Luo Yanran heard that her father had sent someone here, and knew that there must be something urgent, so she stood up and said to Zhao Xiangxiang, "Sister, I'm going to see what's going on." Zhao Xiangxiang also stood up and said, "I Go with your sister." The two women walked downstairs, followed closely by Mrs. Qu and their personal maid Ju'er Yun'er.
Luo Yanran came to the hall and saw the old fifth uncle next to her father, a lean and capable old man in his sixties. When Uncle Lao Wu saw the lady coming, he immediately bowed and saluted: "Miss!"
Luo Yanran walked up to Old Fifth Uncle and asked: "Old Fifth Uncle, dad asked you to come, what's the matter?"
The fifth uncle looked at the people behind Luo Yanran, then lowered his head and said, "There are distinguished guests coming. I will ask the young lady to come over to meet the guests." Luo Yanran turned to Zhao Xiangxiang and said, "Sister, little sister, go back and see you. The guests will come back after they're done!" Zhao Xiangxiang nodded and said, "Sister, go ahead." Luo Yanran turned around and walked outside, followed by Old Fifth Uncle and Yun'er.
The three of them came out of Zhao's Mansion. A carriage with gauze curtains was already waiting at the door. Luo Yanran got on the carriage with the help of Yun'er, and then the carriage started to go to the Luo family's residence in Tianjing New City. The old fifth uncle trotted beside the carriage.
Luo Yanran raised the car curtain and asked: "Old Fifth Uncle, who are these guests?" Old Fifth Uncle said: "It's Shang Conglong and Shang Shiheng and his son." Luo Yanran fell silent, frowned and murmured: "These two guys are very ambitious and want to drag our Luo family into trouble!" Yun'er asked curiously: "Miss, what does this mean?" Luo Yanran smiled and said: "Little girl, don't meddle in other people's business! "Yun'er stuck out her tongue.
The carriage came to a stop outside the gate of a large house. The coachman quickly put the wooden stool he was sitting on next to the carriage, and then opened the curtain. Yun'er came out first, stepped on the wooden stool and got out of the carriage, then called "Miss" and stretched out his hand to open the curtain. Luo Yanran bowed her head and walked out, and got out of the carriage with Yun'er's help. The three people walked into the gate, and the coachman drove the carriage away.
The three of them came to the front yard and saw several people sitting in the hall from a distance. Sitting at the main seat was an old man with gray hair and a kind temperament, and a handsome and gentle young man, who were his father and brother; Sitting there were Shang Conglong and Shang Shiheng. Before entering the hall, I heard Shang Shiheng sighing: "In today's world, the life of scholars is difficult! The government not only does not use us scholars, but also suppresses us in many ways! Hey, we have read many books of sages. He longs to harmonize his family, rule the country and bring peace to the world, but these wishes cannot be realized! That's fine if these wishes cannot be realized. What Xiaosheng is most worried about is that if the etiquette and music continue to collapse like this, the country will no longer be a country and the people will no longer be human! Then At that time, everyone in the world has turned into beasts, and the situation created by the sages and saints has been completely destroyed!"
"I didn't expect Mr. Shang to be so worried about the country and the people!" A soft and moving voice came from the door. Everyone immediately looked towards the door and saw a graceful and graceful woman wearing a gauze headdress walking in lightly. It was Luo Yanran who had just returned. She heard Shang Shiheng's words at the door and couldn't bear it. He just said what he said. Shang Shiheng felt his eyes light up, and he quickly stood up, cupped his fists and bowed to Luo Yanran: "It's been many days, my lady is even more beautiful than before!"
Luo Yanran smiled slightly and said, "Young Master is so ridiculous!" Then she bowed to Shang Conglong Yingying, who was sitting above Shang Shiheng: "My niece has met my uncle!" Shang Conglong stroked his beard and smiled slightly, and said: "Niece, you don't have to be polite!"
Luo Yanran stood up, walked to her brother's side and sat down, and Shang Shiheng also sat back. Mr. Luo said: "What my nephew said just now is reasonable. However, such a big matter is not something that we, the common people, can interfere with. If there is an opportunity, we must advise King Yan. There is no other way." He’s done it!”
