Harue Kagetsu

Danyang County City is located in the south of the imperial city Jiankang, and the distance between the two places is less than a hundred miles. Although the city is small, it has all the internal organs. As the southern guard of Jiankang Imperial City, there are soldiers stationed on weekdays. In addition, there are important people from Jiankang who walk around from time to time. The news of the people here has always been better than other places.

At the beginning of April this year, on this day, the city gate of Danyang County opened wide, and the bustling around the city gate was comparable to a market. The people crowded on the roads on both sides of the city gate early, looking up into the distance to the south, while discussing enthusiastically.

A few days ago, news came that the rebellion of King Linchuan, which had lasted for more than half a year, was finally quelled. In the last battle, King Linchuan was defeated and was forced to retreat to the city. After the city gate was breached, King Linchuan fled on horseback. The arrow fell from the horse and the chasing soldiers surrounded him and stabbed him to death with random swords. The rest of the rebels were also killed. The Ganshui River Basin, which has been turbulent for more than half a year, has finally regained its tranquility.

People in Jiangnan, now everyone knows that the situation in Jiangbei is tense, the enemy is strong and we are weak, and war may break out at any time. Those idle people sitting in the tea shop and wine shop in Danyang County, the most talked about is how cruel Jiehu is. According to people who escaped from the north in the past, red hair and fangs are like a ghost, and eating human flesh is even more commonplace. Talking too much will make everyone feel at risk. Even children cry at night, and their parents will use Hu people to scare them. When it comes to the Gao family who is now recruiting troops to prepare for battle in Guangling, Jiangbei, everyone praises him. When it comes to King Linchuan who rebelled while the chaos, all of them gritted their teeth. After all, the fortune of the country is already difficult. If the rebellion of King Linchuan will make it worse, the court will be unable to deal with Jiangbei. If Jie Li really crosses the Jiangnan, it will still be the common people who suffer. So when they heard the news, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Today, the uncle Xu Situ led the army to Danyang, and Gao Xianggong will also come from Jiankang to welcome the soldiers of meritorious service in person.

Such an opportunity is rarely seen on weekdays, and people have come here early to wait, in addition to admiring the military might, they also want to see the demeanor of the legendary Prime Minister Dayu with their own eyes.

As the sun gradually rose, there was a sudden commotion near the city gate. Everyone looked up and saw that on the tower above the city wall, in addition to the previous row of armored soldiers with halberds in their hands, there were more soldiers at the moment. A few figures appeared, all of which looked like court officials.

In the middle is a middle-aged man, wearing a black crown of Jinxian, dressed in a red gauze official uniform. Lightly fluttering, standing there, Yuan Ting Yue Zhi, not angry and arrogant.

"Gao Xianggong is here!"

Someone on the road exclaimed.

One pass ten, ten pass a hundred, and soon, everyone will know that the middle-aged man who just ascended to the top of the city is the prime minister of the famous Gao family. Sure enough, his reputation lived up to his reputation, his demeanor was detached, and the crowd was immediately excited, and passers-by rushed over, wanting to get closer to see more clearly.

Under the city gate, there was a commotion.

"The army is here! The army is here!"

At this moment, on the road opposite the city gate, a few people came running, shouting loudly.

The crowd became more and more excited, and they turned back one after another, scrambling to look around. Sure enough, after a short while, at the end of the road in the distance, the shadow of a team slowly appeared, and the flag was flying in front.

It was the country's uncle Xu Mi, who led the army of soldiers who had done a great job in countering the rebellion to arrive.

Amidst the cheers, Gao Qiao's face showed a happy expression, and he quickly descended from the city head, left his horse on foot, walked out of the city gate, and hurriedly greeted the army that was approaching on the opposite road.

At the center of the team's arrival was a steed Huang Pyu. On the top was a man with a yellow beard in full drapery. On both sides, he followed the soldiers and lieutenants. The guards of honor were complete, and the gods were majestic. He came all the way and saw the people welcome them, with a faint look in his eyes.

He saw Gao Qiao led a group of Jiankang officials on foot to meet him from a distance, but he deliberately slowed down the horse's speed, and when the two sides were only a few feet apart, he passed the horse. Qiao was about to bow down: "Jingshen entrusted my nephew to me, but I took the trust and almost broke my nephew! It's all my fault! If my nephew loses, I will die, and I can't forgive him. blame!"

How could Gao Qiao ask him to worship him? With laughter, he stepped forward and lifted the man up.

"Brother Xu, why did you say this? Life and death are beyond the control of human beings, let alone in a fierce battle? It's my fault that I didn't think carefully about Brother Xu. When Brother Xu was exhausted in fighting the rebellion, he still wanted to be distracted by my dull nephew. It puts Brother Xu in a dilemma! I am ashamed!"

The man with the yellow beard was Xu Mi, who was born in the Xu clan, one of the three major overseas Chinese clans, and the eldest brother of the current Empress Xu.

"The depth of field is not strange, it is my great luck!"

Xu Mi held Gao Qiao's hand and was extremely affectionate.

A few generals with the army near him, except for a man with a black face and beard, the rest are from aristocratic families, all know Gao Qiao, and they dismounted one after another to greet him.

Gao Qiao was in a happy mood and comforted them one by one.

The onlookers could not hear what was said. From a distance, they could only see Gao Xianggong and Xu Guojie chatting and laughing hand in hand and making peace with each other. The crowd was excited, and the roadside cheered again.

After Gao Qiao finished his condolences, after all, he still had that thing in his mind, and said, "My stupid nephew, who was lucky enough to come back this time, I heard that he was rescued by a man named Li Mu in your army in front of the battle. This man is today. Can you come back with the army?"

