Linzhi

To the east of Chang'an City, Baqiao remains the same.

He Tai squinted his eyes and looked into the distance from time to time, wishing that a team would immediately appear on the horizon.

Lu Rong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites who was ordered to come out to greet him, smiled when he saw this: "Your Highness, don't worry, according to the itinerary, they should be able to arrive today, just wait."

He Tai couldn't help but said: "I haven't seen you for two years, I don't know if they have changed. I heard that there are many winds and sands outside the Great Wall, so don't become older than my father."

Lu Rong almost knelt down to the imagination of His Royal Highness King Lu. He laughed dryly and said that you are old enough. Your two sons are only in their early twenties. No matter how old they are, they can't be older than you sharp.

He Tai's nagging addiction started, and he couldn't stop, and the person he confided turned into Lu Rong: "In the past two years, I thought about it and felt very sorry for them. The risk, after all, is that I am useless as a father."

Lu Rong thought that this was enough to be annoying, and he still had to be good-looking when he got the cheap, so he still had to comfort him: "Your Highness is serious, the two young emperors and grandsons are promising, and they have made such great contributions to the court, let alone ordinary people. , Looking around the world, such young talents are rare."

He Tai's face showed a bit of complacency: "That is, in fact, as early as when they were young, I have already seen that they are different, especially Sanlang, who is precocious, stable, and very sensible. Got an idea. Hey, whose child can be so smart!"

"..." Lu Rong didn't want to talk at all, and the smile on his face was the result of years of experience in the officialdom.

He Tai didn't seem to be aware of his mood, and he was still chattering about how he missed his two sons. Lu Rong wished he could turn around and leave, but he still had to stand by and listen with a smile, nodding from time to time, as if he was really concentrating.

The two chatted together for a while, and the soldiers at the outpost galloped back and reported: "My lords, the envoys have arrived and will be here soon!"

Lu Rong was refreshed, and finally he didn't have to listen to King Lu's nagging anymore. He felt that even if he wanted to let himself chat with He Rong, He Zhan and the others for a whole day, he would be willing.

As expected, He Tai stopped talking, kept looking around, and almost stood on tiptoe.

Not long after, a group of people appeared within their line of sight.

Isn't the leader the He Rong He Saburo who has been away for two years?

He Zhan is on his left, with a heroic posture and flying robes.

On the right of He Rong is a man dressed in a foreign land, and He Rong turns his head to chat with him from time to time.

The convoy gradually approached, and when they reached dozens of steps in front of He Tai and the others, He Rong and the others got off their horses and walked towards this side.

Before He Rong left Beijing, Lu Rong met him once.

It was above the Golden Palace, the emperor summoned him, and He Rong sat alone in the center to answer questions, surrounded by senior officials.The emperor asked about the envoy, and he talked eloquently by himself. Although it was his first visit to the palace, he was not afraid at all. At that time, Lu Rong had left a deep impression on He Sanlang. It was hard for those who answered from the Golden Temple not to remember He Rong.

After two years, the "dusty face and temples like frost" that He Tai was worried about did not appear.

Quite the opposite.

He Rongqing is as handsome as before, with a bit more poise after tempering.

Not only him, but also He Zhan, Xue Tan, and even the hundred or so guards behind them.

What the trip beyond the Great Wall brought them was not only the wind and sand, the hardships and obstacles, and the honor in exchange for risking their lives, but also the tenacity and calmness of mind.

If He Rong in the past was like a sword that has not been unsheathed, let alone sharpened, now he has a sharp sword out of its sheath, with a sharp edge, and he makes those who used to look down on him because of his disability and despise him , have to take back their previous ideas.

King Lu's qualifications are mediocre, but he doesn't know how many blessings he has cultivated. Not only are his children like clouds, but all of them are making progress.

In contrast, Prince Qi's son is still studying in Chongwen Hall, and he has no experience in working as an errand at all, and Prince Wei's son is even younger.

If what His Majesty looks at is not a son, but a grandson...

Lu Rong didn't think about it anymore, because He Rong and his party had already arrived.

