It's New Year's Eve, the fourteenth year of Jianxing's reign.
Snowflakes were like silver, falling from the sky in succession.
It seems like countless butterflies are flying, and catkins are flying all over the sky, bringing a piece of ice and purity to the world, allowing people to bathe in the peaceful atmosphere.
In the Yishan Villa of the Lu family in Luomen County, Hebei County, the sound of burning bamboo to drive away the god of plague could be heard intermittently; the children wore the "suppressing evil spirit" given by their parents and made a fuss with joy; they got it when they wished the head of the family a happy new year.
Many tenant slaves and slaves who were rewarded with money were also more enthusiastic about burning bamboo. They enjoyed the snow to welcome the spring and played and played. Men, women, old and young all had fun, making the entire courtyard a happy place, like a paradise.
The night is getting darker and darker with joy, and the laughter has returned to silence.
The children were taken to sleep by their mothers, the old people could not stand the bitter cold and took a rest early, while the tenants and slaves went back to prepare the items needed for the Zhengshuo festival the next day.
In the large hall, only Zheng Pu and Zhang Bao were left, setting wine around the stove and following the tradition of "guarding evil spirits" for their children.
Zhang Bao rushed back to Longyou from Hexi a few days ago.
Although he had already set up a house in Longyou, because there were no family members in the house and his son Zhang Zun had been living here, he came to have fun with his sister-in-law Zheng Pu.
It's just that the purpose is a little impure.
This is because he has ignored his son Zhang Zun since he entered the Lu family's villa, but he is very interested in little Jingji.
Not only did she bring a lot of small gifts, but she also complimented her on her beauty and cuteness, and even expressed her feelings in front of Zhang Yan about how great it would be if she had a daughter like little Jing Ji.
The drunkard's intention cannot be said to be obvious, it is simply unconcealed!
Therefore, Zheng Pu never paid attention to him.
How old is his eldest daughter? She has just begun to learn the enlightenment calligraphy. How can she tolerate being noticed by others?
Even if my brother-in-law wants to get closer, he can’t!
But Zhang Bao seems to never look back until he hits the wall.
When I was guarding the evil spirit, even though I had wine, meat, and dried fruit preserves, I couldn't help but start to offend Zheng Pu, "Zijin, you have been at home these days. I heard from Wen Dai that you have many suggestions for Zun'er. I don't know what I think."
What are my son’s qualifications?”
Um?
Hearing this, Zheng Pu glanced sideways and thought to himself.
According to the secular rhetoric, if you first ask Zhang Zun how he is, the next step is to claim that he and Xiao Jingji are a good match.
That's why Zheng Pu replied indifferently, "It's okay. Well, brother Wen Rong, please don't think too much. I think Zuner's achievements in the future should be comparable to yours."
Well!
What is acceptable!
Then he added that his achievements should be comparable to mine!
Is it possible that my talents and general skills are only acceptable in your eyes?!
Suddenly, Zhang Bao felt a little unhappy.
But after thinking about it for a while, I put away the slightest bit of unhappiness.
Without him, compared to this brother-in-law, his talents and general skills are really only "fair", and now is not the time to care about these things.
"cough!"
Clearing his throat with a light cough, Zhang Bao smiled solemnly, "What Zi Jin has learned in his heart, the Prime Minister also praised it. Zun'er can catch Zi Jin's eyes, which is already a victory over countless others. Well, very good! Hahaha~~~
"
After saying this, he raised his cup and invited, "Come, Zijin, let's drink together!"
After putting down the wine cup, he tried to find out, "Zijin, you and I are related by marriage, and we share weal and woe. I intend to marry each other. I want Zun'er and Xiao Jingji to settle down their marriage first. I don't know what you want."
?”
Zheng Pu's reaction was to roll his eyes at him and turn his head to look at the snow falling outside the court.
Such obvious dislike also made Zhang Bao completely annoyed.
After all, he is also the brother of the current queen and the brother-in-law of Zheng Pu!
How can An bear such contempt!
