Do you know: I’m Xu Jiazi

evening,

It is the busiest time in Panlou.

Lanterns are hung high at the entrance of Panlou.

People were coming and going on the street in front of the door.

When the waiter helped the guests open the cotton curtain,

There was steaming heat and an alluring fragrance coming out, and passers-by took a gulp of saliva as they were blown away by the wind.

In the private room on the second floor,

Smokeless charcoal burned in the tall stove in the center.

There were bright candles on the candlesticks all around, making the elegant room quite bright.

Several tables under the candlesticks surround the large heater. On the table are several plates of fruits that are rare in winter. These fruit plates and other dishes surround the steaming and gurgling small pot.

The extremely thin rabbit meat marinated in sauce on the silver plate was picked up by a pair of chopsticks and put into the small pot. After a while, it was picked out again and placed into the silver bowl.

Under the candlelight, you can see that there is already a lot of cooked rabbit meat in the bowl.

Xu Zaijing behind the table glanced at Hua who put down his chopsticks and thought: "This is enough, go and eat yours."

Hua Xiang stood up and bowed: "Yes, young master."

"Um."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, he continued to look at Zheng Xiao opposite.

Hua Xiang took small steps towards the outside of the private room.

"Brother Zheng, have you seen the heavy cavalry Tielin Army of Bei Liao in the north?"

Gu Tingye asked while holding up his wine glass.

Zheng Xiao shook his head: "Brother Ye, I was detained in the military camp all day long. Let alone the Tielin Army, I didn't even see a single Northern Liao Cavalry Army!"

Gu Tingye was stunned: "Ah? How could this happen!"

As he said this, he glanced at Xu Zaijing who was standing aside. This action quite meant 'Brother Zheng, why are you and Brother Jing in different situations?'

Seeing Gu Tingye's actions, Zheng Xiao reluctantly took a sip of the wine in his glass.

Zheng Xiao put down the wine glass, filled the wine bottle with his own wine, looked at Xu Zaijing and said: "Brother Jing, we haven't seen each other for a long time, let's have another drink!"

Xu Zaijing raised his glass: "Come on!"

After that, they both drank together.

After Zheng Xiao smacked his lips, he picked up the fruit on the plate and took a sip to suppress the taste of the wine. He looked at Xu Zaijing who was holding cooked rabbit meat with dipping sauce and said, "Brother Jing, I'm going to the north to practice competitions." You’re half a year early!”

"But now that Bai Gaodu has surrendered, I haven't accomplished anything yet. If I had known I would have gone to serve under Xu Hou!"

Zheng Xiao smiled helplessly.

Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingye and Qi Heng in the elegant room, put down his chopsticks and said, "Brother Zheng, Bai Gao and Beiliao are different!"

"Northern Liao covers a vast area of ​​thousands of miles and was founded earlier than our Zhou Dynasty. The two big countries cannot start a war lightly."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiao sighed again: "How could I not know! I still remember that at the beginning of the year when we went to the palace to pay New Year's greetings, when we were talking, some of you still thought that this was not a war to destroy the country!"

Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng were a little embarrassed when they heard this.

Xu Zaijing said: "At that time, we didn't expect General Cao to be unstoppable all the way. When his troops approached the city, Bai Gao would actually know how to move the earth."

"Yes, yes! Brother Jing is right! God bless you!"

Gu Tingye said.

Xu Zaijing raised his glass and said: "It was also the British Duke, Ningyuan Marquis and General Zheng who intimidated the Northern Liao in the due north so that they had no time to look west. This relieved the Western Army from worries, so that they could concentrate on attacking Bai Gao. Brother Zheng, drink this cup to the full. ”

Zheng Xiao raised his glass and said with a smile: "The constraints of the Kingdom of Jin are also great!"

Gu Tingye drank a glass of wine and said:

"Brother Zheng, you are closer to Bei Liao and Jin in the north. Did you hear anything in the army that we don't know about?"

Zheng Xiao thought for a moment and said, "There are really a few things. I wonder if you have heard of them."

