On July 17, the escort team arrived at Luzhou City on the east bank of Zhangshui River.
When we arrived in Luzhou, we were only halfway through the journey from Taiyuan Prefecture to Bianliang. Fortunately, Empress Li was considerate of the hardships of the soldiers and civilians and decided to stay in Luzhou City for two days.
The city of Luzhou is high and deep. From a distance, you can tell that it is a fortified city. However, the queen ordered the accompanying troops to station outside the city and were not allowed to enter the city to harass the people. Therefore, Guo Xin could only watch from a distance.
Guo Xin rested in the army for half a day. When nothing happened, the soldiers suddenly reported that someone outside claimed to be his brother-in-law and came to look for him.
When Guo Xin came out of the tent, he saw that it was indeed his brother-in-law Zhang Yongde. Zhang Yongde is one year younger than Guo Xin, and is now an official in the Privy Council. They don't have much contact with each other, but Zhang Yongde has a precocious temperament, so they are not unfamiliar with each other.
"Yongde has something to do with me?" Guo Xin saw Zhang Yongde's face and pulled him into the tent before he could speak: "Let's go in and talk."
Zhang Yongde did not refuse Guo Xin's kindness. After sitting down in the tent, he said, "Brother Yi, do you still remember Chang Si?"
"Chang Si?" Guo Xin felt that he had some impression of this name in his memory, but he couldn't think of it at the moment.
Zhang Yongde nodded and reminded: "When Taishan was humble, he once lived in homesickness and was taken care of by him."
Guo Xin searched for relevant memories in his mind and said with a smile: "I remember, my father called him Uncle Chang, so we have to call him Master Chang."
Zhang Yongde leaned his head closer and said, "It seems that Brother Yi doesn't know yet that the commander in charge of Luzhou City is this man."
Guo Xin was stunned for a moment: "So, we have to go in and pay a visit?"
Zhang Yongde smiled and said: "That's why I came here. I've already agreed with Brother Qing that the queen in the city is hosting a banquet today and we'll go to the city to visit her tomorrow morning."
Guo Xin immediately agreed. He knew that these decentralized military governors held real local power, and it was necessary for his family to make friends with them.
…
Early the next morning, Guo Xin first went to the city to find a temporary residence for Zhang and others, and then followed Guo Tong and Zhang Yongde to visit the Luzhou Commander.
With Liu Zhiyuan taking control of the Central Plains, the previously vacant territory naturally needs to be filled by his own people. The same is true for the current Luzhou Jiedushi Chang Si. When he was in Taiyuan Prefecture, he was just an ordinary general who commanded the prison city. But he suddenly became the commander-in-chief of the new dynasty.
After handing over the name card in front of the house, the servants of the house soon ushered Guo Xin and the others in.
The servant led the three people into a side room and poured water for the three of them. I'm talking to the old gentleman inside, so I have to forgive the three gentlemen and sit here first."
After hearing this, Guo Xin sat down indifferently, but Guo Tong asked: "I wonder who the dignitary is?"
The servant was stunned for a moment and replied: "He is the Prince Consort of the new dynasty."
"Hey, who do I think he is?" Guo Tong clapped his thigh and stood up, glancing at Guo Xin and Zhang Yongde proudly: "That Song Consort is familiar with me, I will take you two to introduce him."
When the servant saw Guo Tong getting up and leaving, he winced and said, "I'm afraid it's inappropriate for Mr. Lang to rush over here."
Guo Tong didn't even look at him and went out.
The servant was stunned in place, neither trying to stop him nor stopping him.
Guo Xin and Zhang Yongde looked at each other, then stood up helplessly and said to the slaves: "It's okay, we know the rules and lead the way."
The servant grumbled, but stepped forward to lead the way for the three of them.
They had not taken a few steps when they met a young and handsome man coming out of the front hall with several entourages.
