In the spring of the twelfth year of Daye, Marquis of Boling Li Xu defeated the bandit commander Zhang Jinchen in Nangong and beheaded 13,000 people. The thieves were defeated, and Jin Chengzhi was spared. Boling, Xindu, Zhaojun, and Hengshan were safe.
This was a victory that excited the Sui Dynasty. Since the beginning of the spring, bad news has come one after another about rogue bandits from all over the country capturing counties and cities. Only in Hebei, Dou Jiande and Zhang Jincheng were defeated by the army. But the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty
His Majesty did not seem to be particularly happy about this. When the good news was delivered to the Eastern Capital, he was drinking on the river with the bachelors from the Secretariat Department. He received the urgent document sent by the eunuch and just glanced at it roughly.
, and threw it into the bamboo basket beside him.
Naturally, such an obvious action could not escape the eyes of interested people. Before evening, the news that Li Xu, the general manager of the Fenyang Army, had lost his power, spread outside the palace wall. "Your Majesty seems not to like that wild boy recently!" Someone said in a pretentious manner.
He revealed it to his companions. As a result, all he received was a series of contempt. "What kind of eyes do you have? That boy is arrogant and arrogant. Your Majesty has seen his true nature since he passed Taiyuan. Otherwise, he originally said that he would be treated as a palace official."
Why haven't you mentioned it to Your Majesty again? In my opinion, that boy's good luck has come to an end. How can it be so cheap? He has reaped all the benefits in the world by himself!"
"That's true!" The person who realized it later was full of shame and made up his mind to make up for the mistake, "How about we all jointly write a poster tomorrow to show that this kid is arrogant, domineering, and has no respect for his elders?"
"Let's wait and discuss this matter. The two Masters Pei and Yu have not made any move. Why should we come forward to offend this person!" A mature and prudent person frowned and suggested.
The two masters Pei are the leaders of the civil servants, especially the imperial censor Pei Yun. He is well-informed and good at figuring out the holy will. The officials all follow their lead. If Li Xuzhen really loses his favor, master Pei Yun will definitely call on everyone to rise up and fight.
But this time Lord Pei's performance disappointed many people who wanted to watch the fun. Instead of taking the opportunity to add insult to injury, he successively impeached several officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs who were unfavorable in transporting grain and grass to Hebei, and attacked their corpses, delaying the efforts to put down the rebellion.
Great time.
Lord Pei Yun's behavior is incomprehensible, and Lord Pei Ju's behavior is even more confusing. When Zhao Xiaocai, Minister of the Ministry of War, came to ask for advice whether he should continue to fulfill the promise made by His Majesty in Hedong and provide Fen with the standard of a military force.
When Yang Jun was picking up the armor and equipment, the old man pondered for a long time with his beard and hands, and only replied, "You can't do it all, and you can't stop doing it!" Then no matter how anxious Zhao Xiaocai was, he refused to say another word.
"The reason why he has to dial it back is because His Majesty's promise is so true. He can't swallow the words he said in front of so many people. He can't dial it all because Lord Pei couldn't figure out that there was a misunderstanding between His Majesty and General Li.
Well, the kindness of the emperor and his ministers has been cut off." There are also experts around Zhao Xiaocai. He turned Pei Ju's hint upside down and analyzed it clearly. "As for how much to send, sir, please take your time. Anyway, your majesty has not set a time limit, you three
It takes five months to finish the equipment, or it takes five years, no one can find anything wrong!"
Zhao Xiaocai was timid and fearful, so he had to act according to the analysis of his staff. Remembering Li Xu's life-saving grace, he asked his confidant to bring a letter to the other party when the ordnance was sent out. After Li Xu received the letter,
He very generously expressed his understanding of Zhao Xiaocai's difficulties. He rewarded the messenger generously and sent a pair of captured coral trees to Zhao Xiaocai's house. Zhao Shangshu saw that Li Xu knew what was good and bad, so the next time he allocated supplies,
He secretly increased the delivery volume by half. When Pei Ju, who was in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of War, learned of this situation, he shook his head and laughed it off.
"The boy named Li is very good at doing things!" This was the unanimous evaluation of Xu Zi by several important officials at the time. Since the Fenyang Army arrived in Boling, they rarely received urgent documents from several counties around Boling.
Moreover, several local surnames, Cui, Zheng, Li, and Zhang, seem to be getting along well with the newly arrived consolation ambassadors from the six counties. According to their nephews, the Li family in Zhao County and the Li family in Shanggu have become members of the same clan.
, and Cui Qian, a rising star of the Boling Cui family, has also been greatly used by Li Xu, and has been promoted to two levels in just a few months.
In order to thank the imperial court for sending a good official who was "diligent and caring for the people" to the local area, several local surnames made appropriate expressions. Pei Ju, Yu Shiji and others received gifts from others, so naturally they would not disappoint them.
As for Yang Guang, everyone is trying not to let him see Li Xu's name for the time being.
