When Yuan Xi walked out of the meeting hall, Shen Pei and Feng Ji also followed.
"Second Young Master, please stay!" Shen Pei pulled Yuan Xi aside and said respectfully, "Second Young Master, I have something to ask of you, and I hope you will agree to it."
"Mr. Zhengnan, you're welcome. As long as I can do my best, I will do my best. Please tell me, sir."
Shen Pei nodded. He said, "This matter is not difficult. Your third brother, Mr. Xian, has never studied the art of war properly before. He first joined the army not long ago. It is impossible for him to achieve great achievements like you, the second son. So I think this is When you attack Gongsun Zan next time, ask him to lead his troops to follow you, and ask you to give him some advice."
Hearing this, Yuan Xi suddenly became alert, although his relationship with Yuan Shang had always been good. At least that was the case on the surface, but having said that, Li Shimin and Li Yuanji's relationship was okay, and they even went on a campaign together, but what happened later?
But since Yuan Shang married Shen Pei, Yuan Xi became more suspicious of Shen Pei. After all, Yuan Shang is his son-in-law. What father-in-law doesn't think about his daughter and son-in-law. So at the moment of life and death, if Shen Pei had to choose, he would definitely choose Yuan Shang.
If we really want to talk about the law of eldest and younger concubines, it is not Yuan Xi's turn to be the heir, and it is also not Yuan Xi's turn to talk about pampering.
As long as Yuan Shao is sure to establish Yuan Shang as his heir, he will definitely be loyal to Yuan Shang based on his temperament. But Yuan Xi did not dare to let go of this arrogant third brother.
Don’t you see the contrast between Li Yuanji’s before and after? Power can make fathers, sons, and brothers fight each other. Yuan Shang may not have ambitions now, but that doesn't mean he won't in the future.
Even if he doesn't have it now, his people will let him have it. Born in a family like the Yuan family, there are some things that you have to do and you will be pushed to that step, just like Li Yuan and his son, Li Shimin brothers.
Seeing Yuan Xi's hesitation, the judge explained: "Second Young Master, my lord has long thought of letting you three brothers take over a state after conquering Hebei. The eldest son's wings are gradually becoming fuller, and it will not be a problem for him to lead a state alone. But you Third Brother, he is an arrogant man. He will not win over celebrities and military generals, and he does not know much about military and political affairs. Allowing him to follow you this time is not only to rely on Second Young Master's talents and let him achieve some military exploits, but also The important thing is for you to beat him and give him a try, Master, see if you can."
Yuan Xi couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to agree.
Feng Ji on the side also smiled and said, "Second Young Master, you must know that parents want to see brotherly harmony most. The eldest Young Master has always isolated you, but if you and the Third Young Master show harmony, what will the Lord think? This You are using your kindness to set off his unkindness."
"Haha!" They are really capable.
Yuan Xi humbly said that he had been taught, and then took the opportunity to ask for a price and said: "My Qingzhou soldiers are about to go north to Nanpi, but the supply of soldiers and armor needs more care from these two gentlemen."
"Every time we send out troops, ordnance, armor, food and baggage are hot commodities that generals compete for. But don't worry, Second Young Master, just make a list and we'll do our best," Feng Ji said.
Naturally, Yuan Xi agreed wholeheartedly. He secretly thought that there were people in the court who were easy to do things with. If they did not follow the rules and review them, and if they wanted to earn benefits, they would have to bribe the officials in charge.
The next day,
"Brothers, I heard that there are many beauties in Jizhou. Do you think there will be more people coming to our house to propose marriage in the future?"
Yuan Xi and Yuan Tan were both a little stunned. On the surface, Yuan Shang was just talking about interesting things about finding a woman, but in fact they also understood that as the sons of Yuan Shao, the leader of Jizhou, there must be many wealthy people in Jizhou who wanted to marry them. Even though they already have wives, it doesn't matter how many concubines they have.
To put it more deeply, when they marry the daughter of a wealthy family, they are pulling that wealthy family onto their chariot. No matter what happens in the future, these wealthy families will definitely stand by their side and cheer them up. flag.
