Lin Rong choked up. Didn't the girls and women look at her just now? He hurriedly picked up the coat on the desk and put it on his shoulders. He sounded very impatient and complained: "Why don't you close the door?"
Lin Rong felt like he was complaining when he said this, but when Lu Shen heard it, it was full of coquettishness. He was displeased with the interruption, and immediately put on his clothes and went out.
Lin Rong cursed secretly. After a while, Kingfisher opened the door and came in. He picked up the clothes and put them on the spring stool in front of the screen: "Master, do you want someone to bring water in?"
When no one was around, Lin Rong still didn't think anything. When Jade Bird asked, she thought about how many girls and women had seen shadows and heard voices just now. Her face burned and she panicked, and asked: "Just now..."
Lin Rong only uttered two words, but Jing Qin understood what she wanted to ask and smiled in a low voice: "Don't worry, Master, I told them to go back to their rooms and didn't ask them to come out. After the Lord left, I asked everyone to go to their own rooms." Out for a walk."
Lin Rong felt better now, but it was still a cover-up. Who could not know what had just happened in Changxuan? I was so distraught that I said, "No need to carry water in. I'll sit for a while and then go back to the clean room to take a bath."
Sitting on the armchair again, arranging my hair and clothes, I saw that a large piece of the Xuelang paper on the desk had been soaked, and the painting was ruined. I crumpled it into a ball in frustration, looked at the night's soup on the corner of the table, and just felt I find it extremely ironic.
She was extremely unaccustomed to having a girl come across such private matters, so she called Kingfisher to bring water in, and wiped the bookcase, spring stool, and armchair clean one by one before returning to her room to take a bath.
When Lu Shen arrived, it happened to be dinner time. The girls had already laid out the meals. With such a delay, the food had become cold. Lin Rong didn't want to bother and thought of asking the girls to cook a bowl of chicken noodle soup. The woman in the kitchen was more attentive, but within a quarter of an hour, she made it again and brought it to her.
In the middle of the night, Lin Rong was lying on the bed, holding the white jade token given by Lu Shen in his hand and examining it. He was going to be away for at least a month, so it was not impossible for these people to use it, it just depended on how to use it.
I asked these people to escort me. The name was to visit the old lady Gu, and to go to Qiandang Cliff on the way.
Even if she goes, she won't be able to see her senior brother again, but the words "Qiandangya" seem to have become her obsession. Perhaps in the secret place of her heart, she still imagined that she could find her way home from there. Go home, go home, these two words full of hope and despair echoed in her mind all the time.
It was sunny the next day, so Lin Rong got up early, dried herbs on the shelves, and prepared pills in the open space. He also ordered King Jingqin to take out the newly made coarse cloth clothes, wash them and make them old. He just waited for the things to be prepared before setting off immediately.
After finishing all this work, it was already dusk. Feng Xiao came in from outside holding a nanmu lacquer box: "Master, the craftsman outside has already obtained one of the set of knives you told me about. I brought it in for you to take a look at. Can you still use it?"
Lin Rong took it and took a look at it, then shook her head. At this time, the ore was not of high quality and contained many impurities, and the smelting technology could not be compared with modern times, but it shouldn't be so bad. She thought of the swords in the modern museum and asked: "Is it made by a shop outside or by craftsmen in the army?"
Feng Xiao replied: "Miss Hangqing said that the craftsmen in the army can't even forge the military utensils, and she can't send people to make trouble without the emperor's instructions. Therefore, she always asks outside shops to do it. "
Lin Rong pondered. Since she planned to risk Lu Shen's anger by going to Qiandang Cliff, she had no plans to come back. It's best if you can go home. If you can't go home, you still have to live. The only thing he could rely on for a living was this superficial medical skill. He was afraid that he would never be able to find a better craftsman to forge knives without leaving the Jiedushi's residence. He said: "At the second gate, which general is in charge of guarding? You invited him here, I have something to give you."
Feng Xiao didn't react: "Don't you need to invite Miss Hang Qing?"
Lin Rong shook his head: "No need."
After a while, a military general wearing soft armor called Feng Xiao in. He bowed his head and said, "Guo Yin, who is of humble rank, pays homage to my wife. Why do you want to summon me?"
