Plan to cut off the nine states

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Lou Wen felt that he had made it very clear. If it were his subordinates, they would have obeyed the order as soon as they flew. Seeing his son standing there motionless, he was very angry, "Step back, someone outside will take you to see the Queen Mother."

"Father, I haven't thought about getting married yet..."

"I didn't ask you if you want to, do I need to ask my son's consent to arrange a marriage?"

"No need." Lou Chu still didn't retreat, he was waiting for the opportunity to speak, "I want to ask a favor from you."

Lou Wen laughed and said to the two people on his left and right. A famous staff member said, "My son is impatient and bold. Others would wait for several years before they dared to speak to me, but he came to ask for a favor on the first day."

Lou Chu bowed and said, "I dare not ask for a favor in vain. This person is really worthy of praise."

"Go on."

"There is a commoner named Tian Jiang in Luoyang. He is a craftsman among craftsmen and a famous filial son. His mother is seriously ill and he is the only one who takes care of her. Because of the Western Expedition, he was signed to join the army, but as soon as he left..."

Lou Wen interrupted his son, "He has parents and a wife to support. Why shouldn't he join the army?"

Lou Chu thought for a while. "Tian Jiang is more famous for being a hero in Luoyang, known as 'never give up'."

Lou Wen laughed, "That's more like it. What's the use of a filial son? He respects his mother, can he respect you? Heroes are worth making friends with, regardless of their status, maybe they can be used at any time. Qiao Zhisu, check if there is such a person in the military register, and then find out if he is really a hero. If it is as my son said, then ask if he can be exempted from military service."

Qiao Zhisu was a staff member of the general, and immediately responded: "This is easy, give him a name that is not suitable for military service. The disease is enough. "

Lou Chu bowed his hands to thank him, and Lou Wen's expression became cold again, "It's a good thing to make more friends, and you have to pay attention to your own affairs. If you don't marry a princess or a princess from the empress dowager, don't come back to see me."

"Yes, father."

There was indeed a eunuch waiting outside, leading the way in front, leading Lou Chu into the third gate of the imperial city. Naturally, he could not enter the inner palace. He came to a separate courtyard. The courtyard was a small garden. Several palace maids were cleaning up the dead flowers and branches on the ground. When they saw the strange man coming in, they immediately retreated to the next room.

The weather was not too cold. The empress dowager had put on thick clothes, holding a heater in her hands. There were braziers in the four corners of the room. She still felt that it was not warm enough, and often signaled the palace maids to stir the charcoal.

Mrs. Lan and seven or eight other noble ladies surrounded the empress dowager, sitting or standing, all with smiles on their faces, looking at the general's son with curious eyes.

Lou Chu did not dare to look up, and kowtowed under the guidance of the eunuchs when he entered the house.

The Queen Mother spoke lazily and kindly, "Is this the son born by that princess?"

Mrs. Lan was closest to the Queen Mother, sitting on a small stool beside the couch. Although they were sisters, they were polite and replied in a low voice: "Yes, he is just 18 years old this year."

"Well, it is indeed the age to get married. Raise your head and let me see."

"The child is rough and ugly, and I dare not pollute the eyes of the Queen Mother." Lou Chu had no official position, and it was not appropriate to call himself "commoner" in front of the Queen Mother, so he called himself a child.

The Queen Mother smiled and said: "There are no outsiders in this room. They are all close relatives of the Lan and Lou families. There is no need to be humble. Stand up and sit down."

Lou Chu thanked the grace and stood up. The eunuch brought a small stool, but he did not sit down. He stood aside, his eyes downcast, and he was extremely embarrassed.

All the women were looking at him, with different expressions, and finally looked at the Queen Mother, waiting for her conclusion.

The Queen Mother's face was expressionless, and her tone was still kind, "She does look a bit like the princess, but not so much like the general."

Mrs. Lan smiled and said, "The Queen Mother only remembers the general now, and forgot that the general was also thin in the past. Speaking of which, among all the sons of the Lou family, he is the most similar to the general when he was young."

"That's true. I have a deep impression of the princess and can't forget her after all these years."

Lou Chu hated to hear others mention his mother the most. He didn't dare to act rashly in front of the Queen Mother. He just retracted his gaze and stared at his toes.

"There is nothing wrong with her appearance, but it's a pity that she is a confined woman." The Queen Mother looked around, "Whose daughter do you think is suitable?"

A noblewoman smiled and said, "After all, she is the nephew of the Queen Mother and the son of the general. With the Queen Mother as the matchmaker, it's just a matter of words to marry whose daughter she wants?"

The Queen Mother shook her head slowly, "You guys only flatter me and make me make mistakes. Even the emperor can't do whatever he wants, let alone an old woman like me? It's common sense that someone's daughter wants an imperial decree. If I insist on marrying her to a confined woman, wouldn't that harm her?"

"Not everyone can get an imperial decree. Although this young man has cut off his official career, he has an outstanding appearance and is honest. He must be someone who can live a long life..."

"Well, in terms of appearance, he can match the princess. In terms of family background, he can match the princess, but in terms of future, he is a little worse. After considering the three parties, maybe we can find a family from a scholarly family, which can just ease the military spirit of your Lou family."

The Queen Mother commented and discussed with everyone, as if Lou Chu was not there.

After two quarters of an hour, there was still no result. The Queen Mother was a little tired and said, "Let's go here first. We'll discuss the remaining families tomorrow. We also need to find out if they are willing."

Lou Chu kowtowed again and left. He left the yard and exhaled heavily. The eunuch who sent him out smiled and said, "Don't worry, young master. The Queen Mother loves matchmaking and is particularly concerned about your marriage. It is necessary to select daughters from various families. It will take at least ten days and half a month to decide."

"I'm not in a hurry. I think... it's too early."

