Chapter 212: Gu Tingye who is about to start school [A thousand thanks for everyone's support

Xu Zaijing looked at him and smiled, "As a son of a military noble family, it's right that you feel uncomfortable."

At this time, it was just when everyone had finished speaking. Xu Zaijing's words were heard particularly clearly by everyone.

Hai Chaojie, who had been nodding all along, looked at Xu Zaijing with some confusion and said:

"Brother Jing, you said this, so you disagree with Fourth Brother Chen's view?"

Looking at the eyes of the many sons of Bianjing nobles and high-ranking officials of the Six Ministries looking at him, Xu Zaijing smiled slightly and said:

"Although a country is large, those who love war will perish; although the world is peaceful, those who forget war will be in danger."

Shen Herui, not far away, nodded and said softly, "Source: Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Zhufu Yan, Marquis of Pingjin."

Xu Zaijing bowed to Fourth Brother Chen and said:

"Fourth Brother, when my father first took over the Tianwu Army, do you know how many soldiers were driven away and not in the camp?"

"That depends on the roll call."

"Then do you know how much monthly grain and pay the soldiers received?"

"It should be... full amount."

"Then do you know how many soldiers have never seen a complete set of armor of our Great Zhou?"

"Hmm?"

Everyone around looked surprised. Isn't complete armor seen everywhere?

Someone asked, "Brother Jing, could it be that the situation you are talking about is shocking?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "How could the Upper Four Armies be like this? It's just that there are some signs."

Gu Tingye had been to many military camps with his father. He added a sentence for Xu Zaijing in his heart: "It's hard to say how the middle and lower armies are."

"Fifth Young Master Xu, do you mean you want to go to war with the two countries?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said:

"It should be that our Great Zhou will not easily start a war, but when the opportunity comes, our Great Zhou cannot be unprepared."

"Our Great Zhou's Ministry of Revenue has so much silver every year. Now Bai Gao is in internal chaos and Northern Liao is in turmoil!"

"And when have those two countries, Bai Gao and Northern Liao, not sent troops to intimidate our Great Zhou after their turmoil calmed down? If the silver isn't used to train soldiers and wait for the opportunity, is it meant to be kept as annual tribute?"

Hearing Xu Zaijing's words,

everyone fell silent. Some of the noble and scholar teenagers showed thoughtful expressions.

Thinking of the Great Zhou horse-raising land being besieged before, wasn't that the Bai Gao Kingdom wanting to intimidate them!

Of course, there were also those who treated it as wind in their ears. What's the point of thinking about this compared to the fun of riding horses?

Just at this time,

a servant came to Liang Han and said, "Young Master, the route is ready!"

Liang Han shouted excitedly upon hearing this, "Brothers, today we'll see who returns here first! Hya!"

Saying this, Liang Liu Lang tightened his reins and rode out.

Saying it was around Bianjing, naturally, it wasn't under the city walls.

The prosperous Bianjing city also had many residents on the outskirts.

Today, these teenagers weren't slow, so naturally, they wouldn't go to such residential areas of commoners.

Seeing Liang Han take the lead, many people whipped their horses to accelerate, wanting to compete with Liang Han.

Xu Zaijing, Zheng Xiao, and the Zhang brothers followed in the horse team without being too prominent.

Passing the horizontal bridge outside the Wansheng Gate, the Li Ju horse Xu Zaijing was riding seemed to have warmed up, and its speed began to increase slowly.

Just as they were about to reach the Jinyao Gate near the northwest corner of Bianjing, only the sons of the Zhang, Gu, and Zheng families could keep up behind Xu Zaijing.

Gu Tingye, while whipping his horse, shouted loudly:

"Giddyup!"

"Giddyup! Hya!"

Gu Tingye, who had increased his horse's speed, soon caught up to Xu Zaijing.

He took off his cold-proof mask and looked sideways at Xu Zaijing, who was riding on the back of the Li Ju horse, perfectly integrated with the horse's running rhythm, with a competitive spirit.

Xu Zaijing lay on the horse's back, trying to minimize his "wind resistance," but he didn't shout or whip his horse like Gu Tingye, relying entirely on the tacit understanding between himself and the Li Ju horse.

The cyan-white headband on his head was blown by the wind, making a rustling sound. Xu Zaijing took off the mask on his nose, smiled at Gu Tingye, and then gently patted the root of the Li Ju horse's neck.

