Time always passes by unknowingly. It was only February in early spring when Minglan and Wang Zhong got married. At that time, everything was about to recover. Now it is the end of summer, and the weather is getting hotter at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the heat has enveloped the entire Quanzhou. .
Fortunately, there is a slow sea breeze blowing from the sea from time to time. The sea breeze is moist, blowing away the heat of midsummer and bringing some coolness to people.
Minglan sat on the soft side, holding a half-peeled lychee in her hand.
"Grandma, these are the lychees that were just sent over from Guangnan Road. Brother Changsong just sent someone to deliver them!" As she spoke, Minglan handed the peeled lychees to Mrs. Sheng sitting next to her as a treasure. He said as if: "Here! Grandma, hurry up and try it!"
On the table between the two of them, there was a tall disc with a round plate of lychees on it, and on the ground were crushed ice cubes that had just been taken out of the ice cellar.
Mrs. Sheng smiled and took the lychee handed over by Minglan, biting off half of it in one bite. The smile on her face became brighter and she nodded: "It is indeed sweet!"
"Then grandma, eat more!" Minglan picked up another one and continued to peel it.
While eating, there was suddenly a rush of footsteps outside.
A moment later, Wang Qier, dressed in an arrow robe, led Wang Xu and ran to the two of them to salute and greet their ancestors and aunt.
However, Minglan, who is only a few years older than Wang Qier, used to be an aunt and is now an aunt. This seniority is indeed not low.
Minglan looked at the two siblings and asked, "You are not following the teacher in school and having a good class. Why are you back?"
Wang Qier said helplessly: "Yesterday I practiced with the instructor for half a day, and today it was supposed to be the turn of riding and shooting. I didn't expect that my mount had eaten its intestines for some reason yesterday and had diarrhea all night. Now, How can I ride in a stable?"
"Why did you end up eating so well that your intestines and stomach were damaged?" Minglan asked puzzledly.
Wang Qier said: ""
The two siblings looked at the lychees next to Minglan, their eyes immediately lit up, and they swallowed saliva in unison: "When I just entered the door, I heard that my uncle sent a lot of lychees. I don't know if the lychees this year are as good as last year." sweet!"
Minglan smiled helplessly and handed the peeled lychee to Wang Qian'er first. After Wang Qian'er took it, she gave it to her younger brother Wang Xu. She reached into the plate and grabbed a handful, and pulled Wang Xu to the side. sit down.
Minglan immediately ordered: "Xiao Tao, let me get some more lychees! Cut a few more pieces of melon!"
"Take two more plates of lychees!" Wang Qian'er just threw the peeled lychees into her mouth and reminded Xiao Tao.
"How does it taste?" Minglan looked at Wang Qier and asked.
"It's delicious!" Wang Qier couldn't help nodding, and Wang Xu couldn't help nodding and saying it was delicious.
Seeing the two siblings devouring their food, Mrs. Sheng couldn't help but smile brighter on her face.
After a while, Xiao Tao walked in with Dan Ju and Cui Wei, carrying two plates of lychees and a plate of cut watermelon.
The two siblings immediately started eating with a plate of lychees each.
While he was eating fruit and chatting, Wang Zhong came back. As soon as he entered the door, he greeted Old Mrs. Sheng first, then sat down next to Wang Qier, grabbed a handful of lychees, and said an encouraging word while eating. Good news for people’s hearts.
"Zhong Huai defeated two reinforcements from the rebels outside Haozhou City, and then drove the last reinforcements from the rebels to Haozhou City. In just two days, he captured Haozhou City, beheaded countless people, surrendered more than 10,000 people, and gained a great harvest. Complete victory, but there are still more than ten thousand rebels entrenched in Shouzhou. Judging from the current situation, they will all be recovered in a few days!"
"So, the chaos in Huaixi will be put down soon?" Mrs. Sheng asked hurriedly.
Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "It's not that easy. Although the city can be recovered, the remnant bandits who escaped are scattered all over the place, hiding in the deep mountains and old forests, turning into mountain bandits and water bandits. In a short time, it may be difficult to wipe them out. All."
Mrs. Sheng looked at Wang Zhong and was not surprised. She said calmly: "It means we can't return to Bianjing for the time being!"
Wang Zhong smiled and asked: "Grandma, aren't you used to living in Quanzhou?"
"Alas!" Old Mrs. Sheng sighed and said, "Quanzhou is a good place, with warm winters and cool summers, a humid climate, and comfortable living. However, now that the official family is old, the position of heir apparent has not yet been decided, and there is trouble now. There has been such a big mess, and Changbai is not in Bianjing..."
The old lady looked a little solemn.
