Pingling Township Hou Mansion.
"Tiger, you practiced the sword very well today."
Xia Houxuan was like an eldest brother, caring deeply for Huan. He smiled and said:
"Tiger, let me test how well you have learned "Poetry"."
"good."
When Yu Huan heard this, he sheathed his sword and stood aside, as if he was a student being taught.
Xia Houxuan smiled warmly and said loudly:
"The millet is separated, the seedlings of the rice. They are walking slowly and slowly, and the center is shaking. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who do not know me say that what do I want? Who is this in the long sky?"
Yu Huan thought for a moment and recited aloud:
"The millet is far away, and the ears of the grain are far away. I am walking with great strides, and my heart is like drunk. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say that I want nothing. Who is this in the long sky?"
After hearing Yu Huan's reply, Xia Houxuan nodded with satisfaction:
"Tiger, that's right. Do you know the profound meaning of this song Shuili?"
Yu Huan scratched his head and continued:
"I don't know the deeper meaning, but it sounds sad."
"What the tiger said is true."
Xia Houxuan nodded:
"Millet Li, pity the Zhou Dynasty. The officials of the Zhou Dynasty went to the old place of Zongzhou. They passed the old ancestral temple and palaces, and all the land was turned into fields of grains and millet. The officials felt pity for the overthrow of the Zhou Dynasty, and for a while they were hesitant and couldn't bear to leave, so they made This poem.”
"I understand, it turns out it's the sadness of missing my motherland..."
Xia Houxuan smiled, walked forward and touched the top of Yu Huan's hair:
"Tiger, today Zhenwei General Wu Jizhong held a banquet at his home. Your Majesty specially ordered all the generals in the capital to attend the meeting. Although I am a young man in white, my father and Wu Jizhong are old friends from Conglong. Now my father is guarding Jingzhou and I can't get away from it. Of course I have to go to the meeting on behalf of my father. How about you take a day off today, go to the meeting with me, and then practice sword practice tomorrow?"
"Really?"
After Yu Huan heard this, he was very happy. You know, in these years when the Yu family has declined, it is already good for him to have a full stomach. How can he attend any banquets? As a boy who loves fun, this kind of Lively occasions are really attractive to him.
"Of course it's true. The tiger performed well today, so let this be your reward." Xia Houxuan thought to himself that it was time for Yu Huan to see the world. Yu Huan is the nephew of his master, and he must let him Becoming able to protect himself.
Also, at the banquet I held last time, I was not able to determine who was the real mastermind behind the scenes. I heard that Wu Zhi was also the minister of Conglong back then, His Majesty’s right-hand man. Today’s banquet is really not something I can do much to investigate. Good opportunity.
"Brother, when are you going to the banquet? Do you want to take me with you?"
As soon as Xia Houhui heard about the banquet, he immediately ran to the back garden to find Xia Houxuan, jumping up and down excitedly. Gu Ting couldn't stop him.
"It's not a good idea for you, a girl, to be in the public eye. Besides, when the time comes, those generals with rough faces will get drunk and act crazy. Let's see what you do."
Xia Houxuan said with a smile.
"Who said that? My father is also a national general and drinks alcohol. How come I have never seen my father get drunk and act crazy?"
Xia Houhui, who wanted to go to the banquet, muttered, still not believing what Xia Houxuan said.
"My father is a Confucian general with both civil and military skills. He has always been known as a man of extraordinary talent. How can he be compared with those brave men?" Xia Houxuan said with a mysterious smile: "I heard that today General Wang Zhong also He will be there. During the war and famine, I heard that he even ate the flesh of dead people!"
"Ah, that's right..."
When the timid Xia Houhui heard this, he immediately lost his mood. Xia Houhui had no doubts about this matter, because his father had mentioned it before, and said that His Majesty once deliberately made a joke by tying a skull on the tail of General Wang Zhong's horse!
"Go and help Tiger find a suit of clothes. I'm going to take him to a banquet. Remember to keep an eye on Amo today and don't let him run around again."
"I know. It's so long-winded."
――――
General Zhenwei's Mansion is already located in the most prosperous area, and with all the guests here today, it is naturally even more lively.
Outside the mansion, the housekeeper of the Wu Mansion was leading the servants in the mansion to prepare various matters such as welcoming guests and receiving gifts, and was very busy. Next to the stone lion at the gate of the mansion, there are two guards wearing double armor and holding halberds.
The originally wide street outside the mansion was filled with cars like running water, horses like swimming dragons, and a sea of people, including high-ranking officials and General Hou Bo.
When Xia Houxuan brought Yu Huan outside the mansion, Yu Huan, who was originally excited, became a little shy.
Xia Houxuan understood that Yu Huan was frightened by the imposing gate of Wu Mansion and the majestic crowds of people in front of him. Xia Houxuan smiled and comforted Yu Huan:
"After all, our tiger is also a lord of pavilion. He is also well-educated and has superb swordsmanship. He is no worse than them. Don't be afraid."
"I understand, brother Xuan."
Yu Huan took a deep breath and tried not to be nervous.
"Xuan'er!"
Xia Houxuan heard someone in the crowd calling him. When he looked back, he found that it was his uncle Cao Zhen.
"uncle!"
Xia Houxuan ran to Cao Zhen, grabbed his hand and said with a smile: "Uncle, this time you conquered the Western Region, Xuan'er hasn't had time to go to the house to congratulate you, uncle, don't be offended!"
"Hahahaha, silly boy!" Cao Zhen laughed heartily and said, "Uncle, when did you ever blame Xuan'er? Let's sit down with uncle later!"
