Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 406 'Revisiting the Old Place' [Thank you! Goodbye! words to go]

Mid-October,

It's winter now.

The sun sets earlier and earlier every day.

After sunset, the light dims.

Therefore,
At the beginning of the You hour,

I have already finished my studies at the Sheng family private school.

Riding out of Jiying Lane,
Xu Zaijing walked side by side with Qi Heng and Gu Tingye for a while and then bowed and said goodbye.

On the way back to Quyuan Street,
"Xu~"

"Thank you, Yanei!"

"Make way, let his cart pass first."

"The bamboo baskets on both sides of your donkey are too wide, I can't get through!"

"Cooking cake~"

Listening to the noisy sounds on the roadside,
Zai Zhang looked at the flatbed carts loaded with goods on the street, pulled by oxen, horses or donkeys, and almost causing a traffic jam, and said, "Xiao Wu, I noticed that there are many more flatbed carts on the road in the past two days this year!"

Xu Zaijing looked at the still busy streets of Bianjing in the evening and said, "These days are the time to prepare winter vegetables and grains. I remember that at this time last year, Zhu's relatives sent more than a dozen carts of good things to our home."

Zai Zhang nodded.

"Besides, after the heavy snow last year, the people in Beijing will definitely prepare more things this year!"

As Xu Zaijing was talking, he saw that the street ahead was a little clearer, so he tapped his horse's belly and walked forward.

The coachman, who was able to pull the carriage through smoothly because Xu Zaijing and his group gave way, was also a young man who was used to the extravagant lives of the people in Bianjing.

When passing by Xu Zaijing, he bowed with a horsewhip in his hand and thanked Xu Zaijing and others repeatedly.

Qingyun, who was standing beside Xu Zaijing, nodded in return.

Between walking and stopping,

It was dark when Xu Zaijing and his group turned from the main street into Quyuan Street.

From afar, I saw two lanterns with the word "Xu" on them hanging at the gate of the mansion.

There were also old friends from the Hou Mansion setting up stalls with candles on the street.

When people saw Xu Zaijing and his group coming over, they bowed to them from time to time.

When passing by Shu Bo's stall, Chu Zhan, who was standing nearby, waved at Xu Zaijing and said, "Sir, there's someone here who says he's waiting for you!"

Xu Zaijing looked in the direction of Chu Zhan's voice and saw a man standing up under the tarpaulin.

"I've seen Saburo! Wulang!"

The man came over and bowed.

"you are?"

Zai Zhang looked at him with confusion.

"Brother, I know him. Go back first and I'll talk to him."

Zai Zhang nodded and rode away from Shu Bo's stall.

Xu Zaijing got off his horse and looked at Zhuajue Zhongding in front of him and asked, "Why are you here?"

Zhua Jue Zhongding bowed and said, "Wu Lang, I, I really have nowhere to turn to, so I took the liberty to come to the Marquis' Mansion to look for you!"

"Has he eaten?"

Xu Zaijing asked Chu Zhan who was standing aside.

"Sir, he ordered a bowl of dango when he first came, and has been waiting anxiously until now."

As he spoke, Chu Zhan pointed to the candlelit dining table, on which was still a full bowl of steamed buns.

Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Ask Shu Bo to make some of his signature dishes and send them in."

"Yes! Son!"

"Come in with me."

As Xu Zaijing spoke, he took Qingyun and the carriage behind him and walked towards the marquis's mansion.

Beside the racecourse,

Zhuajue Zhongding stood outside the wooden house under the lantern,

He looked at the tall stables.

Then he looked at the snow-white high wall of the Marquis's Mansion not far away.

Then he lowered his head and stared at the ground around the cabin.
There was pain, sadness, nostalgia, melancholy and shame on his face.

After closing his eyes and regrouping, he sighed deeply.

"come in!"

There was a sound coming from the cabin.

in the house,

Alan and Xunshu put the wooden table away, glanced at Zhajue Zhongding, then bowed to Xu Zaijing and left.