Wang Zhongdao: "The more times like this, the more important it is to keep a low profile. My father-in-law has been in the officialdom for many years. He is a smooth man and good at playing both sides. He has been a cautious official for many years and has never made enemies with anyone. As long as my father-in-law remembers the word "Taohui". , even if the situation changes, it will not affect the future of my father-in-law and the future of the Sheng family!"
Mrs. Sheng didn't know the truth. It's just that Sheng Hong is usually quite reliable, but when it comes to things related to Lin Sushuang, she can't help but not see clearly, or she may subconsciously choose to deceive herself. .
Wang Zhong saw that Old Mrs. Sheng was still hesitant. After pondering for a moment, he ordered Wang Qier and his brother, "Sister Qian, take Brother Xu to the dyeing workshop to find your sister-in-law. Tell her that I have something to find her. She will come back early today!"
"What important matter does Third Uncle have to ask my mother-in-law?" Wang Qier asked while eating lychees.
Wang Zhong looked at Wang Qier and said, "It's a matter of your life, it doesn't matter whether you want it or not!"
Wang Qier, who had always been careless, couldn't help but blush when she heard this. She lowered her head and didn't dare to look at Wang Zhong. She picked up her younger brother and said goodbye to Mrs. Sheng and Minglan, and ran out in a hurry.
Seeing that the two siblings had gone away, Wang Zhong dismissed all the servants again. Only the old lady Sheng, Ming Lan and him were left in the hall. Then he said: "The reserve has been vacant for many years, and the official family has not decided yet." Over the years, King Yan and King Yong have had the highest voices in the clan regarding the selection of successors. Although the Qiu family's affairs in the past few years have served as a warning to the monkeys, this is only on the surface. Behind the scenes, countless people have already made their choice.
Years ago, the official's family was seriously ill and had to be bedridden for several months. People in the court were in a state of uncertainty. Let alone other families, let's talk about the Duke of Qi's house, the family of the Duke of Qi. Didn't they also let the young Duke of Qi marry the only daughter of King Yong, the princess of Jiacheng County? ! Not to mention other people.
No matter who hands the final reserve, can the remaining one be willing to do so? People say that Prince Yan and his son are both capable. If in the past, when the princes of the official family were still alive, they might have been good kings and good ministers. However, now that the official family has no heirs, if the final heir apparent falls to another family, The father and son's business operations over the years have all been in vain. Can they be willing to do so?
Even if they are willing to do so, will those courtiers who have thrown themselves under their command and stood behind them to support them? "
Old Mrs. Sheng is a smart person, and she is also a wise old man with extremely rich life experience. How could she not understand the meaning behind Wang Zhong's words? However, Wang Zhong's words are really shocking, especially when it comes to Old Mrs. Sheng. This kind of people are deeply influenced by the Confucian idea of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism.
"Although the official is old, he has been in office for nearly forty years. The world is at peace and the people live and work in peace and contentment. Everyone in the government and the public is grateful for your majesty's generosity and kindness. How could anyone dare to do such a heinous and unethical thing!" Old Mrs. Sheng was born in a noble family. When she was a child, she was in After being educated in the palace for a period of time, I was very familiar with Emperor Jiayou and Empress Cao.
"People's hearts are separated from each other, who can say clearly?" Wang Zhong shook his head and sighed: "Ordinary people can still have disputes over a few inches of land in the fields. In order to divert water for irrigation, two villages have fought, killing and injuring people since ancient times. There are not many of them. In wealthy families, there are many precedents for brothers and sisters fighting for power and killing each other, not to mention the change of throne."
"Grandma, I think what Brother Zihou said makes sense. There is no need for us to take this risk!" Minglan knew what Wang Zhong meant and wanted Mrs. Sheng to stay in Quanzhou with her husband and wife for the time being, so that she could be her grandson. My daughter, show your filial piety in front of the old lady.
Old Mrs. Sheng caught Minglan's white and slender Rouyi in her hand, patted it gently and said, "But your wife and Brother Dong are both in Bianjing with your father!"
Minglan was stunned by what Mrs. Sheng said. For a moment, she didn't know how to refute.
The old lady said earnestly: "Now your second brother is not in Tokyo, and Chang Feng is incompetent. If something really happens, your father doesn't even have anyone to consult with."
Although Mrs. Sheng didn't like that Sheng Hong had an affair with Lin Sushuang behind her back, and she didn't like that Sheng Hong had repeatedly pretended to be deaf and dumb over Lin Sushuang's affairs over the years and was partial in everything, but in the end, Sheng Hong was She raised Mrs. Sheng with her own hands, neither a tree nor a rock, so how could she not have feelings for Sheng Hong.
Seeing this, Wang Zhong had no choice but to resort to dragging: "It's just that Huaixi has not yet been pacified, and water thieves are still entrenched on the canal. In many dangerous places going south and north, bandits have taken over the mountains and robbed them. Passers-by, why don’t you wait a little longer?”