Thinking of his wife, Yuan Tan felt a little helpless. He and his wife, Mrs. Xin, had a deep love for each other. He loved his wife very much. Although he was majestic outside, he respected and loved her at home. She was a jealous person. This matter must be dealt with. Tell him, there's no telling what will happen.
Besides, he didn't have that many thoughts about women at all. It was his dream to be in charge of the Yuan family. He glanced at the brothers Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang beside him.
Yuan Shang said this just to disgust Yuan Tan. Seeing his expression as if he had eaten a fly, his purpose was achieved, so he added: "I heard that the Wuji Zhen family in Jizhou has a family of five girls, each of whom is stunningly beautiful. Brother, how about the three of us go to propose marriage, one for each of us?"
The Zhen family can only be said to be a wealthy family, but it is not a traditional family, so Yuan Shang's words can be regarded as an attempt to relieve the awkward atmosphere just now.
Yuan Tan was unhappy and said calmly: "Zhen Mi, one of the five daughters of the Zhen family, has already been married to the second brother. As an elder brother, how can he compete with his brothers for women?"
Yuan Xi couldn't help but laugh. His eldest brother attacked his third brother and got him into trouble. However, he was indeed teased by Yuan Tan about this and he remained silent at the moment.
Yuan Shang really felt frustrated. He had long coveted the youngest daughter of the Zhen family. A few years ago, he was almost crazy with excitement when he heard that his father had acquired Jizhou. He hoped to go there as soon as possible and marry her home. But he didn't expect to be intercepted by his second brother Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang still feels resentful about it to this day.
Yuan Xi was quite helpless at this time, but seeing his elder brother winking at him from time to time, he could only nod happily.
"Hmph," Yuan Shang said dissatisfiedly with a thick nasal voice: "Second brother, everyone should enjoy the beauty of this world. You, a beauty like you, are already married. Aren't you asking me and my eldest brother to drink the northwest wind?"
Yuan Xi scratched his head, laughed twice, and then said nothing. Yuan Xi followed the two brothers intentionally on horseback. Watching the two fighting back and forth, he couldn't help but shake his head. This eldest brother really caused trouble for him. He just wanted Zhen Mi from the Zhen family.
After all, they were in front of people. Although the three brothers bickered, they were still talking and laughing back and forth on the surface.
When passing by Yuan Xi's motorcade, Yuan Shang looked at Bu Lianshi who was walking slowly on the ground and couldn't help but said: "Second brother, is this your maid?"
Yuan Xi glanced at the Bu trainer who was following him, nodded and said, "It's almost the same. I brought him here from Xuzhou."
Yuan Shang said with envy: "Everyone said that my second brother is a romantic, but I still didn't believe it. Now that I see the appearance of my maid, I know that my second brother is really a romantic."
Except for one or two of the maids in Yuan Xi's family who were of average appearance, the rest were all more beautiful than Yuan Shang's wife. When Yuan Shang said this, Yuan Xi didn't know how to answer the question.
Yuan Shang patted his horse and approached the walking trainer, who looked up at Yuan Shang and immediately lowered their faces when they saw it was the third son of the Yuan family.
Yuan Shang rode back and forth looking at Master Bu. When Yuan Tan saw it, he immediately turned back to Yuan Xi and said: "This guy is so obsessed with sex. He must have fallen in love with this maid of yours, second brother. Last time he was green." Zhu, you can’t give it to him easily this time.”
Big maid?
Yuan Xi glanced at Bu Lianshi walking in front, and immediately understood that Bu Lianshi was undoubtedly the most charming and attractive among them. That’s what the eldest brother said.
"Brother, don't worry. That's my concubine. How could she give it to someone else? It's not killing me."
"Your woman?" Yuan Tan was slightly startled, then said: "You don't really want to have sex with all these maids, do you?"
"Brother has a keen eye, it's true." For such a beautiful maid, it's strange that it doesn't matter.
"Second brother is really beautiful, but it's your fault that such a beautiful woman is allowed to walk underneath." Yuan Tan taught him a lesson: "Look at third brother, running around, he will definitely end up I want that maid from you."
