Han Shizu

Chapter 1137 An Nandong Returns

In the southern suburbs of Kaifeng, the wide avenue is like a piece of fine silk spread on the ground. This is a real straight road, no matter which direction you look at, there is no end, no twists and turns, and no ups and downs.

The width of the road is nine feet nine, which can accommodate seven or eight carriages in parallel. On both sides of the road, every three feet, there is a tree planted in a straight line. Because it is winter, the branches and leaves are slack, but in summer and autumn, the road is green. , but the beautiful and spectacular scenery of Dahan.

This is the "highway" of Dahan. In terms of grades and specifications, it belongs to the third-class road.The highest-level roads in the Han Dynasty are still in Kaifeng City, especially Tokyo Paradise Street, which is an avenue over 100 meters wide.

In terms of transportation, the imperial court spent a lot of money, digging rivers and building roads, and it started during the Qianyou period. Every time it was slack, it would allocate money, food, and labor.

However, in the opening year, the enthusiasm for road construction has not diminished. This is something that benefits the country and the people. With the opening and improvement of roads, all parts of the country are getting closer.After so many years, the transportation system around Kaifeng can be said to be perfect, and the influence and control of the central center on the localities, especially on the provinces around Gyeonggi, are also becoming more and more obvious.

Most of the areas are still dominated by dirt roads, but with Kaifeng as the center, within [-] miles, the main roads connecting all directions are all made of bluestone slabs.

It can be said that, as the capital, Kaifeng's various conditions have been perfected, and the imperial court has also invested a lot of human resources.Therefore, the ministers of the DPRK and China were not interested in the proposal of moving the capital, and it was not just because of Kaifeng's prosperity.

However, not long ago, Emperor Liu once again issued an edict to conscript [-] civilians between Beijing and Ji, and continue to build westward along the established Qingshi Straight Road, with Luoyang as the end point, with the intention of further connecting the east and west capitals.Murong Yanchao, Duke of Luan State, served as the director, and Song Yanwo, the governor of Gyeonggi, presided over this matter, which shows that Emperor Liu attached great importance to it.

It was late winter, and there was a desolation between the sky and the earth. Because of the cold, the avenue, which was usually crowded with cars and horses, was also cold.It has just snowed, and it is not so big that it is difficult to accumulate. Only some sporadic white can be seen on the sparse shrubs and vegetation on the left side of the road.

Under the background of the cold winter and the twelfth lunar month, a small group of knights galloped on the road at high speed, without any obstacles, and galloped wildly.There were not many people, less than ten riders, but they were all tall horses and wearing robes.

Look at the color logo, this is an official horse, and more importantly, everyone is wearing armor.In the Han army, except for the guards of the imperial city and special duties, under normal circumstances, including the imperial army, the soldiers did not wear armor, and the armor and sharp weapons were usually sealed in the barracks arsenal.

Now the only ongoing war in the Han Dynasty is the attack on the Jiaozhi area. Pan Mei also endured her temper and asked for imperial support. After returning to Guangnan, she still suppressed it for nearly three months. The troops were sent out in early January.

And this team of knights was the ones who returned from the Annan battlefield to report the situation of the battle.The leader's status is not low. This time, Annan recruited the deputy envoy, the commander of the marching army, Murong Chengtai.

After more than ten years of experience, the aristocratic libertine of the past has become a general who can be entrusted with important tasks.Today's Murong Chengtai is only 31 years old, his skin is still the same as his father's, his face is dark, his beard is getting thicker, his expression is thin, but he has a fierce look, and his eyes are particularly energetic.

In the past few years after Pingnan, Murong Chengtai has also been sitting in the south. He was the commander of the Guangnan Dongdao at the beginning, and Pan Meinanzheng Jiaozhi, and then partnered with him as a deputy.

It's just that this clan general doesn't seem to be in a very good condition at this time. His nose is running while walking, and he shakes it from time to time, which is a big lump.

"I never thought it would be so cold!" After stopping his horse, Murong Chengtai couldn't help but sneezed, wiped his nose without hesitation, and complained, his dark face showed a clear tinge of red .

Obviously, Murong Chengtai caught a cold.The follower couldn't help but said: "General, you are not feeling well, do you want to find someone else, an inn to rest, and then find a medical officer to see."

It is already in the suburbs of Kaifeng, with dense villages and post stations, so it is convenient to do everything.However, Murong Chengtai shook his head, looked northward, the straight road was still empty, but Murong Chengtai knew that it went straight to Tokyo.