"You Zheng Zijin, you actually treat me like nothing!"
He opened his mouth and cursed, his voice like rolling thunder, "My father is an enemy of thousands of people and well-known all over the world; my eldest sister is the current queen, and the lintel of the family is the noble family of the Han Dynasty; my younger sister has become one with your Zheng family by marrying you;
I have fought side by side with you many times, we are brothers and we have shared life and death together! Now I am asking for marriage for my legitimate son, but you are ignoring me! Could it be that you think that my Zhang family is no longer worthy of marrying with the Zheng family of Shifang?!"
This is a very strong statement.
But it had little effect on Zheng Pu.
The two of them were so familiar that he didn't need to think twice to know that Zhang Bao was just playing tricks and pretending to force him to submit.
Looking back at Zhang Bao, Zheng Pu said slowly, "Those who have thunder in their chests and faces as flat as a lake can be worshiped as generals. Brother Wen Rong received the Prime Minister's special gift and granted him the right to recruit five thousand cavalry as governor. He sent it as
I will be a pioneer in Guanzhong in the future, but I am so irritable now. If the Prime Minister hears about it, he will feel that he is entrusted to someone else!"
oh.......
After hearing this, Zhang Bao was speechless for a moment.
But he soon came to his senses, and remained indignant, "Don't avoid talking about business matters. What I'm talking about today is a family matter. If you don't explain the reason, I won't give up!"
"well....."
Zheng Pu sighed suddenly and said with some melancholy, "Brother, if you don't give up, the next best thing is to do it. If I agree to your words, that will be difficult."
After saying this, Zhang Bao, who had a look of astonishment on his face, didn't even wait for questions before he explained the reason.
"Back in the day when I was in Chengdu, when Ju Xiaoxing's eldest son was born, I came over to congratulate him, and he made a joke about it, 'If Zijin has a daughter in the future, she should marry her into a family.' Shaoxian, who was with us at the banquet, used to argue with each other with words.
."
"Although Liu Xiuran was not in Chengdu at that time, when we came to Longyouhou later, we also had a banter and argument with Xiaoxing."
"After Brother Youchang came back to Longyou to take up his post, he stayed at my house many times to have discussions, and he also expressed this thought."
"Last year, I was sent by the Prime Minister to inspect military affairs in Hanzhong County, where I stayed with Guan Anguo. In addition to military matters, Anguo also claimed that he would adopt his eldest son Guan Yi to his deceased brother Guan Dingguo in the future, and joked about the little Jingji.
The year of Ji Ji coincides with the year of Guan Yi and Guan. There is no need to elaborate on its meaning."
At this point, Zheng Pu paused briefly and asked, "Brother Wenrong, does he know that brother Bosong returned to Hanzhong a few months ago?"
Could it be that Zhuge Qiao also wanted to marry his son Zhuge Pan?
Zhang Bao, who had been surprised to hear this for a long time, was startled and nodded slightly.
The place where he recruited cavalry and established the cavalry was at Shandan Ranch. How could he not know that Zhuge Qiao, the governor of Zhangye, came back to Hanzhong County to visit his relatives. That was because the prime minister wrote a letter to return to Chengdu, asking Huang to take Zhuge Zhan with Zhuge Pan.
Come to Hanzhong for a reunion. After learning about it, Zhuge Qiao, who had never returned to Chengdu since the Northern Expedition, came to meet him in mid-winter and November.
As for why we didn’t come back for a reunion on New Year’s Eve...
On the first day of the year, there is no precedent for the county governor to leave the office. As the son of the prime minister, he must set an example.
"When Brother Bosong returned to Zhangye, he came to spend a day with me on his way to Ji County."
Seeing Zhang Bao nod, Zheng Pu continued, "He claimed that Zipan was already a young man and planned to send him to study in Longyou in the near future. At that time, he would also come to this house and let me take care of him. But this matter is a matter of course.
After we talked, he showed his love for little Jingji just like you do now, and he did not hesitate to praise her."
Well.......
At this moment, Zhang Bao was completely speechless.
