Ever since Liu Heng left Bianjing during his campaign against Xixia, Liu Heng and Liu Boxu and his son had never seen each other again.
Although Liu Heng returned to Bianjing City on the way, the circumstances were special at that time, so the father and son did not meet.
Not seen for several years.
Liu Boxu has grown from the little guy who had to hold Liu Heng's finger to find his way to a handsome young man.
Liu Boxu is a mixed blood of the Han and Tu ethnic groups.
The skin color and hair color are no different from those of Song Dynasty people.
However, the eyes and nose bridge have unique characteristics of the Tubo people.
The most important thing is that it looks pretty good.
A truly handsome young man.
The father and son have been separated for many years, so it is inevitable that there will be some gaps.
The two knew that the other was their only relative in the world, but neither dared to say the first word.
Although during Liu Heng's absence, Liu Boxu asked his Uncle Kou countless times to inquire about Liu Heng's whereabouts, and also longed to meet Liu Heng.
But when Liu Heng really stood in front of him, he really couldn't say a word.
Liu Heng felt that he had not given Liu Boxu a complete home, and he felt guilty for Liu Boxu, so he did not speak.
As a result, the father and son stood in a stalemate in the corridor of the Kou Mansion with their eyes wide open.
Until Kou Ji appeared and broke the deadlock between father and son.
After Liu Heng and Liu Boxu heard Kou Ji's shouts, they looked away at each other and fell on Kou Ji.
Liu Heng smiled dryly: "Fourth brother..."
Liu Boxu politely bowed to Kou Ji and said, "Fourth uncle..."
Kou Ji looked at the father and son and asked suspiciously: "What's going on with you, father and son?"
Liu Boxu pursed his lips and said nothing.
Liu Heng pretended to smile freely and said: "I haven't seen you for many years, and I don't know how to speak."
Kou Ji shook his head and smiled: "You always have to speak. You two, father and son, can't possibly stay silent like this."
Liu Heng scratched his head and said with a smile: "That's right..."
After saying this, Liu Heng's eyes fell on Liu Boxu.
Liu Boxu felt Liu Heng's gaze and looked at Liu Heng.
Liu Heng stared at Liu Boxu and said carelessly: "Boy, I am your father. Your uncle did something stupid and harmed our whole family, as well as your aunt and your mother.
Your father and I failed to protect your aunt and your mother. I am sorry for you.
And your uncle, who insisted on going against me, the Great Song Dynasty, was killed by your fourth uncle.
Don't blame your fourth uncle, because if it were me, I would kill your uncle too.
But your uncle is your uncle after all, and it is your fourth uncle’s fault that caused you to lose your uncle.
Your father and I resisted your fourth uncle's debt.
Your father and I are not very capable of killing, so I gave you a king fight as compensation for you."
Liu Boxu stared blankly at Liu Heng in front of him, his mouth slightly open, with a look of astonishment on his face.
Are you sure you are my father and not a fool?
Kou Ji put his hand on his forehead and the corners of his mouth kept twitching.
Kou Ji always felt that among the many dignitaries in Bianjing City, he was the least able to educate his son and the least able to get along with his son.
Now that he saw Liu Heng, Kou Jicai realized that compared with Liu Heng, he was actually a more than qualified father.
Kou Ji put down his hand, with a dark face. Seeing that Liu Heng was still talking nonsense, he couldn't help but said, "You are also a county king after all. Can you act like it when you speak?"
Liu Heng scratched his head in embarrassment.
Kou Ji glared at Liu Heng and waved to Liu Boxu.
Liu Boxu glanced at his unreliable father and walked to Kou Ji's side obediently.
Kou Ji wanted to raise his head to touch Liu Boxu's head, but when he raised his hand, he realized that Liu Boxu had grown up, so he put his hand on Liu Boxu's shoulder.
"Son, don't listen to your father's nonsense. He stayed in the Japanese country for a long time, was assimilated by the Japanese, and had some problems with his brain.
It'll be fine in a while...
What happened to your mother was indeed caused by your uncle.
But your uncle has passed away.
So don't remember this anymore.
The enmity between me and your uncle is for each of us.
You may not understand it now, but when you grow up, you should understand it."