The Li Ju horse understood the meaning and accelerated its running frequency again. Soon, Gu Tingye could only look at Xu Zaijing's back.

Bypassing the northwest corner of Bianjing city,

on the official road one mile away from the Ansue Gate,

Xu Zaijing looked at the empty space behind him, then relaxed his legs. Feeling Xu Zaijing's movement, the Li Ju horse consciously slowed down its running frequency.

After running for a while, a sound of shouting and whipping horses suddenly came from behind Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing thought it was one of the sons who had caught up. He looked back and saw a courier carrying a flag, riding a fine horse that was about to vomit white foam.

Seeing this scene, Xu Zaijing hurriedly pulled his mount gently, slowed down, and ran on the side of the road, giving the courier the main road to run on.

After letting him pass, Xu Zaijing continued to let the Li Ju horse accelerate.

This action also allowed the few people chasing behind him to see his back.

Xu Zaijing hadn't run far on horseback when he saw the horse that had just passed was already lying on the ground in the middle of the road. On the road surface, there was a small deep pit the size of a bowl,

and the knight not far away had already been thrown firmly to the ground, not knowing how he was.

Xu Zaijing hurriedly stopped the Li Ju horse, dismounted, and came to the courier's side. Ignoring everything else, he hurriedly checked his condition. The thrown courier was already unconscious. Xu Zaijing looked at the golden flag on his body and the sealed bamboo tube on his back, knowing this was an eight-hundred-li urgent military report.

Thinking of this, Xu Zaijing carried the person to the side and took the things off his body.

Just as Xu Zaijing was about to leave, his wrist was held tightly. It turned out the courier had woken up.

"Bai Gao... eight hundred li... urgent... report."

"I know! I'll go deliver it."

"Who are you, whose family?"

"The Marquis of Yongyi's family."

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, he mounted his horse, held the golden urgent order flag, looked at the courier who had fainted again and the few people who had already caught up to him, waved his hand, and then shouted for the first time:

"Hya!"

The Li Ju horse suddenly shot out.

The few noble children behind him looked at Xu Zaijing, who was holding the flag and galloping toward Bianjing city in the south at an unprecedented speed, all with puzzled looks.

Arriving close, they saw the courier and the horse lying on the ground.

Gu Tingye looked at the courier on the ground and the departing Xu Zaijing, looked at the sons of the Zhang and Zheng families, and said, "Then, are we still going around?"

"Go around what? Zheng Xiao, you go into the city to report to the officials! Go find a physician to save the person! Tingye, you go block them, don't let anyone mess up the traces here! If anyone wants to come and see, walk over!"

Zhang Fangsong had already arrived at the courier's side when he spoke.

Zheng Xiao and Gu Tingye exchanged a look, understanding the crux of the matter:

This fallen courier, who could say for sure that it wasn't Xu Zaijing who hit him or that a scrape didn't occur?

The two acted quickly.

Delayed by this time, the others who were riding horses caught up. After being blocked by Gu Tingye, they all walked to this place along the road, looking at the horse and courier lying on the ground,

they looked at each other, looking at this scene.

Liang Han said with some fear, "Third Brother Zhang, we didn't cause trouble, did we?"

Zhang Fangsong looked at the unconscious courier and said, "Cause trouble? We didn't cause trouble! What caused trouble was that."

Saying this, Zhang Fangsong pointed to the pit on the road.

Bianjing North Gate

On the city wall, watching Xu Zaijing galloping rapidly, the soldiers at the city gate hurriedly maintained order.

"Eight-hundred-li urgent report from the Western Army, the courier fell and is unconscious! Make way! Save the person!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing's dignified and valuable clothes, his tall and extraordinary mount, and the flag in his hand,

the soldiers at the city gate hurriedly maintained order.

Soon, Xu Zaijing entered the city.

Shouting all the way made his throat a bit smoky, but he had to continue.

After he turned onto Suanzao Gate Street, he went south all the way,

passed Tianbo Gate Street, and after riding east, Xu Zaijing finally arrived at the Gongchen Gate to the north of the Imperial Palace.

The imperial guards on the palace wall looked at Xu Zaijing, who was holding the order flag and letter tube under the city gate, all with surprised looks.

