In the afternoon, Commander Li and his party returned.

With him, there was also an adjutant general from the Jiuzhen Governor's Mansion. This lieutenant general's surname is Liu, he was born strong and stout, with dark skin, and he knows at a glance that he is a military general who has been on the battlefield for a long time.

Pei Zhang, as the patriarch of the Pei clan, bowed to Vice General Liu on behalf of the clan: "Pei Zhang, on behalf of the clan, has seen Vice General Liu. ”

Vice General Liu had already learned about Pei Zhang's origin from Commander Li, where was he willing to accept this gift, and hurriedly returned the salute: "Captain Pei is polite." ”

As soon as the three words of Captain Pei entered his ears, Pei Zhang's heart was filled with bitterness, and he said in a low voice: "The emperor has issued an order to take away my position as captain." I am the son of a criminal minister, how dare I be called Captain Pei. ”

Vice General Liu was as good as a stream, and immediately changed his words and shouted Pei Gongzi.

Yong'an Hou is famous, and Yong'an Hou's son-in-law Pei Zhang is also famous. Although the Pei family suffered a great disaster, Yong'an Hou is dead. But there is still Queen Pei in the palace, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here, and the Pei family may have a comeback.

It was inconvenient for Captain Wu to show up in person, so he specially sent his confidant Vice General Liu to come, and he had already told him in private. You must be polite to the Pei family, and you must not make things difficult.

Vice General Liu was so polite and courteous, of course, to Queen Pei and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Pei Zhang knew it, but he didn't say it, and exchanged a few words with Vice General Liu.

Vice General Liu quickly clarified his intentions: "There is a precedent for the exile of criminal ministers in the DPRK to Lingnan. Wu Duwei said that since there is a precedent to follow, he will follow the usual practice to circle a piece of land for the Pei family. ”

"The Pei family can build their own houses, farm and hunt. There are four months of service every year, and when the time comes, someone will notify Pei Gongzi. ”

The so-called service is mostly called up to do heavy work such as repairing ditches or building city walls. There are four months of the year to serve, which is not insignificant.

Of course, the same is service, and there is much more attention to it. It is not uncommon for someone to maliciously make things difficult, serve too hard, and be tortured to death. If someone is willing to raise his noble hand and send some light errands, life will be much better.

In addition to these four months, there are eight months in which the Pei family can support themselves by farming and hunting. Traders are out of the question.

In fact, the so-called enclosing a piece of land is similar to drawing the ground as a prison. From then on, the Pei family had to live in the encircled land, and they must not leave without permission.

Pei Zhang's color should be lowered.

In the end, it is the first time to meet, and it is inconvenient to talk about it.

After Vice General Liu explained a few words, he took a map of Jiuzhen County, pointed to one of them and said to Pei Zhang: "This is where the Pei family will settle down in the future." From here, it's a half-day walk and you'll be there before dark. ”

"Jiuzhen County is mountainous, and there is not much flat land suitable for habitation. It's a flat land where you can build a village. There are two hills nearby, inhabited by indigenous tribes. The indigenous tribes regard the mountains as their territory. If you want to hunt in the future, you should be careful not to run into other people's territory and cause trouble. ”

Pei Zhang thanked him gratefully: "Thank you Vice General Liu for reminding me." ”

Pei Jue lowered his head in shame again.

……

Vice General Liu left two personal soldiers to lead the way, and returned to the barracks first.

The Pei family packed up their tents in an hour and set off again. This time, they will be where they will live for decades to come.

The Pei family has been on the road for several months and has endured all the hardships. All we want now is a place to stay. Now they are rushing to their future abode, and the hearts of all are filled with similar joy.

This joy, after walking for a long time and seeing the large wasteland that can barely see the end at a glance, suddenly turned into desolation.

It's better to live in a col!

The two pro-soldiers said in a low voice: "Pei Gongzi, this large piece of wasteland is about a hundred dumps. You can circle a piece of land and build some simple houses. ”

"The rest of the vacant land can be slowly reclaimed as fertile land. There is a river here, which is convenient for irrigation and drinking water. ”

"The two mountains are twenty miles away, and the beasts of the mountains and forests can't escape here."

There are lands and rivers, and there are mountains and forests nearby. As long as people are diligent, life can go on.

Pei Zhang was very satisfied with this place, and thanked the two soldiers who led the way. He also asked Pei Jue to take some silver and give it to them.

It soon got dark, and the Pei family continued to light a fire to cook and camp to rest. They had to live in tents until the house was built.

Pei Zhang walked over from tent to appease everyone's frustration. It wasn't until midnight that he went back to his tent alone and went to sleep.

As soon as it was dawn, Pei Zhang got up.

Pei Jue got up earlier, and when Pei Zhang got dressed, he had already come in with breakfast: "Big brother, this is the noodles I made for you." ”

Not only the noodles, but also two eggs.

Pei Zhang was stunned and looked at Pei Jue.

Pei Jue grinned: "Today is the eldest brother's birthday, shouldn't the eldest brother forget!" ”

Pei Zhang was dumbfounded.

He really forgot.

In the past few months, his world has been turned upside down. He tried his best to hold on, where could he take care of his birthday.

"Big brother is twenty years old. Today is the twentieth birthday of the eldest brother. It was the day of the coronation. It's a pity that ...... now."

Pei Jue said as he spoke, his nose suddenly soured: "Forget it, don't talk about this." I didn't have anything to give to my eldest brother, so I personally made a bowl of noodles for my eldest brother and talked about my feelings. ”

Pei Jue has never cooked, and in order to make this bowl of noodles, he got up on the fourth watch. I asked a Pei lady how to knead and roll noodles, and it took an hour to make such a bowl of noodles.

Pei Zhang's nose was also a little pantothenic, but a long-lost smile appeared on his face: "Second brother, thank you." ”

Then, take the bowl with both hands and slowly eat the noodles in the bowl into your mouth.

The noodles are not strong enough, and after being boiled for a long time, the salt is a little too much.

But this is the most delicious noodles Pei Zhang has ever eaten in his life.

Brothers are like siblings. In the past, he had a mediocre relationship with Pei Jue, who was born in the house, and it was neither good nor bad. In the past few months, the two brothers have become each other's warmth and dependence.

Father and mother are dead, and now, the Pei family is supported by a bunch of old and weak women and children, relying on their brothers.

"I haven't cooked, it's not delicious, big brother will take care of it." When Pei Jue laughed, there was still the innocence of the young man. It can be seen that this ordeal has not worn away his heart.

Pei Zhang looked at Pei Jue's smiling face, his mood suddenly improved, and he said with a smile: "Forget it today." If you make noodles like this in the future, I'll beat you up first. ”

Pei Jue grinned.

"Let's go! Today we are going to start building our Peijia Village. Pei Zhang lifted the tent and walked out. Pei Jue followed.

The bright morning light fell on the two brothers. The two were also in high spirits and smiling.