The Lantern Festival is also known as the New Year. Enjoying the lanterns and flowers, lovers dating, is the main entertainment of the Lantern Festival. "On New Year's Eve last year, the flower market was lit up like daylight. The willow tops on the moon, people about after dusk. "It's the Lantern Festival.

In two days, the Lantern Festival will be celebrated, and the streets of the southwest metropolis will be prosperous. People hurry up to shop and prepare for the Lantern Festival to meet their lovers. The rush of people is filled with excitement and laughter, as if the thief's rainy night attack on the city is just a thriller story for others to talk about and laugh about.

On the downtown street, five or six young rich boys lined up, dragging a strong smell of fat powder, whistling back and forth. They wore fashionable brocade robes and dragged floor-length sleeves, and gained countless admiration from the big girls and little daughters-in-law.

The fragrant wind swept past a silk village, and also swept over Zhu Pingjin and his future brother-in-law Luo Jingyun sitting on the threshold.

Zhu Pingjin propped his elbows on his legs, palms supported his chin, and looked at the streets and stone pavement, yawning boredly. Luo Jingyun on the side saw those sons who looked like men and not women, but spit into the dust in disgust.

"Xiaoyun, what kind of person do you want to be in the future? What is your ideal? Zhu Pingjin had nothing to do and began to ask inducing questions to his brother-in-law.

"Brother-in-law, don't call me Xiaoyun in the future, it makes people sound like a woman!"

"Then what will I call you in the future?"

"Just call Brother Yun."

"That's good. Brother Yun, what do you want to do in the future? Zhu Pingjin yawned again.

The brother-in-law looked longing: "I want to be a general." ”

"Why is it not appropriate to be a good doctor, so you have to be Qiu Ba?"

"What Qiu Ba, being a general can be majestic!" The brother-in-law continued to look longing, "I hate to see a doctor for children, and I hate those women who come to see a doctor!" They didn't trust me, they only looked at my father. Last time, Mengzhen chased the thief through Chengdu, I went to see it, wow! One of the first generals was a man with a silver spear and silver armor, riding a white horse and wearing a scarlet cloak. Wow! It's so imposing. ”

"Silver spear and silver armor riding a white horse, are you talking about Changshan Zhao Zilong? You didn't say hello to your father and sister, and you slipped out of the city by yourself? ”

The brother-in-law scratched his head: "It was my classmate who pulled me there." What Zhao Zilong, we inquired clearly, it is Liu Shijie, the general of Mengzhen! Hey, brother-in-law, aren't you recruiting, I'll count you as one! ”

"That's not a soldier, it's a caravan. You are the single heir of your Luo family, you went to be a soldier, your father and your sister still don't look for me to fight hard? ”

"Then I'll keep you by your side as a guard, I think your guard surnamed Song is very majestic!"

"No matter how majestic he is, he will listen to the son of this world. If you want to be a soldier, don't look for me, talk to your father and sister. ”

"Why hasn't my sister come out yet? Just choose one at random, it's a hassle for women to buy things! ”

The two were talking without saying a word, and the curtain in the store was opened, Xiaohong supported the curtain, and Luo Yuhong walked out in a brand-new green jacket skirt. Zhu Pingjin quickly got up and walked back to the store, Luo Yuhong twisted her skirt with inquiring eyes and turned around in front of Zhu Pingjin.

Zhu Pingjin hurriedly praised: "It's beautiful!" Pretty! You look good in Hanfu! ”

Luo Yuhong was not satisfied with this like, and said angrily: "What a good opinion? ”

Zhu Pingjin said: "I just think this dress is very close-fitting!" Special temperament! Intelligent! Kindness! Luxurious! Intellectual! ”

Luo Yuhong laughed, but frowned again, turned to the boss and said, "The color of this dress is appropriate, but it looks better with a red peony flower on the chest." Here the hem should be added with a strip of lace. ”

The boss hurriedly smiled and said, "Girl, if you want to embroider, I can introduce you to an embroidery shop at the east gate." The proprietress is my sister-in-law, the craftsmanship is absolutely guaranteed, and the price is absolutely fair. Besides, you are a regular customer of our store, I introduce you to go, and you can also get a 20% discount. ”

Luo Yuhong asked the boss again: "You don't have any fabric with flowers here?" Only this plain? ”

The boss said: "With a flower belt pattern, that is Shu brocade, how can there be a flower in satin?" To spend flowers, you can only rely on a stitch and a thread to embroider it. That Shu brocade is expensive, if the girl wants it, she can pay the deposit and book in advance. ”

Hearing this, Luo Yuhong pouted and said, "I don't even have the material for printing, I don't want this dress boss......"

The boss was suddenly anxious, and hurriedly said: "The girl in this dress has paid the fixed silver ......."