Old Mrs. Sheng looked at Wang Zhong and Minglan and sighed: "I know you are filial, and I can't bear to leave Ming'er. It's just that you will take care of Ming'er, so I don't have to worry about it. But in the Sheng family, your father-in-law is not cautious enough." Yeah, my family is not stable, and now it’s time again, eh..."
Wang Zhong and Minglan looked at each other and then said: "Grandma, how about this? You stay in Quanzhou for another three months. After three months, regardless of whether Huaixi is pacified or not, I will ask Sister Qian to lead the people in person. , escort you back to Bianjing, what do you think?"
Minglan also took Old Mrs. Sheng's hand and persuaded: "Grandma, it's the middle of summer, the weather is hot, and it's the rainy season. It will be sunny today and rain tomorrow. It will be sunny now, but it may rain later. , it’s better to wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather is not so hot, and it will be easier to travel by then."
"This..." Mrs. Sheng was already a little shaken by what the couple said.
Minglan quickly increased her strength, shook the old lady's hand and said coquettishly: "Grandma, you and I have been staying in Quanzhou for so long, and it's not less than three months. Besides, if you are on the road at this time, you encounter a bandit. , if there is any eventuality, wouldn’t it also delay the future of father and second brother!”
Minglan also took the risk and simply spoke more straightforwardly.
Old Mrs. Sheng was cold on the outside and hot on the inside. Since she wanted to go back to help Sheng Hong, she naturally didn't want to cause any trouble to Sheng Hong.
Wang Zhong also said: "I know Zhong Huai's ability. Now that Haozhou has been captured, it is only a matter of time to regain Shouzhou. Once the rebels in Shouzhou are wiped out, only Qiandi and Jiangzhou will be left." There are only a few remaining bandits left."
Seeing the young couple singing harmony, their words were all intended to retain her. Old Mrs. Sheng also knew that the couple was worried about their own safety, but now Wang Zhong is a local official, and it is not good to return to Bianjing at will without an edict. After leaving Quanzhou, Minglan and Wang Zhong were newly married and had no heirs. Naturally, Mrs. Sheng was even more reluctant to separate the young couple.
"That's all, I just listen to you!"
Old Mrs. Sheng also couldn't bear to leave Minglan. If it weren't for the troubled times at this time, she would also want to stay with Minglan, her granddaughter, for a longer period of time and would not go back to Tokyo. After all, the water thrown out by her married daughter would affect Minglan in the future. It's the Wang family.
After Gu Er captured Haozhou, although all the Dagu rebels in Haozhou had been wiped out, many were still escaping. Gu Er's men were limited, and he still had to defend the city to prevent further incidents, so it was naturally difficult to send out manpower. To chase and suppress them in all directions, we can only pick out those with larger numbers and stronger capabilities to pursue them, and the remaining small group of troops can just pretend they didn't see what they were doing.
After detaching a team of troops to defend the city, the remaining troops did not delay too much in Haozhou and immediately set off for Shouzhou, preparing to take advantage of the great victory to wipe out the participating rebels in Shouzhou in one go.
Gu Er himself was not idle either. He took stones and more than a hundred soldiers, disguised himself, and dispersed into the defeated army, and fled with the defeated army into the territory of Shouzhou.
Today, Shouzhou still has four counties: Xiacai, Shouchun, Anfeng, and Huoqiu. They are still in the hands of the rebels. The troops who went to rescue Haozhou were sent by Xiacai and Shouchun counties. Now most of them have been lost. After arriving in Haozhou, a few remaining troops fled back to Shouzhou.
Shouchun County was the first one Gu Er sneaked into.
After only a few days of sneaking into Shouchun, Gu Ertong's brothers had a good idea of Shouchun's situation. There were only more than 2,000 defenders left in the city, half of them were new soldiers, and only some of the veterans were guarding Shouchun. Song Wan, one of the four great protectors of the Maitreya Sect, is Dragon Subduing King Kong. He was originally a private salt dealer in Huaixi. He has a group of brothers who dare to fight and kill. He also has some reputation in the world and is good at making a prisoner dragon. Awesome, very capable.
Although Song Wan was somewhat capable, he encountered Gu Er, who liked to play tactics. He took advantage of the night to use sweat medicine to trouble the rebels guarding the city. He first seized the city gate and then led people to kill Song Wan. , but in just one night, Shouchun County changed its owner, and the leader of the thieves, Song Wan, also became a prisoner.
In less than a month, with the concerted efforts of soldiers and horses from the surrounding prefectures, the remaining Xiacai, Huoqiu and Anfeng were all forced one after another. The leader of the thieves died and all escaped, except for one who was captured. Of the Song Wan who was captured, no one was captured alive, and even the leader of the Maitreya Sect was missing.
