Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan

In early September of the second year of Kaiwu, the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion hired the Sheng family, and the two families made a marriage contract, and the marriage was completed in mid-June of the following year.

The preparation time of more than half a year was enough for Wei Yuan to hold his niece's wedding with great splendor.

Before Gu Tingye expressed his love for Minglan, most of the noble women in the capital wanted to marry Gu Tingye.

After all, among the descendants of the founder of the country, only Gu Tingye can fight. The rest are either already married or just doing nothing.

For example, as long as there is a noble title in the family, who is willing to marry the heir of Yongchang's uncle's family?

As for the new upstarts in Daizhou, they are basically appointed by some families with outstanding achievements, such as Xu Changzhi, Chen Yuanzhi and others.

After settling Minglan's matter, Wei Yuan also put an end to his worries. However, on the day of his appointment to the Gu family, Wei Yuan felt a little empty in his heart.

Zhang Guifen seemed to have noticed something, and said with a smile: "What? You don't want your precious niece to have an owner?"

Wei Yuan said: "I just feel that in a flash, girl Ming has grown up and is about to become a wife and mother."

Zhang Guifen covered her mouth and said with a smile: "There's still more than half a year left. Why are you so melancholy right now? When Sister Jing gets married in the future, I'm afraid you'll feel even worse."

Wei Yuan smiled and shook his head, then suddenly remembered something, "Since my father left the country, have you been bored at home all day? I heard that my father wanted to visit Ying, Shuo, Huan and Sanzhou?"

Zhang Guifen squeezed Wei Yuan's shoulders and said, "It is indeed true, but my mother has rejected it. After all, my father is old and unlike before, traveling long distances is ultimately not good for his health."

Wei Yuan held her jade hand and pulled her in front of him, "Back then, Duke Wu Xiang was in charge of Yanbian, and my father was in charge of Daizhou. Everyone said that these two were the twins of my great Zhou Dynasty."

"My father has been a soldier all his life, and he has always dreamed of regaining the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun. The closest he got to Shuozhou was the Battle of Yanmen."

"If I don't fulfill my father's wish now, when I get really old and unable to walk in the future, I will never be able to go again."

When Zhang Guifen heard this, she felt that her words made sense and said, "I will advise my mother later."

Wei Yuan nodded and said: "I will report to the officials and ask my father to ride in the royal chariot to the three states of Yanyun. You don't need to worry about my father's safety. I will select three thousand good men from the Lu army to escort my father north."

Zhang Guifen frowned and said, "Brother Wei, there are some things I've always wanted to say, but I'm afraid that if I say them, I'll make you unhappy."

Wei Yuan held her in his arms and said dotingly: "You and I, husband and wife, what else can't we say?"

Zhang Guifen said sternly: "Since the end of the National War, Brother Wei has been in a high position, below one person and above ten thousand people. What he does is often considered crazy and rebellious. Occasionally, it is okay, but it has always been like this. For example, my father Going north, will it displease the officials if you let my father ride in the royal chariot?"

Wei Yuan laughed and said: "Silly sister, you are worrying too much. If you are in a high position and do not act wildly, it is against common sense. However, if you are wild and do not exceed the rules, and do not hold power and be arrogant, then it is enough."

The arrogant people he spoke of were not ordinary people.

At the end of September of the second year of Kaiwu, Zhang Fu left Beijing and went north.

Wei Yuan's family went to see him off.

Everyone was sitting in the royal chariot.

On the way out of the city, Zhang Fu was in high spirits and seemed very excited.

When Mrs. Zhang saw it, she said dissatisfiedly: "You are so old and you still have to go through so much trouble. What's wrong with living at home?"

Zhang Fu stroked his beard and said: "Humph, what do you know about a woman's opinion? I have spent most of my life dealing with Liao thieves. I have exhausted all my efforts, but I have never managed to capture one of the sixteen states of Yanyun. Now there are three states." The whole land belongs to me, Dazhou. If I don’t go and see the beauty of the sixteen states, I will not rest in peace even if I die.”

Mrs. Zhang hurriedly said "Bah" three times, "This journey is just like going on a sightseeing tour. What are you talking about to say in a depressing way?"

Zhang Fu laughed twice, then looked at Wei Yuan and said seriously:

"This time when you go to the Three States, I will help you survey the terrain of Yanyun and the road outside Yanmen Pass. After all, I have more experience than you. Maybe I can help you when you go on the Northern Expedition in the future."

Northern Expedition?

As soon as these words came out, both Mrs. Zhang and Zhang Guifen frowned.

Wei Yuan immediately coughed lightly.

Zhang Fu knew that he was a little too talkative, so he smiled and said, "I'm talking about just in case."

Mrs. Zhang rolled her eyes at him, turned to Wei Yuan and said:

"Yuan'er wants to go on the Northern Expedition?"

Wei Yuan said: "It's not determined yet. Now the country is recuperating. Even if there is a Northern Expedition, it will be in the future."