"My nephew is asking for more." Xia Houxuan said with a smile: "I'm afraid that my uncle has a majestic figure and Xuan'er won't have a seat to sit at, hehehehe."
"You kid, hahahaha." Cao Zhen patted Xia Houxuan on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Uncle is no better than when he was young. When people reach middle age, there are few who don't gain weight. Are you laughing at your uncle for turning into a fat man?"
"My nephew doesn't dare." Xia Houxuan smiled warmly and followed Cao Zhen into the mansion. Xia Houxuan winked at Yu Huan, who immediately followed Cao Zhen and entered the mansion together.
"It turns out to be the General of the Army, General Xiao Xiahou. I will arrange a seat for you two!" The housekeeper smiled from ear to ear when he saw the two distinguished guests.
"And this one, Lord Yishou Tinghou Yushan, is my best friend." Xia Houxuan smiled lightly at the housekeeper of Wu Mansion without being humble or overbearing.
"I understand, I'd like to add one more person to the table. Mr. Yu Xiaohou invites you." When the housekeeper heard that he was a good friend of Xia Houxuan, he immediately began to nod and bow to Huan.
Compared with the mansions of Cao Zhen and Xia Houshang, the Wu Mansion is only bigger and more magnificent. Various pavilions, pavilions, ponds and drinking glasses are everywhere, which makes people dazzled.
"Uncle, this time you showed off your power in the Western Regions and allowed me, the Wei Dynasty, to truly open up the Western Regions. You are really making the most of your contribution." It became like this.
This is not what a twelve-year-old boy should be doing.
"You little bastard, you're quite good at flattering me." Cao Zhen, who had always been dignified, started laughing as soon as he saw his good nephew: "You're right, this time, His Majesty has really made a breakthrough. Western Regions, in a few days, there will be all kinds of treasures from the Western Regions on the gold market in Luoyang."
"Uncle, this General Zhenwei Mansion is really magnificent. It looks like it might be worth almost a million dollars."
After hearing this, Cao Zhen sneered and said:
"Wu Zhi, with His Majesty's favor and trust in him, can do anything, let alone just build a million-dollar mansion."
"Uncle, weren't you and General Wu both His Majesty's loyal ministers and old friends in the East Palace? Why do you seem to be extremely dissatisfied with General Wu?" Because Xia Houxuan had countless doubts hidden in his heart, he was always worried I never forgot to ask more about what happened back then.
"It's hard to explain in words." Cao Zhen seemed to be sighing, and sighed: "The main hall is here, let's go in quickly."
"Yes, uncle." Xia Houxuan looked at the majestic main hall and took a deep breath. He took Yu Huan's hand and said: "Tiger, let's go in. Remember, no matter what happens, we will only Listen, just watch, don’t talk much, don’t act rashly, do you understand?”
"Understood." Yu Huan nodded.
"Let's go." Xia Houxuan led Yu Huan into the main hall.
Since Xiahou Shang and Cao Zhen already have prominent status, in addition to the host Wu Zhi who is sitting facing south, and the chief guest, the cousin of Emperor Wu and the uncle of the current majesty, the general Hussar, the wild prince Cao Hong, and the people facing east Except for Zhu Shuo, the central leader who was sitting there, there was no need for them to take the initiative to greet him, such as General Wang Zhong of Qingchao.
Xia Houxuan is a junior, so he should pay his respects to these important ministers.
"Xuan has met Ye Wanghou, Uncle Wu, and Uncle Zhu."
Xiahou Xuan's white robe was slightly spread, neither humble nor overbearing, and he greeted Cao Hong, Cao Zilian, the most senior person, Wu Zhi, Wu Jizhong, the host of the banquet, and Zhu Shuo, Zhu Yancai, the leader of the army, who was also one of His Majesty's "Four Friends of the East Palace".
Unexpectedly, Zhu Shuo, the leader of the group, looked so out of shape. Xia Houxuan couldn't help but think to himself when he saw Zhu Shuo.
"Boren is already a good character, but I didn't expect that his son would be even more handsome, hahahaha." Wu Zhi seemed to be in a good mood and kept a smile on his lips.
"Thank you for the compliment, General." Xia Houxuan still had a calm demeanor, and the elders at the table couldn't help but have a hint of appreciation for Xia Houxuan. Yu Huan, who was sitting at the table without even daring to express his dignity, was very envious of Xia Houxuan. He was obviously only two years older than him, but why was he not as good as him.
"Come on, come on, since everyone is here, let's have a banquet." The host Wu Zhi raised his glass. Although the guests may not be used to Wu Zhi's behavior on weekdays, after all, everyone came here in compliance with His Majesty's order. We came to the banquet, so at this moment, everyone still raised their glasses.
The servants in the mansion kept changing the fine wines and delicacies on the guest tables, and the graceful dancers in the court also began to perform their performances. The sound of silk and bamboo pipes and the fluttering dance sleeves all contributed to everyone's drunkenness. After a while, except for the two young men who were not very good at drinking, Xia Houxuan and Yu Huan, everyone was half or six points drunk.
The host Wu Zhi kept drinking. Suddenly, he saw the light chariot general Wang Zhong at the table.
"General Wang." Wu Zhi narrowed his drunken eyes, with a teasing expression on his face, and said with a smile: "No one had any meat at the dinner today. I hope the general will forgive me, hahahahahahaha..."
After hearing Wu Zhi's words, everyone at the banquet understood and laughed heartily. Wang Zhong was the only one who felt a little ashamed, but Wu Zhi was a close confidant of His Majesty, and he did not dare to say anything. Therefore, although he had a look of hesitation on his face, he just drank and said nothing.