Lin Rong faced him across the screen and tried to appear gentle: "General, please rise. I have something to ask for!"
Kingfisher moved an embroidered pier, and Guo Yinxu sat down, taking the tea bowl in his hand. He looked up and saw the hazy plain figure behind the screen.
This noble girl from Jiangzhou was known as a beauty who moved the world. Many people had seen her that day when she returned from hunting with the princes or had a banquet at Jinming Terrace. Everyone praised him for living up to his reputation, but he was the only one who didn't get the opportunity and didn't get to see him, which was a pity for a while. He couldn't bear to stare, so he lowered his head and said, "I wonder if Madam has anything to say?"
Lin Rong waved his hand and ordered Feng Xiao to take the tray out: "I want to forge a few small knives, but the craftsmen outside are not satisfactory. I also thought that before you left, Junhou told me that if there is any difficulty, just ask The general will take care of it, it’s absolutely correct.”
When Guo Yin heard this, he wanted to refuse. He didn't want to deal with this noble girl from Jiangzhou because of her sensitive status. He also saw that his lord had humiliated her many times. As time went by, he started to treat her with contempt and neglect. What's more, when this daughter of the Cui family first came, the lord ordered a group of sergeants to monitor and guard her. He was very defensive. At that time, he didn't say anything about being a female family member, so naturally he didn't respect her as his mistress.
Unexpectedly, in addition to some drawings, there was also a jade plaque in the tray.
Guo Yin's ancestors were from Yongdi for three generations, and his family was from a famous Yongdi family. He had been with Lu Shen since he was seventeen or eighteen years old. He was a direct descendant of the direct line. He naturally recognized Lu Shen's private orders. He was extremely surprised and suspicious at the moment. The jade plaque was made from seeds selected by the lord himself and carved by his own hands. He loved it so much that he even left it to his wife.
The words of rejection were rolled on the tip of the tongue and swallowed: "Madam, don't worry, the humble job will be completed." He looked at the drawings again and agreed: "The humble job will be done immediately, and it will be submitted to the madam within ten days."
On the 10th, Lin Rong was unwilling to wait so long: "I'm in a hurry. Can the general order the craftsmen to shorten the construction period?"
Guo Yin nodded and said with difficulty: "There is no need for anything else to forge fine iron. As time goes by, the quality of the iron will be greatly reduced. I'm afraid it will only take seven days at the shortest."
Lin Rong nodded slowly: "Thank you, General, for taking the trouble."
Chapter 35
Four days later, one hundred and thirty miles south of Xuanzhou, the bonfire of Pinggu Camp was in full swing.
Xia Houzhang was wandering in the military tent with his armor on, and asked the people around him: "Is there any message from Xudu?" He was worried: "Although you and I have submitted the letter of surrender, but we are leading the troops outside, I am afraid that Lu Shen will be suspicious. Lu Shen This man is very scheming and cruel. Has my father already been poisoned by him? I'm afraid he will mobilize his troops sooner or later..."
Dong Tao was eight feet tall and loved to eat raw beef throughout his life. He was able to carry a cauldron. He once entered and exited three times in the battle. He was a fierce general in the world who stood up and patted Xiahou Zhang on the shoulder: "Brother Xiahou, why are you so worried about us and our army?" Fifty thousand, the station in Pinggu is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and there are 20,000 cavalry outside to support, so Lu Shen is a heavenly soldier and a heavenly general, and it is difficult to break through for a while. Just wait until King Xudu Hejian's order arrives, so why should I be afraid of him?"
A message from the King of the River? Xia Houzhang sighed even more when he heard this: "Hey, although my father died, the whole family is still in Xuanzhou City. Once the King of Hejian's order arrives, I'm afraid it will be a reminder for them. In order to repay the kindness of the Yuan family, I bought my wife It is difficult to have both loyalty and righteousness if you ignore the truth."
