Shu Chen

Chapter 421
Lite 14 years, New Year's Eve.

Snowflakes are like silver, falling down from the sky one after another.

It seems that countless butterflies are flying, and it seems that catkins are flying all over the sky, bringing a piece of ice and jade to the world, allowing people to bathe in a peaceful atmosphere.

In the Yishan courtyard of the Lu family in Luomenju, Jixian County, there was intermittent sound of burning bamboo to expel the god of plague; the young children wore the "suppression" given by their parents, and cheered happily; Many tenants and servants who rewarded money were also more enthusiastic about burning bamboo.Appreciating the snow and welcoming the spring, playing and playing, everyone, men, women and children have their own fun, making the whole other courtyard happy and harmonious, like a paradise.

The night became darker and darker amidst the joy, and the laughter and laughter returned to silence.

The young children were brought to bed by their mothers, the old man was impatient with the cold and had to rest early, and the tenants and servants went back to prepare the items needed for the Zhengshuo Festival the next day.

In the hall, only Zheng Pu and Zhang Bao were left to set wine around the stove, "guarding" for their children according to the tradition.

Zhang Bao rushed back to Longyou from Hexi a few days ago.

Although he had already set up a house in Longyou, because there were no family members in that house and his son Zhang Zun had always lived here, he came to have fun with his sister-in-law Zheng Pu.

It's just that the purpose is a little impure.

Gein had ignored his son Zhang Zun since he entered the Lu family's other courtyard, but instead cared about Xiao Jingji.

Not only did she bring a lot of small gifts, but she often praised her for being beautiful and cute, and she also sighed in front of Zhang Yan how great it would be if she had a daughter like Xiao Jingji.

That ulterior motive cannot be said to be obvious, it is simply not concealed!
Therefore, Zheng Pu never paid any attention to him.

How old is his eldest daughter, and he has only just started to learn the enlightenment calligraphy, how can he be remembered by others?

Even if the wife and brother want to kiss each other, it won't work!

But Zhang Bao didn't seem to hit the south wall and didn't look back.

When guarding evil spirits, even with wine, meat, and candied fruit, you can’t help but open your mouth to scold Zheng Pu. How is my son's qualifications?"

Ok?
Hearing this, Zheng Pu glanced sideways and said in his heart.

According to the secular words, first ask Zhang Zun how he is, and then he must claim that he is a good match with Xiao Jing Ji Nailiang.

That's why Zheng Pu returned indifferently, "It's not bad. Well, brother Wen Rong don't think too much, I think Zun'er's achievements in the future should be comparable to yours."

Uh!
What is Shang Ke!

Then add a sentence that the achievements should be comparable to mine!
Could it be that my talent and learning are only passable in your eyes? !
Suddenly, Zhang Bao felt a little unhappy.

But after thinking about it, he dismissed that trace of unhappiness again.

Without him, compared to this sister-in-law, his talents, learning and general strategy are really only "fair", and now is not the time to care about these things.

"cough!"

Clearing his throat with a light cough, Zhang Bao smiled coyly, "What Zijin learned in his chest, the prime minister also praised it. Zun'er can win Zijin's eyes, but he has already won countless. Hmm, very good! Hahaha~~~ "

After saying that, he took advantage of the opportunity to invite, "Come, Zijin, let's have a drink together!"

After putting down the wine cup, he tried to see him, "Zijin, your family and I share weal and woe, and I intend to get closer. I want Zun'er and Xiao Jingji to make a marriage first. I don't know what you want." ?”

Zheng Pu's reaction was to give him a blank look, and turned his head to look at the snowflakes outside the court.

Zhang Bao was completely annoyed by such obvious dislike.

Anyway, he is also the brother of the present queen and Zheng Pu's brother-in-law!
An Neng is so contemptuous!
"Well, Zheng Zijin, you treat me like nothing!"

He opened his mouth to curse, his voice was like rolling thunder, "My father is the enemy of thousands of people, well-known all over the world; my eldest sister is the current empress, and the lintel is the noble family of the Han Dynasty; my younger sister married you, and she is already one with your Zheng family; I have fought side by side with you many times, we are brothers and sisters, and we share life and death together! Today I am begging for a marriage for my son-in-law, but you have ignored me! Do you think my Zhang family is no longer worthy of marrying with the Shifang Zheng family?!"

This is a strong statement.

But it didn't have much effect on Zheng Pu.

The two were so familiar, he didn't need to think about it to know that Zhang Bao was just playing tricks and posturing to force him to submit.

Looking back at Zhang Bao, Zheng Pu said slowly, "Those who have thunder in their chests and whose face is like a flat lake can worship the general. Brother Wen Rong got the chance to recruit five thousand cavalry as the governor, and sent him as the governor. In the future, it is important to be a pioneer in the customs, but now it is so violent, if the prime minister hears about it, he will feel that he has entrusted him to no one!"

Oh.
Having said that, Zhang Bao was dumbfounded for a moment.

But soon he came to his senses and remained indignant, "Don't use official business to avoid the topic. What I said today is a family matter. If you don't explain the reason clearly, I will not give up!"

