Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 413 Send someone here [Thank you! Goodbye! I owe you words]

evening,

It was the busiest time in Panlou.
Lanterns are hung high at the entrance of Pan Building.
There are people coming and going on the street in front of the door.

When the waiter opened the cotton curtain for the guests,
There was steam rising and an enticing aroma, which attracted passers-by to swallow their saliva when blown by the wind.

In the private room on the second floor,
In the tall stove in the middle was burning smokeless charcoal.

There were bright candles lit on the candlesticks all around, making the private room quite bright.

Several tables under the surrounding candlesticks surrounded the big fireplace. On the tables were several plates of fruits that were rare in winter. These fruit plates and other dishes were clustered around a small pot that was steaming and bubbling.

The extremely thin rabbit meat marinated in sauce on the silver plate was picked up by a pair of chopsticks and put into the small pot. After a while, it was taken out and put into the silver bowl.

Under the candlelight, you can see that there is already a lot of cooked rabbit meat in the bowl.

Xu Zaijing, who was sitting behind the table, glanced at the flowers that had put down their chopsticks and thought, "That's enough. Go eat yours."

Hua Xiang stood up and bowed: "Yes, sir."

"Ah."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, he continued to look at Zheng Xiao opposite him.

Hua Xiang took small steps and walked out of the private room.

"Brother Zheng, have you ever seen the Northern Liao's heavy cavalry Iron Forest Army in the north?"

Gu Tingye asked while holding up his wine glass.

Zheng Xiao shook his head: "Brother Ye, I have been detained in the military camp all day long. Let alone the Tielin Army, I haven't even seen a single Northern Liao Cavalry!"

Gu Tingye was stunned: "Ah? How could this happen!"

As he said this, he glanced at Xu Zaijing standing beside him, which seemed to imply, "Second Brother Zheng, why are you and Brother Jing in different situations?"

Seeing Gu Tingye's actions, Zheng Xiao helplessly took a sip of the wine in the glass.

Zheng Xiao put down his wine glass, filled the wine pot with wine, looked at Xu Zaijing and said, "Brother Jing, it's been a long time since we last met. Let's have another drink!"

Xu Zaijing raised his glass: "Come on!"

After saying that, they both drank it up.

Zheng Xiao smacked his lips, picked up the fruit on the plate and took a bite to suppress the smell of alcohol. He looked at Xu Zaijing who was eating a piece of well-cooked rabbit meat with sauce and said, "Brother Jing, I went to the north to train half a year earlier than you!"

"But now Bai Gao has surrendered, and I have not achieved anything. If I had known earlier, I would have joined Xu Hou's army!"

Zheng Xiao smiled helplessly.

Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingye and Qi Heng in the private room, put down his chopsticks and said, "Second Brother Zheng, Bai Gao and Bei Liao are different!"

"Northern Liao has a vast territory and was founded earlier than our Great Zhou. The two great nations must not start a war lightly."

Hearing this, Zheng Xiao sighed again: "I know that too! I still remember when we went to the palace to pay New Year's greetings at the beginning of the year, you guys still thought that this was not a war to destroy the country!"

Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng all looked a little embarrassed when they heard this.

Xu Zaijing said: "At that time, we didn't expect that General Cao would be so unstoppable and that when his troops were at the gates of the city, Baigao would actually experience an earthquake."

"Yes, yes, yes! Brother Jing is right! God bless the Great Zhou!"

Gu Tingye said.

Xu Zaijing raised his glass and said, "It is also because of the Duke of Ying, the Marquis of Ningyuan and General Zheng that they have been intimidating Northern Liao in the north, leaving them no time to look west, freeing the Western Army from worries, so that they can focus on the attack on Baigao. Second Brother Zheng, drink this glass."

Zheng Xiao raised his glass and said with a smile: "The restraining effect of the Jin Kingdom is also very large!"

Gu Tingye drank the wine in his glass and said:
"Brother Zheng, you are in the north, closer to Northern Liao and Jin. Have you heard anything in the army that we don't know about?"

Zheng Xiao thought for a moment and said, "There are indeed a few things. I wonder if you have heard of them."

