When Li Hao arrived at Ouyang Xiu's house and learned at the concierge that Ouyang Xiu was not at the house, Li Hao planned to sit in the concierge and wait for Ouyang Xiu to return to his house.
As a result, when the servants of the house went to the inner courtyard to check, they met Mrs. Xue. When Mrs. Xue heard that Li Hao was coming, she asked her servants to call Li Hao to talk in front of the hall.
But because Xue Shi urged Li Hao to go on a blind date, which brought a bad impression to Li Hao, Li Hao's journey felt like a long time.
When Li Hao met Xue, Li Hao originally thought that Xue would ask if they had seen each other recently.
But I heard Mr.
Li Hao was stunned after hearing this. He didn't expect that Ouyang Xiu also told Mr. Xue about this.
Seeing that Li Hao didn't say anything, Mrs.
Li Hao advised: "Don't worry, aunt, my subordinates for this expedition are all the elites of the Fourth Army, and I am not the only one.
Gu Tingye and some noble disciples will go with me, and safety is guaranteed.
And don't underestimate me, aunt. It's hard to say how many, but I'm not bad at riding horses and archery, so I still have the ability to protect myself. "
Mrs. Xue said: "But you shouldn't be allowed to do such a thing. Tell your aunt honestly whether you really want to go.
If you are unwilling, I will ask your uncle to persuade the officials again. "
Li Hao said: "When a real man is alive, he should seek the welfare of the people of the world. To suppress chaos and eliminate bandits is not only to serve the officials, but also to seek the welfare of the people.
And what I dealt with were just some rogue bandits. Compared with when Grand Prime Minister Han Qi and Duke Fan Wenzheng faced the Xixia soldiers and horses, it was much easier, so there was no reason to be reluctant. "
After hearing this, Mr. , there are still many soldiers and horses around during the encirclement and suppression, so nothing dangerous will happen."
Li Hao also advised Xue at this time: "Don't worry, aunt, I cherish my life very much. I will definitely be more careful on the battlefield."
Then he turned his head and said to Ouyang Xiu who came in: "Uncle, I came here today because of the league affairs, so that I can organize the army and go south as soon as possible.
I plan to hold the competition in the near future, so I need to get the official plaque and prize money first. "
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu also said: "It's true, it's really hard to drag it out any longer. What words do you need to mention? You can write it down for me later, and I will go to the official to pick up the pen. As for the lottery, do you have any ideas?"
Li Hao said: "I do have this. I hope this lottery ticket is something relatively hard and not easily damaged. My plan is to make this something exclusive to the winner of the competition.
After this year's competition is completed, a champion will be awarded. It will be taken back before next year's competition, and then distributed to the champion of that year.
It would be best to allow engraving on it, and engrave the name of the champion every year on it, so that it can be passed down forever. "
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu thought for a while and said: "What you have in mind is quite novel. In order to have this opportunity to leave a name, I am afraid that the nobles will have to fight for it.
However, this kind of imperial gift must be worshiped well, and you cannot engrave it without permission, otherwise it will be a crime of great disrespect. "
After hearing this, Li Hao said: "If the engraving is not good, forget it. Please help other uncles and invite them back as soon as possible.
In addition, I want to take leave from my uncle these days. Gu Tingye is too busy with league matters, so I have to help. "
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu said: "That's right, then you can be busy with the competition.
In addition, after you take over the imperial camp, you will step down from the position of promotion officer of Kaifeng Prefecture, and you will be transferred to other positions after you return to Beijing.
In addition, speaking of Gu Tingye, go and tell him and ask him to return to Ningyuan Houfu in the future. The imperial edict to confer an official position on him requires him to personally accept the edict. "
Li Hao replied: "Okay, I will inform Gu Tingye when I get back. Also, why is the imperial edict issued so early? Aren't you afraid of being known in advance?"
Ouyang Xiu explained: "Yesterday, the Duke met with His Majesty and mentioned the competition. His Majesty let it slip at that time, thinking that he might not be able to hide it from the nobles.
