Chapter 629: Opinions differ and the mystery is revealed [Bowing in thanks! Bowing again!]

In the blink of an eye,

A few days had passed since the Dragon Boat Festival,

Bianjing was the most prosperous place in the dynasty, with nobles like clouds and high officials everywhere.

Among the high-ranking families, all kinds of relationships were intertwined.

With relatives and old friends communicating and passing news, the sudden change in Northern Liao thousands of li away spread throughout the capital at an extremely fast speed.

Even in the private rooms of some restaurants in the city, people gradually began to discuss this matter.

However, why the Mongol tribes wanted to have a bloody conflict with the Lu Long Zhao family was a matter of differing opinions.

This afternoon,

The sky was still bright,

Xu Zaijing and the others had already finished school,

As soon as everyone walked out of the Sheng family's main gate, Xu Zaijing saw the servant Diaoche by Liang Han's side, holding a horse and waiting not far from the main gate.

After seeing Xu Zaijing and the others, Diaoche immediately greeted them with a smile and cupped his hands: "Young Masters, my Sixth Young Master said that on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, he was slow and impolite! So today he ordered this humble one to invite you Young Masters to Yuxian Restaurant for a chat."

Gu Tingye, riding on his horse, frowned and said: "Yuxian Restaurant? Why is the Sixth Young Master so generous today?"

Qi Heng on the side lifted the carriage curtain, looked at Diaoche beside the carriage, and echoed: "Brother Han, since he knows he was slow to us, why did he send you, a servant, to invite us today? Where is he?"

Diaoche hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands with a smile: "Second Young Master, Little Duke, please calm your anger; my Young Master was surrounded by several young masters just because he said a word about the reason for the Northern Liao matter, and he really couldn't get away."

Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and Zaizhang looked at each other in surprise: "What? The Sixth Young Master found out about this too?"

"Go, go! Let's go listen quickly," Gu Tingye urged with some impatience.

Zaizhang, by Xu Zaijing's side, also rarely let his personal guard go back to Quyuanjie to tell Sun Shi and Hualan that he would be home late today.

Everyone got into their carriages and horses and walked toward the entrance of Jiying Lane.

Not far after leaving Jiying Lane, a sound of hooves came from behind them.

After just one glance,

"Whoa!"

Xu Zaijing reined in the little Li horse he was riding.

"What's wrong, Little Five?" Zaizhang asked with concern, looking back.

Xu Zaijing replied: "Brother, I think that rider behind us looks like the servant who accompanied Fourth Sister to the Huyan family as part of her dowry."

"Hm?"

Zaizhang looked back and then reined in his mount as well.

"Brother, you go ahead with Second Young Master and the others! If there's really something, I'll have Qingyun find you."

Watching Zaizhang's hesitant look, Xu Zaijing continued: "Once you get the exact news about the Northern Liao conflict, send someone to Chunming Ward to tell me and Sister."

Zaizhang shook his head: "Let's wait for that servant to come over and hear what he has to say."

After speaking, Zaizhang waved at Gu Tingye and the others: "You go first!"

During the time they were talking,

The servant had already arrived nearby,

Looking at the Xu brothers waiting on horseback, he cupped his hands with a smile on horseback: "I have seen Zhang Zhang Sanlang, Fifth Young Master! The Matriarch ordered this humble one to invite Fifth Young Master to Chunming Ward."

Zaizhang asked with concern: "Is there something wrong?"

The servant shook his head: "Returning to Zhang Zhang Sanlang, the Matriarch didn't say."

Xu Zaijing's eyes rolled, and he guessed: "Brother, maybe it's something about the colt sent to the Huyan family."

Zaizhang thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright, Little Five, you go take a look! If there's time, come to Yuxian Restaurant to listen as well."

"Understood, Brother."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing turned his horse's head, led Qingyun and the carriage with the maid, and hurried toward Chunming Ward with the servant.

Chunming Ward,

A carriage with a wooden sign reading "Tan" was driving on the street.

"Giddyup!"

The shouting of the driver came from outside the carriage.