Qi Heng said: "Brother Zheng, tell me quickly!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing who was also very interested, Zheng Xiao said: "Before I returned to Beijing, I heard from my brother that tens of thousands of people from the Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom fought in the north of Xianzhou. The Northern Liao Dynasty was defeated first and then won, and it was a tie with the Jin Kingdom. ”

Gu Tingye said: "Brother Zheng, I read this in the Di newspaper!"

Zheng Xiao nodded and said: "Brother Ye, do you know who the deputy general of the Jin Kingdom is in this battle?"

Gu Tingye and Xu Zaijing looked at each other and shook their heads.

Zheng Xiao looked at Xu Zaijing's thoughtful look and said, "We know this guy."

"Crack!"

Gu Tingye's thoughts flashed, and he patted the table: "Brother Zheng, isn't he one of the Jin people we played against at the polo field at the beginning of the year?"

"Is that the member of the Jin Kingdom clan named Wanyan Zongjun?" Xu Zaijing asked.

Zheng Xiao nodded.

"How old is he?" Gu Tingye sighed.

Zheng Xiao smiled and shook his head: "Brother Ye, what is this! The pawns in the camp who often deal with Bei Liao heard that the Emperor of Bei Liao is now seriously ill and is in bed. He is about to die."

As soon as these words came out,

Everyone in the private room looked surprised, Xu Zaijing said: "The Northern Liao Emperor is in his prime, how could this happen?"

"Tsk! Brother Jing, you may not know that this Privy Envoy of Bei Liao is the one who killed the father of the Emperor of Bei Liao."

Zheng Xiao replied.

Qi Heng looked puzzled: "Huh? How can that person still be reused after such a thing?"

"Who knows, anyway, there are rumors among the people on the border of Bei Liao that it was the Privy Envoy of Bei Liao who did it."

"Hey, when that time comes, the prince who is about to ascend the throne in Bei Liao will be Yelu Falcon!"

Gu Tingye said in a loud voice.

Xu Zaijing scratched his head. If he had known this, he should have asked for more Yelv Falcon when he took it out of Yanwang's stronghold and sent it back to Beiliao.

"We know Yelv Falcon, right, brother Jing!"

Xu Zaijing nodded, he didn't just know him.

I haven't seen this Yelv Falcon for a year or two. Well, he will have a chance to become emperor.

Thinking of this, Xu Zaijing picked up a piece of rabbit meat from the bowl and put it into the pot to heat it up.

"Brother Zheng, what military position did you hold under General Zheng?" Gu Tingye asked curiously.

Zheng Xiao waved his hand and said: "By taking advantage of my father and brother's official position, I just made up a deputy battalion commander of the infantry. What about you, brother Jing?"

After Zheng Xiao asked, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng looked at each other, and Xu Zaijing was also a little embarrassed.

"Brother Zheng, take a guess!" Gu Tingye said.

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Zheng Xiao said hesitantly: "Brother Jing, with the title of Marquis Xu, you can be the captain in charge of hundreds of people no matter what!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head.

"Deputy battalion commander?"

"Not even the deputy?"

"Is it the battalion commander?" Zheng Xiao said as he picked up his wine glass and glanced at Xu Zaijing in surprise.

"Hehe. Second brother Zheng, brother Jing is a very good leader under Xu Hou!"

Gu Tingye said.

"puff!"

Zheng Xiao took a sip of wine, and the mist caused the charcoal fire under the small pot in front of him to explode.

"Ahem, what kind of talent is there without any grade??"

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Zheng Xiao said: "I am the deputy battalion commander of the infantry in the camp. Brother Jing, how can you be a commander?"

"Brother Zheng, I mostly study at home. Although I have read some military books and practiced martial arts every day, I have no experience in military command."

"Besides, when I first joined the army, how could I lead troops directly? My cousin said that in less than two months, I would have been promoted to a certain rank."

Zheng Xiao looked in disbelief: "This, Xu Hou is really very strict in running the army."

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Brother Zheng is ridiculous! In fact, the time was too short! I didn't expect to reach Xingqing Mansion so quickly. Otherwise, give me six months and I can become a captain with military merit."

