Jiankang woke up in the early morning in the hustle and bustle. Smoke rises from the alleys to the sound of roosters and dogs barking, and the men in the shops along the street are busy opening their shops and preparing for another busy day. The boats in the river have also begun to come alive, creating brilliant ripples on the otherwise calm river.

In the Vermilion Bird Stack, it has already begun to get busy. Xu Jin and Hui Ze woke up from a sweet sleep, and when they left the room, they saw Yang Baihua sitting in the lobby downstairs.

The two of them rushed downstairs and ran over to salute. Yang Baihua hurriedly beckoned the two of them to sit down, "I'm waiting for you two to have breakfast together, sit down!" ”

Xiao Er sent a can of porridge, a plate of white buns, and a few dishes of side dishes. Xu Jin was already hungry, and he was not polite, so he buried his head and ate it. Hui Ze clasped his hands together, whispered words in his mouth, and only began to start after reading.

After eating, Yang Baihua smiled and asked, "Did the two little brothers rest well last night?" ”

"Okay, couldn't be better!" Xu Jin hurriedly replied, "I almost forgot what it was like to sleep in bed, and there was a hot bath and a clean bedding, and when I woke up, the whole person was like being reborn!" ”

"That's good, that's good." Yang Baihua smiled with relief.

At this time, Hui Ze asked, "Brother Yang, why are you alone down there, Madam and Miss?" ”

"Yanran, this child dragged her mother to go on a tour early in the morning, and when I saw that you two hadn't gotten up yet, I asked other brothers to drive them out."

While the three of them were chatting, a man walked over, saluted respectfully and asked, "Dare to ask Your Excellency, but is it Lord Yang Baihua?" ”

The interrogator was dressed in satin clothes, slightly obese, with a round face, a pair of small eyes smiling, two mustaches dotted on both sides of the person, and a shrewd feeling in his kind face.

Yang Baihua got up and saluted back, "It's here, I don't know what advice this brother has to offer?" ”

"The villain Chen Sibao is the shopkeeper of this stack. Chen Ziyun, who met the adults last night, is the villain's fellow villager. ”

"Oh! I heard Lord Chen mention it yesterday, and I will be glad to meet it! ”

"Lord Yang doesn't have to be polite, when Ziyun left yesterday, he told the villain, take care of the adult, if you need anything, please just ask."

"Oh, it's really hard for Master Chen and Shopkeeper Chen to bother, Yang has thanked me in advance!" Yang Baihua bowed.

"The villain is a grass people, how dare he accept the gift of Lord Yang!" Chen Sibao hurriedly bowed and returned the salute, "Ziyun also asked the villain to prepare a banquet tonight, to pick up the wind and wash the dust for Lord Yang, and hope that the adults will appreciate the light." ”

"How can Yang make Chen Zhushu so troubled, tonight Yang thanked Chen Zhushu in person."

"In this case, the villain still has chores to deal with in the store, so he won't bother, if there is any need, just ask him to leave."

After Chen Sibao walked away, Xu Jin asked, "Brother Yang, Chen Qingzhi is the scholar last night, right, is the main secretary a senior official?" ”

Yang Baihua nodded.

Hui Ze asked again, "But he and Brother Yang have never known each other in their lives, and they only met for the first time last night, why are they so attentive?" ”

"I don't know," Yang Baihua pondered, "But according to what King Ye said, this Chen Qingzhi should not be a traitor, and he is also a confidant of Emperor Nanliang. ”

"Then, he should be able to let Brother Yang also be an official in Nanliang, right?" Xu Jin said with a smile.

"That's what makes me feel embarrassed." A trace of melancholy crossed Yang Baihua's face.

"Why did Brother Yang say this?"

"Although I broke away from the Great Wei and defected to the Southern Liang, but after all, I am a military general, if the Emperor of the Southern Liang really recruits me, he must also hope that I can make military achievements for the Southern Liang, but who is the enemy of the Southern Liang?"

"Da Wei, who else can there be." Xu Jin replied.

"Yes, let me draw my sword against my homeland, this is really ...... Alas! Yang Baihua sighed heavily.

