Seeing the two old people sad, Li Xu also felt a sense of separation in his heart. Not wanting to worry his mother, he smiled and comforted in a low voice: "I'm just going to protect food, and I don't have to fight. There is 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 ferocious. People say that the water in the Liao River flows back, and when the heroes are gone..." Aunt Zhong was impatient and retorted loudly. She was about to finish her words when she suddenly
Realizing that he shouldn't have made a mistake before the young master left, he spit heavily on Li Xia twice, stepped on the spit a few more times, and explained sarcastically: "Look at my mouth, Madam, please don't blame me, young master.
I’m a little confused because of my old age…”
"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 he was a child, 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. As she walked, she lifted the corner of her clothes and wiped her eyes.
"Don't blame her, Aunt Zhong is doing it for your own good!" Mrs. 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 eyebrows. Aunt Zhong's few words were well-intentioned, but they were as heavy as a sledgehammer.
It hit him on the chest. "The water of the Liaohe River flows back, and the warriors never look back once they go." This is absolutely true. On that day, three hundred warriors who were protecting food supplies rode on horseback to the company camp, and they managed to pull three men back from the edge of death.
Brothers Qianduo, all of them traveled thousands of miles with the desire to go home, breaking 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 go home suddenly closed 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 the horses, Li Xu, Liu Hongji and others
The people broke out of the siege, fought and fled, and fled to the other side of Wuliluo City before jumping into the water and being picked up by the city's defenders on rafts across the river (Note 1).
Of the 350 warriors who voluntarily went to rescue people with the intention of dying, a total of 23 came back! Wang Yuantong, Qi Poning, Qin Ziying, and countless good brothers disappeared on the way to escape, and more than 300 food-protecting brothers sacrificed their lives
What was returned in exchange was a general named Xue and a prince-in-law named Yuwen!
Xuzi didn't want his family to worry, but at this time he had no choice. Even if it wasn't for merit, he had to rush back to Huaiyuan Town to participate in the second expedition to Liaodong. Most of the more than 300 brothers who buried their bones in Liaodong were
His subordinates, he must let his brothers die in peace.
"If you go, be careful!" Ms. Li Zhang also smiled and reached out to brush the hair around her son's ears. Suddenly, she found that she had to step up to reach her son's ears. Li Xu quietly
Her knees bent, fulfilling her mother's wish. In her ears, her hands were still so warm, but unknowingly, the once soft palms had become a little rough, and it hurt when she rubbed them on her face.
, it hurts to the bottom of my heart.
"When fighting, try not to rush forward. If you retreat, run faster!" Ms. Li Zhang warned with a choked sob. 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 boring. 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 things. Some of the side dishes that Li Xu loved to eat but could only smell their aroma 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, 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 as Xiaoguo. Before the troops and horses are moved, 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 on horseback. In last year's Liaodong War, all the elite soldiers of the government were lost, so this time the Sui Dynasty had to recruit warriors with gold and silver again. After the Chinese New Year, the government
According to the official 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 all regions 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 of the first lunar month, he issued a general amnesty and allowed prisoners on death row to go
Liaodong made meritorious service and redeemed his sins. On the 24th, Wei Wensheng, who had ordered the pontoon bridge to be set on fire on the Liao River, was transferred back to Chang'an and served as Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, assisting the emperor's grandson Yang You in supervising the country. On the 25th, the soldiers who went home for the New Year were ordered to gather in Zhuojun...
Old Li Mao's face twitched, and he wanted to say something, but he never said it. After being silent for a long time, he murmured: "You are now committed to the country, and you have to make your own decisions on many things. Our Li family,
Hey, 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 current status of the Li family
Prosperity and prosperity were all 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 knows that 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.
"Yeah!" Li Xu agreed in a low voice. He looked at his mother and saw her slowly standing up and silently picking up the dishes scattered on the table. Her mother's back was already a little heavy, and her legs and feet were not as agile as before. Chi
The arrival of good times did not slow down her aging at all, and the new clothes made of silk and satin made the wrinkles on her face more obvious.
Li Xu wanted to stand up to help, but his mother gently pushed him down on the stool. "It's rare for you two to talk for a while. I'll go clean up and Aunt Zhong will help!" After that, she picked up the dishes and left.
Going out, the sound of shuffling footsteps echoed in Li Xu's ears.
"Don't worry about your mother and us, we are both still strong!" Li Mao said in a low voice, looking at his wife's back.
"Yes!" Li Xu agreed, turned around and saw the beautiful hair on his father's temples.
"The younger generations have already received my share of the incense money from the filial piety clan. Our family is no longer doing business, and Brother Zhao from the county has not visited us for a long time!" Old Li Mao paused and said what he had said many times.
Repeated it again.
"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 of them, you can buy a bigger house and hire a few maids to serve you.
My mother. If my mother is willing, she can lend some to Uncle Baosheng as capital!"
"How could your mother and I be so wealthy? After working hard for half a lifetime, we really have to wait for everything, but we are going to make trouble!" Old Li Mao was moved by his son's childish filial piety, and said while laughing. "That's right.
You, after all, are now a member of the government, and you will definitely not be able to find a country girl to get married in the future. Keep these jades and stones, after all, they will be a valuable betrothal gift!"
"It's still early!" Li Xu bared his teeth at his father and smiled happily. "Besides, I'm just a school captain now, not really an official..."
"You kid, how many school captains have our old Li family produced in total? A few days ago, a matchmaker came to give you horoscopes, but your mother and I turned them back. The two of us are thinking about it. When you come back from Liaodong this time, if
If you're in a good mood, 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 became stronger and his appearance became more regular. When he was studying, there were many daughters watching him. Now he is pregnant again.
Official clothes are the goal of matchmakers near and far. Some time ago, Li Mao and his wife didn't want to bother him with these things because they saw their child was preoccupied. But today, they can't put it off any longer. They might as well explain their life-long events to him clearly before leaving.
.
Thinking of this, Old Li Mao cleared his throat and whispered: "The year before last, you sent a letter saying that you wanted to get married. Your mother and I were both happy for you. Later, you went to Liaodong, and we didn't ask you any more about some things.
.I think 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 would have such original insights when analyzing the problem. That dream from that year has become a permanent memory in his heart. When he mentioned it, he no longer felt pain or regret.
, just 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. People can't live in memories all their lives. Your mother, we don't expect you to marry a
When the beautiful young lady 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, Zhongjian, run north -"
He smiled and nodded at his father, letting his memory ride his horse all the way north. (To be continued)