After a while

Chu Zhan placed the bowl of food, which was still steaming, on the table.

Zhua Jue Zhongding sat opposite Xu Zaijing somewhat stiffly.

Seeing Qingyun put the wine warmer on the table, Zhuajue Zhongding quickly stood up.

After Xu Zaijing waved his hand to signal him to sit down, he held out his hand and said, "Come, try Shu Bo's cooking."

Zhuajue Zhongding picked up a piece of fish with chopsticks, tasted it and nodded with appreciation.

Xu Zaijing ate his food without speaking.

The room suddenly became quiet.

After Zhua Jue Zhongding put down his chopsticks, he raised his eyes stiffly and looked across at the opposite side.

Opposite where he sat he could see the room where Alan and Xunshu lived, where hung and displayed were the weapons used by Xu Zaijing.

Seeing these things, Zhua Jue Zhongding quickly turned his head and looked away.

after awhile,

Xu Zaijing took the warmed wine jug out of the hot water and poured a glass for Zhua Jue Zhongding who was sitting opposite him.

This action made Zhajue Zhongding flattered and he stood up again.

After Xu Zaijing filled his own glass again, he raised the glass and said, "Come, warm yourself up."

After they finished drinking, they saw Xu Zaijing's hand reaching for the wine jug again, so Jue Zhongding hurriedly grabbed the jug in his hand.

After Xu Zaijing filled his glass with wine first,

Seeing Xu Zaijing raising the glass, Zhajue Zhongding quickly drank another glass.

After three glasses of wine,
Looking at Xu Zaijing who was still silent, he pulled Jue Zhongding and said, "Wulang, I came here to ask you to save someone."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Go ahead."

"Yes, he was the former Prime Minister of Baigaochuhuansi."

Xu Zaijing stopped picking up rabbit meat with his chopsticks and narrowed his eyes.

a moment later

"Isn't the Chuihuansi the government office that planned to come to my house and assassinate the Li brothers?"

"Yes"

"Si Xiang? Oh! You can really say it."

Zhuajue Zhongding lowered his head even more reservedly.

"Wulang, that gentleman also helped us in Xingqing Prefecture before! Please lend a helping hand for the sake of this matter!"

Xu Zaijing hesitated for a moment and said, "It's no use looking for me! Although my father is a marquis, I don't hold any official position!"

"Besides, the person in charge of secret espionage matters like the Hanging Ring Division must be someone from the Imperial City Division! How could he possibly release the information if he doesn't squeeze out all the information from the Minister you mentioned?"

Zhuajue Zhongding raised his head and waved his hand, saying, "Wu Lang, I don't want to let him out. I mainly want the Imperial City Division to pay more attention to him and be careful."

"Wu Lang has made many contributions in the northwest, and has a wide range of friends in Bian Jing! Please ask Wu Lang to find someone to pass on a message. As long as the message can be passed to the Imperial City Department, I will definitely give you something good."

"Oh! I guess you found the wrong person! Why didn't you ask someone else?"

Zhuai Jue Zhongding forced a bitter smile and said, "I did! I was the envoy of Bai Gao in Bianjing before, and I got to know a few noblemen in the capital."

"But once they heard my identity, I couldn't even see their manager."

He seemed to remember the cold reception he received earlier, or maybe he was drunk.

Zhua Jue Zhongding gritted his teeth, looked up at Xu Zaijing and said, "Wu Lang, the families of the Li brothers and other Bai Gao generals were able to be arranged in the Marquis' Mansion. You must have some relationship with the Imperial City Bureau, right?"

Xu Zaijing exhaled the alcohol and nodded: "Yes!"

Hearing this, Zhuajue Zhongding's eyes lit up. "But, this person who can serve as the Minister of the Chuihuan Division must be a powerful person! He won't be a fool and throw out all the information in his stomach! As long as this Minister is not emptied, his life will naturally not be in danger!"

"what are you worried about?"

