In the afternoon of that day, Li Yuan prepared a family banquet in the mansion to welcome his two nephews who had come from afar. However, Liu Hongji and Li Xunan had no choice but to accept the invitation. The guests and hosts drank and chatted happily, talking about the past years.
The world is changing, and I can’t help but sigh with emotion.
As a hereditary Tang Gong, Li Yuan has many temples for his wives and concubines, but now that he is busy with official duties, he naturally cannot bring all his family members to the grain harvesting land, so the only ones left with him at this time are his wife Dou and his biological children.
There were three boys and one girl. The youngest one, Yuanji, was only ten years old and was still in the stage of lying around. When he saw the guests, he immediately asked like crazy to sit down and have a drink with him. Li Yuan scolded him several times to no avail, so he had to smile and put him next to him.
Mrs. Dou had a calm temperament. She stood beside Li Yuan and received a courtesy from the guest. After sipping half a glass of wine, she left with an excuse. When Li Yuan left his wife, he immediately ordered prostitutes from the camp to come to play music and dance. These prostitutes were all him.
It was prepared for the generals who were about to come, and everyone was praised for their talent and appearance. Everyone was drinking and admiring the flowers, and they were very interested.
Halfway through the wine, Li Yuan asked about Liu Hongji's current situation. Liu Hongji smiled bitterly and replied loudly: "My uncle, I don't know, my father didn't accumulate any money when he was in office. So my mother, brothers and I can only rely on old friends to support us."
This time I received a military letter from the imperial court and had no money to buy a war horse, so I had to walk to report. As a result, I missed the deadline and was caught as a deserter by the local magistrate. Thanks to the help of my friends, I escaped from the prison..."
"This confused dog official!" Li Yuan was so angry that he slammed the table and cursed loudly.
Among the many officials in Huaiyuan Town, he was known for his good temper. Suddenly he got angry for no reason, and all the musicians and prostitutes were frightened into silence.
.
"It's none of your business. Let's all go back and get ten copper coins each to buy wine!" Li Yuan knew that he had lost his composure, waved his hand and ordered with a wry smile. Since he was transferred from a local official by the emperor to a subordinate with no real power, Li Yuan
Later, he found that his temper was getting worse and worse. Especially after drinking, he always wanted to vent involuntarily.
The musicians and prostitutes quickly saluted and thanked them, put away their instruments, and ran out in a hurry. Li Yuan looked at the backs of everyone and shook his head. He turned sideways and said to Liu Hongji: "Your father is a rare honest official. Who knows?"
It's hard to be a good official. Hey! But don't be sad, we have to return this "favor" sooner or later. Go there early tomorrow morning and I will fill the gap for you as a treasury guard and brigade commander, and then write a letter to your home to prove your identity.
I want to see who has the guts to treat the talented people under my command, Li Yuan, as deserters!"
"Thank you uncle for taking care of me!" Liu Hongji quickly stood up and thanked him. "This time Zhong Jian and I got a hundred good horses from outside the fortress, and we plan to donate them to my uncle's army and to contribute to the country!"
"Haha, you are good to come. The army is in short supply of good horses at this time." Li Yuan nodded and said with a wry smile: "It is better to offer them to the emperor than to the army. His Majesty likes beautiful horses best!"
"But it depends on Shibo's arrangement!" Liu Hongji cupped his hands and replied. He is now interested in gaining fame. If Li Yuan comes forward to take care of it, he will certainly get twice the result with half the effort.
"I think my nephew Zhong Jian went to the fortress with you to sell horses for the country, and he missed the date of application. It doesn't matter, hiding one is hiding, hiding two is hiding, why not come under my command, there is a food protection team now
The real one is still vacant!" Li Yuan looked at Li Xu and promised with a smile.
"Team leader?" Li Xu only felt a buzzing sound in his head, and his vision went blank. He was new to the world, and he couldn't tell the difference between the temporary establishment of a marching treasurer and the Sui Dynasty tiger cavalry. He only felt that the Bu Xiaowei relied on his years of experience.
