Do you know: I’m Xu Jiazi

in the cubicle,

The fist-sized charcoal as pure as black gold in the bamboo basket was picked up by carbon tongs and thrown into the stove.

ignited by other burning coals in the furnace,

It burst into flames,

The extremely hot fireworks rushed towards the back of the stove and poured into the hollow flue in the wall that had several twists and turns.

Along the flue, the fireworks went down across the wall and into the room on the other side;

Under the floor of the room, there are also winding flues. After the smoke from the fireworks warms the flues and the ground along the way,

Re-entered the hollow wall from the other side,

The heat rises,

The smoke from the smoke floated up high along the chimney in the wall, and emerged from the roof in the setting sun.

Looking around from this height, there is the palace wall next to it. The tops of the turrets on the wall and the surrounding smoke-emitting roofs are all covered with snow.

Almost invisible smoke drifted into the air.

In the courtyard under the eaves,

Several tall snowmen were built.

At this time, a noble lady wearing ermine ear protection and a sable cloak came from the moon cave door, followed by four female envoys wearing brocade cloaks.

The five people walked through the corridor, opened the cotton curtain and entered the house.

inside the house,

White steam floats from the smoker, bringing out the refreshing fragrance.

Walking on the thick carpet, a dozen steps away,

When Chai Zhengzheng walked through the hall and came to the warm outside of the bedroom, she was sitting at the table wearing home clothes.

After taking the hot tea from Yun Mu, Chai Zhengzheng took a sip and put down the tea cup, rubbing his still cold cheeks.

Yunmu on the side looked at Chai Zhengzheng and said:

"Girl, you can't stand like this all day tomorrow! There are so many people giving porridge, how can anyone be the same as you!"

Listening to Yunmu's distressed and slightly complaining words, Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said:

"Okay, okay! I'll stand all morning tomorrow."

"Wearing that sable cloak, it won't be cold!"

When the master and the servant are talking,

The maid in the room began to light candles,

Soon, the sky outside became darker after the sun set.

At dinner time,

Chai Zhengzheng put on his cloak under Yun Mu's service, walked out of the house and walked through the yard that was already lit by lanterns.

Arriving at Mrs. Chai’s courtyard not far away, in the hall of the house, Chai Zhengzheng looked at the food on the table and asked curiously:

"Where are mother, father and brothers?"

As he spoke, Chai Zhengzheng sat on the embroidered pier, picked up his chopsticks and poked at his favorite dish.

"I'm having a drink with Prince Ningyuan in the front yard."

Chai Zhengzheng stopped his chopsticks and said in confusion:

"Sister Pingmei's husband, Mr. Gu? Why is he here?"

Mrs. Chai who was sitting waved her hand,

The female envoys exited the hall one after another. The close mother came to the door of the compartment, stood guard outside and lowered the cotton curtain.

This battle made Chai Zhengzheng even more curious. Mrs. Chai looked at her daughter and said:

"This prince has just returned from Junzhou in the north where Marquis Yongyi is stationed, and brought back half a bag of coal."

Chai Zhengzheng was stunned for a moment, put down his chopsticks, and looked at his mother hurriedly to indicate that he should continue.

Mrs. Chai:

"While you were helping out, your father and brother were summoned to the palace because of that bag of coal."

After saying that, Mrs. Chai picked up the spoon and stirred the porridge in the bowl in front of her.

Chai Zhengzheng took Mrs. Chai's hand and shook it: "Mother, can you finish speaking in one breath?"

Mrs. Chai was shaken and frowned: "Are you still listening?"

Chai Zhengzheng quickly stopped and nodded.

Mrs. Chai stopped stirring the porridge and said:

"I heard that some time after Yongyi Hou was stationed in Junzhou, a scout from the Baigao Kingdom surrendered to Xu Hou because of a young general named Mi Mu. He said it was to repay General Mi Mu for saving his life."

"All I have with me is a bag of coal."

"Marquis Xu asked Prince Ningyuan to bring half back, and the other half took the post road."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded and said, "So, father and brother were summoned to the palace?"

