"Is that what Madam said?"
Xia Houxuan was not sure who Huigu was talking about at this moment, so he asked tentatively.
Huigu smiled mysteriously and then said:
"Have you forgotten Brother Feng?"
After listening to Huigu's suggestion, Xia Houxuan nodded, but then shook his head, with a trace of worry hidden in his eyebrows. He sighed and said:
"As expected, Madam, I have the same mind. The candidate I originally thought of was also Fengdi. Fengdi has been diligent in studying these years and has stayed in the military camp for several years. In terms of his talents, he is naturally unmatched to serve as the chief secretary of the Zhengxi Mansion. It’s nitpicking. But what I’m worried about is that, first of all, Fengdi is the only child of Uncle Junlin. He grew up in a prosperous city since he was a child and has never traveled far to join the army. This time I certified Xishu, if he serves as the chief secretary of Zhengxi Mansion, It is unavoidable to follow me to the battlefield in person. Secondly, Master Sima is now in charge of the military camp instead of me. His authority is not small. If he does not leave a capable person to restrain him, I am worried that one day something will happen here in the capital... …”
Huigu nodded, tilted her head and thought for a while, and then suggested again:
"My husband's words are reasonable, but have you ever thought about it, with Master Sima's scheming attitude, will Fengdi always be the deputy general of the guard camp? If Fengdi is replaced or dismissed by Master Sima, wouldn't it be wrong? Become an idle person? If there is another change in the selection of the chief secretary of Zhengxi Mansion, I am afraid that there will be trouble on both sides. Brother Feng has made great progress in these years, and he is following you as the commander, even if he is on the battlefield, I don’t think there will be any danger. Besides, if Brother Feng can achieve military exploits based on his ability, wouldn’t Uncle Junlin be even more pleased?”
After hearing Hui Gu's words, Xia Houxuan's worries were all gone. He had made up his mind and finally filled in all the previously unresolved lists.
Seeing that her husband had finally made up his mind, Huigu smiled and said:
"It's time to eat now, right?"
Xia Houxuan, who was in a good mood, naturally nodded happily. Not long after, Mingyue, who had finished her homework, also came to the case. The family of three sat together and had dinner.
The old lady Cao Jue has been feeling unwell recently. Huigu had already gone to visit her when she had arranged the meal. Huigu served Cao Jue after the meal and performed acupuncture on her mother-in-law, and then came to the study to discuss with Xia Houxuan. After a while, Cao Jue was resting, so he didn't come to get together with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.
Among the dishes on the table, one is the river fish specially given by the emperor a few days ago. It is steamed and tastes fresh but not greasy; one is cold weed vegetables, which Xia Houxuan personally grew in the small garden of Fuzhong; and the other is It's steamed chicken.
Mingyue was growing tall, so he was not picky about food and ate every dish with gusto.
The family just had dinner talking and laughing. Huigu had just eaten two mouthfuls when she suddenly felt nauseous and retched twice. Xia Houxuan and Mingyue and his son were shocked when they saw this, and hurriedly patted Huigu on the back to calm her down. Xia Houxuan suddenly realized something in his heart at this moment. When he looked at Huigu with wide eyes, Huigu was also looking at him.
The couple, one with an exquisite mind and the other with a proficient medical knowledge, naturally realized that this was a sign of pregnancy!
The two of them were surprised and exclaimed in unison:
"Yes?"
The innocent Mingyue looked at her parents looking at each other, and suddenly asked something in a sweet voice, which surprised the Xiahou couple:
"What? Brothers and sisters?"
Xia Houxuan and Huigu were quite surprised at this time, and asked again in unison:
"How did you know?"
Mingyue's eyes were still full of innocence at this moment, and he answered honestly:
"It was Brother Tao, Liangdi, and Sima Yan who said it."
After Xia Houxuan and Huigu heard this, they immediately couldn't laugh or cry. They were afraid that their children would be spoiled by little Li Tao and little Zhuge Liang. They hurriedly asked again:
"What did they say?"
Mingyue smiled naively and said:
"They say if a mother suddenly becomes vomiting, within a year there will be a younger sibling in the family."
Xia Houxuan and Hui Gu felt relieved after hearing this cute and innocent childish words. At the same time, they were successfully amused by Mingyue and laughed together.
Not long after, the lanterns came on and the bright moon rose into the sky. Unknowingly, it was already dark.
The laughter and laughter of the family, accompanied by the chirping of cicadas outside the window, were blown by the evening breeze and onto the long street of Tongtuo Mo. These bursts of joy and laughter were very similar to the joyful sounds made by the group of teenagers who rode horses and drew paper kites on Tongtuomo Avenue many years ago.
In the second half of the night, Xia Houxuan and Huigu took Mingyue to look after the old lady Cao Jue for a while, and then told Mingyue anecdotes about the previous dynasty for a long time, and then they coaxed Mingyue to sleep.
Xia Houxuan asked Huigu to rest first, but he brought a jar of wine to the ancestral hall and knelt down in front of the god of his father Xia Houshang.
After burning incense and offering wine, Xia Houxuan poured a bottle of wine for himself. He raised his wine and said tearfully to his father who was hidden in the smoke:
"Father, my son is finally going to travel to a foreign country just like you did back then. This time he is going to conquer Western Shu. I hope my father will bless my son, win the battle, and return in triumph!"
