After dinner, Ren Ning went to visit two neighbors with some small gifts.
The other party's threshold is too high and you may not be able to get in.
But just practice your own etiquette.
With Xiao Gang here, entering Uncle Zhongyong's mansion will naturally not be a problem.
The two wandered around and met the current Uncle Zhongyong on the school grounds.
On a hot day, Xiao Zheng was sweating profusely practicing his spear skills.
A silver gun made him dance like a tiger.
"Father?" Xiao Gang's eyes widened, "It's broad daylight, did you drink too much again?"
In the past, Uncle Zhongyong would come to the school grounds to practice martial arts. Nine times out of ten, he would go out to a party and get drunk.
After a while, Xiao Zheng stopped to rest out of breath after practicing the marksmanship routine.
"Why are you drinking in broad daylight? My father is happy today."
He looked at Ren Ning while wiping his sweat.
"Whose child is this? He looks much more generous than your old friends."
Ren Ning clasped his fists: "Ren Ning of the Starfall Army, pays homage to Uncle Xiao."
hiss!
"Are you that Ren Ning?" Xiao Zheng leaned back in surprise, "These days, your name is so well-known throughout Xingji City."
"Father, that's Ren Ning." Xiao Gang explained hehely, "Brother Ren and his son have similar interests. He just moved to our Yong'an Hutong and came here to check in."
"That's it." Xiao Zheng suddenly looked to the west.
"Those who are close to red are also black, and those who are close to ink are black. Captain Ren is young and promising. If you have time in the future, you are welcome to come over and come to the door. It is best to teach this incompetent brat for me."
Xiao Zheng was straightforward, but his mood was a bit complicated.
Ren Ning's house was originally part of their Xiao family.
But the ancestors were so incompetent that they couldn't even save the ancestral property. In the end, it fell into Ren Ning's hands.
Comparing people to each other makes people angry. This kid is almost the same age as his second son, but he has already earned a fortune by his own strength.
Unknowingly, Xiao Zheng gritted his teeth.
He shook off his sore hands, grabbed the spear and prepared to continue practicing martial arts.
"Father," Xiao Gang asked curiously without noticing his expression, "You are in such a high mood today. Is there any good reason for this?"
Xiao Zheng's knees relaxed and he fell back on the tea stool.
He glanced at Ren Ning, "There was news this morning that His Majesty intends to send troops to conquer Nanfeng. He even bypassed the Ministry of War and directly ordered the Xingluo Army to be moved to Zhennang Pass."
Only when they go to war can these generals have the opportunity to gain military honors. Only the House of Zhongyong, who is in great danger, has a chance to keep his title.
Xiao Gang nodded suddenly, "No wonder my father is so diligent in practicing martial arts on a hot day."
It turned out to be a sharpshooting exercise.
Of course, Xiao Gang did not dare to say what he said next. However, Xiao Zheng understood clearly and couldn't help but blush.
His great-grandfather was the last Duke of the Xiao family.
It was Nan Feng who led the troops to fight, but he was so frightened that he fell off his horse and cried to go home.
In those years, Yunchui was in chaos, with various princes fighting for the throne, and chaos rising in the empire.
Seeing an opportunity, the neighboring countries in the southeast and northwest attacked collectively. For a moment, Yun looked at one thing and lost another.
In the end, the southern army marched straight in, with almost no one blocking them all the way north, and almost reached the Xinglan Grand Canal.
Thinking of these past events, Xiao Gang suddenly felt longing.
"It would be great if I could marry a wonderful woman like Princess Yiguang."
At that time, the major legions were running around, giving priority to fighting the most powerful Xiliang Empire and the Beixiong Empire in the north, without taking care of the small Nanfeng.
It's just that Duke Xiao is so cowardly that he can't stop Nan Feng.
Finally, Huo Zheng, the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo at that time, was ordered to conquer the country, and the thirteenth princess who had just been married also went south with him.
The couple were young, but as soon as they took action, they immediately swept through all the small countries in the south.
