In the study room of Duke Wei's mansion, Xun Yu and his son were sitting opposite each other. Seeing that his son Xun Mou always had a gloomy face, Xun Yu said with some confusion: "Mou'er, most of the people in the court are our people now. Even if Lu Zuo comes back, what kind of trouble can a little loach like him make?"
Xun Mou raised his hand disapprovingly and said, "My child has a hunch that Lu Zuo will definitely do something when he comes back this time. If he returns to court after winning this time, the Holy Emperor will definitely reward him greatly, and he will definitely take action."
Xun Yu suddenly remembered something, "Mou'er, there is something very strange about being a father."
"What's the matter?"
Xun Yu frowned and said, "Who do you think this Gao Yun belongs to?"
Xun Mou suddenly fell silent, and the room was silent. At this time, the faint sound of wind outside the courtyard could be heard. After a long time, Xun Mou slowly raised his head and looked at his father who was also confused, "It's time to put an end to this matter."
"Finish it? What do you mean?"
"That's right!" Xun Mou's eyes were full of murderous intent, "Let him express whose side he is on."
"You said that Gao Yun has never expressed his stance. Are the two brothers trying to stand in the same boat?"
His father's words made Xun Mou wake up from a dream. He nodded in agreement, "It seems that you are right, Dad. I have been in contact with Gao Yun. He has good abilities, but he is brave but not resourceful. This Western Expedition will be successful." , the person behind this must be Lu Zuo. His brother Gao Han is different from him, in that he is a sneaky person. So Gao Han must be behind this."
"Then should we call Gao Han and ask?"
"Ask him?" Xun Mou sneered, "It's useless to ask him."
"Why...why?"
"Gao Han is such a cunning man, how can you believe what he says? We have to wait until Gao Jun returns to the court before the prince can ask him."
On the 16th day of the winter lunar month, the peace talks between Han and Tibet ended, which also meant that the three-month war between the two sides officially came to an end. Gao Jun led his troops to rest outside Shanzhou City, preparing to return to the court on the 18th. Because An Shiqing had military affairs, he said goodbye to Lu Zuo, his sister and others early, and led his border troops back to Lanzhou to garrison. Although Lu Xiuyuan, Qin Fu and others made great contributions to the country after being recruited, they were originally from grass bandits after all, so they were temporarily on standby in Fengji Mountain, waiting for news from the capital. Gao Yun also told Lu Xiuyuan and the others that once there was news from the court, When the news comes, they must be notified immediately to return to Beijing to receive the reward. On the other side, Lu Zuo was homesick and planned to take An Jingruo back to the village to hold another wedding. So he said goodbye to Gao Yun, saying that he would wait for two or three days after the wedding was completed, then he would quickly catch up with the army and return to the court together. Gao Jun also wanted to participate, but due to the busy schedule of military matters, he couldn't get away, so he gave up sadly.
Although it was a cold and windy day, the weather was pretty good, and the warm sunshine made this winter day feel warmer. Lu Xiuyuan arranged for Huo Yan to lead more than 10,000 people back to Fengji Mountain, while he, Qin Fu and Chen Tuizhi went to Lujiazhuang with Lu Zuo. Several people chatted and laughed along the way, and within half a day they had arrived at the village head of Lujiazhuang.
The sun was setting and the sky was gradually getting colder. Looking at this familiar old place, Lu Zuo couldn't help but shed tears in his eyes. Seeing him like this, An Jingruo urged his horse forward and handed him a mink cloak. The village is surrounded by mountains and rivers. The entire village is backed by a big mountain. A stream runs through the village. There are homes on both sides of the bank. At this time, the sky is full of red clouds, and a few rays of the sunset are leaning on the roofs of dozens of thatched cottages. On the window lattice, on the bank of the stream, on the elm willows, the smoke from the village is already floating, and the barking of dogs can be heard faintly in the mountains. There is a stone arch bridge connecting the two sides of the stream. There is a big mulberry tree at the bridge head, and a man is sitting under the mulberry tree. The old man was sitting leisurely on a recliner.