Kou Ji explained to Liu Boxu what Liu Heng had just said in a gentle tone.
Liu Boxu listened carefully to Kou Ji's story, and then said solemnly with a straight face: "Four uncles, each is his own master. My nephew already understands.
The nephew has not seen his uncle since he was a child and has no relationship with him.
You raised your nephew with your own hands, and you taught your nephew how to be a good person.
My nephew only remembers your kindness to my nephew."
Kou Ji looked at Liu Boxu with joy and praised: "The little guy has really grown up, not bad."
Liu Boxu was raised by Kou Ji.
Liu Boxu is so sensible now, and Kou Ji is really happy.
"Go to Tianci and go to the Ministry of Works together to take a look at the maps of ships hidden in the Ministry of Works. By the way, bring some people to take pictures of those ships, and then study them carefully so that they can be used in the future."
"I know, Fourth Uncle..."
Liu Boxu agreed and prepared to leave.
But before leaving, he couldn't help but look back at Liu Heng.
He stood there and hesitated again and again, and finally silently walked to Liu Heng's side, bowed politely, and called softly.
"father……"
"Why!"
Liu Heng agreed excitedly.
Liu Boxu, however, had already left with his head hanging.
Liu Heng stood there with an excited look on his face, opening his mouth again and again, trying to get Liu Boxu to stop shouting a few more times, but he restrained himself in the end.
After Liu Boxu left, Kou Ji couldn't help but glare at Liu Heng and criticized: "Is this how you become a father?"
Liu Heng looked at the place where Liu Boxu left, scratched his head and said, "No one taught me."
Kou Ji was so angry that he almost vomited blood.
Liu Heng reluctantly withdrew his gaze and saw that Kou Ji looked wrong, so he quickly said: "Fourth brother, you know what my father did to me back then.
I just learned from my dad..."
Before Liu Heng could finish his words, Kou Ji said unceremoniously: "Come on. Your father is cold on the outside and hot on the inside. You are just stupid, reckless and bratty."
Liu Heng smiled awkwardly.
Kou Ji glared at Liu Heng and said angrily: "After Bo Xu entered the Kou Mansion, he had many things he wanted to do, but he didn't do them.
I want to accompany him, and Tianci also wants to accompany him.
But he didn't agree.
I know that he is waiting for you, the father, to come back to accompany him.
I wrote them all down one by one and put them in the study.
I'll get it to you later.
You follow what you wrote down above and take Bo Xu to do it again.
I believe he will get closer to you."
Speaking of which.
Kou Ji paused for a moment, stared at Liu Heng and asked, "Are you sure you want to pass the throne to Bo Xu and let Bo Xu go to the Japanese country alone? He has just met you and you left him alone. Aren't you afraid that he will hate you?"
"
Liu Heng had some hesitation on his face when he heard this.
Kou Ji continued: "You can go to the Japanese country first and be the king of Xiyang County for a few years. When Bo Xu has grown up, pass the throne to him, and it will not be too late to come back.
You think of our brotherhood and want to stay with me, I can understand.
But you also have to think about the father-son relationship between you and Bossu."
Liu Heng fell into silence.
Seeing this, Kou Ji said, "Think about it carefully and tell me when you think about it clearly."
After leaving these words, Koji stepped out of the corridor.
Just after taking a few steps, I heard Liu Heng's voice from behind.
"Fourth brother, you are willing to let go of God's gift, why can't I let go of Bo Xu? I can probably guess what you and the Guan family will do next.
I'm afraid that the government won't be able to protect you, so I want to stay and protect you.
When you have finished your important work, we brothers will set sail again, to go to Goryeo and Japan, and then we will have plenty of time to spend time with Tianci and Bo Xu."
Kou Ji paused and stood there in silence for a long time.
Liu Heng shouted at Kou Ji's back: "I only have two relatives left, you and Bo Xu. I don't want anything to happen to either of you.
When Bo Xu went to Japan, he was radiated by my old troops.
When Zhong Shiheng went to Japan, Bo Xu might not be able to take advantage of him.
It can be said that it is very safe for Bo Xu to go to Japan.
But it's different if you stay in Bianjing City.
There are so many opponents overtly and covertly.
You need my help."
