The cold wind hunts the hearts of the people, and the man with a stubble on his face in the alley of the west city of Taiping City carries a jar of bad wine in his hand. The other hand held the family letter tightly, and the handwriting on the paper was familiar, it was my father's handwriting. It is very clear that Qinghe County was killed by the Chu army, but it was still safe at home for a few days. Among them, there are no complaints, but more so that his son should follow Mr. Zhou to study hard and be admitted to the champion Guangzong in the future.

The contents of the letter were not significant, but the silver taels sent this time were less than half of what they had before. How could Zhang Bai not know that something big must have happened at home, and it was definitely not that Chu Jun would leave safely after only staying in the city for a few days. At the end of the letter, it is even more clear that Peach Blossom Village was burned to ashes by a fire. When the army rushed over, few people were still alive, and the bodies of several girls were found in the village, all in total black, and their identities were unclear. As for whether it was Yulian's body, it was not clear, but it was determined that Uncle Ji's body disappeared out of thin air and was not found.

I never thought that the first trip would end like this, and this bag of silver was more than twenty taels. In the past, when there was a difference of twenty taels of silver in the family, my father liked the rice paper of Qishan the most. The credit was jute paper, and there was not even a father's favorite tent on it. kept beating his chest, Xiao Wu on the side had never seen such a young master. In just a few days, his beard grew a lot, and his whole body smelled of alcohol. It was already seven days, and I didn't go to the Zhou Mansion to see Mr. on Chinese New Year's Eve.

Xiao Wu said: "Young master, don't drink, say something." ”

Zhang Bai handed the wine jar to Xiao Wu and said, "I, Zhang Bai, have been envied by everyone since I was a child, and my father and mother are even more proud of me. The neighbors envy me for my well-off family, who has no shortage of food and clothing, and who is also taught by the best gentleman in the county. Children of the same age in the private school envy that they learn everything quickly, and Mr. also said that he can draw inferences from others, and he is already the youngest talent in the county in his teens. Everyone said that I was erudite and would definitely be able to gain fame in the future, and glorify my ancestors. I have been very obedient since I was a child, and my father and mother will learn whatever I say. After getting a letter of recommendation from Liu Zhixing, he came to Taiping City, and was not afraid of the nobles who had a good dream, and worshiped Mr. Zhou, who had closed the door. You know how many people visited me during that time, and it seemed that I would definitely be able to get the top prize. But what is the use of erudition, what can I do after reading so many books. I don't care what other people think of me. ”

took a sip of the wine jar in Xiao Wu's hand, and continued: "The person I care about the most is gone, you know that the letter said that the mother and brothers and sisters did not escape from the house and died. My father is the only one left in the family, and my father will always take everything on his shoulders, and what else can he do at such an age. It's so simple that I don't think I can see it. In fact, there are few people in the family, and even the mother is gone, who can live. Who else can support the dilapidated family, do you think it is useful to read so many books? A man can't even protect his home, what's the use of living. Reading and learning words is not for others to see, but who else can read my achievements. My mother is gone, Yulian is gone, and my father is staying alone in my hometown, how can I rest assured. ”

With water stains on his face, he couldn't tell whether it was wine or tears, and Xiao Wu didn't want to look at such a young master. The red eyes left a tear in the corner of the eye, and immediately picked up the wine jar and drank all over the face. The white robe was covered with dust, and it was pitch black under the drink. Pulled Xiao Wu to the steps and said, "Who do you say I'll show me?" ”

Xiao Wu slapped Zhang Bai hard, pointed to the books on the table and scolded fiercely: "The master didn't say much about the accident at home, and the matter of the lady is just a little bit of a pen." I don't want you to worry, it's not easy to study. The lord knows that you don't like business, so what is the purpose of sending you to a private school to read fairy articles. Remember what Mr. said? What is the purpose of reading the scriptures? Young master, you also once said that you want to be a food and clothing parent official. Let the people of the world not suffer from hunger and cold, but also show their strength for the peace of the world, do not let the people of Nanjing suffer from war all the year round, and contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world. Have you given up your ideals and forgotten the expectations of the old lady and the expectations of Miss Yulian. Didn't you say that after you won the top prize, you would take the scenery back home, and you forgot all this? It's been three days and you only know how to drink, read an article, and write a word? You are still not a young master that Xiao Wu respects and admires, and you are still not a young talent in Qinghe. ”

Zhang Bai looked up at Xiao Wu and didn't know what to say, still holding the yellow paper that had been wet with wine for I don't know how many times. The money bag placed on the side, the pattern on it was pierced by the mother herself. slapped on the head and shouted: "What do you say I should do, such a big thing happened at home, and let me study here, what can I do if I really read a champion." ”