Shang Shiheng said enthusiastically: "Those of us who are studying should take on the great responsibilities of the world. We have the unshirkable responsibility for the safety of the world and the welfare of the people! Uncle, please forgive my nephew for being rude. I think my uncle's idea is unacceptable. If everyone in the world has With this kind of thinking, if the people are in the heat of water, won’t they never get ahead?”
Luo Yanran smiled and said: "What Mr. Shang said is really alarmist! My little sister came all the way from Yangzhou, thousands of miles away, and passed through dozens of states and counties. To be honest, I saw prosperity everywhere, even better than before the Khitans invaded." , but they didn’t see the dire straits that Mr. Shang mentioned! Since the people’s lives are stable and prosperous, why do we need people with lofty ideals like Mr. Shang to save the people of the world? "
The Shang father and his son frowned slightly, and Shang Shiheng said: "What the lady said should be true, but King Yan established an extremely utilitarian society. Although it is good now, there will be big problems sooner or later! If benevolence and righteousness do not exist, the people will How can we live and work in peace and contentment?”
Luo Yanran shook her head and said: "It's useless to talk about benevolence and righteousness. Before the Khitan invasion, countless homeless and beggars starved to death on the streets, but no one cared about them. The elderly and lonely people lived in leaky small houses, but No one cares about it, so many old people are not discovered until long after they die. Exorbitant taxation by local officials is commonplace, and evil deeds of breaking into private houses and beating people to death are endless. Are these benevolence and righteousness? What about the benevolence, righteousness and morality that exist in the court? What's the use? But now, under the rule of King Yan, the officials govern the Qingming Dynasty. Officials are as afraid of the law as tigers and dare not step beyond the thunder. Anyone who crosses the thunder will be severely punished. Without exception, the world today has never heard of officials and government officials ruthlessly extorting money and stealing money. Beating people to death in private houses? And the homeless and beggars have been properly placed and given skills so that they can earn their own living. As for the elderly and lonely people, they have also been well taken care of. At least in Yangzhou, there is no such thing as the elderly. The old lonely man froze and starved to death at home. Mr. Shang, tell me, was the society of the past more benevolent or the society of today?"
Shang Shiheng was speechless, frowning, and said after a while: "In any case, it is a sin for King Yan to denounce the saint's words and the saint's way!" Luo Yanran said: "The saint's words and the way of the saint will not be allowed to the people. Living and working in peace and contentment is nothing more than a false saint!”
Shang Shiheng looked at Luo Yanran in shock, while Luo Yanran's father and brother also looked at her in shock. Shang Shiheng's anger rose and he said angrily: "It seems that Miss Luoyang has been bribed by King Yan, and she has forgotten who is Zhengshuo in the world!"
Luo Yanran mocked: "Are you saying that Zhao Song is the Zhengshuo of the world? I'm afraid that's not the case. Who is the Zhengshuo of the world? As far as I know, the Zhao family bullied the orphans and widowers of the Chai family to get it. This world, obtained by such despicable means, is actually called the world Zhengshuo? I really can't understand this truth! If the sage's teaching is to protect this kind of despicable and shameless behavior, then this sage can only I’m afraid it’s also despicable!”
Everyone present was shocked. Although it was already known to everyone that Yang Peng was against Confucianism, such remarks had never been made within the gentry circle, so it was very shocking.
Mr. Luo shouted: "Yanran, don't talk nonsense!" Luo Yanran turned around and said: "Father, doesn't what I said make sense? Aren't the so-called saints also boasted by the people behind? The same whole grains, the same After birth, old age, illness and death, how can one become a saint? In the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, hundreds of schools of thought contended, and there was not only one Confucian school!" Mr. Luo was speechless. Although he felt that what his daughter said was inappropriate, he could not find the words to refute.
Shang Conglong stood up and said with a cold face: "I have long heard that the Luo family in Yangzhou has deviated from the traditional customs. I didn't believe it at first. But after seeing Miss Luo's remarks today, I know that the rumors are indeed true!" Mr. Luo stood up quickly. He stood up and said: "This, this, this little girl is talking nonsense, Brother Shang, please don't mind!"
