The mountain city of the Song family is composed of hundreds of courtyards of various sizes, the courtyards are each systematic, and they are closely connected, with the ancestral hall of the Song family dedicated to the ancestors of the past dynasties as the center. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 infoEach courtyard is divided into a partial courtyard and a partition structure, all of which are well-selected and elegant.

In the faint morning light, Li Qin and Song Que came side by side to the Mingyue Tower, which was adjacent to the Knife Grinding Hall, and entered the garden, where an old man with white hair was pruning flowers and plants, and after glancing at the two of them, he continued to work as if he were blind.

Li Qin was surprised in his heart, "There are still people in the Song Family Mountain City who are not afraid of the lord of the valve?" ”

Song Que laughed when he heard this: "Uncle Fang is the only person in the mountain city who is not afraid of me, because he has been waiting for me since I was a child. ”

"I see!" Li Qin nodded in understanding.

The two of them walked through the long corridor of flowers and trees on both sides, it is a long stone bridge across the pond, the trees are thick and deep all around, there is quite an atmosphere of seeking seclusion and exploration, and the other side of the pond is a two-storey wooden building engraved with the three-character wood carving gold plaque of "Mingyue Building" hanging in the middle of the door. Wooden doors and windows are all decorated with hollow carving, bucket arch cornices, stone carved brick carving, splendid.

Song Que stopped in the middle of the bridge, leaned his head against the railing, stared at the fish swimming peacefully in the pool, and said: "I just fought with you, and I felt the changeable true qi attributes from it, not to mention hot and cold, even Ruijin and Aoki Huasheng have ......

I've heard that you once used the pseudonym 'Green Corpse Guest' to take the longevity recipe from Yu Culture, I wonder if what you are practicing now is this unprecedented miracle immortal recipe? ”

Li admired and said: "The valve master is really powerful, this is all for you to see through." However, I didn't practice him completely, but with the help of the master's treasures, I integrated the upper body into my original exercises. My original exercises, also belong to the Taoist lineage, the cultivation is mixed yuan and one qi, there is no attribute at all, until after the longevity formula, I can divide the breath of one yuan, yin and yang, and derive the five elements, with the power of the five elements to strengthen the body. ”

Song Que shook his head and sighed: "I can actually crack the secret of immortality that no one can crack for thousands of years!" Hey, it's only now that I understand what it is, what about your two apprentices? Recently, it seems that they have also made a lot of fame in the rivers and lakes. ”

Li Qin said with a smile: "The master leads the door, and the cultivation is in the individual." If they hadn't had that ability, I'm afraid they wouldn't have that reputation. In terms of martial arts qualifications alone, they are indeed much better than me. I think they'll definitely reach or surpass me in the future! ”

"Really? However, that will be for the future......" Song Que looked up and down, Li Qin shook his head lightly, smiled, but stopped talking.

He stepped forward and took the lead. And Li Qin followed behind Song Que and entered the Mingyue Hall, which was as large as the Knife Grinding Hall. I saw several young martial artists of the Song family setting up a sumptuous breakfast for them, while Song Zhi and Song Lu were waiting for them. When they saw Song Que, the two of them looked respectful, showing Song Que's supreme authority in the Song Valve.

After the guest sat down, Song Que waved his hand and the young martial arts withdrew from the building, and said to Song Lu: "What about Yuzhi?" ”

Song Lu replied: "She was still freshening up just now, she should be there soon!" ”

At this time, Li Qin deeply realized Song Que's unpredictable and profound style, just the steaming on the table, the exquisite and exquisite dishes, and knew that the cook had to get up at least in the middle of the night to work, and at that time he and Song Que were fighting to the death. It can be seen that Song Que had already made an accurate judgment on himself before this, and he had the banquet in front of him.

"That's amazing! This calculating grasp of the human heart...... I'm ashamed of myself. Li Qin secretly admired it, but he was also a little strange in his heart: "Why do you want Song Yuzhi to come to accompany you?" ”

Li Qin kept his doubts in his heart and did not say it.

The feast began.

Song Que was full of energy, poured wine for the three of them with great interest, and said to Li Qin: "This is Hangzhou's special osmanthus wine, which not only has a mellow taste, soft and delicious, but also has the effect of calming the nerves, nourishing and invigorating the blood, and it is harmless to drink more." ”

Li Qin looked at the amber wine in the cup, transparent and clear, a burst of osmanthus fragrance, the Chinese people want to be drunk, and they don't need to drink the graceful feeling of floating clouds in their mouths.

Just look at the utensils used on the table, whether cups, plates, bowls, saucers, bottles, bottles, bottles, Shaanxi, and cups, they are all finely made and elegant. In particular, the glaze used in the utensils is like raindrops, and the black glaze is covered with silver-white radial dots, the big ones are like beans, the small ones are like millet, and the silver light folds are folded. Only this kind of precious vessel is worthy of the status of the Song valve above the other valves.

