Time was running out, so the four of them discussed the details of their journey north. Finally, Han Xin asked,
"When are you going to let Zhongli leave Luoyang?"
On the old plain silk that Lu Shizhi had prepared long ago, Zhonglihuan wrote vigorously, not forgetting to do two things at once:
"The later the better, preferably on the day you report it to the emperor."
Lu Shizhi was shocked.
"If you leave so late, if you can't escape, your life may be at risk."
Zhonglihuan smiled confidently, then nudged his lips in the direction of Han Xin.
"Please rest assured, even if all Lieutenant Luoyang's troops are deployed, they may not be able to capture me.
Besides, the later I leave, the safer my escape will be, and the less likely Han Xin will be suspected of collaborating with the enemy. "
His face was scorched black by the sun from working all day long, making him look even more iron-faced and bearded, with a leopard's head and eyes.
Compared with the indifference and looseness of an hour ago, the glory of the decisive killing in his eyes reappeared at this time, and his fighting spirit for fate seemed to be rekindled again.
Seeing Han Xin hesitate to speak, Zhonglihuan put down his pen and said to him with emotion,
"I advise you to think carefully about whether a prince who lives a timid and cautious life is what you want in your life.
This intrigue in Luoyang Imperial City will only destroy you, even if you can save your life.
The best fate for you and me is to live as a man and be wrapped in horse leather. "
Although these words were spoken lightly, they sounded like thunder in Han Xin's ears.
He suddenly remembered that day a few months ago, under the big willow tree outside Huaiyin City, the old Piao Mu looked at him deeply and asked softly,
"You, the grandson of the king, went out to have a great time, but did you get what you wanted?"
This is the second time that someone has asked him, who has become famous, whether he has achieved his wish.
Outside the city of Huaiyin, Han Xin returned home in fine clothes, with great fanfare but worried about gains and losses. He was caught off guard by Piao's mother and asked questions. He was confused and murmured for a long time, but he still had no answer.
But Han Xin, who was sitting in a farmhouse outside Luoyang City, seemed to have a vague answer hidden in his heart. At this time, when he was stimulated by his old friend's question, it became clearer and clearer.
Zhonglihuan ignored Han Xin's distraction, only raised his head and looked around the room, thought for a while, and then said,
“They are all external things, so it’s okay if you don’t take them with you.
However, the prison cow has been with me since I was a child, and I really can't bear to ignore it. "
"Leave it to me to take back to the house. I have a little granddaughter who is the most meticulous. I will definitely take good care of her."
Zhang Liang narrowed his eyes. Everyone knew that whenever he talked about this little granddaughter, his face would be filled with an uncontrollable smile.
"No need to trouble Taifu, Zhongli's dog, just follow me from now on."
With a calm expression on his face, Han Xin filled up the four ear cups on the table, then solemnly picked up his own cup and said to Zhong Lihuan,
"Zhongli, one day, I will conquer the Xiongnu grassland, bring the captive cattle, and join forces with you."
"Oh, then we have an agreement?"
"It's a deal."
***
Zhong Lihuan sent the guests outside the courtyard, and the three of them never looked back. Qiu Niu lingered at the fence gate and refused to leave. Han Xin picked him up and forced him into the car.
The oxcart gradually moved away, and the ruts on the muddy ground were shallow and deep. They were washed away by the rain and soon blurred into a mass, making them no longer distinguishable.
Turning back to close the fence door, Zhongli Juan felt a moment of sadness, but his natural heroic spirit filled his mind again in an instant. He recalled Zhang Liang's sincere words when parting,
"Soon, the imperial court will definitely trade with the Xiongnu as promised.
By then, transportation information between Han and Hungary will be much more convenient than now. As long as you are alive, we will definitely find you.
Remember, you are not a homeless dog, you have a family.
Your home is here, and the people here will always be grateful to you. "
***
Zhang Liang's thoughts were interrupted by the emperor's high-pitched words. He was shaking his silk book and his voice was trembling and changing the tone.
"Quick, Fan Kuai and Guan Ying, you two take my tiger talisman and lead the 6,000 elite soldiers from the Fifth Lieutenant School to quickly dispatch to capture Zhong Lihuan!
To convey my will, regardless of officials or civilians, whoever gets his head first will be promoted to the third level of nobility and will be rewarded with a hundred gold!
If there is nothing else to do today, the court meeting will be dismissed first. I want to wait for good news. "
Liu Ji raised his arms excitedly, his excitement beyond words.