Xu Mi smiled and said, "Naturally!" She looked at the black-faced strong man beside her.

The strong man had heard the name of Gao Qiao long ago, but it was the first time he saw his true face. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Gao Qiao.

"Yang Xuan, the last commander, has seen the minister. Li Munai is the commander of another Sima. The last commander will call him to see the minister!" Said and hurried away.

Gao Qiao looked forward. After a while, seeing Yang Xuan lead a person back, the soldiers nearby, all looking at the person with admiration, took the initiative to give way, knowing that the person should be Li Mu.

He stared at it, and couldn't help feeling a little surprised.

In the army, the other Sima, although only a low-level military attache of the fifth rank, often belonged to only a few hundred private soldiers. However, unlike the children of the gentry who joined the military camp, the children of the gentry often obtained the titles of the fourth rank or above, such as Fengduwei or even Zhonglang, when they joined the army. It is not an easy task to be a Sima of the five grades of soldiers.

When Gao Qiao led the army in the past, the youngest Sima of other ministries known to him were often in their late thirties.

But the officer who came with Yang Xuan in front of him looked very young, but he was only in his early twenties.

Beside him, there was a boy of fifteen or sixteen years old, with a beautiful face and a handsome face. It was obvious that he was a little boy of high birth, but he was dressed in military armor, with two shoulders, and the wide armor made it even more thin. It was his nephew, Gao Huan, whom he had not seen for more than half a year.

Gao Qiao looked at the young military attache who was approaching, and was surprised at first, but then he thought of the scene where he rescued his nephew single-handedly in front of the battle, and his confusion disappeared.

If there is no extraordinary courage, martial arts, and even murderous aura, how could he break into the enemy's line by himself and swept all directions when the two sides face each other in front of the formation?

With such extraordinary ability, it is only natural to be promoted to the post of Sima of other ministries at the age of his early twenties.

"uncle!"

Gao Huan was elated all the way, and when he came over, he was talking to the young military officer beside him from time to time. On the other hand, the military officer seemed a little silent and didn't answer much. He doesn't care either. Suddenly seeing Gao Qiao, his eyes lit up and he came running. When he got closer, he saw him staring at him coldly, without a word, a little embarrassed, he slowly lowered his head, stood aside, and said nothing.

Yang Xuan led people to the front.

The young military attache saluted Gao Qiao, knelt down on one knee, and said calmly, "Besides Sima Li Mu, meet the minister!"

Gao Qiao had a smile on his face, looked at him, said no salute, then stepped forward, helped him to get up in person, and said with a smile, "You entered the enemy's formation alone in front of the formation and saved my nephew. I am very grateful. I heard that your ancestor is Xuyi Li. Although my Gao family has no deep friendship with your father and grandfather, But your father and grandfather's heroic deeds, I have heard of it in Jiangnan, and I respect it very much."

Gao Qiao praised him so much in public, and in his words, he did not hide his appreciation and love for this young military attache who was a descendant of the Li family.

"Xianggong praises the humble position, and the humble position does not dare to take it. The humble position also thanked the husband on behalf of the first respect."

The post of Sima of the other department was several grades away from the lowest-ranked official, Zhonglang General, so this young military attache called himself an inferior position in front of Gao Qiao.

His remarks seem to be flat, but they are dark but very particular.

Qianci Gao Qiao praised himself, but he showed great respect for the affairs of his father and grandfather and did not bury it.

Anyone with a clear ear can perceive it.

Gao Qiao admired it even more, nodded and said, "You are Xu Situ's person, and the promotion of military rank is all due to Situ. With your ability, I will not add too much to Situ's insight. What kind of reward do you want, just tell me!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Xu Mi who was beside him: "Brother Xu, Li Mu has a great favor to my Gao Clan. I will reward you a little bit. You won't blame me for stealing your limelight, right?"

Xu Mi laughed loudly: "How dare you? Brother Yu is fortunate to have such a capable person under the account, so today I can meet you in person."

He turned to Li Mu: "The chancellor is so rare for you to speak like this. What kind of reward do you want, just speak!"

The surroundings became quiet, and countless envious eyes turned to the young military attache named Li Mu.

"I have nothing to ask for now, thank you for your kindness."

The young military officer replied.

Everyone around was surprised.

Yang Xuan was a little anxious, and quietly winked at him from the side.

Not only Yang Xuan, but Gao Huan was also puzzled. He seemed to be unable to help but open his mouth. He glanced at his uncle and closed his mouth again, but his eyes showed confusion.

Li Mu seemed to be completely unaware, his expression as usual.

Gao Qiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "As far as merits and deeds are concerned, this is the rule in the military, otherwise, why would you inspire soldiers to forge ahead? With the merits you have done to me, Gao, no matter what you ask for today, it is for you. You deserve it. I will definitely reward you! If you want anything, just sue me, don't be ashamed to tell me!"

The surroundings fell silent again.

Yang Xuan coughed a few times quickly.

Li Mu was silent for a moment, raised his eyes, and met Gao Qiao's smiling eyes: "The lord is appointed, and the humble position does not dare to refuse. But today, there is no need for the humble position. If the husband is not strange, can you stay and reward him later? In the future, if you want something from a humble position, you will have the courage to ask for it from your husband.”

Gao Qiao was stunned again, then nodded and stroked his beard: "Alright! If you ask for something in the future, just say it!"

Li Mu knelt down on one knee again and gave a solemn salute.

"Thank you, Xianggong, and keep your humble position in mind. If you think of it, you must ask Xianggong, and hope that Xianggong will answer when he arrives."

He said in a deep voice, his tone respectful.

Gao Qiao was in a good mood and laughed loudly: "Naturally! No matter what happens in the future, as long as you open your mouth, I will answer!"