Qingzhou, Linzi
The entire living room was filled with Yuan Xi's wives and concubines.
Yuan Xi sat down comfortably and enjoyed the service of the girls. He said with a smile: "It's better to be at home. A few days ago, I was alone in the military camp late at night. Now I'm back at home with all the ladies waiting on me. I'm afraid life is beautiful." It doesn’t get any better than this.”
For any man to say this, it would be a bit of a loss of status, but Yuan Xi said this, and the women thought it was normal. Of course, Mi Zhen, who had just come here, had a new understanding of Yuan Xi. It was really So bohemian.
Diao Xiuer was behind Yuan Xi, gently massaging him to relieve his fatigue, while Gao Yue and Mi Zhen were sitting across the table, chatting with him about family gossip.
Gao Yue said softly: "During the days when my husband was away, Sister Mi came here with his second brother not long ago. But when you were not around, he didn't stay too long and went back the same day."
Yuan Xi nodded, feeling a little happy. If this sister hadn't married him, it would have been funny if the eldest brother of the Mi family still followed Liu Bei.
"Oh, by the way, Sister Zhaoji has been at the General's Mansion for a long time. My husband must take the time to go and take a look."
Yuan Xi raised the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: "Why, who else wants to rip off someone else?"
Gao Yue rolled her eyes at him and said with a warm smile: "The woman you want is a talented woman from Cai, and it has been spread throughout Linzi City."
Yuan Xi glanced at Mi Zhen, who was bowing her head and saying nothing, knowing that Gao Yue didn't want her image to be too ridiculous in front of her. Now that I have just returned, there is no need to rush this matter. There are still many days to come, and there is plenty of time.
Yuan Xi and Gao Yue carefully pulled the parents, and from time to time they joked with Diao Xiuer behind them. If Mi Zhen hadn't been there, he would have pulled Diao Xiuer on top of him and sat down. Gao Yue said distressedly: "My husband must have suffered a lot in the military camp, right?"
"Where have I suffered?" Yuan Xi felt that he really had not suffered. He smiled and said: "It's just a bit boring. Besides, no matter how good the food in the military camp is, it can't be compared with the food at home. That's why I have a big appetite." open."
"Eat slowly, husband, you should be fine in the future, right?" Diao Xiuer said with a sweet smile: "From now on, when you stay at home with us, you will do everything slowly. Since you are not going anywhere, you have to eat slowly."
Yuan Xi pulled Gao Yue to his side again, smelled the fragrance of her hair, and sighed: "Madam, you really fascinate me. I wish I could hold you in my arms forever."
Gao Yue didn't expect that he would say such shameful words. She was stunned for a moment, and immediately covered her lips and said coquettishly: "My husband, what I want is beauty, I'm afraid that Wu Guan will become old and faded, and you will abandon her like a pair of old shoes. I will only pamper you." It’s someone else.”
Yuan Xi didn't take it seriously and said leisurely: "I am a new person who is marrying home. The old person is waiting in bed. No one can run away. I like everyone. I am not a ruthless person."
"What are you thinking about all day long?" Gao Yue bit her lip and said against his chiseled cheek: "Fortunately, it is a troubled time, otherwise in a peaceful world, my husband would have to marry a hundred women."
Yuan Xi laughed loudly. He likes beauty, but it is not unlimited. Although there are many women in the world, Gao Yue, Cai Yan, Diao Xiuer, Tang Ji, Bu Lianshi, Mi Zhen, etc. are all one of a million. , he is not someone who can be liked by just anyone, and he is not Long Aotian who is not picky about food.
Men at this time love nothing more than three things: power, wealth, and sex.
Compared with others, Yuan Xi is just more willing to show what he likes.
Even if you have money and power, you can also get beauty.
After spending a whole afternoon with Gao Yue and Diao Xiuer tenderly and tenderly, Yuan Xicai walked out of the study with tingling bones.
Sure enough, Wenrou Township is the Tomb of Heroes. When spending time with a woman, what man would think of other things?
In October of the first year of Jian'an of the Han Dynasty (196).
Linzi, Cai Yanchu
The relationship between Yuan Xi and Cai Yan has undergone profound changes. From strangers to familiars, from shy senior brothers and sisters to close friends who talk about everything. And now. . .
Soon evening came, and Yuan Xi followed Cai Yan back to the boudoir. Little did Cai Yan know that he had caught a big pervert and was still chanting poems quietly. When he reached out to lift the curtain, he felt footsteps behind him.
Before she could turn around, her slim waist was hugged by a pair of strong arms. Cai Yan was ashamed and angry, frowned and said, "Master Yuan, you! Please respect yourself!"
Yuan Xi hugged her into his arms and said with great emotion: "Marry me or marry someone else, Yuan Xi only needs a word from you."