It was only through his military exploits that he earned the title of sixth-grade captain. But as soon as he joined the army, he had already been promoted to the position of captain, only two ranks behind the captain. For a moment, he was so happy that he felt dizzy and forgot to get up.
Thank you to Mr. Tang.
This was a very rude act. Li Jiancheng and Li Waner immediately changed their expressions. Li Yuanji had the worst temper. Looking at his father and brother, he wanted to jump up and scold the rude person sitting next to him. He just raised his eyebrows, but Li Yuan glared at him.
Pressed back.
After a long sigh, Li Yuan said with a wry smile: "My dear nephew, don't think that the position I assigned you is low. Although I have the title of Duke Tang, my actual position right now is just that of a treasurer and captain." As he said that, he raised his right hand.
He shook his little finger and laughed at himself: "A small official as big as sesame seeds and mung beans has no real power at all. But if you hand over the horses you presented, the emperor will probably reward you..."
"No, it's not like that!" Li Xu quickly stood up and explained. He wanted to say that he was dizzy just now, and this reason was really not suitable to be announced. When he was hesitating how to arrange the words, Liu Hongji smiled and stood aside
Helped him out.
"Unknown to Uncle Shi, Zhongjian is in some trouble now. I'm afraid of causing trouble for you, so I don't dare to accept the errand you gave me!" After saying that, Liu Hongji stood up and walked to Li Xu's side with a smile.
"What's the trouble? Let me tell you. As long as I am, Li Yuan, I have never encountered any big trouble!" Li Yuan lightly patted the table in front of him and asked with a smile.
"Actually, Zhongjian was dragged down by me. He didn't provoke anyone, but he was accused of being a gangster!" Liu Hongji smiled and told how he took his people to the Ashina camp to set fire to and steal horses.
Tao Lai.
When he was young, his family was in decline. Over the past few years, he had seen a lot of the warmth and coldness of the world, so he naturally developed the ability to deal with people. Knowing that Li Xu's momentary gaffe just now had already caused the displeasure of several brothers in the Li family, he tried his best to explain how to set a fire and steal a horse.
, how to meet Li Xu, how to break out of the siege together, how to turn around and fight back after listening to Li Xu's plan, and then escape safely, the story is more vivid. The thrilling part, the sudden change, not only heard the Li brothers shout wonderful
, quickly forgot the unhappiness just now, and even Li Waner, a "weak" woman, also clapped.
"So, the two criminal thieves Li Fuli and Xu Dayan who are wanted on the border recently are you two. No wonder you were penniless before, but you were able to get a hundred good horses immediately after returning from the border!" Li Yuan smiled and said to Liu Hongji's
After listening to the narration, he asked calmly.
"No, Li Fuli is a junior, and Xu Dayan is a life and death friend of the junior. I don't know why the local official not only got the name wrong, but also painted the junior's appearance wrong!" Li Xu saw Liu Hongji stealing horses and setting fire to them.
One person took all the responsibility, so I quickly stepped forward to share it with him.
In his mind, arson and theft were a heinous crime. If he had made a mistake in the Central Plains, he would not have been unjust if he had been killed a hundred times. Even though he had burned a Turkic camp and stolen a Turkic horse, it would not necessarily be a crime.
What a glorious thing to say. So without waiting for Li Yuan to ask any more questions, he explained how he and Xu Maogong were forced into the camp by Ashina Choyu, how they were forced to stay in the Turks as errands, and how they forced Pan Zhanyang, a petty official, to take him and escape.
, how he set fire to the stables in order to attract the attention of the Turks. Although he is not as eloquent as Liu Hongji, it is still more practical and sounds more legendary.
"Then why did the Turks drag you into the camp? Why did you call Li Fuli again?" Before anyone could say anything, Li Waner stood up and asked. She usually likes to do adventurous and exciting things, and the story Li Xu told her was exactly right.
My appetite. Therefore, I couldn’t help but want to get to the bottom of it.
Li Xu's face turned red again, and he had no choice but to briefly tell the reason why he went to the border last year and his experience in the Su Chuan tribe. He even explained the origin of the nickname "Fu Li", but deliberately concealed the relationship between him and Tao Kuo Tuo.
Love affair between silk.
