Yangcheng

Tong Shaozhuo attended the Tail Burning Banquet on a high platform on the south bank of the Ming River, but the emperor was not present, so Tao Yiqie, Minister of Rites, and Minister of War, presided over it instead.

On the high platform of the royal banquet, cups were exchanged, while the gold list on the other side of the Ming River was crowded with people.

It was another year's list release day, and as soon as the cover of the gold list came down, there was a loud shout.

"I passed the exam——I passed the exam! Aye, Auntie! I'm a Jinshi!"

"And me! Where is my name?!"

Crazy shouts and moans echoed on the river for a long time.

"Oh, what's the noise?" Song Qiao held Tong Changting's arm, a little scared.

Tong Changting reassured her: "Don't be afraid, ma'am, today is the day when the results are released. It's normal for some crazy people. I think I was one of them back then. It's just that I fail every year. Hey, I really miss it."

At this time, the two of them were walking with their families in the downtown civilian city by the river, and Song Qiao's Boling accent had been completely awakened. No matter where they went, they spoke authentic Mandarin, but Tong Changting's southeastern accent remained unchanged at all. .

The two of them had such a conversation, one from the south and the other from the north, they didn't sound like a couple who had lived together for decades.

Tong Changting said to Song Qiao: "When I was taking the exam, there was the one who jumped into the river after repeated trials..."

Just as he was talking, he heard a "plop".

Immediately, someone shouted: "Someone has thrown himself into the river!"

"Hurry up and save people!"

Tong Changting and Song Qiao: "..."

It seems that the fragility of this scribe is the same no matter how old he is.

Tang Jianwei, Tong Shaoxuan and Tong's family walked through the market talking and laughing.

Tong Shaolin hugged Lu Fan the whole time, put one hand on her lower back, and hugged her waist, giving her a place to lean on and reducing the pain.

The other hand lightly rests on her already somewhat protruding belly, sometimes pointing to the stalls selling exotic items, more often it is on her belly, for fear that any running children will bump into her For her, Tong Shaolin can protect her in time.

Lu Fan couldn't help feeling amused: "Ma'am, are you treating me like that fragile porcelain doll? Ah Shen was able to climb a tree to save someone from driving a carriage during her pregnancy, how could I fall behind her? Although my current strength is stronger than before It’s a bit tiring, but even if someone wants to charge over, I will take him aside with one hand.”

Tong Shaolin said: "Xiaojun is so powerful, I will protect him."

In the past, Tong Shaolin talked a lot about love, but after Lu Fan listened to it, before he really wanted to stick it to his heart, he would be somewhat apprehensive.

But now, no matter what Tong Shaolin said, she believed it completely.

Lu Fan, who has grown up alone since she was a child and is full of worries, finally found this place where she can live safely and for a long time.

Tong Shaolin is that warm land.

……

The young children of other families are carried by the maidservants when they go out, but their little Ananda is put in the little sheep cart developed by Tong Shaoxuan himself.

The little sheep book pocket that accompanied Tong Shaoxuan in his study life in Suxian County has now been converted into a baby car by her.

The car was covered with a soft quilt, and little Ananda was leaning in the pocket of the car. When he looked up, he could see the smiling face of the cute little sheep above his head, and when he turned his head, he could see the surrounding scenery.

Ananda seemed to like the little sheep very much. The little sheep smiled at her, and she also smiled at the little sheep, giggling non-stop.

The back of the little sheep's head can also pull out the curtain to protect the little sheep from strong light and mosquitoes.

Tong Shaoxuan was pushing the cart, Tang Jianwei was holding her arm, the older sisters and sisters-in-law walked behind, the family passed under the lush peach blossom trees happily, pedestrians coming and going were particularly curious about the little sheep pushing the cart, and even came up to ask Tong Shaoxuan for help. Shaoxuan asked where the cart was purchased.

Ananda didn't cry or make trouble, and looked at the surrounding scenery and people curiously.

"Look at our Ananda." Tang Jianwei poked Ananda's round face with his fingers from time to time, "I'm new to everything, and I'm not afraid of new things. I was ugly when I was born, but now Look at those big eyes, they look more and more like you."

"The nose and mouth are like you." Tong Shaoxuan still finds it unbelievable even if it is the Yulu Pill he developed by himself, "We actually have our own child. She is like you, but also like me. She has the appearance of both of us."

