong Courtyard is jokingly called Fengge, and the residence of Deputy Economic and Strategic Envoy presided over by Song Dongming halfway up the mountain is called Longmen.
As soon as he returned to Qingliang Mountain, a Longmen official rushed over and reported to him that the Deputy Economic and Strategic Envoy had important matters to discuss with him.
When he saw Song Dongming standing in front of the low mansion waiting in front of the mansion, he knew that the news, good or bad, must not be a trivial matter, otherwise, with the calmness of one of the Liyang prime ministers in the past, it would never be a big deal. I can't sit still like this.
Sure enough, Song Dongming waited until he approached, turned around and walked into the mansion in the center together, and said in a slightly hasty tone: "The four pieces of news come together, and they are respectively related to Liuzhou, Central Plains, Beijing and Beimang, and the prince weighs them all."
Xu Fengnian smiled and said, "Then let's talk about the news from Liuzhou first."
Song Dongming nodded and said, "An urgent intelligence report came from Fengxiang Army Town, which is the closest to the Western Regions. Cao Wei and Xie Xizhen changed the established strategy of the Protectorate's Mansion without authorization, and chose to take the initiative to attack all kinds of people in the Miyun Mountain Pass. Tanbu cavalry!"
Xu Fengnian's expression was normal, and he said: "It should be that the monks and soldiers of Mount Lanta didn't set off with the Zhongtan cavalry army."
Song Dongming said worriedly: "Even so, there is still not much difference in the strength of the two sides. Wouldn't it be contrary to the original intention of Liuzhou to use troops?"
Xu Fengnian shook his head and said, "If we failed to annihilate the Tanbu cavalry in the Battle of Miyun Mountain Pass, then the battle would be meaningless. It can even be said that because of their greed and aggressiveness, the entire Liuzhou fell into a great passive position. But since even Xie Xizhen is willing to accompany Cao Wei in the adventure, I believe in their vision."
Song Dongming sighed and said with a wry smile, "These two guys are really worrying."
Xu Fengnian said with a smile: "If we win, there may be surprises."
Song Dongming knew it in his heart, "It's true, if the entire cavalry army of the Zhongtan tribe is wiped out, maybe Mount Landuo will have to re-evaluate."
Xu Fengnian asked: "What's the news from the Central Plains? Is it because Wen Taiyi and Ma Zhongxian have finally stopped stumbling over the issue of food?"
Song Dongming said with a smile: "This is not any urgent news."
Xu Fengnian was a little surprised, "Is there any more important situation change than this?"
After Song Dongming and Xu Fengnian took their seats in the meeting hall, the Beiliang Dao deputy envoy, who had already received a nod from the officials of the Liyang court, had a playful look in his eyes: "The king of Jing'an, Zhao Xun, who was originally loyal to the court, I just took refuge in two rebel lords."
Xu Fengnian froze on the spot.
Song Dongming sneered and said, "It's up for grabs. This move is really beautiful. I guess this feudal lord who judged the situation sold himself for a sky-high price."
Xu Fengnian felt absurd, and frowned, "Could it be that Zhao Bing, Chen Zhibao and Chen Zhibao are going to push Zhao Xun to be the emperor?"
Song Dongming smiled and said, "Your Majesty's words are right!"
Xu Fengnian fell into deep thought.
If you add the Jing'an Road in the middle of the Central Plains, and the Nanzhao of Western Shu, which has long been controlled by Chen Zhibao, then the entire area south of the Guangling River is completely connected, and half of the Liyang River is in the same place. It has already entered the hands of San Francisco.
At this time, Zhao Bing, the king of Yan Chi who took the lead in raising troops and has the strongest strength, seems to be the most qualified to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor, and rule along the river with the orthodox Liyang. However, no matter how unbearable Song Yushu said about Emperor Liyang in that edict, the government and the public, especially the gentry in the world headed by Jiangnan Dao, still have their hearts in Tai'an City. Zhao Bing is not suitable to be the first bird, and Chen Zhibao, who has a foreign name and a bad name, is even more unsuitable, so King Jing'an Zhao Xun is the candidate who can avoid it. In the Liyang Dynasty that annexed the Central Plains, in fact, it is far more orthodox than Zhao Dun and Zhao Zhuan. After the old Jing'an King Zhao Heng was "assigned" to Qingzhou after failing to seize the heir, there was no reason why he had so much grievances. Now In the new dynasty of Xiangfu, I am afraid that few officials know the secret of the early years. Before Zhao Zhuan's grandfather ascended the throne, because Prince Jin of the same generation had no children, the clan's family proposed to adopt Zhao Heng to Prince Jin's lineage. However, the process of Grandpa Zhao Zhuan's ascension to the throne was more confusing than that of his son Zhao Dun. In short, in the end, Zhao Heng's identity became a mess that even the elders of the clan's family could not figure out. But if it is brought up at this time to bring up the old matter again, it would be better than a coincidence, it can be said to be just right.
Xu Fengnian didn't feel sour about Zhao Xun's one-step ascension to the sky, but he couldn't help laughing, thinking of the poor guy who was thrown into Chunshen Lake by himself twice before and after, did he really give him a dragon chair and a dragon robe
Xu Fengnian withdrew his thoughts, "No matter how chaotic the Central Plains is, that's the way it is. By the way, what's going on in Tai'an City?"