Mrs. Chai looked at her daughter and smiled:

"No, I just summoned the Yu Ministry official who is in charge of smelting under the Ministry of Industry."

"The master craftsmen all think that the charcoal is nothing but black gold carbon."

"It is the crown prince who has suggested that your father and brother should bring the old steward of the family to the palace for a separation."

"The steward at home burned it and compared it, and frankly said it is better than the black gold carbon that our family paid tribute to!"

Upon hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng looked at Mrs. Chai in disbelief, and Mrs. Chai nodded to indicate that it was true.

Chai Zhengzheng woke up from the shock and said: "So my father and brother hosted a banquet to thank Mr. Gu, and secondly, they wanted to know where this coal mine is?"

Mrs. Chai nodded, looked at Chai Zhengzheng again and said:

"Speaking of which, the deceased Marquis of Xiangyang was the aunt of Crown Prince Ningyuan."

"Gu Dalang is considered an elder. We will also have a toast in a while."

"The late Mrs. Marquis of Xiangyang's brothers and sisters will call her aunt"

Chai Zhengzheng pursed his lips and nodded dejectedly: ‘Isn’t that just a lifetime shorter than someone else! ’

The mother and daughter had dinner, and after the female envoy came to report, they put on their cloaks and went to the reception hall in the front yard together.

in the hall,

The somewhat weathered Gu Tingyu was talking to the leader of the Chai family,

The two Chai Jin brothers who were accompanying the drink also looked a little surprised when they heard Gu Tingyu's words.

At this moment, the female envoy at the door said

"The lady and the girl are here."

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingyu stood up quickly.

Then Chai Zhengzheng and his mother walked in, and saw the handsome and handsome man in front of the table, the older Crown Prince Ningyuan.

Chai Zhengzheng solemnly followed his mother with a blessing, and Gu Tingyu quickly returned the gift with a smile.

Mrs. Chai said:

"I brought Zheng'er to Uncle Gu."

Gu Tingyu, whose face was slightly red from drinking, glanced at Chai Zhengzheng, waved his hand and shouted:

"Hey, hey! Madam, forgive me! You can't talk about seniority like this!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Chai and Chai Zhengzheng were stunned.

Gu Tingyu said:

"Madam, my mother, Mrs. Bai, and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Sun, are all of the same generation as you, madam. I can't bear it! I can't bear it!"

"You also know that the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion and the Xiangyang Marquis Mansion now use different genealogies. If you ask me, I don't dare to agree!"

After listening to Gu Tingyu's words, Chai Zhengzheng's solemn face relaxed, and he looked at Gu Tingyu happily.

Mrs. Chai also laughed and said: "Okay, then I will call you Master Gu!"

That is, regardless of seniority, Gu Tingyu nodded.

After toasting, Chai Zhengzheng smiled and bowed to Gu Tingyu, receiving a nod from Gu Tingyu.

Later that night, Gu Tingyu left Chai's house.

The head of the Chai family and his sons returned to the backyard. When they entered the house, they saw that the female servants were not there.

The two female members of the Chai family were looking at them with bright eyes.

"How's it going, officer?"

After the leader of the Chai family and his son looked at each other, the three of them laughed at themselves.

Seeing the curious expressions of Mrs. Chai and Chai Zhengzheng, Chai Jin said:

"Master Gu didn't hide it. The stone mine is east of the sacred mountain of Baigao Kingdom."

Chai Zhengzheng asked: "Then how do you say it's repaying a favor?"

It was Chai Jin who sighed: "The world-famous Great Sword of Bai Gao Kingdom uses this grade of black gold carbon."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Chai nodded and said:

"It's like knowing a secret."

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng's confused look, Mrs. Chai said:

"Our family has thought about imitating that big sword before, but it's a pity."

After the matter was finished, Mrs. Chai waved her hand, and the serving maid came in.

After taking the hot towel, the head of the Chai family said: "Gu Dalang also handed over a letter of thanks from his father-in-law. Your Majesty has already read it."