Qi Heng said: "Second Brother Zheng, please tell me now!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing who was also very interested, Zheng Xiao said, "Before I returned to Beijing, I heard from my brother that tens of thousands of people from Northern Liao and Jin fought a battle in the north of Xianzhou. Northern Liao was defeated at first but won later, and ended up in a tie with Jin."

Gu Tingye said: "Second Brother Zheng, I read about this in the official newspaper!"

Zheng Xiao nodded and said, "Brother Ye, do you know who is the deputy general of the Jin Kingdom?"

Gu Tingye and Xu Zaijing looked at each other and shook their heads.

Zheng Xiao looked at Xu Zaijing who seemed to be thinking about something and said, "We know this person."

"Snapped!"

Gu Tingye suddenly had an idea and slammed the table: "Brother Zheng, could it be one of the Jin people we played against at the polo field at the beginning of the year?"

"Is it the Jin royal family member named Wanyan Zongjun?" Xu Zaijing asked.

Zheng Xiao nodded.

"How old is he?" Gu Tingye sighed.

Zheng Xiao smiled and shook his head: "Brother Ye, this is nothing! The soldiers in the camp who often deal with Northern Liao heard that the Emperor of Northern Liao is now seriously ill and bedridden, and it is said that he will soon..."

As soon as these words came out,
Everyone in the private room was surprised. Xu Zaijing said, "The Northern Liao emperor is in his prime, how could this happen?"

"Tsk! Brother Jing, you may not know that this Northern Liao Privy Envoy is the one who killed the Northern Liao Emperor's father."

Zheng Xiao replied.

Qi Heng looked puzzled: "Ah? How could that person still be valued if something like this happened?"

"Who knows? Anyway, there are rumors among the people on the border of Northern Liao that it was the work of the Northern Liao Privy Envoy."

"Hiss, when that time comes, the prince who will ascend the throne of Northern Liao will be that Yelu Falcon!"

Gu Tingye said in a loud voice.

Xu Zaijing scratched his head. If he had known this would happen, he should have asked for more when he got Yelu Falcon out of the Yanwang stronghold and sent him back to Northern Liao.

"We know this Yelu Falcon, right, Jing'er?"

Xu Zaijing nodded, he was more than just an acquaintance.

I haven't seen Yelu Sun for a year or two. Now he will have the chance to become emperor.

Thinking of this, Xu Zaijing picked up a piece of rabbit meat from the bowl and put it into the pot to heat it up.

"Second brother Zheng, what military position did you hold under General Zheng?" Gu Tingye asked curiously.

Zheng Xiao waved his hand and said, "I borrowed my father and brother's official positions to become the deputy battalion commander of the infantry. What about you, Jing'er?"

After Zheng Xiao asked, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng looked at each other, and Xu Zaijing felt a little embarrassed.

"Second Brother Zheng, guess!" Gu Tingye said.

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Zheng Xiao said hesitantly: "Brother Jing, with the title of Marquis Xu, you can at least become a captain in charge of a hundred people!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head.

"Deputy battalion commander?"

"Not even the deputy one?"

"Could it be the battalion commander?" Zheng Xiao raised his wine glass and looked at Xu Zaijing in surprise.

"Hehe. Second Brother Zheng, Brother Jing is a sergeant under Lord Xu!"

Gu Tingye spoke.

"puff!"

Zheng Xiao spat out a mouthful of wine, and the mist from the wine made the charcoal fire under the small pot in front of him "boom".

"Ahem, what kind of leader is this who has no rank at all?"

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Zheng Xiao said: "I am the deputy commander of the infantry in the camp. How can you be a squad leader, Jing'er?"

"Brother Zheng, I mostly read books at home. Although I have read some military books and practiced martial arts every day, I have no experience in military command."

"Besides, how can I lead troops right after I joined the army? My cousin said that I was promoted to sergeant in less than two months, which was an exceptional promotion."

Zheng Xiao was incredulous: "This, Lord Xu is really strict in managing his army."

