Zhou Shenzhi said hurriedly: "Father, I understand."
"Sit down." Zhou Xu nodded at the seat in front of him.
Zhou Shenzhi sat down, a little uneasy. In fact, he had no mercy on General Song, but because he was his father's former friend, he asked one more question, so that he would not be stupid again in the future. Friends who are on the opposite side of them are no longer friends, but enemies to be killed.
"If there is a friend among the three thousand soldiers who has killed Turks with you before, will you kill him?" Zhou Xu asked.
"Kill!" Zhou Shenzhi replied without hesitation. If he killed, he might be sad for a few days. If he didn't kill, his whole family might die in the future.
Which one is more important is clear at a glance.
Zhou Xu then calmed down and felt that his son had killed too few people. Zhou Xu thought of Song Deyu. This man was indeed his good friend in the past. They drank together, killed enemies together, and even trusted each other with their lives. But So what, if Song Deyu really wants to be tough and refuses to obey his orders and disarm, then Zhou Xu won't be polite to him either.
"I will go to the battlefield more often in the future." Zhou Xu looked at his son and said.
"Yes, father." Zhou Shenzhi responded.
At noon.
The angel honor guard entered Langge with boxes of rewards flowing like water.
It is difficult for the people who were born in Youzhou to have any thoughts of worshiping and respecting the current Lord of the World. What is more, they hate it. The sixteen counties of Youzhou were invaded by Turks. They had no soldiers, no food, and no help from the court. They Today's good life is provided by Zhou Youzhou. In Youzhou, the younger generation only knows Zhou Youzhou and doesn't know what an emperor is.
The three thousand soldiers of the honor guard were like sheep walking into the mouth of a tiger without their armor and weapons.
They are truly defenseless!
Song Deyu, the general leading the team, looked almost desperately at the streets and alleys that were extremely suitable for cavalry to charge. It only took five hundred. No, with this kind of terrain, it only took three hundred elite cavalry to lead the team. He gritted his teeth. Without saying a word, the threat of death enveloped everyone in the honor guard.
Qi Nanhua was sitting in the sedan chair, with cold sweat on his forehead. The bright yellow imperial edict in his hand had become his reminder. He didn't want to accept it, but it was a pity that the emperor's order was hard to disobey!
"You go and declare the edict."
There are four big characters written on a piece of rice paper.
Qi Nanhua looked at Peng Hui next to him. He had seen Peng Hui many times before, but he was still shocked by Peng Hui's appearance at this moment. His face turned pale and his chest felt tight and he felt like vomiting.
I saw a ferocious cut on the face of Peng Hui, who was usually fair and fat and kind, from the root of the ear to the corner of the mouth on the other side. Even though good medicine had been applied, the time was too short, and the wound was still ferocious and turned out. This has also led to the fact that Peng Hui, who has always been a good person, is now so ugly that it is unsightly.
Qi Nanhua could almost imagine how this wound was formed.
When the tongue must be cut, Peng Hui closed his mouth in fear. When Zhou Youzhou saw this, he directly cut the mouth with a dagger. Under the severe pain, Peng Hui would open his mouth and then cut the tongue.
Qi Nanhua shuddered.
Chapter 169
Heavy snow fell on the gloomy and gray sky.
Song Deyu turned over and dismounted, looking at the Jiedushi Mansion in front. The black door was hung with festive red lanterns, swaying in the wind. The cold wind blew on his face. Song Deyu wiped the ice on his face. He had not been to the north for a long time. He actually felt as if the cold had penetrated into his bones.
Song Deyu, who was over fifty years old, laughed at himself in his heart. Chang'an had lived too many good lives, and he was no longer used to the place where he once shed his life and blood.
"Servant Qi, we have arrived." Song Deyu stood outside the carriage door and asked.
Due to the frequent rebellions in various places, the Holy Emperor became increasingly wary of their military commanders and instead valued the scribes. Therefore, the civil servants were always more noble and popular than their military attachés, and had more power than them. Just like this time, the honor guard The second in command is Qi Nanhua, the Minister of Rites, not him.