He was not the only one who had this idea about co-authoring, and he was the last person to mention it.
However, when I think about it, it seems normal.
Since the emperor and the prime minister valued Zheng Pu's closeness, it was inevitable that others would flock to the marriage of their children.
It's no wonder that Zheng Pu doesn't want to talk to him these days. Thinking about it from his perspective, if he were Zheng Pu, he wouldn't look good on himself for trying to take advantage of Xiao Jingji.
"Then...Have Zijin ever thought about whose family you would like to marry little Jingji to?"
After being silent for a while, Zhang Bao, who had suppressed his anger, asked softly. Without waiting for Zheng Pu to answer, he quickly added, "There is no need to worry about my Zun'er. Things come first, then they come first, and I won't make it difficult for you."
Zheng Pu did not answer immediately.
Instead, he gave Zhang Bao a spoonful of warm wine and then spoke slowly.
"Brother Wenrong, you and our family are closely related to the emperor. We have become more noble than ever, so we should not worry about our descendants. It is just when the imperial court is gathering strength to restore the old capital, and everyone is committed to each other. You and I are deeply favored by the imperial court.
, it would be unsightly to spread the idea of consolidating power through the in-laws of children. And I have made up my mind that before little Jingji reaches the age of hairpins, she will not follow the orders of her parents or decide what to do with her matchmaker. What will happen in the future will be discussed in the future.
."
Talk about it later?
Zhang Bao raised his eyebrows and smiled suddenly.
His son Zhang Zun is living in the Lu family's courtyard, and he plans to let Zhang Zun live there until he becomes an official!
Childhood sweethearts, the one who is near the water and the tower is the one who gets the moon first.
I secretly told my younger sister Zhang Yan a few words, that his family would have the greatest hope in the future.
Moreover, he felt that it would be better for Zhang Zun to stay here than to be taken into the army and trained by him.
Since he was strictly urged to study by his family when he was young, he also kept a close eye on Zhang Zun. He had nothing to do except reading scriptures and practicing martial arts every day. As a result, Zhang Zun's temperament became taciturn and rarely smiled.
However, after he moved into the Lu Family Villa, Zheng Pu often sent him to farmland and pasture when he was at home to learn about the common people's livelihood of spring plowing, summer working, autumn harvesting, and winter storage.
Travel to various passes and let him know about military affairs, methods of attack and defense, etc.
Just like what Fu Qian was taught in the past, he did not work behind closed doors, did not read military books to death, and paid attention to practice in everything.
At that time, Zhang Yan still felt sorry for Zhang Zun who was suffering from hardships at a young age, so she tried to persuade him politely.
But Zheng Pu refuted it.
He said: "Don't you see Fu Gongyuan in the past? If he hadn't gone through many hardships, how could he have been taken by the Prime Minister to teach him through words and deeds?"
Since the Northern Expedition, apart from Guan Xing, the only person the Prime Minister has taken with him to teach is Fu Qian.
Although the cause of the incident was that Fu Qian set up a plot against Liu Yan for his master Xuehen, and the prime minister took him with him because he was worried that his character was as violent as Zheng Pu. But the biggest reason was that Fu Qian had Zheng Pu's money.
They were taught by each other, because their talents and learning were different from each other by the Prime Minister.
Today, Zhang Zun, under Zheng Pu's unique teachings, not only has a much more cheerful temperament, smiles frequently, but also has a little knowledge of astronomy and geography, and is familiar with farming and military affairs.
Even the obscure and secluded places in scriptures and military books can often be used to draw inferences.
In time, the talents and generals will be able to benefit the great Han.
Zhang Bao thinks this is good.
What parents expect from their nephews is healthy growth and the ability to make a difference in the future.
"What Zijin said is very good! Very good!"
With this thought, he nodded frequently in agreement.
He also changed the topic and revealed another purpose of celebrating New Year's Eve with Zheng Pu, "Well... I heard that Zijin has been doing nothing at home recently, so I feel depressed. How about joining me in a few days?
