Xu Yanbo stood in front of the Duke's Mansion, neatened his clothes, and handed his name card to the concierge according to etiquette.
Not long after the song was circulated, steward Wu Tong came out and after seeing the ceremony, he led Xu Yanbo to the side hall of the Duke's Mansion.
In the side hall, Cui Jie was checking the calligraphy that Qiao'er had practiced today, and from time to time pointed out the inaccuracies in Qiao'er's writing. Qiao'er obediently rewrote it several times, and Cui Jie nodded in approval with satisfaction.
Cui Jie came from a noble family, and her knowledge of classics and meanings was good, and her writing skills were excellent. However, she knew nothing about the physics and chemistry taught by Li Qinzai.
When Li Qinzai left home as an envoy, Cui Jie did not dare to neglect Qiao'er's knowledge, so she had to teach her the classics and calligraphy that she was good at.
Fortunately, Qiao'er was quite obedient. Although she had done some pranks and naughty things in the Duke's mansion these days, she was generally very easy to discipline. Great-grandfather Li Ji also loved Qiao'er very much.
In the days since Li Qinzai left home, the relationship between Li Ji and Qiao'er has heated up rapidly. I don't know because they only got close after two generations. Li Ji has never been kind to Li Qinzai, but he always responded to Qiao'er's requests.
No matter how unreasonable and childish Qiao'er's request was, Li Ji would satisfy it without hesitation.
Even when Qiao'er accidentally uprooted the newly planted peonies outside his study, Li Ji only felt distressed and his cheeks trembled a few times, but didn't even say a word of blame to Qiao'er.
This is more than just love, it's simply doting.
Cui Jie hesitated to speak several times, but she did not dare to criticize her elders, so she had to remain silent. Anyway, when Li Qinzai comes back, everything will be restored to the same state as before. I believe that Li Qinzai will solve the problem that Qiaoer was used to by her great-grandfather in one day. You can get it back.
After putting down the last stroke of the pen, Qiao'er put the brush down and suddenly sighed with a sad face: "Auntie, dad has been gone for more than two months, why hasn't he come back yet?"
Cui Jie also sighed, but she still said warmly: "Your father went on a mission to the vassal state for the Tang Dynasty. He did a big thing. He will come back when he is done. Please wait a little longer."
Qiao'er blinked and said, "Shall we go find him? I miss my dad."
Cui Jie was startled and said hurriedly: "Don't fool around. Tubo and Tuyuhun are fighting fiercely. I don't know how dangerous it is. If we go, we will cause trouble to your father."
Just as Qiao'er was about to say something, Butler Wu's voice came from outside the door.
"My dear young lady, Xu Yanbo, the grandson of Prime Minister Xu, is here."
Upon hearing this, Cui Jie immediately stood up with Qiao'er and walked behind the screen in the side hall, saying, "Please come in, Master Xu."
Xu Yanbo walked into the side hall and saw a figure flashing behind the screen. He did not dare to raise his head and take a closer look. He bowed to the screen and said, "Your Majesty, Xu Yanbo, pays homage to Mrs. Li."
Cui Jie's voice came from behind the screen and said: "Xu Shaolang, please forgive me. It's not convenient for women to see foreigners. It's really helpless to see each other across the screen. Don't blame me, Shaolang."
Xu Yanbo didn't mind at all. Although the folk customs of the Tang Dynasty were open, the powerful families were still relatively conservative. It was inconvenient for the female family members to see foreigners. They usually did so through screens or curtains. This was also the established rule of the powerful families.
"I'm asking Mr. Xu to come over today. I really have something to entrust you with."
Xu Yanbo said hurriedly: "Mrs. Li, you are too polite. Brother Jingchu and brother Xiaguan have a very close relationship. If Madam has any instructions, just tell me and I will never refuse."
"My husband has been on an envoy mission for more than two months. It is already cold today, and the products in the bitter cold land of the Western Regions are barren. I am really worried that my husband will starve and freeze in Liangzhou City..."
"In the past few days, I have personally sewed some leather robes and cloaks, as well as some exquisite food from Chang'an. I heard that the Xu family's caravan was traveling through the Western Regions, selling ice cubes with my husband. If you come along, I would like to ask Mr. Xu Shaolang to bring these to you." Bring something to my husband."