Of course, the reality is far more than that. Just by blocking and recruiting Bai Gao's nearly 10,000 reinforcements in the mountains, Xu Zaijing would have no problem converting his military merit into having a seventh-grade Colonel Yihui.

In other words, even if Xu Zaijing is a big soldier, he will definitely be able to command a battalion of 500 infantry or 400 cavalry from now on.

Don't think that this official position is small. After all, you go from Bai Shen directly to a low-level military attaché. There is no need to gain seniority in the military, and there is no need for joint recommendation from other military attachés.

And Xu Zaijing now has a father who is a marquis. If he really goes to the battlefield in the future, with this rank of captain, he will have the opportunity to command an army of 2,500 people.

The Dutou mentioned by Xu Zaijing can actually be a ninth-grade deputy lieutenant, but there are two grades in between!

A level may only be achieved by surviving a narrow escape on the battlefield.

Listening to Xu Zaijing's words, Gu Tingye smacked his tongue with envy: "Tsk! Second brother Zheng, you came back late! You didn't see Brother Jing's grace when he carried the flag into the city that day!"

"Just the little Li colt under his seat, walking in front of that group of elite cavalry who are so arrogant that they can't see people from the corner of their eyes. It's really encouraging!"

"Brother Ye, the cavalry under the command of the eldest brother of the Zhang family are mostly descendants of nobles from the capital. They have been tempered and experienced many battles for many years. How can they not be arrogant!"

"Brother Zheng, no matter how arrogant they are, Brother Jing is the one who takes the lead!"

Zheng Xiao shook his head and said, "It's Brother Jing's ability that convinced them. Otherwise, if another dude comes up, you will see if they will let you go."

"Brother Jing, why are you laughing?"

Zheng Xiao looked at Xu Zaijing's smile and said.

Xu Zaijing glanced at Gu Tingye: "Brother Zheng is fine! Erlang, he has disliked the cavalry under Brother Zhang recently."

"Why?"

Upon hearing Zheng Xiao's question, Qi Heng picked up the wine cup, covered his mouth and drank.

Zheng Xiao: "Huh?"

Gu Tingye shook his head irritably and said, "Brother Zheng, please leave it alone."

Seeing Gu Tingye's expression, Zheng Xiao didn't ask any more questions. After talking a few more words about the imperial examination, everyone drank a few more glasses of wine.

In the elegant room,

separated by a screen

Hua Xiang was sitting at the table, simmering rabbit meat in a small pot of hot soup.

From time to time, dip the cooked rabbit meat into the sauce and take a delicate bite.

Whenever rabbit meat enters her mouth, Hua Xiang will always close her eyes and look intoxicated.

Qingyun, who was standing aside, took a few glances, then walked to Hua Xiang and whispered: "Sister Hua Xiang, eat less at night, be careful of gastrointestinal discomfort."

Hua Xiang looked at Qingyun in confusion, and Qingyun smiled and said: "In the past, your sister Qingcao felt uncomfortable because she ate too much."

Hua Xiang nodded, looked at the remaining rabbit meat on the plate with unfulfilled interest, hesitated for a moment and put down her chopsticks with difficulty.

Smelling the aroma on the table, Hua Xiang glanced at Qingyun after a while, then picked up a piece of meat and put it into the pot.

"Boom!"

There was a knock on the door.

Hua Xiang immediately put down her chopsticks and stood aside.

Buwei walked to the door before Qingyun and opened the door of the private room. Looking at the strong man at the door, Buwei asked in confusion: "Who are you looking for?"

The strong man outside the door bowed respectfully and said, "I heard that Xu Jiawulang was here, so I came here to pay my respects."

After saying that, he still looked at him with some doubts.

Buwei turned his head and said, "Brother Qingyun, I'm looking for Wulang."

Qingyun stood up from behind the door, glanced at the man up and down and said hesitantly: "It looks familiar, who are you?"

The strong man's face was filled with joy, and he glanced at Zhique inside the door: "The villain is under the command of General Cao, uh, I'm here first!"

When the man said the word "first ascend", he stared at Qingyun closely.