Madam Qin, the second wife of the Fourth Branch of the Tan family, sitting in the carriage, held her daughter in one arm and lifted the carriage curtain with the round fan in her other hand.

What came into view were several fine horses running past.

"Ji'an, which family's young master is that?" Madam Qin asked.

Nanny Xiang, who was following beside the carriage, still had her gaze following Qingyun's back as he went away; hearing this, she hurriedly said: "Madam, it's Fifth Young Master Xu taking people over."

"Oh?"

Madam Qin leaned out to look.

Nanny Xiang said: "Perhaps he is going to the Huyan family to visit Eldest Da Niangzi Xu."

"Hm." Madam Qin nodded lightly and put down the carriage curtain.

Entering the Duke of An's mansion,

Returning to her courtyard,

Madam Qin's daughter was led to the side by a maid to play.

Madam Qin spread her hands and let Nanny Xiang help her take off her coat.

Nanny Xiang stood to the side and looked at Madam Qin: "Da Niangzi, the matter Madam of the Marquis's mansion spoke of today, this servant thinks you should still tell the Master."

Madam Qin nodded and said: "I'm just asking for an official position for my nephew; what is there that I can't say!"

After a cold laugh, Madam Qin continued: "I'm just afraid that my nephew won't look down on the military position in the Longwei Army that I asked for."

"Then we have done our best." Nanny Xiang said.

"Hm."

Huyan family courtyard,

In the main hall of the front courtyard,

Xu Zaijing sat in a chair, holding his nephew Huyan Bi in his arms.

Huyan Bi was only a year and a half old now, his eyes very much like Anmei's; although he sat quietly in Xu Zaijing's arms, his eyes were turning non-stop.

Whether it was his grandmother, Madam Pan, speaking, or Anmei speaking, the boy's eyes would always look over, as if he understood.

"After that courier delivered the military report, he came to our house and delivered this letter," Madam Pan said, handing a letter to the personal nanny beside her.

After the nanny took the letter, she sent it to Xu Zaijing's hand.

When Xu Zaijing was reading the letter, Huyan Bi craned his little head to look at the letter paper, and one hand even wanted to pull at it a few times, but Xu Zaijing dodged it by raising the letter paper.

Subsequently, Xu Zaijing held his nephew with one hand and read the letter with the other.

Being restrained like this, the child Huyan Bi didn't cry or make a fuss.

Anmei and her mother-in-law, Madam Pan, looked at each other and said softly: "When his little uncle doesn't come, he is like a little bully at home. Now that his little uncle is here, he is as honest as can be."

Madam Pan, who was on the side, looked at her little grandson's appearance and shook her head with a smile.

Xu Zaijing, who heard this, looked up and smiled, then continued to read the contents of the letter at a glance.

After reading, Xu Zaijing sighed with some desolation: "Before on the polo field, seeing that Zhao Weigan, he was still a noble disciple of Northern Liao; hearing the news again, he is actually in such a situation."

Madam Pan and Anmei in the hall also nodded repeatedly with emotion.

According to the letter, the Lu Long Zhao family, a family of Northern Liao generals, had more than 600 clansmen before, but they were actually slaughtered until only a few dozen people on that ship remained.

And the reason for the slaughter, after the Great Zhou Emperor and the important ministers in the court know about it, there will surely be quite a stir again.

Subsequently, Xu Zaijing asked Madam Pan and his sister about the recent situation of his brother-in-law, Huyan Jiong.

After teasing his nephew for a while, he prepared to stand up and say goodbye.

When walking out, Xu Zaijing looked at Madam Pan's expression and said while walking: "Aunt, don't worry, the Imperial City Division and the Military Strategy Division don't know about these things yet, and this little one won't say anything more."

Madam Pan heard this and nodded with a smile: "The Master really didn't misjudge the person."

Xu Zaijing smiled.

Arriving at the second gate, watching Xu Zaijing mount his horse, Anmei waved Huyan Bi's little arm and said: "Bi'er, wish Little Uncle a smooth journey."

After leaving the Huyan family's main gate,

Qingyun looked at Xu Zaijing, who had a serious expression, and said: "Young Master, are we still going to Yuxian Restaurant?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Go, let's listen to what the Sixth Young Master has to say."

