Red Tang

In the wing room in the inner courtyard of Tongjifang Kelong Teahouse, red candles flickered, lighting up the room with spring light.

"Hey, Ah Tian, ​​please be gentle, and then touch the inside. Ah, be gentle, it hurts!" Li Kuo lay down on the bed and let Du Jingtian wipe the wound on his back for him.From time to time, he let out one or two screams, which attracted Xiao Niang's glaring eyes.

"It deserves it! I suffered such a serious injury, instead of going home to recuperate, I went to fool around in that kind of place!" Xiaoniang thought that Brother Qi had entered that kind of fireworks place, her cheeks flushed, and she spat lightly.

Knowing that he was in the wrong, the young man squeezed out a smile and apologized, "It's all your fault, Brother Seventh, I shouldn't have kept you waiting..."

"You still know how to apologize? Do you know that I made the best omelette and steamed the first pancake in my life. People waited for you in the store for so long, but they couldn't wait for your shadow. If not I met Ah Fu on the side of the road, I'm afraid you still have to spend the night in the fishing alley?" The young lady simply threw the silk cloth dipped in medicinal wine aside, and asked with her hands on her hips.

Li Kuo smiled wryly, "Then I will listen to you whatever you say."

Seeing Brother Xiaoqi subdued, Xiaoniang was very proud, she smiled and said: "Then you have to promise me that you will not hide anything from me in the future. Also, don't say such stupid words like "I'm tired of eating fried eggs"!"

"Forehead..."

"You don't allow it?"

"Promise... I promise."

"Hmph, it's not too bad." The young lady picked up the silk cloth that was thrown aside again, and wiped Li Kuo's wound carefully.

At first, Xiao Niang was a little shy, but there was no one else but herself, and she and Brother Seven were so familiar...Well, Brother Seven has a big frame, not at all like a 16-year-old boy.Little Seven's back was slightly black, and he was full of masculinity.Brother Seven's skin is soft and smooth, like yogurt, he just wants someone to take a bite... The girl stared at the boy's strong back, and suddenly her body was crisp.

"A Tian? Don't rub the medicine on my shoulder, it doesn't hurt."

"I am willing! Lie down and don't move!" Lightly slapped the boy on the back, and the little girl said angrily.

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Xia ri's morning came very early, Li Kuo got up early, exercised his muscles and bones in the backyard, and shared breakfast with Ah Tian and old shopkeeper Du.Since the battle of the drugstore in the suburbs, old shopkeeper Du's attitude towards him has changed greatly.Not only did she stop bossing her around, but she intentionally or unintentionally created opportunities for herself and Ah Tian to be alone.Although I don't like the old shopkeeper Du's behavior, I don't have much to say.

"Nephew Kuo Xian, I have noticed your behavior in the teahouse these past few years. I know you are an honest person, and we all know the relationship between you and Tian'er. Although Tian'er is a bit savage, but I really care about you. Now that you are prosperous, some jealous people will jump out and provoke you, saying that you will abandon Ah Tian. I scolded him away at that time. I watched you grow up. What kind of temper are you Don't I know? You have a loyal and benevolent character born out of urinating, and you can do things well. The old saying is good, loyalty and filial piety come first. We children from a good family can do things that make people poke the spine Is it? Some people kick those who helped them away when they get rich, and they will be punished. People, he is not an animal, and he cannot be ungrateful!" Old shopkeeper Du said to Xiao Qi Having lost his own philosophy of doing things, he didn't "notice" the boy's flushed cheeks at all.

Du Jingtian couldn't watch it any longer, and said softly, "Father, what are you talking about here?"

The always good-tempered old Dutou changed his temper at this time, and said angrily: "I'm talking to your little brother Qi. Girls don't interrupt when talking between men. Are you still in good shape? Be careful, I will lock you up." Working as a female worker in the house. It’s because I’m too used to you, and I don’t have half a girl’s self-cultivation.”

"Father, are you scolding me?" The little mother stared at her grandpa in disbelief, shook her head unwillingly, turned and left angrily.

"It's time to get married, and you're still crazy. I should have strictly disciplined you!" Old shopkeeper Du waved his hookah vigorously, and shouted at his daughter's back.