However, Song Deyu was used to this kind of treatment.
The brocaded curtain door shook twice, revealing Qi Nanhua's pale face. When getting off the carriage, Song Deyu helped the minister of etiquette in his early thirties.
Qi Nanhua stood still with a weak step, and licked his lips that were dry and cracked by the wind: "General Song, I heard that you were an old friend of Zhou Youzhou in the army, why don't you first talk about old times with Lord Jiedushi?"
Song Deyu looked at the closed Jiedushi Mansion, and habitually wanted to touch the waist knife that gave him a sense of security, but unfortunately he couldn't.
In the cold wind and heavy snow, he knocked on the door.
Uncle Sun opened the door, his eyesight was a bit bad, and it took him a while to recognize him: "It turns out to be General Song."
Song Deyu also met Zhou Xu's housekeeper many years ago. He hid the complicated thoughts in his heart and said with a stiff smile: "The Holy Emperor heard that Lord Jiedushi returned to Yi and won a battle. He was very happy and ordered me to come to commend the general. "
Uncle Sun's eyes widened and he opened the door wider: "It turns out that the angel guard of honor has arrived. Oops, my old servant is too dim to see clearly. Angel, please come in quickly."
Qi Nanhua then took a step forward and said: "This is Qi Nanhua, the Minister of Rites. The angel went to Prince Bao's Mansion to rest due to health reasons. I will take over the duties of the angel for the time being." At the end, he quickly said: "Why don't you send me the Holy Spirit soon? Send in all the rewards."
Uncle Sun let the gifts go in with a smile on his face. When they were almost done, he patted his head suddenly and then said as if he remembered something: "Shilang Qi, this is really unlucky. My husband and mistress I went on a trip today and am not in the house."
Song Deyu was startled. On the way here, Peng Hui, who was riding in a sedan with Qi Nanhua, went to Prince Bao's Mansion halfway, along with the eunuchs serving him, gifts from the emperor to Prince Bao, and various errands from the palace. There were hundreds of people, and the angel honor guard was therefore divided into two teams.
After Qi Nanhua heard this, he was overjoyed in his heart, but he did not dare to show too much on his face. He only said: "That is really unfavorable. It is also my fault. I was in a hurry to deliver gifts to Lord Jiedushi, and did not send a messenger in advance. Tell Master Jiedushi, blame me."
Qi Nanhua looked ashamed: "In that case, General Song and I will come back tomorrow."
Uncle Sun smiled and said: "Master Qi, please be patient. I have heard that Master Qi is good at calligraphy before, and I have been fascinated by you for a long time. You are here as an angel this time. It is a rare opportunity. You must be very happy to know that. I wonder if Mr. Qi would like to meet my young master?"
Qi Nanhua felt bitter in his mouth after hearing this. Just listen to compliments like this. He can also say beautiful words without blinking. Under the surface, he has to go to the Jiedushi Palace now. , In fact, there is another option, which is to refuse the young master's invitation in front of everyone, but does he dare?
He is the next Youzhou Jiedushi, the only eldest son of the current Youzhou Jiedushi, and the confirmed heir. Now the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and he has no soldiers or power, so why should he refuse? His life?
Qi Nanhua thought quickly, stroked his beard under his chin, and said with a smile: "Haha, I have respected the border officers since I was a child, but unfortunately I only became a scholar with a pen in the end, which is not as good as the young master of your house wearing silver armor." Shine the cold light, pick up the sword, kill the thieves and bring peace to the people."
"This time I have been invited by your noble family. It's my wish, but I don't dare to invite you."
"It just so happens that the Holy Spirit has given me a lot of rewards. I need to trouble General Song to register them with the people in your mansion. They must be recorded. When we came, the river was very windy and the official ship tilted. Among the rewards, there were If the fine porcelain produced by the official kiln is damaged a lot, when the general and I return to Beijing to resume our duties, we will definitely explain it to the emperor and supply the Lord Jiedushi." Qi Nanhua said to Song Deyu.
