Xun Guanniang hurried back to Huaiyin County, and before entering the city, she sent Pei Fu to pass on Bian Wangzhi, so she had just finished grooming, and Bian Yan came to worship for the second time.

The two sat opposite each other in the main hall - although the so-called "male and female defense" in these years and months was not as strict as that of later generations, especially Xun Guanniang was a wife, not a boudoir girl, but Bian Wangzhi was a person who kept etiquette, although he sat opposite, he took the initiative to turn his head slightly to one side, glanced at the screen, and never deliberately glanced at Xun Guanniang.

Xun Guanniang asked him: "Gong Bian is visiting, I don't know what to order?" ”

Bian Yan arched his hand: "Don't dare, for something, I want to ask my wife for help - there is a letter from the Xiapizun office, Yun Gaoping Xi Daohui is going south, and it is estimated that he will arrive in Huaiyin ...... tomorrow."

Xun Guanniang condensed for a moment, and then suddenly realized: "I see, Duke Bian wants me to visit Duchess Xi......"

Xi Jian's wife, Wang, fled to Xuzhou in the spring of the first year of Jianxing, that is, two years ago, and was immediately placed in Huaiyin City by Pei Gai. Before Pei Gai set out on the expedition, he once told his wife about the situation, hoping that his wife would have nothing to do, so she could visit Mrs. Xi, talk to her, and get closer to her feelings.

In Xun Guanniang's thoughts, since she is a wife, it is normal for her colleagues and relatives to move around freely. It is said that most of the generals in Xuzhou are very young, and they are in troubled times, and they are late to marry wives - there are few who have wives - among them, such as Lu and his wife, their backgrounds are too low, so only they came to visit Mrs. Pei, and there is no reason for Xun Guanniang to meet them. In Huaiyin City, the identity of the enemy can come and go with each other, and there are only Bian Yan's room and Xi Jian's room.

In fact, the door of Jiyin Bian's family is not high enough, Mrs. Bian is naturally shorter than Mrs. Pei, and she has nothing to do, so she has to come to worship, not Xun Guanniang to visit - unless they are familiar with each other in the future, they can be like sisters, so they can be informal, but to be honest, Xun Guanniang and ordinary ladies really don't have much in common. Gaoping Xi is different, although it is not as good as Hedong Pei's, after all, it is a wealthy family ranked within 20, the ancestor Xi Xi is a royal historian in the Later Han Dynasty and Cao Wei, and less from Zheng Kangcheng, belongs to the classics. Especially Mrs. Xi's mother's family is also very noble, for the Taiyuan Wang family, she really belongs to the same social class as Xun Guanniang - below the royal family, the top layer - so it is within her duty to travel back and forth.

But now Bian Yan deliberately came over and said, Xi Jian is almost here, I hope that Mrs. You will visit Mrs. Xi again, then Xun Guanniang doesn't understand-what is the matter with Guan Gong when we come and go between women's families? Do you have any special words for me to convey to Mrs. Xi?

Xun Guanniang, as a woman, usually does not interact with Bian Yan and others, but Bian Yan brings her family to visit during the New Year's Festival, and she just repays the courtesy, so she hasn't said much. However, she also knew that this Bian Shou was her husband's right-hand man, and he was in charge of leaving the future, so she couldn't be lazy, and she didn't have to be coy, so she had questions, so she put it bluntly: "Bian Gong wants me to see Mrs. Xi, what's the matter?" ”

Bian Yan still leaned over, tilted his head, did not look at Xun Guanniang, and when he heard the question, he replied honestly: "The Duke of Cha Xi is here, and he will ...... to ask me for reinforcements from Xuzhou."

After Mrs. Xi heard about it, she was in a hurry and hurriedly sent someone to report to Bian Yan, hoping to help inquire about her husband's safety - Xi Jian followed Liu Yan! Bian Yan naturally didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly sent people north to investigate, just after hearing that Xi Daohui was spared, he was also tired of living in the second, and then he got the news that Xi Jian was going south. Then Xi Jian's intention can be known without asking.