Dong Tao was scornful in his heart, saying that loyalty and righteousness cannot be balanced, and the calculation in his heart is not all about fame and wealth. He shouted and asked: "Brother Xiahou, why are you so heroic and short-tempered? I think that Lu Shen, the child, can only rely on the 30,000 spirits of his ancestors." A started his career and swept across Jiangbei in a few years. You and I now have 50,000 elite soldiers in our hands. In these troubled times, why not create a foundation? How can you and I, who are proud of their men, bow their heads and obey the orders of that kid from the Lu family? "
Xia Houzhang was unable to get off the tiger at this time, so he could only nod his head in agreement, but he was always indecisive, cautious, hesitant and insufficient in decision-making. He also ordered: "Lu Shen is best at night raids. We must double the number of sentries everywhere. Don't be careless."
Just as Dong Tao was about to mock him and frighten the child Lu Shen out of fear, he heard the sergeant outside yelling: "The enemy is attacking, the enemy is attacking, Yong's army is coming, Yong's army is coming."
Xia Houzhang and Dong Tao hurriedly left the military tent and saw a fire in the southwest. After all, the two of them were men who had experienced battles for a long time. They immediately stopped and calmed down the morale of the army. They laughed and said: "Then what if Lu Shen, son, attacks from the east?" , I am still worried that they are coming from the southwest and will die on their own. Come here, order five thousand soldiers to follow me into the battle."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the sound of horse hooves shaking the ground. Generals Xia Houzhang and Dong Yao both shouted something bad: "It's the black armored cavalry!" After a confrontation, they arrived in Xuanzhou without knowing it.
The world-famous Black Cavalry of Yongzhou will do nothing if it doesn't take action. Once it takes action, there is no city that cannot be breached. Xia Houzhang's liver and gallbladder were already broken, and he had no will to resist. He immediately urged his horse and led hundreds of troops from the central army tent to escape in the opposite direction.
Although Dong Tao was a rough man, he still had some blood. He gritted his teeth and mounted his horse, carrying a snake spear that was eight feet long, and led hundreds of adopted sons around him: "Lu Shen is a ruthless fellow, let's go forward and kill each one to make a profit." .”
The brute force of Dong Tao, who was about to die, killed twenty or thirty people all the way, like chopping melons and vegetables. He stood on the horse and shouted like a gourd of blood: "Little Lu Shen, how dare you Shall I fight?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw hundreds of horses standing on the hillside. In front of him, a man in black armor and black clothes came rushing towards him. He only had a green sword in his hand. He was swinging the sword while riding the horse, but it seemed to have great power.
In panic, Dong Tao reluctantly took three moves. He was vomiting blood and fell down from his horse. He could barely say a few words: "White-faced Lu Shen, Guo... Guo lived up to his reputation..." Before he could finish his words, he died of anger. .
Eight thousand Yongzhou black cavalry made a lightning assault with fast horses. It only took two and a quarter hours from the southwest to the Chinese army tent. By this time, the two generals were dead, the morale of the army was in chaos, and the rest of the troops surrendered.
Lu Shen pulled out the green sword from Dong Tao's chest. Blood splattered three feet high. Generals came and went to report military information: "Report, Xia Houzhang and Dong Tao's 20,000 cavalry have surrounded him."
"Report, Xia Houzhang has ordered to be captured alive."
Lu Shen heard this and kicked the horse's belly. He saw the red sun gushing out from the sky and the weeds growing wildly on the cliff. He ordered: "Dong Bao is a bloody man. He should be buried well."
…
On this day, before Lin Rong got up, he heard Feng Xiao replying beside the brocade tent: "County Lord, General Guo has come back today and said that he has obtained four of those knives, and the rest will be soon in the next two days." ”
Lin Rong stood up and said: "You have seen him, if you urge him again, it will be one day sooner."
After breakfast, he asked the girl to prepare pen and ink and draw an illustration of herbal medicine on the table. After just drawing a dozen pictures, her hands were so sore that she was about to take a rest when she saw Hang Qing leading two mothers-in-law in the corridor over there. The son and several maids came slowly.
Before Lin Rong could recognize him, he heard Nanny Qu next to her say in a cheerful tone: "The county master is Aunt Gu and Mama Dong who are beside the eldest princess." While looking at Lin Rong with a good face, he added: "My lord. Princess Tongzhang, we still feel so sorry for the county lord, we have only been to Xuanzhou for three months, so we hurriedly sent someone to have a look."