The sun was setting in the west,

The sky was gradually darkening,

In the capital, lanterns were hung up sporadically in some places.

Inner city,

On Yuxian Restaurant near Zhou Bridge,

"Fifth Young Master is here!"

Diaoche at the door pushed open the door of the private room while shouting loudly to pass the word.

Xu Zaijing stepped in, while Qingyun stayed outside the door with Diaoche.

"Fifth Young Master, why are you so late today?"

"Jing Ge'er, long time no see."

"I have seen Fifth Young Master."

"Fifth Young Master, why do you look like you've grown taller again?"

Looking at the group of young masters from noble and meritorious families in the private room, dressed in bright clothes, holding fans and carrying swords, Xu Zaijing hurriedly cupped his hands with a smile.

"I have seen Brother Pei! I had something to attend to in Chunming Ward just now."

Hearing this, the disciple of the Duke of Xin, Pei family, said: "If there is anything you need help with, Fifth Young Master, just say the word."

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile: "Of course."

"Brother Chaojie, long time no see; your demeanor looks even better than before."

The Hai family disciple, Hai Chaojie, shook his head with a smile and pointed at Xu Zaijing with the folding fan in his hand: "Fifth Young Master, this sentence should be said to you."

Xu Zaijing smiled and covered his face: "I dare not accept! I dare not accept!"

"Hahaha!" Watching Xu Zaijing's exaggerated appearance, everyone in the room laughed.

"Herui, you look full of spirit; you're living quite comfortably."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing raised his eyebrows at Shen Herui with an expression that all men understand.

Shen Herui hammered Xu Zaijing's shoulder with some annoyance.

Everyone laughed again.

Zaizhang's good friend, Lu Zhang, stood to the side and said to Zaizhang: "Zhang Zhang Sanlang, I really envy your younger brother's popularity."

Zaizhang smiled: "I envy it too!"

After everyone sat down with a smile, Xu Zaijing looked at Liang Han and said: "Sixth Young Master, everyone says you know the truth about Northern Liao; why don't you tell us again?"

Liang Han scratched his head with some embarrassment, looked around, and said: "Jing Ge'er, I only heard rumors, and I don't know if they are true or false."

Facing everyone's gaze, Liang Han continued: "It is said that the Mongol tribes wanted to marry into several Northern Liao noble families, and the noble of the largest Zhadalan tribe requested to marry a daughter of the Lu Long Zhao family."

"Just as they were about to get married, I don't know how, but rumors spread that the noble daughter of the Lu Long Zhao family had been captured by the Jin Kingdom and had already lost her purity."

"The Zhadalan tribe felt deceived and insulted, which is why they had a conflict with the Lu Long Zhao family."

After Liang Han finished speaking, the Pei family disciple shook his head and said: "Sixth Young Master, those northern tribes of Northern Liao are barbaric, ignorant, and rude, often having customs that go against human ethics, such as a son marrying his mother after his father dies, or a brother marrying his sister-in-law after his brother dies."

"The northern tribes marrying into Northern Liao noble families are marrying the status of the Lu Long Zhao family's daughter, not the purity of the Lu Long Zhao family's noble daughter. I think this news is not quite right."

Xu Zaijing nodded in agreement with others on the side: "Brother Pei is right."

Hai Chaojie on the other side said: "Jing Ge'er, I heard that there was an urgent report from the Jingdong East Circuit sent to the palace today; I think we will know something in the next two days."

Hearing this, Zaizhang looked at Xu Zaijing.

After Xu Zaijing nodded at his elder brother, he said: "I won't hide it from everyone; I just went to my brother-in-law Huyan's family just now."

Gu Tingye said urgently: "Jing Ge'er, did you get any news?"

Everyone in the private room looked at Xu Zaijing one after another.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Some! As Brother Chaojie said, we will know in two days."

Liang Han said with an anxious look: "Jing Ge'er, you... say at least something."

Xu Zaijing looked at the appearance of everyone in the private room, deliberated for a moment, and said: "It is said that Zhao Weigan of the Northern Liao Zhao family is already on his way to the capital."

