On the river west of Jiangling, a large ship came and gradually approached the dock.
A middle-aged man stood facing the wind on the boat. He was Zhou Fu, the general who had come to pay homage to Huan Wen and the governor of Yizhou.
This Yizhou is not the other Yizhou. Today, the land of Shu is still under the rule of the Cheng Han Dynasty. The town of Yizhou was established by Zhou Fu and was established for the overseas Chinese of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It was governed in Wu County, Jianping County (today's Wushan, Chongqing).
Huan Wen was in charge of military affairs in the six prefectures of Jing, Si, Yong, Yi, Liang and Ning, and Zhou Fu, the governor of Yi Prefecture, was naturally his subordinate.
Zhou Fu's father was Zhou Fang, a famous general in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He came from the Han tribe. In his later years, his father trained troops in Liangzhou to compete with Wang Dun, the general who guarded Jingzhou.
After his father's death, Zhou Fu became the prefect of Wuchang and became Wang Dun's confidant.
After Wang Dun's defeat, Wang Dun drew his power from his brother, and Zhou Fu was pardoned and resumed his official career.
Because he participated in quelling Su Jun's rebellion, he was sent to guard Xiangyang. However, he mistakenly believed in the strategy of Guo Jing, a famous general of Later Zhao, and thought that Later Zhao was invading. He abandoned the city and fled, causing Later Zhao to capture Xiangyang, and Zhou Fu was imprisoned. Removed from office.
Although Tao Kan, the governor of Jingzhou, later sent troops to recapture Xiangyang, Xinye and other places, drove away Guo Jing, and Zhou Fu was re-appointed, Zhou Fu always regarded this matter as a great shame and humiliation, and wanted to make contributions and wash away the humiliation.
Today Zhou Fu came to Jiangling, firstly to pay homage to Huan Wen, but more importantly, he also wanted to persuade Huan Wen to attack Shu.
"Father, look! There seems to be someone waiting at the pier."
His son Zhou Chu pointed forward and shouted.
Zhou Fu looked around and saw that there was indeed a young man in brocade clothes waiting at the port surrounded by slaves.
"It must be Duke Huan who sent his son to greet him."
Zhou Fu said, speaking of Huan Wen's son, he has been in the limelight recently.
At first, everyone criticized Huan Wen for being nepotistic, but it was not until Huan Xi introduced a test method that received mixed reviews that the doubts were suppressed.
With the assistance of Xi Cao Shuzuo Xi Chao, Huan Xi handled the affairs of Xi Cao in an orderly manner, completely dispelling the officials' doubts about his ability, and was praised as a young phoenix.
The big ship docked, Zhou Fu stepped off the ship, and the young man in brocade came over with a smile on his face. Zhou Fu joked:
"But in front of Chufeng?"
The visitor's smile froze, it was Huan Xi.
Huan Xi didn't know who was so wicked that he gave himself the title of Young Phoenix. Didn't he know that he still wanted to follow his father to conquer Shu? How unlucky.
Fortunately, Huan Xi usually did not show his true emotions and anger on his face. He still smiled and said politely:
"The boy Huan Xi came to meet Zhou Zhenglu on the orders of his father."
Zhou Fu helped Huan Xi up and said with a smile:
"There is no need to be polite when you are a laborer."
After saying that, he introduced his son Zhou Chu to Huan Xi. After some pleasantries, Huan Xi welcomed Zhou Fu and others into Jiangling.
General Anxi's Mansion.
Zhou Fu and his party were warmly received by Huan Wen. Faced with Zhou Fu's persuasion to conquer Shu, Huan Wen laughed loudly and said:
"The reason why I govern Jiangling is because I am determined to quell the Sichuan invaders. I also need General Zhou to help me."
Zhou Fu was overjoyed.
That night, Huan Wen and Zhou Fu had a long talk. Zhou Fu was impressed by Huan Wen's demeanor and conversational style, while Huan Wen also believed that Zhou Fu was worthy of his responsibilities.
When Zhou Fu left Jiangling, he deliberately left his son Zhou Chu in Jiangling and asked him to serve Huan Wen. Huan Wen then recruited Zhou Chu to serve in the shogunate and placed him in Xicao to work with Huan Xi.
Its intention is self-evident.
In addition, in order to conquer Shu and establish his power, Huan Wen recruited soldiers in Jiangling and strengthened his troops, while Huan Xi was also conscientiously assisting his father.
He Chong naturally heard about Huan Xi's actions in Jiangling, but at this time he had no intention of getting angry with a young man.
Since the beginning of winter, He Chong has been sick at home and has even gone to Taicheng less often.
He Chong was ill and unable to see things, so who would replace him became a top priority.