Lin Rong glanced at her: "Since mama misses Jiangzhou so much, how can I force you to stay? Taking advantage of the people coming from Jiangzhou this time, I will return with these two mamas, and I will have someone to look after me on the way."
When Nanny Qu heard this, she lowered her head and shrank back: "I'm talking too much, old slave."
Everyone came to the main hall to see the ceremony. Hang Qing led the people in and reported: "Madam, the Double Ninth Festival is coming soon. Jiangzhou sent people to deliver festival gifts." After saying this, several maids and mothers knelt down to salute: "Slave, please wait. Master, I wonder if your master is doing well?"
Although Lin Rong's time in Jiangzhou was not a happy one, and he did not like the way the eldest princess and his wife sold their daughters for glory, but compared with Lu Shen, it was not very comfortable, so he nodded immediately: " Get up quickly, I’m fine here, how are you on the way?”
He also asked someone to move a few tuna, asked them to sit at the bottom, and talked about their daily life: "How is the old lady? How is the sixth sister?"
Several nuns answered one by one: "Everything is fine, everything is fine. The old lady often misses the county master. When Miss Six heard that we were coming, she also packed a lot of things and ordered us to bring them."
Then he presented a red sandalwood box: "Sixth Miss said that the county master may not like those gold and jade ones, they are not as interesting as these trinkets bought from outside."
Lin Rong took it, opened it and took it in his hand to look at it one by one. It was a glass sand lamp with a monkey painted on it. It contained sand, a bell, and paper cuttings. When shaken slightly, the monkey paper cuttings would do somersaults; as soon as the clay figurine came out. There is a big catalpa wood base underneath, covered with a glass cover. There are seven or eight clay figurines on the base, some are laughing, some are crying, and together they are a short play. There is also a small flower basket made of bamboo, which can be moved, and when opened, there is a goblet. And all kinds of handmade sachets, fragrant beads, pollen, etc.
Not only Lin Rong liked it, but Hang Qing was also surprised when he saw it: "They all say that the south is good. I have learned a lot this time. There is such a novel thing."
Lin Rong smiled and sighed in her heart: "You go back and thank Sixth Sister for me. She has always been thinking of me."
After talking on the phone, they were given additional food and wine to eat. After Hang Qing left, Grandma Gu sent a letter: "This is the family letter from the eldest princess to the county lord. When the slaves set off, they specifically stated , I need an accurate word from the county master. The eldest princess said that it is better to have what you have than to ask for help. It is better to train your own troops than to ask for help. The black cavalry of Yongzhou is famous all over the world. She is thinking of asking her uncle to send some horses to Jiangzhou to help. No need. Too many, just eight thousand horses."
Lin Rong hummed and opened the letter. Seeing that the words in the letter were all in the tone of the eldest princess's orders, she sneered: "I'm afraid I don't have such a face."
The women sneered: "Why do the county leaders say such things? They are always the same family..."
Lin Rong put down the teacup heavily: "Okay, Kingfisher, let's send some of the nuns and mothers down to have a rest. I'm busy here, so I won't keep you much longer."
A few days later, everyone from Jiangzhou saw that Lin Ronguo was merciless and had no choice but to do anything. Hang Qing prepared some more gifts in return and sent a gift list to Lin Rong: "Please take a look at it, Madam. I don't know the customs of Jiangzhou. I only prepared some things according to the old rules. I don't know whether they are appropriate or not?"
Lin Rong flipped through it briefly without looking at it carefully: "It's very appropriate." On the other hand, he took out another list: "This is what I gave to Sixth Sister alone. There is no need to mix them together. You can send someone else to escort them."
Hang Qing took the list, and there was nothing else. It only listed the jades from Master Minggang given by the previous monarchs. She stood for a while and then reminded: "Madam, forget about other things, just these few jades." It’s the king’s wish, so why not exchange it for a few more comparable ones, which are also extremely rare rubies.”
Lin Rong stood in front of the window, his mind no longer here, and replied: "It doesn't matter."
