Dusk, Heshun Wine Shop.
Since Yuan Xi was appointed to go to Qingzhou a few days ago, Yuan Xi was really happy, so he booked the entire third floor of Heshun Winery. Here he entertained a group of generals who were about to go on an expedition with him. Subordinates match up in advance to enhance relationships.
Zhang Liao and Zhang He have received Yuan Shao's approval to follow Yuan Xi on his expedition to Qingzhou, and have issued transfer orders to them.
Zhang Liao felt that the expedition to Qingzhou was the right time to establish his achievements. After all, a man's achievements should be made immediately, and he was also familiar with Yuan Xi and was somewhat kind to him, so he happily went to the banquet.
Zhang He has always been very confident in his abilities, so he didn't pay too much attention to his trip to Qingzhou. Originally, he was not willing to succumb to Yuan Xi. After all, this young master of Zhou Mu is currently too young and his status is not very prominent, so he is somewhat incompetent. contempt.
However, Yuan once saved his life during the Battle of Jieqiao, and he was indeed a talented person, so he accepted Yuan Shao's dispatch order, which was regarded as repaying Yuan Xi's favor.
But what made Yuan Xi unhappy was that when inviting Tian Feng, Tian Feng declined Yuan Xi's invitation indifferently and righteously.
Tian Feng was avoiding suspicion and not wanting to get involved in the dispute between the young masters. He was making his position clear to him and others.
Fortunately, Tian Feng still distinguishes between public and private affairs. He is conscientious in his work and did not abandon public affairs for private purposes because of this small episode.
After Yuan Shao decided to let Tian Feng assist Yuan Xi in pacifying Qingzhou, he immediately handed over the government affairs at hand, and then seriously took charge of the dispatch of materials and personnel for the expedition to Qingzhou.
Yuan Xi warmly greeted the two generals Zhang Liao and Zhang He downstairs. What made Yuan Xi curious was that Zhang He also brought two young sergeants in their early twenties.
"Master, these two are Hao Zhao and Guo Huai from Bingzhou. They have recently joined the army, but they have always admired the deeds of the second master. I heard that the second master was going to Qingzhou, so I came here to join him. Master, Guo Huai's courtesy name is Bo Ji. Hao Zhao, also known as Bo Dao, was a native of Taiyuan.
Speaking of which, the two of them are also descendants of aristocratic families. However, the two of them left home privately to join the army, and their ambitions were not small. They wanted to imitate the champion Houle Shi Langxu Shan. I met the two of them by chance and took them to the army.
Now the two of them have worked hard to reach the position of village chief. I think the two of them have good qualifications and are rare young talents, so Junyi boldly recommends them to the young master. "Zhang He recommended to Yuan Xi.
Zhang He said so much in order to increase Yuan Xi's attention to them. It can be seen that the two of them are indeed outstanding. Otherwise, how could Zhang He stoop to introduce them with his arrogant character.
Yuan Xi was deeply impressed by these two people, and vaguely remembered that in history, these two people later defected to Cao Cao, and then Hao Zhao defended Chencang and Zhuge Liang was unable to defeat him. Guo Huai was also a hero in defending Zhuge Liang during the same period, but later defected to Sima Yi.
But at this moment, if they can control the two of them well, they can still be worthy of the important task. After all, as long as they are strong enough, they will not change their minds. After all, people are subject to power, right? So he hurriedly followed Hao Zhao and Guo Huai has seen the ceremony.
However, Guo Huai and Hao Zhao were favored by Zhang He at a young age. He not only personally led them into the army, but also taught them martial arts. It can be seen that the qualifications of these two people are definitely extraordinary.
Yuan Xi's love for talents suddenly aroused. If such a talent is not taken into account, wouldn’t it be a failure of God’s will? Guo Huai and Hao Zhao were really flattered when they faced Yuan Xi's Corporal Li Xian.
Guo Huai and Hao Zhao never expected that the person talking to them in such a low voice would be the second young master himself, who had recently been in high power in the army.
The two of them had long heard that Yuan Xi was kind and loving, and it was also Yuan Xi who was choosing the army today. But he didn't expect Yuan Xi to come in person. Some low-level generals had a good impression of the legendary second son who was approachable, and Guo Huai and Hao Zhao were no exception.
