"Meet my father."

In the brightly lit main hall, Lu Shen saluted meticulously.

Lu Tong hurriedly helped him up, observed for a while, and said, "I've lost some weight and darkened a little, but Wu'er is still a talented person." ”

Lu Shen calmly accepted the old father's scrutiny, and asked with a smile: "Is my father still in good health recently?" ”

"I'm fine, our business is running smoothly in Huaizhou, and there is progress in all parts of Jiangnan, but I'm worried that you will be in trouble in the north. I learned that you made a big move in Heluo City, so you can't do it again in the future. You must know that it is Heluo City, the Pseudo-Yan Inspectorate and the master of the Jing Dynasty, Hidden Dragon and Crouching Tiger, and if you are not careful, you will fall into danger. ”

The father and son sat opposite each other, and Lu Tong instructed in a serious manner.

Lu Shen has never been a hypocritical person, but in front of the old man, there will always be a little soft emotion in his heart, so he listened honestly and said, "Yes, father, I wrote it down." ”

Seeing this, Lu Tong stopped teaching and asked with concern, "Did you encounter any trouble on the way back?" ”

Lu Shen said indifferently: "It's very safe, the warp weaving department and our family have arranged it properly." Father, I have something to discuss with you, the family's manpower in the north and those secret eyes and ears, I am going to hand it over to Tan Zheng and Zou Zunian to take care of. These men have been with me to the capital and the north, and they are loyal enough and not weak. ”

Lu Tong said bluntly: "In the future, you can decide what to do at home, and you don't have to ask me specifically." ”

Lu Shen didn't say much, he knew that even if the old man said this, he would definitely keep some means secretly, this was not because he didn't trust him, but because a veteran who had been immersed in people's hearts and ghosts for decades should be cautious.

After recounting the farewell, Lu Shen decided to get straight to the point, and said with a little nervousness: "Did my father receive the letter I asked to send back to Guangling earlier?" ”

Lu Tong looked at him with a smile, and said with great relief: "I received it, you and Lin Xi's girl are a match made in heaven, and it is better for you to become husband and wife." But there's no rush to the wedding, you've just turned 20 years old, and you're in a critical period of laying the foundation for the future, so you can wait a year or two. Anyway, Lin Jie and I are like brothers, and you have set up a family affair in the mountains, even the emperor Lao Tzu can't ruin this marriage. ”

His reaction was expected by Lu Shen, after all, when Lin Xi went to Guangling to teach Lu Shen martial arts, the two young people got along day and night, and the smile on Lu Tong's face never disappeared.

It's just that this "one or two years" seems a little strange, and Lu Shen took the opportunity to say: "Father, now that the Northern Expedition is imperative, our army will inevitably recover the pseudo-Yan Dongyang Road, and Huaizhou and Baotai Mountain will be connected at that time." I estimate that it will take about half a year, which means that I will be able to marry my senior sister in half a year, and I don't need to delay too long. ”

Lu Tong rubbed his hands and changed the topic: "Just now you went to see Xiao Wangzhi, did he say anything to you?" ”

Lu Shen had already realized that the old man was hiding something strange in his heart, and remembered Xiao Wangzhi's appearance of wanting to speak and stopping before, and he couldn't help but become more and more curious in his heart, what was it that made this pair of old brothers who had been through ups and downs for a long time difficult to speak?

He was able to calm down, so he calmly replied: "We only talked about some military topics, and Uncle Xiao told me that the Zhai Lin Wang clan released goodwill to us, and it seems that he has the intention of changing his course." ”

"That's it."

Lu Tong sighed, and said with a smile: "The Wang family has something else to ask for. ”

Lu Shen is not surprised by this, the Zhai Lin Wang family has been inherited for hundreds of years, and the branches are flourishing, and the family has a great business, and it is not easy to turn around, and it is impossible to become the internal response of the Qi Dynasty without any requirements. They are just trying to meet the source left and right, not to be a loyal minister of the Qi Dynasty, otherwise they would not easily defect to the Jing Dynasty back then.

In Lu Shen's mind, the Wang family needs to be accepted by Nanqi, and there is a real guarantee that it will not be liquidated in the future, and it is best to seek sufficient benefits.

Obviously, this matter cannot be decided by Xiao Wangzhi alone, and it must be approved by the Son of Heaven in Beijing.

Although Lu Shen is now standing on the stage and can participate in the decision-making of the border army in the general direction, he is still a little far from the real power center, and he is not qualified to participate in the contact between the Qi Dynasty and the Zhai Lin Wang clan at the moment.

"Father, no matter what the Wang family wants, it should be a matter decided by Uncle Xiao and the Son of Heaven, and it has nothing to do with our Lu family, right?"

Lu Shen stared at the old man's eyes and asked with a little suspicion.