However, many local officials in the six counties are at odds with the new arrivals. They no longer need to sweat over writing emergency documents. But they have begun to work hard to maintain their authority. Regarding the separation of civil and military affairs, and
Memorials against Li Xu, suspected of raising troops to show self-respect, have been going on continuously since January. Fortunately, Yu Shiji took advantage of all the benefits Li Xu sent and "accidentally" classified those memorials into the most insignificant category, leaving Yang Guang unable to do anything.
Time to see.
Li Xu cautiously dealt with the overt and covert attacks from the court and the local government, and was exhausted. He now has more power than the princes, but he has not experienced the happiness brought by power at all. In fact, since the Battle of Nangong, his
I have always been in a bad mood. Not only was I troubled by Yang Guang's sudden change of attitude, I was also deeply saddened by seeing Zhang Ji's death and Zhang Jincheng's true colors with my own eyes.
Zhang Jin claimed that he was Uncle Zhang. More than half a month had passed since the incident, but Xuzi still couldn't calm down. Although in his impression, the image of the stingy and cunning Uncle Zhang was far inferior to that of Sun Jiu. But he still couldn't change his timid and fearful attitude towards others.
The wretched hawker who is weak yet compassionate is associated with the devil who encourages his subordinates to eat human flesh. In comparison, the evil deeds of Uncle Zhang and Sun Jiu seem less shocking. Uncle Jiu is very good at martial arts.
If it were not someone who was very close to him, it would not be easy to plot against him. Only Uncle Zhang, who had been walking with him outside the Great Wall for many years, could make Uncle Jiu relax his vigilance, and only those who had rescued Uncle Jiu at all costs could easily do so.
Played dirty tricks on him at the wine table.
Troubled times have changed everyone, no matter whether their original nature was kind or vicious. Zhang Jin said that he shouted that day that even if he didn't kill Sun Jiu, Sun Jiu would kill him. Although it was a quibble, it also showed that a bloody person in troubled times
It's a pity that Zhang Ji, who has just returned from beyond the Great Wall, still has memories of human nature a few years ago. Therefore, he would rather die than believe that his father is a demon who eats human flesh.
It's already April, and the chill is still bone-chilling. The sky outside has always remained blue-grey, as if this is the only way to match the tragedy in the world.
"These are troubled times!" Xuzi sighed longly and put the official document in his hand on the desk. He remembered that Tang Gong Li Yuan also sighed like this many years ago beside the charcoal basin. He was very concerned about this back then.
I don't understand, but now I have begun to appreciate the heaviness of it.
A few heroes may emerge from troubled times, but for most people who live in them, what they see is definitely death and destruction. It can turn honest people like Sun Jiu and Zhang Jinchen, who are usually resigned, into giant thieves.
It can also uproot aristocratic families such as Boling Cui and Zhaojun Li. It can turn a once prosperous city into scorched earth, and rebuilding a city on scorched earth will take at least dozens to hundreds of years.
Whose fault is it? Xuzi can put all the blame on Yang Guang, but no matter whose fault led to this troubled world, it is everyone who lives in it who is about to pay the price. And the more we live in
Those at the bottom are more likely to be harmed. Although he is now a prince, chief executive, or general, his parents, uncles, and relatives are all ordinary people, and some of them have already suffered the disasters that come with troubled times.
.
The charcoal basin behind him was lighted up by a pair of hands using fire chopsticks, which slightly weakened the cold air in the room. Li Xu turned around gently and saw Xie'er's smiling face reflected red by the firelight.
"Why are you sighing again? Are you still sad about Zhang Ji's death?" Qier has always been very considerate and can understand Xu Zi's thoughts without even trying to figure it out. "He gave his father a way out with his own life.
There is nothing to regret. Besides, if you report him as 'martyr to the death in battle', the imperial court will give him some posthumous honor!"
Xuzi shook his head with a wry smile, but there was still lingering loneliness in his eyes. "He has already married a family in Saishang, and his children are more than two years old. Last year, when he handed over Gan Luo to Yu Lengbu Ke Dun in Yanmen
, those Khitan people were still reluctant to let Zhang Ji leave. He wanted to get an official position in the Central Plains in order to comfort his parents' souls in heaven. When the world stabilizes again in the future, he can also give his children a good background. If he had known today's results at that time,
I might as well advise him to return to the Khitans!"
He was talking about something that happened at the end of October last year. After sending Yang Guang to Taiyuan, the Fenyang Army completed its mission. Xuzi, who had a vague sense of the unpredictable power of God, led the army back to Fenyang quickly and packed up all the supplies.
Immediately he began to move the defense. On the way to Boling by detour, he took another trip to Yanmen with his soldiers, handed over Gan Luo to Ayun as promised, and by the way accepted the two warehouses outside the Great Wall from Pan Zhanyang for so many years.
A well-deserved bonus.
"No one can predict the affairs of the world. You have tried your best to help him. Zhang Ji will be able to rest in peace after his death. As for that child, being an official may not be a good way out." Zhe'er took over what Li Xu said.
, picked up the pot at his feet and poured a bowl of strong tea for him. There were enough servants and maids in the house, but the husband and wife were used to the warmth of taking care of each other and were unwilling to exchange a bowl of rice or a sip of water.
Love helps others.
