The more a nation advocates force, the more it cherishes strength, especially the nomadic tribes.
They have no fixed abode and move frequently. The loyalty to the inherent territory and even the tribe is far less than that of the Han people who settled in one place and stayed almost their entire lives.
During the war between the two tribes, Huo Qubing was feared and hated by all the herdsmen.
But once he decided to submit to the Han, Huo Qubing became the first person from these tribes to visit.
Huo Qubing conquered their land and defeated their tribes.
If you want to surrender, you must find the strongest one. Just like a pack of wolves on the grassland, whoever defeats the original wolf king will automatically become the new wolf king and lead them forward.
In addition, after these tribes came to Chang'an, after a little inquiry, they knew that Huo Qubing had a special status.
The emperor's most trusted minister, the most famous general in the military, and even more famous was his uncle, the queen's nephew, and the most favored princess in the clan was his wife.
It is so brilliant that it cannot be described by the simple word "prominent".
These tribes unanimously regarded Huo Qubing as the most respectful and respectful visitor.
In addition, people came to ask for something, so they came in droves.
For some time now, the tribal envoys who came to Chang'an would gather outside the mansion every evening to ask for an audience.
"Why are you here to join in the fun?" Huo Qubing asked Zhang Cigong.
Zhang Cigong said with a smile: "I have something to ask of you.
I came over and asked the concierge, but neither you nor the princess were there. The owner was not here, so it was inappropriate for me to go in, so we waited outside together. "
Huo Qubing smiled and said, "You actually know how to abide by the rules. It seems that you are asking me for a big deal."
"Come in and talk."
Huo Qubing should go to the mansion first. After climbing the steps outside the mansion, he looked back at the envoys from various tribes who were waiting outside the mansion. He ordered the leader of the pro-army army to say, "Arrange for people from these tribes to come to the mansion to discuss matters."
"Your Highness the Princess didn't come back together?" Zhang Cigong said casually.
Huo Qubing thought that after Liu Qing mastered the power of embroidery, he would know her whereabouts very thoroughly every day. When he got home, she would be back.
All the foreigners were flattered when they heard that they could enter the mansion.
They had been here for some time, but this was the first time they received a response and were allowed to enter the government to discuss matters.
A group of people swarmed behind him and walked towards the gate of the Hou Mansion.
"Stand up and line up."
Amidst the roaring banners like iron towers and the deep shouts, the pro-army soldiers at the door pointed their halberds forward, and their troops were full of force.
The troops in Huo Qubing's mansion were the best among the best. They were brave in every battle, and their momentum was unleashed. The temperature outside the mansion was dropping, and their weapons were fierce.
The nomads are all about power. If you try to be polite with them, they will secretly laugh at you and breed disrespect.
Being pointed out by the front of the pro-army soldiers, everyone stood in awe, led by the Wuhuan and Fuyu envoys, and lined up in a row, led by the pro-army and entered the mansion.
Huo Qubing and Zhang Cigong went ahead and took their seats in the main hall of the Hou Mansion.
After the family has a mistress, especially if the mistress is a princess, the house has a completely new atmosphere.
Outside the main hall stood a row of little maids. They were in their prime, with fine skin and tender flesh, and faces that looked like freshly peeled eggshells, the kind that would produce water when pinched.
Huo Qubing and Zhang Cigong sat down, and tea and snacks were immediately served to them.
The tea is warm and the snacks are freshly baked.
Zhang Cigong stared at the well-trained and pleasing maids in stunned silence: "Qu Bing, the trainer in your house is the princess's servant? Can you go to my house and help train the servants?"
"You have something to say."
The subtext is to get out of here.
Huo Qubing and Zhang Cigong were related to Wei Qing. They had known each other for many years and talked casually.
Zhang Cigong said: "The King of Huainan plotted rebellion, and I was implicated. If you don't protect me, I will probably behead you, so I won't say thank you."
My official position as Lieutenant of the Northern Army, except for the last time I was asked to go on duty at the public office before leading troops to Beiguan and receive the official seal, I was not allowed to serve as a director of the public office since then.
Please help me tell His Majesty that I still want to take on the position of lieutenant in the Northern Army. "
Huo Qubing took a snack. He didn't eat anything at night and was a little hungry.
He didn't respond to Zhang Cigong's words.
Zhang Cigong observed his words and said: "I promise that I will never make a mistake about women this time. If I really can't help it, I will tell you first who I want to steal. You can help me to see if it is safe, and then I will decide whether to steal it or not." steal."
Damn it to you, Zhang Cigong is so shameless.
Among the people Huo Qubing knew, Liu Xiang and Zhang Cigong were frequent visitors to Huajie and Liuxiang, and their lives were controlled by their waists.
