Chapter 211: Envious of his family's horses [A thousand thanks for everyone's support

These two divine horses, one dark brown and one snow-white, although they were horses, their body curves were full of beauty.

Even those who didn't know horses could see their divine handsomeness.

In the eyes of horse lovers,

these were like two peerless beauties descended to earth,

the kind that were slightly...

And there were bridles around their necks.

On the bridles, the horse's browband, cheekband, noseband, throatband, and neckband all had exquisite gold ornaments.

Even under the horse's head, there was a golden ball bell. As the divine horses shook their heads, the bells jingled.

Rong Xian muttered as if his soul had been hooked:

"Damn!"

"Heavens!"

"Beautiful! Too beautiful!"

The two divine horses lifted their hooves helplessly and snorted. In the eyes of horse lovers, it was like beauties posing.

The few noble children hadn't never seen good horses; it was just that they had never seen such good-looking ones.

Zheng Jun looked at the horses and whispered, "These two little fox spirits, heavens!"

Xu Zaijing broke free from the beauty of the horses, came to the Imperial City Division soldier, and bowed, "Lord Gao Yunqing, what is this?"

The Imperial City Division soldier returned the salute, "Greetings, Fifth Young Master. This was sent by the Yelu family of Northern Liao by name. With His Majesty's grace, it was sent to you."

"This is too valuable..."

"His Majesty said that compared to raising our national prestige, this is nothing. Fifth Young Master, these two are horse attendants who live and die with the horses. They are extremely good at raising horses. Whoever the horse's master is, they are their master."

Gu Tingye looked at the horse's belly very impolitely and whispered, "Brother Jing, I even want to be a horse in your family."

Seeing Gu Tingye's actions and words, Zhang Fangling and Qi Heng, who had leaned in, also looked at the horse's belly; hmm, it really was a vixen.

Liang Liu Lang directly hugged Xu Zaijing's legs and said, "Brother Jing, you are my own brother! Brother! Can you let me touch it?"

Liang Han was lifted up by Xu Zaijing with one hand, "Liang Liu Lang, you can touch it, but wipe off your drool."

Looking at the group of richly dressed Bianjing noble children around,

the third person with a beard beside the horse attendants looked at them with some surprise. He tried his best to verify their identities through the surnames in their forms of address.

Duke of Ying, Marquis of Zhongjing, Duke of Qi, Marquis of Hou Fu Chang, Marquis of Yongchang... hiss.

The noble teenagers were commenting on the horses, while the noblewomen were starting to get into the carriages.

Xie Shi and Sheng Hualan followed behind their mother-in-law, stepped on the horse stool, and got into the carriage. In front of the carriage, she nodded at the two divine horses.

Then she saw that person beside her who was somewhat familiar.

In less than a breath, she matched the information.

"Mother-in-law, that seems to be my brother-in-law, from Zhending Prefecture."

Hearing this, Madam Sun in the carriage was stunned, then walked out. This was a relative.

Looking at Madam Sun and the two daughters-in-law walking over, Gu Tingye, Rong Xian, and the others hurriedly made way.

A series of greetings of "Auntie," "Madam," and "Sister-in-law."

Madam Sun and the three smiled and returned the salute. Looking at the bearded young man dressed as a military officer beside the horse attendants, Madam Sun said,

"Is this the young man of the Yi family from Zhending Prefecture?"

Hearing Madam Sun's words, Gao Yunqing, who was beside them, bowed, "Madam is right. The little one was just about to introduce him."

Madam Sun looked at Gao Yunqing and smiled. The bearded young man hurriedly bowed, "Yi Ziyan of the Yi family from Zhending Prefecture greets Auntie! Greetings to everyone."

Xie Shi and Sheng Hualan hurriedly returned the salute.

Liang Han asked Xu Zaijing curiously in a low voice, "This is?"

Xu Zaijing knew his identity upon hearing Zhending Prefecture and the Yi family:

"My eldest brother's brother-in-law. They both married daughters of the Xie family."

The teenagers around suddenly realized. Seeing Yi Ziyan salute, everyone bowed and returned the salute, "Greetings, Brother Yi."

Yi Ziyan, who knew their identities, hurriedly returned the salute again.

"Brother Jing, Lord Yi understands Northern Liao language, and it was also Lord Yi who escorted these treasures back to Bianjing. Since we are all relatives, the little one will take his leave."

"Take your time, Lord."

The other Bianjing noble teenagers sent their servants back to report to their parents that they were going to the Xu family today to admire the "peerless beauties."

"Mother, I want to..."

Princess Pingning looked at the group of teenagers, all boys and no girls, and then looked at the anticipation in her son Qi Heng's eyes, and nodded.

Qi Heng and his father both breathed a sigh of relief.

Qi Yiqiu patted Qi Heng and lifted his chin. Qi Heng jumped on his feet, followed the team, and shouted loudly, "Brother Jing, give me a ride."

Hearing Qi Heng's voice, Xu Zaijing lowered his head, stretched out his hand, and then gently placed Qi Heng behind him, sitting together on the back of the Xiao Li Ju horse.

Buwei came to Qingyun's side, called out "Brother Qingyun," and was also pulled onto the horse.

