The fight quickly calmed down. Apart from feeling a little sorry for what happened to Qin and He, people did not leave many traces in their hearts. The hardships people encountered in their youth are always easily forgotten.
But how much impact those hardships have on a person's life path is unknown to anyone except the person involved.
It can be said that there is no acquaintance without fighting. After the storm, the relationship between the food guards and the government soldiers became closer. Especially the exchanges between the generals, from the original no contact to frequent visits, the change occurred in a few days.
Liu Hongji, Li Xu, Wang Yuantong, Qin Ziying and others often became guests in the camp of Qian Shixiong, the general of the Zuowuwei Hu Benlang. Qian Shixiong, Meng Jincha, Mai Jie and other generals of the Zuowuwei were also guarding him one after another.
He was treated as an honored guest in the grain army camp. Liu Hongji was easy-going by nature and liked to associate with heroes. His nature also influenced Li Xu. Both of them had good drinkers. No matter where they gambled, they always came back with great victories. Over time,
In addition to his martial arts and courage, he also gained a reputation as a drunkard.
Occasionally, Liu Hongji was on duty and couldn't get away, so Li Xu had to go to the banquet alone. At this time, he would try to talk less and eat more, listening to the generals pointing out the country in front of him. Qian Shixiong and others
His position is much higher than that of Li Xu, and the topics mentioned are indeed secrets that he has never heard of. Under such circumstances, it is normal for him to be unable to interrupt.
"General Mai would like to treat you to a drink tomorrow night. I wonder if Brother Zhongjian can appreciate it?" One day after the banquet, when Qian Shixiong was seeing Li Xu out with drunken eyes, he suddenly took his arm and asked.
road.
"Mai, old general!" Li Xu suddenly woke up from the alcohol in his stomach and asked in a blur. He looked around and no one was paying attention, and added in a low voice, "Just me? Brother Liu?"
Woolen cloth?"
"General Mai only ordered me to invite you. I don't know Hongji's side!" Although Qian Shixiong was a military general, he answered Li Xu's words very skillfully.
Li Xu stopped asking. This day would come sooner or later. Liu Hongji had reminded him after he shot the iron helmet on Qian Shixiong's head to pieces.
"General Mai loves talents very much!" Liu Hongji, who is open-minded and well-rounded by nature, once said. As for how Li Xu should deal with it, Liu Hongji did not give any advice. He insisted that people have to choose many paths in this life. Others usually
You can't overstep your authority.
For an unexpected dinner, Li Xu prepared painstakingly. General Zuo Wuwei was the third-rank official in the court, and his invitation was not something that a small brigade commander could refuse? And could the food protection army and the government soldiers be able to do so?
Living in harmony often depends on the mood of the old general.
Old General Mai Tiezhang looks very easy-going when he is not wearing military uniform. He is from Jiangnan. He is not too tall, but looks extremely strong. His skin color is slightly darker, his pure black eyes and his snow-white beard complement each other. Everyone is divided into guests and hosts.
After we sat down, a beautiful woman came forward to perform a dance. After a few songs, the feeling of wine gradually became stronger.
"Boy, do you know why I invited you?" Mai Tiezhang poured himself a glass of wine and asked, holding it in his hand. A maid slowly came forward to serve him, but he waved her hand and drove her away.
.
"I think the old general drank too much and couldn't find any rivals in the army, so he specially ordered the boy to hold the cup!" Li Xu replied with a smile. "But the old general may have been deceived by the boy's false reputation. I don't drink much, but I'm just a big drinker.
That’s all!”
Having gained more experience following Liu Hongji, Li Xu is no longer as restrained in his interactions with senior generals. Occasionally, he can also make some harmless jokes and ignore embarrassing questions that he does not want to answer.
But this move was obviously ineffective against Mai Tiezhang. The old general was older and had fewer scruples than others. He looked at Li Xu with a smile and praised in a low voice: "You are not as honest as you appear on the surface, but this is okay."
Well, honest people are at a disadvantage these days. I asked you to come here. First of all, I want to thank you for your appropriate advance and retreat that day and for not embarrassing me!"
"It's a humble position and no merit, so I don't dare to receive such praise." Of course Li Xu knew what day Mai Tiezhang was mentioned, and he cupped his hands in his seat and answered.
"Boy, in front of me, you should not hold a humble position!" Mai Tiezhang glanced at Li Xu again and sighed.
This sentence was a bit abrupt. Not only was Li Xu confused, but Qian Shixiong and Meng Jincha who came to the banquet were also a little confused. Tonight's banquet was not large, there were only four of them, so the scene suddenly changed.
Somewhat embarrassing.
The beauties dancing below also felt the change in the atmosphere. Their dance steps gradually slowed down, and the sleeve flowers caused by the rotation of their bodies were scattered. The Mai Tiezhang waved his hand, and the beauties stopped spinning, gave a salute, and walked backwards.
go out.