However, Bian Yan went on to say: "Madame also knows that the envoy was ordered to go on the Northern Expedition, and Xu Fang was empty, and it was really difficult to send a soldier and a pawn to aid Liu Shiren at this moment, and it would be difficult to meet the wishes of Duke Xi." But Duke Xi is unsuccessful in Huaiyin, or he will go south to Jiankang and ask the king of Langya for help......"

Xun Guanniang smiled slightly: "Jiankang knows that the river is self-defending, if it is not for the son-in-law to invite himself to cross to the north, even Xu Fang will not be able to get it, how can he send troops to Hebei?" ”

Bian Yan nodded: "What Madame said is true." Because I asked Mrs. Xi to see Mrs. Xi, state the interests and disadvantages, and ask her to advise Gong Xi not to go further south, it is useless for this. And if Gong Xi is willing to stay in Huaiyin, it is the best ......"

When Xun Guanniang heard this, her eyes couldn't help but light up slightly: "Gong Bian's intention, is it to recruit Gong Xi for her son-in-law?" ”

Bian Yan said yes - "When the envoy was there, he paid attention to the deeds of Gong Xi, and he undoubtedly loved Gong Xi." For Xi Gong's plan, the day to return to Santai, that is, a helpless move, now Liu Shiren was defeated, to rely on Shao Sizu, and Shao Sizu that is Leling a county can not be flat, curled up in the city of tired of the second ruler, Shi Le covets on the side, is still a dangerous place, can not live for a long time. If you come to Xu Fang, the husband and wife will be reunited, and the size can be safe. ”

Speaking of this, he frowned slightly: "However, everyone has their own ambitions, or if Duke Xi still wants to return to Hebei, he can't be strong." But if he wants to return with his wife......"

Soon after Xi Jian was separated from his wife and children, he was released by Shi Le and defected to Santai, and then soon contacted each other through Pei Gai, the reason why he did not take his wife and children to his side was purely because they were thousands of miles apart and the transportation was inconvenient. But now Pei Gai's power has gradually extended to the north of Xuzhou, and Cao Wei has also agreed to return to Jin - otherwise Xi Jian would not have passed through Qingzhou safely and came to Huaiyin - this road is too peaceful, so it is reasonable for Xi Jian to personally protect his wife and children to return north.

But Mrs. Xi is gone, what should the Yishan people who originally followed her south? Will there be many people who miss the kindness of the Xi family and want to go with them? In this way, it will weaken Xuzhou's strength to some extent. Therefore, Bian Yan deliberately found Xun Guanniang and asked her to persuade Mrs. Xi that Xuzhou is safer, and it is better not to go north to take risks - it is better for your husband not to go back, just stay in Xuzhou.

Bian Yan was only halfway through his words, and Xun Guanniang immediately understood: "I know it, I will visit Mrs. Xi tomorrow morning and persuade her to stay in Xuzhou, and then ......" hesitated for a moment, and then asked: "If you can't convince Gong Xi and still want to return north with his wife, what should I do?" ”

Bian Yan spread his hands: "If he is determined, he can't think about it, I'll do my best." ”

Xun Guanniang smiled and shook her head: "Bian Gongcheng is also a gentleman, but if the husband is here, it will be better to be ......" suddenly realized that there was something wrong with this, as if she was arranging that her husband was not a "gentleman"...... So he paused for a moment, and then continued, "If you are like Bian Gong, my family will not move east to Xu Fang." ”

Xun Song's family was not so much co-opted by Pei Gai as it was held hostage by Pei Gai, but Xun Guanniang was sensitive enough to persuade her father many times to take the initiative to take the initiative to take the lead, and she didn't let the two sides tear their faces.

