Yecheng, General's Mansion
"Oh, are all the generals here? It seems that you are the last to come. My lord, please forgive me. Please forgive me..."
Yuan Xi had just drank a bowl of wine after sitting down on his knees when he saw a military general rushing in. It was none other than Qu Yi, who had a conflict with Yuan Xi this morning. It seemed that the reserved table was prepared for him.
Yuan Shao had a sullen look on his face: "Why is Qu Shutong so late? Could it be that he doesn't see me as your lord?"
"Ouch... My lord, what you said is unjust. How dare you disrespect your lord? Just a few days ago, Captain Gongsun Zan led his troops to harass the border. This man was brave and good at fighting. He repeatedly violated the border, so Yi decided to cut off his head. He came to celebrate his lord, led his men to fight with him for several days and nights, and shot him to death in Qingtongxia. As a result, he delayed his trip. He just entered the city this morning. No, he had just settled his men in the post house, and Yi rushed on in a hurry. Come here, my lord, don’t be angry with Yi..."
Although Qu Yi was admitting his mistake to Yuan Shao, his face was quite proud and he did not take his lateness seriously at all.
Although Yuan Shao was dissatisfied, he had nothing to say about what Qu Yi said about fighting the enemy bravely. He waved his hand to signal Qu Yi to take a seat, and then ordered the banquet to begin.
However, Yuan Shao felt quite unhappy in his heart. He was unhappy that Qu Yi had come late. Secondly, he was angry that others were offering rare treasures. You, Qu Yi, used a bloody human head to congratulate me on my birthday. What the hell is that? ?
As Yuan Shao ordered the banquet to begin, for a while, sheng and music were blaring, silk and bamboo were heard, and beautiful dancers performed songs and dances. The civil and military staff at the banquet talked loudly, held cups of wine, drank happily, and everyone drank happily.
Yuan Xi sat boringly next to Zhang Hong and drank alone. Yuan Xi took some food, drank a few sips of wine, put down his chopsticks, and stopped eating. In this era, there was no fermentation and distillation technology, so all they drank were low-alcohol glutinous rice wines. Although they were called wines, they were a bit bitter, and they were called white wines, but they did not have the richness and sweetness of white wines. Anyway, Yuan Xi found it difficult to drink.
Yuan Xi didn't come here to drink today. It was Zhang Hong who suggested that Yuan Xilai wanted to get to know a few capable people, and secondly, to increase his reputation. What's the point of sitting down like this? After pondering for a moment, Yuan Xi thought of a way to stand out.
"Father, today is the day of your victory. The child is alone and has no money to buy you a gift. He is very scared and uneasy. During the dinner, the generals drank very happily. The child wanted to improvise a song for his father. Sir, I wish you a happy birthday, what do you think my father would like?"
Yuan Xi straightened his clothes, walked to the center of the banquet, and bowed to Yuan Shao who was talking to Chun Yuqiong.
"Well, this is good. I'm used to seeing Xiansi and the others dancing with swords and guns, but I've never seen your son sing and do poetry. This is good."
As soon as Yuan Xi finished speaking, Chun Yuqiong clapped her hands and started cheering with the strength of her wine. This is Chunyu Qiong taking the opportunity to create opportunities for Yuan Xi.
Yuan Shao also thought about it. Yuan Tan spent all day training soldiers and horses, and Yuan Shangjiao was a dandy and practiced martial arts. There was really no one who could write poems and poems. Everyone in the world praised Cao Cao and his son for their literary and military skills, and even praised him for being only about nine years old. His son "Cao Pi" is a child prodigy. We, the old Yuan family, are famous nobles and have four generations of nobles. How can we be better than Cao Ahao's son? It doesn't disgrace the reputation of my father!
"Okay, today is our army's victory banquet, and I am very happy. Since Xianyi has asked you to join the fun, you can compose a song. If you do well, you will be rewarded as a father!"
"Thank you, father."
Yuan Xi sang a promise, took a deep breath, and prepared to start "plagiarism".