How about we go to the West Sea to pay homage to King Shaodang Qiang?"
As soon as he said these words, he received another look from Zheng Pu.
The rebuttal was:
"When you have nothing to do, elegance comes naturally. You can play the flute and play the harp, recite poems and paint, watch the moon and flowers, discuss classics and play chess, study landscapes alone, make tea and listen to the rain, read "Yi" with concentration, and buy wine.
It can be used to entertain children and educate their children...Brother Wenrong said that I have been depressed at home recently, I don't know where I heard it?"
Without waiting for Zhang Bao's reply, another sharp point revealed Zhang Bao's thoughts.
"I know that Brother Wenrong wants to recruit cavalry from the Shaodang Qiang, but he is not familiar with the Qiang in Mangzhong and thinks it will be difficult for him to do it, so he wants me to go with him to help him. This is for the benefit of the country.
I have absolutely no excuses for what happened, so why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
Zhang Bao was speechless.
When I was young, I held up a cup to invite him to drink as an apology, and sighed loudly, "Oh, it's my heartfelt desire, so I'm in a desperate state."
Um?
Zheng Pu raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Oh, it's just a battle of spirits."
Zhang Bao laughed self-deprecatingly and told the story in detail.
It turned out that he and Zhao Guangtong were authorized by the Prime Minister to recruit more cavalry that day, and each formed 5,000 cavalry.
However, Ma Dai, who has been in charge of Shandan Ranch in recent months, has given priority to supplying the recruited cavalry and high-quality war horses to Zhao Guang's department.
It's not that Ma Dai is partial.
Instead, Zhao Guang's troops already had 3,000 cavalry, and by recruiting new soldiers, they would soon be able to form a combat force by coercing the old soldiers to perform martial arts with the new soldiers. After all, if he wanted to march into Guanzhong in the future, he would first have to conquer Wei's military garrison south of Helan Mountain.
Pulling it out and allowing Zhao Guang's department to expand the recruitment as soon as possible is also out of preparation for war.
In particular, Zhao Guang's cavalry fighting skills are indeed much better than Zhang Bao's.
But as a fierce and aggressive military man, Zhang Bao was inevitably upset by this move - he only received a thousand Xiliang cavalry. If he didn't recruit them as soon as possible, he might not be able to catch up with the attack south of Helan Mountain.
.
Therefore, he planned to go to the Western Sea to recruit troops based on his past feelings of fighting side by side with the Shaodang Qiang.
Naturally, I also hope that my sister-in-law Zheng Pu, who has a good relationship with Shaodang Qiang King Mangzhong, can come forward to help.
When worrying about gains and losses, it is inevitable to try it first with words.
After explaining, Zhang Bao sighed quietly, "Zi Jin may not know. The reason why I am anxious is not because I want to compete with Zhao Yihong or Jiang Boyue, but because I am afraid that I will not be able to attend the meeting and resume the battle of the old capital."
"Brother Wen Rong, why did you say this?!"
As soon as these words came out, Zheng Pu's eyes widened instantly, and he couldn't help but ask, "Could it be that my brother suffered hidden injuries on his body during the previous battle?"
"No, I am fine."
Shaking his head slightly, Zhang Bao lowered his voice and said, "A few days ago, Zhongwen Ji wrote to me, claiming that Xiang Zhong, the leader of the army guarding the capital and inside and outside, wrote to the emperor, asking for the troops to be sent to Longyou to join the campaign against the Wei Dynasty."
Well, that’s it!
Zheng Pu understood immediately upon hearing this.
The leader of the army, Xiang Chong, knew a lot about military affairs and was praised as "capable" by the late Emperor Liu Bei.
He has been guarding Chengdu for many years, and now that he has asked to come to Longyou to join the expedition, neither the emperor nor the prime minister will reject his determination to serve the country with fists.
But after he came to Longyou, the capital also needed to recruit new generals and guards.
The most suitable candidate is naturally Zhang Bao.
Without him, it was because of Yuan Cong’s status as a relative’s family after his meritorious service.