"But Brother Yang, weren't you killed by a traitor and forced to flee to Nanliang? What else is there to be nostalgic for this Dawei! ”

"A lot of things are not as simple as they sound." Yang Baihua looked at Xu Jin's puzzled appearance and smiled lightly, "By the way, what are your plans now?" ”

"Miss also asked about us yesterday," Hui Ze continued, "Xu Jin said that he wanted to join the army, and he was angrily reprimanded by Miss. The little monk also has no idea, maybe go to which temple to place an order first. ”

"Hey!" Xu Jin tugged at Hui Ze's sleeve, "Didn't you say that we will all go together, if you go to the temple, will you let me go to the monk's house?" ”

Seeing the appearance of the two of them, Yang Baihua said with a smile, "Don't think about it so much, stay with us with peace of mind first, and then think about the future slowly." ”

"Miss said the same thing yesterday, but I think that in this way, we will not become idle at Brother Yang's place......" Xu Jin lowered his head and said softly.

"For us, this is a foreign land after all, and she can be happier with you by her side; And you can still accompany me to practice martial arts, and my wife likes you very much, how can this become an idle meal? Yang Baihua comforted the two, "If you leave, we won't be used to it." ”

The two glanced at each other, and Xu Jin regained a smile on his face, "Okay, if Brother Yang really becomes the general of Nanliang, we will be your soldiers." ”

Towards evening, Mrs. Yang led Yanran back. The attendants brought down a few pieces of fine cloth from the car, as well as some newly bought rouge gouache and so on.

Yang Baihua took Xu Jin and Hui Ze to greet him. Yang Baihua hugged his wife, "After a day of playing today, is my wife tired?" ”

Mrs. Yang said with a smile, "I'm a little tired, but this Jiankang is really prosperous, and there are many goods, so Yanran and I couldn't help but buy a lot of them back." I also bought some cloth and made some new clothes for the two little brothers. ”

"This ...... That's unacceptable! Xu Jin and Hui Ze said almost in unison.

"You're welcome." Mrs. Yang said to the two gently, "My lord and I both like you two very much, since we have met by fate and come to this foreign country together, we should support them together like a family." ”

"Madame has a point!" Yang Baihua agreed, "We are both northerners, and now that we have come to this foreign country, we will treat each other like family in the future and share weal and wee." ”

"Look at the clothes on your bodies, how shabby they have become." Yan Ran covered her mouth and said with a smile, "If you don't change it, others will have to treat you as beggars." ”

"Yanran, don't be rude!" Mrs. Yang stopped drinking, turned back to the two and said, "I have found a craftsman, and I will come tomorrow to tailor the clothes for the two little brothers." ”

Xu Jin suddenly felt a warmth rise in his heart, since he escaped from Huaishuo, this long-lost warmth seemed to be forgotten, but in this foreign land, he was awakened back. His eyes moistened unexpectedly, Xu Jin hurriedly buried his head and bowed to Mrs. Yang. He wanted to thank him, but his voice was choked in his throat and he couldn't get it out.

"Except for the master, no one has ever been so kind to the little monk, the little monk ...... The little monk ...... "Hui Ze also had tears in his eyes. Although he has never experienced the warmth of family, this happiness of being cared for makes his emotions a little agitated.

"Look at you two like this, but just to make a few new clothes, but how much you have been blessed." Seeing the appearance of the two, Yan Ran joked on the side, "The fabric for the two of you is still hand-selected by me." ”

"Okay, you're tired today, go back to your room early to rest, and let Xiao Er bring you whatever you want to eat." In the evening, I have to go to the invitation of Lord Chen, so you don't have to wait for me. ”

Seeing Mrs. Yang and her entourage return to the upstairs room, Xu Jin and Hui Ze said to Yang Baihua, "Brother Yang, you still have to wait for that Chen Zhushu, it's not convenient for us to be here, so let's go back to the room first." ”

Yang Baihua nodded, and waited alone in the lobby.

The sky was getting darker and darker, and when he first arrived at the palm lamp, Chen Qingyi stepped in from the gate in white clothes. Yang Baihua saw it at a glance and hurriedly stepped forward. The two saluted, and Chen Qingzhi said, "I wanted to come over earlier and talk to Brother Yang, but today's trivial matters are complicated, and it is delayed until this time." Qingzhi prepared a little wine tonight to wash the dust for Brother Yang, and hoped that Brother Yang would appreciate the light. ”

"Master Chen is too polite, Shopkeeper Chen has already mentioned it to Zai this morning. Chen Zhushu is so gracious, Yang is grateful, how can he refuse. ”

"Ziyun! There you are. Chen Sibao also came over at this time, "I have prepared a banquet, please come with me." ”

"There is a third brother Lao. Brother Yang, please! ”

Under the guidance of Chen Sibao, walk through the lobby and walk up a long corridor. The corridor is carved beams and paintings, the decoration is very gorgeous, and some flowers and plants that Yang Baihua has never seen in the north are planted on both sides, even if it is autumn, there is no sign of withering, and the flowers are still blooming, competing for beauty. Outside the corridor is a large courtyard with a leafy maple tree planted in the center, which is even more dazzling in the night and the lights.