"Perhaps I should praise the singing and dancing!" Li Xu thought to himself. But he couldn't give an accurate evaluation of the singing and dancing just now. Those who are qualified to call the dancing girl into the tent to accompany the wine must be at least fifth grade in the military.
Senior officials like him are not even allowed to bring women into the military camp, let alone dancing girls.
"You fought against Shixiong that day, and the arrow that hit his helmet was really clever!" Mai Tiezhang drank another glass of wine and whispered as if recalling something.
"General Qian let me go first, otherwise, I would have never had the chance to draw the bow!" Li Xu accompanied the old general to have a drink and answered humbly.
It seems that being in the limelight is not necessarily a good thing, at least judging from today's situation. In recent days, the matter of his martial arts competition with Qian Shixiong has been spread throughout the army. Everyone said that there was a man in the food protection army.
A sharpshooter who can pierce an enemy with a hundred steps, while praising his archery skills, there is often a hint of regret in his tone.
"But what's more ingenious is not that arrow, but the swords you dealt with Changshan!" Mai Tiezhang drank another drink, his face gradually turned rosy, his eyes widened, and he asked in a low voice: "This is what I'm looking for.
For your second reason, Zhongjian, can you tell me who taught you those swordsmanship?"
Hearing this, Qian Shixiong and Meng Jincha sat up straight at the same time. That day, Li Xu was forced into a panic by Qian Shixiong's long spear, and no one noticed what tricks he used on his scimitar. At this moment, the old man
When the general mentioned it, the two of them suddenly realized that those few calls were not random, but more like a set of mature sword skills. It was only because Li Xulin was inexperienced in fighting that he failed to exert its due power.
"It was taught by the coppersmith master of Su Chuo tribe when I was traveling outside the Great Wall. His surname seems to be Wang, but he didn't tell the younger generation his name!" Li Xu saw Mai Tiezhang and asked about his inheritance. According to the emphasis of Liu Hongji and others
Explanation should be done carefully.
"Is his surname Wang? He said it himself? Is there anyone else around? Where is Su Chuobu?" Mai Tiezhang suddenly put down the wine cup and asked very urgently.
"The Suchuo tribe is a small tribe of the Lin people. It has no fixed place between the Ruoluoshui River and the Taimi River. It is now protected by the Turks. The master said that his surname is Wang, and he makes bronze utensils for people and makes swords.
I have one daughter and two sons." Li Xu thought for a while, and tried his best to expand the scope of the Su Chuo tribe to the entire area where the Lin tribe was active.
"Don't worry, your master and I are not enemies. Even if we were, many years have passed and we don't have the strength to go to the grassland to find him again!" Mai Tiezhang seemed to have remembered many past events worth recalling, and his eyes were as deep as two late autumn days.
of water pool.
"The old general knows the master coppersmith?" Li Xu asked in surprise.
"If I'm not wrong, it should be him. Except for him, no one would go to the grassland to live in seclusion." Mai Tiezhang nodded and said, "He was also the one who hit you with your long knife. His legs and feet are still weak now."
Is it neat? How much wine can I drink?”
"Master gave him the beating. He is very strong now. He can drink three or five skins of horse wine with no problem. The wine is stronger than rice wine, and it is easy to get headaches after drinking it!"
"There are no outsiders here. Can you tell me the details of your meeting with him?" Mai Tiezhang seemed to be very interested in the coppersmith's affairs and asked persistently.
"Actually, this junior doesn't know much!" Unknowingly, the distance between Li Xu and Mai Tiezhang became closer. After clearing his mind, he roughly told Mai the story of how he learned skills from the coppersmith.
Tiezhang listened with great interest and couldn't help but ask about the details. There were many things that Li Xu didn't notice at all when he was studying martial arts, so he couldn't tell him. Some things involved Li Xu's privacy, so he also answered vaguely.
"I was so stupid at the time that I didn't expect that the master coppersmith was a great sage who lived in seclusion, so I didn't even ask for his name!" Finally, Li Xu concluded sarcastically.
"If you ask him, he won't tell you his real name. His surname is Wang, his surname is Xie, so what can he do? The ambition to dominate is just a dream, I am obsessed with it!" Mai Tiezhang poured himself a drink again, with a tone of voice.
Gradually it started to feel a little bit crazy.
Qian Shixiong and Meng Jincha also followed. They were Mai Tiezhang's confidants. Although they didn't know what the old general meant, from his words, you could feel the deep feeling in the old man's heart.
desolate.
"How long has he taught you?" After a while, Mai Tiezhang asked again.
"About five or six months! I just practiced casually and never taught a complete routine." Li Xu did the math and found that he couldn't remember the specific time. The coppersmith master's guidance to him was intermittent.
It was a spontaneous act. If officially counted, I couldn't even say that I had learned martial arts from him.
"Did he create those styles you did that day?"
"Master created it himself, but Master said he was not sure!" Li Xu nodded and told the truth frankly. If Qian Shixiong hadn't deliberately shown mercy that day, he wouldn't have been able to support the third meeting.