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Brother Zheng, you are too kind! In fact, the time was too short! I didn't expect that we could reach Xingqing Prefecture so quickly. If you give me six months, I could become a captain with my military merits."

Of course, the reality is far more than that. Just by blocking and appeasing Bai Gao's nearly 10,000 reinforcements in the mountains, Xu Zaijing would have no problem being awarded the rank of seventh-rank Yihui Xiaowei based on his military merits.

In other words, even if Xu Zaijing was just a small soldier, from now on he would definitely be able to command a battalion of 500 infantry or 400 cavalry.

Don't think this position is too low. After all, it is a direct promotion from a civilian to a low-ranking military officer, and there is no need to gain experience in the army, nor does it require joint recommendation from other military officers.

And Xu Zaijing now has a father who is a marquis. If he really goes to the battlefield in the future, with the military rank of captain, he will have the opportunity to command an army of 2,500 people.

The "Dutou" mentioned by Xu Zaijing can actually be a ninth-rank Peirong deputy lieutenant, there is a difference of two ranks in between!
To advance to a higher rank, one may need to survive a life-or-death situation on the battlefield and break through the formation.

Listening to Xu Zaijing's words, Gu Tingye sighed with envy: "Tsk! Second Brother Zheng, you came back too late! You didn't see the elegance of Brother Jing carrying the flag into the city that day!"

"It's really inspiring to see the little black colt he's riding, walking in front of that group of elite cavalrymen who are so arrogant and look down on others!"

"Brother Ye, the cavalry under the command of the eldest brother of the Zhang family are mostly the sons of nobles in the capital. They have been tempered for many years and have experienced many battles. How can they not be arrogant!"

"Brother Zheng, no matter how arrogant they are, Brother Jing is always the one walking in front!"

Zheng Xiao shook his head and said, "It's Jing'er's ability that impressed them. Otherwise, let's replace him with a playboy and see if they will give in."

"Brother Jing, what are you laughing at?"

Zheng Xiao looked at Xu Zaijing's smile and said.

Xu Zaijing glanced at Gu Tingye: "Brother Zheng is fine! Erlang has been displeased with the cavalry under Brother Zhang recently."

"why?"

Hearing Zheng Xiao's question, Qi Heng picked up the wine cup, covered his mouth and started drinking.

Zheng Xiao: “Hmm?”

Gu Tingye shook his head irritably and said, "Second Brother Zheng, don't worry about it."

Looking at Gu Tingye's expression, Zheng Xiao did not ask any more questions. After talking a few more words about the imperial examination, everyone drank a few more glasses of wine.

In the private room,
Behind a screen

Hua Xiang was sitting at the table, cooking rabbit meat in a small pot of boiling hot soup.

From time to time, dip the cooked rabbit meat in the sauce and take a delicate bite.

Whenever Hua Xiang eats rabbit meat, she always closes her eyes and looks intoxicated.

Qingyun, who was standing nearby, took a few glances, then walked over to Huaxiang and whispered, "Sister Huaxiang, eat less at night, be careful of stomach discomfort." Huaxiang looked at Qingyun in confusion, and Qingyun smiled and said, "Your sister Qingcao used to feel uncomfortable because she ate too much."

Hua Xiang nodded, looked at the remaining rabbit meat on the plate with lingering interest, hesitated for a moment, and then put down her chopsticks with difficulty.

Smelling the aroma on the table, Hua Xiang looked at Qingyun after a while, then picked up another piece of meat and put it into the pot.

"Dong dong!"

There was a knock on the door.

Hua Xiang immediately put down her chopsticks and stood aside.

Buwei rushed to the door before Qingyun and opened it. Looking at the sturdy man at the door, Buwei asked in confusion, "Who are you looking for?"

The sturdy man outside the door bowed respectfully and said, "I heard that the fifth son of the Xu family is here, so I came to see him."

After saying that, he looked at Buwei with some doubt.

Buwei tilted his head and said, "Brother Qingyun, looking for Wulang."

Qingyun stepped out from behind the door, glanced up and down at the man and said hesitantly, "You look familiar. Who are you?"

The sturdy man was delighted and glanced at Zhique inside the door: "I am a subordinate of General Cao. Uh, I'll go first!"