"Marry you. As long as you are willing to marry me, I don't care if you become my concubine." Cai Yan suddenly started crying sadly. Cai Yan's body trembled unconsciously in Yuan Xi's arms. Cai Yan's white robe slowly fell to the ground.
Yuan Xi felt his blood boiling. Cai Yan watched deeply, welcomed Yuan Xi's arrival, and then got into Yuan Xi's arms.
Yuan Xi's palms rubbed her delicate and smooth back for a long time, and she trembled in Yuan Xi's arms. Cai Yan chuckled with tears in his eyes. Yuan Xi was heartbroken, pitiful, and burned, so he pushed her onto the couch.
After a long time, when the spring rain stopped, Yuan Xi cleared up her many years of grievances in one fell swoop. Maybe it was because the backlog of many years suddenly exploded, so the scene was very chaotic.
Afterwards, Yuan Xi and Cai Yan both felt an unprecedented sense of fatigue. After all, one had just received the favor, and the other was dealing with the other girls.
"Xianyi, you, you scared me to death just now." Cai Yan stroked Yuan Xi's hair and murmured softly.
Yuan Xi looked at her blinking eyes and smiled and said, "Then I won't scare you anymore, okay?" Cai Yan was suddenly turned around, rolled up, pressing Yuan Xi with his bare hands, and then exploded again.
Yuan Tan's mansion.
"My eldest son, the last general will follow the eldest son's instructions and spread the news widely in the western border of Qingzhou. If the second young master wants to pass through the plains, as expected by the last general, the Black Mountain Army must have got the news at this time, and we must know whether there will be any I'm sorry that I can't figure it out."
Yuan Tan sat on the main seat, took a sip of tea, nodded and said: "Zhu Ling, you have done a good job in this matter. If the young master comes to Japan and succeeds in a great cause, he will definitely remember your first contribution."
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Young Master! I will serve you loyally and righteously for the rest of my life, even if I have to die a thousand times, I will not hesitate to do so."
Yuan Tan nodded indifferently, with a smile on his lips. Although he did not speak, his eyes were full of satisfaction and contentment.
A few days later.
A cavalry team of more than a thousand people gradually crossed a section of the river in the plain. Each of these cavalrymen has distinctive armor, and the knights on the war horses are all strong and strong, with a cold and fierce temperament faintly revealed in their expressions and movements.
Obviously, they are all elite soldiers who have experienced hundreds of battles.
This cavalry is Yuan Xi's close guard, Xiaoqi and his trusted tiger guard. Yuan Xi was riding Jueying in the middle of the team. Soon he will experience the most important event in his life. At this time, his heart is full of ups and downs and uneasiness.
After Emperor Taizong Li Shimin pacified Wang Shichong of Luoyang, was he the same as Yuan Xi when he was recalled to Chang'an? Maybe.
Yuan Xi knew the significance of being ordered to return to Hebei to get married. Once Na married Gao Yue, Princess Wannian and Zhen Mi, he would have a family, which was a sign of personal independence.
But since then, the direction of many major events has been very complicated. Internally, he must handle the relationship with Yuan Shao, Yuan Tan, and Yuan Shang. Externally, we must handle the relationship with the Han Dynasty well.
And she also needs support from her mother, Mrs. Liu.
Yuan Tan aggressively gathered connections in Jizhou through Guo Tu and Xin Ping. The top management of Jizhou seemed to be divided into two interest groups, Yuan Xi and Yuan Tan. They attacked each other and the disputes intensified.
Yuan Shao, who thought he was proficient in the art of balance, did not interfere or stop this matter, leaving people unable to figure out his intentions. Moreover, the position of heir to the throne has not yet been decided, which makes the struggle for high-level land construction in Jizhou even more tense.
According to rumors, after Yuan Xi got married. Yuan Shao will decide the successor. This makes this trip to Hebei full of crises and variables.
plain.缧yīn
Yuan Xi led his troops towards Jishui. More than a thousand soldiers and horses entered the Pingyuan area within one night of daylight. After resting for half a day on the north bank of Jishui, Yuan Xi and his troops immediately raised their troops and headed towards Pingyuan City. .
More than a thousand people camped step by step, advancing slowly for more than ten miles in a day. The march was as fast as a turtle, which made everyone confused and secretly hesitant, but Yuan Xi still didn't explain the reason.
When the sun set, Yuan Xi and his party came to the edge of a valley. Taishi Ci personally surveyed the nearby terrain and then reported it to Yuan Xi.
Yuan Xi raised his hand and pointed at the valley, and said quietly: "Ziyi, this place is surrounded by mountains on two sides and faces water on one side. It occupies a dangerous terrain. It is a good place to rest. But if someone comes to attack us, we will How should we respond, and where should we escape if something goes wrong?"