Shang Conglong snorted coldly and said angrily: "It doesn't matter if I mind. If all the nobles in the world mind, I'm afraid it will be difficult for the Luo family to gain a foothold!" Mr. Luo's heart trembled.
Luo Yanran stood up and said: "My uncle's words are serious! The nobles are not from the world, they are just a small part in front of the people of the world! Today Yan Yun and King Yan are very popular among the people, with millions of Yan Yun troops, Billions of people are loyal to King Yan and are willing to die for King Yan! If the nobles go against King Yan, they are going against the people of the entire Central Plains, and they are going against millions of Yanyun troops. If the nobles do not If you insist on having wrong thoughts after understanding this truth, you will be acting against heaven, and when the power of heaven comes, there will be no escape!"
The merchant and his son were surprised when they heard that Luo Yanran seemed to have something in her words. Shang Conglong snorted and walked away. Shang Shiheng followed. Mr. Luo wanted to say goodbye, but Luo Yanran grabbed his father's hand, shook his head and said, "Father, they are not on the same path as us. It's better to draw a clear line!" Mr. Luo pointed at Luo Yanran with his finger. , said angrily: "You, you, I haven't seen you for a while, you, you, you seem to be a different person! You actually said so many fallacies!"
Luo Yanran asked: "Father, doesn't what my daughter just said make sense?"
Mr. Luo thought about it carefully and couldn't help but feel that his daughter's ground-breaking remarks just now, although a bit hard to accept, seemed to make sense! So why is Confucianism such a golden rule? She glanced at Luo Yanran, sighed, and said with some blame and some fondness: "You, you have been such a fearless person since you were a child! You dare to say anything and do anything!" Luo Yanran He hugged Mr. Luo's arm and said coquettishly: "Dad...!" Mr. Luo laughed, as if he was deeply comforted. He remembered something and asked: "What you said to Shang Conglong just now, What exactly does that mean?”
Luo Yanran shook her head and said: "It's nothing, I just told them to be content and not to seek trouble for themselves." Mr. Luo nodded with deep understanding and said with emotion: "Troubles are all caused by the lack of heart! The so-called contentment Those who are dissatisfied are always sad!" He sighed, looked outside, and said: "Confucian scholars all think that our Luo family is no longer worthy of being called a Confucian family. If we are not worthy, then we are not worthy. Compared with the entire Luo family, It really doesn't matter whether the family is a scholar or not." The two children nodded in sympathy. The name of Mr. Luo is Luo Fengtian. It can be said that it was he who single-handedly promoted the transformation of the Luo family from a traditional scholarly family into a wealthy businessman.
At that time, the Luo family spent a lot of money to maintain the appearance of the first scholarly family in Lianghuai, and the family's income from land tax was already beyond their means. When Luo Fengtian took over the Luo family, although the Luo family was still very glamorous on the surface, it was already riddled with holes inside. In order to lead the family out of the predicament, Luo Fengtian had no choice but to change the Luo family's family tradition that had been inherited for more than two hundred years and abandoned literature to engage in business. At that time, this move caused great agitation in the entire Lianghuai region and even among scholars all over the world. Big sensation. Luo Fengtian was very good at doing business, and in just a few years, the whole family got out of the financial crisis. By the time Luo Yanran and her brother came of age, the Luo family had become a wealthy businessman who looked down upon Lianghuai, and the whole world was looking at him. However, countless criticisms also followed. The scholars called them traitors to the scholars and a shame to scholars. So many Shilin families who had good relations with the Luo family in the past severed ties with the Luo family. This often makes Luo Fengtian feel regretful, but unsatisfactory things happen all the time in life. Luo Fengtian is free and easy-going by nature, so he doesn't take this matter too seriously.
Apart from Luo Yanran, the daughter who is known as the most beautiful girl in Shilin, Luo Fengtian only has this son in front of him. The son's name is Luo Jiawen. He is a gentle, handsome young man with a kind and gentle personality who blushes when he speaks.