"Greetings to my father, Lu Shangshu, I will leave for two years, my son is not filial, I wonder if my father is in good health?" He Rong cupped his hands.

At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the sun is shining brightly. I don't know if it is because of the light. He Rong, who used to be unsmiling, now has a little smile on his face, and he no longer looks so unapproachable.

He Tai looked his two sons up and down, his heart was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes.

He patted the two of them: "The shoulders have become wider and the person is taller. Okay, okay, just come back!"

He Zhan: "I made my father worry."

He Tai pretended to be angry: "You also know that you will be worried about being a father. When you heard that your third brother was leaving, you insisted on following without saying a word, and even ran to His Majesty to ask for an order first. Cut it first and then play it. If you have troubles , as a father, don’t you want to lose your two sons all at once?”

He Zhan said with a smile: "But now that my third brother and I have returned intact, my father should be relieved."

Lu Rong coughed lightly: "King Lu, there is still an imperial edict from His Majesty."

He Rong and He Zhan didn't know that He Tai had become king, so they couldn't help but look at each other.

He Tai came to his senses: "Yes, Lu Shangshu, please declare the decree first!"

The decree read by Lu Rong was very simple, and there was no specific award. First, he welcomed the envoys of the West Turks, praised the hard work of the people who traveled thousands of miles to welcome the envoys, and commended them for their exploits in attacking the East Turks and breaking the siege of Ganzhou. Let them go home first. When the family members met, He Rong and the Turkic envoys first met the saint, and the rest of them went to the Zichen Hall three days later to listen to the seal.

Everyone received the decree, thanked them for their kindness, and under the leadership of He Tai and Lu Rong, they mounted their horses again and entered the city through Mingde Gate.

He Rong raised his head, and on the plaque of the city gate, the words Mingdemen were shining brightly.

He Zhan drove over: "Third brother, what are you looking at?"

He Rong said leisurely: "I just remembered that when we returned to Beijing from Fangzhou with Marquis Wuwei, Marquis Wuwei won a battle for the court, so we could go through Mingde Gate, but we had to separate from them and go to Yanping Gate alone. "

"Yeah," He Zhan also thought of it, and couldn't help but sigh, "I didn't expect that we can also go through the Mingde Gate now!"

This group of people entered the city, which naturally attracted the attention of everyone. The guards behind He Rong all straightened their chests, and their faces became more solemn.

Although they traveled all the way, their majestic and murderous aura could not be concealed no matter what. After two years of tempering, even the other members of the imperial army were inferior in comparison to them.

When everyone arrived outside the palace gate, Lu Rong said to He Zhan and the others: "Go to Beiya first and return the armor and weapons. He Rong, Xue Tan and the envoys will follow me into the palace."

The guards were motionless.

When Lu Rong was wondering, he heard He Zhan shout: "Follow me, to Beiya!"

"Order!"

The guards roared in unison, a mere hundred people actually had the tendency to soar into the sky, which shocked the unsuspecting Lu Rong and He Tai.

With a wave of He Zhan's hand, everyone followed him and left in an orderly manner, even the sound of horseshoes seemed to be the same.

He Rong: "Surprised my father and Lu Shangshu. They went out and ordered orders to prohibit them. This is also to complete the errands assigned by the court as soon as possible."

Lu Rong smiled and said: "You have done well enough, even His Majesty didn't expect that you could bring reinforcements from the Western Turks to the rear of the Eastern Turks to rescue Ganzhou."

While speaking, several people had already arrived at the Zichen Palace, Ma Hong waited at the door for a long time, before waiting for them to approach, he rushed up to greet them.

"My lords, Your Majesty is waiting inside, please!"

The envoys sent by the Western Turks this time are from the faction of the Western Turks who are close to Princess Zhending. They have always supported the friendship between the Western Turks and the Central Plains court, and they hope to reform the Turks and make the Turks go on the road of Sinicization. The princess coincides with each other.

This group of people originally accounted for a minority in the upper class of the Turkic nobles and was not successful, but after Princess Zhending came to power, this situation will definitely change in time.