"Why……"
Kou Ji sighed and did not turn around. He just whispered, "Let's find a marriage for Bo Xu first. We can't let him go to Japan alone.
You can recruit as many people as you can from your old departments in the Imperial City Department and the Army.
Although the Japanese were respectful, the handle of the sword must be held in Bo Xu's hand.
Also, if I can't take care of you later, you can take Tianci and Bo Xu to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment.
Find a few people who have committed the most heinous crimes and let Tianci and Bossu be the executioners.
They are the ones who want to inherit the throne, so it doesn’t matter if they don’t know how to kill.”
Liu Heng gritted his teeth and nodded heavily, "Fourth brother, you taught Bo Xu very well. I am not a qualified father, and I can't give Bo Xu anything.
But you made up everything I owed.
I should thank you."
"I am his uncle, I should teach him..."
Kou Ji dropped these words, ignored Liu Heng again, and hurriedly left the corridor.
Kou Ji left the corridor and walked a long way before he stopped. The expression on his face changed very complicatedly for a long time.
"What are you doing?"
A voice sounded behind Kou Ji.
Kou Ji turned around and saw Zhao Xu standing behind him handsomely.
Compared with before, Zhao Xu has completely grown into a big girl, slim and very charming.
Kou Ji glanced at Zhao Xu up and down, and said in a neutral tone: "I'm thinking about why you haven't married yet. You have almost wiped out all the wealth of my Kou family."
Zhao Xu glanced at Kou Ji and said angrily: "The food this princess eats does not belong to your Kou Mansion. I have my own food, and I also have my own money."
Kou Ji rolled his eyes and said, "Then you are still hanging around in my Kou Mansion eating and drinking?"
Zhao Xu said with a playful smile: "It's comfortable to stay in the Kou Mansion. The palace is lifeless, and the Princess Mansion is not popular either. Everyone in the palace or the Princess Mansion looks like a dummy.
His words are fake and his smile is fake.
It’s not as interesting as the Kou Mansion at all.”
Kou Ji couldn't help but sigh and said: "You can choose from all the young talents in the world, but you can't choose a suitable husband?"
"Does Di Yong count?"
Zhao Xu asked.
"Di Yong?"
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment and said in astonishment: "Di Qing's second son? That one-and-a-half-year-old baby? Are you crazy?"
Di Qing now has two sons.
The eldest son is Di Zhen, five years old.
The second son is Di Yong, one and a half years old.
The second son was born to the second sister of the Cao family when Di Qing went to Hexi to resist the Black Khans.
Di Qing is so handsome that the second sister of the Cao family is also presumptuous.
The offspring of these two are naturally good-looking.
Although Di Zhen is only five years old, among the children, his appearance is outstanding.
It's just that Di Yong is still young, only one and a half years old.
Zhao Xu actually regarded Di Yong as a wishful husband?
How old is Zhao Xu?
More than twenty.
I'm over 20 years old, and I'm greedy for a one-and-a-half-year-old baby.
Isn’t that just crazy?
Zhao Xu winked at Kou Ji with a bright smile and said, "Sir, you don't know. The Di Yong in Di Qing's family is particularly beautiful, soft, white, and round.
Every time I go to Di Mansion as a guest, I want to hold him."
When Kou Ji heard this, he was slightly stunned, "Has the Di family entered Beijing?"
Zhao Xu nodded, "I came to Beijing a few years ago. I live in the big house given by my imperial brother. My wife often takes me as a guest."
Kou Ji nodded slowly, "With Di Qing's current status, the officials should indeed give him a house in Bianjing City."
Speaking of this, Kou Ji glared at Zhao Xu, "Do you think Di Yong is a good husband? You just think that his little baby is cute."
Zhao Xu stuck out his tongue and hummed: "I just said it casually."
Kou Ji rubbed his brows and said, "You have stayed in my house for so many years and you have met countless young talents, but none of them like you?"
Zhao Xu spread his hands and said frankly: "If you put Bao Zheng and Su Xun together, I have something. If you separate them, I have nothing."
I want to find someone like Su Xun who can make me laugh.
I also want to find someone like Bao Zheng who will be kind to me silently."
