When Zhou Yexiong and Zhou Xu were about to have a conflict and quarrel, Zhou Chen suddenly spoke and held Zhou Xu's hand.
"Saburo."
Although Zhou Chen came from time travel, he inherited everything, and they still had a few months to get along with each other. So when Zhou Xu turned around and saw Zhou Chen's eyes, she knew that Zhou Chen had made a decision, and her heart trembled.
Zhou Chen said seriously: "Mom, I have decided to join the army."
Zhou Xu urgently advised: "Sanlang, the border is different from the capital. You grew up in Tokyo, so you won't be able to bear going to the border. Don't worry, if you don't want to go, my mother will let you stay even if she puts her life on the line.
"
"Mom, don't worry. My child is not as weak as you think. In fact, compared to playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting, reciting poems and lyrics, and studying for the imperial examination, I yearn for the soul-stirring military battlefield."
"So, this choice is my own decision, not because of my father."
"But you are only sixteen years old. Going to the border alone makes my mother really uneasy."
In fact, Ms. Zhou Xu herself knew that it was impossible to convince Zhou Yexiong. Now that Zhou Chen had relented, it would be even more difficult to change. But what she was most worried about was Zhou Chen's safety. She didn't expect Zhou Chen to make great achievements, she only hoped that Zhou Chen could
Peace and peace.
Zhou Yexiong said solemnly: "I didn't ask him to be a soldier. Someone will take care of him and won't let anything happen to him."
But Zhou Xushi retorted: "What guarantee can you give? You yourself have been injured, how can you guarantee that Sanlang is fine?"
Zhou Yexiong's face turned red: "It was an accident, an accident."
Being hit by a stray arrow on the battlefield is actually a normal thing, but he was ashamed of his pride and could not accept that his career as a military officer ended in this way.
"Father, I can go to the border and I am willing to help my elder brother, but I have a condition."
Zhou Chen has made a decision, so he will naturally not refuse. Now he needs to fight for his own interests.
Zhou Yexiong said in a deep voice: "As long as your request is not excessive, I can agree."
Zhou Chen stated his purpose: "I have fallen in love with a girl from the Sheng family, and I want my father and mother to help me propose marriage."
"Sheng family?"
Zhou Yexiong looked confused. Zhou Chen fell in love with someone else's girl and asked him to propose marriage. He was not surprised. After all, Zhou Chen was already sixteen years old, and there were many men getting married at this age, let alone just asking for marriage.
But what was strange to him was that he had never heard of the Sheng family at all.
"Which mansion in Tokyo is the Sheng family?"
Zhou Xu was also very surprised, but she quickly thought of who it was because Zhou Chen had told her about the basic situation of the Sheng family.
"The Sheng family that Sanlang mentioned is not from Tokyo, but from Yangzhou City, the granddaughter of my aunt's family."
"Your aunt?"
Zhou Yexiong was still confused, but then he thought of someone: "The only daughter of Marquis Yongyi back then?"
"right."
"Then what's special about this Sheng family? How does Sanlang know the girl in their family?"
"It's nothing special. The head of the Sheng family is Yangzhou Tongpan, and he is the only one in their family who is an official."
Zhou Yexiong's expression suddenly changed: "Yangzhou General Magistrate, the daughter of a sixth-grade official? No, absolutely not."
Then he yelled at Zhou Chen: "Sanlang, there is no way I can agree to this. You are my legitimate son. There are so many noble and famous ladies in Tokyo. You can't choose anyone. Choose a daughter of a sixth-grade official. You
If you marry her, not only will you not be able to help you in your career, but it will also hinder you, so I will never agree."
Zhou Chen's tone was calm: "Father, I am not discussing with you. I have already made up my mind. I will definitely marry Hua Lan as my eldest wife."
"Gui Zi, are you threatening me?"
Zhou Yexiong was furious. He always kept his word at home. Zhou Chen had questioned him before, but he had endured it. After all, he needed Zhou Chen to take over his power in the army.
But before his anger could burst out, Zhou Xu suddenly spoke.
"Sanlang, mother promises you."
"Madam, you..."
Zhou Yexiong felt a pain in his chest and almost couldn't breathe. He could only stare at his wife with angry eyes.
Zhou Xu's expression was dull and her tone was cold: "Sanlang is willing to give up his own future and safety for you and the Hou Mansion, but you still want to use his marriage to strengthen the Hou Mansion. There is nothing so good in the world, I will
Go to Yangzhou in person and propose marriage to Sanlang."