The expression of pain was not at all like the former young master, Xiao Wu got up and threw out the wine jar with one hand. said: "Young master, you study hard, Xiao Wu will go home and take a look." If the family is really as the young master thinks, I will take care of the master for the young master and let the young master study with peace of mind. The woman's spirit in heaven will also bless the young master, and the master is also waiting for the day when the young master will become famous. ”

After speaking, he entered the house and picked up the long sword to pack the package, picked up a book and put it next to the young master and said, "Young master, today is the New Year, it's time to visit the gentleman's house." He strode towards the door.

Leaving Zhang Bai to take the book gently, tears fell on the delicate words, and the thin ink became thick. The man's cry was loud, only the firecrackers were louder outside. Year after year, some people rejoice and some people are good, and there is always more joy than sorrow.

In another mansion, a teenager sat in the middle of the room and was scolded after telling his father what was happening in the palace. In the study, I turned out the "Pingnan Chu Document", and the handwriting on it was very clear that it was my father's handwriting. just said: "The young man just doesn't understand the tense, and he should never mention it in the court in the future." ”

That evening, the eldest brother Liu Zhiming said that the last opportunity of the year was not approved by His Majesty, and now it is good that His Majesty only hears it. If it is taken out by someone with a heart to make a fuss, it will bring a catastrophe to the family, and it is said that His Majesty also wants to dominate the world. When my father played, do you know which people were the most proud? Those people were afraid that His Majesty would not agree, and in less than a day, 300,000 troops from all over the country gathered from all over the country. Most of the military generals in the DPRK and China are older, and although His Majesty ascends the throne, there are still many people who are uncontrollable.

The Manchu Dynasty civil and military discussions for a whole month, His Majesty just hid behind the scenes and waited for the result. Wenchen was unwilling to mobilize the army, once he could not go south to attack the weakened Southern Chu. The entire Great Liang will be in crisis, and His Majesty will even be ousted from the throne. But how terrible it is to gather 300,000 troops in one day and the four great families. The Lin family may be loyal to His Majesty, but they know that a family is far from being controlled by Lin Xie, a family far away in Kyoto. What are so many people from the Mengli family going to do, once they send troops, they will be able to capture the entire territory of Southern Chu. It was the Zhou family who offended, and at that time, the entire court Wenzong Zhou Wen. The official position may not be the largest, and almost half of the Wenchen in the entire Liang are the students of the old gentleman.

The words of my brother are still in my ears, and my ambitions are still trivial. Even going south is a trivial matter at the moment, and the most terrifying thing is the commander of the Changfeng Army. What a terrifying combat force is for a Changfeng army with an establishment of more than 100,000, and almost all of the most elite iron cavalry in Southern Chu are in Nanjing. There were only a few inconspicuous vassal states along the surrounding coast, and the only enemy was the girder. Unlike Daliang, which is almost surrounded by enemies, there is Wu in the east, and the party often plunders on the northwest grassland.

There are still Turks in the northeast, and the three powerful enemy countries are all eyeing the beam. The Changfeng Army guards the defense line of Nanjing, which is almost the foundation of the Great Liang. It can even be said that whoever has half of the beam of the Changfeng Army is in whose hands, how could the crown prince King Qi give up this opportunity. The vassal state of Dongwu was guarded by the Li family, and the party Tianshui King was stationed for generations. The two enemies, which are not terrible, are both fiefdoms, and hundreds of thousands of iron horsemen in the northeast have never been able to eliminate the scourge.

This army has always been in the hands of His Majesty, on the other hand, the Nanjing Changfeng Army has always been tightly held in the hands of the Meng family. Because the Meng family originally supported the former King of Wei, after His Majesty ascended the throne, he handed over the commander of the Changfeng Army to the Lin family in Shuzhong, which is now Lin Xie. The mighty Changfeng Army could only be in the hands of the royal family, a general who was only loyal to the royal family. Lin Xie abdicated and the crown prince of Qi competed endlessly, on the one hand, the Meng family regained control of the Changfeng Army, and on the other hand, the Lin family re-selected one to continue to control the Changfeng Army.

Wu Pengchong, who has always been the deputy commander of the Northeast Frontier, was transferred to the south, and now he is dying in battle, which is the most distressing thing. Liu Zhixing's words didn't push the Liu family to the cusp, especially since he didn't know who was in the Qi Wang Party and who was the princeling in the DPRK and even in the army. Once he made a mistake, his father, who was the secretary of the military department, was forced to stand in line if he did not stand in line, which was also the last thing the emperor wanted to see.