Coupled with the performance of Corporal Yuan Xi Lixian today, Guo Huai and Hao Zhao were immediately heartbroken. So he said excitedly, "Young master is generous. Huai (Zhao) is convinced!" His head that was originally high bowed in front of Yuan Xi, and he prostrated himself in front of Yuan Xi.
"Please get up quickly, two generals." Yuan Xi stepped forward and helped the two of them up, "I heard from Jun Yijun that the two of you are rare heroes in Hebei. I am very lucky to see you two generals today." . Today Xi leads the generals of chariots and cavalry on an expedition to Qingzhou, but there is a shortage of young talents like the two generals. If you are bold enough to show off, please condescend to the two generals to help show your strength."
"Ah." The people present turned to stone, not expecting Yuan Xi to be so courteous to the two weak-headed young men. Guo and Hao were so moved that they fell to the ground without even thinking.
Commenting on Yuan Xi's move, later generations said: Emperor Taizong Xuanwu of the Jin Dynasty hired Hussar General Guo Huai with heavy gifts, and Chariot General Hao Zhao had the same purpose as King Yan Zhao's purchase of horse bones for thousands of gold. Since then, heroes from all over the world have returned in droves. Taizu's foundation has been established since then.
After Guo Jia, Xu Huang, Zhao Yun, Xu Chu and others all arrived, the banquet officially began. Yuan Xi was eloquent and the atmosphere of the banquet was lively.
Looking at the talented people under his command, Yuan Xi's originally worried heart suddenly became much more cheerful. If he could get the devoted help of these people, he would have the capital to fight against the powerful princes in the competition for hegemony in the late Han Dynasty.
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, the main event is here.
Yuan Xi got straight to the point and said, "Now the treacherous ministers are causing chaos, and Your Majesty is wandering around. I, the Yuan family, have been favored by the Han Dynasty for generations, and I am determined to use my strength and life to revitalize and restore the Liu Han world.
However, Duke Huan of Qi could not have achieved hegemony without Guan Zhong, and Gou Jian could not have preserved Yue without Fan Li. Now I want to work together with the princes to stabilize the country, so I will start with Qingzhou. What strategies do you have to help me?"
Guo Huai took the lead and said, "The general worked for the court when he was less than sixteen years old, and his reputation spread among the Han Dynasty. When Dong Zhuo deposed the emperor, the general became loyal and assassinated Dong Zhuo alone. You cross the Yellow River and head east. , the people of Qingzhou will definitely submit to Kuaiji."
After hearing Guo Huai's praise, everyone also agreed.
"Okay, okay, okay"
Yuan Xi said three good words in a row, which showed that he agreed with Guo Huai's words. What he said made his blood boil, and he wished he could realize it now, but he also knew that this matter could not be rushed, and he would have to eat it in one bite, and it would be impossible to build a tall building from the ground.
Yuan Xi spoke again, "Everyone is here except teacher Zhang Hong, who is not here today. Everyone met these two gentlemen yesterday, and I will formally introduce them to you today."
Everyone's ears pricked up to listen to Yuan Xi's evaluation of the two gentlemen.
Yuan Xi pointed at Guo Jia, who was standing behind Tian Feng, and said with great admiration, "This is Mr. Guo Jia, and he will be the military advisor of our Qingzhou Army from now on. Mr. Guo is a man of great talent. Everyone should respect him and not neglect him."
Military advisor, everyone was very surprised. They didn't expect that Mr. Guo Jia was so powerful that he could keep pace with Mr. Tian Feng. Seeing that Yuan Xi was building momentum for Guo Jia, everyone naturally did not dare to neglect and said in unison.
"I've seen the military advisor before." Everyone raised their voices and said
Guo Jia was very grateful and did not want Yuan Xi to praise him so highly and grant him a high position as military advisor. When he saw his colleagues saluting him, he didn't dare to show off, so he returned the salute when he left work.
"My colleagues don't need to be so polite. We will work hard together from now on and do our best for the great cause of the Yuan family."