"Unexpectedly, behind this lobby, there is a cave!" Yang Baihua couldn't help but admire.

"We are the largest residence in Jiankang, in addition to the food and accommodation of merchants and the storage of goods, this is a special place for distinguished guests to entertain and discuss important matters." Chen Sibao explained to Yang Baihua, his tone was quite proud.

"This Vermilion Bird Stack, among the merchants in the north, is quite famous, and it seems that it really deserves its name." Yang Baihua complimented.

"This is the property of King Linchuan, so it can have such a scale." Chen Qingzhi said softly to Yang Baihua.

"King Linchuan?"

"King Linchuan is the sixth brother of His Majesty, and he is the captain of the court, if he can be an official of the same dynasty in the future, he will naturally have the opportunity to meet."

"King Linchuan...... But Xiao Hong? Yang Baihua asked in a low voice.

"The lower officials don't dare to call the name of the king of Linchuan." Chen Qingzhi just smiled and nodded.

As he spoke, he reached the end of the hallway. In front of it is an exquisite three-story pavilion, brightly lit, and each floor is separated by many independent small rooms, and there are bursts of laughter and laughter.

Chen Sibao led the two up to a room on the second floor facing the courtyard. Push the door in, although the room is not large, but the decoration is elegant and exquisite, the two sides of the room on the opposite table, some pastries have been placed, from the open door, you can just enjoy the autumn leaves of the maple tree in the courtyard.

"Please sit down for a moment, and I'll order the wine and food to come up." Chen Sibao made a gesture and turned to leave.

"Master Chen's book is so polite, it really flatters Yang."

"Brother Yang doesn't have to see outside, since he has a fateful acquaintance, of course he should do his best to be a landlord. However, please Brother Yang don't call him by an official title anymore, you can match your name. ”

"To be honest, Yang Moujie martial arts don't like these red tapes, Brother Ziyun, please!"

"Brother Yang, please."

The two took their seats. At this time, Chen Sibao led a few maids in and served fish, meat, wine and food.

"Please slow down, two. If you need anything, please feel free to ask. After speaking, Chen Sibao and his entourage slowly retreated.

Yang Baihua picked up the wine cup, "Thank you Brother Ziyun for your kindness, I will toast you first." ”

The two drank in respect. Chen Qingzhi asked, "Speaking of King Linchuan just now, how did Brother Yang know his name?" ”

"At that time, the Liang State launched a large-scale northern expedition, with excellent equipment and a prosperous army, and the commander was this king of Linchuan. Originally, the advantage was in the Liang army, but for some reason, on a stormy night, the commander actually abandoned the army and fled. The Liang army was leaderless and could not form an army, and the Wei army took the opportunity to go south, if it weren't for General Wei Rui's defeat of Zhongshan Wang Yuanying in the first battle of Zhongli, this north-south trend is really hard to say. Therefore, there is a saying in the Wei army - not afraid of Xiao Niang and Lu Ma, but afraid of Wei Hu in Hefei. In the Northern Wei Dynasty, the King of Linchuan and General Wei were both very famous. ”

"In the Battle of Zhongli back then, General Wei turned the tide and fought for my Liang for several years of stability, which can be called the pillar of the country!" Chen Qingzhi's tone was full of admiration.

"I heard that when General Wei commanded the battle, he rode a wooden cart and held a bamboo cane, which is so unique, it is very fascinating! It's a pity that I didn't have the opportunity to see the old general's demeanor, which is a pity. ”

"In the battle of Zhongli, Ling Zun is also very active."

Chen Qingzhi's seemingly casual words made Yang Baihua's heart tighten, and he immediately threw a vigilant look at the other party.

"Brother Yang, don't be careful!" Chen Qingzhi hurriedly explained, "Yesterday, I saw that you were familiar with King Ye, and King Ye came to meet you in person, so I guessed that Brother Yang was originally in the Northern Wei Dynasty and should be a person of considerable status. Today, I asked King Ye about Brother Yang's background, and King Ye told me. ”

"Brother Ziyun, it's not that Yang deliberately concealed it," Yang Baihua sighed, "It's just that my father has been at war with the Liang army all his life, and it is inevitable that there will be people who hold grudges. ”

I understand Brother Yang's concerns. It's just that I don't understand, after a famous general like Brother Yang, he actually left his hometown, why did he come to this? ”

"King Ye didn't tell you the reason?"