They continued to walk a few steps. Tang Jianwei was next to Tong Shaoxuan. Sensing that something was wrong behind him, he pretended to turn his head to talk to Lu Fan. His eyes penetrated the bustling crowd, and he found a figure dodging suddenly.

This person has been with them for a long time.

Tang Jianwei has been paying attention to this person who is wearing a veiled hat and dare not show his true colors all the way.

Could it be Lan Wan's minion again?

Tang Jianwei said in his heart, how dare this person dare to do something on the edge of the Ming River where people come and go?Do you think that the guards patrolling the city and our gang brothers are all dead?

It doesn't matter if it's the Lan family or not, Tang Jianwei saw everything in his eyes just now, and his eyes that were vaguely covered by the black veil of the veiled hat could still show greedy eyes.

Keep staring at my wife!

Tang Jianwei hooked his fingers to the gang brothers who followed not far away and had been secretly protecting Tongfu, and Xiao Langjun came quickly.

After Tang Jianwei said a few words in her ear, he immediately handed Tang Jianwei the dagger hidden in his sleeve.

Well done.

It doesn't matter which family you are a thief - Tang Jianwei clenched the dagger tightly - it happened that the old lady had just given birth to a cub, and she hadn't used all her strength yet.

Come to my grandma to exercise my muscles and bones, which can be regarded as rehabilitation.

The man in the veiled hat wore a blue shirt and soap boots, and his actions were crisp and neat.

Seeing that Tong's family turned left ahead and entered Changningbu Street, this person immediately followed.

As soon as he entered the street, he was suddenly dragged into a narrow alley with force. He instinctively blocked it, just in time to meet the fierce grabber!

Tang Jianwei wanted to grab the opponent and press it on the spot, but he didn't expect this person to have kung fu, and after a few tricks he was about to lose, Tang Jianwei suddenly thrust a dagger forward and nailed it to the opponent's face.

A cold light flashed in front of his eyes, and the man froze when he saw Tang Jianwei's menacing face, and he didn't move at all.

Tang Jianwei took the opportunity to grab the man's wrist, turned his back to face the wall, and pressed it hard.

"Who are you? Why are you following us?" Behind Tang Jianwei, Tong Shaoxuan held the pepper ball in one hand and supported the baby car in the other, Lu Fan and the others were even more eyeing.

"...I, I'm here for Tong Sicheng." A sweet female voice opened the mouth, which made Tang Jianwei even angrier.

"Nonsense! If you didn't come here for Tong Sicheng, I would spare your life! Tell me, why did you follow us?"

Tong Shaoxuan was really angry when he saw Tang Jianwei, Ye Niang was still watching... In the past, all the daughters-in-laws she saw at home were obedient and considerate and able to run the house. It is probably the first time I have seen the appearance of the ax gang leader.

Afraid of scaring Ye Niang, Tong Shaoxuan asked the eldest sister and sister-in-law to protect Ye Niang and the third sister to leave, and wait for them at the front door of the restaurant.

The brothers of the tall and strong gang surrounded it, and passers-by couldn't see what happened inside.

Tang Jianwei wanted to continue the interrogation, the man took off the veil, looked at Tong Shaoxuan, and saluted her respectfully:

"I don't know if Tong Sicheng still remembers me. After the farewell that day, I haven't seen each other for a while. In fact, I wanted to find Tong Sicheng a long time ago. Tong Sicheng... don't come here without any problems."

As soon as these words came out, Tang Jianwei, who had just turned his eyebrows coldly at this little lady who came from nowhere, immediately turned his eyes to Tong Shaoxuan in surprise.

Tong Shaoxuan: "???"

"Wait! Lady! Have I seen you?"

Tong Shaoxuan's memory is excellent, so good that people who meet once will remember the other person's face and name, even if it is a small thing many years ago, as long as she is given some time to recall, she will probably be able to remember it.

But she really has no impression of the woman with red phoenix eyes in front of her, not at all.

But the man said: "I have seen it. Not only have I seen it, but I have also experienced extraordinary and exciting things with Tong Sicheng. I still have Tong Sicheng's things here."

Tang Jianwei: "..."

At this moment, Tang Jianwei's eyes were more terrifying than the little black ball that swept away hundreds of people at that moment.

