Hanhou

Wei Qing'e looked at Zhao Jia who was opposite, holding hot soup in his hand, and didn't make a sound for a long time.

"Sister?"

"Two boxes of gold?" Putting down the wooden bowl, Wei Qingmo asked.

"Yes." Zhao Jia nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?" The girl frowned.

"It's urgent, and I'm afraid my sister won't agree." Anyway, the matter has been done, so Zhao Jia simply told the truth.

Wei Qing frowned even tighter, and said: "I have changed all the copper coins and silk cloth at home, and there is still corn and wheat? You must have suffered a lot because you changed quickly."

Zhao Jia grinned, and said relaxedly: "Don't worry, sister, I still have half a barn of grain, and the livestock farms and fields are all there. If the money is gone, I can earn more, and there is no delay."

Wei Qingmo sighed, ignoring Zhao Jia's suspicious gaze, got up and walked around the screen, and after a slight sound, walked out with two wooden boxes in her hands.

"Sister?" Looking at the wooden box in front of him, Zhao Jia was even more puzzled.

"The deed of the field house and the key to the warehouse and barn." Wei Qing'er said in a flat tone, seeing Zhao Jia's astonishment, raised his eyebrows, "Why is brother like this?"

"Sister, I have..."

"Two boxes of gold are not a small amount, they are far better than the land in my hands." Wei Qingmo said seriously, "I know you are going to send people out of the fortress, how can you do it without silk in your hands? Replace these with silk, deal with this time first, and wait until Going north again will always double the market return.”

"Sister has so much confidence in me?" Zhao Jia scratched his chin, was stared at by the girl, and quickly put down his hand.He knew it was a bad habit, but he couldn't help it when he was nervous.

"Naturally, when did Ah Duo disappoint me?" Wei Qing'e leaned over with a smile, and put the wooden box into Zhao Jia's arms, "My father still hid some Qin money back then, and my mother didn't know about it. Later, I will let the loyal servant Take it and give it to you to change the silk together."

"Sister, don't stop here."

"As for!" Wei Qing'er said decisively, "I'll take care of this matter. I'm also involved in the matter of going out of the fortress. If my younger brother refuses again, it means seeing me at odds. I'm very sad."

Wei Qingmo wiped the corners of his eyes, but unfortunately there was no tear, but a bright smile instead.

"Okay." Zhao Jia conceded defeat, but only accepted the keys to the barn and warehouse, and pushed the land deed back to Wei Qing'e.

"Brother?"

"These are enough." Zhao Jia took out the keys from the wooden box, and said with a smile, "This trip is mainly to explore the way, and the prefect's mansion will send a team leader to guard, so there is no need to worry about safety, but just in case, the silk you carry will not be too much. many."

The grassland is different from the Han territory. Many tribes have feuds, and they may draw out their knives to cut each other at any time.

If you are unlucky and encounter tribal conflicts, the caravan is likely to suffer disaster, and the red-eyed tribal warriors and herdsmen will be killed together.These barbarians don't care if you are innocent or not. If you meet them, you can kill them together and get a fortune for nothing.

Because of this, the caravan going north will be equipped with a large number of guards, and some even hire desperadoes to buy slaves brought in by Hu merchants, just to deter the grassland tribes and to kill a way out in case of danger.

In addition, bandits wandering in the grassland, escaped slaves and ferocious grassland savages are all potential threats to caravans.Just thinking about it, you know how dangerous the road to the north is.

However, Zhao Jia has decided that this trade route must be opened no matter what.

If in the past it was mainly for making a living and saving the lives of the people in the village, and checking information on the grassland by the way, now, in order to gain military exploits and one day be able to beat the Huns one day, he will make a breakthrough no matter how difficult the road ahead is.

The two sisters and brothers were only focused on talking, and the hot soup in front of them had already turned cold.

Wei Xia and Wei Qiu came in to change the hot soup, and brought me new honey cakes, and then they retreated to the door and sat down quietly.The sun was shining from the corridor, and the girl's complexion was crystal clear, almost transparent.

"Sister needs to go to Yunzhong City to meet the envoy face to face." Zhao Jia put the wooden box aside and mentioned the matter of choice.