Yes, it's plagiarism. These days, if you travel to ancient times, you would be embarrassed to admit that you are a time traveler if you don’t steal a few famous works. Yuan Xi decided to write other people's words, leaving others with nothing to write.
But whose plagiarism? Tang poetry and Song lyrics were not very popular in this era. Yuan Xi decided to steal Cao Cao's masterpiece "Dan Ge Xing". In his memory, Cao Cao composed this masterpiece during the Battle of Chibi. At this time, the Yuan Group has not yet been destroyed. Obviously, this song The word has not yet come out.
Following the example of the ancients singing lyrics and poetry, Yuan Xi took square steps in the center of the banquet and sang loudly:
"Wine and song, life geometry?
It's like morning dew, it's said to be very painful when it goes away.
Generosity should be shown as generosity, and worries will be unforgettable.
How to relieve worries? Only Du Kang.
Green Zijin, Youyouwoxin.
But for your sake, I still ponder it.
Yo yo deer roar, eat wild apples.
I have guests, harp blowing Sheng.
It's as bright as the moon, when can I shed it?
Worry comes from it and cannot be cut off.
The more unfamiliar you are, the more you cross the border, the more useless you are.
Qi Kuo talks about Yan, thinking about old kindness.
The moon and stars are few and far between, and magpies are flying south.
Three twists and turns around the tree, where is the branch to lean on?
The mountains never get too high and the sea never gets too deep.
The Duke of Zhou vomits food, and the world returns to its heart. "
"Okay...how can I relieve my worries? Du Kang is the only one! A masterpiece, a masterpiece, the young master is a great talent. I admire you so much, I admire you so much!"
As soon as Yuan Xi's singing ended, someone stood up excitedly and cheered loudly, it was the host Bo Chen Lin.
Led by Chen Lin, the whole hall burst into cheers, and everyone shouted: What a talented man, what a masterpiece. I didn't expect that there is such a talented young man in the Lord's family. It is really unexpected.
At this moment, Yuan Xi felt very happy. Even if he, Cao Meng De, was a man of great ability and could mount a horse to cross the bridge and dismount to compose poems, he would never have expected that a soul from two thousand years later would be holding his masterpiece today, in front of his opponent. He was compared to nothing at the banquet.
Later, this poem and poem reached Xuchang and reached the ears of Cao Cao. He loved it very much and admired the composer. When he heard that the author was Yuan Shao's son, he was so surprised that he almost dislocated his jaw.
"Yuan Benchu actually has a good son. He is full of talent and literary talent. My son Huan is not as good as him!"
However, while admiring it, Cao Cao vaguely felt that something was right, but there was something wrong and he couldn't explain it, which made him puzzled. Of course, this is all for later, let’s not mention it for now.
Although Guo Tu and Xin Ping were full of hostility towards Yuan Xi at this moment, they had to admit that in terms of literary attainments alone, this poem was the best in this era. While admiring him, the two of them felt faintly worried. It seemed that the eldest son would be a strong competitor in the future.
"The Duke of Zhou Tufu, the world returns to its heart... Haha... Okay, okay, I like this sentence!"
Yuan Shao was overjoyed and stood up happily, holding the wine glass and kept chanting this sentence, as if he thought he was the saint Zhou Gong. "My father said that if you do well, you will be rewarded! Today, Xianyi has won glory for me, and I will give you a battalion of soldiers with weapons and armor. I wonder what Xi'er wants?"
"Thank you very much, father. I will do my best to fulfill my mission." Yuan Xi knelt down and thanked him, and then returned to sit beside Zhang Hong excitedly.
Seeing that Yuan Shao and his wife had finished whispering, Xu You, who was sitting below, as an old friend of Yuan Shao, felt it was time to get up and say a few words, so he stood up with a wine glass:
"The Duke of Zhou speaks of his help, and the world returns to its heart. What Xianyi said is so good. I have a toast to my lord, and the world will definitely belong to you in the future. My lord is powerful all over the world, and the world returns to his heart. That Captain Gongsun Zan is a fierce general, and he often disturbs the borders. . No, on my lord’s birthday, I obediently gave up my head. It’s all thanks to the protection of my lord’s reputation that the people on the border can enjoy peace...”