"My nephew gave up his literary career and went into business before leaving the country. He has lost his status as a son of a good family. I am afraid that my nephew is not qualified to accept such support from Shi Bo!" At the end, Li Xu added another sentence. He was not deeply involved in the world, so he still had no experience in the world.
He didn't learn how to lie. He knew that he couldn't deceive Li Yuan, a veteran, so he simply revealed all the details and let the other party judge him.
"It's okay, you can go to the army tomorrow to serve in the army!" Li Yuan waved his hand and said with a smile. He liked Li Xu's frank nature. After thinking about it, he turned to Jiancheng and ordered: "Tomorrow you can write in my name
I wrote a letter to the governor of Shanggu, telling him that Zhong Jian had to hide in Shanglu on my orders to buy horses for the country. Although I have not been in the local position for many years, I am sure the governor will give it to me!"
"Thank you, thank you so much, Shibo!" After hearing this, Li Xu thanked him again, and he was deeply moved. The noble Shibo in front of him, who was the Duke of Tang, was indeed upright. Not only did he hide his identity as a deserter with one word, he even prevented local officials from harassing him.
My parents have thought of it for me. But as a wanted criminal, if I informed Xingzang of his location, it would inevitably cause more trouble.
"It's just a small effort, don't always give up. If you want to thank me, why not drink a few more drinks!" Li Yuan smiled and held up a cup to persuade.
Drinking has always been Li Xu's best skill. He picked up the wine cup and drank three large cups in a row. Every time he drank a cup, he would say a word of thanks. Li Yuan was amused by his honest behavior and laughed. He raised a glass to accompany him.
After a mouthful, he whispered: "After you settle down, you must also write a letter home. Our team is only transporting food, and we will definitely not fight with the enemy. So let your family rest assured, and I guarantee that no one will get hurt."
!”
Li Xu and Liu Hongji loudly accepted the order and once again raised their glasses to thank Tang Gong. When everyone's glasses were empty, Liu Hongji stood up again and asked in a low voice: "Zhong Jian is wanted..."
"It's okay. The two monsters they want are Li Fuli and Xu Dayan, not Li Zhongjian and Xu Maogong. Leave aside the boy named Xu. Zhongjian has been walking in the Khitan tribe since he was conquered by the governor last fall.
I have never been to the Turks. As evidenced by dozens of soldiers under my command, I believe no one dares to mix him up with Jiangyang thieves!" Li Yuan raised his glass and answered with a laugh.
"So, thank you so much, Uncle!" Liu Hongji also smiled, picked up the wine jar, and poured a full cup for himself.
Everyone laughed, but Li Xu was the only one who didn't understand what Li Yuan had done to turn Li Fuli and himself into two unrelated people. He was hesitating whether to ask Liu Hongji what happened, but he heard Li Yuan's cheerful words.
Laughter echoed from the seat.
"Happy, if I am here, I will set him on fire! This boy Ashina Choyu set up the company camp so close to the Sui Dynasty. Does he think that the eyes of all the princes are for breathing?
, can’t you see his wolfish ambition?”
Li Xu looked at Liu Hongji, and both of them saw shocked expressions on each other's faces. At that time, the two of them just set fire to steal horses. No one expected that the Turks had set up their camp by the Suotou River and actually kept such a thing.
Rebellious thoughts.
"Happy, I'll drink three glasses of wine for this!" Li Yuan drank heavily, as happy as if he had led the troops to ambush Ashina Queyu. Looking at the confused Li Xu, he smiled and comforted: "Ah
Shina Queyu thinks that all the emperors and ministers of the Sui Dynasty are fools, so naturally we cannot come and go without going back. I think the boy from the Dugu family in the Ministry of Punishment saw through his plan, so he took advantage of the situation and wrote your name as Li Fuli. Since the name and
If you don't even match your appearance, the court won't really want to arrest you. If the court doesn't care, the local officials who have had enough to eat and have nothing to do still have to check whether Li Fuli is doing it for his own sake.
Next? Ask Ashina Queyu to wait. If he has been waiting for ten or eight years, I, the Sui Dynasty, will definitely send him some powerful thieves!" (To be continued)