Zhou Yexiong's face kept changing. He was really dissatisfied. In his calculation, it was best for Zhou Chen to marry the daughter of a noble noble. He didn't dare to think about an only daughter like the British Duke, but other marquis' legitimate daughters
There is still hope, and at the worst she has to be the legitimate daughter of the Earl's Mansion.
As a result, Zhou Chen chose the daughter of a sixth-rank official. What help could she bring to Zhou Chen?
But when he looked at Zhou Chen with a firm face, he could only push back his anger. During today's conversation, he also realized that his son was no longer the obedient child he used to be and didn't dare to disobey his orders. Now he dared to face him without asking.
fear.
If Zhou Chen really doesn't go to the border, the only person who will suffer in the end will be the Hou Mansion, so even if he is dissatisfied, he can only compromise for the sake of the Hou Mansion.
"You can go if you want to, I won't go."
Ask him to go to the home of a sixth-rank official to propose marriage. He can't do such a thing.
…………
Zhou Chen followed his mother back to her house. Mrs. Zhou Xu held Zhou Chen's hand with a sad look on her face.
"Sanlang, it's my mother who is sorry for you. She can only do this for you."
"That's enough, mother. You really don't have to worry about me. Even if I go to the border, nothing will happen to me. I will protect myself."
Zhou Chen is really not afraid of going to the battlefield. He is truly experienced in hundreds of battles. He has experienced wars involving hundreds of thousands of people. The strongest in the northwest of the Song Dynasty was Xixia. Although Xixia and Song Dynasty had conflicts many times in history, they also
There were only small-scale battles, and there were basically few large-scale wars. Especially in the later period of Zhao Zhen's reign, the Song-Xia wars were even rarer.
And he and Xixia are also old rivals. Although he used to face Xixia decades ago, Xixia at this stage is really not necessarily much stronger than when the country was founded. Now that the young master of Xixia is in power, there are also internal problems
Without unity, the threat is not great.
Zhou Yexiong's injury can really only be attributed to his bad luck and bad luck.
For dinner, the family had a reunion dinner, but only Zhou Yexiong and his wife, Zhou Tong and his wife, and Zhou Chen, and the other children did not come.
The meal was very depressing. Zhou Chen didn't say anything and just focused on eating. Zhou Yexiong was dissatisfied and didn't say anything. Zhou Xu just kept picking up food for Zhou Chen.
Zhou Tong even kept a straight face and carried forward the good quality of being silent when eating and silent when sleeping.
On the other hand, Zhou Cui, who joined the Marquis Mansion and had the reunion dinner for the first time, felt very embarrassed and awkward. She did not dare to speak and kept her head down.
Whose family reunion dinner is eaten like this?
When it was almost over, Zhou Yexiong suddenly spoke.
"Sanlang, you come with me to the palace banquet tomorrow."
"ah?"
Zhou Chen looked surprised. There was no morning court meeting in the imperial court during the New Year Festival, but on the first day of the year, officials would hold a banquet in the palace and invite ministers to attend. Those who could attend the banquet were all officials above the scarlet robe.
There will be banquets in the previous dynasty, and the same is true in the harem. The queen will also invite high-level wives to attend the banquets, so on Yuan Day, the palace will be very lively.
Zhou Chen from Menghualu World has attended similar banquets before. After he became emperor, he would also hold palace banquets during festivals, so he was no stranger to them.
But Zhou Yexiong said he would take him there, which surprised him. After all, they had just had an argument.
Zhou Yexiong ignored Zhou Chen and continued: "When you enter the palace tomorrow to meet the Holy Spirit, you need to pay attention to etiquette. Then just follow me and don't stand out."
As the Marquis of Zhongjing, he is qualified to bring his son to the banquet. Other noble officials will also make similar moves, mainly to let their children gain knowledge and see the world. If they can communicate with the officials and the court,
It's also a good thing if the senior officials are familiar with each other.
"okay, I get it."
After dinner, Zhou Tong took the initiative to find Zhou Chen and told him many court etiquettes. Zhou Xu also called him over and gave him many instructions.
In their opinion, it was Zhou Chen's first time entering the palace, so he would definitely be nervous, fearing that something might go wrong with Zhou Chen.
Early the next morning, Zhou Chen dressed up under the service of the maids beside his mother. Today he was going to the palace to meet the saint, so he wore very formal clothes, and even his bun was neatly made, including the accessories on his body, such as
The forbidden steps hanging around the waist are also carefully selected.
After getting dressed, Zhou Chen went out with Zhou Yexiong and Zhou Xu.
Because Zhou Chen wanted to go to the former court with Zhou Yexiong, he took the same carriage as Zhou Yexiong, and Zhou Xu took another carriage.