Listening to Seo Jae-jeong's question,

Zhajue Zhongding lowered his head and clasped his hands on the table together somewhat unnaturally.

"I"

"If it's inconvenient to say, then forget it." Xu Zaijing said.

Zhuajue Zhongding suddenly raised his head and seemed to be about to say something but stopped.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's inquiring eyes, Zhajue Zhongding finally sighed and whispered, "Wu Lang, a few years ago, someone in the Great Zhou had some intelligence exchanges with Bai Gao."

"The Chuihuan Division is in Baigao, 2,000 miles away, so it's hard to find out who is exchanging information with us, but the Imperial City Division is easy to find out!"

Xu Zaijing was stunned: "Are you saying that you are afraid that the prime minister will be silenced?"

Zhua Juezhong nodded.

"Then you should have gone directly to the Imperial City Division. Why did you come to me?"

After hearing Xu Zaijing’s words,

Zhua Jue Zhongding shook his head: "Wu Lang, the families I looked for before were all noble families, and they had no access to the information received by the Chui Huan Division."

Seeing Xu Zaijing's thoughtful look, he said, "Some information can only be accessed by officials of the Military Affairs Department or the Imperial City Department of the Great Zhou Dynasty. So."

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "You don't have to worry about this. As long as the Minister is not stupid, he will naturally inform the Imperial City Department of the crisis as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Zhua Jue Zhongding was stunned.

"If you care, you will become confused."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, he raised his glass again.

Zhua Jue Zhongding sighed bitterly, as if blaming himself for not changing his mind.

After clinking glasses with Xu Zaijing, he drank it all in one gulp.

"After so many days in Beijing, has your family received their reward?"

Xu Zaijing asked.

Zhua Jue Zhongding, who was relieved, nodded: "Yes, my father got a viscount title that can be passed down for three generations. Some of the children in the family who followed him were also given official positions."

"But most of them are official positions in the southeast."

Xu Zaijing picked up some food and said, "The climate in the southeast is mild and humid, it's a good place to live. Is there anyone who wants to join the army?"

"Also."

Xu Zaijing nodded, and suddenly he thought of something, his eyes lit up and he said, "Before in Xingqing Prefecture, I heard you say there were a few people who were very good at training infantrymen?"

"Yes! It's the boy from Lian Nu's family whom I met in the mountains outside the Great Wall before! Bai Gao's Bu Ba Zi, Wu Lang, you should know him."

"Well, Bu Bazi is brave and strong in battle, and is especially good at climbing mountains, taking advantage of dangerous places, and attacking from behind!"

"Goro, what do you mean by this?"

Xu Zaijing asked, "Do they have a good place to go?"

Zhuai Jue Zhongding thought for a moment and said, "The Great Zhou and Bai Gao have been fighting for many years! The infantry are also very powerful, and most of the infantry will be selected and incorporated into the Great Zhou army. Naturally, their military ranks will be reduced a lot."

"Is there anyone who dares to go to the south to seek fame?"

"Goro, south?"

"Yes, three thousand miles away, Yongzhou."

Seeing Zhuajue Zhongding's surprised expression, Xu Zaijing continued, "Now Jiaozhi, south of Yongzhou, seems to be in civil strife and has repeatedly violated the border. I have a relative who has led troops in the south for many years and is now busy training them!"

"If there is a capable and capable soldier who dares to go there, we will naturally guarantee him a future."

Zhua Jue Zhongding shook his head: "Wu Lang, I have read some books! This Yongzhou is hot and humid, and there are many snakes, insects and poisonous miasma. If you can't adapt to the local climate, it will be really..."

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "You don't have to worry about this. This relative of mine is originally from Qingzhou, and has been in Yongzhou for more than ten years. There were also military officers and nobles who grew up in Bianjing who went there before, and I didn't hear that they were sick."

"Oh? Qingzhou is in the northwest, not far from Yuanbaekgo!"

"Ok!"

"Then I'll write and ask!"

Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "I will also write a letter to my father. If I really want to go, I will have a smooth journey."

Zhua Jue Zhongding nodded heavily.

The important matter in my heart has been settled.

After the two of them talked for a few more words, Zhajue Zhongding stood up and said goodbye.

By this time the sky had completely turned dark.

Standing outside the cabin,
Listening to the white and high voices of children coming from the stable from time to time, Zhajue Zhongding sighed.

Xu Zaijing escorted Jue Zhongding to the main gate of the Marquis's residence.

After Zhua Jue Zhongding bowed to Xu Zaijing, he went to the hitching post nearby to ride his horse.

suddenly,

Dang Dang Dang!
Some shrill gongs sounded from a street corner not far away, and there was also the noise of people shouting.

Seeing the look in Xu Zaijing's eyes as he looked over there,
Chu Zhan volunteered and shouted, "Sir, I'll go ask."

Zhuajue Zhongding also stopped.

Wait for a while,

Chu Zhan ran back panting, pointed in a direction and said, "Sir, it's a foot shop on the other side of the river on the street. Somehow the fire broke out and ignited the tung oil in the workshop next to it!"

Looking at the place in the distance that dimly illuminates the sky,
Xu Zaijing asked, "Is anyone injured?"

"I don't know. From what I heard from the idle man, the fire was quite big."

Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Tell the people on the street that it's dry in winter, so be careful when using fire! Also, watch out, don't let the fire spread through the house!"

"Got it, sir!"

The Xu family's doorman and Chu Zhan replied in unison.

"The younger ones will move a ladder and stand higher to watch."

The concierge added.

After Xu Zaijing nodded, he bowed to Zhuajue Zhongding who had already mounted his horse.

After Zhua Jue Zhongding returned the gift, he rode away on his horse.

After leaving Quyuan Street,
Zhuai Jue Zhongding, who had stayed in Bian Jing for quite some time, looked at the direction and headed in the direction of the water that Chu Zhan had just mentioned.

I rode across the bridge.
On the street not far from the water,

There were already Bian Jing's yamen runners maintaining order and asking people not to get close.

He dismounted his horse, calmed down his horse which was a little agitated by the fire, and said to the people of Bianjing who were watching in the Great Zhou dialect, "May I ask which store is the one that leaked water?"

The people watching the fire turned around and looked at him. Seeing him dressed in silk and riding a tall horse, they said, "I heard it was Gan's Foot Shop."

"Gan's Foot Shop? Is it the Gan family whose ancestral home is in Huainan West Road?" A commoner behind Zhuai Jue Zhongding interrupted and asked.

"Yes, I heard that it was because they burned charcoal to keep warm, and they got carbon monoxide poisoning. The whole family didn't come out!"

"Oh! What a pity!"

Listening to the discussions of people around me,

Looking at the bright firelight, Zhajue Zhongding's eyes were filled with thought.

Turn around,

early morning,

It was still a little dark.

After finishing the exercise and having breakfast, Xu Zaijing and Zai Zhang rode out of the Xu family’s gate together.

It's a bit cold in the early winter morning.
When the centaur breathes, white air appears in front of the mouth and nose.

Carriages and horses travel on the bridge.

A stream of burning smoke spread all around.

Qingyun, who was beside Xu Zaijing, stared at something not far away and said, "Sir, it seems like this is where the fire broke out last night!"

Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang looked at each other.
He walked over on foot.

The five or six wooden buildings that I had been accustomed to seeing on my way to and from school in the past few years have now turned into ruins, leaving only ashes and burnt walls.

In the dark sky, I could vaguely see some yamen runners standing around.

The curtain of the Xu family carriage behind Xu Zaijing and others was also lifted. Qingcao looked at the scene on the street with surprise in his eyes.

When a group of people passed by here,
Xu Zaijing's eyes narrowed: "Brother Gao, why are you here?"

Seeing Gao Yunqing, Qingyun immediately bowed.

(End of this chapter)