The emperor sat on the throne and accepted the salutes from everyone.

He Rong looked from a distance, only to feel that the emperor's temples were white, much older than two years ago.

But the other party seemed to be in good spirits. First, he talked with the Western Turkic envoy. He highly appreciated Princess Zhending's profound understanding and righteousness. He rewarded the other party with a lot of gold and silver, and asked the envoy to go to the post house to rest first.

Then came the highlight, the emperor was very interested in He Rong and the others' journey. He first asked about the situation on the road, and then listened carefully to He Rong's account of the big and small things that happened in the past two years, occasionally interjecting a question or two.

This period of their experience is thrilling, and the ups and downs are not exaggerated. When He Rong said that He Zhan assassinated Galona Yimo, not only the emperor held his breath, but even He Tai couldn't help but gasp lightly. gas.

There was silence in the hall, and Gong'e's movement of fanning the wind couldn't help but stop, but the emperor didn't notice it, and was still engrossed.

"...At this time, Jia Luo was subdued by the Turkic guards who swarmed up. Unexpectedly, the situation was tense at that time, and Goro lost his temper for a while, and strangled him to death."

After speaking a long paragraph, He Rong could finally rest for a moment.

Ma Hong hurriedly offered the tea, but He Rong was not polite, and drank it with his head raised.

The emperor let out a sigh of relief: "It's not easy for Wulang, how is his hand now, isn't he injured?"

He Rong: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. After careful maintenance, there is no serious problem."

Emperor: "Then what happened when you raided the rear of the Eastern Turks?"

He Rong: "At that time, Princess Zhending got the news that Fu Nian, the Eastern Turk, personally led troops to invade Zhangye City. When I left the customs, I still remembered that there were not many defenders in Zhangye. I was afraid that the assassin Liang Yu would not be able to defend, so I reported to Princess Ming and asked He Zhan to lead the army. Hundreds of imperial guards and [-] cavalry from the Western Turks went to the Eastern Turks to attack their tooth tents. When Fu Nian heard the news, he quickly led his troops back. At this time, the crisis in Ganzhou was resolved, and we had already withdrawn. I am not good at galloping on the battlefield, and this matter is mainly led by He Zhan, Chen Qian and others; there is also Xue Tan, who travels all over the Western Turks, observing the terrain, and drawing maps, but the time is limited, and the Western Regions are vast, so it is impossible to go one by one. .”

The emperor was very happy: "This is an unexpected joy. It is not needed now, but it will always come in handy in the future. You are really beyond my expectations. The success of this trip is not only due to me, but also to the court. Sheji has contributed to the world, and in the future, I must report to the Taimiao to honor his merits!"

He Rong and Xue Tanju both saluted and thanked them.

He Tai is also very happy. The two sons have made such contributions. As a father, he naturally has a bright face. If he had some regrets when he was crowned king, now this regret has disappeared, replaced by thick Proud, after all, the three kings in the court, Qi Wang and Wei Wang, no matter how favored the emperor is, they don't have such capable sons as He Rong and He Zhan.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but lowered his head and wiped his tears again.

In the past, the emperor would have scolded the eldest son for being a weak woman, but today he was also full of joy, so he only glanced at He Tai and didn't say any more disappointment.

Ma Hong stepped forward at the right time, and said softly: "Your Majesty, the medicine is already hot for the second time."

"Whispering!" The emperor was a little impatient, he still wanted to ask a lot of questions, but he was not interested in this interruption.

"Forget it, you have traveled a long way, come here first today, go back to rest first, and then go to court with others to listen to the announcement in three days."

He paused, and then said to He Rong: "You don't need to be sad about your marriage, I'll just point it out for you."

He Rong was taken aback for a moment, and then he was at a loss. He didn't know what the emperor said.

Before he had time to ask more questions, the emperor waved them back, and several of them had to accept orders to leave.

After leaving the palace gate, Xue Tan returned home, Lu Rong had another place to go, and He Tai, He Rong, father and son got into the carriage.