Inside the palace hall,

the Emperor, who was entertaining the ministers of the court, sat on the dragon throne.

Listening to the eunuch's words, he looked at the letter in his hand, his gaze fixed.

This eight-hundred-li urgent letter naturally spoke of the Bai Gao royal family and the Liang family.

Looking at the names of the families slaughtered by the Liang family in the letter, the Emperor had no joy on his face.

"Go, call them all inside."

Watching the eunuch go to call people,

the Emperor looked at the passage in his hand, "Being able to send this urgent letter without fear of trouble, the Empress didn't spoil him in vain."

After speaking, the Emperor stood up and walked toward the inner hall.

When the Great Zhou ministers understood everything, not only the Emperor, but their expressions also became solemn.

"Your Majesty, we knew about the internal chaos in Bai Gao before, but we never expected it to be so severe. For our Great Zhou, it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Your Majesty, this news was released by the Northern Liao Kingdom. Although it is beneficial to our Great Zhou, isn't it also Northern Liao's scheme to divert the disaster to the west?"

Listening to the words of the high ministers in the court, the Emperor nodded.

In fact, a large part of the reason Northern Liao released this information about Bai Gao was that Northern Liao had to focus on dealing with the Jin Kingdom of the Heishui Jurchen, their heart-and-flesh trouble.

The hint in giving the news to Great Zhou was: Bai Gao is in internal chaos and the powerful are killing each other; it's a soft persimmon. You squeeze it, don't come and mess with me.

The discussion and suggestions of the Great Zhou high officials lasted for an hour.

After it ended,

the Emperor pondered and said:

"In that case, Marquis of Jinghai?"

"Your subject is here."

"Wait a moment, you and the Physician of the Ministry of War's Treasury Department stay! Let the navy of the Jingdong East Road help the Jin Kingdom, so they won't be crushed by Northern Liao all at once."

"Your Majesty, are we helping them for free?"

"Exchange it for things."

"Your subject, obeys the decree."

"Minister of Rites?"

"Your subject is here."

"Call the Northern Liao envoy, and we will discuss with Northern Liao the matter of jointly attacking the Bai Gao Kingdom."

"Obey the decree."

"Duke of Ying, Marquis Xu."

"Your subject is here."

"Tomorrow, let your young sons accompany the Northern Liao envoy to shoot arrows in the South Imperial Garden."

By the afternoon, the Bianjing government office had sent the detailed investigation results to the palace and the Ministry of War, and the government office responsible for the repair and maintenance of Great Zhou roads was reprimanded.

In the evening,

the Emperor looked at the words spoken by Fourth Brother Chen and Xu Zaijing in his hand and smiled slightly:

"If you can say such words, then let our Great Zhou be prepared."

"Someone, draft a decree."

The next day,

Xu Zaijing and Fourth Brother Zhang went to the South Imperial Garden, located east of Nanxun Gate in the southernmost part of Bianjing, which was called Yujin Garden by the people of Bianjing.

The Northern Liao envoy shot at the target with a crossbow.

In the past, the center of the target would be painted red, but today, the center of the target placed in the South Imperial Garden was painted white.

The Northern Liao envoy laughed heartily upon seeing this scene, and then hit the target with one arrow.

Zhang Fangling also followed by drawing his bow and shooting an arrow, hitting the target.

Xu Zaijing shot the bullseye with immense ease, winning cheers from the watching commoners.

By the fourth day, the Northern Liao envoy left Bianjing with an excited mood.

Xu Zaijing, who finally had some peace, finished the last few questions of his lessons on the fifth day.

Taking advantage of the time before the Lantern Festival, Xu Zaijing sent invitations to the third son of the Duke of Ying, Zheng Xiao of General Zheng's family, and the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, inviting them to a banquet on the third floor of Pan Tower.

Before, Xu Zaijing only thought about delivering the letter as quickly as possible and indeed ignored the trouble that existed.

Since people helped him, he certainly had to thank them.

When a few people were drinking with their respective servants and maids, listening to the noise outside the room, Zhique went out to listen for news and soon returned, saying:

"Young Master, it's the young master of the Huyan family, who is drinking with several young masters from noble families."

"Is the eleventh brother there?"

"No, it's the young master of the Huyan family's main branch."

After listening to Zhique's reply, the few looked at the lantern festival lanterns being constructed in the distance and raised their wine glasses again.