At the request of He Chong, the Empress Dowager Chu recruited her father Chu Pei into the court to serve as the governor of Yangzhou, record the affairs of the minister, and take charge of the affairs of the court.
However, Liu Xia, the Minister of Personnel, and Hu Zhi, the commander of the General Guard, tried their best to stop it. They believed that Sima Yu, the king of Kuaiji, should be regarded as the Duke of Zhou and all the state affairs should be handed over to him.
Chu Pei did not dare to monopolize power, so he had to decline the call from the imperial court and return to the vassal town. He served as the military governor of Xu, Yan, Qingzhou and Yangzhou counties, the general of Wei, and the governor of Xu Yanzhou. He continued to replace Huan Wen and guard Jingkou.
Sima Yu repaid him with Li, and appointed Chu Pei as the general of Peking University and the three divisions of Yitong to open the mansion. Chu Pei accepted the title of general, but refused the right to open the mansion. This is evident from his humility and prudence.
At the end of the first year of Yonghe, approaching New Year's Eve, the city of Jiangling had begun to be decorated with lanterns and festoons.
Xie Yi, who was still at home, happily went to meet Huan Wen for a drink again.
When Huan Wen heard about Xie Yi's visit, he was afraid to avoid it and hurriedly hid in his wife Sima Xingnan's bedroom.
He complained to Sima Xingnan that Xie Yi was addicted to alcohol and behaved dissolutely. Sima Xingnan couldn't help laughing when he saw his husband's appearance:
"If it weren't for Lustful Sima, how could I see you in the daytime?"
But soon Sima Xingnan stopped laughing. The servant came to report the news, and Huan Xi was pulled over by Xie Yi and drank together in the hall.
Drinking and sex are harmful to the body. How can his young son be associated with a drunkard like Xie Yi?
Sima Xingnan looked for him angrily, but Huan Wen couldn't hold him back.
Walking outside the hall, before entering the door, I heard Xie Yi laughing and saying:
"I came to Huan Wen today. I don't want to lose an old soldier but gain a small pawn."
When Sima Xingnan heard what he said, he was even more angry. He called Huan Wen and Huan Xi father and son soldiers. At least in this era, it was not a good word.
Just as she was about to go in to look for Xie Yi's misfortune, Huan Wen quickly stopped her and lowered her voice to talk nonsense, finally coaxing Sima Xingnan down. Then he walked in and took Huan Xi's place to drink with Xie Yi.
The two talked and laughed. Xie Yi was not angry that Huan Wen was avoiding him, and Huan Wen did not hold a grudge against him for mocking him for being a veteran.
Huan Xi was granted amnesty. He could drink alcohol, but it was difficult for him to drink alcohol.
He also wondered when Huan Wen was so interesting that he actually rescued him. It wasn't until he saw Sima Xingnan outside the hall that he understood the reason.
Seeing that Sima Xingnan was still angry, Huan Xi comforted him and said:
"Thank you Sima Fang for his free and easy temperament. Mother should not get angry with him."
Sima Xingnan hummed:
"You father and son are talking to him. If you don't know the inside story, you think you are a family."
Huan Xi smiled and said nothing.
After three drinks, Xie Yi left happily. Huan Xi quickly came up to see Xie Yi back.
Huan Wen knew what this kid had in mind, so he didn't agree with it.
Seeing Huan Xi helping Xie Yi leave in a flattering manner, Sima Xingnan said dissatisfied:
"Xi'er has never respected me so much. How virtuous and capable is this Xie Yi?"
Huan Wen smiled and said:
"Maybe they gave birth to a good daughter."
Sima Xingnan looked at her sideways. She seemed to have discovered some big secret, and grabbed Huan Wen's beard:
"Old slave! Are you hiding something from me?"
Huan Wen quickly begged for mercy and immediately told Huan Xi his heartfelt gratitude to his parents and daughters. Huan Wen said:
"Xie Yi's daughter is famous for her talents. I have seen her before. She doesn't look like a unruly and willful woman..."
"What! You mean I'm unruly and willful!"
Huan Wen's beard, which had just been loosened, was grabbed again, and Sima Xingnan stared at him fiercely.
"Madam! It's unjust! You have always been gentle and courteous, and you manage your family well. This is also a well-known thing. Who among the civil and military officials in the dynasty would not envy the Huan family for having a good wife."
Sima Xingnan then let go of his hand with satisfaction and hummed:
"In the future, you should always keep my kindness in your heart, and don't be overwhelmed by blessings."
Huan Wen combed his beard and agreed, not daring to object.
Xie Mansion, backyard.
"Sister, the Huan family brother is here again."
Xie Quan came to his eldest sister Xie Daoyun's boudoir to report the news.