Only then did He Rong say, "I haven't congratulated my father on becoming king yet."

"Hey, it's nothing. Your father was already the King of Lu 20 years ago, and now he's just a second-ranked prince. It's not worth mentioning!" Soaring.

He Rong was a little funny, but also a little helpless.

His father has experienced a lot of ups and downs in his life, but until now he still can't hide his emotions. This is not an advantage, but it is also an advantage. At least a person as shrewd as the emperor would never be happy to see a city with deep, everywhere Calculating son.

He Rong: "Is everything okay at home?"

"Very good, your second brother is also married, and father, ahem," He Taiwei was a little embarrassed, "Your Majesty also granted me a marriage."

He Rong frowned slightly, didn't his father help his concubine Yuan Shi to be his concubine?

He Tai didn't notice the change in his expression, so he continued on his own: "It's the orphan daughter of Qin Guogong Pei Wuyang, although she is about the same age as you, but the name should not be confused, and you have to be courteous to your mother after you go back. "

He Rong asked softly, "What about Concubine Yuan?"

He Tai was stunned for a moment, with a slight unnatural expression on his face: "Your Majesty bestowed a marriage, as a father, you must not violate the holy will, right?"

He Rong: "Concubine Yuan accompanied her father in exile in Fangzhou. For more than ten years, she shared weal and woe and helped with housework. Although her name is her father's side concubine, in fact, we have respected her like a mother all these years. Why didn't my father follow His Majesty? illustrate?"

He Tai was a little unhappy: "Is there any reason in the world for a son to dictate to his father's wives and concubines? If Your Majesty doesn't give her a marriage, I should justify her name, but now that your aunt has also entered the house, what's the benefit of talking about it?"

He Rong was speechless.

He Tai waved his hands in a dispirited way: "Forget it, it's a happy event for you to come back. Your elder brother and the others are already ready to take care of you, so it's better not to mention these disappointing things!"

He Rong: "Your Majesty mentioned my marriage just now. I wonder if my father knows why?"

Speaking of this matter, He Tai couldn't help sighing: "You have been away from home for two years and have not heard from you. There are always rumors and gossips in the capital. Let alone others, your elder brother and I are often worried about you and Goro. The Lin family is naturally even more worried about whether they can come back. There are even those villains who like to gossip, gossiping in the ears of the Lin family. Passed away, this was a month ago, no one expected, you came back."

He Rong was silent.

He Tai comforted: "This is also her poor fortune, otherwise I will hold on for a while, and when you come back, maybe you will feel refreshed after hearing the happy event, and you will be fine immediately. Don't be too sad. After this period, I will invite you Your Majesty bestowed a marriage on you, and now that you have made a contribution, the marriage should go up even further, the old ones will not go, and the new ones will not come."

If the previous words of reassurance are still decent, the last two sentences are a bit outrageous.

He Rong was speechless for a moment, then asked his father again: "Father is crowned king, your majesty should have something to say?"

He Tai scratched his head: "This matter is indeed a bit strange. A few months ago, on the day of the prince's death, His Majesty wanted to pay homage to the prince, so he asked me to guard the capital with King Wei, and the old man took King Qi with him. Unexpectedly, when he came back, His Majesty's old man's face was very ugly, and he didn't know what was going on. If it was said that King Qi offended him, His Majesty did not reprimand King Qi, but it was true that King Qi's face was not good-looking. Later, His Majesty He made me king and bestowed a generous gift on King Wei. On the surface, it said that we would fulfill our duties and be rewarded for our achievements, but no one knew the actual situation. At that time, only Ma Hong was with His Majesty, and it was impossible for him to reveal it. Half a sentence."

He was also full of doubts, and couldn't help asking He Rong: "Do you think King Qi said something bad about the prince, which made him unhappy?"

He Rong shook his head: "King Qi would not be so stupid."

He Tai: "It's true, as a father, the two younger brothers are smarter than the other."

He Rong: "Who will take care of His Majesty's mausoleum?"

He Tai: "King Wei, he has been in charge of the Ministry of Rites."