"I know." Wei Qing mo nodded, suddenly took off the silver hairpin from her hair, and before Zhao Jia had time to react, she scratched her cheek with the sharp tip, leaving a striking red mark.

Blood oozed from the wound, winding into a red line, across the girl's cheeks, dripping along the chin, soaking the green skirt like a plum blossom in bloom.

"Sister!" Zhao Jiateng stood up, wanted to use his sleeve to stop Wei Qingmo's bleeding, but stopped abruptly, and said to Wei Xia who was by the door, "Get a clean cloth and fetch water!"

The girl walked in a hurry, and after a few breaths, she brought what Zhao Jia wanted.

"Why did sister do this?"

"The Lord's envoy's words are flawed." Wei Qingmo pressed the wound with a fine cloth, waited for the blood to stop flowing, and looked into the water basin with his probe, as if he was very satisfied with the scar.

"Then there's no need to hurt yourself!" Zhao Jia frowned.

"This is the best way." Wei Qingmo wiped off the dried blood on his face with a muslin cloth, "Don't worry, my brother, I didn't scratch deeply, so I can give birth for a while, and it may not leave scars."

"What if there is a scar?"

"It doesn't matter, I want to hire a wife." Wei Qing'er said with a smile.If Zhao Jia hadn't opened up the joints, the new injury would inevitably be seen, and even if he lost the election, it would cause trouble.

Zhao Jia was speechless.

Wei Xia changed a basin of clean water, Wei Qiu sat next to Wei Qingmo, took a closer look, and said softly: "Don't worry, girl, the wound is indeed not deep. The servant knows a few herbs and can also mix powder, so people will not see it." half point."

Wei Qiu has a beautiful appearance and a soft voice, more like a girl from the South than a girl from the North.

"Okay, it's not a big deal. In this way, no matter how serious you are, you won't be able to find anything wrong with it." Wei Qing'e said with a smile.

Zhao Jia opened his mouth, and seeing the girl's relaxed expression and bright smile, she sighed and didn't say anything more.

When it was noon, Zhao Jia was left with food by Wei Qingmo.

Seeing the wound on the girl's face, Mrs. Wei decisively removed the shallots and sauce, and even forbade the girl to eat meat.Wei Qing's objection was ineffective, and he could only watch Zhao Jia eat meat and drink soup, while he bit the steamed cake tastelessly, his gaze was unusually "fierce".

Zhao Jia became playful, deliberately put down his chopsticks, rolled up his sleeves, and grabbed a piece of deliciously roasted lamb ribs to eat.

"Aduo, Li!" Wei Qing'er bit the steamed cake, her voice squeezed out between her teeth.

Zhao Jia swallowed the mutton, drank half a cup of mutton soup, wiped the corners of his mouth and hands with a cloth towel, and said with a smile, "Sister, what did you say?"

Wei Qingmo finally got angry, picked up a wooden spoon and was about to throw it at Zhao Jia.Knowing that Wei Qing'er wouldn't really hit him, Zhao Jia didn't even hide, but stretched his brows and eyes, and laughed.

The girl couldn't hold back, and was also amused.

The two sisters and brothers looked at each other, and they could see the reflection in each other's eyes, as if they had discovered something interesting, and they couldn't help laughing as well.

Wei Xia didn't know why, his face was full of question marks; Wei Qiu half covered his mouth, his eyebrows and eyes were curved.

Attracted by the laughter, Wei Wei coughed when she saw the scene in front of her, "Girl, salute!"

The laughter that was about to stop rose again, and the boy and girl almost burst into tears.When the laughter stopped, it seemed as if all the strength in his body was taken away, and he almost fell on his back on the spot.

"Sister, after the dust settles, it is necessary to cut off the troubles." Zhao Jia whispered.

"I know." Wei Qing'e picked up the steamed pancake again, took a bite, served it with hot soup, "Eat first, and then talk about other things when you are full."

The two sisters and brothers started to eat again, they both had a big appetite, and finished all the steamed cakes and mutton prepared by Mrs. Wei, and there was not even a little pickle left.