Kou Ji said with a headache: "Is there such a person? Besides, Su Xun is married and has children. Bao Zheng is not married. Do you like Bao Zheng?"
Zhao Xu shook his head decisively, stared at Kou Ji with a sincere face and said, "If you don't like it, I will suffer hardship if I follow Bao Zheng."
Kou Ji stared in astonishment.
Zhao Xu said seriously: "Bao Zheng is too frugal. He is obviously not short of money, but he lives like an ascetic. He sends letters to me, and many letters smell of vegetable oil.
He must have written the letter at night, lighting a vegetable oil lamp."
Most wealthy households in the Song Dynasty used candles for lighting.
Some people also use pine oil lamps.
Only poor people use vegetable oil lamps for lighting in their homes.
Bao Zheng's family was not poor. His father, Bao Lingyi, had been an official, and his family was one of the richest families in Feidong.
Although his father has passed away, the family fortune left behind is not small.
When Bao Lingyi passed away, Bao Zheng was already a Jinshi in high school.
Therefore, several brothers divided the family property, and his elder brothers did not dare to bully him as they did in the storybook.
So he divided a lot of family property.
So he can afford candles.
In addition, he is now serving as an official and serving as a government observer, and his monthly salary is quite large.
Even if he burns candles as firewood, he can still afford it.
Even so, Bao Zheng also ordered food and oil lamps, which shows that he is indeed frugal.
Kou Ji stared at Zhao Xu and muttered: "If you really like someone, you don't need to worry about these things. Whether it's you or Bao Zheng, there is no need to worry about three meals a day."
Zhao Xu is Zhao Zhen’s only sister.
The food estate that Zhao Zhen gave Zhao Xu was not small.
Zhao Xu is a wealthy woman among the sporadic royal family today.
Not to mention compared with ordinary people.
So she didn't have to worry about money at all.
In other words, money is definitely not an obstacle to her falling in love.
Zhao Xu shrugged his shoulders and said frankly: "But I don't like him. I said, I like Bao Zheng and Su Xun together. But I haven't found such a person yet."
When Kou Ji heard Zhao Xu's words, he opened his mouth but had nothing to say.
Bao Zheng and Su Xun were already rare heroes in the Song Dynasty.
There are not many outstanding people who are more powerful than them.
She's even more powerful than them, she's also good at teasing, and she's also good at treating her silently.
There probably were no such people in the Song Dynasty.
If he really did, he wouldn't marry the princess.
There is no reason for people to throw away their promising future, marry a princess, and sit at home eating soft food.
How can the emperor's son-in-law and other ministers have a good position in the six ministers and the three prime ministers in the inner court.
Some people may question why Zhao Xu clearly mentioned two conditions, but in Kou Ji's mind, there were three.
Kou Ji also didn't want to turn them into three.
But there are indeed three of them.
Zhao Xu received royal education since childhood, and after arriving at the Kou Mansion, he hung out with a group of talented people.
Not only that, but he also vaguely became a coach with Bao Zheng and Su Xun.
Do you think her knowledge will be weak?
Can the knowledge and conversation of ordinary people fall into her eyes?
"Are you waiting for Chen Shimei?!"
Kou Ji complained casually.
Zhao Xu stared at Kou Ji suspiciously and asked, "Who is Chen Shimei?"
Kou Ji said calmly: "A person who has died before he was born."
Zhao Xu stared at Kou Ji blankly, but Kou Ji didn't explain much.
Chen Shimei, that is a character in the drama.
In the real Song Dynasty, this person did not exist at all.
After all, according to historical facts, Zhao Zhen's only sister became a Taoist and became a Taoist nun for the rest of her life.
Even if Chen Shimei existed, it would be impossible to marry her.
Kou Ji glanced at Zhao Xu and said, "If you can't find your right husband again, I will bewitch your imperial brother and ask you to get married?"
Facing Kou Ji's threat, Zhao Xu was not afraid at all.
Zhao Xu said very proudly: "The student wants to get married, but all the dynasties around him that are qualified for the student to marry have been taken care of by you, sir."
When Kou Ji heard this, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "So it's me that's why you can't get married?"
Zhao Xu nodded solemnly and gave an affirmative answer.
Kou Ji glared at Zhao Xu and ignored her.