Hearing this, Taishi Ci was surprised and said: "Young Master was not so cautious when he was in Xuzhou. How come you become more cautious the further you get to the hinterland of Hebei? This does not look like setting up a camp. It is clearly a formation to defend against the enemy. I'm sorry. Ziyi doesn’t know.”
Seeing that Tai Shi Ci was confused, Yuan Xi smiled and said nothing.
That night
Now a bandit army slowly poked its head out from the valley. This bandit army was slowly marching towards this place. The bandit leader stared fiercely at the fire in the distance and said: "Brothers, Go up! Charge into the central army and take the head of Yuan Shao's son!"
"Kill!" As the voice of the bandit army fell, the bandit army and horses followed closely one after another, quickly walked out of the forest and galloped towards the entrance of the valley.
The camp in the valley was very quiet. Everyone in Yuan Xi's army seemed to have fallen asleep. The bandit leader took the lead, waving the sword in his hand and went straight to the commander's tent. He drove his horse straight into the tent without saying much, and took the lead. The sword hit the man wearing the armor, but there was a clanging sound.
"Crude man!?" The bandit leader was shocked and lost his countenance. At this moment, a violent horn sound suddenly came from behind. The bandits and bandits who rushed into the camp reacted after hearing the horn.
But from the direction of the valley entrance, a row of arrows flew over with a sharp sound of breaking through the air. The sharp arrow clusters passed through the bodies of more than ten Black Bandits, and bright red blood sprayed in the air.
"Oops! We're ambushed!" each of the bandits shouted loudly. "Don't mess up!" The bandit leader galloped out of the commander's tent on horseback. He looked at them coldly and saw that Yuan Xi and others had already set up a formation at the main entrance of the valley. They knew something was wrong.
Taishi Ci waved a spear in his hand, rode his horse into the enemy camp, and went straight to the bandit leader. He swung his spear freely, and Xu Chu also took the lead and rushed into the bandits. Suddenly, everyone was on their backs and no one could catch him. Behind him, The Yuan army was shocked by their bravery, and all of them had high morale, shouting "Kill, kill, kill!"
When the bandit leader saw Taishi Ci's bravery, he was not afraid to fight. He danced with a sword in his hand and galloped away on horseback. "Dang!" The spears and knives met, and the horses took two steps away from each other.
Taishi Ci used his spear and turned around to fight again. The bandit leader also reined in his horse and returned, and the two of them fought together! In less than fifteen rounds, Tai Shici suddenly raised his spear and swept away the bandit commander's sword. He swung his halberd with his right hand and hit the bandit commander between the eyebrows, killing him on the spot.
After the war, Tai Shi Ci, Xu Chu and others hurriedly came to Yuan Xi's side without waiting to collect and count the surrendered soldiers. They dismounted together, bowed to Yuan Xi and apologized.
"The last general failed to wait for the protector, which put the young master in danger. It is really a capital crime!"
Yuan Xi circled the horse, supported the two fierce generals, and said with a smile: "You two generals don't have to be like this. This happened by accident, which you and I could not have expected. What crime do you two generals have? It's better to get up quickly."
However, Yuan Xi's eyes were even colder. If Jia Xu hadn't reminded him and asked him to secretly set up an ambush, he would have looked a little overturned in the gutter. The guess was just a guess. After the truth happened, Yuan Xi still couldn't help it, and his heart was fierce.
At the same time, it also laid a foreshadowing for the tragic ending of the mastermind behind the assassination.
Fortunately, Taishi Ci and Xu Chu's first-class generals were guarding him. As a result, Yuan Xi was safe and sound.
Although Yuan Xi also had enemies, it was obvious who sent the assassin when he went north to get married. In fact, assassins were very rampant in the Han Dynasty. During the Han Dynasty, there were many powerful and noble officials and relatives of the emperor who were assassinated to death.
In the pre-Qin period, after knights were recruited by the powerful and became followers, they not only served as guards but also as assassins. For example, the most famous assassin, Jing Ke, was the follower of Prince Dan.
The Han Dynasty inherited the pre-Qin states, and at this time the custom of being a knight was still strong. For example, most of the people in the Lu region did not engage in agriculture, but were interested in doing business and selling, and wielding swords as knights. Most of their adult men wore swords.
After that, the local government purchased swords many times, allowing the Lu people to return to farming. Sword-wielding knights are not as cool as later martial arts novels. Swordsmen are also human beings, and they also need to wear clothes and eat.
Apart from financial support from some celebrities, knights have basically no other means of income. At this time, social governance was stricter than during the Warring States Period, leaving many swordsmen in poverty.
As a result, they became the clients of powerful people, even landlords and wealthy businessmen. They are usually guards, but at critical moments they are assassins.
Many powerful people also specially raised swordsmen to be assassins. to eliminate political opponents. For example, those heroes who had made friends with Yuan Shao when he was young were deeply feared by Zhang Rang and others.