Qingyun turned his head and glanced at the man again, his eyes lit up and said: "It was you! Before"

Qingyun did not continue.

"Yes!" the man said quickly.

Qingyun nodded and said: "Wait a minute, I'll go talk to the young master."

After saying that, Qingyun turned around and entered the private room, leaned into Xu Zaijing's ear and said: "Sir, when we went to Baigao to rescue people before, the warrior of the Western Army who arrived first is at the door."

Xu Zaijing looked at Qingyun in surprise, and Qingyun nodded.

Xu Zaijing bowed his hands to the people present and said, "There is an old acquaintance at the door. Let me go and see him."

"Brother Jing, why don't you invite us in and have a drink together," Gu Tingye said.

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "Forget it, it won't be comfortable for him to come in and sit here."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing walked to the door, looked at the man standing at the door and bowed his hands: "This man, you are polite."

The man also bowed: "Wu Lang, this little guy Xu Yizhou just heard from the boy in the stable downstairs that it was Wu Lang's horse, so he rashly came upstairs to visit. Please don't blame Wu Lang!"

Xu Zaijing walked to the door with a smile and said, "No way! We fought together in the northwest to fight for our lives! Are the injuries sustained on the city wall healed?"

The man also smiled: "Okay, the doctor in the army has used a new prescription!"

Xu Zaijing added: "I just didn't expect that we are still the same family. I wonder where Brother Xu's ancestral home is?"

"The villain's ancestral home is Yuncheng, Jeju."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "With the merit of ascending first, have you been promoted to Bianjing?"

The man cupped his hands and said: "It was also the old general's recommendation and guarantee that the villain joined the Imperial Palace Guards through military merit."

"Oh? Didn't you let your military achievements be converted into martial arts?"

"It's the same as a young one joining the Imperial Guard!"

"That's fine. I'll invite Duke Xin and the brothers from the Marquis Fuchang family to dinner in a few days. If you're free then, you'll be welcome to come and have a drink!"

"I don't dare to reward you. As long as Wu Lang has faith, I will definitely come here immediately."

"Okay!" Xu Zaijing said and glanced towards the stairs: "Brother Xu, are you here with your sister-in-law and nephew?"

Xu Yizhou smiled slightly: "She also just came to Bianjing. I heard that Panlou is prosperous, so I brought her and the child to see the world."

Xu Zaijing nodded and bowed his hands to the woman.

The woman gave her a blessing, and the children beside her hid behind her.

"Wu Lang, that villain has resigned."

"Brother, walk slowly."

Looking at his old acquaintance walking away, Xu Zaijing glanced at Qingyun behind him, who nodded slightly.

Xu Zaijing returned to his private room.

Qingyun did not follow back to the private room, but walked around the second floor and waved to Brother Ermin who had just finished his work.

After talking to Brother Min for a few words, Brother Min nodded and said, "Brother Qingyun, don't worry, I've taken note of it!"

In the small private room on the other side,

The couple and their children were sitting at the table waiting for the waiter to serve the food and heat the pot.

The woman at the stairs just now looked at Xu Yizhou and said, "Official, I didn't expect you to know such a luxurious person in Bianjing."

"Just looking at that demeanor, I feel that it is extraordinary for an ordinary person to actually greet a little woman like me."

Xu Yizhou touched his son's forehead lovingly and said, "It was also a coincidence that I fought side by side with this Yanei, and he even saved his life."

"This Yanei also said that he would have the opportunity to introduce me to the brothers from the Pei family and the Rong family!"

The woman wondered: "Who are these two families?"

"They are all from the prince's family, and they are powerful figures in the palace's forbidden army."

"Guardian, we really went out to meet a noble person!"

"yes!"

When the family of three finished their meal and were about to pay the bill, the waiter told them that the meal had already been paid.

Not far from Panlou Zheng Street,

Xu Zaijing and Zheng Xiao rode horses side by side.

A few people didn't speak, but white air came out of their mouths and noses when they gasped.

"Brother Jing, when do you think His Majesty will attack Northern Liao?" Zheng Xiao said.

"The time will not be short. After all, we want to integrate the old place of Bai Gao into the Great Zhou Dynasty."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng behind him nodded slightly.