The imperial palace of the Song Dynasty is relatively mediocre among all dynasties, but after several generations of emperors, the palace has been expanded a lot and renovated several times, so now it seems that the scale is not bad.
When they arrived in front of the palace gate, the carriage was naturally not allowed in. Zhou Chen followed Zhou Yexiong, and Zhou Xu was led into the imperial city by the palace maid, and went to the harem together with the other wives.
Although it was a banquet, because it was a formal banquet, everyone attending the banquet wore official uniforms and official uniforms.
Zhou Chen took a quick look and saw that the number of officials waiting in front of the palace gate was not particularly large. Except for purple, they were red. In addition, there were a few non-officials like Zhou Chen, all wearing formal clothes.
.
As the legitimate son of the Zhongjing Hou Mansion, Zhou Chen is not a dandy, but he does know some noble sons. However, among the people who came today, he only knows two or three. Because of the special environment, he did not go out to say hello.
After waiting for a while in front of the palace gate, when the time was almost up, the imperial guards opened the palace gate and allowed everyone to enter the palace.
Zhou Chen followed Zhou Yexiong, keeping pace with every step. His main goal was to not fall behind and not stand out.
Today's banquet was held in Jiying Hall in the palace. Jiying Hall is large enough to accommodate everyone. It is also the main banquet hall in the palace.
Not all the officials and nobles came to attend today. There were also some officials who needed to be on duty and did not sit in, so it was not crowded.
Zhou Chen was sitting behind Zhou Yexiong. Everyone had a separate table, and dozens of palace maids stood behind to serve him.
After everyone was seated, the official Zhao Zhen appeared. Everyone immediately stood up and saluted, and then the official motioned for everyone to sit down.
Zhou Chen secretly looked at the official above. This official was one of the longest reigning emperors in the Song Dynasty. He also received the temple title of 'Renzong' after his death. Even among thousands of people in China,
Throughout his history, he was considered an extremely kind and loving emperor.
Although in Zhou Chen's opinion, this official is a bit weak, it is undeniable that working under this official can greatly guarantee your safety.
Following the official's instructions, the banquet officially began, and the Jiying Hall quickly became lively.
When there is a banquet, there will naturally be performances, dances, and music performed one after another, making the atmosphere in the hall more and more lively.
After the performance, the officials asked all the ministers to compose impromptu poems and lyrics on the theme of today's festival.
The husbands, who considered themselves to have good literary talents, were very interested in composing poems and lyrics on the spot. Regardless of whether they were good or bad, as long as they were done, they would be praised by the officials.
Zhou Chen was sipping wine and listening to the poems and lyrics composed by the princes in the palace, looking relaxed and at ease.
He looked around and found that most of them were nobles. They listened to the civil servants opposite who were composing poems and lyrics, and many of them looked confused.
There are many scholars among the nobles, but most of them are half-baked, and writing poems and lyrics is really not their strong point, so no one came forward at all, and they all toasted and drank to each other.
The official above suddenly looked towards the military general Xungui and asked: "Is Zhongjing Hou Zhou Qing here?"
Zhou Yexiong stood up immediately: "I'm here."
The official asked in a calm voice: "Zhou Qing, I heard earlier that your Sanlang Qiuwei High School Jieyuan, I heard that you brought your Sanlang here today?"
Zhou Yexiong replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I did bring my dog with me today."
After saying that, he winked at Zhou Chen, who immediately stood up and prostrated.
"Student Zhou Chen, I would like to pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live."
In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on Zhou Chen. Everyone present had heard about Zhou Chen's Qiu Wei Jie Yuan.
"Get up and talk."
The official looked at Zhou Chen below and laughed and said: "What a talent. Zhou Qing is worthy of being the pillar of my court. Both sons are extremely talented."
"Your Majesty is so complimentary. How can a child be so virtuous and capable as to earn your Majesty's praise?"
"I'll tell you the truth, I read your Sanlang's article and it's very good. He has real talent and learning."
The official seemed to like Zhou Chen very much, and said: "Zhou Zhoulang, since you are the Qiu Wei Jieyuan, it must be difficult for you to compose poems and lyrics. If so, then you can improvise one."
Zhou Chen looked hesitant. He didn't expect that the official would ask him to compose poems.
"Your Majesty, my students are not very talented and have little knowledge. I am not as good as yourselves. I really don't dare to show my embarrassment in front of your majesty and yourselves."
The official laughed and said: "You kid, you are quite interesting. It's okay. Just do it. No matter how you do it, I won't blame you. If you write good poems and lyrics, I will definitely reward you generously."
Suddenly, countless eyes fell on Zhou Chen again, some were curious, some were watching the excitement, some were disdainful, and some were as full of expectations as the officials.