Looking at the smile on Qi Heng's face, Princess Pingning shook her head helplessly,

"Return to the mansion."

Following behind Madam Sun's carriage,

Xu Zaijing let Qi Heng hold his waist, looked at the horse attendants running beside the horses, and turned his head to speak to this Yi Ziyan:

"Brother Yi, did these two horse attendants run all the way to Bianjing like this?"

"Fifth Young Master, no. They followed on horseback. They are also extremely good at raising horses. On the way, some horses got sick, and the Ai family's young men were a bit helpless, but they were cured by the two of them."

Talking on the way,

a group of Bianjing's top nobles rode their horses into the Xu family's front gate.

Madam Sun got off the carriage and directly ordered the Xu family's kitchen to quickly prepare a banquet. These noble teenagers, looking at this momentum, wouldn't be leaving for a while and would definitely be having lunch at the Xu family.

Watching the many noble teenagers riding past, Chu Zhan, who was warming himself in the Xu family's gatehouse, poked his head out. When he saw the two horses revealed when they turned:

"Good heavens..."

The one-eyed master who was taking care of the Xu family's horses in the stable walked out with a limp, wanting to see what was causing such a commotion.

His one eye didn't see the teenagers dressed in gorgeous and valuable clothes, but only saw the two exceptionally divine horses.

Seeing the teenager wearing a dirty sheepskin coat beside the horses, his one eye narrowed, and he shook his head incredibly and whispered, "Heavens..."

Because they were his own things, Xu Zaijing didn't go around the two divine horses at the first moment, but leaned on the wooden fence by the racetrack with Yi Ziyan.

In the warm winter sun,

watching the two horse attendant teenagers looking timidly at the gorgeous brocade clothes of the teenagers from the various ducal and marquis mansions,

Xu Zaijing asked, "Do these two teenagers have names?"

Yi Ziyan looked at Xu Zaijing in surprise, smiled, and said, "You actually ask for names! Yes, one is called Alan Sanwu, and one is called Liequan Xunshu."

"What strange names."

Looking into Yi Ziyan's eyes, Xu Zaijing asked, "Brother Yi, what's wrong? You keep looking at me like that."

Yi Ziyan shook his head, as if trying to shake away the thoughts in his heart, "Nothing, I'm just thinking randomly."

Everyone's attention was on the divine horses. The one-eyed master came to Qingyun's side and whispered a few words.

Soon, the bricklayer and carpenter masters who were spending the New Year at home were called over, and the utility room beside the small house next to the stable began to be renovated.

Xu Zaijing's previous mount wanted to crowd in front of the two divine horses but was pulled away directly by the groom.

The offspring of Xiao Li Ju was released. Combining the advantages of its parents, it started to frolic in the racetrack.

Watching the little Xiao Li Ju, who didn't know how enviable its future happiness was, the watching teenagers cast envious glances at this little horse:

"Waste of heaven's gifts..."

"A horse chewing on peonies..."

Imperial Palace

Empress's bedroom

Hearing that the Emperor had given the gift sent by the Northern Liao Kingdom to Xu Zaijing, she frowned and said:

"How do I remember that such divine horse colts have some different sayings in Northern Liao?"

The Empress had a look of reminiscence on her face.

The female official beside the Empress said with her eyes turning constantly:

"The little one seems to remember that it was recorded in a travelogue that it seems only when the daughters of the Yelu family want to marry a man..."

After having a sumptuous lunch at the Xu family at noon, everyone went to the racetrack again, watching the three fine horses running in the field.

Young Qi Heng watched intently.

Several close friends had already reserved the offspring of these three horses, with the valuation left for the Xu family to decide.

Fine horses were not lacking in any family, but such divine ones were truly not available.

In the afternoon, everyone said goodbye.

Yi Ziyan was the last one ready to leave.

After a meal at the Xu family just now, he had already met many noble teenagers in Bianjing.

Especially those from the Zhang, Gu, and Zheng families of the Great Zhou's northern army. If you asked what benefits there were, he really didn't know,

but getting familiar with them certainly wouldn't hurt.

He happily came to the racetrack and was about to use Northern Liao language to instruct the two horse attendants, but he saw a groom skillfully communicating with the two teenagers in Northern Liao language.

Seeing that the Marquis Mansion had a translator, Yi Ziyan said goodbye and left the Xu family.

In the afternoon, Xu Minghua returned to the Xu family with a solemn face.

As soon as he entered the mistress's courtyard, he was informed by Madam Sun that a friend in the stable had an invitation.

Xu Minghua changed into his casual clothes at home and said, "Prepare some good food and dishes to send over, and send some wine too."

Arriving at the racetrack, entering the warm small house with a roaring stove,

Xu Zaijing saw his father and hurriedly stood up to bow,

"Father."

"Hmm, sit."

"Brother Yin, what's wrong? Why did you ask me to come over?"

"Looking at your face, is there any major event in the court? Just now Brother Jing told me that you were called back when you left the hall."

Soon, the door was opened again, food and dishes were placed on the table, and fine wine was sent over.

Xu Zaijing, as a junior, hurriedly poured wine for the two elders.

