The Xue family in Hedong, a large family that has emerged since the late Han Dynasty, has gone through the ups and downs of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the Five Husties, and finally took root in the territory of Hedong.
After hundreds of years of reproduction and development, it is now a large family that is second to none. Although it is not as good as the Five Surnames and Qiwang, it is second only to them and one of the six major surnames in Guanxi (Wei Pei Xue Yang Liu Du). Today, in the court, there are dozens of Xue clan members with official positions above the fifth rank.
For example, the famous brother generals in the court - Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche, were born in the Xue family in Hedong. Deeply respected by the emperor.
Xue Li belongs to the southern ancestral branch of the Xue family in Hedong, and is a descendant of Xue Andu, a famous general in the Northern Wei Dynasty. His great-grandfather Xue Rong, grandfather Xue Yan, and father Xue Gui successively served as officials in the Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, and Sui dynasties. Unfortunately, his father Xue Gui died early and his family fell into decline, so Xue Li had an extremely difficult childhood.
But things are different now. The second-ranked talent in the world now enters the Tang Dynasty. He is deeply loved by the emperor. As soon as he soars into the sky, he is directly granted the title of marquis and general, governor of Liangzhou military affairs. Even the brothers Xue Wanjun who had fought for the Tang Dynasty for many years were not as good.
When the news came back to the Xue family in Hedong, they couldn't help but pay attention. Send someone down to check, hey! The Xue family in Longmen County, Jiangzhou is our original family. The Xue family in Hedong was going to be prosperous, so the clan leader immediately arranged for people to go to Longmen County to help arrange all the household affairs for Xue Li.
Several of Xue Li's uncles were taken care of by the family, and some of them became officials. Some of them got rich. Even the local Liu family, where the baby was born, received many gifts.
The Liu family in Hedong was also a well-known local family. Xue Li's father had arranged for him to marry him when he was still alive. However, both of Xue Li's parents died when he was young. Originally, the Liu family wanted to wait until Xue Li grew up and complete their engagement to help this son-in-law. But no one thought that Xue Li was missing. No news for many years.
Seeing that my daughter is growing up day by day and is about to reach the age of leaving the court, Xue Li is still missing, and her life and death are unknown. The Liu family is already considering whether to contact the Xue family, cancel the engagement, and marry their daughter to another person.
News of Xue Li's return to the court came here. The Liu family thought they had the same first and last name, but they didn't know it was the Xue Li until someone from the Xue family in Hedong came to visit. So everyone was happy and looked forward to Xue Li coming back soon to complete the engagement.
"Brother Liu, just don't worry. My brother is not here, but I, the uncle, am still here. As soon as Li'er comes back, I will take him to ask for his hand in marriage. Brother Liu, you must have good taste. Our Li'er is like this My good son-in-law, why have you chosen him so early..." Xue Li's third uncle, Xue Lun, chatted and laughed with Liu Yuanwai of Longmen County.
Liu Yuanwai had also heard about the Xue family's affairs and was very disapproving of the Xue Gui brothers. But he was an outsider and could not interfere in the Xue family's family affairs. Xue Li's wedding was arranged by his third uncle, which was reasonable and reasonable, so he could only treat him with false courtesy.
At this moment, Xue Lun's son came to report in a panic: "Dad, dad, Xue Li is back. He did not come to our house, but went to his shabby cave dwelling."
What? what happened? Didn't you arrange for someone to greet you?
"Welcome, but he doesn't know how to appreciate it and ignores it..."
Xue Lun slapped his son on the face, "Asshole, Xue Li is your brother."
He smiled awkwardly at Mr. Liu's companion and said, "Brother Liu, this kid Xue Li may not have been back for many years and doesn't recognize his way home. I'll go take a look and come to visit another day."
He held his son's hand and asked in a low voice: "What's going on? Did he come back alone? Does he have any followers or soldiers?"
