In March of the eighth year of Longsheng, Emperor Yong issued an edict, appointing Wang Xian of Qi as the commander of Jiangnan Xingyuan, appointing Prince Jun as the deputy marshal, and the governor of Bashu, Xiangfan, Jianghuai, and the East China Sea army of one million, and conquering Chu in the south, and Hou Jiang of Chu County as the counselor of Xingyuan.

――"Zizhi Tongjian-Yongji IV"

On the 13th day of the first month of the 12th year of the Southern Chu Tongtai, the capital of the Southern Chu State was built, the Lantern Festival was coming, the city and the city were full of joy, the two big victories of the Southern Chu army in Huaixi and Guazhou Ferry before the year ago, so that the Southern Chu fell into a frenzy.

More than ten years ago, Yongwang Li Zhen plundered Jianye, abducted the lord and hundreds of officials, and the blow to Southern Chu exceeded many people's imagination, although this matter has already been moved, Southern Chu has a new lord, and has re-consolidated the Jianghuai defense line, but almost all the people of Southern Chu have a sense of precariousness, and they are worried that Dayong's iron hooves will crush the prosperous splendid in front of them, so over the years, Jiangnan has many more crazy lives who are determined to take revenge on shame, and there are more light prodigals who are drunk and dreaming of death. This time, Lu Can achieved a great victory in Huaixi and Guazhou, which not only washed away the shame of the year, but also rebuilt the confidence of the military and people of Southern Chu, and Lu Can was no longer the target of those literati attack, but became a famous general who turned the tide, and could lead the army and people of Southern Chu to fight against the million-strong army of Dayong and protect the splendid and prosperous heroes of the south of the Yangtze River.

This time, the Lantern Festival is after the big victory, so both the gentry and the common people intend to express their joy by celebrating the festival, so this year's lanterns are more lively than in previous years, and the city is full of brilliant lights, just like the fairy palace jade que. There are thousands of lotus lanterns floating on the Qinhuai River, as if the stars in the sky have fallen into the world, all the painting boat cruise ships are high and hold up all kinds of lanterns, such as Qionglou Yuyu, and there are singers and dancers wearing neon clothes and colorful clothes, singing and dancing on the painting boat, singing loudly, like the sound of heaven, dancing gracefully, like a fairy. The fire tree and silver flowers never sleep, this situation and this scene, people are fascinated, and they forget what the world is. This is only the thirteenth light, if it is on the Yuan Day, Jianye City will inevitably be more prosperous inside and outside.

The crown is covered with Jinghua, and the people are alone and haggard, but on the occasion of the celebration of the whole world, there are people who have suffering, and in the study of the Prime Minister's Mansion, it is a dark cloud at the moment. Shang Weijun, who leaned towards the government and the opposition, sat behind the bookcase with a sad face, and there were three people sitting or standing in the study. A middle-aged man with a restrained expression stood behind Shang Weijun, he was Shang Weijun's only son, Shang Chengye, who was mediocre and had no opinion when it came to things, Shang Weijun repeatedly wanted to promote him to important positions, but he had to give up, so he could only hold an idle position in the ministry, and there was no seat for him in this study. In fact, he is also a wanton and reckless character outside, but in front of his father, he is trembling and does not dare to be presumptuous. On the first Taishi chair on the left sat a middle-aged man with thin eyebrows and long eyes, he was Yin Duanhua, the head of the household department, Shang Weijun's protégé, and his henchman. And sitting on the right is an old Confucian student, who is Shang Weijun's mastermind Ning Qian, Shang Weijun has been fighting with people in the eunuch arena for many years, and often relies on this person for poisonous plots.

After being silent for a long time, Shang Weijun finally couldn't help but say: "Mr. Ning, Duanhua, do you have any ideas, the prime minister has already postponed the matter of rewarding again and again, but the day after tomorrow is Shangyuan, no matter what, it is time to reward the army." But Lu Can is already the Duke of Zhenyuan, and he is the respect of the general, if he wants to be rewarded again, it will be the position of the king, and a different surname will not be crowned the king, this is the golden rule, but if not, how can he be rewarded? Now that the military power of Huaidong has been lost, and the military power of Southern Chu is in the hands of the Lu family, once Lu Can is dissatisfied, I am afraid that we will die without a place to be buried. ”

Yin Duanhua said worriedly: "Yes, Lu Can asked for an expansion of the military war a few days ago, he has already controlled almost all the military power, but he still wants to expand the army, isn't this ill-intentioned?" ”

Shang Weijun shook his head and said: "You are too worried, the expansion of the army is also necessary, this time the Huaidong Army is almost all buried, if the army is not expanded, it will not be possible to consolidate the Jianghuai defense line, and if the army is expanded, we will also have the opportunity to place our own people in." ”