Song Zhi saw Li Qin looking attentively at the utensils used to hold famous wine and delicacies on the table, and said with a smile: "This kind of raindrop glaze, also known as Tianmu glaze, is regarded as an immortal treasure, and even fragments can be at the same price as gold and jade. We have been searching for a long time, but we can only collect this set. ”

This was the first time he sat down to talk to Song Zhi, and Li Qin's feeling was that he regarded himself as his own person, and his tone was quite cordial.

Surprisingly, Song Lu took the lead in raising a toast and said with a smile: "In the past ten years, it is the first time I have seen so many smiles from the eldest brother, this cup will be toasted to the eldest brother first, and the next cup will be Xiao Zhong's turn." ”

Song Que smiled dumbly and said: "Brother Lu must have kept this in his heart for ten years, and only today can he take advantage of the danger of others to confide in him." Ha! Drinking. ”

Then he took turns toasting, and after a few rounds, Song Que suddenly asked lightly: "I remember that Duke Wu doesn't have a wife yet?" ”

"There are two confidantes to make a marriage contract." Li Qin replied seriously, but secretly screamed in his heart that it was not good.

Linked to Song Que's question, Li Qin suddenly realized: "Song Que wants to marry? And the object of the marriage is me? This...... How can it be, Song Yuzhi is Kou Zhong's woman. Robbing women with apprentices, I haven't fallen to that point yet. ”

Li Qin thought about it, thinking about how he should refuse Song Que's suggestion.

He was thinking here, and the footsteps were soft over there, and Song Yuzhi came.

This graceful beauty does not apply fat powder, her hair is tied in a simple bun on her head, she wears a gown skirt with blue flowers on a white ground, and a jade belt around her waist, which is as beautiful as a hibiscus flower in the water. With a little pale face, minus her usual three points of strength, add a little more touching, I see the beauty of pity.

She kept a straight face, deliberately avoided Li Qin's gaze, and sat on the other side of Song Que.

Song Lu lovingly poured wine for her.

Song Que was a little displeased and said: "Today's matter is very important!" What is the burden on the child? ”

Song Yuzhi didn't say anything, just shook his head lightly with a white face, somewhat heartbroken.

Song Que didn't pay attention to her, but calmly announced: "I have reached an agreement with the Duke of Wu on behalf of the Song family, although our Song family is not directly involved in the war of the Wu army for the world, but we fully support him in all aspects of support. If Wu Gong's army is defeated, everything will be suspended, if he can finally unify the world, Yuzhi will be his queen, do you have any objections. ”

Song Zhi and Song Lu didn't speak, only Song Yuzhiqiao's face was much paler, his face was bloodless, he lowered his head, and there were faint tears between his wrists.

"Wait, this thing is ...... Can I exchange it? When everyone had no objections, Li Qin suddenly opened his mouth.

"What? Wu Gong dislikes the little girl! Song Que frowned, his tone suddenly became cold, and his face was like frost: "Although the little girl is not beautiful and beautiful, she is not a willow, so you have no reason to dislike her." ”

"It's not disgusting...... Li Qin waved his hand gently: "I'd rather demolish ten temples than disperse one family." Miss Yuzhi and the apprentice Kou Zhong have a good impression of each other, and I think it would be better for us not to break them up. As a matter of fact, I have come south this time for both public and private purposes. The public naturally hopes to get the help of the Song valve, and the private person asks the valve owner for the sake of the apprentice. ”

"Do you want Kou Zhong to marry Yuzhi?" Song Que looked at Li Qin sharply. For a while, the momentum around him surged, making everyone present feel an amazing sense of oppression.

"Yes!" Li Qin nodded seriously, he flicked his sleeves lightly, and seemed to not care at all about the fierce momentum that Song Que exuded.

"Why is he?" Song Que asked indifferently: "If it's just your apprentice, it's not qualified at all!" ”

"With his abilities, and with his future." Li Qin said lightly.

"What future?" As soon as Li Qinyi said, everyone was very puzzled.

"I intend to make him his heir!" Li Qin said calmly and calmly: "The foundation I laid today is going to be handed over to him in the future. ”

"What?" As soon as the words came out, everyone was shocked.

Song Que looked Li Qin up and down for a while before he spoke in surprise: "Your spirit is full of energy, there is no secret injury in your body, there should be no problem with leaving an heir, why ......?"

"Because of the brokenness, I have estimated that I am not far from the day of the broken, and at my current cultivation speed, there is no accident, I will leave this world in a few years...... Refining and refining qi, it is not good for me to leave an heir at this stage.

I am alone, and if I have any relatives, it is naturally the best choice to hand over the throne to Kou Zhong. However, I'm definitely going to have to investigate Kou Zhong. I'll only do it if he's doing well. ”

"Really? Have you seen that step? Song Que looked at Li Qin with some envy, and at the same time was a little strange: "I remember that your strength is still inferior to me, how can you ......?"

