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He didn't know why he cared so much about this matter. It might be because Zhou Chen left such a deep impression on him that day that even after returning to Kunning Palace, he was still thinking about this matter.

When Empress Cao saw that the emperor was distracted, she asked him curiously. The emperor did not hide anything and told her the truth.

Cao smiled and said, "I was wondering why Your Majesty was like this. It turns out it's about Zhou Sanlang. This Zhou Sanlang is indeed a genius. His painting of the banquet in Jiying Hall is so lifelike and exquisite. It's natural that Your Majesty values ​​his talent."

Although she was not in Jiying Hall at that time, she heard about the deeds of Jiying Hall afterwards, and saw the painting in the government collection with her own eyes. She was also amazed by Zhou Chen's talent.

"On New Year's Day, I also spoke to the eldest lady of the Zhongjing Marquis's Mansion. I learned that their family only has two legitimate sons. The eldest legitimate son is working in the Hanlin Academy. If Zhou Sanlang enters the civil service, all the brothers will be civil servants."

The emperor's face changed slightly. He had been the emperor for thirty years, so he was certainly not stupid. After Cao said this, he immediately realized why Zhou Yexiong wanted Zhou Chenyinfeng to join the army. It turned out that it was because the eldest son was already a civil servant, so he wanted Zhou Chen to become a military general.

If the eldest son fails to perform well in his civil service duties in the future, Zhou Chen will be in the army, so the impact on the Marquis Zhongjing's Mansion will not be that great.

In fact, there are many nobles who do the same as Zhou Yexiong. Many families of military generals and nobles have switched to civil service. Even the queen's family, the Cao family, once the number one military family in the Song Dynasty, has most people switched to civil service.

"It's a pity that Zhou Sanlang has so much talent and ability."

Empress Cao smiled and said, "If Zhou Sanlang is really talented, he may be able to achieve great things even if he is a military officer."

The official laughed and said, "What the queen said makes sense. If that's the case, let him be."

There is no shortage of child prodigies and geniuses in the world, but the impression Zhou Chen left on him that day was so deep that he kept talking about him. But in the final analysis, whether Zhou Chen would take part in the Spring Examination was his own business.

…………

As soon as the Lantern Festival was over, Zhou Chen had packed up and was ready to go to the border with the army.

His appointment has already come down, from the seventh-rank Wu Sanguan Linghui Xiaowei, his specific position will not be determined until he arrives at the border. However, Zhou Chen is not worried at all, because Zhou Yexiong has already arranged everything for him. When he arrives at the border, he can at least lead a battalion of troops and serve as a general.

This is the benefit of having someone behind you. Even if the son of an ordinary noble joins the army, unless he has a background like the Duke of England, it is absolutely impossible for the son of an ordinary marquis or earl to get the same treatment as Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen is capable himself, and with the support of Marquis Zhongjing's faction, he has even less pressure.

Xixia is just a little brother. It is hard to say whether a fight can break out. But if a fight really breaks out, he is confident.

On the day before departure, Zhou Yexiong called Zhou Chen over, gave him many instructions, told him many things about the army, and told Zhou Chen who to contact if he had any problems, who was on their side, etc.

Zhou Yexiong has been in the northwestern border for more than ten years. Although he is not the supreme commander, he has a solid foundation.

The Northern Song Dynasty imposed great restrictions on military generals. Military power was divided into three parts. It was often difficult for a military commander to fully control the army, because the generals belonged to the generals and the army belonged to the army, and there was no direct connection between the two. Many times when wars broke out, generals were temporarily dispatched to lead unfamiliar armies, which often resulted in a situation where soldiers did not know their generals and generals did not know their soldiers.

In other words, only someone like Zhou Yexiong, who has guarded the border for more than a decade, can have a solid foundation in the frontier army. If Zhou Chen was assigned to other borders or to the imperial guards in the capital, the reputation of the Marquis Zhongjing's Mansion might not be that great.

The reason why he was able to successfully rebel in the world of Menghualu was because he conquered the north, recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, cultivated a large number of confidants, and firmly controlled the military power; if he had always been in the capital, even if he had great abilities, he would never have been able to succeed in his rebellion with the military structure of the Song Dynasty.