A cold light flashed in the old Confucian student's eyes, and he said: "Although Xiangye has this intention, if Lu Can is allowed to recruit troops, I am afraid that these new troops will obey the orders of the Lu family." ”

Shang Weijun waved his hand and said: "This is also no way, there is no one among us who can lead troops, that Luo Lou really buried all my efforts in Huaidong, alas, don't mention it, let's discuss how to reward it." ”

The old Confucian twisted his beard and said: "Xiangye might as well exchange conditions with Lu Can, doesn't he want to expand the army, this matter must be discussed by the court, Xiangye promised to support him to recruit troops and prepare for war, but if he wants to give up this reward, Xiangye can add some mining to him casually, but not to promote his title, wouldn't everyone be happy, and the face will also pass, I think Lu Can will give up the title in exchange for Xiangye's support." ”

Shang Weijun nodded again and again, and said: "What Mr. Ning said is that the expansion of the army is not a trivial matter, if there is no food and salary from the imperial court, it is impossible to proceed smoothly. In this way, hasn't his son made war exploits, and this time he will be given a military rank of six-rank captain, which will be counted as compensation. ”

Yin Duanhua said: "This is cheap for the Lu family and his son, but how should other meritorious soldiers be rewarded, the reward is light, these people want to make trouble, the reward is heavy, most of these people are just grateful to Lu Can, how many people will think that it is the grace of the lord of the country and the prime minister?" ”

Ning Qian was stunned and silent, he didn't agree with Yin Duanhua's words, but when he saw Shang Weijun's thoughtful appearance there, he didn't say anything against it.

At this time, Shang Chengye said: "In fact, the military is not monolithic, this time Lu Can and Shiguan have made great contributions, but although Yu Mian and Rong Yuan have meritorious service in defending the land, but after all, the merit is shallow, and the father is not as good as rewarding Shiguan, but Yu Mian and Rong Yuan have passed by, Yu Mian is not Lu Can's sworn friend, this person is a little narrow-minded, and he must hate Lu Can because of this, his father might as well comfort him in private, this person is really talented and learned, and he is the old department of Prince De, and he is a loyal and patriotic person. Maybe I'll join my father's command. ”

As soon as these words came out, not only Shang Weijun's eyes lit up, but even Yin Duanhua and Ning Qian also nodded again and again. Shang Chengye has never said much on such occasions, but today he suddenly offered advice, but it was such a clever plan, which impressed Yin and Ning and praised them again and again. Shang Weijun knew the depth of this son, and asked in surprise: "You have something to say today, I don't know whose idea it is?" ”

Shang Chengye blushed and said: "Father, is a friend I just knew, a scholar from a poor family, who has no intention of taking the imperial examination, and only composes and writes lyrics for those singers in Fireworks Willow Lane. A few days ago, I drank with him, and inadvertently said that the general's authority is now better than that of his father, so he smiled and said that Lu Can still can't cover the sky with one hand, if this is the case, it will be effective. ”

Shang Weijun's eyes flashed, and he said: "You can carefully check the identity of this person, with your identity, you must not be careless in making friends." ”

Shang Chengye said suddenly: "The child is just intersecting with his poetry and wine, so I don't know his life experience, but this person is elegant and talented, but it's a pity to see through the world and have no intention of fame, if the father is interested, the child can try to recruit him to the father's shogunate." ”

Shang Weijun shook his head and said: "Let's take a look first, you can't be careless in employing people, but this person is so talented, you can't ignore him, you can take him around first, if there is no problem with his identity, you might as well recruit him into the house." After that, Shang Weijun hesitated for a moment, and then said: "There is one more thing, originally I had the intention to give the righteous daughter Lingxiang to Lu Can's eldest son, if I can marry, I can also have more bargaining chips to control the Lu family, but unfortunately Lu Can refused, do you think there is room for redemption?" ”

Ning Qian frowned, he naturally knew who this Lingxiang was, she was the righteous daughter of Ji Xia, the first seat of Fengyi Gate Yi Huang Hall, but she worshipped Shang Weijun as her father-in-law. In fact, Ning Qian also knew the ambiguous relationship between Ji Xia and Shang Weijun, although Shang Weijun was also clear about the various rumors of Fengyimen, but the attraction of a woman who used to be Dayong's concubine was too great, so Shang Weijun still fell into the tender trap of Fengyimen. This marriage was rejected by Lu Can as early as Ning Qian expected, if Lu Can did not refuse, it would be strange, the future head of the Lu family should naturally marry a lady from a famous family in Southern Chu, how could he marry a woman of unknown origin as his wife. After hesitating for a moment, Ning Qian said tactfully: "Xiangye, if you are interested in marrying, you might as well consider Princess Shuning." ”

"Eldest Princess Shuning!" Shang Weijun murmured, Princess Shuning is the half-sister of the current lord Zhao Long, fifteen years old this year, and her appearance is the best choice, but her mother has already died and has no status in the royal family, Shang Weijun did not notice her existence, and now when he heard Ning Qian's reminder, his heart moved, if a princess is given to the Lu family, isn't this the best way to envelop her, after all, you still need to rely on the Lu family to resist Dayong. And if the Lu family has an objection, the eldest princess Shuning can also play a role that ordinary people can't play.

