"Brother Yi!"
A sudden and familiar cry made Guo Xin startled, and then he raised his head and looked at the leading knight in confusion. For a moment, he didn't recognize who it was against the sunlight. It wasn't until the knight on the horse took off his hood that Guo Xin realized that the horse was riding a horse. The big man on his back is actually his eldest brother Guo Rong whom he hasn’t seen for several months!
Guo Xin didn't know anything about Guo Rong. He knew that Guo Rong was the historical Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty. But now this eldest brother was still an intermediary commander in the army and had always been very close to Guo Xin. Guo Xin's feelings for Guo Rong There is only brotherly love, and I have long been accustomed to treating Guo Rong as my brother.
Guo Rong casually threw his bag to his entourage behind him, then skillfully turned over and dismounted, and directly took Guo Xin into his arms.
Guo Xin was sore from the armor on Guo Rong's chest, but it was difficult to break away. Fortunately, Guo Rong let go of him in just a moment, and then patted his arms again and again with a pair of big hands like cattail fans.
"What a good boy! I haven't seen you for a few months, and you've gotten a lot stronger." Guo Rong's voice was loud, and his vigorous energy and warrior's generosity were revealed everywhere in his body.
Shrugging his shoulders as if they were about to fall apart, Guo Xin also happily looked at Guo Rong, who had been away for a long time, and asked: "Brother is not guarding the border in Linzhou, why did he come back suddenly at this time?"
Guo Rong stopped laughing, looked around cautiously, then approached Guo Xin and whispered: "There is nothing going on in the north for the time being. Liu Chong, the commander of the horse and infantry forces, has received His Highness's order and is on his way to Taiyuan. I am here." Following his military orders, I went to the city in advance to pay homage to His Highness."
Liu Chong is Liu Zhiyuan's brother. When Liu Chong led his army southward, it was obvious that Liu Zhiyuan was preparing to prepare for the Khitan by dispatching troops and generals. It was Guo Xin's expectation to gather the troops scattered throughout Hedong towards Taiyuan - -After all, the Khitan people are difficult to deal with because of their powerful soldiers and horses.
Seeing that Guo Xin was not surprised after hearing this, he just nodded slightly. Guo Rong became curious: "The army didn't arrive until the end of the month. Did Brother Yi already know about it in the city?"
Guo Xin shook his head: "I'm just guessing. With things in the south reaching this point, it's strange that the army is still stationed in the north."
"Erlang is very knowledgeable now." Guo Rong showed an appreciative smile on his face, and then asked: "Is father at home? I am going to go back home first to report to my father."
Guo Xin continued to shake his head: "My father went to the handsome manor early in the morning, and he must not be back yet."
Guo Rong stroked his beard and hesitated: "It doesn't matter, then I'll go straight to the palace to see you."
Guo Xin handed over his hand: "Since eldest brother is busy with business, I won't waste my time."
Guo Rong nodded: "Sure, this is not the place to talk. Let's talk to Brother Yi later." After saying that, he patted Guo Xin's shoulder hard and then got on his horse.
He put the bag handed to him by the soldiers back on his head and was about to leave. Guo Rong seemed to suddenly remember something and leaned down on his horse to wave to Guo Xin.
Seeing this, Guo Xin went over and heard Guo Rong say: "I heard the news in the army. His Highness will prepare troops and horses in a while. When I get back, I will talk to my father so that Brother Yi can also get an errand in the army."
"Thank you, brother!" Guo Xin was very surprised. Although he had planned to join the army, the Zhang family in his family did not allow it. Guo Wei also thought that Guo Xin was still young and could not convince the public - after all, he could not start from the bottom as a soldier. . But now that the war is approaching and the army expansion in Hedong is imminent, if Guo Rong speaks for himself, there is no reason to continue to stay at home and do nothing.
Seeing Guo Xin's happy look, Guo Rong also laughed twice: "Brother Yi and I are brothers." After saying that, he roared and left with his two soldiers.
Guo Xin's eyes followed Guo Rong until the tall figure on horseback disappeared at the corner of the street, and then he turned around again.
Before his mood calmed down, Guo Pu next to him was also full of excitement: "Brother Yi is going to become a general!"