Lu Tong shook his head and said, "Originally, it should be like this, but Wang An made a request, and he hoped that you could marry the daughter of the Wang family." ”

It was like a muffled thunderbolt falling out of thin air.

Even though Lu Shen was quick and well-informed, and had the experience of being a human being in two lives, he couldn't imagine that there would be such a turn here.

At first hearing this, although he was not out of shape, he also had a strange face, and said slowly: "These high-ranking families...... For thousands of years, I have not been able to jump out of that doorway. Did Wang An think that I had to marry Wang's daughter so that the Huaizhou army could recover Dongyang Road? Or maybe after I marry Wang's daughter, she can influence my thoughts? ”

"The marriage is indeed the only way for these families to maintain their power and then become intertwined."

Lu Tong sighed leisurely, and then said: "It's just that I didn't expect that they would hit you with their ideas." But later, after being reminded by Xiao Wangyi, I can understand those people. You are now in the limelight, your own ability is impeccable, and you have Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun's weight on the surface, and the Son of Heaven is also full of praise for you, you are about to be good, and I can't pick a more suitable person than you. ”

Lu Shen smiled and said, "In this way, it is my honor to be favored by them?" ”

"Xiao Wangzhi and I naturally don't think like this."

Lu Tong's expression became serious, he didn't want Lu Shen to have any misunderstanding, thinking that these elders were going to force him to marry a woman who had never known him, and then explained: "The posture of the Wang family is very low, and they said to Xiao Wangzhi that the Zhai Lin Wang clan was pointed out by the Jing Dynasty soldiers back then, and had to bow their heads and surrender, but in their hearts, they definitely didn't want to surrender to the enemy, but the Wang family had a population of thousands, and if they didn't obey, there would be a disaster of clan annihilation." Now that they have some power, they naturally hope to return to the rule of the Great Qi, but they are worried that they will be liquidated in the future. ”

Lu Shen said calmly: "So they want to use this marriage to have an extra means of preservation?" ”

"Yes."

Lu Tong bowed slightly, picked up the teacup to moisten his throat, and continued: "The Son of Heaven appreciates that you are secondary, the key lies in your position in the border army, and your relationship with the two powerful governors, which determines that you will inevitably be in a high position in the future, and even the royal family will not easily move you." Your marriage to the daughter of the Wang family means that the two families of King Lu are one, which is far more useful than the verbal promise of the Great Qi court. ”

Lu was silent, and Wang An's consideration was also thoughtful - but he didn't think about what kind of person he was.

Lu Tongwen said: "As for the benefits of this matter, it is also obvious, Zhai Lin Wang's roots in the north are very deep, and his influence in the people is especially great, even more important than Wang Anming's coerced position as prime minister. Once you marry the daughter of the Wang family, you have a profound clan power that cannot be ignored no matter what you want to do in the future. ”

"Secondly, after this relationship is established, the Wang family's support for our border army is not as simple as a topographic map of Dongyang Road. Whether it is the power that Wang An can control in the Pseudo-Yan Imperial Court, or the strength of the Zhai Lin Wang clan itself, or even the connections they have operated in the Northland for hundreds of years, they can all play a great role. For example, Meng Zhixiang, the defender of Jianghua City, was persuaded by Wang Shao to surrender, so that our army was spared a lot of losses, and Wang Shao was only a partial branch of Zhai Lin Wang's family. ”

Lu Tong finished speaking in one breath, his expression was still gentle, and finally explained: "Shen'er, I only hope that you can be safe and happy, but this kind of major event must be known to you, so I will tell you all the causes and consequences." It's up to you to decide, and we won't interfere in any way. ”

"Thank you father for your understanding."

Lu Shen nodded, and then asked, "Wang An plans to marry his own daughter to me?" ”

Lu Tong shook his head and said: "Wang An Ziqian said that his daughter is arrogant, so he is ready to marry his own niece, that is, the eldest daughter of his brother Wang Cheng. Wang Chengnai is a literati who is not good at general affairs, so Zhai Lin Wang has always been in power for Wang An. Wang Cheng's daughter's name is Wang Chulong, who is said to be knowledgeable and kind, and quite intelligent. I asked people to inquire, and this evaluation is not a lie, the reputation of the Wang family girl in the Northland is very good. ”

"If two years ago, I might have considered accepting Wang An's proposal, but now—"

Lu Shen paused slightly, stared at his father's eyes, and said calmly: "Father, I made a lifelong agreement with my senior sister before I came back, and I would marry another woman in the blink of an eye, I can't do this kind of thing." Don't say that it is Wang An's niece, even if the Son of Heaven wants to marry me, I will bluntly refuse. ”

Lu Tong now knows the character of this only son very well, but it is really difficult to change what he decides, so he smiled and said: "Silly boy, you can't just guard Lin Xi's girl all your life, you are the only seedling for your father, you have to spread the branches for our old Lu family." ”

Lu Shen had expected this, and said firmly: "My wife will only be a senior sister, there is no doubt about it. Father, I understand your good intentions, and I also know that marrying the daughter of the Wang family will be of great benefit to my future, but the eldest husband will do something and will not do anything, unless Wang An is willing to give me his own niece as a concubine, but is this possible? ”

How could a person like Zhai Lin Wang, who is the leader of a family of gate valves, let his concubine be a concubine?

