An old locust tree with teeth and claws standing upright at the entrance of the alley. It is said that this locust tree was planted here when Yang Jian built Daxing City, and it has been there for forty or fifty years now.
The presence of ghosts in a locust tree is a bit unlucky for ordinary people. Locust trees are often planted in prison places to use ghosts to suppress ruthless people.
But Sophora japonica is also similar to Kui, and because of its lush branches, it is more popular among scholars.
Therefore, most of the people living in Huaihua Alley were educated people. If they were able to read and write, they would naturally be from wealthy families, and there would be a certain aura of nobility in Huaihua Alley.
This old Sophora japonica at the entrance of Sophora japonica Alley is one of the longest-lived Sophora japonica trees. It is still lush and lush and has not aged at all, which makes it even more precious.
…………
Chu Suiliang led several of his followers to the foot of the old tree at the entrance of the alley, got off his horse, looked up for a moment, then dismounted and bowed respectfully.
His staff Zhang Wengong asked strangely: "Why does Dong Weng worship it? What is so magical about this tree?"
Chu Suiliang was in a good mood. He stepped forward and patted the mottled trunk of the old tree. He looked up at the green crown with new buds and said with emotion: "It is only slightly younger than my father and is my predecessor.
It can protect a place, so those of us in the officialdom will naturally respect it."
After speaking, his eyes wandered around the alley again, "My grandfather and I have been living here since we came to Chang'an. Hey, when we come back today, the world has changed...
In the past, every late summer here, when the sophora flowers were fragrant, Li Gong in the alley would send people to pick them and brew the sophora flower wine. After the wine was brewed, each household would have a jar, and it was impossible not to accept it.
My grandfather was very talented and respected by people. The neighbors asked his children to visit him often. My grandfather was very grateful. When the weather was warm and he had nothing to do, he set up a table under this tree and taught the children in the alley.
In those few years, there were many wars outside, but the folk customs in Huaihua Lane were simple and peaceful..."
After hearing this, people sighed and stepped forward to salute the old tree. What matters to a scholar is elegance. Chu Suiliang's eyes couldn't help but moisten when he saw this scene.
At this time, the door of a house in the alley opened, and three people led horses and walked out one after another. The leader was a young man, wearing an official uniform and carrying a knife at his waist. He was quite dignified.
He looked at the group of people at the alley and was stunned. A group of strangers were worshiping the old tree. It was a bit weird, but he was going to go on duty and didn't intend to pay attention.
…………
After meeting him face to face, Chu Suiliang did not recognize which yamen the official uniform the young man was wearing belonged to, but he still smiled slightly and bowed to salute.
The young man was not rude, he nodded generously, clasped his fists, and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, are you looking for someone?"
Chu Suiliang said: "I used to live here, but I haven't returned for a few years. I haven't seen my dear brother before. Are you a new move here? I'm Chu Suiliang in Qiantang. May I ask my dear brother Gao's surname?"
When Chu Liang and his son left Beijing in a hurry, because they offended the Dugu family, Chu Liang had no intention of returning to Chang'an and had no concerns about real estate or anything else.
But Chu Suiliang was young and very ambitious. He felt that he would return to Chang'an in the future, so he persuaded his father to keep the house.
The young man also noticed at this time that the man in front of him looked official, so he was not in a hurry to leave and said with a smile: "It turns out that the owner of the house at the end of the alley has returned, so disrespectful.
I am Gongsun An of Xiangyang. It is true that he has just moved here not long ago. Brother Chu is... returning to the court to report on his duties?"
When people in the officialdom strike up a conversation, if everyone is not well-known, this is pretty much the process.
"I am actually a Miao descendant of the Yellow Emperor. I am disrespectful and disrespectful. I have been an official away from home for several years. Today I am returning to the court to report on my duties. The first person I see is not an old friend from the past, but a handsome person like Xiandi. It is really a fate.
Why don't you wait until I've settled down and ask my dear brother to come over to the house as a host? I wonder if my dear brother is willing to honor me?"
Gongsun An saw that he had an extraordinary bearing and was a neighbor from now on, so he responded readily: "Brother Chu, there is no need to be so polite. When the eldest brother comes back, it is the younger brother who should be here to pick up the wind and wash away the dust for Brother Chu."
I have to go on duty now, so I can't talk properly. How about I wait until I get off duty and come to see you?"
Chu Suiliang smiled and nodded repeatedly. He really didn't expect that the first person he made friends with after returning to Chang'an was actually a newly moved neighbor.
Chang'an is still the same place as before, and there are always interesting things happening.
"Then I'm being disrespectful. I just dare to ask my dear brother, what position does he hold now? Looking at this official uniform, it looks quite majestic, but I really don't recognize it because of my poor eyesight."
Gongsun An cupped his fists and said: "Brother Chu has not returned for a long time. No wonder it is so. I serve in the newly formed Yulin Army and hold the position of General Yulin..."
Chu Sui was shocked. He saw that Gongsun An was so tender-faced. He was only in his twenties at most. From his words, he was already the head of the family.
This is not uncommon among aristocratic groups. It may be a concubine or a second son who cannot inherit the family business.
The official position is definitely not high, and the most you can do is to prepare for a thousand bulls... That is the treatment for a disciple of a big noble.