Zhang Guifen lowered his head and said nothing.

She knew very well that no one could change Wei Yuan's decision.

Mrs. Zhang sighed: "Now that the country is at peace and the people are at peace, and the country is stable, why bother with the Northern Expedition?"

Zhang Fu snorted, "A woman's opinion."

Wei Yuan said bluntly: "Mother, when the foreign tribes went south, the Northland turned into a sea of ​​misery, the Central Plains collapsed, and countless people died and were injured. I don't want to see such a thing happen again. If, tonight or in the future, something like this happens again. If it happens, I will blame myself.”

Hearing these words, Mrs. Zhang sighed heavily again, held Zhang Guifen's hand, and said sadly:

"Both of us, we really owe you in our previous life."

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "Mother, when this child has fought all the battles he has to fight in this life, your grandson and the others will not have to fight anymore."

Zhang Fu nodded subconsciously and said, "What Yuan'er said makes sense."

After he left, Zhang Guifen and Mrs. Zhang decided to go to Daxiangguo Temple to worship Buddha, while Wei Yuan returned home to deal with many affairs of the Fifth Battalion.

Now that the military reform has just ended, some things are complicated, but overall, the military strength of the Great Zhou Dynasty is getting stronger day by day.

The problem of redundant soldiers has almost been solved. Wei Yuan and Zhao Xi have both suffered some infamy to a greater or lesser extent.

However, if some people are not offended, the entire country will not have a new atmosphere.

With the five major battalions as the foundation, Wei Yuan firmly believed that given time, Dazhou would have enough strength to deal with all invading enemy forces.

Just when he was feeling tired from dealing with affairs, Xie Yuying brought a bowl of nourishing soup and walked gently to him.

After serving the soup, when he was about to leave, Wei Yuan grabbed her and made her sit on his lap, smelling the faint fragrance from her neck wantonly.

When several servants and maids in the study saw him, they all bowed their heads and left, closing the door for them both.

Xie Yuying didn't feel shy anymore and hugged Wei Yuan's arms, "Master"

Wei Yuan stroked her cheek and asked warmly, "It's been a while since you moved to the Marquis Mansion. Is there anything you don't feel comfortable with?"

Xie Yuying shook her head and said: "My mistress treats me very well, and the maids in the house are also very respectful to me. There is nothing wrong with me."

As the saying goes, the three grades in front of the prime minister's door are high.

Although Xie Yuying was a concubine of the Hou family, no matter where she went, not to mention the servants and servants, even the dignitaries in the capital respected her.

Otherwise, with her previous status, in the eyes of the powerful, she was nothing more than a third-rate plaything. How could she be as noble as she is today?

She knew that all of this was just because she entered the champion's house.

Wei Yuan said: "I heard that you met Wei Xingshou from Guangyuntai two days ago?"

As soon as these words came out, Xie Yuying's heart trembled, thinking that he felt that it was inappropriate for her to meet a brothel geisha as a woman from the champion house, so she quickly left Wei Yuan's arms, knelt in front of him, and said:

"Please forgive me, Lord Marquis. I have known Miss Wei for many years. I just thought that I have not met Miss Wei since I came to the capital."

"But I swear that I am the leader of Wei Dynasty in disguise. Others will not see my identity. I will not disgrace the noble family."

Wei Yuan smiled and touched her cheek, "Why are you nervous? I'm just talking. Even if you go to see me openly, it doesn't matter. The Hou Mansion is never afraid of rumors from the outside world. You are also one of the mistresses of this house. You Do whatever you want, no need to look at other people’s faces.”

Xie Yuying enjoyed his touch very much, her cheek resting tightly on his calloused big hand, "Please rest assured, Lord Marquis, I will never see Wei Xingshou again in the future."

Wei Yuan shook his head, "Silly girl."

Then, he held Xie Yuying's chin, looked up and down, and suddenly found that Xie Yuying had a different flavor after giving birth.

"How is that kid Zhixing doing?"

Xie Yuying said: "He is very well-behaved. Does the Marquis want to see him?"

Wei Yuan said: "Don't worry, come closer."

After a while, Wei Yuan closed his eyes.

Xie Yuying knelt in front of him——

In the second year of Kaiwu, mid-November.

According to the investigation of the Imperial City Department, Li Liangzuo, the leader of the Xixia Kingdom, met Yelu Xin in Muna Mountain in the middle of last month.

As soon as this incident came out, it immediately attracted the attention of Da Zhou's senior officials.

After all, when the foreign tribes went south, it was Li Liangzuo and Ye Luxin who were the first to meet.

Now, in the Xuanzheng Palace, the ministers are discussing this matter endlessly.

"The Liao army has recruited 300,000 troops. It is clear that they are heading towards our Zhou Dynasty. Do they still want to go south?"

"Last time they went south, we were beaten everywhere because of our lack of preparation. But this time, we will not let them succeed!"

"Yes, we should send more troops to Yanbian and Beidi at this time, and let all the soldiers from the east and west battalions pass. As long as they dare to come, let them never come back!"

