The comfortable days did not last long, on the sixth night of the first month, when the back house of the Song Mansion was playing mahjong, Uncle Zhong hurried to the back house, saying that the British Mansion came to see the lord and the lady, the little county lord had already fallen asleep, and after being woken up, he dressed and came to the flower hall of the back house, and saw Song Mother Lu Qingli Dai Suer and others standing in the hall with a different look for some reason.

The lord of the small county quipped with yawn: "What's wrong? Mother-in-law, you're arguing about playing cards again, let me judge it. ”

The women were silent, Dai Su'er and Lu Qingli stepped forward to support the little county lord's arm left and right, and their faces were gloomy.

"What's wrong?" The little county lord is inexplicable.

Mother Song sighed and stepped forward to stroke the little princess's hair, and said softly: "My son, you have to hold on, just now your mother's family sent someone to come, saying that it was the British old man...... He passed away. ”

The little county lord sighed, his face changed color instantly, his face turned white from sleep, and he muttered: "Impossible, after Ruhua returned home yesterday, she reported that her grandfather was in good health, how could it be ...... That's impossible...... Like a flower, like a flower? Don't come to see me yet. ”

The fat Ruhua hurriedly came in from outside the door, and the little county lord asked, "Did you go back to the house yesterday to see Grandpa Guo?" ”

Ruhua snorted for a long time, shook her head and said, "Miss, it was the little grandfather who asked the slave to say this, saying that he was afraid that you would worry about the old man's body and hurt the fetus." ”

The little county lord trembled, picked up Song Mu's crutches and was about to hit him, and scolded in his mouth: "You bad thing, even I lied, I killed you." ”

Everyone hurriedly stepped forward to stop, and Song Nan, who was sleeping in Wan'er's room at this time, rushed to hear the news, and the little county lord cried loudly when he saw Song Nanwa, and threw himself into Song Nan's arms and shouted: "Husband, grandpa is gone......"

……

The north wind swept clouds and the weather was cold to the flesh and bones; The large white lanterns on the gatehouse of the British Mansion swayed in the wind, the wide hall was filled with fireworks, white curtains hung in the middle, and a huge Nanmu coffin was placed in the center; The cold wind blows, the curtain rolls, and the candle flame swayes, giving people a sense of desolation.

Hearing the news, there was an endless stream of civil and military officials and nobles who came to mourn, the little grandfather Zhang Lun stood aside with a blank face and thanked him, Ruhua and Ruyue also stood aside to say thank you, the little county lord had no blood on his face, and his tears were almost dry from morning to evening.

In the huge courtyard, Song Nan stood on the steps to greet the officials who came to mourn, and from time to time whispered to the palace housekeepers and servants who came to report something, the little grandfather and the little county lord were too sad, Song Nan could only take his responsibility and help with the funeral matters.

It was getting late, and after the last group of condolence officials left today, Song Nan ordered the door to be closed, turned around and walked into the hall of mourning, seeing the grief-stricken appearance of the little county lord, he hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Go back to the inner hall to rest, you don't eat or drink this day, how can your body stand up." ”

The little county lord shook his head and whispered: "No, I want to accompany my grandfather here, my grandfather loves me the most, but I have broken his heart." ”

Song Nan frowned and looked at Zhang Lun, Zhang Lun sighed and said: "Sister, go to the inner hall to rest, the mourning hall will be set up for three days, you are pregnant, you can't do this, otherwise grandpa Quanxia will not be happy." ”

Zhang Lun's wife, Liu, also stepped forward to advise, the little county lord was still to argue, Song Nan made a look, Ruhua and Ruyue were half forced to help the little county lord who was soft.

Song Nan ordered someone to bring a chair, poured two northern hot tea, and motioned for Zhang Lun to sit down and rest; Zhang Lun was also physically and mentally exhausted at the end of the day, and sat on the chair and drank a few sips of tea before he recovered; Staring blankly at the candle flame in front of the coffin.

Song Nan said softly: "The little grandfather should be leisurely, the deceased is gone, and the mourning will change; Today is the first day, don't be tired, tomorrow morning the emperor will come to mourn in person, and the first and auxiliary scholars of the cabinet will also come to mourn, you can't be rude. ”

Zhang Lun nodded and said: "I know, I'm afraid I'm going to work hard for you these days, my mind is blank, I can't think of anything, I don't know what to do without you inside and out." ”

Song Nan patted Zhang Lun's shoulder and said, "Don't say such things, I am also a member of half of the British government, and this is also my business." It's you, little grandfather, from today onwards, you will be the master of the Guogong Mansion, don't panic and make the people below even more panicked; You can hold on, and they will be able to get through this time of grief. ”

Zhang Lun sighed lightly, squatted down and took out a stack of paper money and burned it in the basin, looking at the portrait of Zhang Mao in front of the spirit and was stunned, as if he was talking to himself, and he thought he was talking to Song Nan.