"Haha...Xu Ziyuan, you are just fooling the lord here. You killed Gongsun's general because he got lost in the canyon of Qingtong Gorge. He was ambushed by me and shot dead by random arrows. What does it have to do with the lord... …”
Qu Yi was obviously a little drunk. He held a wine glass in one hand and a piece of chicken drumstick in the other, laughing and interrupting Xu You's words.
Yuan Shao also knew that what Xu You said was flattery, but he felt comfortable and was about to say something modest when suddenly such words came out of Qu Yi's mouth, and his face suddenly changed.
Although Qu Yi was a military commander, he was usually arrogant and arrogant, but he was not a reckless man after all. When he saw Yuan Shao's face suddenly changed, he realized that he had said something wrong. He quickly put down his wine glass and food and said, "Lord, please calm down. Just talking nonsense after getting drunk, my lord is a young man. Killing Gongsun's generals is all thanks to my lord's great blessing."
Yuan Shao snorted: "The shooting of Gongsun's generals is all your fault, General Qu. What does it have to do with me!"
Seeing that Yuan Shao was dissatisfied, everyone present stood up and flattered him: "My lord, calm down. Although the battle was fought by General Qu, it was still because of my lord that you were strategizing behind the scenes, so General Gongsun was awarded the title."
Yuan Shao said nothing more and waved his hand to continue drinking, but he was unhappy in his heart. He was going to have a few more drinks, so he ordered the banquet to disperse.
One month after the Battle of Jieqiao, Gongsun Zan sent another army to attack Yuan Shao's army. They reached Longcuo and were defeated by Ju Yi and others. So Gongsun Zan returned to Youzhou.
Yuan Shao also began to manage many government affairs in Jizhou. With the help of internal affairs talents such as Ju Shou and Tian Feng, Jizhou quickly settled down and all military and political affairs, large and small, were in order.
Yuan Shao generously rewarded the generals and counselors in the last war. In addition to money and silk, he also divided the land.
The outstanding performance of Yuan Xi's first battalion was praised by Yuan Shao. With Yuan Xi's help, the battalion was also equipped with some sophisticated armor weapons and military horses.
The Liu family, Yuan Tan, and Yuan Shang were also brought to Jizhou from Yanzhou Liu Dai by Yuan Shao.
"Third brother." Yuan Xi stepped forward excitedly, grabbed Yuan Shang's arms, and then gave him a bear hug. He laughed and said, "I miss you so much after not seeing you for a few months. How are you lately?"
"Second brother, just come back. If you don't go home, my mother will scold you for being unfilial, haha." Yuan Shang patted Yuan Xi on the shoulder. Compared with a few months ago, Yuan Xi looked more mature now, and his body was basically powdery. Going up and down was clean.
The eldest brother Yuan Tan is extremely tall and muscular. Although he is also a talented person, he is the worst-looking among Yuan Shao's three sons.
In addition, he is not good at catering. Although he is the eldest son, he is not very liked by Yuan Shao and his mother.
Among the three sons of the Yuan family, Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi get along pretty well. Of course, this is true on the surface, but the relationship with the eldest brother Yuan Tan can be said to be unharmonious. The more Yuan Shao valued Yuan Xi and doted on Yuan Shang, the more Yuan Tan resented Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang's brothers.
Although Yuan Xi doesn't like Yuan Tan either, their relationship with him is still acceptable.
"I was delayed because of something. Didn't I rush back a year ago?" Yuan Xi said with a smile: "Let me introduce you to the eldest brother. This is my wife."
"Madam?" Yuan Tan nodded and said with a smile: "Well, Yuan Xi, everyone says you are romantic, but I still don't believe it. I didn't expect that you would bring a younger brother and sister back when you came back this time."
Yuan Xiqian smiled and said: "How can I be romantic? I really like her. Big brother, one of you and your third brother like to lead soldiers and fight, and the other likes to be an official in politics. I, haha, like the world of flowers and beautiful women. I only want to When eldest brother takes charge of the Yuan family, just give me a few more beauties."