Xie Yi had eight sons and four daughters. The eight sons were Xie Jinu, Xie Tanyuan, Xie Quan, Xie You, Xie Jing, Xie Huo, Xie Xuan and Xie Kang.
The four daughters are Xie Daoyun, Xie Daorong, Xie Dacan and Xie Daohui.
Among them, the eldest son Xie Jinu and the second son Xie Tanyuan died young. Among the children in the family, Xie Daoyun was the oldest, only one year younger than Huan Xi.
"knew."
Xie Daoyun agreed, but had no intention of getting up.
Although she is young, she has been smart since she was a child. Since the two met, Huan Xi has been running to Xie's house frequently, and Xie Daoyun has slowly become aware of his thoughts.
Xie Daoyun didn't know how to face Huan Xi, so she had to avoid him intentionally.
But for some reason, Xie Daoyun hesitated for a while and finally walked out of the boudoir after hearing that Huan Xi came to visit and couldn't read the book in his hand.
When they came to the hall, only their mother was present, but Huan Xi was nowhere to be seen. Without waiting for Xie Daoyun to ask, Xie's mother teased:
"Without the sycamore tree, the young phoenix returns disappointed."
"What nonsense is mother talking about!"
Xie Daoyun said in shame and annoyance.
Mother Xie is also a discerning person. She smiled and said:
"A phoenix cannot live without a phoenix tree, but it is not the sycamore tree planted in my house that attracted the young phoenix."
Xie's mother is still satisfied with Huan Xi. In terms of appearance, he has handsome features and is a handsome young man.
In terms of family background, his mother was the eldest princess of Nankang and the aunt of the emperor of the current dynasty. His father was the governor of Jingzhou and was the most powerful vassal in the current dynasty.
When it comes to talents, Huan Xi took charge of Xicao at the age of fourteen. He was capable in doing things and had a reputation as a young phoenix.
The most rare thing is that he talks humorously. Mother Xie is also happy to see such a young man as her son-in-law.
Xie Daoyun was so embarrassed that he stomped his feet and ran away, hurriedly back to the backyard.
Time flies by, and the second year of Yonghe arrives as scheduled.
In the first month of the first month, bad news came from Jiankang. He Chong died of illness at home at the age of fifty-five.
Huan Wen sent people to Jiankang to express condolences, originally to let Huan Xi go away. Before that, he cried and expressed condolences to Yu Yi, which was very touching.
However, Huan Xi was afraid of being taken hostage and firmly refused. Huan Wen had no choice but to send Sun Sheng, who joined the army, to go to Jiankang on his behalf.
Sun Sheng came from the Sun family in Taiyuan and was famous for his erudition. He was originally a staff member of Yu Yi. After the Yu family left Jingzhou, he was left in the Anxi shogunate by Huan Wen.
Soon, the imperial court posthumously promoted He Chong as Sikong, with the posthumous title Wenmu.
Because he has no children at his knees, how can he let his nephew give him an heir?
After He Chong's death, the power structure in the court changed again. Naturally, the Queen Mother Chu did not dare to let King Sima Yu of Kuaiji be in sole control of the government for a long time. After all, for now, Sima Yu was the biggest threat to their mother and son.
Her father, Chu Pei, was unwilling to enter the court, so the Empress Dowager Chu appointed Cai Mo, a doctor from Zuo Guanglu, to lead Situ and assist Sima Yu together.
In March, Chu Pei recommended Gu He, the former Guanglu doctor, and Yin Hao, the former Situ Zuo Changshi. The Empress Dowager Chu appointed Gu He as Shangshu Ling and Yin Hao as General Jianwu and governor of Yangzhou.
Gu He refused to resign at the time of his mother's death. When Yin Hao saw this, he also asked the court to resign. In the end, Sima Yu persuaded him with a letter, and Yin Hao took office.
Huan Xi lived a fulfilling life in Jiangling. When he was not busy with official duties, he would always find some way to visit Xie's house, and Xie Daoyun no longer deliberately avoided it.
The two exchanged poems and essays, talked about their ambitions, and developed a secret affection for each other.
Just when Huan Xi thought that the peaceful days would pass like this, until his father Huan Wen made full preparations and sent troops to attack Shu, in late August, Xie Quan suddenly came to Huan Mansion. He found Huan Xi and told him:
"Third uncle sent a letter to take us siblings to live in Jiankang. We will leave tomorrow."
It turned out that Xie Yi was busy with official duties, and he drank all day long when he was resting, so he had no time to discipline his children.
Knowing this, Xie An sent someone to Jiangling to deliver a message, hoping that Xie Yi could send his children to Jiankang and be educated by him.
Xie Yi wanted this even more. Among his brothers, his third brother Xie An was the most outstanding. How could Xie Yi not trust him to discipline his children?