Song Deyu looked at the slave who was still delivering gifts and nodded: "Okay."
"Two adults, please come in." Uncle Sun smiled.
Song Deyu asked the remaining troops to wait outside, and only brought a few close subordinates in. With General Song, Qi Nanhua finally felt more stable.
After entering the Jiedu Envoy's Mansion, Qi Nanhua also met Mr. Shao Lang from Zhou's residence. The two of them seemed to know each other as before.
Under the cover of pines and cypresses, Xiao Qingxue looked at Brother A, who was chatting and laughing with the Minister of Rites from a distance. She didn't understand how they had so much to say when they met for the first time. The Dog Emperor gave many gifts, and General Song was right next to Brother A. Not far away, I was busy registering with Uncle Sun.
Xiao Qingxue looked at it for a while, then turned around and sat on the stone in frustration and threw stones into the lake. She was very unhappy. Suddenly her father took her mother out without taking her with her. She also wanted to know why they went there. !
Xiao Qinghe sat next to his cousin and explained: "Cousin, uncle and the others must have something to do. Don't be unhappy. Can I fold a paper boat and show it to you?"
"I prepared a trap to make Peng Hui look embarrassed, but he didn't come." Xiao Qingxue rolled her eyes, pulled her cousin up and said, "Let's go see the new angel."
In the small pavilion, Zhou Shenzhi and Qi Nanhua sat opposite each other. On the table were several pieces of everyone's calligraphy, including Qi Nanhua's own. After admiring each of them several times, Zhou Shenzhi asked someone to bring tea.
Qi Nanhua felt a little more relaxed when he saw that the young man had no domineering intentions, but he was still secretly vigilant.
He happened to see a young girl in gorgeous clothes coming into the courtyard, followed by Yulang of the Xiao family. Qi Nanhua instantly guessed the girl's identity.
Zhou Shenzhi was a little surprised to see his sister coming, and introduced him with a smile: "Shilang Qi, this is my sister."
Qi Shilang stroked his beard and said with a smile: "The Qinghe area in the south of the Yangtze River is really outstanding, so it can raise people like Madam Xiao and Yulang."
"Qi Shilang Liao Zan." Xiao Qingxue has been in ancient times for a long time and knows how to respond. She pursed her lips and smiled, but her eyes did not see the imperial edict.
"Why is Qinghe so angry with me when we meet this time? I saw you when you were a child." Qi Nanhua said with a smile.
Xiao Qinghe knew Qi Nanhua and had met him once, but it was really just a one-time relationship. He didn't expect that this person was so mature and considerate. Unknowingly, he thought he and his great-grandfather were good friends for many years. Xiao Qinghe apologized: "I was a child. I remember late, so I don’t remember Mr. Qi for the time being.”
"It doesn't matter, I have a good memory." Qi Nanhua said with a smile, and then talked about some of Qinghe's customs.
Seeing that it was getting later and later, Qi Nanhua had the idea of leaving, and he was going to leave after a while.
Winter nights come quickly.
The gifts have just been registered here, and it's almost finished on Prince Bao's side.
When an angel comes to visit, Prince Bao will throw a banquet to entertain him.
When the lanterns first came on, the lobby was already filled with delicious food.
Peng Hui sat on the left side of the lower room, surrounded by Bu Cai's eunuchs. These eunuchs were all his staff. A young eunuch took advantage of Bu Cai's opportunity to report to him that the housekeeper of the Prince's Palace was adopted by Prince Bao because of his old age. Went to a villa outside the city.
Peng Hui felt a little uneasy, feeling that something was out of control, but before his task was completed, he had lost his tongue, the task of promulgating the imperial edict was messed up, and the plan to alienate the Zhou family failed. Madam Zhou has not made any fuss until now, which makes him secretly hate the bride for being cowardly, so the only mission cannot be missed again.
