Chapter 1: Out of Zhen (Part 1) Seeing the two old people feeling sad, Li Xu also felt a sense of separation in his heart. He didn't want to worry his mother. He smiled and comforted in a low voice: "I'm just going to protect the food.
No need to fight, no danger!"
"It's not dangerous, it's not dangerous. How did you get those injuries? Who doesn't know that the Goguryeo people are vicious? People say that the water in the Liao River flows back, and when the heroes go..." Aunt Zhong was impatient, and she was about to finish her retort loudly, when she suddenly realized
I shouldn't have made any excuses before the young master left. He spat hard at Li Xia twice, stepped on the spit a few more times, and explained sarcastically: "Look at my mouth. Madam, young master, don't blame me. I'm old."
Must be a little confused..."
"You are talking about him for his own good!" Ms. Li Zhang quickly interrupted Aunt Zhong and comforted her in a low voice, "Besides, you have raised him since childhood and he has always been like your own son..."
"The porridge is ready, I, I'm going to watch the fire!" Before Mrs. Li Zhang could finish her words, Aunt Zhong lowered her head and ran away, lifting the corner of her clothes and wiping her eyes as she walked.
"Don't blame her, Aunt Zhong is doing it for your own good!" Ms. Li Zhang looked at her son's instantly livid face and persuaded her in a low voice.
"I know! I don't blame him!" Li Xu smiled weakly at his mother, hiding the bitterness between his brows. Aunt Zhong's words were well-intentioned, but they hit her hard like a sledgehammer.
On his chest, "The water of the Liao River flows back, and the strong men never look back." This is absolutely true. On that day, 300 strong soldiers who were protecting food supplies rode on horseback to the company camp, and pulled more than 3,000 brothers back from the edge of death.
With the desire to go home, everyone traveled thousands of miles and broke through many obstacles, but unexpectedly, they saw two balls of flames just a few steps away from home.
The bridge was broken, and the door to home was slammed shut before the lone soldier stepped on the threshold. Facing more than 100,000 Goguryeo chasing troops, two thousand desperate soldiers could not create another miracle. Relying on the power of their horses, Li Xu, Liu Hongji and others rushed forward.
After breaking out of the siege, they fought and fled until they reached the other side of Wuliluo City, where they were picked up by the city's defenders on rafts and crossed the river (Note 1). Three hundred and fifty people who were determined to die volunteered to rescue people.
Heroes, a total of twenty-three came back! Wang Yuantong, Qi Po Ning, Qin Ziying, and countless good brothers disappeared on the way to escape. More than 300 food protection brothers exchanged their lives for only one general named Xue and one named Yuwen.
Prince Consort, Commander-in-Chief!
Xu Zi didn't want his family to worry, but at this time he had no choice. Even if it wasn't for the sake of merit, he had to rush back to Huaiyuan Town to participate in the second expedition to Liao. Most of the more than 300 brothers who buried bones in Liaodong were his.
Subordinate, he must let his brothers die in peace.
"If you go, be careful yourself!" Ms. Li Zhang also smiled and reached out to smooth her son's hair around his ears. Suddenly, she found that she had to step up to reach her son's ears. Li Xu quietly put his knees up
I bent over and fulfilled my mother's wish. My mother's hands were still so warm, but unconsciously, the once soft palms had become a little rough, and it hurt when I rubbed it on my face.
It hurts to the bottom of my heart
"When fighting, try not to rush forward, in case you retreat, run faster!" Mrs. Li Zhang choked and warned. The moment she raised her hand, she saw faint tears in her son's eyes.
Because of the mention of military documents, the family's breakfast was a little dull. The Li family is no longer as embarrassed as it used to be. In order to nourish Xu Zi's body, dried meat, salted eggs, and pickled vegetables are placed on the dining table every morning.
Five or six kinds of side dishes that Li Xu loved to eat in the past, but whose fragrance could only be smelled during festivals, have now become homely snacks. But today, no one had much appetite, so they picked a few chopsticks and put down their rice bowls one after another.
"When are you leaving?" Lao Li Mao asked in a low voice while looking at the growing greenery outside the window.
"At the latest by the end of this month, the emperor has reactivated old General Yuwen and recruited civilian warriors to serve as Xiaoguo. The soldiers and horses have not been moved, but the food and grass go first!" Li Xu sat upright and explained to his father in a low voice.
The so-called Xiaoguo refers to a person who has courage among the people and wants to gain fame immediately. In the Liaodong War last year, all the elite soldiers of the government were lost. Therefore, this time the Sui Dynasty had to recruit warriors with gold and silver again. From the official residence after the New Year
According to the newspaper, the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty spent a lot of money this time. On the second day of the first lunar month, he ordered various places to continue transporting grain to western Liaoning. On the third day of the first lunar month, he ordered the recruitment of Xiaoguo to join the army. On the twenty-third day of the first lunar month, he issued a general amnesty to the world and allowed the condemned prisoners to go to Liaodong to perform meritorious service and atone for their crimes on the twenty-fourth day.
, Wei Wensheng, who had ordered the pontoon bridge on the Liao River to be set on fire, returned to Chang'an and was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. He assisted the emperor's grandson Yang You in supervising the country for the twenty-fifth year. He ordered the soldiers who went home to celebrate the New Year to gather in Zhuojun...