"Ugh"

Zheng Pu sighed suddenly, and said with some melancholy, "Brother, it's the next best thing to let go. If I obey your words, it will be difficult."

After all, without waiting for Zhang Bao, who was full of astonishment, to ask questions, he explained the reason.

"When I was in Chengdu in the past, Ju Xiaoxing's eldest son was born, and I went to the house to congratulate him. He had a joke about 'If Zijin has a daughter in the future, he should marry his son and daughter'. Shao Xian, who was at the same banquet, used words to argue with each other. .”

"Although Shi Liuxiu was not in Chengdu, but after I came to Longyou, I also argued with Xiaoxing."

"Brother Youchang came back to Longyou to work, and he often stayed at my house for discussions at night, and he also expressed this thought."

"Last year, I was sent by the prime minister to go to Hanzhong County to inspect the military affairs. I went to sleep with Guan Anguo. In addition to military affairs, Anguo also claimed that he would adopt his eldest son Guan Yi to his deceased brother Guan Dingguo in the future, and joked about little Jingji The year of Jiji coincides with the year of Guan Yi and Guan. It is unnecessary to repeat what it means.”

At this point, Zheng Pu paused for a while, and asked, "Brother Wen Rong, do you know that Brother Bo Song returned to Hanzhong a month ago?"

Could it be that Zhuge Qiao also wanted to beg for his son Zhuge Pan?

Zhang Bao, who had been surprised to hear this for a long time, was startled and nodded slightly.

The place where he recruited cavalry to build a cavalry was in the Shandan Ranch. How could he not know that Zhuge Qiao, the prefect of Zhangye, returned to Hanzhong County to visit his relatives.That's because the prime minister wrote a book and returned it to Chengdu, so that the Huang family brought Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Pan to Hanzhong to meet.Zhuge Qiao, who had never been back to Chengdu since the Northern Expedition, came to meet him in midwinter and November when he learned about it.

As for why they didn't come back for a reunion on New Year's Eve.
On the first day of the year, there is no precedent for the county guard to leave the office, and as the son of the prime minister, he must lead by example.

"Brother Bosong came back to Zhangye and visited Ji County to meet me for a day."

Seeing Zhang Bao nod his head, Zheng Pu continued, "He claimed that Zi Pan is already a young man, and he plans to send him to study in Longyou in the near future, and then he will also enter this house, and let me take care of him. After talking, he will also show his love for Xiao Jingji just like you do now, and he will not hesitate to praise you."

Uh.
Now, Zhang Bao was completely speechless.

Co-authorship is not the only one who has this idea, and he is the last person mentioned.

However, it's normal to think about it.

Since the emperor and the prime minister valued Zheng Pu's closeness, it was inevitable that others would flock to their children's marriage.

No wonder Zheng Pu didn't want to talk to him these days.Thinking in another way, if he were Zheng Pu, he wouldn't give himself a good look at Xiao Jingji's idea.

"Has Zijin ever thought about who she intends to promise Xiao Jingji to?"

After being silent for a while, Zhang Bao, who suppressed his anger, asked softly.Without waiting for Zheng Pu's answer, he quickly added, "There's no need to worry about my family's Zun'er. Things come first, first come first, I won't make it difficult for you."

Zheng Pu didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he said slowly after scooping up a spoonful of warm wine for Zhang Bao.

"Brother Wenrong, both of you and my family are closely related to the emperor. We are already more valuable than the time, so we should not count on future generations. It is the time when the imperial court is gathering strength to restore the old capital, and everyone is using their lives. You and I are deeply favored by the imperial court." If it is reported that the use of children's in-laws to consolidate power is not beautiful. And I have made up my mind that Xiao Jingji will not be the order of her parents and will not be a matchmaker before she reaches the age of Jin. Let's talk about future matters in the future .”

later?

Zhang Bao raised his eyebrows and smiled suddenly.

His son, Zhang Zun, lives in the other courtyard of the Lu family, and he plans to let Zhang Zun live there until he becomes an official!
Childhood sweethearts, near water and towers first get the moon.

Then secretly told my younger sister Zhang Yan that his family had the greatest hope in the future.

Moreover, he felt that it was better for Zhang Zun to stay here than to be brought into the army by him.

Because he was strictly urged by his family to study when he was young, he also strictly supervised Zhang Zun. He had nothing to do except reading scriptures and practicing martial arts every day, so Zhang Zun's temperament became taciturn and rarely smiled.

But after he moved into the Lu’s courtyard, Zheng Pu would often send him to farmland and pastures when he was at home, to learn about the livelihood of the common people in spring plowing, summer farming, autumn harvesting and winter storage, knowing the five grains and the six animals; Travel around various passes, let him know about military affairs, offensive and defensive methods, and so on.

Just like teaching Fu Qian in the past, he does not build a car behind closed doors, does not study military books to death, and pays attention to practice in everything.

At that time, Zhang Yan still felt sorry for Zhang Zun's hardships when he was young, so she persuaded him politely.

But Zheng Pu refuted it.

Said: "Don't you see Fu Gongyuan in the past? If it wasn't for his hard work, how could he be brought by the prime minister's side to teach by example!"