As he spoke, the head of the Chai family took out the envelope from his arms,

Chai Zhengzheng stood up and took it, then handed it to Mrs. Chai after a slight hesitation.

"I'm dazzled, please help me read it, Zheng'er."

Chai Zhengzheng happily opened the unsealed envelope and read under the candlelight.

The general meaning is to thank the Chai family for the gift of charcoal. It snowed in the north a few days ago, and the soldiers lived very well because of the sufficient charcoal.

The head of the Chai family, who had already covered his face with a hot towel, lifted a corner of the towel over his eyes.

Seeing my daughter shaking her head,

He sighed sadly.

On the road from Chaijiaxingguofang,

Because the route is either close to the imperial city or filled with nobles and nobles,

Therefore, the road is not as slippery and difficult to walk as snow and ice are like ordinary streets.

On the carriage,

Gu Tingyu stroked the scalding water tank that had just been filled with boiling water in the carriage.

His eyes were no longer as drunk as they were at Chai's house, but instead became brighter.

He left Beijing in September and returned to Beijing at the end of October. He traveled thousands of miles in nearly fifty days.

In the first thirty days, I was still busy with the selection of the post station of the Ministry of War and the location of the navy. Later, I was called to the north by an urgent letter from my father-in-law, and then rushed back to Bianjing.

In such a hurry,

Hu Yanjiong, who came back with him, didn’t even know the reason.

It was Marquis Yongyi who received a batch of treasures and ninety-nine great swords in the north!

The gift was given by the Liang family of Baigao Kingdom, and their only request was for Marquis Yongyi to convey his wish to negotiate peace and capture Beiliao at the same time.

If Marquis Yongyi can privately kill Li Taotie, Li Jinmei, Mi Mu, Lian Nu and other Bai Gaojiang generals,

Jewelry beauty, Yong Yihou only needs to ask for conditions,

The Liang family does not reject anyone who comes, and everyone is satisfied.

And as long as the bodies and heads of these people are sent,

Bai Gaoguo will offer the sword-making craftsman and secret recipe of the Dagao Sword!

The object of the gift was not Dazhou, but the Xu family of Yongyi Hou.

It was also at this time that Yong Yihou got the pack of Wujin Carbon.

Gu Tingyu breathed out the smell of alcohol and thought: 'This is too much of a coincidence! ’

He came to Chai's house for a banquet tonight, with the intention of raising suspicions, and it was up to the Holy One to make the final decision.

The clatter of horse hooves resounded in the streets of Bianjing.

Ningyuan Houfu, who had already received the news, still kept the lanterns on.

Arriving at Mrs. Bai's courtyard, Gu Tingyu bowed to Ms. Bai:

"Mother! I'm back."

Mrs. Bai glanced at her eldest son and said:

"Thin!"

Behind her, Gu Tingye's brother and sister hurriedly called for help, and Gu Tingyu nodded with a smile.

Finally, he looked at Ping Mei, who was looking at him with distress.

"Ye'er, Yi'er, let's go!"

"Yes, mother."

Everyone left.

In the hall, Gu Tingyu took over Qingxia's son who was sleeping soundly in her arms.

Walking on the way back to Fuyao Yuan,

"Officer."

"Um?"

"My son can call me father."

"Uh-huh???"

The second day after Gu Tingyu returned to Beijing,

Si hour (after 9 a.m.)

Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty

The main hall outside the study,

In the warm palace,

There are several rows of weapon racks on each side.

Dozens of exquisite long swords that had been pulled out and inspected carefully were neatly placed on it.

The emperor stretched out his hand, picked up a pair of gloves from the tray in the hand of the chief minister and put them on.

Then he came to a long sword placed at the front.

"Click"

The emperor took out a piece of the sword from its scabbard and looked at the wave-like pattern, sharp edge and exquisite decoration on the sword.

He said with full of exclamation:

"What a sword!"

"What a plan!"

Loosen the hilt of the sword and raise the scabbard,

‘Click’

The sword is sheathed.