"Saburo."

Zhou Chen had just returned from Zhou Yexiong's place when he saw Zhou Tong sitting in his yard.

"Big brother."

Zhou Tong looked at Zhou Chen with a complicated expression: "Sanlang, I am sorry for you. With your talent, you could have..."

Zhou Chen smiled casually and interrupted Zhou Tong: "Brother, I know what you want to say, but you really don't have to blame yourself. This choice was made by me. I would rather see the world than stay in Tokyo as a civil servant." When we visit the great rivers and mountains on the frontier, why don’t men take Wu Gou and collect the fifty states in Guanshan? This is what a man should do and what I yearn for.”

"So you don't have to think so much. You should think more about yourself. We are a noble marquisate, and you are the eldest son. Naturally, you will be rejected by the civil servants. Your path is much more difficult than mine. Here's a suggestion. If you really can't stand it, just choose a sinecure. There's no need to make it hard on yourself."

These were all his sincere words. He was not optimistic about Zhou Tong's career. The civil officials were too prejudiced against the nobles. In the Song Dynasty, military generals really could not defeat the civil officials. With the example of Zhao Kuangyin, even the royal family was on guard against military generals. Do you still want to turn the tables and suppress the civil officials?

There is no way this is possible.

In fact, this situation was not limited to the Song Dynasty. As long as it was not a time of chaos and the world was stable, literati and scholars were more respected than military generals and were more likely to become prime ministers. The status of literati and scholars was also higher than that of military generals.

Zhou Tong was quite helpless. He came to comfort Zhou Chen, but he didn't expect to be persuaded by Zhou Chen instead.

Finally, he patted Zhou Chen on the shoulder and solemnly instructed: "Sanlang, be careful and protect yourself. The Marquis' Mansion will always be your backer."

Zhou Chen grinned: "Maybe I can make great achievements in the frontier and be appointed as a marquis before you."

"Then I'll wait for that day, and then I'll give you whatever you want." Zhou Tong finally smiled.

The next day, when Zhou Chen was about to leave, he was able to handle it calmly when saying goodbye to other people, but he was very sad when saying goodbye to his mother Zhou Xu.

Mrs. Zhou Xu didn't say much, but her red and swollen eyes expressed how sad she was these days.

"Sanlang, protect yourself."

"Mom, you too, take care of yourself."

"Don't worry about the Sheng family's marriage proposal. After you leave, mother will set off for Yangzhou and will definitely help you get it done."

Zhou Chen was in a heavy mood. Even at this time, he was still thinking about his affairs.

"Take care, mother."

After saying that, he led his men away. Of course, he did not go alone. Zhou Yexiong arranged several elite soldiers in the mansion for him. As for Shui Quan, the servant beside him, he was not taken with him.

When he arrived at the troop assembly point, Zhou Chen was surprised that the one leading the troops to the border this time was the famous Duke of England.

The Duke of Ying is considered to be the top noble in the court today. In this court where good generals are scarce, he can be considered a great general with both excellent strategy and martial arts.

However, the Duke of Ying has always been serving in the Western Suburbs Camp, but this time he was sent to the Northwest. I don’t know if it was because Zhou Yexiong returned to Beijing due to injury, or if the government had other considerations.

The army set out, and Zhou Chen set out with the army, starting his military career in the world of “The Story of Minglan”.

He was sighing in his heart. He had always wanted to travel back to ancient times, become a landlord, and enjoy a rich life without having to work as hard as in modern times.

But during his several trips to ancient times, he seemed to have dealt with battlefields a lot, and did not enjoy much of the leisurely and comfortable life he had imagined.

Because there was no war, the army's marching speed was not fast, and it took more than ten days to reach the northwestern border.

When Zhou Chen arrived at the border, Zhou Xu, who set out from Tokyo, also arrived safely in Yangzhou City.

Zhou Xu did not delay and first sent someone to Sheng Mansion. Then she sat in the carriage and drove slowly. Because she arrived in the afternoon, Sheng Hong was not at home at that time.