After saying this, Xia Houxuan drank the wine in one gulp. While Xia Houxuan was talking and comforting, he drank ten bottles in a row without realizing it.
It's easy to get drunk from mellow wine, so Xia Houxuan was naturally tipsy at this moment. He picked up a bottle of wine and threw it in the direction of Yu Gui's cemetery on the outskirts of the city. Then he added another bottle for himself. After drinking the wine in one gulp, he murmured:
"Father, Master, Xuan'er misses you..."
——————
Two days later, in the Changting Pavilion in the western suburbs of Luoyang, General Cao Shuang, accompanied by brothers Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Yan, Cao Ze, and other staff, as well as He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang, Pei Xiu, and Wang Bi, prepared for Xia Houxuan, who was about to embark on a journey, held a farewell drink.
Friends in Luoyang such as Li Feng, Xu Yun, Cui Zan, Yuan Kan, Yuan Liang, Yang Hu, and Ruan Ji all came to Changting one after another.
After everyone came together, more than a dozen people raised their wine bottles and bowed to Xia Houxuan and Sima Zhao, Xia Houfeng, Yu Huan, He Kuan, Qian Jia, Qian Hong and others behind him. He drank and returned the favor to everyone.
After drinking the first bottle of wine together, everyone stepped forward to say goodbye to Xia Houxuan alone.
Cao Xi had the deepest relationship with his cousin Xia Houxuan. He came up with the wine and reluctantly said:
"Taichu, brother, I wish you success in this western expedition, come on!"
Xia Houxuan touched Cao Xi's arm and then raised the wine bottle:
"Come, you and my brother drink this cup to the full!"
The two of them didn't say anything else, and just drank the farewell wine in the bottle.
After Cao Yan, Cao Ze, Cao Xun and other brothers, as well as He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang and others had a farewell drink with Xia Houxuan, Li Feng came to Xia Houxuan and the two drank another large bottle. liquor. Xia Houxuan, who was already tipsy, held Li Feng's arms and said with a smile:
"Brother An Guo often takes leave, and his affairs are light. My mother and Quan Zi Ming Yue, I hope Brother An Guo will visit me from time to time and take care of me!"
Li Feng nodded solemnly and agreed cheerfully:
"Don't worry Taichu, I will honor my aunt with all my heart and take care of Mingyue!"
Not long after, brothers Xu Yun, Cui Zan, and Er Yuan all drank with Xia Houxuan and said goodbye. All the friends are thinking a lot at this moment. They understand that after this separation, they will not be reunited for many years. Today's gathering is really rare.
Yang Hu, who was very close to Xia Houxuan, was full of emotions at this time, but he didn't know how to say it, so the two just looked at each other, smiled, and drank a bottle of each other.
Finally, Cao Shuang filled a large bottle of fine wine and came to Xia Houxuan's side. When everyone saw the general raising his bottle, they also picked up the wine again.
"At the beginning of Taichu, this attack on Shu is of great importance. After you lead these 10,000 elite troops to Chang'an, you will make arrangements first and arrange matters in Luoyang for your brother. In a few days, you will lead the remaining 20,000 troops to Chang'an to meet you. Yes. With this bottle of wine, I wish you and my brother immediate success, victory, and achievements that will last forever!"
"Thank you, brother. Xuan is in Chang'an. I'm waiting for you to make great achievements together with me!"
The more than 20 people who were full of arrogance drank the last wine in the bottle at this moment.
Sima Zhao, Xia Houfeng, Yu Huan, He Kui, Qian Jia and Qian Hong surrounded the slightly drunk Xia Houxuan and slowly headed towards the ceremonial chariot of General Zhengxi not far away.
Hui Gu was waiting for Xia Houxuan in the carriage.
At this time, the farewell crowd looked at Xia Houxuan's retreating figure and silently wished him well in their hearts, "Take care along the way."
At this moment, the ten thousand troops on the outskirts of the city finally headed west under the leadership of Xia Houxuan.
At this moment, the swords and halberds in the soldiers' hands were shining coldly, and the armor on their bodies was shining coldly. The sound of drums, powerful shouts and horns roared along with the cold wind; the black flags were like ink-colored flames, rolling and roaring in the wind; the dust was billowing, moving westward from the east.
————
Taifu Wuyanghou Mansion.
The old man did not go to the outskirts of the city to watch the army take the oath, but stayed in the study room of the mansion to drink tea leisurely.
Even his second son went with the army this time.
"Father, Xia Houxuan has led the army out of the city and marched westward!"
Master Sima entered the study, looking a little uneasy.
Everyone can see that General Cao Shuang personally led the troops to attack Shu this time in order to become famous in one battle and establish military prestige.
And if he succeeds in conquering Shu this time, the Sima family's reputation advantage will no longer exist, and they will be suppressed forever by Cao Shuang's party from now on, with no chance of turning around again.
What puzzled Master Sima was that his father, the owner of the Sima family, was indifferent at the moment. He was sitting firmly in his study, enjoying the tea leisurely, as if none of this had ever happened.
"Oh, is it so."
Sima Yi put down the tea cup, picked up the scroll, and said calmly:
"It seems that Cao Shuang is determined to win this time. However, is Xishu really exhausted?"
The wind rustled in the courtyard, causing the white camellia bush to tremble.
