Coming to pay homage to the Prime Minister was not just a whim of Feng Duhu, nor was it to avoid direct conflict with the palace, nor was it to relax.
Of course, there are some of the above reasons.
The other one is to fulfill the duties of the Central Protector.
He wanted to come over to inspect the defense situation at Wuguan.
Wuguan was massively destroyed by the Wei army when Sima Yi withdrew from Guanzhong.
Although relying on the mountains east of Lantian, it can barely be regarded as a level.
But after all, the dangerous terrain without Wuguan makes people feel at ease.
So after repairing Tongguan, Feng Duhu immediately had people repair Wuguan.
He also sent Jufu and Meng Yan to guard this place.
After coming down from the mountain, Feng Duhu and his party stayed in the residence next to the Prime Minister's Temple.
After the emperor moved the capital to Chang'an, more and more business travelers from Shu came to Guanzhong.
Most business travelers who come to Chang'an are accustomed to first go to the Zhongyi Temple in Nanxiang to worship and ensure their safety.
Then we take the Ziwu Valley to the north. Although Ziwu Valley is not suitable for traveling with large armies, it is suitable for business trips. If you have enough time, you can also go to the Prime Minister's Temple to worship.
As the flow of people increases, there will naturally be market demand.
In addition, Lantian is directly facing the Nanyang Basin. With the two years of calm in the Han and Wei dynasties, people occasionally came from Jingzhou via Shangluo Road.
Therefore, a small gathering place has been formed here at the Prime Minister's Temple in Lantian.
Since it is a small gathering place, the guesthouses in the gathering place must also be small.
Feng Duhu and his party, plus the guards, were so large that the guesthouse could not accommodate them.
They stayed in a dormitory that was not open to outsiders.
"Meet the Central Protector."
Meng Yan, who was stationed in Lantian, came after hearing the news and met Feng Duhu in a wing of the dormitory.
Since Wuguan was renovated, Meng Yan and Jufu, one guarding Lantian and the other guarding Wuguan, changed every six months.
Now it happened to be Jufu's turn to guard Wuguan, so Meng Yan was the only one who came.
"Get up, General Meng and I are old acquaintances. There are no outsiders here, so we don't need so many courtesy."
Feng Duhu pointed to the seat next to him, "General Meng, please take a seat."
At that time, Feng Duhu was appointed as the governor of Yuexun County, and Meng Yan was the nominal governor.
The two of them worked together.
After Feng Duhu put down the rebellion of the Yuexi Yi people and restored the smooth flow of the road between Yuexun and Jincheng, he accidentally mentioned that the newly built Wudang Camp still lacked some unique poisonous arrows.
Meng Yan was kind enough to help find poisonous weeds.
Unexpectedly, Feng took the team directly to Hanzhong under the pretext of training.
This made Taishou Meng, who wanted to have a good relationship with Feng Duhu, almost unstable. He couldn't help but cursed a classic saying:
"What King Feng Gui said is really all lies. You can't believe a word of it."
Of course, these things have passed.
Everyone should look forward.
However, the experience of working with Feng Duhu has now become Meng Yan's bragging rights.
Just bragging, bragging, but now I saw Feng Duhu again, especially when I saw his wife sitting next to Feng Duhu.
Meng Yan couldn't help but become a little cautious.
Because Meng Yan had met Shiro Guan when he was in Yuexi.
Naturally, he did not dare to publicize the relationship between Sanniang of the Guan family and Shiro of the Guan family, but he also had some speculations in his heart.
Logically speaking, if Shiro Seki married his niece, his relationship should be even closer.
But Meng Yan is a member of his own family who knows his own affairs.
Although he and Meng Huo were brothers, and they were really good friends before, but after the Prime Minister's southern expedition... they were not worthy of being respected by outsiders anyway.
It was precisely because of this thought that Meng Yan became a little cautious.
So when Meng Yan heard what the Central Protector said, he didn't dare to offend him, so he still thanked him:
"Thank you, the Central Protector."
Then he sat down.
When Meng Yan came over this time, there was nothing special. He just told Feng Duhu in detail about the situation in Wuguan in recent years.
Although there were official documents exchanged, since Feng Duhu arrived in Lantian, he naturally reported in person, which would be more clear.
After Meng Yan finished speaking, Feng Duhu didn't comment too much. He just nodded slightly and asked:
"How's the situation with the thieves over there in Wancheng?"