Inside the prefect's mansion, Wei Shang put down the bamboo slips sent back by Wei Yue, and took a sip from the lacquer cup.The master book and the five officials came forward to report back, saying that all the good families in the county have been extracted, and those who have registered will enter the city in the near future to choose.

"It's up to the chief envoy to decide, and you don't have to answer me." Wei Shang made up his mind not to interfere, and he didn't even want to ask about the list.

Wuguan still has government affairs, so he took orders to leave soon.

The master book took a step behind and told Wei Shang what Zhao Jia had done.For the big bosses in the county, everything in the city is not a secret.Zhao Jia suddenly exchanged a lot of money for gold, so naturally he couldn't escape the master's eyes.Contact Shu Zuo to reveal the news, and think about it for a while to know what he is for.

"Looks like what Ah Duo did." Wei Shang smiled, not surprised at all, "If you exchange millet and wheat for gold, the house must be empty. When someone from Chang'an sets off, I will order someone to send a car and silk."

"I also have silk at home, which is very colorful, and my wife and daughter don't like it. Mr. Zhao Lang wants to send someone out of the fortress, so he might as well give it as a gift." The master book said.

"You promise that he won't accept it, just say it's a bull in the market."

"This……"

"In exchange, I will keep it in Ah Duo's livestock farm." Wei Taishou smiled, opened the wooden box, took out a piece of caramel, put it in his mouth, and then pushed the wooden box to the master, "Eat the candy."

The master took out a piece very naturally, and bit it together with Wei Taishou.

"Your envoy intends to help Zhao Langjun expand the livestock farm?" The master secretary has worked under Wei Shang for many years. Hearing him mention the cattle and sheep farm, he quickly deduced the meaning behind it.

"Yes." Wei Shang finished his caramel and took a sip from the lacquer cup.

"It's a pity that I'm too young, otherwise my son will be brought to Yuanyang City to practice together. The good boy will always step on the grassland and cut off a few barbarians' heads, which is the way to make meritorious deeds."

The master secretary nodded, without using Wei Shangrang, he automatically and consciously put his hand into the wooden box, and took out another piece of caramel.

"Mr. Zhao Langjun is smart and has rules in his actions. He is very like Zhao Gongcao. He will definitely achieve something in the future."

The eunuchs sat opposite each other to discuss matters, and when everything was agreed upon, most of the box of caramel was gone.Looking at the box, the master decisively picked up two more pieces, got up and said goodbye.

Wei Taishou unfolded the bamboo slips again, reviewing all the military training matters recorded by Wei Yue, with a solemn expression.

On the day of selection, the sons of good families who were registered will be sent to the city by their father and brother's family.Wei Qingmo's father died in battle, and she has no siblings. Zhao Jia rushed to Wei's village ahead of time, preparing to send her into the city.

As soon as it was dawn, the gate of the gate was opened, and five or six large carts came out in a file. On the carts were the sons of good families waiting to be selected, among them were Gongsun Ao's younger sister and the elder sister of the shepherd boy Atao.

The father and brother of the girls either sat in front of the vehicle, or rode around the vehicle on horseback.

The team moved forward in silence, the atmosphere was dignified, and no one made a sound.

A young man in his early twenties couldn't bear it anymore, and said to his younger sister who was sitting in the car: "If my younger sister can be selected, I will be a noble person when I go to Chang'an, and then don't forget to be a brother."

The girl remained silent, while Atao, who was sitting with her in the car, glared at his brother on horseback, and wanted to speak, but was held down by the girl.

"Sister, how can brother do this!"

"Don't pay attention to him." The young girl looked at the young man on horseback with a beautiful face, her eyes shivered, she turned her head uncomfortably, and then she looked away, telling the child, "If I am selected, You have to remember to be filial to Aweng and Aunt. If I can live, I must earn a future so that Aweng and Amu can live a good life."

The girl hugged the child tightly, as if grabbing the last piece of driftwood.Eyes closed, tears slipped through the corners of the eyes and soaked into the child's hair.

"Really, it's obviously a good thing..." The young man muttered again without remembering his lesson.