Hang Qing listened and silently said yes. Time has changed. She sees how the king treats his wife now. She can no longer just serve her as a noble girl from Jiangzhou like in the past. She has added three points. Be respectful and careful
A few days later, the people in Jiangzhou had not yet returned, but the guards at the city gate gradually relaxed, and people came and went much more freely. Lin Rong ordered someone to call Hang Qing: "I heard that there is a flower garden outside the city. The chrysanthemums are blooming very well. The autumn weather has been refreshing these days, and the heat is gradually getting better. It is very suitable to go out for a walk."
Hang Qing smiled and took out a few greeting cards from his sleeves: "You really get whatever you want. There are several women's families outside. They all posted messages asking Madam to go see the chrysanthemums. It's in the Chrysanthemum Shadow Garden outside the city."
Lin Rong opened it and saw that it was an old lady he had met in Xiahou Mansion that day. It happened to be tomorrow. He thought about it in his mind: "Okay, you go and make arrangements." Several women came in to talk.
When a few people came, Lin Rong was having a meal. He placed a small table made of lacquered gold with a pattern of happiness and longevity, and put a pedal on it: "Kingfisher, pick up some good vegetables for the mothers. You guys?" I haven't been free for the past few days since I've been here, but I haven't had a good conversation with him."
Grandma Gu then stood up and said, "Before the slaves came, the eldest princess warned us that it would be very difficult for the county lord to establish himself here, but we can't speak and embarrass the county lord. Thinking like this, I feel ashamed. Can’t stand anymore.”
Lin Rong waved his hands with a warm look on his face: "What are you doing, mom? Sit down and eat. Yongdi is not as good as our Jiangzhou in everything, but the stuffed goose is quite tasty, soft and glutinous with a little wine aroma, mothers." Taste it.”
After the mothers took a taste, they said: "It's really good, it's really good. The eldest princess is worried about the county master. Not only have your favorite ingredients been shipped in two ships, but the chef has also sent a lot of them."
Lin Rong put down his chopsticks and said: "I won't hide it from the mothers. I was young, and when I got married, I was angry. I didn't know how to be happy when I met your parents that day, but you didn't say much. In short, I am asked to beg for help. When I have grown up, I have never begged anyone in such a low voice, and how can I feel better in my heart?"
As he spoke, he took a handkerchief from his lapel to wipe away his tears.
Chapter 36
Lin Rong wiped away her tears and stood up immediately as she stepped on those who were sitting there: "These are slaves who can't speak. County Lord, don't be sad or angry. It's important to take good care of yourself."
Lin Rong was just pretending that he wouldn't be able to cry even if he really cried. Hearing this, he sighed: "What you said makes sense. After all, we are all members of the same family. How can I ignore it? Take a step back and say, my mother's family is mine." Rely on me. If my mother-in-law is not strong enough, I will not be strong here. If my mother-in-law is good, I will speak louder."
Several people echoed: "The county leader is right."
Lin Rong said: "I have only been married for a short period of time, and as a woman, there is no reason to go out to see foreign men. I don't think the civil and military officials in Yongdi recognize them at all..."
She bit her tongue and said the word 'husband' very awkwardly: "No... without husband's military order, it would be difficult to mobilize so many troops and horses. It's unlucky for you to come. He led the troops out. I'm afraid... Wait a few more days until he comes back."
The ladies were overjoyed, thinking that Lin Rong's childishness had changed over the past few days: "That's really the best."
Lin Rong smiled and nodded: "I know, this time you went north, you only came with a total of more than a hundred sergeants to escort you. The military order here is stricter. Even if you are not asked to enter the city, you will be stationed outside the city. The rules in this mansion are also strict, mothers. It’s not convenient to get in and out. Well, I remember there are a few other courtyards outside the city. They are well arranged and close to the ferry. I ordered people to clean them up. Where are you waiting for my news? "
With these people from Jiangzhou, there is no need to use Lu Shen's people.
She thought for a while and then smiled: "Even if I can't ask you to take seven or eight thousand military horses back to Jiangzhou immediately, I still need a personal letter from your uncle."
She arranged it in this way, and then ordered Hang Qing to make the arrangements. After Hang Qing heard this, he was wondering why he had to live outside the house instead of living in the house. He replied: "It's a coincidence. There is a place a mile or two away from Juying Garden. Zhuangzi is so clean and tidy that one or two hundred people will not be a problem."
Everyone was happy, and Granny Qu said privately: "The county master finally understands."
