"Xue Rengui from Hedong, meet your uncle!"
The cry was so clear that it could be heard clearly on the docks on the river bank.
In Xiucun, Xue Rengui is also a moderate celebrity. His seven-foot-long body alone is very different from ordinary people and is very eye-catching. It's just that the villagers were a little stunned. They knew that the Xue family was a branch of the Xue family in Hedong and had been prominent before, but they never thought that they actually knew the Duke of the current dynasty?
The reputation of Xun Guogong Zhang Shigui is very loud in the Hedong area!
In the troubled times, he rose up and gathered people in Guozhou to rebel against the Sui Dynasty. Later, he took refuge with Li Yuan and followed Li Jiancheng in the eastward expedition to Luoyang. Zhang Shigui rushed from left to right, fighting against all the heroes, first defeated Wang Shichong's elite army, and then defeated Li Mi's perseverance. The military power was greatly enhanced, and the hero's name was revealed. Everyone in the army rolled their saddles and dismounted, kowtowed and surrendered. Later, he followed the King of Qin Li Shimin. At that time, Liu Wuzhou was defeated, and the army led by Li Shimin went out to Guandong to fight. During this ten-month campaign, Zhang Shigui was always with Li Shimin, and Zhang Shigui was present in almost all battles.
As a result, the Tang army achieved a comprehensive victory and finally captured the self-proclaimed emperor Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande, the leader of the peasant uprising army who came to rescue. Li Shimin called Zhang Shigui's military exploits "the best in the army"!
Afterwards, during the Xuanwumen Incident, the prince was executed to protect the King of Qin. Li Shimin had great trust in him and ordered him to take charge of the Imperial Guards as the "Chief of the Xuanwumen". Soon he was transferred to the "General of the Right Guards, and was also entrusted with the Northern Army." He still held the position. The chief of the Xuanwu Gate is the commander of the Imperial Guard.
As we all know, the success or failure of all coups in the Tang Dynasty was determined by the military victory at Xuanwu Gate, the north gate of the palace city. The power of the Northern Army to rule was most valued by the emperor. This shows that His Majesty Li Er trusted and relied on Zhang Shigui.
As a descendant of Hedong, Zhang Shigui has already become a legend in Hedong...
The neighbors were surprised that Xue Rengui and Zhang Shigui not only knew each other, but also called them "uncle". Their relationship was evident! But since there is such a connection in the family, why do they live in a cold kiln and live in misery? As the Duke of the country, Zhang Shigui could just help him casually, so it wouldn't be like this, right?
The surprised glances from all around him were like needle pricks. Xue Rengui's face turned red and he felt uncomfortable all over.
The dough is too thin...
I wish I could seek myself and not others in this life!
Zhang Shigui wears a purple robe and has a dignified demeanor. Although he has a gray beard, his body and bones are strong and he walks with ease. As soon as he stepped onto the shore, he heard someone calling him "uncle". He was slightly startled when he saw a tall young man coming to him respectfully and bowing.
This young man is in his twenties, seven feet tall, broad-shouldered and round-waisted. He has a square face with sparse features and is quite heroic. Although he is a little reserved in his actions, he is also polite, considerate and solemn.
What a bold young man!
Zhang Shigui came from a martial arts family and had been involved in the military for many years. He was most fond of such masculine and strong young men, but he was extremely disdainful of the weak and inexperienced style of incense hairpins that were popular nowadays. Just one glance made him fall in love with me, and he asked with a smile: "Who is your surname? Why do you call me uncle?"
Xue Rengui replied respectfully: "When I return to my country, my junior Xue Li, whose pseudonym is Rengui, is my father, the Xue family in Hedong, and he served as governor of Xiangcheng in his early years. When I was young, I went to the Duke's Mansion with my father to pay homage. It's just that It's been a long time, and I haven't seen you for so many years. I guess the Duke and the nobles are busy with things and have forgotten about it."
Zhang Shigui was suddenly startled, looked Xue Rengui up and down, and said in surprise: "It's actually an old friend's queen? Oh my, if you didn't mention it, I really wouldn't remember it! At that time, you went to Guozhou with your father, I'm afraid You are only four or five years old, right? Time is not forgiving! It is a pity that your father died early, but the two families have cut off contact!"
Zhang Shigui's joy was obviously not artificial. He pulled Xue Rengui up with both hands, took his hand and said with emotion: "Back then, your father and I were brothers and had an irreversible relationship. It's a pity that fate has caused troubles and the yin and yang are forever separated. The same is true for you, even your father. If you are not here, why don't you come to my house? Where do you live now? Is your life well-off? In the past, I heard your father mention that he hired a good match for you from the Liu family in Hedong. Did you get married later? "
From Zhang Shigui's attitude, Xue Rengui felt that the relationship between his father and him seemed to be quite good, otherwise it would be impossible for his father to still remember his marriage to Liu even though the two families had no contact with each other for so many years.