Just when Shang Weijun and his cronies were plotting in the study, Lu Can and others, who were ordered to return to Beijing to accept the reward, had already entered the city. I don't want to disturb the people, so Lu Can entered the city in a micro suit, looking at the wealth and prosperity in his eyes, he sighed lightly, although he won the victory in Huaixi and Guazhou this time, but he did not forget that the important towns of Chuzhou and Sizhou in Huaidong have fallen into the hands of the Yongjun, and the Yongjun can mobilize the army to the south at any time, and the pressure on Nanchu can only be greater at that time. And the most important thing is that Dayong suffered such a fiasco, Emperor Yong would inevitably use Jiang Zhe, but he was afraid that when Dayong went south again, his mentor would go south with the army.

However, the distress in his heart obviously did not infect the two teenagers behind him. Shi Xiu looked at the lanterns on both sides of the road, her handsome face was full of surprise and longing, and Lu Yun pointed out the scenery along the way for her one by one, like the most hospitable host. This time both of them were edicted to enter the court to receive a reward, although the stone embroidery was originally a woman, according to the rules are not among the rewards, but the two are now the young heroes praised by everyone in Southern Chu, and because of the ambiguity of the military newspaper, as well as the mistakes of Jianye, so that the stone embroidery also got the will to enter Beijing to be rewarded, although the stone view on the book to explain the matter, but in the end Jianye in order to motivate the army, or decided to make a mistake, the "Shi Yujin" was rewarded, but it was vague in the will, did not explain whether Shi Yujin was a man or a woman.

Looking at the brilliant lights on both sides of the street, Lu Yun was also a little uneasy in his heart, he left Jianye without saying goodbye and went to Yongdu, and after returning from Chang'an, he was directly sent to Jiangxia by his father, and then went to the Huaixi battlefield, counting that he had been away from home for nearly ten months, presumably his mother must have broken his heart for him, this time I am afraid that he will be severely punished by his mother, although it is nothing to punish him for kneeling and scolding the board, but it is too embarrassing to show his younger siblings. After thinking about it, it is better to think of asking a few younger siblings to intercede for him in front of his mother, but this requires bribing a few little guys first. After thinking about it, the second brother also likes to ride and shoot, so he will give the rhino horn bow given to him by King Jiajun to the second brother, the bow and arrow refined by the Dayong Ministry of Industry is the best choice, and he is embarrassed to use the bow given to him by Li Lin to shoot Dayong's soldiers. Little brother, when he is still young, just give him the noodle figures and puppets he bought on the road. As for the little sister, Lu Yun's heart jumped, thinking of the golden ring in his arms, and then he remembered the delicate face of the county lord of Zhaohua, who was also happy and disgusted, and the image of the delicate girl who had been vague became vivid again.

At this time, Shi Xiu said impatiently: "Brother Yun, what are you doing in a daze, what kind of lamp is that, it's so beautiful." ”

Lu Yun suddenly woke up, his face turned red, turned his head to look at Shi Xiu, and saw that this girl who was fighting with him had a brilliant brilliance on her face, and her face was so beautiful and beautiful when she was blown red by the cold wind, at this moment, he suddenly felt that it was a girl next to him, and suddenly his heart moved, and he took out the gold ring from his arms and handed it to Shi Xiu and said, "Sister Xiu, this is for you." ”

Shi Xiu was originally furious, and was about to correct Lu Yun's title, but at a glance she saw the golden ring coiled with flower branches, no matter what, she was a girl after all, a pair of bright big eyes bent into a crescent moon, and she couldn't put it down when she took the golden ring. Lu Yun thought in his heart that Shi Xiu and he were like brothers, and he gave her the gold ring in the past, although the county lord of Zhaohua originally said that he would give it to his sister. At this time, Shi Xiu reluctantly handed back the golden ring, and said in a low voice: "This is too precious, you better take it back." Although Shi Xiu has never paid attention to these details, this gold ring is so exquisite that it must be difficult to buy, how can she accept such a valuable gift.