Inside Weiruixuan, Madam Wang was educating her daughter Rulan. The little girl had been naughty again today and had broken the dishes, which had made her very angry.

"Madam, Madam, the concierge sent a message saying that a distinguished person has delivered a visiting card outside the door."

Madam Wang was surprised: "Someone sent a visiting card? The Lantern Festival just passed, who would send a visiting card?"

If it's someone you know, there's no need to send a visiting card. Just ask someone to inform them. Sending a visiting card represents formality.

When Madam Wang took the visiting card, she screamed in surprise when she saw it, and her personal servant Mama Liu was also startled.

"Madam, what's wrong with you?"

Wang Ruofu pointed at the greeting card with slightly trembling hands: "Quick, Mother Liu, help me to Shou'an Hall. No, you first have someone go and notify the officials. Just say that the eldest lady of Marquis Zhongjing's Mansion has come to Yangzhou. She will be here soon." Go to Sheng Mansion and ask him to come back quickly while I go to Shou'an Hall."

Mother Liu was shocked. "The lady of the Marquis Zhongjing's mansion? She's the mother of Mr. Zhou San. Why did she come to visit so suddenly?"

Wang Ruofu: "How would I know? I guess it's for the old lady. Don't say anything. They will be here soon. Go and arrange for someone to notify the official first."

"Yes, madam."

Mother Liu went in a hurry to look for someone, while Wang Ruofu didn't bother to teach Rulan a lesson and ran towards Shou'an Hall. She looked so flustered as if she had encountered a big problem.

Wang Ruofu arrived at Shou'an Hall and started shouting before she even saw anyone.

"Mother, mother."

When Old Madam Sheng saw Wang Ruofu running in in a panic, she snorted in dissatisfaction, "You are the eldest lady in the mansion, but look at what you look like now. How can you be a mistress of the house?"

Wang Ruofu retorted reflexively: "How can I be called the mistress of the house?"

Old Mrs. Sheng was so angry that she put the teacup on the table, very dissatisfied.

Hualan hurried to her mother and whispered, "Mom, what are you talking about?"

Then he excused his mother: "Grandma, my mother is not like this usually. Something must have happened."

Wang Ruofu reacted and nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes, mother, something big really happened. The lady from the Marquis Zhongjing's mansion sent a visiting card. Take a look."

As he said this, he walked forward and handed the visiting card to Old Madam Sheng, whose face changed drastically.

Old Mrs. Sheng took the visiting card and read it. She was not as surprised as she was when she heard that Zhou Chen was visiting. After putting the card down, she frowned as if she was thinking about something.

After a moment, she suddenly raised her head.

"Hua'er, go change into some formal clothes. Madam, go help her dress up and put on some accessories. Be careful not to be too flashy, but not too casual either."

Wang Ruofu looked confused: "Mother, the lady of the Marquis Zhongjing's mansion is here to visit, what do you want Hualan to dress up as?"

Old Madam Sheng stamped her feet in anger, and scolded her, "You are the eldest lady in the mansion, you should think more about things. If Hui Niang just wanted to visit me, couldn't she come again when the spring comes? The fact that she came here now means that she is not just after me, an old lady. Forget it, I can't explain it to you, so go now."

Wang Ruofu still didn't react, but Sheng Hualan had a bold guess. Her face suddenly turned red, and she hurriedly pulled her still confused mother away.

"Mom, stop talking, let's go first."

Old Madam Sheng looked at their backs and sighed helplessly. If she was not certain, she really would not believe that people as smart and clever as Old Master Wang and Old Madam Wang could give birth to a daughter as stupid as Madam Wang.

"Will it be what I think?"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1111: Success in person, command in the army, furious Marquis Zhongjing

When Zhou Xu arrived at the gate of Sheng Mansion, everyone in the mansion had already made preparations. Even Sheng Hong, who was in the yamen, hurried back.

When Zhou Chen came before, they gave him a grand reception. Now the one who came was the eldest lady of the Marquis' Mansion, a formal lady with an imperial title, so naturally the Sheng Mansion had to be even more grand.