Zhu Pingjin was afraid that his money would be wasted, so he hurriedly persuaded: "Take it first, you can change it as you want, and let Xiaohong do it." The bottom of the clothes is good, and the more things you add, the better it looks. You see, tie a strip of colored polyester on this waist, which can be colored. Hang some sachets or something on the side, then the charm is very good! ”

Luo Yuhong is right to think about it. She had business in the afternoon and didn't have time to rub around in this small shop, so she asked the boss to wrap up her clothes. The boss breathed a sigh of relief, and Zhu Pingjin also breathed a sigh of relief, and said goodbye to Luo Yuhong and went home. This afternoon, the classmates recommended by Li Chongwen came to visit the house, and Zhu Pingjin didn't want to be rude.

Li Chongwen's recommended classmate of "Jiangmen Huzi, heroic and righteous, Shen Hong and magnanimous" is named He Youyi, a native of Guangyuan County.

Guangyuan County and Zitong County both belong to Baoning Mansion (Fuzhi is now Langzhong County, specialty Baoning vinegar), which is Li Chongwen's hometown. He Youyi was born in Guangyuan County, but he was a soldier and grew up in the army since he was a child. His father was originally the commander of Lizhou Wei in Guangyuan County, equivalent to a command assistant, and was later transferred to the former Sichuan General Hou Liangzhu's subordinates, first as the commander of the main barracks, and then promoted to the capital division. His father was in Chongzhen for ten years, and he was ambushed with the chief soldier Hou Liangzhu, the deputy chief soldier Luo Ganxiang, and Liu Gui, and died in Zitong Baiqing Dam, which is said to have died very heroically. The military household of the Ming Dynasty implemented the hereditary military system of the death of the father and the son, and He Youyi, as a hereditary military household, should inherit the hereditary position after the death of his father, just like Qi Jiguang's military career. However, due to the defeat of Baiqingba, Sichuan lost its main mobile forces, and Wang Weizhang, the governor of Sichuan at that time, stayed in Baoning Mansion again, watching Li Zicheng go all the way south to Chengdu, losing more than 30 prefectures and counties before and after. Emperor Chongzhen was furious and ordered Wang Weizhang and Hou Liangzhu to be imprisoned. When the decree was issued, the emperor did not know that Hou Liangzhu had been defeated and died, so he later reissued the punishment and took away Hou Liangzhu's official title. As a result, He Youyi's father died in battle with Hou Liangzhu, but He Youyi only received a reward from a prisoner, and did not leave any benefits, and his position in the army was also spent by others.

He Youyi lost his position in the army, so he had to abandon martial arts and literature, and turned to study under Master Shu, half-heartedly preparing for the imperial examination, and on the other hand, he opened a shop in Chengdu to run the sauce and vinegar business in his hometown. When He Youyi was under Master Shu, he became acquainted with Li Chongwen. He takes good care of Li Chongwen, a fellow countryman with a similar fate, and often sponsors him. On the evening of the eighth day of the new year, he happened to be in the sauce garden shop in Chengdu, and got Li Chongwen's urgent warning, but he didn't say thank you, but just pulled Li Chongwen to chat while eating.

In the sauce garden shop, there are jars and jars everywhere, exuding a strong smell of sauce and vinegar. A small table, a pot of sake, and a few side dishes are the places where the two talk.

He Youyi put aside the wine cup and said to Li Chongwen: "You and I are like brothers, and we know the likes and dislikes of brothers, Chongwen might as well tell the son of the world as a brother." ”

Li Chongwen said: "The little brother knows the great ambition of the brother, and also knows the person that the brother hates. The elder brother asks the son of the world who is a person, and the younger brother can answer the question of the son's question. ”

"What's the topic?"

Li Chongwen said: "The title of the prince is 'Offering thieves is rampant, and Shu is raging.'" The dragon vein of this world is trapped in the feudal prohibition system, so he is often worried in his heart. All of you gentlemen are well-educated, can you teach me? ’”

"And how will you answer?"

Li Chongwen said: "The younger brother was the second of the four to answer, and the younger brother promised to be benevolent, go to the five beetles, and protect the people's livelihood." ”

Li Chongwen said, but He Youyi left his seat and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, leaving only Li Chongwen's voice reflected between the sauce jars: "The first person is Shu Guoping, and he promised to form a gentleman and form a group to practice." The third person is Gao Antai, who promised to join the Tusi and prosper the tea and horse market. The fourth person's brother may not know him, he is a scholar in Chengdu, has no fame, and his name is Sun Hong. He replied to the son of the world ......"

Li Chongwen took the time to seriously recall Sun Hong's answer. He knew the character of his brother and classmate, and he had a useful intention in every question. He has not been in the Shizi Mansion for a long time, and he lacks a deeper understanding of Zhu Pingjian, so he can ask his brother to take a closer look.