"When you were not an official, how many of you didn't want to stand out?" Li Xu smiled and reached out to take the tea cup, "With such a clear hierarchy, who wouldn't want to be the best? Why are you here, where are Niang, Lan'er and the others?
"
The feelings of some ordinary people cannot be understood by people like Qi'er who grew up in fine clothes and fine food. But this does not hinder the communication between husband and wife. So far, Qi'er and Li Xu have been able to tolerate some of each other's shortcomings, and
We can experience a lot of joy in life through tolerance between each other.
"My mother and Lan'er took a bus to the nearby Zhuangzi. The organization was weeding the wheat fields. They were afraid that Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong wouldn't be able to greet them. I was clumsy and couldn't help, so I came here to take a look.
, find something to do by the way!" Qier made a face and said pretending to be humble.
"It just so happens that there are some official documents here. I need someone to help me with some advice. General Cui Lang's injury has not been cured yet, and Zhao Canjun is busy receiving supplies from the court again!" Li Xu moved to the side and stood on the bench.
Make some room for Zhen'er.
It is not easy to maintain the balance of a family. Especially the two women of the Li family, one is all-rounded and the other has a lot of holes in her heart. Because of their different origins and experiences, they can't even be sisters. So Li Xu only
Try to give everyone a space to display their talents, so as not to really focus on the fight between them.
Zhen'er grew up with conspiracies and had a very good grasp of interpersonal relationships. Xuzi always discussed with her some things about how to interact with courtiers, and always gained a lot. Shi Lan understood that she was in government affairs
In terms of handling, he couldn't compare to Qi'er, so he put all his little thoughts into housework. Li Xu is now the Marquis of Boling County, and has been awarded by the court, donated by local powerful people, and the land bought by his family over the years.
There are already hundreds of hectares. Taking care of the accounts of these properties, supervising whether the housekeepers staying in various villages are doing their best, and other daily chores fall on Shi Lan's shoulders. In front of a group of brothers, it is easier for Qi'er to win
Respect. But in the eyes of the two elders of the Li family, Shi Lan, who was both from a small family, was probably more considerate and more to their liking.
Both women could understand Li Xu's thoughts, so they tried their best to maintain the superficial harmony. Shi Lan's intervention was easily ignored by Qi'er. And Shi Lan also tried his best to tolerate Qi'er's plans for Xu Zi.
Don't get involved with your own curiosity.
Zhen'er gently sat next to Xu Zi, gathered the messy official documents on the table into a pile, and then sorted through them one by one. The handling of these daily government affairs was related to Lang Jun's future and the fate of the family, so she
We have to do our best. From the official letters exchanged from various places, it can be seen that the situation of the Sui Dynasty has become increasingly declining this year. However, the imperial court still adheres to the conventions formed over the years and adopts a day-by-day mentality to deal with rebellions in various places.
Just when Li Xu led his troops and fought a bloody battle with Zhang Jin, the imperial court summoned the county guards to go to Dongdu for a routine evaluation. There were as many as two dozen county guards who were unable to come because of the blocked roads. The emperor was furious and decided to take action.
The soldiers of the government are fighting against the thieves. Due to various reasons such as the lack of supplies and the reluctance of the generals to move forward, not a single soldier has left the Eastern Capital.
In the same month, the imperial court ordered the construction of sixteen southern palaces, which were extremely luxurious.
In the third month of the lunar month, the emperor and his ministers were drinking on the water in Xiyuan. He ordered the scholar Du Bao to write the "Water Decoration Illustration", which collected seventy-two ancient water stories.
, wine boat, the characters are as automatic as life, the bells, chimes, zither and zither can form music.
In April, the emperor solicited fireflies from the Jinghua Palace and obtained a few dendrobiums. He went out to the mountains at night and released them, and the light filled the valley. In Yang Guang's eyes, the prosperity of the Sui Dynasty was still the same.
"Where are the others, what are you busy with today?" The two discussed and dealt with more than ten official letters that needed to be answered urgently. Li Xu was afraid that Zhen'er would be too tired, so he hugged her shoulders and changed the topic to daily trivial matters again.
"My father-in-law said that he couldn't stay idle, so he also went to work in the village!" Zhen'er thought for a while and replied in a low voice. Thinking of an elder in the family, her eyes suddenly became a little dim, "Shenji
Let me tell you, she wants to go back to Shanggu to see her uncle's grave. She and her uncle have no descendants, and the weather has warmed up. If she doesn't go there in person, the grass on the grave will keep growing like crazy!"
Uncle Baosheng died at the same time that Li Xu Yanmen rescued him last year. That month, King Mantian and Li Shanfei teamed up to capture Shanggu County. The generals sent by the Li family in Taiyuan and Xu Zi's own soldiers protected Li Xu's parents and escaped.
Disaster, but unable to protect everyone.
Zhang Baosheng, the innkeeper, accountant and waiter, was hacked to death by bandits in his backyard. The proprietress Zhang Liu escaped by hiding in the cellar where vegetables were kept. Next to the cellar entrance, which was covered by stone slabs and stacks of firewood, she was lying.
The corpse of her husband Zhang Baosheng. (To be continued)