"No need, a little illness, it doesn't hinder the big thing, we're almost in Tokyo, back to the city, there's plenty of time!" Murong Chengtai said forcefully.

"Take a break and continue on your way, don't wait for your body to get cold!" Murong Chengtai ordered.

"Yes!"

For Kaifeng, Murong Chengtai also has special feelings, after all, there are too many records of his teenage years.Since leaving Tokyo, he has only been back once or twice in the past ten years.

This time, although he has not yet arrived in Beijing, he has already felt the changes in Kaifeng again, and the sense of expectation in his heart has also skyrocketed, like a wanderer returning after a long absence.

However, when we were in Yong'an Station, we had to stop.Yong'an Station is one of Kaifeng's three major stations alongside Xiangfu and Chenqiao. At this time, one can see at a glance that there is an old man standing outside the noisy post station.

Wrapped under a black brocade robe, only half of his face was exposed, his gray beard and hair swaying slightly in the north wind.There were several attendants around, and no one dared to disturb them. Under the banner of the post station, the post station was waiting there in an orderly manner, ready to listen to orders at any time.

As for the old man, his footsteps were very steady, the cold wind and frost had no effect on him, and he didn't even care about the bustle in the post. His pair of majestic eyes were always looking at the open post road.

Murong Chengtai naturally noticed it. When he got closer, his eyes turned red when he saw the old man. Li said emotionally: "Father!"

The frost that had condensed on the ground was smashed to pieces under the strong force.

The old man was Murong Yanchao, Lord Luan of the Han Dynasty. Uncle Murong was already over sixty years old, he was obviously getting older, his body was not as tall and strong as before, his face was as dark as before, only covered with wrinkles.

Looking at the young son who was kneeling on the ground, Murong Yanchao was obviously very excited. After all, this is his most beloved son, but he tried his best to restrain himself and said in a trembling voice: "Get up, it's cold on the ground!"

Helping Murong Chengtai up, he took a good look at his son, and Murong Yanchao showed a smile on his face: "Finally I am willing to come back!"

Looking at his white-haired old father, Murong Chengtai opened his mouth. He had a thousand things to say, but he didn't know how to say it. He just responded: "Annan's victory in the battle, my son was ordered to return to Beijing to report!"

"It's good to be back!" Murong Yanchao said, tears welled up in his old eyes, but he held back them.

Then, he lectured: "Where are my two grandchildren? Why didn't they come back together? Even my grandfather, I haven't seen them yet!"

"Going back to Beijing in a hurry this time, I have already sent a letter to let their mother and son go!" Murong Chengtai hurriedly said.

For more than ten years, the father and son have rarely seen each other. The last time was six or seven years ago.And Murong Chengtai got married naturally, and the other party's status is not low, the third daughter of the Fu family, the red line held by the empress Dafu.

When the father and son met, there were too many things to say, and Murong Chengtai didn't care about rushing, Yicheng finally found a chance to cater to them, and prepared a room for the two of them.

Talking over tea, Murong Chengtai didn't say much about military issues, but just talked about his experience in the south.Of course, Murong Yanchao's focus is not on the above, he seems to be more concerned about his daughter-in-law and the grandson who has never met.

Moreover, after a brief emotional outburst, he quickly restrained himself and regained his usual majesty.It's just that those red eyes can't be hidden from anyone.

"Are you in good health!" Murong Chengtai looked at his old father and asked with concern.

"I can eat and drink, and I can also do errands for His Majesty. Do you think I am old?" Murong Yanchao replied, looking at him: "It's you who has a typhoid fever and hasn't been treated in time."

"I've always been in good health, but I'm just eager to report victory to the court!" Murong Chengtai said, "Please wait for a long time in front of the post, as a son, I feel uneasy and can't bear it."

In this case, the Murong boy in the early years would never be able to say it.Murong Yanchao naturally felt comfortable hearing this, but he said, "You think I'm here to wait for you? I'm supervising the construction of the Liangjing Straight Road for the imperial court. Now the project is temporarily suspended. I have a business meeting when I return to Beijing." Sheng, I just heard that you came back to Beijing to pick you up on the way."

Hearing this, Murong Chengtai smiled softly, and didn't expose the old father's intentions. Returning to Beijing from the west, why did he go back dozens of miles to the south?
(End of this chapter)