"Back to the Central Protector, the current governor of Jingzhou is Guanqiu Jian. This man seems to have some military skills. He built another Guancheng at the east end of Wuguan Road along Danshui."
Wuguandao starts from Chang'an, passes through Jidao, Bashang, Zhiyang, Lantian, Aoguan, Shangluo, Wuguan, Danshui, Xi, Li and other places to Wancheng.
Among them, the section from Yaoguan to Danshui is the most dangerous.
After losing Guanzhong, Wuguan was too far away from Wancheng and the road was dangerous, so it was impossible to defend Wuguan. In the end, we had to destroy the pass and leave.
But facing the threat from Guanzhong, Wancheng had to take strict precautions at the east exit of Wuguan Road.
When Feng Zhongduhu heard the name Guanqiu Jian, he couldn't help but smile:
"Guanqiu Jian? This man does have some military skills."
The right lady added:
"Isn't Guanqiu Jian from Hedong? Nowadays, many families in Hedong have abandoned their thieves and returned to the Han Dynasty. Is there any way to establish a relationship with this person through the families in Hedong?"
Feng Duhu shook his head:
"I'm afraid it's difficult. This person is a die-hard loyalist to the Wei thieves, unlike those aristocratic families."
Hearing Feng Duhu's affirmative words, even Mrs. Zuo glanced at Feng Duhu in surprise.
Now is the time when the Wei thief's heart is unstable. Even the Wei thief's Shangshu Ling can abandon his official position and join the army. How can Alang know that this Guanqiu Jian will definitely be loyal to the thief?
Feng Duhu's expression remained normal, but he didn't explain much.
Because he had no way to explain it at all.
In original history, after the Gaoping Ling Incident, the Sima clan seized power and became a dictatorship, which caused dissatisfaction among the Wei generals who were loyal to the Cao clan.
Three rebellions occurred in Huainan, namely:
Wang Ling's rebellion, Guanqiu Jianwenqin's rebellion and Zhuge Dan's rebellion.
Known as the Three Rebellions of Huainan in history.
These three rebellions are very famous, so Feng Duhu knows better:
These people are die-hard loyalists to the Wei State.
In the current Wei State, the governor of Huainan is Wang Ling, and the governor of Jingzhou is Guanqiu Jian, so these two important military areas are under the orders of Xuchang.
"But it doesn't matter even if he is loyal to Wei."
Feng Duhu did not dwell too much on this issue, but instead smiled:
"No matter how powerful his military strategy is, he can't change the situation of heaven and earth. No matter how dangerous the pill water is, can he pass the martial arts pass?"
"They can't defend Wuguan, but along Danshui, they can defend it?"
"Besides, there are still Wu people to their south."
Jingzhou is the place of the Four Wars, this statement is true.
Especially after the loss of Guanzhong, Wancheng, which was originally the rear support for the Xiangfan defense line, suddenly became the front line.
Wancheng now is just like Nanjun, which was guarded by Guan Laojun in the past. At this moment, it is just like that moment.
Meng Yan's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he asked in a low voice:
"Here is the Central Protector, do you intend to leave Nanyang from Wuguan?"
If this is really the case, then wouldn't the people guarding Wuguan have the opportunity to become pioneers?
Feng Duhu glanced at Meng Yan with a dull expression:
"There is a spring drought this year. Although the Han Dynasty is not worried about food shortages, its main focus is still on people's livelihood. How can it have time to consider sending troops?"
"Besides, the Battle of Guanzhong wiped out all the savings left over the years. Even if the weather has been good for three consecutive years, the people can only save enough food for one year."
When the conscription system was implemented in the Han Dynasty, men had to register with the government when they were twenty years old, but they did not begin formal military service until they were twenty-three years old.
Why?
This is because you are considered an adult at the age of twenty, but you have to farm at home for three years, so that you can save enough food for your family for one year, and then you can serve in the military.
This is the principle of three years of farming and one year of saving.
Ji Han may be doing better now, but he still has not completely broken away from this principle.
Unless taxes are increased.
The Battle of Guanzhong has only been over three years, but with this drought, the people may not be able to save much food this year.
Saving at least one or two more years of grain and selling it to the State of Wu is a matter for wealthy families and has nothing to do with ordinary people.
"Although the Wei thieves are unlikely to attack Wuguan, you still need to always pay attention to find out the news about Wancheng."
Feng Duhu warned, "There should be no war in the world in the past two years, but there will definitely be one in the future."
"Han and Wu were allies of each other and agreed to divide the world equally, and Jingzhou is now at the intersection of the three parties."