When Guo Tong saw the prince, he quickly walked up to him and praised him, "Song's prince-in-law! I didn't expect to meet his prince-in-law here."
Upon hearing this, Guo Xin and Zhang Yongde knew that the person they were facing was Song Xie, the commander-in-chief of the new dynasty's consort, and they also stepped forward to salute him.
Song Xie was very well-educated and returned the favor to Guo Xin and the others before speaking to Guo Tong: "Is this what Guo Cheng is planning to do?"
Guo Tong bowed to Song Xie again and said, "My father has an old relationship with Chang Shuai, so he brought his brothers to visit him."
Song murmured without asking in detail. He glanced at Guo Xin and Zhang Yongde behind Guo Tong, and suddenly asked: "Who is Guo Erlang?"
Guo Tong was startled at first, and then frowned slightly, thinking that Song Xie didn't want to make friends with him first, so he asked Erlang what he meant? But he still stepped aside to let Guo Xin go: "This is my brother-in-law."
Guo Xin also imitated Guo Tong's behavior just now and raised his hand to his chest: "I have seen the Consort of Song Dynasty."
Song Xie hurriedly responded: "Guo Erlang fought bravely in Daizhou. I have heard about it for a long time."
Guo Xin smiled and said: "Serving the country and serving as the king is the responsibility of the last general."
Song Xie nodded, with a smile on his lips: "I have long admired the heroic spirit in the military. If I had nothing else to do today, I would definitely have a good chat with Guo Erlang."
Guo Xin clasped his fists and said, "When we get back to Bianliang, I will personally pay a visit to the prince-in-law."
Song Xie also clasped his fists and said, "Definitely."
Guo Tong saw that the two of them were talking more and more enthusiastically, but he kept himself aside. He couldn't help but feel a little depressed. He coughed slightly and said: "Since the prince-in-law has something important to do, we brothers will not waste more time on the prince-in-law." ”
"Okay, let's talk about it another day." Song Xie smiled slightly, then turned around and walked out of the house with his entourage.
The three of them then continued inside to see Chang Si, and entered the hall after receiving the summons.
Except for the servants standing there, there was only Chang Si in the entire hall, who was sitting attentively on a large pear wood chair. To be called uncle by Guo Wei, Chang Si is obviously not young yet. Half of his hair is silver. Fortunately, he has not yet contracted the slowness and dullness of old age. His eyes are full of energy as he looks at the three people entering the hall.
As the eldest among the three people, Guo Tong naturally went to Chang Si to pay his respects first: "I just came to visit you today, and I hope you can forgive me." Guo Wei recognized Chang Si as his uncle, and Guo Tong's calling himself his son was not too much. It brought the unfamiliar people present closer to each other.
Guo Tong then pointed to Guo Xin and Zhang Yongde behind him and said: "These two are my brother-in-law and my sister-in-law... I have both met our brothers before."
Chang Si was still sitting on the chair, stroking his beard and said: "Okay, okay, the son of Guo Queer's family has grown up." Chang Si was born in the military, and his words were still full of energy.
Then several people chatted about the past, and naturally it was Guo Tong who was interacting with Chang Si. Guo Xinzheng was tired of hearing this, but suddenly he heard Chang Si mention: "Recently, the officials intend to mobilize several town commanders... It's the family of Li Shouzhen and Du Chongwei. I heard that Du Chongwei has sent his son to the Khitan, so I guess something will happen in Weizhou recently."
Guo Xin immediately became energetic after hearing this. The war in the Central Plains is not over yet?
…
On July 20, when the escort team arrived at Zezhou, news came from the south: Du Chongwei had occupied Weizhou and rebelled again. Liu Zhiyuan had ordered to strip Du Chongwei of his official title and sent a highly qualified envoy to the Guard. Gao Xingzhou was the envoy to recruit, and Zhenning Jiedu envoy Murong Yanchao was the deputy envoy to recruit. They sent troops to Weizhou to attack Du Chongwei.