He Rong nodded, thinking that King Wei might have done something to the sacrifice or the sacrifice, but he didn't see it with his own eyes, so he couldn't talk nonsense, so he didn't say any more: "Father is usually on a job, so it's going well, right?" ?”

He Tai: "It's okay, it's just like that, I don't want merit, but I want no fault."

While speaking, the carriage slowly arrived at Prince Lu's mansion.

He Mu had already led his younger siblings to wait at the gate. Seeing that He Rong got out of the carriage with his father, he couldn't help being overjoyed. He first saluted his father, and before He Rong could react, he stepped forward and hugged him.

"Good Saburo, we are looking forward to the stars and the moon, and we are looking forward to you!"

He Rong couldn't help showing a smile: "I haven't seen you for two years, and my brother's strength has also become stronger. Is this going to strangle me to death?"

He Xiu laughed loudly, gearing up: "Brother is done hugging, and I'm still here!"

He Xi also joined in the fun from behind: "Then I'll give you a hug too?"

He Xiu: "You stay and cool off!"

He Xi curled his lips: "It will tear me down!"

He Rong hugged them one by one, and touched Qilang He Xi's head: "It's grown taller."

He Xi smiled shyly, and said in a small voice, "Hello, third brother."

There was also a young woman with an unfamiliar face in the crowd, who was about the same age as He Mu. It was not difficult to identify her from the dress and appearance of the other party. He Rong stepped forward and saluted: "He Rong has seen mother."

Mrs. Pei nodded with a smile, without putting on airs of her aunt: "Family, don't be too polite. I have already ordered the cook to prepare a banquet. You entered the palace as soon as you arrived in Beijing. You must not even have time to drink your saliva. Come in and talk about it later." Bar!"

The nephew He Xin next to him grew taller, but his temperament became more outgoing. Taking advantage of the time when everyone entered, he pulled He Rong's sleeve and asked, "Did Third Uncle bring us any presents?"

He Rong smiled slightly: "The Western Regions are barren and far inferior to Chang'an. I have nothing in my hands and nothing with me."

He Mu: "Just come back safely, what gift do you want?"

He Xiu smiled and said, "Sanlang, you guys are in the limelight this time. I heard that you walked through the Mingde Gate when you entered the city. It is really majestic and attracts everyone's attention!"

He Rong: "We have been honored by the Western Turkic envoys."

He Xiu pulled him over and said, "I think it's because the envoys have been honored by you! Well, now that you're home, you don't have to be restrained. Goro has gone to take a bath first. Do you want to take a bath first? Finally Tell us about the past two years!"

He Mu: "Saburo is exhausted from the journey, let him eat and rest first, it's not too late to say anything later."

The others were chattering, but He Jia couldn't get in the conversation at all, and was a little anxious. He Rong saw her and pulled her over: "Slim and beautiful, we can get married."

He Jia pretended to be angry: "You are not my real brother anymore, you rushed me out of the house as soon as you came back!"

Everyone laughed, enjoying themselves for a while.

At first, He Rong brought Gao's family to Beijing, but because the emperor had not summoned her, she could not enter the palace without being summoned, so she went back to Lu Palace with He Zhan, and when she heard that He Rong had returned from the palace, she came out with the others meet.

He Rong said to He Tai and Pei Shi: "Gao Shi has made meritorious service with us on the mission to Western Turks, and I have also written a memorial to ask for her credit. These days, she is staying here temporarily, and I have to work for my mother to settle down on her behalf, waiting for your majesty I'll make another arrangement after the decree is made."

Mrs. Pei laughed and said: "Why are you saying these polite words? This is your home too. Let anyone come if you want to come. It's very easy to arrange an empty room. The next door to your yard happens to be empty. You want Mrs. Gao to come out?" Live in the wing, or nearby?"

He Rong thought for a while: "Come closer, then I will trouble my mother."

He originally meant that he didn't treat Gao Shi as an outsider, and he also thought it would be more convenient to find her if he had something to do, but everyone in the He family heard this, but they all misunderstood, and immediately looked at Gao Shi differently.