"My exercises are very good for me to feel better. I had some intuition in the dark, and he told me that the day of brokenness was not far off. Li Qin said half-truthfully.

"So, you're going to set up Kou Zhong? Aren't you afraid that your hard work will be in vain? Song Que was very surprised by this.

"The hypocrite divides power, and the king is under the law. I'll make a series of rules. At that time, I also asked Lord Song to check for me. Li Qin said simply, smiling towards Song Que.

"You've got a lot on your mind, and I really want to see what you're going to do with the country." Song Que was silent, he thought for a while, and then raised his head and looked at Li Qin with a huo look: "Didn't Kou Zhong follow you this time?" I'd like to meet him if I could. If he can take my three cuts, I will naturally marry Yuzhi to him. ”

"Then come back after he defeats Li Mi." Li Qin nodded clearly: "I have already fought most of the battle in the south, and it is better to let him mess up in the north." So I asked Kou Zhong to help Wang Shichong. Preventing Li Mi from possessing Luoyang and preventing Li Tang from advancing eastward is my hope for Wang Shichong. ”

"I understand! Then I'll wait for Kou Zhong to go south. Song Que nodded understandingly.

Then, he got up, came behind Li Qin, grabbed his shoulder and said, "Since this is the case, then I won't say anything." The specific details of the operation, you can discuss carefully! I have some things to get ahead of. Wu Gong, I will give you a big gift in a few days, I hope you can be satisfied. ”

He laughed and drifted away.

Only Li Qin's confused card was left: "Give me a big gift?" What a gift? Li Qin was puzzled by this.

After having breakfast and discussing with Song Zhi, Song Lu and others, Li Qin still wanted to talk to Song Que, but was told by the descendants of the Song family that Song Que had already left the mountain city and went north.

North?

Where will he go?

Li Qin had too much confusion in his heart.

With a stomach full of doubts, he left the mountain city of Songjia, boarded a ship from Qinjiang Port in Ningyue County and returned north, and embarked on the road back to Jiangning.

Halfway through the journey, when he was supplying in Yuhang City, Li Qin got the latest information: "...... Five days ago, Lingnan Song Que floated into Lin Shihong's army alone and killed Lin Shihong with a knife, and Nankang City was in chaos.

Li Jing, who was stationed in Luling, heard the news and waved his troops southward to occupy Nankang County, connecting the city with Lingnan.

After that, Li Jing waved his troops to the west and approached Changsha.

Xiao Milling in Changsha was shocked when he heard that Song Que had killed Lin Shihong with his own hands. Two days ago, Xiao Mo asked for surrender and annexed the four counties of Yuanling County, Changsha County, Wuling County, and Lingling County.

After that, Yongjia County and Jian'an County also sent people to ask for surrender.

So far, the south of the Yangtze River, the east of the Three Gorges, and the Hanshui River Basin have all become the territory of my Dawu. ”

"Is this what Song Que said? It's really big enough...... In this way, the south is unified, and I can put my mind on the north. Li Qin whispered.

At this moment, he was certainly happy in his heart, but more of a surprise and headache.

The territorial expansion, which at once possessed six or seven counties, put great demands on the officials under Li Qin. Li Qin's series of policies required the support of a large number of officials.

Although Li Qin opened a series of government academies and reduced the demand for officials by using a large number of talents and a single official to manage the people, the most basic requirement of "being obedient" and being able to do things according to the rules could not be given up in terms of how to lower the requirements of officials.

June's expansion had already swept away a large number of qualified graduates at the School of Government. It's only August, and there are new graduates, but the number is still insufficient.

For a time, Li Qin's rule fell into the dilemma of not having enough officials.

What to do?

Li Qin rushed back to Jiangning and got the latest news on the matter: "A large number of disciples of the Song Valve have entered Li Qin's newly acquired county, and they have stabilized the livelihood of the people in the newly acquired land. The situation on the ground was stable, and there were no problems with Li Chin's rule. ”

Everything seems to be fine.

But Li Qin was not satisfied. Because those disciples of the Song Dynasty still implemented the same set of policies in the newly acquired land. These policies are completely different from Li Qin's existing policies -- Li Qin naturally does not want to do this.

Therefore, after Li Qin discussed with Pei Yun, Cen Wenwen and others, he made a decision: transfer the officials in the Jiangning area to Nankang, Lingnan, Changsha and other places, and send those Song valve disciples who had newly joined his forces to Jiangning, Yuhang and other places, so that they could take jobs and study.

Yuhang, Jiangning and other places are already the old territories controlled by Li Qin, and all the rules are on the right track, Li Qin is naturally not afraid that these Song people will do their strengths again.

Of course, this mobilization is a means of implementing policy.

Another method is to send someone to send a message to Dugu Valve, so that they can also send their children to be officials-balancing strategies.

Li Qin used to look down on this, but now he has to use it.