As soon as these words were spoken,

Everyone in the private room showed surprise.

Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

Inner court,

The palace where the Emperor handles government affairs was brightly lit.

Important civil and military ministers of the court,

Some sitting on embroidered stools, some standing to the side, although their postures were different, all had thoughtful expressions.

"Your Majesty, His Highness is here."

The great eunuch said softly beside the Emperor.

"Hm, let him sit beside me," the Emperor said.

A moment later, Zhao Fang brought people into the palace.

First bowing to the important ministers in the palace, Zhao Fang walked toward the Emperor.

The important ministers of the court bowed and returned the salute one after another.

Zhao Fang sat beside the Emperor and said softly: "Father, what's wrong?"

The Emperor picked up a report from the imperial desk and handed it to Zhao Fang: "Fang'er, see for yourself."

After Zhao Fang agreed, he took the report with both hands and read it.

Just after reading for a while, Zhao Fang's brow furrowed.

On the way back to Quyuanjie,

Although the sky was dark,

On the streets of Bianjing, there were still many passersby and commoners playing and busy.

Looking at the Xu family's carriage and horses on the road, curious gazes looked over from time to time.

The reason was none other than the maid Huaxiang, who was carefully riding on the back of the tall and spirited little Li horse.

A beautiful girl in decent clothes and a spirited horse with luxurious saddle and bridle were rarely seen on the street.

When they got closer, they saw that the reins of the little Li horse were being held in Qingyun's hand at this time.

In the carriage,

Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang sat opposite each other,

Xu Zaijing said: "Brother, according to the letter from Uncle Huyan, Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom are actually secretly negotiating peace."

"What!!? Negotiating peace?" Zaizhang said with a look of surprise, trying his best to lower his voice.

Xu Zaijing nodded heavily: "Entrusted by the Northern Liao imperial family, the one leading the peace negotiations is the Lu Long Zhao family."

Zaizhang pondered for a moment, nodded, and said in a low voice: "It's actually not the Liu family or the Ma family of the Northern Liao civil official families! However, Lu Long is closest to the front line between Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom, and the Zhao family has been generals for generations, with deep roots in the Northern Liao army; it makes sense for them to lead the peace negotiations."

Zaizhang added: "Then, how could the Lu Long Zhao family have a conflict with the Mongol tribes?"

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath and smiled in a low voice: "Brother, do you know what the Northern Liao imperial clan promised the Mongol tribes in order to let them fight for Northern Liao?"

Zaizhang: "I know, it's quite a few grazing pastures within Northern Liao; I heard those pastures are quite good..."

"Hiss!"

Zaizhang's eyes lit up, and he gasped: "Little Five, you mean..."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Brother, you thought very correctly! Now, the ones who least want Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom to negotiate peace are the Mongol tribes! If the two countries negotiate peace, the Mongol tribes will have to return to their own grazing lands!"

"The pastures there are not as good as these pastures in Northern Liao that have been managed for many years; what's more, after the Mongol tribes go back in the future, they will continue to be driven by Northern Liao, and what they will face will not be the Jin Kingdom army that once fought to a draw..."

Zaizhang continued: "But the brave soldiers of the Western Army of our dynasty, who destroyed the strong country of Bai Gao like a butcher dismembering an ox."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "The Mongol tribes dare not draw their blades against the Northern Liao imperial clan, so the Lu Long Zhao family 'suffered on their behalf'..."

"Little Five, to be able to make the Mongol tribes express their intentions so violently, the things expressed behind it are many," Zaizhang said.

Xu Zaijing: "Hm, according to what Zhao Weigan said, the peace negotiations between the two countries are going very smoothly... The Jin Kingdom also wants to drive the wolf and swallow the tiger, letting Northern Liao go to the west to touch our dynasty's Western Army!"

What Xu Zaijing didn't say was that he had also used his connections to ask the Imperial City Division before. If they hadn't hidden it from him, then it meant that the Imperial City Division hadn't found out any news before this either.

In this way, the methods of that group of military nobles in the Jin Kingdom must be taken seriously by everyone in the Imperial City Division.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 630 =====