"You," Yuan Tan shook his head, taking advantage of Yuan Xi's show of weakness and being like his father Yuan Shao.
"Wugu, come down here. I've seen my eldest brother." Yuan Xi opened the curtain of the carriage and called inside.
After Gao Yue got out of the carriage, Yuan Tan immediately froze and looked at Gao Yue with dull eyes.
"Ahem," Yuan Xi coughed twice. Yuan Tan woke up immediately, turned to Yuan Xi and said, "Second brother, why did you bring Miss Gao's family back? What should you do if her family knows?"
Yuan Xi had no choice but to deal with this thick-headed elder brother. He took two steps closer and whispered a few words in his ear before dispelling his doubts.
"Wugou, this is my eldest brother Yuan Tan, just call Wugou eldest brother." Yuan Xi introduced Gao Yue.
"Wugou, greeting brother." Gao Yue bowed quickly. She could be informal with Yuan Xi, but Gao Yue didn't dare to treat his relatives lightly. Afraid of being underestimated, Yuan Xi was also underestimated.
"Haha, okay, okay, we will all be a family from now on, come and let's go in together." Yuan Tan immediately led the three of them inside, letting the maid lead the way.
Seeing them entering the mansion, he turned back and whispered: "Second brother, you are so talented. You can even coax the daughter of a high-ranking doctor to come to our Hebei. Brother, I will obey you." Whether Yuan Tan's words are true or not is unknown. .
"Ashamed, ashamed, haha." Yuan Xi confused, took Gao Yue's arm, and walked inside. You would be even more surprised if you knew that Princess Hongnong was also snatched away by your brother.
In the Yuan family hall, several of Yuan Shao's wives were sitting on one side. Sitting in the middle of the hall was Yuan Shao's first wife, Mrs. Liu, the mistress of the Yuan family.
"Mother," Yuan Xi came to the door, strode in, hurriedly came to Mrs. Liu, bowed deeply and said, "Xianyi is late, I hope mother will forgive you."
"It's good to come back, it's good to come back." Mrs. Liu took his arm and said happily: "My son, if you don't come back, my mother will send people to look for you. Your father doesn't come back for a whole year, if you don't come back again, Come on, my life this year has been too boring."
Mrs. Liu is Yuan Shao's favorite wife, not without reason. In addition to her own means, her appearance is also of excellent quality. Although she was jealous and hot-tempered like Empress Lu, she still loved her children very much.
Wearing a bright red silk tight cotton skirt, she showed off her voluptuous figure. Her face was like a hibiscus, and her eyebrows were like willows. Although her eyebrows were full of kindness, she had a pair of peach blossom eyes; her skin was like snow, and her black hair was pulled up high. She is wearing a beautiful bun, and the hairpins on her head shine dazzlingly in the winter sun. Her pale red lips are slightly raised, showing a kind smile. She is a rare noble lady.
"I don't plan to go on another expedition in the near future when I come back this time," Yuan Xi raised his head and said with a smile: "By the way, I brought you a daughter-in-law when I came back this time. I hope my mother won't blame Xian Yi for being good at making decisions. "
Mrs. Liu patted the back of his hand and said with a smile: "Your eldest brother and your third brother have wives and concubines a long time ago. You are the only one who has been single. I don't want you to bring the woman you like back earlier, so how can I blame you? Hurry up. Let her come in and let mother take a look."
Yuan Xi bowed, stood up and walked out.
The sun was particularly bright today. When Yuan Xi turned around and walked outside, his eyes narrowed slightly and his mind was in a daze.
Among the memories that appeared, his mother liked his third brother Yuan Shang the most. There was nothing wrong with this, but she was not too unfavorable to him. However, her mother still valued this son who was both civil and military. When Yuan Xi walked into the hall with the gentle and generous Gao Yue, Yuan Xi could clearly feel the exclamation of everyone.