The sound of breaking wind suddenly hit, and the middle-aged man sitting in front of the car raised his long whip with a face full of anger, and slapped it over.The young man instinctively raised his arm to block, not wanting the whip to be too strong, and directly bypassed his forearm, dragging him from the horse's back to the ground.

"A Weng?" The young man held his arms, his expression full of disbelief.

"Get lost! Don't let me see you again!" The middle-aged man withdrew his long whip, his cheeks shaking with anger.

The young man sat on the ground blankly, watching the convoy go away, not knowing how to react.

The girl hugged the child, looked at the tall father's back, opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the middle-aged man.

"Amei, I'm not capable." The middle-aged man didn't look back, his voice was hoarse, "Don't blame Ah Weng."

"A Weng, I don't complain." The girl let go of the child, moved behind the middle-aged man, and comforted, "A Weng, I may not be selected. Even if I go to Chang'an, I may not have a future."

The man sighed and clenched his whip tightly.

The girl returned to her original position, hugged Atao into her arms again, and shook her lightly: "Brother, it's still early to go to the city, sleep for a while."

The child buried his head in the girl's arms, suppressing the vague sobs.

The team continued to move forward, and the girls in other cars, like Amei, were trying their best to comfort their families, but the effect was not obvious.Halfway through the journey, the eyes of these men who dared to fight the Huns were red, their big hands were clenched into fists, and their joints turned white from the exertion.

Wei Qing'e's carriage drove behind the convoy, and Zhao Jia rode beside him. Hearing a few words in the wind, the two fell into silence and did not say another word.

After a long time, the girl said: "Brother, you said that you want the horse to step into the city, can you count?"

"You must keep your word." Zhao Jia looked to the north and solemnly swore.

When the team reached the city gate, it was already daylight.

There was an endless stream of carts coming from all counties, forming a long queue in front of the city gate.

The place where the eunuch stayed was chosen. In view of the Queen Mother Dou's order, the rules and regulations were slightly different from the past, but in general, family background and appearance were the most important.

The sons of a good family in Shaling County are at the top of the list. Wei Qing's father was a noble, and he was an official in the county.

The wound on the girl's cheek has begun to heal. The scabs have fallen off after using herbal medicine, and then covered with a thin layer of powder. It can't be seen that it is a new wound, just like a scar left many years ago.

De Shuzuo reminded that knowing that the girl in front of him was Wei Qing'e, the eunuch deliberately took a second look.Seeing the scar on the girl's cheek, a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, and soon turned into a smile, and said to the record book assistant: "There are flaws on the face, and the appearance is average, so I don't take it."

"promise."

Shu Zuo unfolded the roster, picked up a knife and pen, and crossed out Wei Qing's name.Then unfold another bamboo slip and write down the reasons for not being selected.

Zhao Jia was waiting outside the courtyard, not knowing what was going on inside, so he was unavoidably anxious.

It wasn't until the courtyard door opened and Wei Qing'e and a few other unselected girls came out that Zhao Jia finally breathed a sigh of relief and strode forward: "Sister, is everything okay?"

Wei Qingmo nodded, seeing Zhao Jia ordered his servant to drive the cart, he stopped him immediately: "Aduo, the road is narrow, the cart cannot pass, I will ride a horse."

Zhao Jia had no objection, and when he turned around, he found that the girl's temples were loose, and asked in surprise, "Sister, where is your silver hairpin?"

"Give it away." Wei Qing'e took out a cloth scarf from his belt, and tied Wufa behind his back.He walked with Zhao Jia to the end of the street, took the reins from the healthy servant, and jumped on the horse neatly.

"Go home!"

The selection lasted for a full ten days, and the selected girls were all left in the city, ready to leave with the eunuch.

Atao's eldest sister was also selected.

At this moment, she was sitting in a big car with three other girls, behind her were the clothes packed for her by her family, and there was only a silk ribbon in her hair.The girl firmly held a cloth bag in her hand, inside was a silver hairpin carved with plum patterns.

The car body shook slightly, the girl leaned on the railing, looked up at the unknown road ahead, pressed the cloth bag to her chest, her fingers became tighter and tighter, her eyes gradually changed from confusion to firmness, without any wavering.