When the man said the word "first to ascend", he stared at Qingyun closely.

Qingyun turned his head to look at the man again, his eyes lit up and he said: "It's you! Before..."

Qingyun didn't continue.

"Yes!" the man bowed hurriedly.

Qingyun nodded and said, "Wait a moment, I'll go talk to the young master."

After saying that, Qingyun turned and walked into the private room, leaning close to Xu Zaijing's ear, "Sir, when we went to Baigao to rescue people, the brave soldier of the Western Army who was the first to reach the gate was at the door."

Xu Zaijing looked at Qingyun in surprise, and Qingyun nodded.

Xu Zaijing bowed to the people present and said, "There's an old acquaintance at the door. I'll go check it out."

"Brother Jing, why don't you call him in and have a drink together?" Gu Tingye said.

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "Forget it, it won't be comfortable for him to come in and sit here."

Xu Zaijing walked to the door and bowed to the man standing at the door: "Excuse me, sir."

The man also bowed and said, "Wu Lang, I am Xu Yizhou. I just heard the servant in the stable downstairs say that this is Wu Lang's mount, so I came upstairs to visit him rashly. Please don't blame me, Wu Lang!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and walked out of the door and said, "No, no! We fought together in the northwest! Are your injuries on the city wall healed?"

The man also smiled and said, "Okay, the military doctor used a new prescription!"

Xu Zaijing added: "I just didn't expect that we are actually from the same family. I wonder where Brother Xu's ancestral home is?"

"My ancestral home is Yuncheng, Jeju."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "With the merit of being the first to reach the capital, you were promoted to Bianjing?"

The man cupped his hands and said, "It was also because of the old general's support that I was able to join the Imperial Guards based on my military merits."

"Oh? Didn't your military merits translate into martial rank?"

"It's the same if I join the Imperial Guard!"

"Alright, I'll invite Duke Xin and the young man from the Marquis of Fuchang to dinner in a few days. If you're free, please come and have a drink!"

"I dare not mention the reward, but as long as Wu Lang has a letter, I will ride my horse to come immediately."

"Okay!" Xu Zaijing glanced at the stairs and said, "Brother Xu, are you here with your sister-in-law and nephew?"

Xu Yizhou smiled slightly: "She just came to Bianjing, and heard that Panlou is prosperous, so I brought her and the child here to see the world."

Xu Zaijing nodded and bowed to the woman.

The woman bowed and the child beside her hid behind her.

"Wulang, I will take my leave now."

"Take care, bro."

Looking at the old acquaintance walking away, Xu Zaijing glanced at Qingyun behind him, and Qingyun nodded slightly.

Xu Zaijing returned to the private room.

Qingyun did not follow him back to the private room, but walked around the second floor and waved to the waiter Min Ge'er who had just finished his work.

After talking to Min Ge'er for a few words, Min Ge'er nodded and said, "Brother Qingyun, don't worry, I've made a note of it!"

In the small private room on the other side,
The couple sat at the table with their child, waiting for the waiter to serve the dishes and hot pot.
The woman at the stairs looked at Xu Yizhou and said, "Sir, I didn't expect you to know such a lavish person in Bianjing."

"Just looking at her demeanor, I felt that she was extraordinary. She actually bowed to a little woman like me."

Xu Yizhou touched his son's forehead lovingly and said, "It was also by chance that I fought alongside this young master and was saved by him."

"This young master also said that he would introduce me to the brothers of the Pei and Rong families if he had the chance!"

The woman wondered, "Who are these two families?"

"They are all from noble families, and powerful figures in the imperial guards."

"Sir, we really met an honorable person when we went out!"

"Yes!"

When the family of three finished their meal and were about to pay the bill, they were told by the waiter that the meal had already been paid.

Not far from Panlou Main Street,
Xu Zaijing and Zheng Xiao rode side by side on horseback.

Several people did not speak, but when they breathed, white air came out from their mouths and noses.

"Brother Jing, when do you think His Majesty will attack Northern Liao?" Zheng Xiao said.