The man in white casually pushed open the door, and a young man in a white python robe stood beside him. The two happily sat next to Liu Zhixing, and Yang Chen glanced at the documents on the table. just smiled, and threw the paperwork on the bed before Xiao Ming was seated.

Liu Zhixing, who looked at him, said: "What do you think about the New Year, be happy." ”

But he didn't expect Liu Zhixing to ask: "Yang Chen, your father is on that side." ”

Gently opened the fan and glanced at Xiao Ming and said: "Of course my father is in Tianshui at the border, where can it be, although I grew up in Taiping City, my hometown has always been Tianshui, you don't know." ”

"Don't be sloppy with me, I'm asking you if it's the prince or the king of Qi."

Xiao Ming's face was a little ugly, this was their family affair and a major event in the world. It's just that I don't know why Liu Zhixing asked these questions in front of him, looking at Yang Chen, whose expression changed slightly, and was immediately normal.

"Our family has been in the Northeast for many years, and every Tianshui King has had a family motto since he was born. No one in the Yang family is allowed to form a party for personal gain, only loyal to His Majesty, who becomes the emperor and is loyal to which Majesty. ”

Liu Zhixing suddenly looked at Xiao Ming and asked, "My Royal Highness the King of Jin, then you are on that side." ”

Xiao Ming only smiled bitterly, fiddled with his sleeves and said: "Brother Prince, the prince is the prince, of course, he is the future emperor, Brother Qi has outstanding military achievements, and the court is even more trouble-solving for his father. And I'm just a little King of Jin, where do I care about this. ”

At this time, not only Liu Zhixing, but Yang Chen also stared at Xiao Ming, the young man only smiled bitterly and said: "I don't care about them, I am a free prince, and it has nothing to do with me who is the emperor." ”

A fan suddenly slapped on Xiao Ming's shoulder, and Yang Chen said with a serious look: "Brother do you want to be the emperor, we will help you." Liu Zhixing stared at Xiao Ming and nodded very seriously, looked at the two of them with fiery eyes, and slowly got up and said, "Do you look like an emperor?" ”

The two said almost in unison: "Like." Xiao Ming kept retreating.

said: "Don't hurt me, if you let my father know, you won't pick my little brother's skin." I beg you don't talk nonsense to others, you don't want to live, brother, I haven't enjoyed this great world. ”

Liu Zhixing Yang Chen was relieved, and Yang Chen said: "I'm afraid that you will agree, fortunately this is the answer, I haven't been a prince and followed you to death, ashamed of the ancestors and ancestors." ”

Liu Zhixing, who came to relieve himself, pinched Yang Chen's face: "Look at you, you are worried about all the beauties in the fiefdom, and you are still the prince, I see that you are the prince, I am afraid that there will be no beauty in Tianshui." Xiao Ming followed with a smirk, and Yang Chen kept shaking his head. Liu Zhixing lay on the table and thought about it wholeheartedly. Yang Chen and Xiao Ming made a fuss, but found that Liu Zhixing didn't know when to sit in a daze.

Xiao Ming suddenly asked, "What do you think!" ”

"Think of a girl."

People come and go in the streets and alleys, adults pull children to meet the elders, the elders see that the generation is stronger than the generation, and the heart is happy that the red envelopes are heavier, and the children who get more New Year's money are always happier than the children with deflated bags. At home, watching the hot water vapor coming out of the pot, the smell of meat and good things in the house can be smelled ten miles away. The men are about to start a rare year, and they can't help but have a few more cups of praise for the beauty of the lady today, and they are also praising their own vision, otherwise they can marry the lady into the door.

On the road, the children held incense in one hand and a lot of cannons in their hands, and the adults always reminded them to be careful and put them at night. It's just that naughty children run far away and like to listen to sounds. Children from poor families also like to come to the front, and they are happy not to look at it with their own hands. Girls are showing off how beautiful this year's new clothes are, and girls who don't have new clothes are always staring at them, and they say that I will have you next year.

In the courtyard of Lu Mansion, Yulian, who had newly learned a song, did not go out, and sat alone in the courtyard to see which teenager would meet when he would. Is it that if we meet again, we don't have to separate, and then give birth to a few children, and she will have a home again. Thinking of this, even the red fluttered, and my father always said that Yulian was red and really like your mother. It is more beautiful than the peach blossoms that bloom in spring, and it is more evocative than the mellow wine.