"His Majesty has not dismissed you from your post. You have also made meritorious service at the border during this period. It will not be difficult to reinstate you."
In fact, Huo Qubing had already told the emperor about Zhang Cigong, and Liu Che agreed to keep him for observation.
This time when Zhang Cigong came back, he was not allowed to take the post of lieutenant of the Northern Army. It was Huo Qubing's instruction.
Zhang Cigong is easily attracted to beautiful women when he sees them, and he is a follower of the family rather than a thief. He always misses the women outside, so he has to hit him from time to time.
"If you can't help it, go to a prostitute. If you make the same mistake twice, you are not just stupid."
Zhang Cigong promised repeatedly, saying that he would definitely guard his head this time and would not fall into other people's traps.
While he was talking, envoys from various tribes lined up outside the door and came in neatly.
Two figures came in together. One was a big cat with a round belly that had just finished its dinner. Its jewel-like cat eyes looked up and down at the foreign envoys.
Behind it is a fat tiger with a similarly plump intestine and round belly.
The big cat jumped onto the low mat in front of Huo Qubing, put its hind legs together, pushed its butt down, and held its front paws on the table, sitting firmly. Fat Tiger also sat diagonally in front of it.
Huo Qubing looked at the envoys from all ethnic groups with burning eyes.
The big cat also looked at the envoys of various races with glaring eyes.
Fat Tiger also looked at the envoys of various tribes with stern eyes.
"..."
The envoys from all ethnic groups were restless, feeling like they were being examined in three halls.
————
"My husband has entered the city, let's go back too."
Earlier in the day, as the sun had just set, Liu Qing set off from Liangyuan where he was embroidering clothes, preparing to return home.
Huo Qubing's horse is fast and he gets home first. When Liu Qing walked home, it was getting dark. There were mostly wealthy families in Nancheng District, and palace lanterns were carried at the door, illuminating the long street.
There was a maid sitting close to him in the car, talking to Liu Qing.
"My husband has been going to the military mansion in the afternoons these past few days. We will set off tomorrow when he leaves the military mansion and return to the mansion at about the same time as my husband."
Liu Qing opened the car curtain and looked at the long street: "Let the embroiderers pay attention to the whereabouts of Bai Nanyu. Is there anything unusual about her?"
The maid who was close to him replied: "She also returned to Chang'an a few days ago and stayed at Zhuo Mansion without leaving home."
"Well..." Liu Qing was about to lower the car curtain when he heard the thunderous hooves of horses approaching on the street.
The Imperial Guards and embroiderers accompanying the chariot tightened their formation at the same time, guarding the chariot in the center.
Zhao Jing is the captain of the Forbidden Army, and Huo Qubing arranges to be the leader of the Forbidden Army who picks up Liu Qing when he gets off work.
"Princess, there are servants among the riders who are leading the way. They should be going to the palace."
Zhao Jing was afraid that Liu Qing would be disturbed and reported: "These people may be in a hurry, so they still dare to gallop near Weiyang Palace."
On the long street, a group of people were riding horses passing by on the other side of the street.
Before Liu Qing lowered the car curtain, in the middle of the passing group, a handsome young man wearing black Hanfu looked unscrupulously in the direction of the car. When he saw Liu Qing behind the car curtain, the young man was shocked at the first glance. , Shannian thought: There is such a beautiful woman in the world.
"This is Chang'an. If you are visiting the palace from outside, please remember that you are not allowed to ride around the Weiyang Palace."
It was Zhao Jing who spoke.
He is the Chang'an Forbidden Army and has the responsibility to protect the stability around Weiyang Palace. He gave the warning and it was within his duties.
When one of the chamberlains who was leading the way saw the Imperial Guards and glanced at Liu Qing's driver, he dared to agree quickly: "I understand, I'm from Hexi. It's my first time to come to Chang'an to visit relatives. Your Majesty agreed. I won't do it next time."
Zhao Jing snorted softly, wondering where the royal relative came from, and did not slow down when approaching Weiyang Palace.
The young man rode a long way out, still reluctantly looked back at Liu Qing's driver, and asked the waiter in front:
"Whose girl passed by just now? She is so beautiful."
The chamberlain was startled: "She is the concubine of the princess, your majesty's sister, and the first wife of the champion marquis. You must know that trouble comes from your mouth, so be careful what you say in Chang'an."
The young man curled his lips and chuckled: "I know, it's really verbose. Let's go quickly, sister, don't wait any longer."
In a short time, the group arrived at Weiyang Palace and entered the inner courtyard of the palace.
The young man looked along the road and was quite shocked by the luxurious style of the palace.