Bian Yan frowned slightly: "Then Mrs. has a clever plan?" "You don't want to keep the Xi couple, do you? But you must mess up a good thing, and let the two sides have unnecessary suspicions.

Xun Guanniang said Don't worry, since my husband wants to recruit Xi Jian, of course he can't show the slightest malice, and he can't arouse the slightest disgust - "However, I should see Gong Xi in person, and know the benefits, and it will be rumored by Mrs. Xi, I am afraid that it will be difficult to cooperate." "I have dealt with Mrs. Xi, although she is barely a housewife of a big family with a little opinion, but her thinking is too traditional, she must refuse to disobey her husband's wishes, and if she wants to persuade Xi Jian, I am afraid that it is difficult to have hope.

"My husband is the lord of Xuzhou, and since he is out on the expedition, I am his wife, and I should fulfill the friendship of the landlord and set up a banquet to entertain Duke Xi."

——————————

Xi Jian was indeed ordered by Liu Yan to go south to ask for reinforcements. In fact, Liu Yan should go to the rescue office the most, it should be Liu Kun from Bingzhou, and Shao Xu's backer is Wang Jun of Youzhou; But Liu and Wang are not harmonious, and everyone knows it, so if you call the soldiers and horses of Youzhou, how can Liu Yan accommodate him? If the soldiers and horses of Bingzhou are called, they will inevitably occupy the magpie's nest, and maybe they will expel Shao Xu......

Besides, it is impossible for the Bingzhou soldiers to fly to Leling in the southeasternmost corner of Hebei, and Wang Jun is uniting Tuoba Xianbei and other forces to crusade against Liaodong (in fact, the battle has been completed, and the news has not yet arrived), it is estimated that it will be impossible to attack Shile in a big way in a year or two, without breaking Shile, and the road to Leling will not be open.

Therefore, I had to go south to ask for help, and Xi Jian took the initiative to ask for an order, saying that it happened that my wife and children were still living in Huaiyin, and I would go to see them by the way to see if I could receive a tired time to live together.

So Xi Jian took his nephew Xi Mai and nephew Zhou Yi and others, and immediately crossed the river to the south, and the first stop was to go to Guanggu first, asking to see Cao Wei - because he heard that Cao Wei had changed his banner and returned to Jin. Cao Wei respected Xi Jian's reputation, especially his family background, so he immediately set up a banquet and entertained him, and asked Xi Jian during the banquet: "Will Xi Gong stop going south to Huaiyin?" Can you go to Jiankang and your trip? ”

Xi Jian nodded and said that I do have this plan. Cao Wei pleaded and said: "I agreed with Xu Fanglai before, please Qingzhou Assassin Shi and the general, although he agreed, it has not yet been realized. If Gong Xi goes to the Jin Dynasty to pay homage to the king of Langya, he will help each other with good words. Xi Jian agreed.

Of course, Cao Wei only has the ambition of secession, and now he has not been able to pacify the entire Qingzhou, it is impossible to send troops to cross the river to help Shao Xu and Liu Yan. Shi Le has to Linzhang, to the east of the army, to Leling, to the south of the river, from Qingzhou is not far, so Leling and Guanggu together will be two benefits, two losses, afraid will be broken by Shi Le one by one.

This was originally one of the reasons why Wang Gong lobbied Cao Wei, and Cao Wei naturally agreed - of course, at present, it is just lip service, whether he is willing to help if he really wants to encounter something, and how much he is willing to help, it is really hard to say.

Immediately, Xi Jian said goodbye to Cao Wei and went south to Xu Fang. His nephew Xi Mai and nephew Zhou Yi are very young, one is just seventeen, the other is only sixteen, in the troubled times, they were crowned early, dressed like an adult, but in fact, their faces are full of childishness. On the way, Zhou Yi asked Xi Jian: "Pei made Jun Fang be ordered to go on a northern expedition, restore the old capital, and sacrifice and sweep the mountains and tombs, how can he have spare strength to support Hebei?" My uncle's trip was of no avail. ”

Before Xi Jian could answer, Xi Mai interjected first: "I will go to Huaiyin to welcome my uncle and brother, and then I can cross the river to the south and ask King Langya to send troops to rescue." ”

Zhou Yi pouted: "Jiangdong is far away, how can you send troops to rescue Hebei?" The king of Benlangya is interested, how can there be a reason to transport grain for thousands of miles and go on an expedition? ”

"Grain can be supplied and transported by Xu Fang......"