Huan Xi was shocked when he heard this. After Xie Quan left, Huan Xi went straight to Huan Wen and begged, asking Huan Wen to go to Xie's family to propose marriage and settle the marriage for him. At worst, he would wait a few years before marrying Xie Daoyun.
Huan Wen took the trouble, and seeing his persistence, he knew that if he didn't agree to him, he would probably not have peace in the future.
"Okay, okay, I'll go find Wu Yi to discuss it later."
Huan Wen had no choice but to agree to him.
Huan Xi was overjoyed and hurriedly patted Huan Wen's back and rubbed his shoulders. He was very attentive.
Huan Wen said helplessly:
"Why should a man worry about not having a wife? I don't know why you decided to have a daughter without Yi."
Huan Xi said seriously:
"The Xie family's daughter is both talented and beautiful. I don't want to miss her. I will regret it for the rest of my life."
Under Huan Xi's constant urging, Huan Wen went out in the dark.
Xie Yi was very surprised when he saw Huan Wen visiting him late at night:
"On weekdays, Motoko would have no time to hide from me, but today he actually came to visit me. It's a rare visitor."
The two had a close friendship, and Huan Wen also knew that Xie Yi was making fun of him. There was no need for the master to invite him, so he sat down on his own and said:
"I came here today because I was entrusted by someone."
Xie Yi was even more surprised:
"There is actually someone in Jiangling City who can invite Huan Anxi. I want to listen attentively to find out what big event is going on."
Huan Wen smiled and said:
"As a parent, there is nothing more important than your children's marriage."
Xie Yi suddenly realized that even Xie's mother and Xie Daoyun could detect Huan Xi's little thoughts, so how could Xie Yi know nothing about it.
Huan Xi and Xie Daoyun were similar in age and well matched. Xie Yi also admired Huan Xi quite a lot. Now that his best friend came to propose marriage in person, how could Xie Yi refuse.
In the hall, Huan Wen and Xie Yi high-fived each other and made a marriage contract for Huan Xi and Xie Daoyun. The two drank and talked happily.
...
"Sister, it's terrible. Uncle Huan's family has come to propose marriage to my father!"
As the second sister Xie Daorong's shout rang out, the book in Xie Daoyun's hand fell to the ground.
She stood up nervously:
"This is true!"
Xie Quan gasped and said:
"It's absolutely true. After I heard it from outside the door, I immediately came to report the news to you."
"What's father's answer?"
"I was in a hurry to tell you, but I didn't pay attention."
Xie Daoyun felt even more uneasy after hearing this. She hurried to the hall, but bumped into her mother in the corridor.
"The daughter pays homage to her mother."
Mother Xie nodded and said:
"I'm so anxious, but I need to see your father."
Xie Daoyun lowered his head and did not answer. Xie's mother smiled and said:
"Go back. Your father is having a drink with Duke Huan. The marriage is not something you can decide on your own."
Xie Daoyun felt relieved when he heard the word "Drink."
...
Huan Wen was very drunk, but when he got home, he didn't forget to tell Huan Xi the good news.
Huan Xi cheered for it.
The next day, early in the morning, Xie Yi was busy with official duties, and only Xie's mother was at the dock to see her children off.
Xie Daoyun glanced behind him from time to time, but never saw anyone coming, and he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Xie's mother knew her daughter's thoughts and said with relief:
"Don't worry, that Feng'er will come after all."
As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of horse hooves sounded behind her. Mother Xie looked back and said with a smile:
"Look, isn't this coming?"
The person who came was none other than Huan Xi.
Xie's mother sent Xie Quan and others to board the ship first, leaving only Xie Daoyun to have a private conversation with Huan Xi.
Four-year-old Xie Xuan shouted to say goodbye to his brother Huan, but his mother Xie took him away.
Huan Xi turned over and dismounted. He has now lost his frail state, but he has been working tirelessly to train his body, especially riding and shooting.
"Last night I found out that Mr. Xie had agreed to our marriage. I was so excited that I didn't fall asleep until late at night. If my mother hadn't woken me up, I would have almost missed the moment."
Huan Xi explained.
Xie Daoyun's cheeks were red and she said shyly:
"I just asked my third brother to tell you, but I didn't ask you to ask Duke Huan to propose marriage."
Huan Xi smiled and said:
"I was too eager, lest I miss a good marriage."
When Xie Daoyun heard this, he was very happy.
The two said goodbye reluctantly. Huan Xi held Xie Daoyun's hand and said seriously:
"You can live peacefully in Jiankang. After a few years, with Xie Weng's permission, I will go to Jiankang to pick you up and get married."
Xie Daoyun did not take out his hand, but lowered his head and hummed softly.