"Young Master is joking, eighteen is already too old. Alas, the Young Master looks very talented, but it's a pity that he is the son of the Princess of Wu."

The Empress Dowager kept calling "that princess". Lou Chu was puzzled and couldn't help but ask: "Does the Empress Dowager have some... views on my mother?"

"I don't dare to talk nonsense about this kind of thing." The eunuch immediately shook his head and did not speak again for the rest of the way.

The duty of a guard is quite heavy. Lou Wen cannot go home to rest. He has to stay in the imperial city for eight or nine days. Lou Chu cannot go out casually. He has to share a room with two staff members, which is right next door to Lou Wen. .

Although the imperial city is large, everything is arranged for the emperor and the empress dowager. The food, clothing, housing and transportation of other people are not as good as those outside. The foundation of the building can bear it, but the general sighed, "If I eat like this for a few more days, I will lose weight." . Qiao Zhisu, handed over the seal?"

"Send it in. The general's memorial went straight to the imperial cabinet. I guess His Majesty has already seen it." Qiao Zhisu accompanied the general to eat, while Lou Chu stood by the side, waiting for his father to finish before eating.

"Now that I've seen it, why haven't you replied yet?"

"Haha, the general is too anxious. When encountering this kind of thing, His Majesty must find someone to discuss it. The reply will not come until tomorrow at the earliest."

Lou Wen was not in the mood to eat, so he put down his bowls and chopsticks and said to his son: "While you are staying with His Majesty, you must listen more and watch more, and tell me any signs."

"Yes, my child obeys. I want to go to His Majesty?"

Lou Wen was in a daze, and Qiao Zhisu answered on his behalf: "The palace has sent an order to transfer the young master to Zishi Garden to be on standby. He will go tomorrow."

"Yes, father, what else do you have to explain?"

Lou Wen's mind was not here, and he said blankly: "You are quite smart. If you are really smart, you will know after spending two days with His Majesty. Unlike your third brother, who has been with His Majesty for so many years and is nothing more than a sounding board." use."

"My child understands."

Lou Wen stood up and left, and Lou Chu was finally able to have dinner at the table. The two staff members took advantage of the situation and accepted the newly favored young master with sincerity, especially Qiao Zhisu, who was very polite. As soon as the general left, he said: " The matter has been settled, and Tian Jiang has been exempted from military service. I tell the people below not to mention Mr. Lou for now. If Tian Jiang comes to inquire about it, it won’t be too late to see if this person has any intention of repaying his kindness. "

"Mr. Lao Qiao." With his father away, Lou Chu felt much more at ease and said, "My father is too busy and my brother is not in the city. I can only ask these two gentlemen for advice. What should I pay attention to when I go to Zishi Garden tomorrow?"

"Actually, it's nothing. Zishi Garden was originally an abandoned garden. After the current emperor ascended the throne, he changed his name." Qiao Zhisu stretched out his hand and drew twice on the table. He did not dare to mention the emperor's name directly. Everyone knew it. That is the word "all things". "The wasteland was renovated and named Zishiyuan. It is actually a racecourse. When His Majesty cannot go out, he often rides horses there and even approves memorials there. If you can enter Zishiyuan, It’s a great opportunity for anyone, and the future is endless.”

"I am imprisoned." Lou Chu reminded.

"Haha, what is imprisoned is the official position, not the cronies. Look at our two brothers. In terms of position, we are not as good as a school captain in the Military Central District. It is not an exaggeration to say that we are commoners, but we can sit and stand with the general. When we go out, we can be with the long history. , join the army to fight against each other, so, the court wants to be appointed an official, but we are not willing to do so. "

The two staff members were very proud of themselves, and by complimenting the general, they also boasted a lot, and the floor foundation occasionally responded with a word or two.

That night, disturbed by the snoring of his staff, Lou Chu had a restless sleep and had frequent dreams. For some reason, he actually dreamed of Princess Huanyan, and also dreamed that the Empress Dowager had decided to betroth the princess to him.

Since meeting her once in the Guangling Prince's Mansion that night, Lou Chu never thought of her again. At this time, her appearance became extremely clear in his dream, and her frown and smile were in front of his eyes...

After getting up in the morning, Lou Chu was still recalling his dream, and he quickly realized that he was a noble son with the world in mind, not a romantic man who recited poems and admired the moon. Moreover, there were many crises in front of him, so he must not touch his love for his children.

Ma Wei was even ready to abandon his wife and children, and Lou Chu never wanted to burden himself.

Lou Chu didn't see his father. After breakfast, he was taken directly to Zishi Garden by the eunuch.

Zishi Garden is empty. There are a few houses built nearby for temporary rest. The rest is empty. The land is flat. After digging three feet, no stone can be found. Dozens of horses stand in a row, some with complete saddles and harness. , some are not even equipped with reins.

The foundation of the building came early, and the emperor had not yet arrived. In addition to the groom, there were more than ten noble disciples present.

Zhang Shiduan came over and said with a smile: "I guess you will come today."

Lou Chu was very happy to see an acquaintance. Zhang Shiduan introduced him to the others. Everyone chatted, and someone said: "The prince is going to Jiangdong tomorrow. Let's have a banquet to see him off tonight. Lord Lou, please come too."

Of course Lou Chu agreed and looked for an opportunity to whisper to Zhang Shiduan: "The prince is going to Jiangdong to recruit King Guangling back to the capital?"

Zhang Shiduan nodded and admitted, smiling: "Don't worry, it has nothing to do with your Lou family."

Before he could speak, the emperor entered the garden with a few followers in a hurry, ran straight to a red horse with a saddle, jumped on it, jogged around the field first, returned to the crowd, and asked: "The general is writing this letter." , claiming to hand over the Western Expedition Commander's Seal, do you think I agree or disagree?"