"Of course, don't listen to me. It will be bad if it happens like last time."

"Hahahaha" the group laughed softly.

Several people separated at the intersection, holding hands.

Everyone went home,

In fact, it was Xu Zaijing who left the three of them. After all, the three families of Zheng, Gu, and Qi were all in Xingguofang.

Arriving at the gate of Ningyuan Hou Mansion,

After Gu Tingye got off the horse, he stamped his legs and feet, which were a little cold from riding.

The horse was taken away by the Gu family's concierge.

The porter looked at Gu Tingye and said softly: "Second Young Master, the Marquis is back!"

"Ah? Father is back?"

Gu Tingye looked at Zhique happily, and then walked quickly towards the inner courtyard.

Bai's courtyard,

In the warm hall,

Gu Yankai was sitting on the Arhat bed, with a smile on his face and eyes full of adoration, playing with his granddaughter Yan Jie'er. At this time, Yan Jie'er, who was about six months old, was at her cute age.

Sister Yan's relatively strong little hand was pinching Gu Yankai's cheek,

"Oh, Sister Yan, my grandfather has a tough face, don't touch your little hands!"

Gu Yankai said softly.

Gu Tingyu and Ting Yi, who were sitting around, curled their lips in disgust.

Pingmei drank the hot soup with an indifferent expression.

Mrs. Bai stared at Gu Yan's open hand and said, "Master Hou, please lower your hand. This will make Sister Yan uncomfortable."

Gu Yan opened his eyes at Bai and moved his hands.

At this time, Gu Tingye opened the cotton curtain and walked in.

The smile on Gu Yankai's face disappeared, and he looked at Gu Tingye with a stern face and said, "You came back so late, where have you been?"

Gu Tingye bowed and smiled, "Father, I went to have a drink with Zheng Erge, Heng Geer and Jing Geer."

As Gu Yankai was talking, Yan Jie'er's little hand reached her grandfather's mouth and grabbed it hard.

Gu Tingye lowered his head and pursed his lips to hold back his laughter.

Gu Yankai glared at Yan Jie'er lovingly and then gestured to Nanny Chang.

After Nanny Chang took Yan Jie'er, Gu Yankai adjusted his beard and said, "Zheng Xiao and Xu Zaijing have gone to the battlefield for training, especially Jing Ge'er. I heard from the Duke of England that he made a great contribution this time. What about you?"

"You just know how to make trouble all day long!"

Gu Tingye stood there helplessly.

Gu Tingyu, who was sitting at the bottom, sat up and said, "Father, Xiaoer has been studying hard and practicing martial arts every day recently. It's snowing even in the cold weather. I think it's a good time!"

Gu Yankai glanced at the official robe held by Cuichan, the maid behind his eldest son: "Hmph!"

He glanced at Gu Tingye and said, "Tomorrow morning, you and I will try the gun!"

Gu Tingye nodded heavily.

Gu Yankai nodded to Pingmei again, and said to Gu Tingye: "Sit down, I have something to ask you."

The Great Zhou Palace,

Prince Zhao Fang poked his head at the door of the palace, and then walked in angrily.

After finding a chair near the emperor, Zhao Fang sat on it, crossed his arms and pouted: "Humph!"

The emperor, who was reading the memorial by candlelight, glanced at Zhao Fang, then continued to look at the memorial and said softly: "Fang'er, what's wrong?"

"Huh! Father, I just found out from my mother that the Northern Liao clan actually asked to marry my noble daughter of the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

"I heard it's still Miss Feiyan of the Rong family! This is why the Rong family came to the palace to meet Concubine Rong today!"

The emperor flipped through the memorial and nodded while reading: "Yes, there is such a thing! Beiliao said that he would like to marry the noble daughter of the Zhou Dynasty to bring good relations between the two countries."

"Father, this is not good!"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"Miss Feiyan is not good at all! If Beiliao wants to build a good relationship between the two countries, all he needs to do is send a girl from the clan to his father!"

The emperor closed the memorandum with a snap and said: "You say so, your queen mother didn't beat you?"