Xu Minghua glanced at his youngest son and said:

"News came from the palace. Northern Liao and the Heishui Jurchen fought several battles in the north. Northern Liao was defeated repeatedly, and that Heishui Jurchen established a nation called Jin."

Watching his old friend's surprised look, Xu Minghua continued, "That Jin Kingdom, through our navy in the Jingdong East Road, took advantage of the first day of the New Year to send a large batch of tribute treasures to our dynasty."

Xu Zaijing and his master digested this shocking news.

"By the way, what did you want to say when you asked me to come?"

After Xu Zaijing filled the wine, the groom drank it all in one gulp again and said, "Do you know the origin of the two Dragon Colts our mansion obtained?"

"Hmm? What Dragon Colts?"

"Alan!"

After the groom finished speaking, one of the two Northern Liao teenagers, the horse attendants, soon appeared at the door. Looking at the two horses, the wine in Xu Minghua's cup spilled out.

"These... these horses, why do they look so good!"

The groom smiled bitterly and said, "Divine horses specially supplied to the Northern Liao royal family, how could they not be divine! But according to my Yin family's records, such divine horses with life-and-death horse attendants...

are either for the occasion of a top-tier Northern Liao royal noble girl seeking to marry a man, or they are the betrothal gifts for the royal family to seek an empress."

Xu Minghua and Xu Zaijing, father and son, had the same question-mark faces.

"First, rule out the Yelu family seeking to marry Brother Jing. Then, those who have such divine horses can only be the family of the noble girl being sought."

Xu Zaijing nodded in agreement and said, "Master, are you saying that someone in Yelu Ying's family is going to become the Northern Liao Empress?"

The groom nodded, "And a direct relative of Yelu Ying, otherwise it would be impossible to send such divine horses as a gift of thanks."

The next day,

Si hour (after nine in the morning)

Xu Zaijing arrived by appointment outside the Xinzheng Gate in the west of Bianjing.

The horse race around the outer city of Bianjing proposed by Liang Han was about to begin.

The servants of each family began to scatter, heading to the bridges and intersections along the way to guard against being blocked or taking the wrong path.

Xu Zaijing and many other noble children and high-ranking officials' sons were riding on their horses, divided into several groups, talking. The topic was naturally the situation of the Liao and Jin nations yesterday.

Although they were all young, they had elders in the center of the Great Zhou, and they knew about this earlier than many low-ranking capital officials.

Everyone expressed their own opinions.

Some said they should take this opportunity to unite with Jin to attack Liao, making them unable to attend to everything.

Some said they should take advantage of the internal chaos to attack Bai Gao first, and after destroying Bai Gao, then plan for Northern Liao.

Some said they should open two battlefronts in the east and west and wage war on both countries, so as to eliminate future troubles.

"I think our dynasty should not attack either country!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at the speaker with full disgust.

"I say, Fourth Brother Chen, you are too cowardly!"

"Hahaha..."

Hearing Rong Xian's comment on this, everyone laughed.

Xu Zaijing looked at the third and fourth brothers of the Duke of Ying's family, but they didn't laugh.

"Third Brother, this person looks unfamiliar. Which family's young master is he?"

Zhang Fangsong said:

"The Ministry of Revenue, Minister Chen Xian's family. He has always liked to study mathematics in the courtyard since he was a child and has relatives in the Hai family. This time, he was dragged out by Chaojie to join in the fun."

That Fourth Brother Chen looked at Rong Xian woodenly and said, "This person, do you know how many ten thousand guan of silver our dynasty spent on the previous great war against Bai Gao and Northern Liao?"

"Ah?"

"Do you know how much silver our dynasty earns in a year?"

"This..."

"Once the war starts, northern merchants will be cut off, which will affect how much tax revenue the imperial court gets. Do you know?"

"I..."

After a few questions, the teenagers were almost as confused as Rong Xian.

Rong Xian stared and said, "What, you know?"

Fourth Brother Chen said woodenly, "I don't know."

Hearing this, Rong Xian laughed, but before he could laugh out loud, Fourth Brother Chen said again:

"I only know that that year, the Western Army had 200,000 soldiers, and the logistics and transport expenses alone were 16.42 million guan. I haven't finished reading the documents for the north and northeast, so I won't talk nonsense."

"That year, our Great Zhou's annual revenue was 38.79 million guan."

"Bai Gao, Northern Liao, can our dynasty destroy them in one year? If not, how much more will our dynasty spend?"

Hearing the numbers,

everyone looked at each other.

Some teenagers felt that what Fourth Brother Chen said seemed to make sense, especially since he was the son of the Minister of Revenue, the keeper of the purse.

"It seems Fourth Brother Chen is not wrong..."

"If we fight, people will die."

"How could those two in the north be destroyed in one year!"

"Calculated this way, in a few years, the national treasury will be empty!"

Rong Xian lowered his head with a sheepish look.

Gu Tingye, who was riding beside him, frowned and looked at Fourth Brother Chen, then came to Xu Zaijing's side and said, "Brother Jing, this... I feel in my heart that what he said makes some sense, but I always feel uncomfortable."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 212 =====