Zhao Xu was lucky that the Song Dynasty had Kou Ji, and he was also lucky that the Song Dynasty was now invincible.
If it were placed in the Song Dynasty in history, if Zhao Xu dared to say this openly, he would be forced out by civil servants to get married tomorrow.
Kou Ji left Zhao Xu and went to find Kou Hui.
I just searched around and couldn't find it.
Kou Hui seemed to be avoiding him on purpose.
I asked the servants at home and found out that Kou Hui was in the Orchid Garden. After I ran to the Orchid Garden, there was no trace of Kou Hui.
After searching for a long time but still unable to find Kou Hui, Kou Ji finally gave up.
Just when Kou Ji gave up looking for Kou Hui and returned to the backyard.
An interesting thing happened in Bianjing City.
The younger brothers of King Kou Ji of Han had just accepted three thousand copper coins from others in a restaurant in Bianjing City.
The brothers are dividing the spoils.
He was bumped into by Kou Zhun who was 'passing by'.
So, Kou Zhun led a few of them to Kou's mansion.
Kou Zhun arrived at Kou's mansion.
The Kou Mansion was naturally in a state of chaos.
When Kou Zhun stepped through the door, he saw a group of daughters-in-law standing at the door to greet him quietly.
I haven't paid attention to Kou Li for a long time, and Kou Li's group of concubines has grown again.
Everyone in Bianjing City knows this.
Privy Councilor Kou Ji was a clean and self-sufficient man, and only married and loved Xiang Yan throughout his life.
This incident was touted by the women in Bianjing and became a legend.
A talented woman even wrote a very popular poem about it.
"Marry a man as a privy minister" has become the most popular saying among the women in Bianjing City.
However.
Privy Councilor Kou Jijie behaved himself well, but Privy Councilor Kou Ji's father, Minister of Rites Kou Li, had no taboo on meat and vegetables and would not reject anyone who came.
When Kou Li first entered Bianjing City, there was not even a single maid around him.
More than ten years.
The number of concubines around Kou Li has reached sixty-seven.
Some of them were collected by Kou Li on his own initiative, some were gifts from others, and some came to him on his own initiative.
Although Kou Li's group of concubines is very large.
But Kou Li did not have a wife.
It's not that he doesn't want to straighten out a favored concubine.
She is the stepmother of Privy Councilor Kou Ji, and no one dares to be her.
Kou Zhun entered the Kou mansion and looked at Kou Li's huge group of concubines without showing any disgust.
In his eyes, it is a very common thing for a good man to have his wife and concubines in groups.
This is the case for all the wealthy families in Bianjing City.
So there's nothing wrong with that.
On the contrary, it would be wrong to be like Kou Ji and live by one woman.
"I met my father-in-law..."
When Kou Zhun approached them, a group of Yingying Yanyan, led by Kou Li's most important concubine, Mrs. Qiao, bowed to Kou Zhun in a polite manner.
Kou Zhun glanced at Mrs. Qiao and asked lukewarmly: "Where is Kou Li?"
Qiao quickly said: "I was invited to Jianjia Hall by my colleagues."
Kou Zhun snorted coldly, "Send someone to tell that idiot to get back here."
Mrs. Qiao quickly agreed and sent the housekeeper and servants to invite Kou Li.
Kou Zhun asked people to bring those bastards who were collecting money from people into the house.
Then he stared coldly at Kou Li's group of concubines.
"Who gave birth to these bastards? Come out and identify them yourself."
In an instant, all the concubines looked at Mrs. Qiao.
When Qiao saw those boys, she knew what happened.
She sighed inwardly and whispered: "Whose is it? Hurry up and identify it. Don't make your father-in-law angry."
Others may not know it clearly, but Qiao knows it very well.
Everything they have now was not obtained by Kou Li's ability.
But Kou Li recognized a good father and had a good son.
Kou Li is where he is today because of the legacy of his good father and son.
Therefore, these two people cannot afford to offend.
Several concubines heard what Mr. Qiao said and walked up to their son in fear.
After they recognized his son, Kou Zhun snorted coldly, "You have raised a good son. Under the guise of Ji'er, you accepted bribes, Xu Guan, Xu Jue.