In February 797 of the Great Zhou calendar, the Marquis of Longwei returned to Shuanglong City after his southern expedition. The generals of the Hou Mansion and the Master Mansion and the lords of the mansions all went to greet them thirty miles outside Shuanglong City, and Lingwu took Wei Qingsong, Lin Zhi and others to the team. The Hou Mansion was led by the eldest and youngest lord Ji Longchuan, and the Master Mansion was led by Zhang Rufeng, and the group stretched for more than ten miles.

Seeing Long Weihou's sedan chair coming, Ji Longchuan and Zhang Rufeng hurriedly greeted him. Long Weihou also got out of the sedan chair to accept the two of them and said a few words to them. The others were behind them only talking to the three of them, but they could not hear what was being said. After a long time, Long Weihou strode to this side and greeted the generals loudly. Seeing Lingwu standing in the crowd, Long Weihou just nodded to him and went over to talk to the others. Everyone saw this scene, and their eyes at Lingwu suddenly became meaningful. In the end, Long Weihou had already walked towards the sedan chair, and the third young master, Ji Longhai, ran over to call Lingwu, it turned out that Long Weihou asked Lingwu to go with him.

In the sedan chair, Long Weihou suddenly lost the vigor he had when he met everyone just now. He said very heavily: "Long Chuan and Rufeng have already told me just now, although it is expected. But I really can't believe that your grandfather and I are closer than brothers. To be honest, he was almost ten years older than me, and he even took care of me like a father many times. There were times when we disagreed, and I was a little more impatient, and he always let me. The two of us have been fighting together for more than 50 years, and he can be said to be both a teacher and a friend, a brother and a father! ”

Long Weihou couldn't control his emotions anymore, his face was full of tears, and his voice was choked: "Big brother, what should I do if you let go?" Where to find a good big brother like you! ”

"Master Hou, you have to mourn. The whole Hou Kingdom is looking at you, you are the only backbone of everyone. We all need your command, watching your attitude from top to bottom. Grandpa is gone, and we can only count on you. ”

"Lingwu, I know that you and your grandfather have a very deep relationship, listening to Rufeng, you were very uncomfortable some time ago. You're so young, and you've lost two relatives in a row, I'm so worried about you. Now that you are comforting me, I am relieved. What you said is somewhat right, Hou Guoxia is now the backbone, but not the only backbone. ”

"Oh? Who else is there besides Hou Ye? ”

"You."

"Master Hou, you're kidding, I'm so young and I don't understand anything, where can I talk about these three words?"

"Don't underestimate yourself, you're only sixteen years old, and you're more than ten times stronger than when we were the same. Our Hou State is much bigger than other Hou States, and it all relied on me and your grandfather to fight with real knives and guns, and King Liang has always wanted to clean us up, but he can't help it. Why? The combination of the strongest god and the great spirit warrior is invincible. Brother Yuzhang has made arrangements before his death, asking me to appoint you as a master, continue his legacy, and defend the Hou Kingdom. Don't let me or your grandfather down! ”

"Lingwu obeys the orders of the Hou Ye and will never let his grandfather down."

"Okay, okay, I'm relieved."

I said a lot of things along the way, but I hated that the time was too short, and I arrived at the Hou Ye's mansion in a while. Long Weihou only said one word at the door and went into the house. The herald said loudly: "Master Hou has an order, and he will discuss politics in the Shenwu Hall at noon tomorrow." ”

Long Weihou wants to convene the ministers in the Shenwu Palace, this is the first time that Long Weihou has presided over the government after five years, and everyone understands the importance of this meeting. Some time ago, all kinds of rumors and the situation of the military operations of the Southern Expedition can be said to be heavy, although there is gossip in the market, but they will always be suspicious. In particular, the news of the death of two important figures in the Master's Mansion has already spread to the streets and alleys, and there is a lot of discussion in the teahouse and wine shop. This afternoon, the house of all the adults was busy and people came and went. Especially the big young master and the third young master are crowded in front of the door, and the generals are not easy to come forward, and the housekeepers and servants below have time.

Lingwu was under the ginkgo tree behind the Master's Mansion at this time, and he wanted to accompany his grandfather again, because soon his grandfather would be moved, and this might be the last day he would be together with his grandfather in the Master's Mansion. From Hongning Mansion to Shuanglong City, my grandfather's voice and smile are vivid, and his earnest teaching is in my ears. Lingwu knelt under the tree and said firmly: "Grandpa, rest assured, I will cultivate hard to protect the Master's Mansion and the Hou Kingdom." Become a Lingzun as soon as possible and do not disappoint your old people. Hou Ye said today that he and I are the backbone of Hou Guo, I am so at a loss, how can I compare with Hou Ye, and compare with you? My second uncle told me a lot, my head is big, if you are here, where do you want me to worry about this. You've always arranged everything first, and now I really don't know what to do. Grandpa, I miss you! ”

When Lingwu was sad, the sound of gentle footsteps came from behind, and Xia Yu came to report that it was Hou Ye who was coming. Before Lingwu could greet him, Long Weihou had already come to the tree, and Lingwu hurriedly saluted. Long Weihou didn't speak, just stood under the tree and was silent for a long time. After a long time, he said, "Don't be sad, you guys go out, leave me alone, let me accompany my eldest brother here!" ”

Listening to the second uncle, the Hou Ye sat in the authority for a whole night, and only left the master's mansion in the morning.