"The moment my grandfather went to the fairy last night, I suddenly felt that the sky had fallen, my grandfather was alive for a day, my country's mansion was an unshakable fortress of the Ming Dynasty, even if my grandfather was sick in bed, no matter how I messed around outside, I always felt that I had a backer and was fearless. Grandpa is gone, and the future of the British Mansion falls on my shoulders, and I am not confident that I can do better than Grandpa, and my heart is full of fear. ”

Song Nan said quietly: "I can understand your feelings, the old man is like a great mountain, he may not approve of some of our practices when he is alive, but in the final analysis, he still defends us; I swore not to rely on the power of the government, but in fact, I still borrowed the old man's light today. However, people always have to shoulder their own responsibilities, and the British government may not be able to carry forward in the hands of the little grandfather, but the little grandfather is now in a state of sadness, and his feelings are a little low. ”

Zhang Lun raised his head and looked at Song Nan with blazing eyes and said: "Song Nan, I know that you are ambitious, and I also know that you are capable, so I went against the old man's wishes and stood with you, not only because I believe in you, but also because I hope to prove that my vision is not bad." Today in front of my grandfather's spirit, I would like to know what is in your heart, because I have never seen through you. ”

Song Nan got up and lit a stick of incense and respectfully saluted the spiritual seat, and said in a low voice: "Old man, I know that everything you have done is for the sake of the British Mansion, and you shoulder the heavy responsibility of continuing the vast number of Mansions, so the starting point of consideration is naturally different, there may have been some conflicts between us before, but I, Song Nan, have never really blamed you." Some of my behaviors may also make you unhappy in your heart today, today Song Nan sincerely apologizes in front of your spirit, I hope the old man will not mind and forgive me for being abrupt. ”

Zhang Lun stood quietly to the side, silent in thought.

Song Nan continued: "Your old man should not worry about the future of the Guogong Mansion, the little grandfather is fully capable of supporting the honor of the British Mansion for a hundred years, Song Nan swears here, no matter when, Song Nan will stand by the side of the little grandfather, and will never allow others to infringe on the dignity and honor of the Guogong Mansion. ”

Zhang Lun looked excited, stretched out his hand to hold Song Nan's hand, and said in a low voice: "With your words, I am not afraid of anything, this is what the old man is most worried about when he leaves; Do you know what the old man said to me on his deathbed? ”

Song Nan said: "You don't have to tell me, the old man must be worried that if you walk with me, you will ruin the Guogong Mansion in the future and let you stay away from me." ”

Zhang Lun sighed and said no more. Song Nan guessed right, the old man confessed like this when he was dying, and his words were even more intense, he said that Song Nan was a wolf with ambition, and he would become a big disaster in the future, saying that Zhang Lun was not his opponent, and the Guogong Mansion would be implicated in the future; Zhang Lun couldn't say these words after all.

On the morning of the next day, Zhengde led the cabinet scholars to come to the Guogong Mansion to mourn, Yang Tinghe first read the memorial text on behalf of the emperor and the ministers, Song Nan knew very little about Zhang Mao's past, and after listening to this memorial text, he couldn't help but be amazed by Zhang Mao's glorious past.

Zhang Mao took the position of duke at the age of nine, and rode and shot with Emperor Xianzong in Xiyuan, and shot three arrows in a row, and Xianzong gave him a gold belt reward; After that, he was ordered to lead the army, and was stationed in the border towns of Shaanxi and Jinggi in Shanxi, and fought with the Tatars in Juyongguan, Huanghua Town, Xifengkou, Gubeikou, Yanhe and other important towns inside and outside the Great Wall, and was injured dozens of times, and several times his life was in danger. After returning to the capital, the governor of the regimental battalion was diligent in regimental affairs, expanded the troops, strengthened the combat strength, and made outstanding achievements. After the four dynasties of Jingtai, Chenghua, Hongzhi and Zhengde, they are all relied on by the royal family, and they are one of the most trusted relatives of the emperors of all dynasties. Such an experience is unique in the Ming Dynasty, and this is the only one.

"Woohoo, the country has lost its husband, the world has changed color, and the rivers are sad; The Ming Dynasty suddenly lost its pillars, our emperor lost his loyal ministers, and the country's tragedy, so what? Up and down the court, crying blood and tears of clay...... Today, I worship and worship, talk about the heart of the king, my generation is a minister, turn sorrow into encouragement, turn pain into loyalty, and strive to make up for the loss. Woohoo mourning, still feasting! ”

Yang Tinghe finished reading the sacrificial text, put the sacrificial text in the brazier and burned it, the cold wind blew, and the sacrificial text instantly turned into flying ashes and fluttered away with the wind, all over the mourning hall, everyone bowed and stood, bowing their heads and mourning silently.

Then Zhengde personally worshipped, and the ministers entered the mourning hall in turn, and after the worship was completed, Zhang Yong held the holy decree and announced it loudly, and Zhang Lun led the Guogong Mansion to kneel in the courtyard to receive the decree.

"Fengtian carrier, the emperor edict said, the British Duke Zhang Mao I is loyal, and now I hear the bad news, I am embarrassed; Wanggong's relatives and nephews mourned the change, and followed his will to serve the court; Now posthumously awarded the title of King of Ningyang by the British Duke Zhang Mao, the nickname Gongjing, and the golden crown and jade belt were given to accompany the burial. Zhang Lun attacked the British dukedom, added the position of governor of the regimental battalion, and the nieces and nieces in the house each had a reward, admiration! ”

Zhang Lun choked up and shouted long live, and when he took the holy decree and stood up, his face was full of tears.

Grandpa went, and he took his grandfather's title and position to become the governor of the country and the regimental camp, but why was he worried in his heart? What will be the fate of the Guogong Mansion in the future? Zhang Lun was at a loss.