"Perhaps one day Wu Guoguo will ask us to send troops from Wuguan to help them attack Jingzhou?"
What if one day Emperor Wu no longer wants to be the God of War in Hefei and turns his attention to Xiangfan?
If Hefei cannot be captured by oneself, then it is not impossible to let the big men help to capture Jingzhou with Wu's shameless behavior.
Meng Yan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when he heard this.
Instead of sending troops to capture Wancheng yourself, help Wu capture the entire Jingzhou?
What can the big man gain by exerting his strength?
However, he did not dare to comment lightly on such a major military and national decision, so he had no choice but to comply.
After paying homage to the Prime Minister and confirming that the defense of Wuguan was complete, Feng Duhu sent someone to take the Prime Minister's wife and children back to Chang'an first.
As for himself, he went around in a circle and went to Tongguan again.
Then he returned to Chang'an.
By the time he returned to his house, it was already July.
Madam You, who returned home earlier than Feng Duhu, said something to him:
"The prince came to the house two days ago."
"Oh? What are you doing here?"
Feng Duhu went out this time. Although he didn't go very far and didn't leave Guanzhong, he felt a little tired.
After all, it is the hottest time of the year, and just staying indoors would feel extremely stuffy without the ice cream.
"Of course it's natural to recognize the door and let's get out of the palace and get to know him better."
The right lady fanned Feng Duhu and said with some annoyance:
"Besides, whether they like it or not, they have to get to know each other first, right?"
Feng Duhu was lying on the recliner. Hearing this, he glanced sideways at his right wife:
"It makes sense to recognize the door, but can you gain knowledge by taking just two steps out of the palace?"
How many steps away is Feng Mansion from the palace?
In other people's homes, perhaps the things the prince had seen in the palace would indeed be regarded as insightful.
But who is my daughter, Feng Mingwen?
When I was young, I traveled from Longyou to Liangzhou, and then from Liangzhou to Guanzhong. Now I have even gone around Guanzhong several times.
Plus the knowledge and things in the house.
In terms of knowledge, how many of her peers can match her?
Many times, the reason why people are easily deceived is because they have little knowledge and do not understand certain things and things.
In the future, no matter who wants to deceive the Feng family daughter, the threshold is extremely high just by having knowledge in this aspect.
This is full of malice from Feng's father-in-law.
If you can't lie, then naturally you can only impress with true feelings.
"After all, let's get out of the palace and take a look outside."
Mrs. Right still wants to say some kind words to her nephew.
"And when the prince came, he happened to see the children in the house practicing martial arts. I think he was quite envious, but I don't know if my sister would like the prince to also learn martial arts."
Shuangshuang and Ah Chong are already eleven years old, and Ah Shun is nine, so they are not too young.
As for the three younger ones, they are also six years old, which is the time for enlightenment and foundation building.
Together with Zhuge Zhan, there are seven children, enough to run a small class.
When such children gather together, it will naturally be lively.
The prince and Ah Shun are similar in age, slightly younger than Shuangshuang and Ah Chong, and they must also like the excitement.
only……
Feng Duhu asked strangely:
"Didn't Ah Chong and Ah Chi get beaten during martial arts training?"
The right lady laughed and said:
"In the past few days since we have been out, their hands and feet have become rusty. How can they not be hurt?"
"The prince is not afraid?"
After hearing what Feng Duhu said, Mrs. Right also frowned a little and tried hard to think about it:
"It seems like there really isn't one? Well, when you say that, it's really strange."
Feng Duhu chuckled and said nothing.
The poor baby was so suffocated in the palace that he even envied being beaten.
"You are smiling so weirdly, what shameful things are you thinking about?"
The right lady was dissatisfied and slapped him with her fan.
"What's so shameful about it? I was just thinking, His Majesty has quite a few children, so why does the Crown Prince look like he has no playmates?"
"How can it be the same?"
The right lady sighed:
"As for my nephew, he is not bad-tempered. When he came to the house, he did not reveal his identity, and he behaved well."
"And judging from the fact that he wants to practice martial arts with the children in the family, he still has some spirit."
"It's just that Ajie has a son like him, so he is naturally very precious on weekdays. Besides, can it be the same in the palace as in the house?"
"Ordinary princes and princesses don't dare to play around like the children in the house."
Feng Duhu glanced at Madam Right strangely:
"Why are you telling me about these palace forbidden matters? I don't know that foreign ministers cannot inquire about them at will? Don't try to harm me."