A glimmer of light flashed in Lu Yun's eyes, and he said in a low voice: "This is also given to me by a friend, so you should keep it for me." ”

Shi Xiu wanted to refuse, but somehow couldn't say it, just lowered his head and played with the gold ring, inadvertently flashed his eyes, and saw that there were two small characters as thin as rice grains in the Han plum blossom stamen where the gold ring was connected, Shi Xiu looked at it intently, but it was the word "Zhaohua", and he couldn't help but move in his heart, and said with a smile: "That's good, I'll take it for you first." ”

Lu Yun only felt that he let go of the big stone in his heart, and said with a smile: "Wait until the fifteenth day, will I take you out to visit the lantern fair, but now it's just a matter of sightseeing, there are many interesting places you haven't seen yet?" ”

Shi Xiu's eyes lit up when he heard this: "Okay, I heard that the Qinhuai River is very fun, there are lotus lanterns on the water, and there are juggling and singing and dancing to watch." ”

Lu Yun nodded in agreement, Shi Xiu showed a sweet smile on his face, and the two approached and whispered on the horse, discussing how to play, at this moment, the two were not famous young heroes in Jiangnan, just a pair of children who had not grown up.

The whispers of the two children were clearly heard by Lu Can, his worries in his heart were slightly relieved, thinking of Shiguan's faint meaning of marriage, he couldn't help but smile slightly, and then thought of his wife and children who had not seen him for more than a year, and his heart gave birth to infinite tenderness, added a whip, sped up the horse, and walked forward.

Zhenyuan Mansion is in the south of Jianye City, the mansion is solemn and solemn, today the door is wide open, the lights are lit up in front of the door, the head of the family has returned from victory, and the whole family will naturally come out to greet her, the middle-aged woman headed by the dignified and beautiful is the wife of Lu Can. Behind her, there are two children standing on the left and right, the boy on the left is about ten years old, similar to Lu Yun's appearance, but slightly more delicate, he is Lu Can's second son Lu Feng, the girl on the right is only seven or eight years old, although she is young, she is already as beautiful as the pearl of fairy dew, and at this moment she is leaning on her mother's side and secretly looking at everyone, she is Lu Can's only daughter Lu Mei. Behind the three of them, there was also a middle-aged woman holding a two- or three-year-old boy, this little boy was born with a tiger head and tiger brain, which was very cute, but it was Lu Can's youngest son, Lu Ting.

Shi Xiu stood beside Lu Yun, her heart was pounding for some reason, she knew that Mrs. Lu was from a famous family, and she must have all four virtues, but she was a tomboy, and her mother had not taught herself a lesson in the past two years, what if Mrs. Lu was also so wordy.

At this time, Mrs. Lu led everyone to greet Lu Can, Lu Yun stepped forward to greet her mother nervously, and when Mrs. Lu saw her eldest son, her eyes were suddenly hazy, and she pulled up her beloved son and looked up and down for a long time, making sure that her beloved son was intact before relieving her heart. At this time, it was Shi Xiu's turn to come forward to salute, Shi Xiu peeked at Lu Yun, and stepped forward to salute.

Mrs. Lu had already received a letter from her husband, knew about the stone embroidery, and knew that her husband intended to marry, and even knew that this girl in men's clothes was very heroic, and she killed the enemy with her beloved son on the battlefield, and she already had a good impression in her heart. stepped forward and picked up the girl, gently hugged her into his arms, and said, "You are Xiu'er, good boy, thank you, if you didn't fight for your life, my Yun'er would have died." ”

Shi Xiu's face was flushed when she heard this, she knew that what Mrs. Lu said was that after she cheated to death on the battlefield, she stabbed Dong Shan to death, although it saved Lu Yun's life in effect, but in fact it was the work of the two of them, she was about to explain, but she saw Lu Yun secretly giving her a look, and she couldn't help but say nothing. When Mrs. Lu saw this girl's uneasy appearance, her heart was even more happy, and she took her hand and said, "Don't be restrained, when you come here, it's like going home, and I treat you like Yun'er." As soon as he held the girl's hand, he felt that the slender hand was strong and powerful, and the skin was a little rough, obviously it was a trace left by years of martial arts practice, and there was pity in his heart, and then he looked at Lu Yun's nervous look, and suddenly felt that it was not bad to have such a daughter-in-law, and the remaining doubts disappeared without a trace, and he smiled and took Shi Xiu's hand and walked inward.

Lu Yun only felt a wide heart, patted his chest, and felt less nervous, and then he saw the shining eyes of the second brother Lu Feng and the younger sister Lu Mei, the two of them pulled him left and right, Lu Feng said viciously: "Big brother, you lied to me to steal for you, and as a result, I was punished by my mother and knelt." Lu Mei said with tears in her eyes: "Big brother, will you take Mei'er to sneak away in the future?" Lu Yun only felt a warm current flowing into the heart lake, stretched out his hands to hug his younger siblings, and the excitement of reuniting after a long absence made him almost speechless.

When the gate of the Zhenyuan Mansion was slowly closed, on the other side of the street, in the box facing the street, a young man smiled and drank a glass of wine, looking at the closed vermilion door, a cold light flashed in his eyes.