Since the Northern Expedition, apart from Guan Xing, Fu Qian was the only person that the prime minister brought with him to teach.

Although the cause of the matter was that Fu Qian plotted against Liu Yan for Shi Xuehen, and the prime minister worried that he would be as ruthless as Zheng Pu, so he brought him with him.But the biggest reason for this is also because Fu Qian was taught by Zheng Pu, and his talents and learning were different from the prime minister's.

Today's Zhang Zun, under Zheng Pu's unique teaching, not only has a much more cheerful temperament and smiles frequently, but also knows a little about astronomy and geography, and is familiar with farming, mulberry and military affairs.

Even the hidden places above the scriptures and military books can often draw inferences.

Given time, talent and learning will surely benefit the great man.

Zhang Bao thinks this is very good.

Isn't the expectation of the parents for their nephews to grow up healthy and make a difference in the future?

"Zijin's words are very kind! Very kind!"

With such thoughts in mind, he frequently nodded in agreement.

He also changed the topic and revealed another purpose of having fun with Zheng Pu on New Year's Eve, "Well, I heard that Zijin has been doing nothing at home recently, so he feels depressed. If not, come with me to the West Sea in a few days. How about King Qiang?"

As soon as he said those words, he once again greeted Zheng Pu with a blank stare.

Rebutted:
"Nothing to do when you are free, elegant and interesting. You can play the flute and play the piano, you can recite poems and paintings, you can watch the moon and flowers, you can discuss classics and chess games, you can face mountains and rivers alone, you can make tea and listen to the rain, you can also concentrate on reading "Yi" and buy wine. To add to the fun, you can also teach your sons and daughters. Brother Wenrong said that I have been depressed at home recently, I don't know where I heard it?"

Without waiting for Zhang Bao's answer, Zhang Bao's careful thought was broken again.

"I know that Brother Wen Rong intends to recruit cavalry from the Shaodang Qiang, but he is not familiar with the Qiang to Mangzhong, so it is difficult to think about it on his own, so he wants me to help out a little bit. This is for the benefit of the country. As for the matter, I definitely have no excuses, brother, why don't you tell the truth!"

Zhang Bao was speechless.

When I was young, I held up a cup to invite a drink to express my apology, and sighed, "Oh, it's because I am eager, so I have the attitude of drinking."

Ok?
Zheng Pu raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes full of doubts.

"Oh, it's just a battle of spirits."

Zhang Bao laughed at himself, and explained the matter in detail.

It turned out that he and Zhao Guangtong were authorized by the prime minister to expand the recruitment of cavalry, and each formed [-] cavalry.

But in recent months, Ma Dai, who is in charge of the Shandan Ranch, has given priority to supplying recruited cavalry and high-quality war horses to Zhao Guangbu.

It's not that Ma Dai is partial.

But Zhao Guangbu already had [-] cavalry, and recruited new soldiers, and soon he could form a combat force by using the old soldiers to coerce the new soldiers to perform martial arts.After all, if we want to enter Guanzhong in the future, we must first pull out Wei Guo's farmland south of Helan Mountain. It is also for preparing for the war that Zhao Guangbu can expand the recruitment as soon as possible.

In particular, Zhao Guang's riding and fighting skills are much superior to Zhang Bao's.

However, as a brave man in the army, Zhang Baoyi's move was unavoidable - he only got [-] Xiliang cavalry, and if he didn't expand his recruitment as soon as possible, he might not be able to catch up with the attack on the south of Helan Mountain .

Therefore, he planned to go to the West Sea to recruit soldiers based on his old feelings of fighting side by side with the Shaodang Qiang.

Naturally, he also hoped that his sister-in-law Zheng Pu, who had a close relationship with King Mangzhong of Shaodang Qiang, would come forward to help him.

Under the worry of gains and losses, it is inevitable to test it with words first.

After explaining, Zhang Bao sighed faintly, "Zijin may not know, the reason why I am eager is not because I want to compete with Zhao Yihong or Jiang Boyue, but because I am afraid that I will miss the battle to restore the old capital."

"Brother Wen Rong, why did you say that?!"

As soon as these words came out, Zheng Pu's eyes widened in an instant, and he couldn't help asking, "Could it be that brother, during the previous battle, his body was injured secretly?"

"No, I'm fine."

Shaking his head slightly, Zhang Bao lowered his voice, "A few days ago, my family's Chinese successor wrote a letter to me, claiming that Xiangzhong, the leader of the guards inside and outside the capital, wrote a letter to the emperor, asking to be sent to Longyou to follow the expedition against Wei."

Well, that's it!

Zheng Pu understood it as soon as he heard it.

Xiang Chong, the leader of the Central Committee, was good at military affairs, and was praised as "capable" by the first emperor Liu Bei.

He has been guarding Chengdu for many years, and now that he has requested to come to Longyou to follow the expedition, neither the emperor nor the prime minister will reject his desire to serve the country with all his might.

But after he came to Longyou, the land of Gyeonggi also needed to find a new guard.

The most suitable candidate is naturally Zhang Bao.

Without him, Yuan Cong's status as a relative's family after his meritorious service.

(End of this chapter)