The cold morning has arrived, the beginning of spring is slightly cold, and there are only a few people walking on the road.
In front of the Li family mansion in the west of Jinling City, more than a dozen large cars had quietly gathered. A cool breeze blew by, causing a few horses to neigh and neigh a little restlessly.
After a while, Mrs. Liu staggered out of the door with the support of Wang Jingyao and her brother. A group of maids and servants followed closely behind. At the same time, they took out large and small boxes from the house and loaded them on the cart behind.
After the door of Li Mansion was slowly closed and everyone was confirmed to have boarded the carriage, Liu Jiangsheng wasted no time and immediately led the accompanying soldiers to get on their horses, then held the whip tightly and turned around to signal.
"Drive!" As Liu Jiangsheng whipped his horse whip, more than a dozen large vehicles rumbled into action at the same time, heading down the street.
Wang Jingyao, who was in the car, couldn't help but open the curtain and looked back at the Li family mansion that everyone had repaired and renovated with their own hands. Thinking of the joy and laughter that had happened here, she couldn't help but blush.
"Auntie, aren't you going to look back? You've been here for a few months anyway... Do you think we can go back to Jinling again?"
"No more!" Mrs. Liu looked at Wang Jingyao's reluctant appearance and chuckled: "For me, there is no difference between Jinling and Langzhou. As long as Brother Yuan and his brothers are here, there is no need to cry! If it is true, there is no need to cry. What makes me reluctant to let go is just regretting the flowers and plants in the backyard..."
Wang Jingguo was different. Instead, he said excitedly: "Sister, what my aunt said is absolutely true! I can't wait to get to Langzhou as soon as possible, the sooner the better!"
Mrs. Liu looked at the young man lovingly and said with an angry smile, "Why, don't you kid like Jinling City?"
Wang Jingguo replied firmly: "Auntie, I want to go to Langzhou to join the army! I want to be a majestic general under Marshal Li like Brother Jiang Sheng!"
Seeing his brother's vows like this, Wang Jingyao couldn't help but burst into tears and smiled: "Just because of your fists and kicks, I can't even look down on you, sister. Brother Yuan definitely despises you!"
Seeing the two siblings teasing and joking happily again, Mrs. Liu couldn't help covering her mouth and laughing.
Half an hour later, the group of people had arrived at the south gate of Jinling before they knew it. At this time, it was already broad daylight and the city gate slowly opened. The soldiers guarding the city also descended from the city tower one after another and began to stand on both sides of the doorway. Liu Jiangsheng didn't want to think too much and immediately ordered his soldiers to come forward with waist badges for inspection. As expected, a group of drivers were able to leave the city smoothly after a while.
As soon as they left Changgan Bridge, they saw Xu Kuangheng leading two hundred cavalry, waiting in neat formation. Seeing the driver approaching, Xu Kuangheng hurriedly galloped forward.
"Liu Du!" Xu Kuangheng tightened the reins and waved on his horse.
As soon as they met, Liu Jiangsheng asked earnestly: "Mr. Xu, have you ever..."
Before he finished speaking, Xu Kuangheng nodded directly and said in a low voice: "Everything has been done. The merchant ship has arrived at Bailuzhou Ferry. Chief Wumu has been arranging his troops and horses overnight. He is probably boarding the ship now! As for the expansion of the army, His Majesty has already issued an order and agreed to it. , but the number of personnel has been reduced to 50,000, and we need to equip ourselves with all the armor and weapons."
After hearing this, Liu Jiangsheng frowned, then he raised his hands and smiled bitterly: "This errand is not easy in the first place, but it is already rare. I will thank you for this trip, Mr. Xu!"
I saw Xu Kuangheng smiling, and then said with a serious face: "We have been delayed here for five days! Commander Liu, I have a letter that needs to be sent back to Langzhou. I am a commander-in-chief, so I have to go first!" Without further ado, please ask Liu Du to lead his troops and horses to escort the chariot and set off immediately!"
Not long after, the mighty car with hundreds of people started to move again, dozens of wheels and axles gradually and rapidly rotating, gradually moving away. What everyone left behind in this huge Jinling City were two long lines of marks on the ground.
...
Returning is like an arrow, but the mountains are high and the rivers are long. Liu Jiangsheng led people and carriages through dozens of prefectures and counties such as Chi, Jiang, Huang, E, and Yue, and traveled westward along the Yangtze River. They traveled through mountains and rivers day and night. Finally, in April of the 10th year of Baoda, they entered the territory of Langzhou under the rule of Wuping Jiedushi. .
This trip took more than twenty days, and everyone was tortured along the way. After all, Liu Jiangsheng and his accompanying troops were born in the military, and with Li Yuan's military orders, they shouldered the responsibility of guarding them. Even if they were exhausted, they still had to grit their teeth and persevere. The seemingly weak siblings Liu and Wang Jingyao unexpectedly supported the whole process.
On the contrary, many of the maids and servants had lived in the Jinling mansion for a long time and had never traveled such a long distance. Many of them had symptoms of acclimatization. Some even suffered from vomiting and diarrhea due to the fatigue of the journey. Fortunately, Liu Jiangsheng was never a harsh person. Upon seeing this, he ordered them to stop at a post station along the way to rest for a few days, and then the situation gradually improved.
It was already afternoon, and the sunlight was getting dazzling.
Outside the east gate of Langzhou City, a large group of state officials gathered early to line up to greet them. Ever since they heard in advance that Marshal Li's family was about to arrive, they had each made their own plans. What's more, they had started sending their servants out of the city a few days ago to secretly inquire about the driver's whereabouts.