Guo Xin cursed with a smile and said seriously: "Even if you join the army, you will probably have to start at the level of team leader or tenth general."
"That's boring." Guo Pu shook his head in disappointment, "In my opinion, with Brother Yi's ability, he can still succeed with an army of thousands."
"That's all nonsense."
While they were joking, the two of them had arrived at the door of the Zheng family. The concierge of the Zheng family had known Guo Xin for a long time. When he saw him coming, he hurriedly said respectfully: "The young man left a message and told the second son of the Guo family that if he comes, he will go straight to Chunlefang to look for him. .”
Chunlefang is famous for singing brand music in Dongcheng, and it is also one of the places for the city's nobles to have fun. Guo Xin thought that there was nothing else to do now, so he took Guo Pu through the streets and alleys to find Zheng Chen in Chunlefang.
With the Lantern Festival approaching, Chunle Square is even more prosperous and lively than in the past. Vermilion paper peach charms have been pasted everywhere in the shop, and lights ready to be lit at night have been hung between the wooden beams of the pavilion. Many people wearing rich and royal clothes came in and out of the tall square gates. In Guo Xin's eyes, they looked like ants looking for food.
The sound of playing and singing of silk and bamboo can be heard endlessly in the square. The men's indulgent laughter and the little girls' slight chuckles all mix together in the ears, making it seem like a scene of flourishing flowers.
In a daze, Guo Xin felt that the war and chaos outside had become illusory, and that the place in front of him where people were having fun and indulgence was the real world.
It wasn't until the attentive waiter came to greet him that Guo Xin was awakened from his daze.
"Is there a girl that your husband is familiar with? It's a festive season, so your husband will have no choice if he comes later."
Before Guo Xin could answer, Guo Pu, who was standing next to him, scolded the waiter: "Blinding your eyes, my husband seems to be here to do something dirty!"
Guo Xin knew that the waiter regarded him as a libertine who came to have fun, but he didn't blame the waiter for not being discerning. Guo Wei hated extravagance, and his family members all wore ordinary rough clothes. He really didn't look like anything. The husband of an official family.
However, he didn't take it seriously and said with a smile: "The husband of the Zheng family has invited me, please show me the way."
The waiter took a cursory look at Guo Xin and said doubtfully, "Master, wait a moment. I will come back after asking." After that, he left Guo Xin and the two of them and turned around to go to the back of the main room.
After a while, the clerk rushed out, acting like a different person, swinging his sleeves and walking quickly, with a smile on his face that almost reached the corners of his eyes: "Delay! Delay! Please come with me, Mr. Lang." She bowed and led him to the back of the workshop.
"Snob." Guo Pu cursed quietly behind him.
After bypassing several pavilions and courtyards, we arrived at the back square. The noisy voices in front had gradually become fainter. It was obvious that this back square was the real place to greet the nobles.
The guy who led the way was still showing hospitality: "Li Langjun is the host today. If Langjun just reported Li Langjun's name directly, Langjun would not be delayed."
After hearing this, Guo Xin was confused: "Not Zheng Lang? Which Li Langjun is it?"
The waiter explained: "Of course it's Li Ye and Li Langjun. Zheng Langjun came with Shijia Dalang, but he happened to meet Li Langjun, so he was invited by Li Langjun to listen to the music together."
Guo Xin thought for a while and then remembered that Li Ye, whom the waiter said, was the youngest brother of Liu Zhiyuan's wife, Li's maiden family. Guo Xin was not acquainted with Li Ye. He only knew that he was a dandy in the government office. In recent years, Liu Zhiyuan had sent him to the north to train with Liu Chong. Since Liu Chong was not on good terms with his father Guo Wei, he could not be said to be close to Li Ye.
While they were talking, several people had already arrived in the backyard. As a follower, Guo Pu could not enter, but there was naturally a place for his followers to wait in the side yard. Guo Xin walked to the front of the house and heard a woman's melodious singing voice coming from inside, along with several cheers. It was obvious that there were more than just Zheng Chen and Li Ye inside.
Under the eaves, two servants knelt and sat on either side of the door. When Guo Xin walked to the door, each of them held one door and opened it gently.
The door leaf slid on the floor and made a crisp click. The woman's singing stopped for an instant, and everyone in the room looked at Guo Xin who was standing at the door.