"No, there was also a carriage following, saying it was the high official of the imperial court, Song Guogong Xiao Yu. Xue Li also said that Song Guogong was his adoptive father. If you don't bother with the family affairs, he would ask Song Guogong to help with it. Father, tell me. , how can this be like this? Are you bullying our Xue family? Find an outsider..."
Xue Lun quickly covered his son's mouth, fearing that Liu Yuanwai would hear. But he was already a little scared. Song Guogong Xiao Yu? If he really wants to stand up for Xue Li, how can he, a squire from a small county, compare with others?
After hesitating for a moment, he did not go home. Instead, he hurried to Jiangzhou Mansion to find the clan members.
Looking at the dilapidated cold kiln in front of him, the corners of Xiao Yu's eyes were sore with distress, and he patted Xue Li on the shoulder: "My child, I'm sorry for you. I have lived in such a home since I was a child."
Xue Li smiled sensibly: "Father, it's okay. Not a few years ago. My father passed away when I was eight years old. My mother and I were kicked out of the house by my uncle and lived in a cold kiln. When I was nine years old, my mother also died. No more. Fortunately, I met my brother when I was thirteen. After that, I traveled around the world with him, so I didn’t have to endure hardships."
"What about nine to thirteen years old? How can a baby survive?" Xiao Yu asked curiously.
"I fished and hunted during the day and studied at night. Although I didn't have enough to eat, I finally survived." Xue Li said it calmly, and anyone who could listen could imagine how difficult it was.
Especially Xiao Yu, he knew that Xue Li had a huge appetite. He could eat three buckets of rice in one meal, and he would not be hungry for three days after one meal. It is too difficult to make enough food by hunting.
"Hmph! The Xue family in Hedong is also a famous family. Although your family in Longmen County is not a wealthy family, it is still a queen of a famous family. How could such a thing happen? Your father is not here, so they bully you orphans and widowed mothers, which hurts you. I almost died, I really don’t deserve to be a son of a human being!”
"If they are members of my Lanling Xiao clan, kill them with the clan's magic staff!"
Xue Li comforted him: "Father, don't be angry because of these people. It's not worth it. I understand that you are afraid that I will gain power and retaliate, so you deliberately mentioned this. But I won't. After all, they are my father's brothers. See In front of my father, I will not embarrass them. I will have nothing to do with them in the future. Such evil people will have bad consequences sooner or later."
Xiao Yu nodded, but in his heart he felt aggrieved for Xue Lim. He was such a sensible boy, and it would not be too much to kill his uncles.
"Okay, kid, since you don't want to have anything to do with them. Then don't clean up this cold kiln. Pay homage to your parents and ask for a memorial tablet. Then go to Liu's house to pick up your fiancée and fulfill the engagement. This trip is over. It’s complete. Watching you succeed, your parents’ spirits in heaven will also rest in peace.”
In Longmen County, Xiao Yu, Xue Li and a group of guards rented a courtyard to live in, and planned to go to the Liu family to propose marriage in two days.
But just one day after staying, someone came to the door.
"May I ask if Mr. Xiao, the Duke of Song Dynasty, is staying here? I would like to inform you that Mr. Xue, the leader of the Xue clan in Hedong, wants to see you."
Xiao Yu frowned when the servant sent him a greeting card. Xue Gongju? The patriarch of the Xue family in Hedong, yes, he was an official in the same dynasty of the Sui Dynasty and had a close relationship with him. What is he here for? Come by the smell?
Seeing the doubts on Xue Li's face, Xiao Yu smiled and raised the greeting card, "You see, you don't want to get involved with the Xue family in Hedong, but they are reluctant to let go of a talented member of the clan like you."
"Father, can I not see them?" Xue Li asked.
Xiao Yu shook his head and said: "No, aristocratic families have their own rules. They are all people with status. They must be polite when doing things. No matter whether it is successful or not, the etiquette cannot be discarded. If you don't want to see him, then you can avoid it for the time being and I will deal with it."
Xue Li saluted, bowed and stepped back.