This kind of thing will be laughed at by the world, unless Lu Shen is the lord of the Ninety-Five, and at the very least, he must be the prince of the prince, and the position of the side concubine can be regarded as worthy of their face.

Faced with Lu Shen's resolute attitude, Lu Tong was not in a hurry, and said with a smile: "Of course it is not possible to be a concubine, Wang An can't pull that face." But this matter is not without a solution, you are now a man in Shanyang County, and you will be knighted if you make meritorious contributions, and a flat wife is also a way. ”

Lu Shen smiled and said, "Flat wife? Then he has to wait. ”

"But I guess...... The Wang family was unwilling to wait forever, and without getting a clear guarantee, an old fox like Wang An would not let go. He's very careful, and the man he sent is clearly a dead soldier, and there is only a map with no head or end, and we can't threaten him with this. ”

Lu Tong said with a little regret.

He originally wanted to say that let Lu Shen marry the daughter of the Wang family first, and help the border army recover Dongyang Road, under the premise that the Son of Heaven made it clear that he wanted to reuse Lu Shen, this merit was enough for him to be promoted rapidly, and at this time, marrying Lin Xi in the name of his wife can be described as the best of both worlds.

But Lu Shen behaved very firmly, and he had no choice but to take those words back, lest this kid get up and go all the way to the dark.

Lu Shen naturally knew the old man's thoughts, and said calmly: "Father doesn't have to worry, I have my own plans for this matter, I will not hurt my senior sister, and I can also take care of the overall situation." ”

Lu Tong smiled and nodded, "Okay, you can handle it yourself." ”

At nightfall, Lu Shen returned to his residence, and at a glance saw Song Pei standing under the porch with slightly red eyes to greet him.

Looking at this naturally carved and beautiful face, feeling the other party's concerned gaze, Lu Shen also felt some emotion in his heart.

"Young master, how are you doing in the past six months?"

Song Pei was short and blessed, and his tone trembled slightly.

"I'm fine, what about you? Has anyone bullied you at home? ”

"Everything is fine with the maid, I heard that the young master has made a great career in the north, and the maid is happy for the young master from the bottom of my heart."

Although Lu Shen behaved casually in front of Lu Tong and Xiao Wangzhi, he was actually very tired, after all, the journey in this era was very hard compared to the previous life, so he chatted briefly with Song Pei, and after washing, he fell asleep in his clothes.

After lying down, you will not be able to sleep for a while.

Lu Shen pillowed his arms under his head and looked at the top of his dark head, his eyes were very clear.

Of course, he knew that from the perspective of interests, marrying the daughter of the Wang family seemed to be the best choice, and he had heard similar stories in history in his previous life.

For a young man who is gradually rising to the heart of chasing deer, the help of Zhai Lin Wang's representative must not be ignored. Even if the Seven Star Army has begun to emerge now, Lin Jie is the first person on the martial arts list, and compared with a family that has been inherited for hundreds of years, it is still much weaker after all.

But in fact, this incident is fundamentally different from the story he heard in his previous life.

Zhai Lin Wang just wants to use his identity to increase some safety factor, not to really do his best to support him, if Lu Shen is in danger in the future, the Wang family will inevitably withdraw immediately, and it is undoubtedly a fantasy to want them to send charcoal in the snow.

This has nothing to do with Wang An's own character, but the instinct that a family valve that has been inherited for hundreds of years must have.

In comparison, it must be Lin Jie and Lin Xi who will come to help him desperately, as well as those reckless heroes of the Seven Star Gang.

Of course, now that the Wang family has taken the initiative to throw an olive branch, it is not that there is no room for Lu Shen to take advantage of the situation, it just depends on how he operates.

"Song Pei, do you think which is more important, charcoal in the snow or icing on the cake?"

"Ah, young master, where do you start with this?"

Pulling out the bed outside, Song Pei responded immediately, obviously she hadn't slept all the time.

"It's nothing, let's sleep."

Lu Shen said with a smile, with a sense of ease and pleasure that Song Pei didn't quite understand.

She wanted to get up and take a look, but she was afraid that it would affect Lu Shen's rest, so she had to open her eyes wide and look sideways at the bed inside.

The young master is indeed more mature and stable than before when he comes back this time, and he has more and more of a big man's bearing and demeanor, but fortunately, he is just a little maid by his side, so he doesn't care if he is flying or as always.

As she thought, a smile broke out on her lips as she fell asleep.

(End of chapter)