This was said beautifully, and Guo Jia didn't have any airs about him. He immediately made everyone get very close to each other, shortening the distance between them, and instantly becoming one with them.
Yuan Xi was very happy when he saw that they were getting along well with each other. Only when generals and generals get along well can great things be prospered.
Two days later, most of the troops and horses assigned to Yuan Xi by Yuan Shao were in place. Among them, 2,000 of the 4,000 Jizhou cavalry were organized into a battalion and were commanded by Zhang Liao as the Cavalry Commander.
Among the 16,000 newly recruited infantry soldiers, Yuan Xi asked Xu Chu and others to pick out 1,000 strong soldiers and add them to his own garrison. In this way, Xu Chu not only commanded the tiger guard, but also commanded a thousand garrison infantry.
The thousand cavalry originally commanded by Xu Huang and Zhao Yun were merged into two thousand guards cavalry and placed under Zhao Yun's command.
Xu Huang and Zhang He were left to command a battalion of troops each.
One battalion includes one thousand Jizhou cavalry and five thousand infantry. In terms of weapons and equipment, Zhang He's first battalion of infantry focused on attacking fortresses, while Xu Huang's first battalion focused on crossbows and swords and shields.
In the end, the relatively inferior infantry of more than 5,000 people were organized into five thousand-person logistics departments, under the command of Hao Zhao and Guo Huai.
In the last period before the expedition, Xu Huang, Zhang He and others stepped up training to adapt to the situation.
Yuan Xifu
"Madam, there was one less thing I didn't tell you when I came back last time."
"What's the matter?" Gao Yue felt slightly nervous, because Yuan Xi's expression couldn't make her less nervous.
"That's it...it's the marriage thing I mentioned before." Yuan Xi said with a slight embarrassment: "There is a giant businessman in Wuji, Zhongshan. In the future, I want to ask her family to come and help me, and my father also has a relationship with her family. In order to get married, I decided to marry the youngest sister of the Zhen family to me on her own initiative. Madam, you won’t blame me, right?"
Gao Yue frowned and said slightly displeased: "I have never met the person, and you agree? How is your appearance? If you are not satisfied with her when you marry her, won't everyone be in trouble?"
Although he said this, Yuan Xi still believed in Zhen Mi's appearance. How could the most beautiful woman in Hebei be any worse? But obviously you can't talk to Gao Yue about this.
Yuan Xi pretended not to care and said: "I, Yuan Xi, am not someone who only cares about other women's looks. If her conduct is not good, I will let her hide in a deep house and my wife will teach her every day. Will she be able to turn the world upside down?"
"who is it?"
"Wuji Zhen Family."
"I've heard about it." Gao Yue looked at him suspiciously and said, "I heard that their sisters are famous beauties in Hebei. Are you sure you are not shameless enough to come to marry his family?"
Yuan Xi sweated profusely and said with a dry smile: "Madam, where are you thinking? I can still be called a young general. How can I lower my status?" If it were true, Yuan Xi would not hide it from Gao Yue, because he Knowing Gao Yue's character, he was most afraid of hiding it, but not afraid of how many women he had.
"That's it." Gao Yue thought about it.
Yuan Xi was doing business, and Gao Yue felt that she should help her. Her thoughts depended on Yuan Xi's attitude. Now she felt a little pitiful for the daughter of the Zhen family.
The Zhen family's wealth is what he needs. Qingzhou will have to rely on her in the future.
"You really don't know how to do things." Gao Yue scolded him a little, and said softly: "Since the Zhen family girl is so important, I think it is better to send important people to Zhongshan with you to move around more. Then they will be unwilling to do it. I have to agree, husband, what do you think?"
"Well, that's a good idea." Yuan Xi didn't expect Gao Yue to help him with the idea, so he nodded and said, "Let's wait until the day we leave, otherwise it will be ugly."
"You have to go in person. It's best for Uncle Xu Shi to accompany you. At least let others see your sincerity. I guess the sister of the Zhen family may be complaining about you in her heart."
Yuan Xi smiled, but he felt that the problem was really not big or small. The woman complained in her heart that it would be better to spend a few nights together and coax the matter away with a few sweet words.