"By the way, Brother Ye, are your lessons settled?"

Gu Tingye stopped his wine glass and said, "Uh, I'm doing it. There are still seven or eight days, no rush!"

In the blink of an eye,

seven or eight days had passed,

and it was another Lantern Festival.

In the afternoon of that day,

Gu Tingye, looking at Gu Tingye in the study who was holding his lessons and casting pleading looks at him, shook his head and said:

"Little Two, no rush. There are still seven or eight hours before Master Zhuang starts class."

"Big Brother..."

"Husband, Mother said let's go see the lanterns..."

Hearing Pingmei's voice, Gu Tingye looked at Pingmei, who walked in, with teary eyes, "Sister-in-law, save me."

Gu Tingye stood up, shook his head, took the lessons from Gu Tingye's hand, looked at them for a few moments, and said to Pingmei, "Wait for me for a quarter of an hour."

"After I finish breaking it down for you, the rest depends on yourself."

"Thank you, Big Brother!"

When Gu Tingye was frantically supplementing his lessons, the sky darkened.

At this time,

the young ladies of the Sheng family in Jiying Lane had already put on their cloaks early, wearing large, furry, cute earmuffs, and got into the carriage with Sheng Hong and his wife.

When the Sheng family and their servants and maids arrived outside Xuande Tower, this place was already packed by the people of Bianjing.

The commoners outside could no longer get close to Xuande Tower, and naturally, they couldn't see the Emperor who was about to appear on the tower.

Looking at the huge lanterns, Rulan said blankly:

"So what Cousin Xu said was true. The lanterns are really as tall as the palace walls."

The two Lans of the Sheng family beside her nodded repeatedly.

"So spectacular!"

Since they couldn't see the holy face, they could only admire the lanterns.

Just at this time, the Sheng family young ladies suddenly heard a shout like a mountain-shouting sea erupting from the crowd near Xuande Gate:

"Long live the Emperor!"

People in front were saying to the back from time to time: The Emperor has appeared on Xuande Tower to enjoy the festival with the people!

"I really envy them. I don't have much chance to see the Emperor in my life."

Rulan said with great emotion.

Mo Lan beside her took a deep breath, straightened her back, and looked toward Xuande Tower!

Minglan looked at the lanterns with great joy, watching carefully, as if she wanted to remember the details of these lanterns so she could tell someone later.

At this time, there was another shout outside Xuande Tower:

"Golden peace to His Highness!"

"Ten thousand peace to His Highness!"

Soon, words passed from mouth to mouth came from the side of the palace. It turned out that the only son of the current Great Zhou Emperor had been held in the Emperor's arms and appeared in front of everyone for the first time.

"Let's go."

Sheng Hong said with great self-satisfaction.

You know, he could see the Emperor's holy face when he went to court.

After strolling for an hour, the Sheng family young ladies and young men all had quite a few delicious things in their hands.

Arriving at a stall where the lanterns were made very exquisitely and elegantly, Mo Lan's eyes suddenly widened, and she whispered, "Brother Qi Heng?"

Hearing Mo Lan's voice, the young man who was picking out lanterns at the lantern stall turned his head. It was Qi Heng, accompanied by Buwei and five or six strong servants from the Duke's mansion. The couple not far away also looked over; naturally, it was the Duke and Duchess of Qi.

"Duke."

"Master Sheng."

The two couples greeted each other.

"Sisters, which lantern do you think is good? I'll treat today."

"Brother Qi Heng, I want that cricket one."

"Brother Qi Heng, I want that one with poetry written on it."

Listening to Rulan and Mo Lan, Qi Heng smiled and looked at Minglan.

Minglan squatted and saluted, then waved her hand, "Little Duke, I don't want one, I'm afraid of fire."

Qi Heng was stunned. He rarely encountered a situation where someone didn't want a gift.

Subsequently, he looked at Minglan. Minglan's eyes didn't have the fawning look he was most used to.

Then he smiled and thought to himself, why hadn't he noticed this Sixth Sister before?

Just as he was thinking, an incomparably exquisite lantern dotted with several large, lifelike flowers was placed in front of Minglan.

Minglan turned her head in surprise, only to see Hualan looking at her happily, and behind Hualan was a large group of Xu family members...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 213 =====