Of course, Fan Zongxi didn't know that he was just a spare tire. Seeing Hu Xiaotian's grand banquet, he couldn't help but feel a little moved. Hu Xiaotian was still very interesting.
After three rounds of wine and five delicious dishes, Fan Zongxi brought up the matter of one hundred thousand shi of grain again. The reward was a lie, and asking for grain was the main purpose of the emperor sending him here. Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Brother Zongxi is too impatient. I have already asked
People go and make statistics. Of course I dare not neglect the Emperor's will. Brother Zong Xi, rest assured that I will never make it difficult for you this time."
With a smile on his face, Fan Zongxi picked up the wine glass in front of him and said, "Master Hu, I feel relieved because of your words. The Za family thanks you in advance for your wine."
Hu Xiaotian drank the same drink with him and said in a low voice: "Speaking of which, I have been away from the capital for a while. I wonder how the situation in the capital is lately?"
Fan Zong said happily: "Fortunately, it's nothing serious." He understood the truth that trouble comes from the mouth, and knew that he was an imperial envoy, representing the interests of the emperor, and it was inconvenient to say too much in front of Hu Xiaotian.
Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Zong Xi comes here this time, who will entrust the affairs of the Royal Horse Prison to you?"
Speaking of the royal horse supervisor, Fan Zongxi couldn't help but sigh and said: "Even the fodder of the royal racecourse has become tight recently. The original size of the racecourse has been reduced by half, and the Za family is very busy on weekdays."
Hu Xiaotian nodded. From Fan Zongxi's words, it can be inferred that the current situation in Dakang is not ideal. It is no wonder, otherwise the old emperor would not be so depressed that he would reach out to him for food. He would not even have the dignity of being an emperor.
No more.
Hu Xiaotian asked: "Where did the horses from the original racecourse go?"
Fan Zong said happily: "The dead ones are sold and sold. The ones left behind are also thin and have long hair. There is a serious lack of fodder this winter. I am afraid that many horses will not survive this severe winter." He said it without being too sad.
The Horsemaster has been in the position for many years and still has deep feelings for these horses.
Hu Xiaotian said: "We are in short supply of war horses. Brother Zong Xi might as well send the horses you are planning to abandon to me."
Fan Zongxi smiled bitterly and said: "This matter requires the emperor's consent, but I can't be the master."
Hu Xiaotian knew that what he said was true. Although a lot of soldiers had been recruited recently, due to the shortage of war horses, it was naturally impossible to vigorously develop cavalry. At present, Tang Tiehan brothers had been asked to find ways to purchase war horses for the development of cavalry. In fact,
There are many good horses in the royal racecourse, but based on his current relationship with the emperor. If Long Xuanen is willing to send a batch of war horses to him, I am afraid that he may not agree. It seems that he can only make a fuss about food and grass. I
I'll give you some food and grass, and first exchange it for a batch of war horses from the Royal Racecourse. This way you won't suffer any loss.
Hu Xiaotian asked again about Li Yuncong's current situation. Fan Zongxi may not know enough about his uncle's true identity. He only visited the library occasionally during holidays.
After sending Fan Zongxi away, Hu Xiaotian wanted to go back to rest, but someone from the post house made a special trip to invite him over. He said that the eldest princess Xue Lingjun had invited him. Hu Xiaotian secretly wondered what Xue Lingjun was planning. I just invited you.
You don't give me face, but you still have people come over to invite me so late. Do you still want to repeat what happened in Xizhou?
Hu Xiaotian wanted to say that he was too drunk to refuse. But after thinking about it, he was on his own territory now. Was he afraid that Xue Lingjun would eat him? He did not rush over immediately, but took a comfortable bath in a hot bath.
, and then go out.
On the way to the post house where Xue Lingjun lives, light snow fell in the night sky. Dongliang County has recently implemented a curfew, and few pedestrians are seen on the streets. No one wants to go out without authorization at this time and cause trouble, even if they will not be prosecuted.
At least there will be an in-depth examination.
When Hu Xiaotian came to the door of the post house, Xue Lingjun was already waiting there, riding on a horse, wearing the same black mink fur as Hu Xiaotian's couple. He was still dressed in men's clothing, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, and he was handsome.
Hu Xiaotian found that beautiful women look good in men's clothes. He reined in his horse in front of Xue Lingjun and said with a smile: "What? Call me over. Is the eldest princess going out again?"
Xue Lingjun smiled and said: "How dare I be rude to Mr. Hu? I haven't seen you come after waiting for so long, so I was ready to go out to greet you. I didn't expect you to come now."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was drinking with the imperial envoy just now, so I'm late. Sister Jun, it's snowing, let's go in and talk."
Xue Lingjun said: "Suddenly I really want to go outside for a walk. Don't you think there is something special about walking on a snowy night?"
Hu Xiaotian grinned. Most women are like this. It's windy, rainy, and heavy snow can create a romantic and charming atmosphere in their minds. However, Xue Lingjun has always been a realistic person, and there doesn't seem to be much in his impression.
I am young and ill, walking on a snowy night, I have a different mood? It must be an ulterior motive.