Old Li Mao's face twitched, and he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. He was silent for a long time, and then murmured: "Now that you are a member of the country, you have to make your own decisions about many things. Hi, our Li family.
, Our Li family has not had such a big official for five or six generations..."
"Our Li family has not produced such a big official for several generations. Can you please ask that Tang Gong to arrange for you to stay away from the battlefield?" Old Li Mao asked quietly in his heart. He knew that the Li family was now prosperous.
Prosperity was earned by his son who sacrificed his life outside. Now, he is more afraid of losing this son than he was more than two years ago. However, he finally resisted these shameful selfishness and murmured a few words: "Don't worry, dad."
You know, since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety cannot have both!"
"Dad!" Li Xu didn't expect his father to say such high-sounding words, and couldn't help being stunned. Soon, he understood his father's difficulties, nodded, and responded in a low voice: "I know, I try to protect myself!
"
"You're older!" Li Mao looked at his son with wide eyes.
"Yes!" Li Xu promised in a low voice and looked at his mother. He saw her slowly standing up and silently picking up the dishes and chopsticks scattered on the table. Her mother's back was already a little heavy, and her legs and feet were not as agile as before.
Time has not slowed down her aging at all. The new clothes made of silk and satin have made the wrinkles on her face more obvious.
Li Xu wanted to stand up and help, but his mother gently pushed him down on the stool. "It's rare for you two to talk for a while. I'll clean up, and Aunt Zhong will help me!" After that, she picked up the bowls and chopsticks and walked out.
, the sound of shuffling footsteps echoed in Li Xu’s ears all the way.
"Don't worry about your mother and us, we are both still strong!" Li Mao looked at his wife's back and whispered.
"Yeah!" Li Xu agreed, turned around and saw the beautiful hair on his father's temples.
"The younger generations have paid tribute to the family's incense money. We already have my share. Our family is no longer doing business. Brother Zhao from the county has not visited us for a long time!" Old Li Mao paused and repeated what he had said many times.
repeated
"If you don't have enough money, sell a few of the things I brought back!" Li Xu finally found a relatively easy topic and suggested to his father with a smile.
"Those jade stones," Old Li Mao smiled and shook his head gently, "I have discussed with your mother that they are your hard-earned money and should be kept for you as a wife!"
"Why use so much!" Li Xu couldn't help laughing at his father's absurdity, "Those jades and stones are to honor you and your mother. In a few days, if you sell a few pieces, you can buy a bigger house and hire a few maids to serve you.
If my mother is willing, she can lend some to Uncle Baosheng as capital!"
"How could your mother and I be so rich and noble? We have worked hard for half a life, and we really have to let others take care of everything. Instead, we are going to cause trouble!" Old Li Mao was moved by his son's childish filial piety. He said happily while saying, "It's you."
, now you are a member of the government, and when you get married in the future, you will definitely not be able to find a country girl to keep these jades and stones, after all, they are a valuable betrothal gift!"
"It's still early!" Li Xu bared his teeth at his father and smiled happily. "Besides, I'm just a captain now, not an official..."
"You kid, how many captains have our old Li family produced in total? A few days ago, a matchmaker came to our door to give you horoscopes, but your mother and I responded. We are thinking, wait for you to come back from Liaodong this time, if you are in the mood
Okay, you can choose one according to your own wishes..." As a smile appeared on his son's face, Lao Li Mao's words gradually became lighter.
The child Asahi was blessed with good fortunes since he was born. Year by year, his body and bones have grown strong and his appearance has become neat and tidy. When he was studying, there were many daughters staring at him. Now that he has obtained official robes, even more so.
The goal of matchmakers near and far. The child was worried a while ago, and Li Mao and his wife did not want to bother him with these things. Today, it is rare that he is happy again, so it is better to explain to him the important things in his life clearly.
Thinking of this, Old Li Mao cleared his throat and whispered: "The year before last, you sent a letter saying that you were going to get married. Your mother and I were happy for you. Later, you went to Liaodong, and we didn't think about some things again.
Su Chuobu’s daughter is also good, but as the daughter of the clan leader, she may not be able to control many things by herself..."
Li Xu listened to his father's words quietly. He didn't expect that his seemingly old father's insights when analyzing problems were so unique. That dream had become a permanent memory in his heart. When he mentioned it, he no longer felt pain or regret.
A touch of sadness mixed with a touch of joy
"Now, it has been almost two years since that incident!" Lao Li Mao glanced at his son and continued: "You have to let go of what you should let go of. You can't live in memories all your life. Your mother, we don't expect you to marry Ruhua.
When Miss Xiyu comes back, as long as she is nice and treats you well in the future, we will be happy!"
Li Xu listened quietly, and a smile slowly came to the corner of his eyes. People can't always live in memories, but the gentle sadness in memories is as unforgettable as mellow wine.
Suddenly, the grassland in my memory turned into a river on fire. Someone on the other side of the river shouted loudly, "Flee, run north, Zhong Jian, run north -"
He smiled and nodded at his father, letting his memory ride his horse all the way north.
Note 1: Wuliluo is located at the big bend of the Liao River. Its ruins are found in Faku County, Liaoning today. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty failed to conquer Liaodong. In order to save face, the city was renamed Liaodong.
