In the Youzhou Governor's Mansion, Xiao Rui leaned over to pay homage to Chai Shao, the general manager of Hebei Province.
"Shi Xiaorui, the governor of Youzhou, has been ordered to report and pay homage to the governor."
Chai Shao, who was in his thirties and dressed as a civil servant, laughed and helped Xiao Rui up in person: "My dear nephew, didn't you say you left early? Why did it take you a month to arrive? You should send someone to notify me so that I can make arrangements. Someone picks you up.”
"Report to the Grand Governor..."
Chai Shao took Xiao Rui's hand affectionately and said: "Hey, don't get too angry. It's the New Year's Day. We have met before. Why are we estranged when Xiangcheng is not here? Call uncle. If someone is coming, please go and notify him immediately. The eldest son, come here to pay homage to his brother-in-law. By the way, we will arrange a family dinner today to welcome Chang Shi."
"Huh? The letter said that you set off alone, why did you bring two maids with you?"
maid? Li Shengnan and Wei Yanran looked at each other strangely. They were still a little worried about Princess Xiangcheng's biological uncle.
Xiao Rui's scalp was numb. He hadn't written to Xiangcheng about this yet. How could he say this? As soon as we left Chang'an, everything became romantic? Instead of taking Xiangcheng with you, bring another fiancée? Isn't this just seeking death?
"Ahem, uncle, let's, let's not talk about it in the office. How about we talk about it at home?"
"Okay, let's take a walk. I didn't know you were arriving today, so I didn't make any preparations in advance. You go home with your uncle first and have a day's rest. I will introduce you to the local officials in Hebei tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow I will go to the garrison camp to recognize the generals."
The back house of the Governor's Mansion in Youzhou was Chai Shao's home. It was a rule that when high officials of the imperial court were away serving as officials, their families would stay in Chang'an.
But Chai Shao was different. He was the husband-in-law of Princess Pingyang Zhao, the son-in-law of the old Li family, and a famous general. He was different from others. Of course, it's not necessarily because of his ability that he gets superhuman treatment, but more because of Princess Pingyang Zhao.
After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Pingyang personally recruited troops and fought in all directions. Even the land of Chang'an was conquered by this heroine. Unfortunately, fate played a trick on her, and the princess was wounded on the battlefield, contracted an illness, and died. He left behind his husband Chai Shao and two sons, Chai Zhewei and Chai Lingwu.
Because of Princess Pingyang's illustrious military exploits, she was given the posthumous title Zhao after her death. She was the only princess in the Tang Dynasty who was buried with military honors. Later, in order to commemorate the princess's deeds, the Weize Pass where she was originally stationed was named Niangzi Pass because Princess Pingyang once led her women's army to station here.
Old Li Yuan and Li Er both treated Chai Shao differently for the sake of the late Princess Pingyang, so he could host Chang'an without following the rules.
But Chai Shao was a man who knew how to advance and retreat, so he still left his second son in Chang'an, under the pretext of letting his son study hard in Hongwen Hall.
When there were no outsiders at the back house, Xiao Rui revealed the identities of the two girls and apologized weakly: "Xiao Rui was reckless and caused trouble for my uncle."
Chai Shao's eyes almost popped out of his head. He looked at the two girls, and then looked at Xiao Rui carefully. Finally, he gave a thumbs up and whispered: "My nephew, you are amazing."
"Ah? Uncle, please stop hitting me in the face. I don't even dare to tell Xiangcheng Shi." Xiao Rui's face turned red.
Chai Shao laughed loudly, pulled Xiao Rui and whispered: "Although you call me uncle, uncle, I am also a prince-in-law, and I understand the hardships better than you. You are a great boy. This prince-in-law asked you to do it, Be tough! Tsk tsk... don't worry, you will be working in Youzhou in a down-to-earth manner, and as long as you have made a great contribution, it will be easy to return to Chang'an."
"As for life, you don't need to be so formal. Just live with your uncle, and you will be neighbors with your eldest cousin Chai Zhewei. Don't worry about the court or His Majesty sending people over. A man knows everything about romance and romance!"