Xue Lingjun rode up to Hu Xiaotian's side. Guo Zhenhai led a few warriors to follow behind, but Xue Lingjun turned around and said: "No need to follow, this is Dongliang County, Mr. Hu can protect my safety."
Hu Xiaotian always maintained the air of a humble gentleman, smiled and said nothing, interpreting everything in front of him as Xue Lingjun was acting in front of him. He turned his horse's head to follow Xue Lingjun's footsteps, and the night breeze was gentle, carrying fine snow and gently beating on their shoulders.
There was a tingling sensation on my face. On a snowy night, the temperature was not too cold. The outlines of the hard buildings in Dongliang County became hazy and gentle in the fine snow.
Xue Lingjun walked on the streets of Dongliang County without any clear purpose. Hu Xiaotian did not ask her where she was going. He stayed by her side silently. In the end, it was Xue Lingjun who broke the silence first: "Last time I came to Dongliang
When we were a county, this was still our Dayong land."
Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Tracing back to its roots, Dongliang County originally belonged to Dakang."
Xue Lingjun said: "The reason why my imperial brother gave Dongliang County to Dakang was mainly because of the compensation for Princess Anping's incident. However, his decision caused a lot of opposition in the country. The money and food can be transferred, and the land
Can't let it go."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Emperor Yongqing is a rare wise king in a hundred years. The things he decides must have his own considerations. We mortals cannot figure it out." Emperor Yongqing is the posthumous title of Xue Shengkang, Hu Xiaotian
On the surface, he highly praised him, but in fact he was hinting to Xue Lingjun that Xue Shengkang had another purpose in giving Dongliang County to Dakang. Dakang also saw through Xue Shengkang's intentions, so he never stationed troops in Dongliang County.
It wasn't until his appearance that the balance of power here was broken.
Xue Lingjun sighed quietly and said: "If my imperial brother knew about it, he would definitely regret this matter."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Emperor Yongqing has great talents and strategies, he will definitely not regret it."
Xue Lingjun couldn't help but glance at Hu Xiaotian, with a little surprise in his eyes. He sounded like he knew his elder brother better than himself, but then he thought about the sarcasm hidden in Hu Xiaotian's words, which were clearly talking about his own vision.
He is far behind his eldest brother, and has not figured out his true intention of sending him away from Dongliang County.
Xue Lingjun reined in his horse in front of the north gate of Dongliang County. When the gatekeeper saw that the city lord had arrived in person, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. Xue Lingjun pointed to the tower and said, "I want to go up and have a look!"
Hu Xiaotian nodded, handed the two horses to the soldiers on night duty, and accompanied Xue Lingjun to the tower.
Because of the falling snow, even when standing on the tall tower, Hu Xiaotian would not think that Xue Lingjun asked him to ride with her for more than three miles so late just to climb the north gate tower.
Appreciating the snow scene, in fact, the snow never showed any sign of getting bigger. It was very small, just like flour filtered through a fine sieve. This kind of snow was not romantic, and even looked a little shabby, lacking the snow falling thousands of miles in the north.
With his heroic momentum, Hu Xiaotian took a breath and felt a lot of fine snow entering his lungs with his breathing. This coldness full of moisture made him miss the warm quilt. Now he should be getting into the quilt to relax.
It's time to have a comfortable sleep.
Xue Lingjun held the arrow stack with both hands and looked towards the northeast. In fact, at this time, no matter which angle she looked at, all she saw was the monotonous and only night.
Hu Xiaotian knew that the direction she was looking at was Dongluocang. Although it was impossible to see it, if she followed Xue Lingjun's gaze, she would definitely be able to reach the city wall of Dongluocang at the other end.
Xue Lingjun said: "Dongluo Cang is one of the seven major granaries of Dayong. Taking away Dongluo Cang is equivalent to openly declaring war on Dayong." She sighed and said: "You think you already have someone to challenge Dayong.
strength?"
Hu Xiaotian did not speak, but stood quietly behind Xue Lingjun. The long silence even gave Xue Lingjun the illusion that he had left without saying goodbye. He turned around and was convinced that Hu Xiaotian was still standing there, his expression as if frozen by the wind and snow.
The same smile but lacked liveliness, the smile seemed to have frozen on his face.
Xue Lingjun said: "After all, you and I have met each other, and I don't want you to misjudge the situation!"
Hu Xiaotian said: "How can I not know Sister Jun's thoughts about me? But the reason why Dayong and I are where we are now is because someone wants to eradicate me. I have no choice but to do it with a knife on my neck."
, you can’t let others control you!”
Xue Lingjun said: "The new king is very angry at your behavior of seizing Dongluo Cang. He has already deployed his troops and generals and is prepared to take back Dongluo Cang at any cost."
Hu Xiaotian said without any sign of weakness: "Then I'm afraid you will have to pay an extremely heavy price."
Xue Lingjun said: "It may be a big price for Dayong, but it is a disaster for you. Although you have won two victories, it does not mean that you have established a foothold here. With all due respect, your country's
The Emperor does not trust you." (To be continued)