After a few busy days, Yuan Xi had to follow Yuan Shao's order to go to Zhen's house in Zhongshan to engage Naji. Only then did Yuan Xi feel firsthand the complexity of ancient marriage customs.
During the Qin and Han Dynasties, marriage procedures must follow the "six rites".
That is, accept the offer, ask for the name, accept the honor, accept the invitation, ask for an appointment, and personally welcome.
Of course, ordinary people will not fully implement these complicated etiquette, but aristocratic families attach great importance to the "six etiquette".
He took Xu Chu and a group of tiger guards to Zhongshan with Xu You, who was sent by Yuan Shao to take charge of the matter.
Yuan Xi thought about the day when she tactfully told Gao Yue that she wanted to marry into the Zhen family for political reasons. Although she pretended to be calm, she could not hide her resentful look.
Yuan Xi asked himself that he was not an innocent man. Ever since he came to the troubled times of feudal society, he had unconsciously had the idea of taking the power of the world with a drunken beauty, or in other words, as he gained control of power, he began to have sexual thoughts. **
It seems that only in the monstrous power can his true presence here be reflected. Thinking of this, sometimes he couldn't help but secretly laugh at himself, thinking about equality in love at this time.
Zhen Family Manor.
In Yuan Xi's view, although Mrs. Zhen is no longer young, her elegant and dignified temperament is really impressive and makes people dare not to treat her with ordinary ladies.
"Mrs. Zhen, you are polite. Xu You accepted Yuan Jizhou's entrustment and brought the second young master to betrothed to Naji." Xu You said with a smile.
Xu You then asked his accompanying servants to bring jade bis, horses, cloth and other betrothal money.
Hundreds of servants were also busy carrying more than 30 kinds of auspicious gifts from the betrothal Naji, including Xuan, Xuan, sheep, wine, and rice.
Mrs. Zhen and her three sons also looked at Yuan Xi. In Mrs. Zhen's opinion, Yuan Xi was handsome, elegant, and dignified. She nodded secretly in her heart, he was indeed a hero among men.
Yuan Xi held a pair of wild geese in his hands. He looked calm and unrestrained, but felt very embarrassed in his heart. This was really the first time for a man to do this, and his wife, Gao Yue, was not treated like this.
"Master Xu and the second young master come to this humble residence from afar, which makes me and the Zhen family feel honored." Mrs. Zhen said with a smile.
"Madam, you are polite. From today on, Yuan and Zhen's family are in-laws. There is no need to stick to courtesy." Xu You said.
Then Mrs. Zhen asked her three daughters-in-law to bring Zhen Mi to greet everyone.
Although Zhen Mi is thirteen years old, due to her family environment and nurturing, she appears to be more mature and sensible than other women.
She has been different since she was a child. She is not only delicate and beautiful, but also smart and clear. After the fortune teller Liu Liang read her face, her family regarded her as an extraordinary person.
When she was ten years old, she knew how to let her family use food to provide relief to relatives and neighbors, and to spread kindness. Later, Mrs. Zhen and her three brothers did not treat her as a child, and she was also involved in some family affairs.
But this engagement was very sudden for Zhen Mi. Although she was precocious and knew a lot, many women were getting married at the age of thirteen at this time, but she was unprepared, so she was still a little flustered and shy.
The name Yuan Xi, Second Young Master Yuan, was not unfamiliar to her. They had met by chance not long ago, and had been helped by him several times. She had also heard about his heroic deeds, and was impressed by his handsome and elegant demeanor. However, at this time, she was not interested in Yuan Xi. Xi is still a bit unfamiliar.
For a cardamom girl, she was afraid, confused, shy, and also a little happy, because the second young master at least had a certain fate with her, and she had been suffering from insomnia for two days.
"Second Young Master, why don't you present your jade jade, Hongyan?" Xu You reminded Yuan Xizhenmi as they looked at each other awkwardly.
Yuan Xi said "hmm" and hesitantly sent a pair of wild geese in front of Zhen Mi, not knowing what to do.
Looking at Yuan Xi's eyes, Zhen Mi blushed with embarrassment. It was her first time as a young girl and she didn't know how to deal with it.