"King Ye swallowed and vomited, and finally let Zai Xia ask Brother Yang by himself."

"Ye Wang Renyi, he cares about my face!" Yang Baihua closed his eyes and looked up to the sky and sighed, then picked up the wine cup and drank it all. After being silent for a moment, as if he had finally made up his mind, Yang Baihua said with a serious expression, "It's all come to this point, what else is there to worry about." To tell the truth, Yang fell to this point because he was forced by the Empress Dowager of Great Wei. ”

"The Empress Dowager of the Northern Wei Dynasty?"

Yang Baihua nodded, "Presumably Brother Ziyun also knows that now the emperor of the Northern Wei Dynasty is young, and the power of the court is in the hands of the Empress Dowager Hu." This Empress Dowager Hu likes to feast, drink and have fun, and spends extravagantly; He also worshiped Buddha in a big way, digging grottoes in Longmen and other places, abusing people's power; What's even more hateful is that this Hu family is lewd by nature, as long as she takes a fancy to her, no matter the princes and ministers, they are all summoned into the palace to force him to fornicate. And Yang was also forced to commit adultery by the Hu family......"

Yang Baihua poured a full cup of wine and drank it all again.

At first, Yang thought that if he could persuade the Queen Mother to focus on the world of Great Wei, even if he was infamous as a courtier, it would be worth it. But instead of reining in, the Hu clan has intensified, expropriating and expropriating, making the people's resentment boiling, and the world is menacing, and if this continues, the Great Wei turmoil is coming! ”

Chen Qingzhi picked up the wine cup, "Brother Yang is worried about the country and the people, and he is not afraid of personal gains and losses. ”

After drinking the wine, Yang Baihua continued with grief and indignation, "Pity my Great Wei soldiers, the thousands of miles of rivers and mountains that have been brought by bloody battles are about to be destroyed at the hands of this demon woman!" If you are entangled with it, you will be pointed at by thousands of people, and you will be infamous for the ages, and once the world changes, it will inevitably harm the entire family of my Qiu Chi Yang family. Yang thought about it again and again, and had to flee from the disaster. ”

"It's really embarrassing for Brother Yang. For such an obscure matter, Brother Yang can tell him honestly, which shows his trust in Zaixia. I will do my best to recommend to Your Majesty, so that Brother Yang can be useful in my Liang. ”

"Thank you Brother Ziyun for your kindness, but this is where it comes ......."

"Does Brother Yang have any concerns?"

"After all, the Northern Wei Dynasty is my homeland, and I really don't want to meet the soldiers of my homeland. Yang is a rebel against the Hu clan, but he is not a rebel against the Great Wei. Can Brother Ziyun find a job for me in Jiankang, even if the position is humble, as long as it can make my family make a living. ”

"Brother Yang's mind is clear, but after all, Brother Yang is a famous general, Your Majesty must also value your generals, if you can't kill the enemy for the Liang Army, I'm afraid it will be ......."

Yang just didn't want to succumb to the Hu family's obscenity anymore, and he had no resentment towards his homeland. Such a reluctant request, I hope that Brother Ziyun can take care of it more. ”

"That being the case, Qingzhi did his best."

"Thank you, Brother Ziyun, please rest assured, Yang will never do anything that damages the beam!" Yang Baihua picked up the wine cup with both hands, "Come, Brother Yang respects Ziyun!" ”

"In fact, today, I also ask Brother Yang for help." Chen Qingyi said softly while pouring the wine cup in front of him.

"Brother Ziyun has a place where Yang is useful, just give orders."

"Although Qingzhi is a civilian, he is not good at arching horses, but he has always been eager to emulate General Wei, Confucian led the troops, and made great achievements for Daliang, in order to repay His Majesty's kindness."

Chen Qingzhi's words surprised Yang Baihua. He never expected that a scholar, but what he was thinking about was fighting on the battlefield.

"Brother Ziyun, Yang has a lot of words, this unified army is not child's play!"

Chen Qingzhi smiled slightly, "I understand Brother Yang's concerns." His Majesty has a rich collection of books, and Qingzhi is close to the water, and I am fortunate to read the books of various soldiers in His Majesty's study, which is also considered to have some experience. ”

"The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, but it is different from talking on paper!"