"It's ridiculous, Xu Fang is not fertile soil, and the grain supplied to the Northern Expedition today is probably insufficient, how can he resist drying up and fishing?"

Xi Jian smiled and waved his hand to stop the quarrel between the two children, and he said: "Or if I come to Jiankang and return to Huaiyin, then Pei Wenyue has also returned." ”

Xi Mai didn't understand, so he asked, "What does my uncle mean by this?" Does it mean that this Northern Expedition will be defeated, so Pei Yuanjun will retreat back to Huaiyin in a month or two? ”..

Zhou Yi interjected: "If the Northern Expedition is defeated, Xu Fang's strength will inevitably be greatly damaged, how can he send troops to help me again?" ”

Xi Jian stroked his beard: "This Northern Expedition, the order is hasty, how can it be justified?" However, there are ancestors who are childish, and they should not be defeated. And even if he wins by luck, I expect that Jiankang will also order the class teacher - when the spring sowing of the next year is at the latest, Pei Wenyue will return to Huaiyin. I don't ask them to send troops for help, if I can subsidize tens of thousands of stone of grain, I can temporarily deal with the second urgent need. And Shi Lecai and Linzhang, if you want to be tired again, it will be after the autumn of the next year, when Pei Wenyue may be able to go north to Dongguan, and the land is connected with Cao Wei, you can ask for its northern aid. ”

Zhou Yi was still confused: "Since Yun was lucky to win, why did Jiankang order the class teacher?" ”

Xi Jian's smile froze instantly, and then shook his head: "Because today's Jiangdong is the Wang family's business, and as far as I know, Wang Maohong only has the talent to become a success, and has no ambition to open up, and Wang Chuzhong ...... Hehe~~" sneered twice, but stopped talking.

He was in a hurry along the way, and he didn't meet with local officials - from the county guard to the chief official in northern Xuzhou, most of them abandoned the city because of the war and fled, and they are all defended by local tycoons, and even a considerable part of them have not yet received Pei Gai's approval, and the identity is very different, how can Xi Jian be willing to surrender his identity and worship them? The other party also knew that he was not qualified to move forward, and most of them just sent someone to offer Cheng Yi.

waited until Xiapi, Xun Song, who was temporarily filming the photograph, heard the news and sent someone to summon him, and Xi Jian began to visit - Yingchuan Xun's discussion of the door was originally above Xi's, so Xi Daohui did not have a gift to see? Xun Song stayed in Xijian for three days, and hurriedly sent someone to inform Huaiyin.

Therefore, after that, the itinerary of Xi Jian and his party was under the control of Xuzhou forces, and when Xi Jian arrived in Huaiyin, Bian Yan went out of the city to greet Mrs. Xi early. When Xi Jian and his wife, father and son saw each other, they were all tears and endless sighs-think about the time when they were scattered, Xi Jian had just been full moon, and he was still in swaddling clothes, and nearly four years passed in a blink of an eye, and the little guy could be annoyed to jump all over the ground at this time......

Bian Yan persuaded the Xi couple to temporarily put away their grief, or settle down in the city, and then say goodbye. Immediately Bian Yan also invited: "Although Pei Yuanjun is not in the state, his wife wants to set up a banquet to entertain Gong Xi - please don't refuse, you can drink and have fun tonight." Xi Jian hurriedly surrendered his hand: "How dare you, how dare you, how can you be like a person, and Pei Lingjun is bent and loving, how can he be a ......"