Seeing this situation, Li Kuo had to find an excuse to flee in a panic.The young man was very confused at this time, the relationship between him and Ah Tian has always been very harmonious.This is a kind of tacit understanding formed by getting along day and night, and it is a kind of tacit trust.Sometimes, he can't say whether he and Ah Tian are brother and sister or more of a man and a woman.However, Mr. Du's conversation today has obviously pierced the last layer of window paper.The young man didn't know what the consequences of this would be, he just felt that there was a layer of separation between Ah Tian and himself.Sighing lightly, Li Kuo decided not to think about these troublesome things, so as to save himself the trouble!

Li Kuo didn't know where he was going, so he subconsciously turned left and right along the dental road, and after walking for about half an hour, he came to a big house with three entrances.Raising your hand and looking up, the five characters "Hexi Jinzuoyuan" (Note 1) are imprinted on the elm plaque.The boy gave a wry smile, and finally came here.He informed the guard that he wanted to see Secretary Gao, and the boy waited quietly in front of the door.Thinking about it carefully, old shopkeeper Du's idea is not wrong.Anyone with a discerning eye can see the relationship between himself and Ah Tian, ​​and it's not an option to keep procrastinating.Men can wait for this kind of thing, but girls can't.It's not that I don't dare to take responsibility for Ah Tian, ​​it's just that it's hard for both parties to speak up in this situation.

"Young master, please come with the general." The guard clasped his fists at Li Kuo and said loudly.

Although the house in Jinzhuoyuan is not big, it is very detailed and meticulous.As soon as you enter the door, there is a concierge for reception and registration.On both sides of the yard are two rows of tile-roofed houses for low-level officials to lodge.Passing through a moon gate, you come to the second courtyard.Three-quarters of the entire secondary courtyard is used as a school yard.All kinds of weapons are placed around the school grounds, and these soldiers at the border are the most restless.Even if you go to Beijing with your own coach to report on your work, you must exercise your muscles regularly.If you don't let them vent their anger, they will go to the streets to make trouble for you, which is not beautiful.Go to the end along the corridor at the base of the wall on the left, turn to the right and you will come to a du li small courtyard in the third entrance house.Three oil-blue wooden screens stand in front of the second door, just blocking the view of the outside world.

"My lord, Secretary Gao lives in this courtyard. At this time, he is practicing calligraphy in the house. You can go in, and he will retire at the end.

Li Kuo thanked the soldier softly, then walked along the path paved with cobblestones and walked into the main house where the plaque of "Renguang Pavilion" was hung.As soon as you enter the door, you can see a square table for receiving guests. Turn to the right and there is a window on the south side.There is an old mahogany table propped by the window. On the right hand side of the table is a faded pen holder that has been used for an unknown amount of time, and there are several plates of official documents piled up.Gao Shi, secretary of the Hexi Army, practiced calligraphy in such an environment.Li Kuo couldn't bear to disturb Shishu Yaxing, so he stood quietly aside.Gao Shixu was too attentive and didn't realize that the young man had been in the door for a long time.Before writing the last stroke, Gao Shi satisfactorily blew on the wet ink on the Haoshu paper (Note 2), and nodded lightly.

"Uncle Gao!" The young man rushed to Gao Shi and gave a big gift from the younger generation, and said loudly.

"Kuo'er, why didn't you call me when you came in? Look at my temperament, I don't care about anything when I'm happy." Gao Shi shook his head and said with a wry smile.

"How dare Kuo'er disturb Uncle Gao Qingxiu, as a junior, you should wait a little longer."

"You child!" Gao Shichong pointed at the rattan chair by the window, motioning for Li Kuo to sit down and talk. "You didn't come to me this time to chat. How beautiful is the Xuanjie Captain who was personally appointed by His Majesty. I am afraid that many classmates and old friends have invited you to go out. How can you have time to visit me?"

Li Kuo said: "Uncle Gao, don't make fun of me. Others don't know how important I am, don't you know? It's enough to make people envious to get a captain Xuanjie by mistake. If you go out without any scruples Showing off, isn't it just arousing people's envy?"

"You know a lot!" He nodded lovingly to the young man, and Gao Shi said in a harmonious voice, "Tell me, why did you come to me. You don't have to hide from Uncle Gao."

"Ah!" Li Kuo was moved, he bowed to Gao Shi and said, "I hope that Uncle Gao will allow me to join the Hexi Army!

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Note 1: Jinzuoyuan: equivalent to today's local administrative agencies in Beijing to handle affairs.

Note 2: Shu paper in the Tang Dynasty has always been used as paper for the imperial court. Let Gao Shi petty bourgeois here.The Jiedushi is still very good, so the favorite minister should not be too shabby.