Luo Yanran said: "Father, I just received news from my sister that Yanyun's army has defeated Xixia and repelled Tubo. Now the entire Hexi Corridor to Yumen Pass has been included in Yanyun's territory!"
Luo Fengtian sighed with emotion: "King Yan is really an unparalleled hero who has never appeared in the past hundreds of years! The direction of the army is unstoppable!" After a pause, he said: "We have won the Hexi Corridor. This is a big business opportunity. The Xixia region Salt, dyes, and cow and sheep skins, etc. are all commodities that are in short supply in the Central Plains!" Luo Yanran nodded and said: "Not only that, the Hexi Corridor is also the only way to enter the Western Regions and the farthest reaches of the world. The silk of that year was The road is through the Hexi Corridor. Although the road is far and dangerous, the profits are extremely huge! Father, I think we should set up a trading post in the Hexi Corridor first to traffic our Chinese porcelain, silk and other goods to the Western Regions and even further. place, and at the same time transport novel goods from distant places back to the Central Plains for trafficking!”
Luo Fengtian laughed loudly and praised: "Yanran is really like me, her brains are the best!" Then he thought: "I have to personally handle this important matter!" He glanced at Luo Yanran and said: "I will leave the affairs of the Central Plains to me. You are fully responsible!" Luo Yanran turned to look at her elder brother and nodded.
Luo Fengtian said to Luo Jiawen: "Jiawen, go and call me some of your uncles. I have something to tell you." Luo Jiawen responded and ran out. Luo Fengtian glanced at his son's back with a look of doting in his eyes, then sighed and couldn't help but murmured: "Jiawen is a good boy, kind and talented, but he is too shy. This can't be helped. Take on a big responsibility!”
Luo Yanran smiled and said, "Brother is just not used to business matters. I think as long as he works harder, he will definitely not disappoint his father!" Luo Fengtian smiled, shook his head and said, "It's not that he's not smart enough. , but too shy and kind! Hey! This is not bad, it’s just..." She turned to look at Luo Yanran and said jokingly: "I think it’s better to find a good husband for you..."
Luo Yanran said in embarrassment: "Father, I don't want to get married!" Luo Fengtian laughed and said: "It's time for men to get married and women to get married, how can they not get married! I think Mr. Zhuang is pretty good, you... "
Luo Yanran said angrily: "Father, don't talk about that person, he, he is so shameless!" Luo Fengtian came to Tianjing New City not long ago, and he didn't know the story between Zhuang Shaocheng and Shang Shiheng that day. Hearing his daughter's tone was very Disgusted, she asked in confusion: "Didn't you have a good impression of Zhuang Shaocheng before? How could..." Luo Yanran said angrily: "I didn't know he would be so shameless in the past!" Luo Yanran thought of that incident and just I feel extremely disgusting. After hearing what his daughter said, Luo Fengtian stopped saying anything and decided to go find someone later to ask Zhuang Shaocheng if anything happened after he arrived in Tianjing New City.
Suddenly her heart moved and she asked: "Daughter, I heard that Zhao Xiangxiang has a close relationship with King Yan. You have been with her during this period of time. I wonder if you can see King Yan?" Luo Yanran couldn't help but think of Yang Peng. That cynical yet majestic face appeared, and I couldn't help but feel a surge in my heart. He nodded gently and said, "I've met him twice."
Luo Fengtian's eyes lit up and he quickly asked: "From the perspective of my daughter, what kind of man is he?" Luo Yanran was silent for a moment and said: "A hero among men, a hero in the world!" Luo Fengtian was surprised, Said: "Daughter, I have never commented on a contemporary figure like this. Even when I talked about Yang Yanzhao, I just said, 'loyal and brave, the choice of famous generals', but for King Yan... I remember your similar comments as a father, only in It happened to Cao Cao, could it be that, my daughter, you actually think that this King of Yan can be compared with Cao Cao, the unparalleled traitor!"
Luo Yanran nodded and said: "Yes! My daughter even thinks that he may surpass Cao Cao in some areas!" She smiled softly and said: "Is he a traitor? I'm afraid not necessarily. I'm afraid that Cao Cao is better than Liu Bei. , Sun Quan cares more about the safety of the people and the survival of China! And King Yan seems to be better than Cao Cao in this regard!"