Mrs. Zhen smiled and asked her eldest son Zhen Yu to take the wild goose and place it beside the lobby.
"Mother-in-law, Miss Zhen, please accept the dragon and phoenix jade pendants." Yuan Xi then handed over a pair of dragon and phoenix jade pendants and said according to the etiquette instructed by Xu You.
Mrs. Zhen nodded with a smile, accepted it on behalf of Zhen Mi, and returned the dragon-shaped jade to Yuan Xi after a ceremony, along with some gifts prepared by the woman.
It took more than an hour to complete Naji's ceremony, and then Zhen Mi returned to the boudoir accompanied by her sister-in-law.
Afterwards, the Zhen family held a banquet in honor of Yuan Xi, his future uncle. The banquet was accompanied by Zhen Yu, Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao.
Zhen Yu first gave a toast to Yuan Xi and Xu You, and they also raised a toast to return the favor.
After a few glasses of wine, everyone gradually started talking more freely.
"I've heard for a long time that the Zhen family is a wealthy family in Hebei. When I came to your manor today to see it, it turned out to be magnificent, graceful and luxurious." Xu You said with a smile. He couldn't help but get excited when he looked at the elegantly decorated Zhen family.
"Master Xu is amused. Although the Zhen family has little wealth, how can it compare with the dignity of the fourth and third sons of the Yuan family." Zhen Yan said humbly.
Yuan Xi is thinking about how to get benefits from the Zhen family. His business has just started. If he can get support from the Zhen family, he will get twice the result with half the effort. This is also the ultimate goal of the marriage.
Zhen Yu asked someone to fetch a large amount of brocade goods and said to Xu You, "This is a gift to thank Mr. Xu for being the matchmaker between the two families. Please accept it."
Xu You narrowed his eyes and pretended to evade, "It's Xu You's blessing to be the middleman for the marriage between two families. How can I repay such a favor? I'm not seeing you outside, I'm not seeing you outside."
"A cheap gift is disrespectful."
Xu You declined a few times and then accepted. Thanking the matchmaker was also part of the etiquette. Xu You secretly thought that the Zhen family was rich, so this thank you gift was worth a lot of money.
Yuan Xi has always wanted to reach some agreement with the Zhen family, but has never been able to find an opportunity. Three days later, Yuan Xi and Xu You bid farewell to Mrs. Zhen and returned to Yecheng.
The next day.
It was early autumn. After they met, Yuan Xi and Zhen Mi walked hand in hand through the secluded paths in the mountains, stepping on several layers of fallen leaves. Their hearts were at peace. The scenes at the beginning of the year seemed like simultaneously playing in their minds.
Yuan Xi held Zhen Mi's slightly slender hands due to her diligent practice of piano, and felt extremely fulfilled and happy in her heart.
He turned slightly sideways and looked at Zhen Mi's face. At this time, the afterglow of the setting sun poured down from the gaps in the woods, shining on her profile, creating a beautiful halo.
Yuan Xi narrowed his eyes and curved the corners of his mouth. Zhen Mi found that she really liked Yuan Xi like this. His whole body exuded a warm aura.
Seeing that Zhen Mi was just looking at him secretly and silent, Yuan Xi couldn't help but said gently: "My Mi'er, I haven't seen you for a long time. Why do you have nothing to say? I was always listening to you when we first met."
Zhen Mi seemed to have thought of something and said with a hint of sadness: "When I first met you, there were two beauties around you, but now you have Mi'er as well. The young master is really pretty."
Yuan Xi said very frankly: "Of course, I am a seductive person. I love beautiful women most in my life. Of course, my Mi'er is also a beautiful woman."
Zhen Mi rolled her eyes, threw away his hand, and said angrily: "Bad guy, you don't even know how to coax girls and children, how can you say in front of me that you like beautiful girls?"
Yuan Xi said without changing his expression: "Master, the old man said that food, sex, and sex are all things. I have to live a carefree and casual life. It is true to live a happy life."
After saying that, Yuan Xi held Zhen Mi's hand again, leaned close to her ear and said intimately: "Mi'er, I will take you to a good place."