"Haha, even if he wants it, it's only if I can give it to him." Yuan Xi didn't care, he would give everything else, what about women? As long as Yuan Shang dares to mess around, he dares to make his life worse than death.
Yuan Xi was about to ask his eldest brother Yuan Tan about Gongsun Zan when he heard the voice of his third brother Yuan Shang.
"Second brother, how about giving me a maid?"
As soon as he said these words, not only Yuan Xi and Yuan Tan were stunned, but also Yuan Xi's concubine Bu Lianshi was stunned.
Then he shrank to one side. If it were another master's house, if the maid could be appreciated by others, she would happily become a concubine or a maid in the same room, but Yuan Xi's maid was different.
Trainer Bu had been trained by Yuan Xi, and Yuan Xi did not treat her well. Apart from not fulfilling their obligations as concubines, their status was much better than that of ordinary maids.
Now that Mr. Yuan wants someone, she subconsciously doesn't want to do it, because there are only two possibilities for him to go, one is to be a maid who warms the bed, or the one with better luck to take her as a concubine, but no matter what the situation, in It seems that she does not have as high a welfare as Yuan Xi's house.
What about being a concubine? Many people's concubines are just for anyone's pleasure, no different from domestic prostitutes.
As if he was afraid that Yuan Xi would disagree, Yuan Shang used his usual trick and pointed at Bu Lianshi and said: "Second brother, I want this. Second brother, just do it and give her to me."
Bu Lianshi is not only full of charm, but also extremely beautiful. Although from Yuan Shang's point of view, he may not be perfect, but he doesn't care about these, he just wants to have fun.
Trainer Bu was shocked. When Yuan Shang said what he said before, she was not worried at all. She had already regarded herself as Yuan Xi's concubine, and Yuan Xi also said that he would take her in some time. Yes, I didn’t expect Yuan Shang to ask for it directly.
That was brotherhood. Trainer Bu suddenly lost his self-confidence. His nose was sore and tears were about to fall. He wanted to see Yuan Xi but didn't dare to look. She was afraid that if he did, Yuan Xi would give her away anyway, then she would really All hope was gone.
Why is my life so miserable? It feels like I have finally come to an end. Why am I about to fall into the wolf's den again?
The other maids were all relieved, but they were also secretly worried about Bu Lianshi. Because of the relationship between Bu Lianshi and Yuan Xi, they all knew that if Yuan Xi really sent Bu Lianshi away, then there would be no point for them and others to persist. ?
For a moment, he glanced at his master vaguely.
Yuan Tan whispered: "Second brother, let me teach him a lesson. He is really not a toy. He even dares to bully his brother's woman."
In fact, at this time, Yuan Xi's feelings towards Yuan Shang were extremely bad. She was walking in front and so beautiful. Even a ghost might know that this woman was his beloved concubine. Why was he demanding so much?
In order to alleviate the embarrassment of not having the chance to get the fifth daughter of the Zhen family? Or do you think that in order to ease the brotherly relationship, you gave him a woman?
Yuan Xi said coldly: "No, if I want my maid to buy it myself, don't take my idea."
Yuan Shang was actually smitten by Bu Lianshi at this time. She was really a white jade beauty, no worse than Luzhu. Regardless of Yuan Xi's tone, he still begged: "Second brother, give it to me instead. My maid will be there later." Concubine, if you like it, just take it, it doesn’t matter even if you are a fish baby, I want this one!”
Yuan Xi was furious, holding a riding crop in his hand, and pointed at Bu Lianshi, who had his head lowered and was about to cry, and said, "You are blind. This is my woman. Can you not tell?"
"Hey, second brother, don't be angry."
It is common for a concubine to be taken in by a master, but it is rare for a master to offend others for a concubine, so Yuan Shang still has high hopes.
"I'm just a maid serving a concubine. Second brother, do you deserve to be angry with your third brother? I'll pay you five, no, ten! Is ten okay?"
Yuan Xi raised his whip and whipped his horse's head directly. Yuan Shang's horse felt pain and immediately raised its front hooves and neighed loudly. Yuan Shang didn't notice and was thrown off the horse.
Yuan Shang was heartbroken. When he saw the horse's hooves stepping on him, he rolled several times and hid aside regardless of his appearance.