So when Zhou Xu arrived, she was received by Sheng Hong and the eldest lady Wang Ruofu. After exchanging greetings, the group came to Shou'an Hall.

The meeting between aunt and niece was another touching scene. Old Mrs. Sheng couldn't hold back her tears. Aunt and niece can be said to be one of the closest blood relatives besides parents and children. And when the old lady saw Zhou Xu, who was somewhat similar to herself, it was as if she saw herself when she was young.

The two of them reminisced about the past for a while, but they did not ignore Sheng Hong and his wife, and chatted with them from time to time.

As she was talking, Zhou Xu suddenly looked at Sheng Hualan, who was standing beside the old lady and dressed beautifully.

"Aunt, I guess this girl is the one you raised with?"

The old lady immediately understood, so she smiled and asked Hualan to come over and pay her respects.

Hua Lan was a little nervous, and saluted carefully. She placed her right hand on her left hand, clenched her fists, placed them in the center of her abdomen, took a small step back with her right foot, bent her knees slightly, nodded, and lowered her eyebrows: "Greetings, Madam. Best wishes, Madam."

"Get up, good boy, get up quickly."

Mrs. Zhou Xu personally helped Hualan up and looked at her carefully.

"This child is so adorable. Madam is so lucky."

Madam Wang immediately smiled and replied modestly, "Madam, you are praising me highly. This child has grown up with his mother. It is his mother who has taught him well. I, as a mother, have not fulfilled my duty. I am ashamed, ashamed."

"Cough cough."

Sheng Hong uttered two clear words, and Madam Wang stopped talking abruptly. However, she still glared at Sheng Hong in dissatisfaction, blaming him for interrupting her.

Sheng Hong was speechless. This woman was really too excited and blurted out everything.

Mrs. Zhou Xu didn't care and said with a smile: "When my Sanlang went back, he told me that thanks to the care of Mr. Sheng and Mrs. Madam, I would like to thank you both."

"What are you talking about, madam? We are all relatives, it's only right, it's only right."

Mrs. Zhou Xu returned and sat down next to the old lady, looking at Hualan, wanting to say something but stopping herself. The old lady was so smart that she immediately understood what she meant.

"Hua'er, go tell someone to buy some Yangzhou cakes. Hui Niang rarely comes here, so you must try some."

Hua Lan immediately bowed and said, "Yes, Grandmother."

"Madam, I'm going out first."

"Go ahead, kid."

Hualan said something to her parents again and then left the hall.

After Hualan left, the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed. Only Wang Ruofu seemed not to feel anything. She was still smiling and looked very happy. She was looking forward to the words of Zhou Chen's mother, Mrs. Xu.

Zhou Xu's expression became more restrained, and she said in a slightly serious tone, "Aunt, Lord Sheng, Madam, I came here today not only to visit Aunt, but also to discuss something with Lord Sheng and Madam."

Wang Ruofu said, "We are all relatives. Madam, please speak if you have anything to say."

"To be honest with you, Master Sheng, Madam, I came here this time because I want to marry you two. My Sanlang is about the same age as your eldest daughter..."

Madam Wang's head was buzzing suddenly. She could no longer hear what Zhou Xu said next. She only knew that Zhou Xu really liked her daughter Hualan and wanted to marry her.

"Agree, agree, I have no objection, our family all agrees."

But as soon as he said this, he realized something was wrong. The three people in the room all looked at him. Zhou Xu had a strange expression, while Old Lady Sheng and Sheng Hong were angry and embarrassed.

Madam Xu was still saying that you were so impatient to agree and were too eager. The Sheng Mansion and the Marquis Zhongjing Mansion were not well matched to begin with. Wouldn't your behavior make people look down on you even more?

If Zhou Xu had not been present, Sheng Hong would have certainly not been able to hold back and curse.

Mrs. Zhou Xu was stunned for a moment, then she laughed. She realized that although Madam Wang was not young, she was very straightforward, simple and honest, and not cunning.

"If you have no objection, madam, then let's make it like this?"