Just because the officials had only one thought in their minds, these were the family members of their immediate boss, Marshal Li, the youngest feudal official in the Tang Dynasty! How dare you neglect? Some people even started to straighten their clothes, clear their throats for no apparent reason, and repeatedly frowned. It seemed that they were preparing to stage a scene of tears of joy for everyone later.
Li Yuan was riding a horse and looking out at the moment, and had no time to pay attention to the actions of the officials behind him. He naturally understood that he was familiar with this routine in the officialdom, and there was no need to expose it. After all, he had just arrived, and the only thing he was guarding was the stability of the state capital. It needs more people’s support.
The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and as Liu Jiangsheng and his carriage finally arrived at the east gate, Li Yuan's long-awaited heart was relieved. After waiting for many days, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. For him, as long as his family arrived safely, there would be no more constraints from now on.
After Liu Jiangsheng saw the familiar figures of Li Yuan, Luo Erhu and others, he excitedly hurried forward. The three brothers had a deep love for each other and laughed heartily after meeting each other. A moment later, the large group of vehicles were warmly welcomed by the officials of Langzhou and carefully guarded by Li Yuan's personal followers. They marched through the wide streets until they stopped in front of a magnificent mansion.
Li Yuan stepped forward and carefully helped Mr. Liu out of the car. Mother and son had been separated for several days, so it was inevitable that they would exchange touching greetings when they reunited. Then Li Yuan respectfully raised his hands and said with a smile: "Mother, please come into the house!"
Liu Jiangsheng and Luo Erhu also followed Li Yuan and saluted together: "Mother, please come into the house!"
Mrs. Liu, who always had simple thoughts, never had other thoughts. When she saw the three brothers standing neatly in front of her, she couldn't help crying and smiled happily. At the moment of tenderness, Li Yuan turned his head and looked at Wang Jingyao beside Mrs. Liu. He was holding the curious Wang Jingguo while looking at him with a shy smile, so he nodded to her gently, his eyes full of spring breeze. Soft affection.
The accompanying maids and servants began to unload their luggage in a hurry. Everyone looked up at the exquisite and luxurious palace door in front of them, and they all clicked their tongues. From the top of the wall, you can see the lush tree canopy in the courtyard, the warm sunlight shining on the raised eaves, and the newly painted tiger-headed red door is also majestic and gilded.
The most eye-catching thing is the four bluestone relief jade pillars in front of the mansion. They are engraved with Qilin beasts with teeth and claws, glaring at the world with angry eyes, as if they can distinguish between good and evil, loyalty and traitor.
Although this house has not yet been decorated with a plaque, and they do not know its origin, they are accustomed to seeing the mansions and compounds in Jinling, so they can tell at a glance that this place is extraordinary.
At this time, there was a stir in the crowd, and more than ten tall soldiers from the capital slowly arrived. They were carefully carrying a long plaque together, and Lin Sichang followed closely behind with a serious look on his face.
After greeting Li Yuan solemnly, Lin Sichang immediately ordered his soldiers to quickly set up two long ladders in front of the mansion gate, and prepared ropes and other utensils. Then he gave an order and the ropes were slowly stretched. The plaque began to rise steadily. After another round of banging sounds, everyone took a closer look and saw that the plaque had been hung upright in front of the door.
According to Li Yuan's previous plan, Luo Erhu, who had been waiting for a long time, quickly stepped forward, picked up the colorful silk covering the long plaque, and the long corner hanging down on the ground, and solemnly handed it to Li Yuan's hand, and then He stood up straight and shouted loudly: "Commander, please unveil the plaque!"
Li Yuan smiled and nodded, then in front of everyone's attention, he waved his hand and pulled it in a cool and unrestrained manner. The colored silk instantly fell down, revealing the large gilded characters on the plaque: "Wu Ping Jiedu Envoy's Mansion", and at the same time, the left side was engraved from top to bottom. There is a row of small characters, and the year number of the Southern Tang Dynasty is written eye-catchingly.
"The handsome man is mighty!"
"The handsome man is mighty!"
...
Such an exciting moment naturally caused everyone present to cheer in unison! Li Yuan saw everyone cheering and applauding, especially his mother Liu, who was so happy that her eyes were filled with tears, and her heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment and solidity. Later, the officials in Langzhou, as well as some wealthy businessmen in Langzhou who were present today, also came forward with heavy gifts and congratulated Li Yuan diligently.
After the ceremony of hanging the plaque was completed, Li Yuan gave an order and the door of the mansion slowly opened. Lin Sichang led the soldiers to enter first and began to stand guard, and then everyone also entered the mansion in an orderly manner.
In the spacious courtyard, green trees are scattered here and there, flower beds and fish ponds are scattered here and there. A group of young and beautiful maids have been waiting here for a long time. Dozens of tables of delicacies and wine banquets prepared by Li Yuan have also been set up. Everyone immediately sat down to dine and enjoy the scenery. The luncheon was very lively! As today's protagonist, Li Yuan drank several glasses of wine under the frequent toasts of everyone. After all, he was now in a high position and his family and brothers were by his side. It was the time of great success.
When he was happily drunk, Xu Kuangheng, wearing a brand-new official robe, suddenly approached Li Yuan and reminded him softly: "Commander, it's getting late!"
Hearing this, Li Yuan immediately regained the clarity in his eyes, drank the remaining wine in the glass, and then ordered: "After the luncheon, the generals will discuss matters in the front hall!"
Xu Kuangheng immediately raised his hands and replied: "Yes!"