It's just that he really didn't expect that he was underestimated after all. He was actually a general. He couldn't help but wonder in his heart, has the Yulin Army been rebuilt? When did this happen? What rank is General Yulin?
official?
Referring to the previous Yulin military structure, the rank of the emperor's personal soldiers is usually one level higher than the ordinary official rank. Anyway, no matter what rank, they are all higher than other officials.
Chu Sui couldn't help but have mixed feelings in his conscience. He thought about the list of heroes in Beijing, but couldn't find a family named Gongsun. He unconsciously became a little curious about Gongsun An.
After a few more polite words and setting a date for the meeting, Gongsun An took his leave and left.
Chu Suiliang calmed down. He returned to the court to report on his work this time thanks to the recommendation of Wang Qing, the governor of Bingzhou. In fact, it was his father Chu Liang who made the effort.
Of course, he has to make some achievements himself.
When the emperor visited the north in the third year of Yuanzhen, he took the lead in repairing the Jinyang Palace and was summoned by the emperor.
Later, he, Yan Xiangshi and others built Jinyang Academy.
During his tenure as the Jinyang Order, he also made great achievements in Jinyang's security and trade with the northern Turks.
In general, it can be said that he has achieved outstanding political achievements after serving as the Jinyang Order. Last year, Chu Suiliang was among the best in the civil service examination, and he was recommended by Wang Qing. This year's promotion is a matter of course.
There were actually many choices, but he chose to return to Beijing to report on his duties and planned to become an official in the court.
He had some differences with his father Chu Liang on this matter. Chu Liang felt that it was too early for his son to enter the court as an official at this time, and that he should make more political achievements and increase his qualifications.
Chu Suiliang argued hard, saying that it was not up to the father to control his son's growth. The son was too independent and Chu Liang, the father, could not stop him.
In particular, both father and son agreed that the risk of returning to Beijing was much smaller than before.
Back then, Chu Liang participated in the killing of Dugu Huai'en, which greatly offended the Dugu clan. But now the leader of the Dugu clan has changed again. He is petty-minded. Dugu Xiude, who must be punished by Jiaju, is dead, and the Duguluo family has regained control of the clan.
The position of Lord.
Few people probably remember the grudges and grudges back then. As long as you don't get in front of others or brag about it to others, who will care about the Chu family and his son?
After some careful consideration, Chu Suiliang set off back to Beijing.
…………
Returning to the old house, the two servants who stayed to take care of the house were still there. Even though the master never returned, the servants lived a miserable life and could not take good care of them.
The house he entered was neither big nor small. Regardless of the fatigue from the journey, Chu Suiliang walked around the house and ordered people to clean and tidy it up.
When it got dark, he took two servants to dig out the money he had hidden and buried it under the old locust tree at the entrance of the alley.
The father and son have been wandering around for many years, and they have many evil intentions. They are good at hiding things, and they bury gold, silver and jewelry that are difficult to carry.
Copper coins cannot be hidden; they can easily become worthless when dynasties change.
Chu Suiliang was relieved that everything was still there, so he would not have to worry about spending money in Beijing in the next one or two years.
There was nothing to say all night, and when he got up the next day, he was not in a hurry to go to the Ministry of Personnel to report on his work.
Having been an official for many years, he knew that he would be at a disadvantage if he went to the Ministry of Civil Affairs at this time. He was not a high-ranking official, and there were too many tricks that officials there could do. If he went to report his duties, even with Wang Qing's recommendation, he might not get any position.
All he needs to do is to work hard for his official career, and get more accurate information before going to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to speak. It cannot be delayed too long. Officials who return to Beijing to report on their duties usually have a buffer of one to two months, and they will not wait until they are overdue.
.
It would be bad if you were included in the list of people who have abandoned their official positions. Unless you live in seclusion in the mountains and forests and never show your face again, we will let you into Dali Temple without any discussion.
Chu Suiliang counted the time and cleared out the mansion first, which showed that he already knew what was going on.
On the evening of the second day, Gongsun An arrived as promised and personally invited him to come over and have a drink.
Chu Suiliang happily went to the appointment.
Gongsun An had also just moved here, and Chu Suiliang learned during the chat that this man used to be Qian Niu Bei Shen, and he lived in the palace all year round in a dormitory built for Qian Niu Bei Shen to be on duty nearby.
Chu Suiliang was even more surprised. It was not that he had never come into contact with Qian Niu Bei Shen. Most of them were descendants of aristocratic families, but he did not say that anyone would use the temporary resting place of Qian Niu Bei Shen as their residence. What is going on with Gongsun An?
?
However, when he thought about the origin of the emperor, Chu Suiliang was relieved. How can the emperor's personal army today be compared with the past? When the old and the new were changing, the emperor naturally used people he could trust.
Thinking of this, he became a little more enthusiastic.
Gongsun An also had a good impression of this well-spoken Brother Chu. He had inquired before. If he asked who Chu Liang was, maybe someone would still remember him. But Chu Suiliang, who was that?
Chu Liang and his son had a good idea. Even if they went to the Dugu family to declare their family status, they probably wouldn't know who Chu Suiliang was.
Therefore, Gongsun An did not know the origin of Chu Suiliang.
When the two of them arrived at the mansion, the food and wine were already prepared. As the host, Gongsun An first toasted to each other and said, "Come, let me toast Brother Chu. From now on, we will live across the wall and interact with each other more, so that we can take care of each other."