Song Dongming habitually stroked a jade pendant hanging around his waist with his thumb and forefinger, and said with a smile, "The eunuchs in power in Yinshoujian have all been dispatched, and they are on their way to our post in Beiliang, leading a freshly baked jade pendant. Heap imperial edicts."
Xu Fengnian wondered, "A lot?"
Song Dongming couldn't help but said: "Otherwise, where would you need three or four Yinshou eunuchs to come together, the most important of which is your title of Dazhu Kingdom, and the posthumous titles of Liu Jinu, Wang Lingbao and other Northern Liang frontier generals, such as Tai'an City Posthumously named Liu Jinu as the first-class earl, bestowing the title of 'Ke Jing', besides, he gave Lu Chengyan, Wang Chudong, and the two future palaces carefully prepared eunuchs. The reason why the eunuchs in Yinshoujian walked slowly was probably I want to wait for your marriage, so that I can win the lottery of three blessings. It can be seen from this that the sincerity of Tai'an City this time is really different from the previous two times."
Xu Fengnian fell into deep thought.
Song Dongming did not disturb the young vassal's thinking.
Song Dongming quietly looked out of the room, his thoughts fluttering.
The biggest feeling of the second civil official in Beiliang Dao was that Lu Shengxiang soared into the sky in the Liyang Temple. This person's ability to become a marquis and worship minister was definitely not because of how well this old Chunxuelou man was in the officialdom, but because of his talent. Too high, military achievements can be expected, but the timing of Lu Shengxiang's rise is worth pondering. I believe that Lu Shengxiang himself may not be as complacent as the capital officials imagined, maybe he will be more cautious than when he was the coach of the Southern Expedition, and he is in a high position under the general trend. Can you retire? Isn't the posthumous posthumous posthumous posthumous title of Xu Xiao, the old king of Liang, and the ransacking and extermination of Zhang Julu, the old chief assistant, a lesson from the past? The two generations of Liyang emperors before today's son Zhao Zhuan, each wearing two dragon robes, one is wise and powerful, and the other is magnificent. It is undeniable that the blood on the cuffs is dripping. The two emperors never killed innocent people indiscriminately. Faint king, but once they want to kill, they always kill the person with the highest credit. Isn't Lu Shengxiang worried that he will become a sacrifice when the new king after Zhao Zhuan ascends the throne
Song Dongming finally understood that it is not difficult to hang out in the officialdom of Liyang. Tai'an City can accommodate scholars like Qiyang Long Huanwen with both talents and virtues, and scholars like Wen Shouren and Jin Lanting who are seeking fame and fame, and Sima Puhua. Scholars who practice Gongmen can't tolerate those scholars who insist in their hearts that the people are noble and the emperor is the least, and they can't tolerate those who have no merit.
In Liyang and Zhongyuan, it is easy to be an official for the Zhao family, but it may not be easy to do things for the people.
Many things, even the emperor, will be subject to all kinds of constraints. In the early years, Bi Yaner managed the water transportation and subordinate officials. Maybe it was what the late emperor Zhao Dun wanted to do, but the complex forces that have accumulated around the Zhao family for a hundred years, or recently joined the temple The upstarts in power have their own demands and selfishness, just like a vast and deeply entangled net, covering the entire territory of the Central Plains, and mixed with all kinds of unimaginable things on this net Complicated situation, disputes between imperial power and power, party factions, civil and military disputes, gentry and Han clan disputes, north-south region disputes, capital local disputes, gentleman and villain disputes, every yamen has a dispute between high and low seats. There is also an internal and external dispute between the yamen and the yamen.
So Song Dongming recognized Beiliang more and more.
Here, doing things is relatively simple.
But at the same time, Song Dongming also knew that this precious simplicity would quickly deteriorate if the Xu family in Beiliang was no longer limited to the four states of Beiliang Dao in the future.
For example, between him and Bai Yu, between the "foreign relatives" of Lu Wang's family, between young people like Xu Beizhi and Chen Xiliang and veterans of the frontier army, between people of high reputation like Huang Chang and notorious people like Huangfu Ping and Li Mofan, Beiliang Between cavalry and infantry, between elite border troops, and so on.
Even one day, conflicts will arise between Xu Fengnian and "everyone".
At this moment, Song Dongming had mixed feelings.
A voice sounded beside my ear, "Master Song, what's going on in Beimang?"
Song Dongming came back to his senses, and said with a smile: "The Princess Beimang, whose alias was Fan Bainu, entered the customs from Jizhou and then came to our Youzhou, where he registered himself with Huangfuping, and was escorted by the cavalry of Tongguan. We will arrive at Qingliang Mountain in two days."
Xu Fengnian asked in surprise, "What is she here for?"
Song Dongming shook his head and said, "I can't guess either. But she has a few followers with her, all of whom are cowardly Xue Wei from the Beiting King's Tent."
Xu Fengnian laughed at himself: "When did Beiliang become so lively?"
Song Dongming was in high spirits, showing his sharpness, spread out his palms, and then clenched them tightly, "The world belongs to me, and it's all in my Beiliang."
Xu Fengnian said with a smile for no reason, "Xu Xiao likes to hear this kind of talk the most when he was alive."
Song Dongming asked with a smile: "Doesn't the prince like it?"
Xu Fengnian smiled and said frankly: "There is no one in the world who doesn't like being flattered."
After saying this, Xu Fengnian looked a little lonely.
After Xu Xiao became famous and gradually aged, perhaps the only regret of that old man in his life was that he didn't hear a good word from his son.
It seems that there is not a word.