Li Chongwen thought about it and felt that Sun Hong's answer was a little messy, so he had to piece together his memory: "This Sun Hong, the answer is that since the dedication of the king, there are many virtuous kings in Shu; The kings of the Taizu vassal domain, Chengzu Jing is difficult to reform; Protecting the country and the people, it is the responsibility of the feudal government, so there is nothing to fear. ”

He Youyi stopped, let out a sigh in his mouth, and asked, "You and the other four of you have entered the Shizi Mansion?" ”

Li Chongwen said: "Exactly. Originally, it was a recruitment government Chinese case, and when I heard that I was waiting for an answer, Shizi called me by my husband without a name, and treated me as a guest. The younger brother Guan Shizi, although he is young, is virtuous and benevolent, intelligent, virtuous corporal, and has lofty knowledge. His talent and knowledge are better than his little brother! The younger brother has a feeling that although the son of the world is a young man, his thoughtfulness and prudence are no less than those who stand. This God gives me to wait for the Lord to know! As the saying goes: Learn literature and martial arts, goods and the emperor's family! The son of the elder brother Jiangmen, both civil and military, is the time to show his ambitions......"

He Youyi listened silently, did not answer, just continued to pace back and forth.

Li Chongwen recommended He Youyi to the prince, but He Youyi was slow to express his position, which made him a little embarrassed: "What the younger brother said is true!" I don't know why my brother is so hesitant? ”

He Youyi silently returned to his seat and poured Li Chongwen a glass of wine, then sighed and slowly said to Li Chongwen: "This is like entering the palace." For your brother, you are ten years old, you have a family, and there are hundreds of people in Hejiazhuang to eat with you, so you have to be careful! ”

Li Chongwen hurriedly said: "Brother, is there something difficult to say? ”

He Youyi stared at Li Chongwen and said, "For my brother, it must be that Sun Hong who stayed by the side of the son!" ”

He Youyi was like a god, and Li Chongwen suddenly exclaimed: "How did my brother know? The prince said that Sun Hong had no fame and could not be an official for the time being, so he had to stay in the mansion......"

He Youyi smiled and said: "Chongwen is straightforward by nature, knows how to repay kindness, works hard and does not complain, and the good minister of this country is also!" The son of the world will use the virtuous brother, and congratulate the brother first! ”

He Youyi refused to explain the reason, and there seemed to be sarcasm in his words. Li Chongwen was a little angry, stood up and said to He Youyi: "Brother Da En, Chongwen is hard to repay." Now there are no outsiders on the other side of you and me. If you have something to say, you might as well speak up! ”

He Youyi stood up and pressed Li Chongwen to sit down, explaining: "Chongwen is kind, it's not that he doesn't know what to do as a brother. The palace is also the daunting path of the world's scholars. Why? Cover pigsty is also! Li Chongwen was about to stand up and refute against, but He Youyi was firmly pressed on the chair and couldn't move. He Youyi continued: "The chaos under Fang today has been completed, and the hundred officials of the Son of Heaven and the thief are fighting back and forth, and the victory is inseparable. There is another vassal king in the middle, and the situation is even more chaotic! ”

Li Chongwen was shocked and said, "Brother, but you said that the son of the world is going to rebel? ”

He Youyi laughed: "How did you say it for your brother? Chongwen must not speculate! That son is fifteen years old, without a single soldier, dignified in his behavior, and polite in his manners, who will believe that he will rebel if you say that he will rebel? ”

Li Chongwen hurriedly said: "The prince just bought more than 300 young people in Renshi today, and said that he went to Yazhou Tianquan to repair the road and protect the business. Those who settled in Renshou County were the relatives and families of these people. ”

Hearing this, He Youyi sighed again. He paced silently for a while, and said: "Chongwen doesn't have to be suspicious, this is a taboo for ministers!" Chongwen went to Renshou, Zhuang Wupu two, Zhuang households nearly 1,000, it can be said that 'half a county' is also! There is a long way to go, and you should do your best to properly resettle the displaced people so that they can live and work in peace and contentment, so as to live up to the trust of the son. Chongwen said that the son of the world should be the master of Shu, and the brother should not be humble, and should work hard to serve himself. Chongwen, you can report the words of you and me tonight to the world! ”

He Youyi finally expressed his position, and Li Chongwen was happy and a little puzzled. He Youyi's attitude before and after was very different, and he spoke heavily. However, He Youyi is not only his senior brother, but also his benefactor, and He Youyi cannot calculate him. Li Chongwen hesitated for a moment and nodded heavily.

It was getting late, so Li Chongwen repaired a letter and handed over the book early the next morning. Not long after the book entered, the prince asked Cao Sanbao to spread the word, and He Youyi could choose a day to meet him.