At this time, fear replaced the head filled with lust.
"Yuan Xianyi, how dare you do this to me?" Yuan Shang stood up, pointed at Yuan Xi and shouted loudly, his face full of anger, shock and fear.
"Grow your eyes!" Yuan Xi made a "pop" sound and raised the riding whip again and swung it at him.
Yuan Shang cried out in pain, and took a few steps back. Before he could speak, he heard Yuan Xi say: "If you dare to attack any woman in my house in the future, don't blame me for not caring about brotherhood."
Yuan Shang was afraid that he would suddenly hit him again, so he didn't say anything at the moment. He led the horse over, mounted it, and took two steps forward. Then he turned back and said bitterly: "You Yuan Xianyi, why are you with me just for the sake of a mere maid?" If you say you don’t care about brotherhood, let’s see how I tell my mother!”
With that said, he flattered her and walked away.
"Haha, good fight." Seeing Yuan Shang leave, Yuan Tan laughed and said: "Don't worry, second brother. If mother accuses you later, I will repay you truthfully. This maid is your unmarried concubine. He wants to If I go, isn't this a slap in my brother's face? I will have to teach him a lesson in front of my mother later."
Yuan Xi shook his head. Part of the reason why he was so angry just now was because he was punished for Yuan Shang's rude look when he saw Gao Yue and Lu Zhu before. The old and new accounts were settled together.
Now that I heard what my eldest brother said, I hurriedly said: "Brother, let it go. You also know his status with mother. Aren't you making mother tired of talking to you by saying this? Just tell the truth about the matter later, and I won't say any more unnecessary words." .”
"Good brother!" Yuan Tan patted Yuan Xi on the shoulder and sighed: "We Yuan brothers are at odds. Fortunately, you and the eldest brother have always stood together. The eldest brother has not misjudged the person."
Yuan Xi chuckled, "Brothers are in harmony. If you hadn't instigated Yuan Shang, this would be the case today." ? !
Some people wonder, isn’t Yuan Xi’s relationship with Yuan Shang okay? The concubine incident shows that their relationship is quite bad. But don’t forget that in this era, the status of women is indeed underground. So what if she is as beautiful as Diao Chan? She is still sent here. go.
This is the trend of this era, not to mention that these are troubled times, right? It’s good to be alive. The fight for women is a private matter, and the matter between brothers is a matter on another level. The two do not conflict, Yuan Xi is most worried.
As the son of a politician, the personal relationship between his children can only take second place. However, the incident of Yuan Shang molesting Yuan Xi's concubine twice also indirectly led to the incident of Yu Youwei, Emperor Taizong Xuanwu, who forcibly seized his sister-in-law.
However, the history books, as taught by the venerable emperor, wrote that Yu Youwei was in love with Yuan Xi first, to cover up the fact that Emperor Xuanwu of Emperor Taizong, Yuan Xi, had seized her.
When resting at night, there was no news from Mrs. Liu. Yuan Xi leaned against the tree, chewing the grass under the tree, and stared blankly at the night sky.
Although he knew a lot of things, to be honest, these memories brought him more hesitation and restlessness in his heart about such memories.
Speaking of which, he doesn't like it too much, because many times, just like you know when you will die, not only can this not be changed, but this feeling will also torture you deeply.
"Young Master." While Yuan Xi was in a daze, someone called him.
Yuan Xi looked over, and who could it be that the person in white clothes under the moon wasn't Bu Lianshi? At first glance, it's quite touching.
"Trainer, why are you down?" Yuan Xi quickly got up, stepped forward and took her hands and said: "It's still a little cold outside, you'd better go up and rest early."
"Why is it so cold?" Trainer Bu pulled Yuan Xi to where he was sitting just now, took out a handkerchief and gently placed it on the ground, then sat down and smiled at him: "It's a little stuffy in here. I want to be with you." Young Master, let’s talk. You are a man, so just sit down wherever you want.”
It was indeed very boring to stay inside for such a long time. Yuan Xi smiled and sat down after hearing this.