So he simply issued the imperial edict in advance, asking Gu Tingye to organize the soldiers first after taking office early, so that he could see Gu Tingye's ability to avoid any mistakes. "
After hearing this, Li Hao was a little surprised as to why Duke Ling asked about this matter, but he was more emotional and then asked: "As soon as this news leaks out, I am afraid that many noble disciples will resign in advance and not come to participate in the competition. , what to do then.”
Ouyang Xiu said: "Don't worry about it. The officials will make their own decisions. No matter how many people participate in the end, you just need to make the game a success."
Li Hao agreed, but then asked: "Uncle, do you have any guesses about where I will work when I come back?"
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu said: "There is no trace, let me guess what you want, but as long as you don't cause trouble this time, and you can take the people there safely and come back, you will definitely have credit, so remember not to cause trouble." "
Li Hao replied: "Uncle should understand me. I will never do anything I shouldn't do."
Ouyang Xiu said: "I hope so."
Then Li Hao, Ouyang Xiu and Xue said goodbye and returned home.
But before leaving, Li Hao said to Ouyang Xiu: "There is another thing. I have to trouble my uncle. I can't get one of these gifts from the emperor. I want both polo and Cuju. I have to have two of them. I have to trouble my uncle." Talk to the officials."
After saying that, regardless of Ouyang Xiu's reaction, he ran away directly. When he arrived in front of the house, he asked the driver to drive away quickly.
By the time Li Hao returned to his house, Gu Tingye had already gone out to find the nobles to inform them about the opening of the league.
So Li Hao asked Shitou if he was in the backyard, and learned that Shitou was managing a guard group of about 300 people in the backyard.
Then he went to the backyard to find the stone, called out, and told him to escort the old lady to Youyang. He said: "This time you must be careful when escorting the old lady and the sixth girl of the Sheng family. Most of them are female relatives. You should be careful with this person." Help people not to cause trouble.
In addition, after being escorted to Youyang, you will stay in the south to find out the details of the rebel bandits in the south. It just so happens that your brother and sister-in-law are members of the Cao Gang, so it's convenient to get information. "
After hearing this, Shitou said: "Don't worry, Master Li. My master has already told me that everything will be fine."
While the two were talking, a servant came over to announce that Yang Wenyuan had arrived at the house.
After hearing this, Li Hao let Shitou continue his work and ordered people to take Yang Wenyuan to the main hall.
Then Li Hao went to the main hall and sat there for a while before Yang Wenyuan arrived.
Just when Li Hao was about to ask why Yang Wenyuan came, he heard Yang Wenyuan say first: "Today I invited my father to the palace to help explain the various families' borrowing of guards.
As a result, my father learned from officials that the winners of this competition would join a newly established imperial army to go to the south to suppress the rebellion, and that Brother Li would be the one to lead the army this time. I wonder if Brother Li could Had known about this. "
After hearing this, Li Hao finally understood why the Duke of Ling came to the palace today, but Li Hao really didn't expect that Yang Wenyuan was such a loyal person that even the Duke of Ling was alerted.
Li Hao replied: "I know about this matter, but the government did not allow it to be announced to the outside world, so I did not tell Brother Yang. I also asked Brother Yang to pay attention."
Yang Wenyuan said: "The official's instructions should be followed. But what does Brother Li think about letting Brother Li lead the troops to quell the rebellion? If he doesn't want to, he can submit a petition to refuse. The official is kind, so I won't blame him if he thinks about it."
Li Hao did not answer but asked instead: "What do you think, Brother Yang? Are you willing to go?"
Yang Wenyuan said: "My family is originally from a martial arts family. It is natural to serve the country on the battlefield, and it is naturally obligatory."
After hearing this, Li Hao smiled and said: "Since Brother Yang is not afraid, what should I be afraid of? After all, no matter what, I am safer than Brother Yang."
After hearing this, Yang Wenyuan also smiled and said: "Then I'll have to trouble Brother Li to take care of me."
Then the two looked at each other and smiled, and Li Hao said: "Speaking of which, Gu Tingye will also go with us this time, so we are not alone.
But I just don’t know how many people will participate in my competition once this news comes out. "