At noon the next day, the Shenwu Hall lined up and stood in line, and the generals gathered. High-ranking officials of the Hou State, generals at all levels of the Southern Expeditionary Army, and officials from nearby provinces all participated in the discussion. Everyone came to the Shenwu Hall early, and some even advanced more than an hour in advance. Long Weihou came a little late, with a serious expression. He sat on the podium and looked around, and everyone focused their hot eyes on him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have gathered you today because I have something to tell you. Five years ago, we set out from Ssangyong City to conquer the barbarians in the south, and the scene of issuing orders is vivid. Five years have passed, the southern expedition is over, the barbarians have been beaten away by us, and we have won! ”

"Hou Ye Shenwu! Hou Ye Shenwu! ”

"In order to protect our homeland, the soldiers bravely fought against the murderous barbarians, and proved the glory of the samurai with their lives and blood. Our striker Zhang Rulong is such a hero. He rushed into the midst of the murderous barbarians alone, and fought with the king of the barbarians, and although he died, they destroyed more than 100,000 barbarian beasts. They are human heroes, and we must always remember him. Speaking of this, Long Weihou had tears in his eyes, and everyone was silent. Lingwu was also immersed in grief, but with the keen sense of the Lingshi, he found that many people looked at each other and exchanged glances, which meant nothing more than one thing: the rumors confirmed that the first general of the Master's Mansion had died. There was silence in the Shenwu Palace, and everyone's hearts were surging.

"The most distressing thing is that the first news I got when I returned to Shuanglong City was that my closest comrade-in-arms, our master Brother Yuzhang, had left us." Saying this, Long Weihou choked up and was silent.

There was a coaxing explosion below, and the news has been tightly sealed, and only a very small number of people know about it. Although there were rumors some time ago, Master Zhang had a very high prestige in the hearts of everyone, and most people did not believe it at all, and no one in the army of the Southern Expedition heard of these rumors. At this time, Long Weihou said it, and everyone knew that the pillar of the Hou Kingdom had fallen. A lot of people cried.

Long Weihou forcibly suppressed his grief and continued: "The master has been thinking about the birth and death of our Hou Kingdom for decades, and we are all his comrades-in-arms, subordinates and relatives, and many of us have received his help and favor. We must hold the most solemn funeral for him, and see him off with our most sincere heart and highest respect. ”

"I am in charge of the preparation of the master's funeral, which is led by Ji Longchuan, with Ji Longshan and Lin Yun participating, and a group of capable personnel are specially responsible for this matter. The funeral of the general Rulong was also held at the same time, so you can do your best and not make mistakes. ”

"Yes, the ministers are commanded."

"Father, my son, Ji Longchuan, must hurry up, make careful arrangements, and plan meticulously to organize the funeral for the master and the general. The country has lost its pillars, and everyone is very sad. My father is tied to the safety of the world, and I ask for Father's Day condolences. The ministers thought that the master was high and powerful, and his cultivation was rare in the world, and the ministers were convinced. He died suddenly, and he was terrified. I hope that my father will make a decision as soon as possible, and with the heart of the people of Anhou Country, I will achieve peace. ”

"Long Chuan's words are to the point, and now Hou Guo has lost a general. Before withdrawing the army, I had appointed Ji Longhai as the general of Zhennan and the head of the three southern prefectures to prevent barbarians, and there should be no major trouble in the south. The current position of master is vacant, and there is no master in Gangneung Mansion, so there should be some arrangement. Fortunately, there were arrangements before the master left, and now I announce the master's entrustment before his death, which is also my decision: Zhao Lingwu will be the master of the Longwei Marquis Kingdom, and Guiling, Jiangling and Jiachuan will be the master's fiefs. Master Zhao is invited to come to the stage to receive the seal. ”

"Master Hou, please forgive Lingwu for not daring to agree. The position of the master is as heavy as a mountain, I am young and ignorant, how to make it? Please take back your life. ”

"Lord Hou, the minister has something to say, the position of master is second only to you Lord Hou, and the military and civilian land are everything. Not ordinary people can take responsibility, although the young master is a spiritual priest, but after all, he is young and still needs to learn and exercise. Please think twice! ”

"My father, the young master is young, and the family is not in order. His father was very close to him, and he had given Guiling and Jiachuan good fiefs, and it was too much to add another seal. Please think twice. ”

"Master Hou, it may be inappropriate for a sixteen-year-old child to be a master, right? It's not too late to wait for him to follow you for a few more years and then seal it, so why rush at this time? ”

"Master Hou and Master Zhang are lifelong comrades-in-arms, like brothers, and our subordinates are full of admiration. Master Hou takes good care of the young master, and everyone can understand it. However, the appointment of Master Hou Guo is related to the fortunes of the country and the hearts of the people. Please also ask Master Hou to think about it again, this matter is not in a hurry! ”

At one time, many people stood up, and the Hou Kingdom has always been divided into two departments, the Hou Mansion and the Master Mansion, and the Hou Mansion has the most intense response. No one from the Master's Mansion spoke, and the palace became overwhelmingly opposed.