"."

Suddenly, there was a eunuch's voice outside the palace,

"The champion has arrived!"

"The champion has arrived!"

"."

The voices continued one after another until Wei Yuan appeared in the main hall and the eunuch's announcement ended.

For a moment, all the ministers' eyes were focused on him, and at the same time, they spoke one after another:

"Marquis Wei, you are here. What do you think we should do now?"

"Master, we all agree that Liao and Xia are evil-minded!"

"."

Wei Yuan came to the front of the ministers' team, looked at Zhao Xi, bowed deeply and said: "Your Majesty, Wei Yuan, see you!"

Originally, Zhao Xi's face was a little gloomy and a little unhappy. After all, he heard the ministers in front of him arguing back and forth, but they couldn't even come up with an actual charter.

Now, seeing Wei Yuan approaching, he immediately felt much more relaxed and said with a smile: "Master Wei, you are here. Tell me, will the enemy country go south again?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a surprising scene happened. Everyone saw Wei Yuan shake his head and said:

"Li Liangzuo and Ye Luxin conspired first, not necessarily against me, Dazhou."

Zhao Xi was puzzled, "What does Master Wei mean by this?"

Wei Yuan explained: "Li Liangzuo became the leader of the Xixia Kingdom, but more than half of Xixia's troops were in the hands of Yeli Yuqi. Now, Yeli Yuqi is also the national advisor, and Li Liangzuo was the leader of the country at first. In this way The purpose is to stabilize Xixia.”

"However, as the leader of the country, it is impossible to divide the world equally with others all the time. Therefore, Li Liangzuo needs political allies, and no one in Xixia can help him. He can only seek help from Yelu Xinxian."

"Although Mr. Yelu Xin is the sole auxiliary minister entrusted by the late emperor of the Liao Kingdom, if he wants the Liao Kingdom to show its strength, it will not be possible in a short period of time. After all, the various factions in the Liao Kingdom's court are at odds with each other. Mr. Ye Lu Xin also needs allies."

"When the two of them meet now, they just want to help each other, not to start another war."

In fact, Wang Anshi and others also have this idea.

They didn't say it because Zhao Xi only blindly trusted Wei Yuan in foreign affairs.

Even if they talked about how to deal with this matter, Zhao Xi would only listen to Wei Yuan.

After Wei Yuan's explanation, Zhao Xi put on a thoughtful look and said:

"What should we do now?"

Wei Yuan said: "Your Majesty, what we have to deal with now is not one or two people, but the two countries of Xixia and Liao."

"Su Che has gone to the Jurchen tribe. When there is news about him, we will make the next step for the Liao Kingdom."

"As for Xixia, after thinking about it, I can do a business with Yelu Yuqi."

Business? How to do it?

Everyone was curious.

Wei Yuan explained: "It's still a commonplace business. We sell Xixia ironware, and Xixia sells us war horses. But who to do business with is a matter of knowledge."

Wang Anshi suddenly realized, "What does Taifu mean by saying that we can name Yeli Yuqi to do business? Give him a large amount of money, not to bribe him? Just to intensify the estrangement between Yeli Yuqi and the Xixia King?"

Wei Yuan nodded and said: "Li Liangzuo is the leader of the Xixia Kingdom after all. If Ye Li Yu Beg wants to usurp power, that is treason. The whole country will work together to fight for it. Ye Li Yu Beg cannot reach this point unless he has a last resort."

"However, if he wants to live, he has to make plans early. We can use this to forcibly intervene in the internal affairs of Xixia and make Ye Li Yuqi and Li Liangzuo equally divide the territory of Xixia. As long as Xixia collapses, we can Gradually defeat it and completely capture the Xixia territory."

Previously, Xixia and Liao had teamed up to interfere in the internal affairs of the Great Zhou Dynasty and curb the development of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

But now, times have changed. If the bandits can go, I can go too!

"Today, the situation in various countries is changing rapidly. Generally speaking, the initiative is still in our hands."

"Let Ye Li Yuqi fight with Li Liangzuo, and let Wan Yan Wu Gu Nai fight with the Liao Kingdom. We only need to secretly help."

"But there is a premise, that is, if one side becomes big and the other is weak, we will help the weak one and make them fall into the quagmire of civil war and be unable to extricate themselves."

"When the time comes, I, the Great Zhou, can conquer two countries in one fell swoop."

Wei Yuan's strategy cannot be said to be a conspiracy, but looking at it now, it can be said to be incomprehensible to the Xia and Liao countries.

Zhao Xi listened to Wei Yuan say so much, and the more he listened, the more admiration he felt in his heart, and he said:

"Master Wei, starting from today, you have full authority to deal with many foreign affairs such as Xixia and Liao Kingdom. With Master Wei here, I can rest assured!"

"I heard that Jingshu and Qiji are studying. Jiangnan has just presented a batch of high-quality imperial brushes. The guard has brought them back for my younger brothers and sisters to use."