"Stop pretending to be stupid!" Mrs. Right slapped her with her fan again, "After saying so much, I don't believe you can't hear it."
"If the palace really allows the prince to study and practice martial arts in the palace, would you be willing?"
Feng Duhu yawned. It was a hot day and he wanted to sleep as soon as he lay down.
"I don't care, but can the queen be willing to do so? I have agreed in advance that when the prince comes here, he can only come here concealing his identity. At most, he can only come as a member of the clan."
"I don't want my children to be so young and have to be so timid in my own home."
"Whether it's a slapstick or a fight, it's time to hit and scold, but don't get used to it."
In fact, the best way is to shirk it and not mess with it.
When Ah Chi first came here, every time he came to the door, he always looked like he was about to die.
It's as if Feng Mansion is the abyss of hell, the kind that once you fall into it is as deep as the sea, you will never come out alive again.
But Feng Duhu was half a disciple of the Prime Minister, and General Guan was the adopted daughter of the Prime Minister's wife.
The two of them raised their children on behalf of the prime minister and his wife, and there was nothing wrong with them.
The prince is different.
No matter how much she says in advance, who can control what the Queen thinks in the end?
It's just that in terms of marriage, the palace has refused so many times. If the prince is not allowed to come to the door now, wouldn't it be equivalent to saying clearly that he does not want both of them to marry the prince?
That's the crime of deceiving the emperor. As long as we both like it, it's fine. Now you're trying this trick on me?
Do you really think that the Queen cannot call herself "I"?
"Even if you are a gentleman in the palace, if the prince or princess makes a mistake, you should be beaten if you deserve it. Otherwise, it will be the gentleman's dereliction of duty."
Mrs. Right takes it for granted.
Moreover, she felt that at the prince's age, it might not be a good thing to have more contact with peers.
"Sister may not have this intention now, but Your Majesty may not."
The right lady often went to the palace to play when she was a child, so she naturally knew that His Majesty had no shortage of playmates when he was a child.
Because at that time, there were many loyal queens in the palace.
Huo Yi, for example, was adopted by the late emperor in the palace and grew up with his majesty.
It is reasonable for Your Majesty to want to find some playmates for the Prince.
But it’s hard to say whether His Majesty can persuade Sister...
Feng Duhu was a little impatient:
"How to discipline the prince is a palace matter. Just watch it and don't mess with it too much."
It's definitely impossible not to mess with it at all.
The blood relationship is endless, not to mention the relationship between the two sisters has been extraordinary since childhood.
However, Mrs. Right also understood Feng Duhu’s psychology. She sighed:
"I see."
"In a few days, I plan to go north."
"Where to the north?"
"Of course it's Wuyuan and Heping City."
"no!"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Right immediately categorically rejected his idea:
"I just came back and I'm leaving again. Can't you stay with me at home for a while?"
Feng Duhu was startled.
What is this nonsense?
When did Mrs. Right become so clingy?
The right lady turned around angrily:
"You go! The further you go, the better! It's best not to come back."
"What's wrong with you?"
This little emotion came out of nowhere.
"You had to go out to fight when A Mo was born. Do you want to be away from me when the second child is born?"
The right lady remembered that when the left lady gave birth to Shuangshuang and Ah Chong, even though this person was not around, he still left a poem about inducing labor.
When she was giving birth to Ah Shun, she stayed outside the delivery room.
What about yourself?
But there was nothing.
I feel extremely wronged.
Tears began to fall.
"ah?"
Feng Duhu, who was lazily nestled in the recliner, suddenly sat up in a state of dying illness:
"Yes?"
"My period has not come for two months..."
"Is it possible that my X chromosome is really going to change?"
"What?"
"Nothing, I just want to have a daughter."
"Why? I just want to have a son."
"That's okay, we can have twins, a boy and a girl, just like Shuangshuang and Ah Chong."
The right lady is in her golden years and is in her best health.
I had another baby before, so I shouldn’t have to worry too much.
"That's pretty much it."
Only then did the right lady smile with satisfaction.
Feng Duhu stretched out his hand to wipe away her tears and sighed:
"When I first met my wife, I was just a shy girl with no worries in my life. Suddenly, I was ready to have a second child."
"Niao Na is a girl who is shy, but time has no worries." This is exactly the sentence Feng Langjun sent to Miss Zhang when the two met for the first time.
"go!"
Mrs. Right also smiled shyly when she recalled that time.
Because at that time, she also gave Feng Langjun a "quick talk".