The skinny chamberlain who led the way said again: "Young Master, you need to be careful. Concubine Jin complained of illness in the palace, so Your Majesty allowed her family to come to the palace to visit. It was getting late, and only a quarter of an hour later, the Young Master had to leave and stay overnight in a hotel outside the palace. He must You are not allowed to watch or stay in the palace at will."
The young man's face was stern, and he had so many rules in mind that he would suffer a lot and would have to stay in this palace for the rest of his life.
Soon after, he was led to an independent palace in the Laurel Courtyard of Weiyang Palace.
Even if the family members want to meet with the concubines, they must be accompanied by a chambermaid. The maids must accompany them multiple times and are not allowed to meet alone.
After several inspections, the young man saw his sister, Jin Ru, the new favorite concubine who had been in the palace for less than two months, in the main hall of the courtyard.
Her eyes are like autumn water, her skin is fine and white, she wears a hairpin, and her clothes are gorgeous. She has a hidden charm between her eyebrows and eyes, and she is very pretty, and her body is tall and graceful.
"I heard that sister is ill, is she feeling better?" The young man named Jin Xu, the younger brother of Concubine Jin, asked with concern after performing the ceremony.
"It's just a minor illness, it's okay."
The woman smiled sweetly, very happy to see her brother, and said:
"It's already a little late. I'll talk to you in detail about other things tomorrow when you enter the palace. I'll just talk about one important thing. I beg your Majesty. Your Majesty knows that you are practicing military affairs and that there is hope of breaking into the realm of heaven and humans. So I agree. An errand for you to join the Imperial Guard.
You can join the Forbidden Army tomorrow. If there is a chance in the future, I will help you move around. "
Jin Xu frowned and said, "Forbidden Army? I thought I could become His Majesty's personal attendant."
"His Majesty's bodyguards are watching too many people. Ever since the Champion was transferred from His Majesty's bodyguard position, the threshold for this position has been raised. The Champion was able to stay with His Majesty and was given the opportunity to lead troops. There are already many who have the ability to do so. A talented person wants to become His Majesty's personal attendant.
Many people have tried, but no one has succeeded. "
Concubine Jin smiled and said: "Everyone who is staring at that position has some background. We will not compete for this."
Jin Xu could see that his sister was worried that if he really wanted to compete for the valet, if the emperor didn't like him, there would be no other opportunities. It would be safer to start at a lower level.
Jin Xu felt a little unhappy in his heart: "The forbidden army is the forbidden army, what kind of rank and position is it?"
"Sister is about to ask you, do you want to stay in the Northern Army or serve as a guard in the Southern Army?" Concubine Jin said.
Jin Xu said: "I should go to Weiyang Palace to be on duty with the army."
Concubine Jin explained: "There is no admission quota for the Imperial Guards in Weiyang Palace. Your Majesty said that the Imperial Guards are under the leadership of the Champion, and he will not interfere. It is entirely up to the Champion to manage the army. It is not convenient for you to enter."
Jin Xu thought of the beauty he saw in the car just now, his heart palpitated, and he pursed his lips subconsciously. When I first came to Chang'an, I felt the power of the champion Hou Taotian everywhere, which was so enviable.
In the future, when I have the opportunity to lead troops, I should also aim for the champion.
"You go to the Southern Army or the Northern Army first. His Majesty will be hunting in the spring soon. You should behave well." Concubine Jin said.
…
When Liu Qing returned home, the people from various tribes had not left yet.
These foreign envoys came to deliver gifts, and they also wanted to conquer Huo Qubing and ask him to make a case in front of the emperor so that their tribe would not have to move.
The gifts sent by a group of people were quite heavy, and Huo Qubing accepted them all.
Collect their property to strengthen the army, and then lead troops to fight against them when they disobey.
At this time, a maid walked in gently and reported to Huo Qubing: "Master Marquis, the princess is back."
Huo Qubing nodded slightly, and immediately sent someone to see the guests off, returning to the inner chamber.
The night is getting darker and it's early morning.
The princess is about to fall asleep, and Huo Qubing is also a little tired. His daughter-in-law's physique has been developed after marriage, and her potential is astonishing.
It was not easy for Huo Qubing to suppress Phoenix, so he took a nap for a while.
In the dead of night, Huo Qubing, who was sleeping soundly on the couch, suddenly opened his eyes.
There is a gloomy phantom sneaking into the mansion secretly.
At the same time, at the main entrance of the Hou Mansion, Deputy Shi Cao Qiao rushed over and asked the guard on duty to notify the champion Hou.
Ps: Let me tell you, my family is going out the day after tomorrow. I estimate there will be more updates (in terms of word count) starting from the day after tomorrow. Please vote, thank you.
(End of chapter)