Not only did they drive them all out of Yunchui, they even went all the way south and attacked the capital of Nanfeng. King Nanfeng was forced to go to Xingji City in person to plead guilty, cede territory, pay compensation, and pay tribute as a minister.
The emperor was overjoyed.
However, the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion was no longer able to be sealed, and the thirteen princesses who were married along with the title were made princesses and given the title of Yiguang.
The meaning of glory to the barbarians.
snort!
After hearing his son's words, Xiao Zheng snorted.
His Majesty has three palaces and six courtyards, and he has more than twenty princesses. It is not difficult to marry him.
But there are not many titled princesses, and he still wants to dream of Princess Xiao Gangshang.
Soon, the father and son came to their senses and wiped away their wishful thinking.
Xiao Gang hesitated for a moment, "Father, the world in Xingji City is too small. There is a war in the south. My son also wants to learn from Brother Ren and join the army."
"Join the army?" Xiao Zheng was stunned and shook his head subconsciously, "You are still young and it is too dangerous to join the army. Your mother will not let you go. Besides, isn't my father going to recommend you to join the Jinwu Guard next year..."
As he spoke, his eyes fell on Ren Ning, who was standing upright next to him, and he stopped silently.
After a long silence, Xiao Zheng asked: "Have you thought about it carefully?"
Xiao Gang nodded heavily.
Xiao Zheng nodded: "It's not impossible for you to join the army. Then you have to convince your mother first. Then practice hard..."
call.
Before he could say anything, Xiao Gang had already rushed to the back house.
Ren Ning chatted with Xiao Zheng for a few more words before leaving Zhongyong Bo's Mansion and transferred to Zhenguo Duke's Mansion.
Give a small gift and explain your intention to the disciple.
Ren Ning thought he could leave.
However, it was beyond his expectation.
Not long after the doorman went in to report, he trotted out and welcomed Ren Ning into the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion with a smile on his face.
Front yard, main hall.
Sitting on the main seat was a graceful and elegant old lady, with simple white hair hanging down, without any headdress, and a crested staff in her hand.
The prince Zhenguo, who was smiling all over his face, accompanied him.
Ren Ning saw the colorful phoenix on the opponent's body at a glance, and couldn't help being surprised. He quickly clasped his fists and saluted: "Wei Chen Xing Luo Legion Ren Ning pays homage to Her Royal Highness the Princess and the Crown Prince Zhen Guo."
Princess Yiguang chuckled, "As the saying goes, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. Ren Ning, right? No need to be polite. Come and show me?"
Ren Ning was stunned.
Although the two families are in the same alley, the two mansions occupy a vast area. They are said to be neighbors, but in fact the gates are far apart. It is almost untouchable when going in and out.
Where did the neighbor come from?
Furthermore, the Duke of Zhenguo's government has overwhelming power, so relatives no matter how far away they are are probably very close to them.
Although he couldn't understand it, Ren Ning still took a few steps forward to let Princess Yiguang have a clear look.
"That's right. He has become famous at a young age. He is indeed a calm and steady child. It seems that Qing'er was right."
Qinger?
Ren Ning tilted his head in confusion.
The Crown Prince next to him smiled and explained: "Grandma is talking about Concubine Qing. She is my aunt."
Ren Ning suddenly understood.
The three of them sat down and chatted, and they came to a common topic, which was the Rock Frontier Fortress.
"The fortress seems to be impregnable, but the legions are coming and going, and all kinds of people have entered. I heard that Brother Ning has captured a lot of spies?"
The general who defended the fortress was the son of Princess Yiguang, so Ren Ning naturally didn't hide it.
"I happened upon it by chance, so I picked it up easily."
"Where do they all come from?" the old lady asked.
Ren Ning hesitated for a moment, "There are many neighboring countries and major local legions in the empire."
Princess Yiguang nodded, looking not surprised at all.
"His Majesty has been in poor health over the past few years and has an unpredictable temper. Natural disasters and man-made disasters occur frequently throughout the empire, and all the princes are now adults. From now on, no matter where you go or who you meet, you must be more cautious."