Xu Yanbo smiled and said: "It's a small matter, Mrs. Li, don't worry. It just so happens that this month the Xu family's caravan will come to Chang'an for liquidation. In two days, it will set off for the Western Regions. Liangzhou City is a must-stop place. The things that Mrs. Li is carrying, my caravan will It must be delivered to Brother Jingchu."
Cui Jie thanked her behind the screen, and then asked: "I don't know if your husband is okay in Liangzhou City. There is endless war there, and it must be a raging war. If your husband needs any help, please ask the Xu family caravan." Your generous helping hand will be greatly appreciated by your husband when he returns."
Xu Yanbo said sternly: "Mrs. Li, don't worry. Brother Jingchu is on an envoy to the Tang Dynasty. No matter he is a minister of the Tang Dynasty or a brother, whether in public or private, he will order the caravan to help with his life."
After saying goodbye to Cui Jie, Xu Yanbo walked out of the Duke's Mansion. Just as he was about to gather a caravan to discuss going to the Western Regions, a member of the tribe hurriedly came to report.
The Lord of Jinxiang County invites you.
Xu Yanbo was stunned. Of course he knew the head of Jinxiang County, but over the years, let alone friendship, they had very few interactions and had almost never met.
We are not familiar with each other, so why do we want to meet him for no reason?
An hour later, Xu Yanbo walked out of the Jinxiang County Lord's Inn and looked at the bleak Chang'an street scene with a confused look on his face. He did not move for a long time.
Brother Jingchu... is a real man.
He and the head of Jinxiang County...tsk, when did this happen? Why is there no news at all in Chang'an City?
My brother is awesome.
Like Cui Jie's request, the head of Jinxiang County also entrusted a large number of products and asked the Xu family's caravan to deliver them to Li Qinzai.
From leather robes to cloaks, from meat to snacks, there is a dazzling array of everything.
Xu Yanbo silently calculated the weight, and then he discovered with dismay that on this trip from Chang'an to the Western Regions, Cui Jie and the Lord of Jinxiang County were carrying only half of the caravan's load.
The two eldest sisters, you and your husband are showing off their affection, why should I make this trip at a loss?
After standing in silence on the street for a long time, Xu Yanbo sighed quietly.
"Come here, tell the caravan that for this trip to the Western Region, we will add fifty camels. In addition, the caravan will add two hundred more guards."
…………
Liangzhou City.
The two envoys of Princess Honghua and Lun Zhongcong had left, and the post suddenly became empty.
The two envoys left with only a few entourages. As for the hundreds of members of the envoy, when it was late at night and the warriors of the envoy had not returned, Princess Honghua and Lun Zhongcong knew that the warriors sent out were vicious. A lot of good luck.
With Li Qinzai's character, he would certainly not be merciful to the warriors who set up an ambush to kill him. At this time, the warriors must have turned into interesting souls, queuing up to drink Meng Po soup in the underworld.
Li Qinzai stepped out of the hotel, the smile on his face getting deeper and deeper.
Although I was a little frightened tonight, I gained a lot.
Princess Honghua was forced to voluntarily give up Tuyuhun, and the Khan and his wife joined the Tang Dynasty. This was the biggest gain.
As for Tubo, although it is difficult for them to voluntarily give up half of the Tuyuhun land, Lu Dongzan is a smart man, and the Tubo army has been tired of attacking Tuyuhun these days.
If the Tang army had gathered all the food and fodder, and the king's army marched westward, forcefully intervening in the Tuyuhun battle, Lu Dongzan would eventually compromise as long as he was not stupid. This is the general trend of the country, and only by following the trend can we protect ourselves.
In the middle of the night, Liangzhou City was completely silent. Li Qinzai stretched out in front of the post gate and walked towards the Governor's Mansion contentedly.
On a fruitful day, you must sleep for eight hours to reward yourself for your hard work.
Just a few steps away, a loud noise suddenly came from the direction of the Governor's Mansion in the east of the city.
The sound was very familiar, and Li Qinzai immediately recognized it as the sound of a three-eyed gun being fired.
Li Qinzai looked stern and said coldly: "There is an incident in the governor's office. Sun Congdong will send troops to help immediately!"