Han Xin, who was kneeling in the hall, raised his head and stared at the emperor quietly. His brows were filled with loyalty, surrender and awe, as well as a hint of guilt for his old friend.
***
In the North Palace, there are many lights and shadows. Lu Pheasant, wearing a straight robe embroidered with dogwood patterns, is sitting in the large pavilion, and the palace people in costumes stand beside the pavilion.
The gold-painted lacquer poles standing vertically at the four corners of this large portico are integrated into the complicated gilded spire above. The layers of algae embroidery hanging down all around are shining and graceful, and they make the queen sitting in it even more solemn and majestic, like a god. .
"I will be heading to Longxi County in the near future, and I am here to say goodbye to the queen."
"My son went with Mr. Zifang and came to say goodbye to his mother.
The mountains are high and the rivers are far away. I hope my mother will take good care of her body and not overwork herself. "
In the hall, there are two figures, Zhang Liang and Liu Fei, one old and one young.
They came to say goodbye. Zhang Liang asked himself to go to the Border County Muyuan to conduct an inventory, while Liu Fei was sent by Liu Ji to train with the Taifu.
"Taifu, as a minister of the great Han Dynasty, you could live in Luoyang and take care of your old age, but you still take the lead and share the worries of the country. It is really admirable.
Ah Da, when you go to the frontier, you have to take good care of Mr. Zifang.
There is wine and food, sir. If something happens, the disciple will do his best. "
"My son understands.
My father has ordered me to go with you this time. Firstly, I want to go to the border areas for training, and secondly, I want to be the right-hand man of the Grand Tutor. "
Lu Pheasant smiled slightly, Liu Ji was still worried after all, so he deliberately sent Liu Fei to go with him, firstly to train the prince, and secondly, to have more eyes and ears.
Moreover, Liu Fei is the oldest among the princes. If Lu Wan is used to find out the way of "promoting the king due to relatives", then the first prince to be crowned will undoubtedly be Liu Fei.
Therefore, it is reasonable to let the Wang who is preparing to go out for some exercise.
Zhang Liang stroked his white beard and said slowly,
"The eldest prince and I will live in Didao County, the administrative seat of Longxi.
There are plenty of common things there, and the transportation is convenient. It is very convenient to visit various pastoral gardens in the surrounding area.
Queen, please rest assured, I have already said hello to Prince Teng, and he has already made arrangements for the reception. "
In order to develop animal power, the Qin Dynasty recorded animal husbandry regulations in the "Laws of Stable Gardens". In the initial stage of the Han Dynasty, all officials and subordinates were established according to the Qin system, including the horse administration part.
The central court of Qin and Han Dynasty all had three ministers and nine ministers, and the imperial servant was one of the nine ministers. It was the central agency that managed the national animal husbandry and was in charge of horses.
Some of the many horse-breeding stables under the imperial servant's jurisdiction are located in the capital, and more are in border counties, which Zhang Liang never forgets, which are located in the six northwest counties of Tianshui, Longxi, Anding, Beidi, Xihe, and Shangjun. Six pastors garden order.
At present, the person in charge of the first Taipu Temple in the Han Dynasty is Liu Ji's old subordinate, Teng Gong Xia Houying.
***
Xia Houying was also a son of Peixian County. When he was young, he served as the chief minister of Pei stables and was in charge of carriages and horses. Liu Ji put him in this position and resumed his old business. He was a good judge of people.
However, in order to guard against the sudden change of Yan King Zang Tu, Liu Ji would never let Xia Houying leave Luoyang at this moment.
"Although Liu Jing and the others have already set off from Luoyang, it will still be some time before the two countries reach peace talks.
Longxi is too close to the Huns' territory. The Huns are wandering around and may appear from nowhere. You must be careful.
By the way, I have been so busy these days that I haven’t seen Mr. Teng for a long time. How is his health? "
Lu Fei was always grateful to Teng Gong Xia Houying.
She knew that when Pengcheng was defeated, Liu Ji was eager to escape. He felt that his own children were a burden and kicked Lu Yuan and Liu Ying out of the carriage again and again. Thanks to Xia Houying who risked his life and rescued him several times, her children were able to survive. To this day.
"Teng Gong is very good, but he has trouble sleeping and eating because of Ma Zheng's affairs.
Well, he couldn't believe the reports of those old-time supervisors and pastors, so he urged me to leave as soon as possible several times a day to find out with his own eyes. "
Zhang Liang couldn't help but smile when he thought of Xia Houying's dark and red face and his thick eyebrows that were twisted together with worry every day.