Then he continued to look at the other swords,

At this time, the chief minister bowed to the side and said:

"Your Majesty! Xu Jiawulang is waiting outside the palace."

"Well! Let him in."

The sound of communication came from outside the hall.

Before Xu Zaijing entered the palace, the study door was opened. The prince poked his head in and said, "Father, is Brother Jing here?"

The emperor curled his lips and said, "Here he comes."

Zhao Fang ran out quickly and stood beside the emperor.

Soon, Xu Zaijing, who had grown much taller, walked in wearing winter clothes and a cloak gifted by the queen and bowed:

"I have met His Majesty, Your Highness!"

The emperor hummed and continued to draw the sword in his hand.

After casually holding a few sword flowers, the emperor returned the sword to its sheath with a graceful movement.

Just when he was about to look at Zhao Fang proudly, he heard Zhao Fang say:

"Brother Jing, did you kill a few big thieves and bandits in the past few days?"

Xu Zaijing looked at the emperor's expression and bowed and asked: "Your Majesty."

"Just say it!"

"Yes! Back to Your Highness, those thieves came out to rob and kill people because there was no charcoal fire to eat in the cold weather. I happened to meet them."

Zhao Fang's little face was full of seriousness and he said: "You should deserve to be punished for causing harm to the people of my great Zhou Dynasty!"

"Your Highness is right!"

"Look at this sword!"

As the emperor spoke, he threw a sword to Xu Zaijing. Xu Zaijing caught it with both hands and drew out the sword.

This action of the emperor made the guards and officials in the palace feel a jump in their hearts.

Xu Zaijing took out the sword and weighed it, then looked at the sword body and blade.

The relaxed and carefree waving movements made the guards' eyes twitch, and their eyes were fixed on him.

A layman can watch the excitement, and an expert can watch the door. This Xu family brother's actions have something to say.

Xu Zaijing didn't care about the looks around him. After looking for the center of gravity of the long sword,

He turned back towards the outside of the hall, raised his long sword and said:

"Your Majesty, it is a rare and good sword!"

The emperor looked at Zhao Fang's shining eyes and said:

"Well! The Bai Gao Kingdom will give you the craftsman and secret recipe of this sword in exchange for the lives of several Bai Gao Kingdom generals under my father's command, okay?"

Xu Zaijing did not lower his head to look at the scabbard, he casually sheathed the long sword, turned around and held it in his hand:

"Your Majesty, don't do any business at a loss!"

The emperor pretended not to understand and said: "Oh? Why did you lose money?"

"Your Majesty, Mi Mu and other generals can help the Zhou cavalry and infantry to check for leaks and make up for their shortcomings, and use their strengths to make up for their shortcomings!"

"And they have a better understanding of Bai Gao's army, and they will definitely be able to help the Zhou army find its flaws!"

"How can these long swords achieve the effect of one thing after another?"

Zhao Fang on the side nodded as he heard this, and at the same time looked at his father in confusion, and trotted towards the study without saying a word.

While running, he shouted: "Mother! Queen! Father!"

When the emperor saw this, he waved his hand and said, "Pick out a few and take them home to play with!"

Immediately he wanted to chase the prince who had made a "blame".

Xu Zaijing bowed and said: "Your Majesty, how many weapons can you bring?"

"As long as you can carry it!"

After speaking, the emperor waved his sleeves and walked quickly to catch up, saying softly:

"Fang'er, I'm taking a teaching test."

Looking at his prince, the emperor ignored the slightest thing wrong in his heart and went straight into the study.

The senior internal official on the side also bowed to Xu Zaijing and followed him.

In the hall, Xu Zaijing scratched his chin.

After the explanation is clear,

After appeasing Zhao Fang, the emperor recalled what was wrong just now: That boy is so powerful!

He walked out of the study in a hurry,

Looking at the scene in the hall, he said in a rather distressed tone: "You bastard! You still have a conscience!"

In November,

A news spread in Bianjing City,

There are an unknown number of large high-speed iron swords in the Yongyihou Mansion that are as famous as Northern Liao Anlan and Gaoju Celadon!

First come first served