"You have never been on the battlefield, so of course I have no confidence in using it in your hands!" Mai Tiezhang commented, shaking his head with a smile.
"Senior's lesson is very good!" Li Xu bowed down to learn the lesson. Judging from the performance of Mai Tiezhang today, he must have some connection with the coppersmith master. Thinking of the legend in the army that before the demise of Nanchen, Mai Tiezhang once served under Chen Hou.
He serves as a bodyguard under the Lord. It is not surprising that he and the coppersmith are familiar with each other.
"It's not a lesson. No matter how wonderful the technique is, if you haven't experienced actual combat, you will never be able to grasp the essence." Mai Tiezhang looked at Li Xu again, his eyes becoming gentler. "Do you know why your master stayed in the Su Chuan tribe?
?”
"Some people say that he is doing it for a woman!" Li Xu's answer was full of puns. Two different faces of Aunt Qing, who is usually considerate and cruel at critical moments, appeared in front of him at the same time, "But the junior believes that the master will stay here."
Su Chubu, it’s more likely for a promise!”
"No wonder he takes a fancy to you. You are indeed much smarter than you appear!" Mai Tiezhang seemed to appreciate this answer very much and said with a smile.
Li Xu smiled softly and took a sip of wine. The master didn't stay in Su Chuobu because of the woman from the Chen family. He was very happy to get the answer from Mai Tiezhang. In his eyes, the coppersmith master
He is a hero, and he shouldn't have to pay so much for a woman who only has hatred in his heart.
"Your master, we were close friends. Although he was born into a wealthy family, I was just a thief!" Mai Tiezhang recalled for a moment and explained briefly. "It's just a trick of fate. Now I am rich and powerful, but he is
He has become an old man in the wild!"
"But Master is very happy, and the old general is living a very comfortable life!" Li Xu persuaded him, holding up a lamp.
"Indeed, if you lack something when you are young, you will want to pursue it more. The harder it is to get it, the harder it will be to let it go when you get older! Do it!" Mai Tiezhang raised his head and turned the wine cup over.
"Do it!" Generals Qian and Meng happily drank with them. They didn't want to care about the old past behind General Mai. Living a happy life with the old general and getting a real promotion was enough for everyone.
The wine jars around him were soon empty. Mai Tiezhang clapped his hands and ordered others to bring a few more jars. The wine for the general tasted very honest, although the strength was not as strong as his uncle Zhang Baosheng's private brew.
But the feeling after the entrance is warmer and softer, which is very suitable for people close to chat and drink. When the guards put down the wine jar for the third time and exited, Mai Tiezhang put down the cup and said: "With your skills, stay under the command of Duke Tang.
It's a pity. The war is about to begin, and the food protection soldiers have no chance to go to the battlefield. Even if they can get some credit later, it won't be too much..."
"This junior is not proficient in martial arts, and his bow skills are just okay, but both sides are wearing heavy armor during the war!" Li Xu raised his wine cup and smiled apologetically.
General Mai had a desire to win over, and he could tell it from the words of Qian Shixiong and others. But thinking about the benefits Tang Gong Li Yuan had brought to him, he really didn't dare to betray him.
"Zhong Jian, I think you can guess a thing or two about who caused the dispute between the government soldiers and the food guards that day!" Mai Tiezhang reminded Li Xu in a low voice when he saw that Li Xu wanted to refuse.
"Junior knows. The old general must have noticed that someone is secretly provoking it!" Li Xu answered calmly.
"It's not General Yuwen!" Mai Tiezhang shook his head, "Or it's not just him. Hey, let's not mention this. I still have a few vacancies for captains under my command. If you agree..."
"Thank you, old general, for your kindness, but Duke Tang has been kind to me!" Li Xu sat up straight and replied without hesitation.
Mai Tiezhang didn't expect to hear the answer from Li Xu so quickly. He was a little stunned. He looked at Li Xu for the third time with wide eyes. After a long while, he shook his head with a smile and sighed: "That's right, otherwise that person wouldn't do it either."
I will take a fancy to you and teach you martial arts."
"No matter what, I still want to thank the old general for his kindness!" Li Xu also laughed and raised a cup in respect.
"Done!" Mai Tiezhang laughed and held up his wine cup, "Shixiong, fight with Zhong Jian more often when you have time. His sword skills need to be practiced with others!"
"Yes, General!" Qian Shixiong sat up straight and replied respectfully.
"Your Majesty will be stationed at Haidun on the fourth day of February (the fourth day of the lunar month) and is about to arrive. If you are lucky enough to be summoned by His Majesty, please respond promptly!" Mai Tiezhang reminded him inadvertently before finishing the last glass of wine.
"Why did your Majesty summon a small tour guide?" Li Xu thought while drinking. He concluded that Mai Tiezhang must have drank too much and decided not to take it to heart.
The host and guest parted happily. (To be continued)