Yuan Xi was also a martial arts practitioner, but in history, Sun Ce was still stabbed to death. Assassins are really hard to guard against. Fortunately, Yuan Xi has Xu Chu, Zhu Gongdao, Tiger Guard, Dark Guard, and Shadow Guard beside him. Yuan Shao may not have such a luxurious lineup.
Just as the team stopped to rest, Tian Feng, who was on the carriage behind, walked up to Yuan Xi. This time Yuan Shao also asked Tian Feng to accompany Yuan Xi back to Hebei to get married.
In addition, Taishi Ci, Gu Yong and Jia Xu were accompanying him. The others were left to guard Qingzhou and handle important military and political affairs.
Tian Feng asked Yuan Xi to follow him to an open space and said, "Second Young Master, I don't know if I should say something or not?"
"I have always regarded Mr. Yuan Hao as my teacher. It doesn't matter what you say, it doesn't matter." Yuan Xi said calmly.
Tian Feng turned his back to Yuan Xi. He looked at the dust stirred up in the distance and said, "Actually, I had proposed to the lord before that he make the eldest son his heir apparent and restrain you, the second son."
Yuan Xi had long known about this from Chen Lin, but Tian Feng's own words made him confused. He didn't know what Tian Feng's intention was, but he remained calm secretly.
Tian Feng was slightly surprised by Yuan Xi's performance, so he asked doubtfully: "Isn't the young master surprised?"
"What you do is for your father's great cause. You are not seeking personal gain. Besides, I believe that you can distinguish between public and private affairs and will not affect the overall safety." Yuan Xi said slightly against his will.
Although he believed that Tian Feng would not do anything that would endanger his life, Yuan Xi had always had a grudge in his heart since he learned about it, and displeasure was inevitable.
It's just that he can't do anything to Tian Feng yet. Taking a step back, Duke Huan of Qi can use Guan Zhong, Emperor Taizong can use Wei Zheng, and he can also use Tian Feng. It's just that the current situation is not going well, and there is some lag.
Tian Feng let out a long sigh and said, "I'm afraid I'm too stubborn about etiquette and the distinction between concubine and concubine. Second Young Master, your intelligence is indeed much higher than that of the First Young Master. I have seen what you did and experienced it myself." . To be able to achieve what Qingzhou has achieved today is just something that cannot be achieved through luck!"
"All of this is the result of the help of sir and other heroes. How could it be accomplished if only Yuan Xi could do it? Sir, I'm sorry." Yuan Xi planned to say modestly.
Tian Feng waved his hand and said, "Young Master is indeed a rare young talent. Looking at the younger generation, no one can match the achievements of Young Master. Feng just wants to ask Young Master if you can give up the position of heir for the great cause of Mr. Yuan." "
Hearing this, Yuan Xi felt depressed and frowned. He did not expect that Tian Feng would persuade him to give up fighting for power with Yuan Tan.
"If I give up all this, can sir keep my life safe?" Yuan Xi asked coldly.
The same was true for Emperor Taizong Li Shimin at that time. Yuan Xi, like him, was riding a tiger and had no choice but to take a step forward to dominate the world and retreat into the abyss.
Tian Feng hesitated, he really couldn't guarantee anything.
"You may not believe it, but I fought for all this power first just to survive. You must know that without power, you cannot escape misfortune in these troubled times. For example, the ministers who were slaughtered by Dong Zhuo, Tao Qian who died of depression, etc. Wait." Yuan Xi said calmly, his tone surprisingly calm.
"Alas, in this turbulent world, only power can protect one's family." Tian Feng also said with deep emotion.
Yuan Xi smiled lightly and said, "So sir, you shouldn't ask me if I can give up, but if he can let me live."
Tian Feng shook his head. "When I first came out of Linzi, I still made up my mind to persuade the young master. But after the assassination in Mang County, I finally saw him clearly. Although you can do whatever it takes to achieve great things. But since he can do this to his relatives, why should I let you, the young master? give up."
Yuan Xi heard the turning point, so he asked: "Sir, are you...?"
"I only need a word from the young master, can you save the eldest young master's life? I really don't want to see Mr. Yuan causing trouble." Tian Feng paused and asked.
Yuan Xi knew that Tian Feng was forcing him to express his position. He had already thought that as long as Yuan Tan dared to strike first, he would not let Yuan Tan go. Even so, Yuan Xi still promised: "As long as he falls into my hands, I will not kill him."
In fact, Yuan Xi's words were vague. But Tian Feng felt relieved, bowed deeply and said, "I will definitely help Mr. Yuan and his son achieve their great cause."
Yuan Xi happily helped Tian Feng up and said, "If I can get my husband's full help, why should our Yuan family worry about the failure of major events?"