Luo Fengtian was extremely shocked. He did not expect that this knowledgeable daughter would speak so highly of Yang Peng. He lowered his head and thought: "So, my daughter thinks that King Yan will one day rule the world!"
Luo Yanran paused and said decisively: "That's for sure! I dare not say how successful he will be in the end, but at least he will become the master of our China!"
Luo Fengtian chuckled and said: "I feel relieved after hearing what my daughter said!" Then he sighed and said: "Our land in China can no longer withstand a major turmoil! It's God's foresight. , surrendered such an amazing hero as King Yan!" Luo Yanran nodded with deep sympathy. At this time, there were clatter of footsteps outside. The father and daughter looked out the door and saw that several important figures from the Luo family were coming. …
Yang Peng was sitting in the camp hall of Xiliang Mansion. The generals were separated on the left and right. A scout was standing in the middle of the hall and reported to Yang Peng: "..., the soldiers of Zan Butai's line did not conflict with Song He and others. , but it is said that the main generals of both sides have been recalled to the country by the Tubo Emperor, and now the Qing and Tang Dynasty Governor Zanpu is temporarily acting as the commander-in-chief."
Yang Peng said: "Let's explore again."
The scout agreed, bowed to Yang Peng, and retreated.
Yang Peng smiled and said: "It seems that the Tubo people have too much to take care of themselves." The generals also laughed, and Li Kui said very depressedly: "His grandma, if we have enough food and grass, this is the time to seize the snow mountain fortress and attack it." A great opportunity for Qingtang!" Yang Gui smiled and said: "I'm afraid it's not that easy to fight. The ones who were recalled were only a few generals from Songhe and Zanbutai's line. Now the entire Qingtang including the Snow Mountain area is managed by Zanpu , there will not be a leaderless situation; Tubo has hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, and there are natural dangers in the snowy mountains. Even if our army has enough food and grass to support hundreds of thousands of troops, it will not be easy to break through the snowy mountain defenses!"
Yang Jing felt that what Yang Gui said made sense, but he still couldn't help but said: "I don't think it is very difficult!" Yang Peng said: "The strategic goals we set before the war have been completed, and the armies have shifted from wartime status to rest and recuperation. Status, waiting for orders." All the generals agreed together.
At this time, a herald rushed in, clasped his fists and said: "King Yan, the prisoners of Xixia have been escorted and are waiting for summons outside the gate." Yang Jing said carelessly: "Brother, I think, let the Emperor of Xixia stay Oh, what the hell, it's such a big disaster, why not chop them all up one by one and get rid of them all!" Yang Dezheng and other powerful generals immediately cheered loudly. Yang Gui said: "Killing them all will be a success, but when we destroy other countries in the future, we are afraid that the other countries will think that surrender is a dead end and resist and fall to the ground, which will cause many unnecessary casualties to ourselves. Then But it’s a big deal!”
Yang Jing glared at Yang Gui and said angrily: "What you said makes sense, but why are you always going against me, Yang Jing?"
Yang Gui said uh, and everyone else laughed. Yang Peng smiled and said, "Yang Jing, since what Yang Gui said is right, you should say, 'What General Yang Gui said is absolutely true, and I, Yang Jing, admire him greatly!'" Yang Jing raised his thick eyebrows and snorted at Yang Gui, He said carelessly: "What he said is right, but I don't admire him! I don't like bullshit benevolence and morality!" Yang Gui chuckled and said: "I admire brother Yang Jing very much, but I don't dare Let brother Yang Jing admire me!" Yang Jing was very proud and said: "Although you are a mother-in-law and your talk of benevolence, righteousness and morality is annoying, but you have a very good vision!"
Everyone couldn't help laughing when they saw Yang Jing boasting so much. Yeqi Guanyin smiled and said: "Now these prisoners cannot be killed. The first is naturally because of what Yang Gui said, and the second is because they are already Yanyun's subjects."
What happened after all, let’s see what happens next.