After warning Xiao Rui in a low voice, he turned around and greeted the two girls loudly, "It turns out you are two good nieces. Your elders, Yao Shi and Xuan Cheng, and I have very close friendships. Even if we don't have this relationship with Zang Feng, you can come over." Play. From now on, I will stay with Zang Feng and help with my daily life. If I need a maid, just tell my uncle."
"But one thing is that it's not easy to be out there. If you want Zang Feng to be able to work in Youzhou with peace of mind, you have to wrong your two virtuous nieces and don't reveal your identity to the outside world for the time being. After all, if the news reaches Chang'an, it won't be justified by your majesty or Xiangcheng. , Zang Feng will be impeached by outsiders."
The two girls breathed a long sigh of relief, looked at each other, and saluted Chai Shao in unison: "Thank you uncle for taking care of me. Everything will be at your discretion. I have caused you trouble."
"Come here, take the two ladies to bathe and change clothes. They will live in No. 2 Courtyard of the East Wing."
Seeing Chai Shao's reasonable arrangement, Xiao Rui admired him and said in his heart that Old Wei was really reliable and that this cheap uncle was too protective of me. I originally thought that because of Xiangcheng's relationship, I might be reprimanded, but now it seems that maybe I am a member of the same group, and they are all easy to talk to.
But three days later, Xiao Rui didn't think so anymore.
"My dear nephew, I have been with you for three days. You should have a grasp of the situation in Youzhou and the difficulties we are encountering now, right? Well, I will write to Your Majesty in the beginning of the spring, asking him to send a capable person to help. I didn’t expect that he would be so willing to send you, the most talented person in Chang’an.”
Xiao Rui suddenly realized, no wonder he treated me so favorably. He wanted me to solve the problem? I thought it would be easiest to come to the Northeast, but now it seems that this is a trap! I have to do so much work, so I want a wife from the emperor? Obviously this is not a good deal, there are not many of the three.
"Uncle, I have a lot of talent but little knowledge. I only know how to talk on paper. I don't know much about officialdom or dealing with foreign races. I thought I came here to raise horses and engage in horse administration, but I didn't expect it to be so complicated..."
Chai Shao smiled: "Where are you talking? You can even solve the livelihood of retired veterans. This is a trivial matter. Speaking of which, I have to thank you on behalf of my old brothers. They will also be able to have a stable livelihood in the future." ”
Is this guy going to be killed? Are you holding me up so high because you are afraid that I will run away?
Xiao Rui said helplessly: "Okay, uncle, you give me two people, one civil and one military, who are familiar with Youzhou affairs, and I will think about it for three days and give you an answer."
"No problem, no problem. Things in Youzhou are complicated and complicated, and I'm not in a rush for these three or two days. I'll send the man to you later. By the way, how about your cousin Chai Zhewei also be with you? It's easier for you to move around when you're new here. One is to let him learn more from you, so that he can avoid being a playboy all day long."
Xiao Rui was about to refuse, but Chai Shao didn't give him a chance: "This boy tells me every day how much he admires you. From now on, he will be a brother-in-law. Your aunt left early, and I am busy with official duties." You have time to take care of your child, and there is almost a generation gap between you and this child. You are the same age, and he is willing to listen to you, so just do your uncle a favor. "
I...well, you have said so, what else can I say?
A few days later, Li Er also received a reply from Chai Shao of Youzhou, Xiao Ruimo finally arrived.
"Huh? Didn't you say that he went to Youzhou alone? Why did he bring two maids with him? Did he pick him up on the way? This bastard can't change his eating habits! Send a letter to Xiao Rui to warn him, remember He writes letters to Xiangcheng from time to time, and if he dares to do anything wrong, I can't spare him!"
Lao Gao, the chamberlain, bowed and agreed. He wanted to laugh but didn't dare. He felt that the son-in-law and his son-in-law were funny. His Majesty seems to have strict requirements on his son-in-law and is protecting his daughter, but in fact he is angry and loving towards the prince-in-law. He helps him smooth things over at every turn, and even gives him hints overtly and covertly from time to time, teaching him how to coax girls.