He squeezed towards Trainer Bu. Trainer Bu looked at him angrily, but still hugged Yuan Xi and put his head on his thighs, just like a drunken beauty lying on his knees.
"Master, are you angry with the third master today? Have you caused trouble to the master?" Trainer Bu looked at Yuan Xi and suddenly asked apologetically.
"It's okay, I just feel a little helpless thinking about what will happen in the future." Yuan Xi said helplessly.
Ten days later, Yuan Shao led a group of civil and military officials to the north of Yecheng, and he climbed onto a pre-set high platform. The soldiers below carried out three animals and slaughtered them on the spot. The flag sacrificial ceremony began. Yuan Shao prayed to heaven and earth, and asked Chen Lin to read out a proclamation to attack Gongsun Zan.
After a tedious ceremony, the soldiers brought wine and distributed it to all the civil and military personnel. Yuan Shao drank all the wine first, and then the civil and military personnel also drank it, and then smashed the pottery bowl to show his determination to kill the enemy.
The first to go to Gaoyang, Hejian, was the 10,000 vanguard led by Yan Liang. Then Yuan Shao will go to Gaoyang with the main force of the Chinese army and soldiers drawn from various places.
Yuan Xi led the four thousand elite cavalry to the southern part of the Bohai Sea, where he waited for the Qingzhou Army heading north and picked up a batch of grain and baggage stored there.
Yuan Xi led the team out of the north of the city, accompanied by Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao's four thousand cavalry, as well as Yuan Xi's two thousand troops.
Yuan Shao, Mrs. Liu, Xu You, Shen Pei, Feng Ji, Chen Lin, Cui Yan and others also came to the north gate to see off Yuan Xi on his expedition.
Yuan Shao nodded to Yuan Xi, and then said to him, "Your mother is in the carriage behind. Go and comfort her. She is very reluctant to leave you!"
Yuan Xi agreed and came to the carriage behind. Mrs. Liu stroked his cheek and gave him tireless instructions. Finally, Mrs. Liu pointed to a carriage behind her and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "That maid of yours has always said that she wanted to follow."
Yuan Xi frowned. Sitting in front of the carriage was the short and stocky Zhu Gongdao. He opened the curtain of the carriage behind him, and sure enough, there was a foot trainer dressed in men's clothing sitting inside.
"The battlefield is dangerous after all. Don't get involved with your daughter's family. Last time, you wanted revenge. Do you still want to follow me now?"
Trainer Bu shook his head and said, "My maidservant said that I must take care of the young master's daily life, which means that whether he is in Yecheng or on the battlefield, he will be with you whether he is alive or dead."
"Do you really want to imitate Mrs. Qi? You know that Emperor Gaozu abandoned his wife several times." Yuan Xi couldn't help but smile.
Trainer Bu said calmly: "My maid wants to imitate the effeminate Madam Qi, but the young master is not the great ancestor, is he?"
Yuan Xi thought that she really had a delicate heart. He waved his hand to Zhu Gongdao and said, "Drive the carriage to the front and follow Xu Chu and the others." Zhu Gongdao shouted and drove the carriage to catch up. Yuan Xi said goodbye to Yuan Shao and others again.
As for the Sun family in Jiangdong, they have recently entered a rare period of calm, because the Sun family did suffer heavy losses in the last battle between Wujun and Kuaiji. If they want to expand further, they will not be able to do it in the short term.
Some people also talk about how Jiangdong became Sun Jian’s home field. As for Sun Ce, in fact, the history books of the past dynasties always use the monarch as the first protagonist to explain and describe, just like Cao Jun is written around Cao Cao, and the Sun family is written around Sun Jian. This is the normal view of history. .
Then everyone discovered that the Yuan family's historical explanation was actually based on Emperor Xuanwu of Taizong, Yuan Xi. This is very doubtful. After all, Yuan Shao was not dead at this time, and the head of the Yuan family was Yuan Shao. Not Yuan Xi.
But the historical explanation actually started from Yuan Xi, so the answer is that the history books of the Jin Dynasty were forced to be revised. In order to highlight the wisdom and martial arts of Emperor Taizong Xuanwu Yuan Xi, the explanation began around Yuan Xi when he was a boy.