Prince Bao sat in the first place, with his old princess beside him, and below him several of his children. The banquet had passed its climax. The dancers and musicians were brought over from Chang'an and played the latest popular new songs and dances from Chang'an. , the dancers all spin like flowers.
But everyone's face is not good. Even though the Holy One has sent them a lot of gold and silver treasures and maids and eunuchs to serve them, they have no freedom. They enjoy these as if they are in a prison. What's more, everyone has been raped by the old prince. There were few words in the order, so the banquet room was quiet.
The female relatives among them all looked pale. It was true that Peng Hui's current appearance was so evil that they couldn't even eat.
After the dancers and musicians retired, the old princess became impatient.
Peng Hui could not speak, so he could only let the smart eunuch beside him speak for him.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty Prince Ti'ou, has worked very hard. This time I have sent you five hundred slaves, as well as some treasures. The people who sent them were all carefully selected..."
"It's better not to send those pretty girls away all day long!" The old princess became annoyed when she saw Peng Hui. Her heart became more and more angry, and she said angrily, "The Holy Father always sends beauties to charm the prince here!" Ridiculous and hateful!
After saying that, he angrily left with all his female relatives.
"It's getting late, you all should go to the backyard to rest." Prince Bao waved his hands and chased his sons and maids out like flies.
Only Prince Bao, Peng Hui, and the eunuchs around Peng Hui were left in Nuo Da's hall.
Peng Hui waved his hand to all the eunuchs waiting around him to get down.
For a moment, he and the prince were the only two people left in the room.
"Prince, this is the gem wine given to you by the Holy One. It is a palace wine. Even the Holy One is reluctant to drink it. We brought it to you. It has been chilled. Do you want to try it?" Peng Hui wrote on rice paper, personally He took out the white jade wine jug from the ice basin and prepared to serve the holy uncle with all humility. In the past years, he would always do this if he came, and he would always be very supportive of the old prince.
Prince Bao changed into a light soft robe. Others were always afraid of the cold, so there were many charcoal pots in the hall, and the indoor temperature was quite high. The old prince sat at the head, behind him was a solid wood sixteen screen with a light gauze curtain. I also feel a little thirsty.
In fact, he was not the only one who was thirsty. Xiao Luolan, who had been sitting behind the solid wood screen, was also thirsty. She felt so nervous that her palms were sweating, and she hid behind the screen to eavesdrop on Prince Bao and the others.
When Zhou Zongzhu learned that the angel guard of honor was divided into two groups, he took her away from Zhou's house and went to a private tunnel. When he came out of the tunnel, it was Prince Bao's study. When he saw them coming out, Prince Bao actually acquiesced. With an expression on his face, he arranged them behind the screen in the hall.
Xiao Luolan also heard that after Peng Hui and the others came in, they asked Qin Feng to lead a team and take over the front yard of the Prince's Palace together with the palace guards.
Zhou Xu sat next to his wife and handed her a cup of tea.
Xiao Luolan's heart was very high. She sipped her mouth and listened to the noise outside. Zhou Xu got up and walked to a small hole in the screen to observe the two people.
The aroma of wine filled the hall, and the old prince was a little tipsy.
This wine is indeed good. The wine at tonight's banquet is the wine sent by Peng Hui. The complete set of wine vessels is specially made by the Palace Household Office. It is not white jade but cold jade.
The old prince hummed, not surprised that Peng Hui served him. Eunuchs are just tools.
Peng Hui bent forward with the wine flask in his hand, and gently twisted the flask with his fingers under his wide cuffs. He wanted to show his kind smile as usual, but unfortunately, when he pulled the corner of his mouth, he felt heartbreaking pain.
Cold sweat fell instantly, and the excessively warm temperature made his wound feel painfully inflamed. It seemed that blood was flowing out of the wound at the corner of his mouth...
Peng Hui's face couldn't help but twist.