Otherwise, with Zhang Shigui's current status, there is absolutely no need to agree with Xue Rengui. A person has lived half a century and has many old relatives and friends. How can it be possible to treat everyone who comes to his door warmly?
Xue Rengui was moved, but when Zhang Shigui asked where he lived and how his life was now, he felt very embarrassed. He blushed and murmured for a long time, then said: "Liu family is virtuous, I am very lucky for you."
Who is Zhang Shigui? After dealing with a bunch of people in the court all day long, I had already developed a pair of fiery eyes. One look at Xue Rengui's expression, and I knew there was something unspeakable, and I understood a little bit.
"Since we are old friends, and you call me uncle, how can I treat you unfairly? Otherwise, I will go back to clean up my family business, and then come to Chang'an to find you, and I will stay with you from now on. Since your father has passed away, I have my own responsibility." I'll take care of you, don't be conceited."
The words are kind and the intentions are excellent. Your father and I are good friends. If your father dies, I will naturally take care of you.
For anyone else, there would be nothing wrong with this.
But to Xue Rengui, who has a strong sense of self-esteem, it sounds a bit unpleasant...
We have hands and feet, and even the strength to mount a horse and kill the enemy. How can we be like a wanderer in the countryside and cling to Zhang Shigui, asking for a bowl of rice? Although Zhang Shigui's attitude showed that he was determined not to raise an old friend like him, Xue Rengui, in vain, Xue Rengui couldn't bear it.
Zhang Shigui specifically told Xue Rengui not to be conceited, but to not lose face. Since he has a relationship with his father, it is natural for him to take care of him.
But how could Xue Rengui not be proud of himself?
A dignified seven-foot-tall man, do you want to eat the food that comes to you?
Xue Rengui's face straightened, and he cupped his hands and said: "Uncle, I have misunderstood. How can I, a junior, be attached to my uncle's wings and wander around doing nothing if I am strong and strong? To be honest, I came here today because I want to shamelessly ask my uncle to recommend me on my behalf. Junior I am determined to be in the army and want to have a bright future in the army. I want to find a way out for myself, so that my father’s soul in heaven will not be humiliated because of his children and grandchildren. I hope my uncle will help me!”
"Haha...well done! If your father really has a spirit, he should be proud of your ambition!"
The more Zhang Shigui looked at Xue Rengui, the more he liked him, so he took his hand and walked to the carriage not far away: "My nephew, come with me, let's have a nice talk."
Then he pulled Xue Rengui onto a four-wheel observation car that had just been ferried over.
After getting on the bus, Xue Rengui was a little cautious. Zhang Shigui ordered someone to bring dried sorrel and dried fruits to Xue Rengui.
Xue Rengui refused to postpone.
Zhang Shigui did not force him. He pondered for a moment and said, "Ordinarily, my nephew has something to ask for, and I should not refuse it. But now I am serving in the imperial palace, and all the arrangements are made by the tiger guards who guard the imperial palace, and they are all made by martial arts." The Xun family is really not suitable for you to be transferred into it. Moreover, a certain battle formation has been neglected for a long time and has not led troops into battle for nearly ten years. The nephew's subordinate is just to gain qualifications. "
Hearing this, Xue Rengui's heart dropped. He was about to speak, but was stopped by Zhang Shigui.
Zhang Shigui looked at Xue Rengui and said, "I want to know, if my nephew wants to join the army, does he want to protect his future or make a career?"
Joining the army is a means, but the goal is different.
If you are just embarrassed by the current situation and want to join the army and find a place to settle down, it is not difficult with Zhang Shigui's energy. But if you are determined to achieve great success and want to achieve success through this advancement, then you have to make other arrangements.
Xue Rengui listened and saw a turn of events, and immediately said: "Uncle Mingjian, although this junior has little talent and knowledge, he still has the ability to kill the enemy! The Tang Dynasty is currently in a state of uncertainty, and this junior is willing to use his body to find a wife, a son, and a name that will mark history!"
"good!"
Zhang Shigui praised, with a rather pleased look on his face. After thinking for a while, he said: "Nowadays, the northern border is in turmoil. Tuguhun and the remnants of the Turks are ready to make a move, and war can break out at any time. Even the Tibetans in the west are no longer willing to stay dormant, and they will always fight against the Tang Dynasty. A competition. However, although there is a war crisis in these places, there are too many factors involved in when the war will start, and no one can say for sure. It may be three to five years, or ten or eight years, and there is no use in leaving it. Otherwise, I have met and had some friendship with Mr. Fang Xiang several times, so I wrote a letter recommending you to serve in the navy, how about that?"