"This truth is naturally understood in playing, in fact, like playing chess, it is meaningless to memorize chess games, and flexible use is the key."

"Speaking of playing chess, Yang took the liberty of hearing that Brother Ziyun was once His Majesty's chess boy?"

"Hehe, that's true," Chen Qingzhi's tone was calm, "I was originally clothed, and I was fortunate to follow His Majesty since I was a child and became a scholar." His Majesty likes to play chess, and Qingzhi often accompanies His Majesty to play all night. After His Majesty ascended to the throne, he conferred the post of secretary of the Lord, and there were indeed many criticisms for this. Therefore, Qingzhi longs to repay His Majesty's kindness and die for the Great Liang! ”

"Today's confrontation between the north and the south, although it has been relatively calm in recent years, both sides are unwilling to stand side by side in the world, and the war will start again sooner or later, so Brother Ziyun wants to abandon Wen Congrong, throw himself into the battlefield, and fight for Daliang."

"Those who know me, Brother Yang!" Chen Qingzhi picked up the wine cup, "I salute Brother Yang again!" ”

"So, what can Yang do for Brother Ziyun?" Yang Baihua was sitting with a serious expression.

"Then I'll be straight down." Chen Qingzhi arched his hand and said, "I hope that Brother Yang can guide the method of cavalry, and I also want to borrow a few people who are good at riding and archery from Brother Yang's entourage to train soldiers." ”

"It's not a difficult thing, it's just that the south has always lacked good horses, so the Southern Dynasties have mainly been infantry troops, why did Brother Ziyun think of training cavalry?"

"The Northern Wei Dynasty is an elite iron cavalry, and this has always been the weakness of my beam. The Central Plains is flat and easy to gallop, and without a strong cavalry, it will be difficult to achieve significant results. ”

"Nakahara!?" Yang Baihua was quite stunned, "Could it be that Brother Ziyun has the ambition of the Northern Expedition?" ”

"I believe that in the Northern Wei Dynasty, there were not a few scholars with the intention of going south." Chen Qingzhi smiled slightly, "Don't hide it from Brother Yang, Qingzhi has been recruiting children in his hometown, and asked Chen Sibao, the shopkeeper of this Vermilion Bird Inn, to buy good horses from merchants in the north, although the price is expensive, but there are dozens of horses in the past few years, plus some local horses selected, it can also make up nearly a hundred numbers." ”

"It is estimated that Brother Ziyun has also scattered his family wealth for this, right?"

"Even if you lose your wealth, it's still not enough. Thanks to the third brother Shanjia, oh, it is the shopkeeper Chen, who buys and sells in this shop, in order to plan military funds under it, so that he can put down this little bit of people now. ”

"Brother Ziyun has taken precautions, and he has an opinion on the inevitable north and south now, right?"

"I can't talk about any opinions, Brother Yang knows the situation in the north better than below. Brother Fang Cai also said - turmoil is coming! Once there is a change in the north, do you think Your Majesty will let go of such a great opportunity? ”

Chen Qingzhi's words covered Yang Baihua's heart with a thick layer of coldness. He looked up to the sky and sighed, "The demon queen is a disaster to the country!" "Pour the wine from the cup into your throat in one gulp.

"I am not a belligerent person, but you and I both understand that as long as the confrontation between the north and the south continues, the war will not be able to subside." Chen Qingzhi's gaze was cast from the door and fell on the fiery maple leaf, "In fact, both sides are waiting for the opportunity to move, waiting to give each other a fatal blow, Qingzhi hopes to serve the country on the battlefield, instead of sitting idle in Beijing and talking about ...... life"

Yang Baihua also set his eyes on the red leaves, and under the reflection of the light, the blood-like red imprinted into his eyes, setting off a touch of sadness, "It's just that the soldiers on both sides are pitiful, I don't know how many people want to bury their bones......"

"If we can end this troubled world as soon as possible, the world will be unified again, and no matter how much sacrifice we make, it will be worth it!" Although Chen Qingzhi's tone was melancholy, it also revealed a firm feeling, "The north and the south have been divided for a long time, the dynasty has changed, and countless heroes and heroes have spilled their blood on the battlefield. This road is destined to be paved with flesh and blood, and Qingzhi is willing to be a paving stone......"

"Brother Ziyun is ambitious, which really makes Yang ashamed." Yang Baihua stood up and saluted, "Although Yang can't follow on the battlefield, if he can help Brother Ziyun, he will definitely go all out!" ”