Lu Zuo and the others pulled the reins and stood at the end of the bridge. Yin Ji was overjoyed to see that the village was like a paradise on earth. He pointed to the mountain in front and asked, "What is the name of that mountain that looks like a fairy peach?"
Jing Jingruo also praised repeatedly, "Yeah! Not bad! Such beautiful mountains and rivers really support the soil and water! Especially the mountain behind the village, which is continuous and graceful, yet tall and straight, like a fairy peach."
When Lu Zuo was asked by them, he was immersed in his thoughts again, and all his childhood memories came to mind.
Seeing that his master was silent, Yin Ji asked again, "Master, is that mountain called Xiantao Mountain?"
"No..." At this time, a hoarse voice came from somewhere.
When everyone looked back, it turned out to be the old man lying under the mulberry tree. He slowly opened his eyes, looked at the mountain, and slowly replied: "That mountain is called Jiying Mountain..."
"Fifth Uncle!" Lu Zuo quickly dismounted, came to the old man, fell in front of him, and said emotionally, "It's me, Fifth Uncle!"
"Who are you?" Uncle Wu opened his dim old eyes and looked up and down at the young man in front of him angrily, but he couldn't remember who he was. "Who are you? I know everyone in this village, old man." I know you, but I’ve never met you.”
Lu Zuo had burst into tears and was so choked that he couldn't speak. "I...it's me..."
Jing Jingruo was also standing next to Lu Zuo at this moment. Knowing that her husband was feeling deeply and speechless at this moment, she quickly added: "Uncle! He is from your village, his name is Lu Zuo!"
"Lu Zuo?"
"Yes, yes!" Lu Zuo agreed repeatedly.
The fifth uncle shook his head disapprovingly, "Don't try to coax me. How could this young man from nowhere pretend to be from our village?"
Lu Xiuyuan and Qin Fu also echoed: "Old man, he is really Lu Zuo."
"The Grand Xianggong has been watched by the old man since he was a child. You people, now that you see the Grand Xianggong as an official in the court, do you want to impersonate him and then come to our village to cheat on food and drink?"
The fifth uncle sat up with difficulty and was about to leave when he was grabbed by Lu Zuo, "Fifth uncle, it's really me!" He pointed to the house behind him, "Your family lives in that house. The yard. There is also this mulberry tree. When we were young, my brother Renxiang and I stood on this mulberry tree and threw stones at the roof of your house. You stood at the door and shouted at us. When our brothers were anxious, they jumped from the tree. I jumped down directly and broke my leg. Fortunately, you came and carried me to Uncle Lu at the west entrance of the village for treatment in time!"
"Is he really my eldest husband?" Uncle Wu once again focused his attention on Lu Zuo.
"It's me!" Lu Zuo also pointed at himself excitedly, "Do you remember what Uncle Lu said at that time? He said that if it were another half hour later, my legs would be useless."
"What you said is true, but..." The fifth uncle looked at Lu Zuo doubtfully, "But the Grand Master looks different from you?"
Yin Jidao: "Old man, my master was framed by someone, and it became like this later."
"oh?"
Lu Zuo quickly stood up and turned around to show Uncle Wu, "Look at this figure, is it me?"
"Yes, yes..." Uncle Wu said with a smile, "This figure is definitely unmistakable. Why did you come back just now! People in our village are looking forward to the return of you two brothers every day!"
Qin Fu laughed and said: "Haha... Isn't this back!"
The fifth uncle took Lu Zuo's hand and said excitedly: "In our village, two of your brothers are now named on the gold medal list, which can be regarded as earning face for us!" After that, the fifth uncle shook off Lu Zuo's hand and stood up. So he ran into the village, shouting to both sides of the stream as he ran: "Everyone, come out quickly! The Lu family's prime minister is back as an official! He's back..."