"You, are you not the daughter of Gao Langzhong, Miss Wugou?" Mrs. Liu, who recovered first, quickly stood up and asked Gao Yue, who was following Yuan Xi closely.
"Reporting to my mother, my daughter-in-law is Wu Gu." Gao Yue smiled slightly, without any embarrassment, and looked extremely generous.
Mrs. Liu was stunned for a moment, but she covered it up well. She was overjoyed and said with a smile on her face: "My son is really talented. He can even bring home such a wonderful woman as Wu Gu. What a blessing. What a blessing." , this is the blessing of my Yuan family."
Gao Yue's tense body finally relaxed, and she glanced at Yuan Xi on the side, unable to hide the smile in her eyes.
She was slightly dissatisfied when Yuan Xi insisted on marrying Gao Yue before, but Yuan Xi never brought Gao Yue to her house, so she didn't say anything else. Otherwise, she would never be willing to become the first wife of the second son of her Yuan family.
Of course, Mrs. Liu will not dampen her son's interest now that things have happened. So he said, "Gao Langzhong, everything is okay, Wu Gu."
"Reporting to mother, everything is fine with father." Gao Yue Yingying bowed, as if he didn't notice anything strange about Mrs. Liu.
But having said that, in addition to feeling the change in attitude of the beautiful lady in front of him, Gao Yue really couldn't feel the resentment that Mrs. Liu had towards her before.
Before the banquet, because Yuan Xi had just returned from other places, he sat on the right side of his mother. Gao Yue sat on the left side of Mrs. Liu, while the others sat casually.
During the banquet, Yuan Xi was also a little embarrassed because her mother and Gao Yue could not speak more than ten words.
If this continues, even the gentle and generous Gao Yue will definitely have grudges in his heart. However, Gao Yue has already made clear his position, so naturally he will not seek any other advantages over it. From time to time, he will bring the topic to Yuan Xi. Tell about her good deeds and good reputation in Luoyang.
After several visits, Mrs. Liu really changed her opinion of Gao Yue a lot, and she started to talk more.
Yuan Xi breathed a sigh of relief and secretly applauded Gao Yue. She really looked like the Changsun Queen.
Although he looked carefree, he really didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of his mother. Mrs. Liu's dignity and methods cannot be expressed by her usual kindness.
After eating, Yuan Xi was completely relieved as he took the two girls back in a carriage. This meal is really uncomfortable to eat.
Gao Yue didn't know her status in her mother's eyes, but Yuan Xi knew it very well. It was actually very good to be able to do this today. This is equivalent to preliminary recognition of Gao Yue's status.
"I've wronged you." Yuan Xi grabbed Gao Yue's hand apologetically.
Gao Yue was already on the verge of tears under Yuan Xi's coaxing, but now when she heard Yuan Xi's comforting voice, her tears could no longer be held back. She threw herself into his arms and sobbed softly: "Yuan Xianyi, where am I?" Did I do something wrong? Why does mother hate me? "
"This?" Yuan Xi looked apologetic, hugged her and patted her back, comforting her softly: "Don't be afraid, just meet her at the earliest. I'm afraid of my mother even just looking at her. What's more, you haven't seen how she treats her sister-in-law on a daily basis. And my mother can be regarded as recognizing Wu Gu. After all, my mother is jealous of girls who are better and more beautiful than herself. She is comparable to the great ancestor Empress Lu."
So Yuan Xi really wasn't lying when he said that his mother treated Gao Yue quite well today.
There is comfort in comparison. Sure enough, Gao Yue has a girlish nature. She fluttered her big eyes in his arms and said, "Does mother really not want to see my sister-in-law?"
"What's the benefit of lying to you?" Yuan Xi vowed.
Yuan Xi didn't want to listen to his mother Liu Yu's nagging at home, so he often went to the military camp to train troops, or took Xu Chu to visit Yecheng.
He also asked his teacher Zhang Hong to send some secret guards to Guanzhong to contact Zhu Ao. Together with some contacts between Yuan Shao and various ministers, he gradually got some news about Chang'an.