"It won't take a short time. After all, we need to integrate the old land of Baigao into the Great Zhou."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng behind him nodded slightly.

"Of course, don't listen to me. It would be bad if it turns out to be the same as last time."

"Hahahaha" the group laughed softly.

Several people bowed and parted at the intersection.

Everyone went home.

In fact, it was Xu Zaijing who left the three people. After all, the Zheng, Gu and Qi families were all in Xingguofang.

Arriving at the gate of Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion,

After getting off the horse, Gu Tingye stamped his legs and feet which were a little cold from riding.

The horse was taken away by the Gu family's doorman.
The concierge looked at Gu Tingye and whispered, "Second Master, the Marquis is back!"

"Ah? Father is back?"

Gu Tingye looked at Zhique happily, then walked quickly towards the inner courtyard.

Bai's Courtyard,

In the warm hall,

Gu Yankai sat on the Luohan bed, playing with his granddaughter Yan Jie'er with a smile on his face and eyes full of doting. Yan Jie'er was about six months old at this time and was very cute.

Yan Jie'er's still-strong little hands were pinching Gu Yankai's cheeks.
"Oh, Sister Yan, Grandpa's face is hard, don't hurt your little hand!"

Gu Yankai said softly.

Gu Tingyu and Tingyi who were sitting nearby curled their lips in disgust.

Pingmei drank the hot soup with a nonchalant look on her face.

Bai stared at Gu Yankai's hand and said, "My Lord, please move your hand down. This will make Sister Yan uncomfortable."

Gu Yankai glanced at Bai and moved his hands.

At this time, Gu Tingye lifted the cotton curtain and walked in.

The smile on Gu Yankai's face disappeared, and he looked at Gu Tingye with a stern face and said, "You came back so late, where have you been?"

Gu Tingye bowed and smiled, "Father, I, Brother Zheng, Brother Heng, and Brother Jing and I are going to have a drink."

As Gu Yankai was talking, Yan Jie'er's little hand reached out to her grandfather's mouth and grabbed it hard.

Gu Tingye lowered his head and pursed his lips to hold back his laughter.

Gu Yankai glared at Sister Yan lovingly and then gestured to Nanny Chang.

After Nanny Chang took over Yan Jie'er, Gu Yankai adjusted his beard and said, "Zheng Xiao and Xu Zaijing have both been to the battlefield for training, especially Jing'er. I heard from the Duke of Ying that he made great contributions this time. What about you?"

"You just do nonsense all day long!"

Gu Tingye stood there helplessly.

Gu Tingyu, who was sitting at the bottom, sat up and said, "Father, Xiaoer has been studying hard and practicing martial arts every day recently. It's been snowing even in the cold weather. I think it's a good sign!"

Gu Yankai glanced at the official robe held by Cuichan, the maid behind his eldest son: "Humph!"

He glanced at Gu Tingye again and said, "Tomorrow morning, you and I will test the gun!"

Gu Tingye nodded heavily.

Gu Yankai nodded to Pingmei again and said to Gu Tingye, "Sit down. I have something to ask you."

The Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty,

Prince Zhao Fang poked his head at the palace door, then walked in angrily.

After finding a chair near the emperor, Zhao Fang sat on it, crossed his arms and pouted: "Humph!"

The emperor, who was reading the memorial by candlelight, glanced at Zhao Fang, then continued to read the memorial and said slowly, "Fang'er, what's wrong?"

"Humph! Father, I just learned from my mother that a member of the Northern Liao royal family actually wants to marry my Great Zhou noblewoman?"

"I heard it's Miss Feiyan from the Rong family! The Rong family came to the palace to meet Concubine Rong today just for this matter!"

The emperor flipped through the memorial and nodded as he read it: "Yes, there is such a thing! Northern Liao said that it wants to marry the noble lady of Great Zhou to establish friendship between the two countries."

"Father, this is not good!"

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"Miss Feiyan is no good anyway! If Northern Liao wants to establish friendly relations with the two countries, just send a girl from the royal family to my father!"

The emperor snapped the memorial shut and said, "You said that, but your mother didn't beat you?"

(End of this chapter)