But the expression on his face has changed from the fierceness towards the other party just now, to the bright smile towards Tong Shaoxuan.

"Ah Nian." Tang Jianwei let go of her and said to Tong Shaoxuan, "Don't you ask me what token you left on this little lady?"

It was this smile, a very familiar smile...

Every time Tang Jianwei showed this enchanting and charming appearance, it meant that she was on the verge of losing her mind, and she probably had already thought of a hundred ways to peel her skin.

This is definitely a misunderstanding, but this lady is still pretty...

Tong Shaoxuan wished he could stuff the pepper ball in his hand into the stranger's mouth.

The lady was still affectionate, knelt down on one knee respectfully, and sincerely lifted the "token" in her hand to Tong Shaoxuan's eyes.

"My benefactor, please be respected by my daughter."

The keepsake is still held high, and the head is bowed deeply, with great respect.

Tang Jianwei and Tong Shaoxuan: "..."

benefactor?

Tong Shaoxuan picked up the things she recommended.

A thick brown oilcloth, and a glass mirror.

Tong Shaoxuan let out a "huh" and immediately helped this person up: "You are... the small city guard at Dongxiaomen who fought desperately to the end?"

The small city guard at the east gate?

When Tong Shaoxuan said this, Tang Jianwei immediately knew what was going on.

At the beginning, Tong Shaoxuan was like a heavenly soldier, using all his ingenuity to guard the east gate, if the person in front of him was the guard of the east gate, he would have been rescued by Tong Shaoxuan.

The oilcloth and glass mirror must be the protective gear that Tong Shaoxuan helped her put on in order to protect her from the pepper bombs.

It turned out to be a favor...

Tang Jianwei breathed a sigh of relief, and his eyes became softer.

Hearing what Tong Shaoxuan said, the man was overjoyed, like a puppy who had been lost for many years and suddenly met his owner: "The benefactor still remembers me!"

Tang Jianwei: "..."

The eyes that had softened just now became sharp again.

This recognition scene is still a bit too warm...

Tong Shaoxuan felt uncomfortable being pierced by Tang Jianwei's ever-changing eyes, and she couldn't answer the words here, so she could only say: "I don't remember you, but I remember saving a small city guard. Now you are safe and sound. That's the best result."

Tong Shaoxuan's perfunctory words sounded emotionless to himself, but Xiao Chengwei still respected her like a god:

"My life was given by Tong Sicheng. My family is poor and I can't repay it. I can only serve Tong Sicheng for the rest of my life."

"what?"

"From now on, I will be Tong Sicheng's retainer!"

Tang Jianwei: "..."

Does this mean to break through the door directly?Did I promise you to be a retainer?

Xiao Chengwei continued: "I will do my best to protect the safety of Tong Sicheng, Tong Sicheng's wife and daughter, and the whole family! I also ask Tong Sicheng to complete it!"

Tang Jianwei: "..."

Looking at Xiaochengwei's eyes covered with a layer of sparkle, looking at his young age, but with a pair of resolute eyes.

It turned out that she wanted to protect our whole family.

Tong Shaoxuan has been observing Tang Jianwei's expression, and seeing that she has changed from a hostile look to a little moved, he naturally thought of continuing to expand her power and replace Cao Long's top priority.

At the moment she is short of manpower, this city guard is not only on duty at the east gate, the city guard will also patrol the city in rotation, and is also one of the guards and imperial guards of the capital.

Xiaochengwei looks young, but many children from poor families were conscripted into the government soldiers at the age of thirteen or fourteen, and they were on duty in Boling, so they must be very familiar with Boling.

Because he patrolled Boling City all the year round, he also has a wide network of contacts, maybe this small city guard knows a lot of people.

If you take her under his command, it should be of great use.

But... Ah Shen is really jealous, and I don't know if she will allow it.

Whether it is allowed or not, Tong Shaoxuan knows that the safest way at this time is to let Tang Jianwei make the decision.

Tong Shaoxuan said to Xiao Chengwei: "This is my wife Tang Jianwei, she is the one who decides all my affairs."

Xiao Chengwei turned to Tang Jianwei: "I have seen the mistress."

Tang Jianwei asked her: "What's your name? How old are you this year?"

"My surname is Shen, and my name is Eyu. I'm nineteen this year."

"How long have you been the city guard in the capital?"

"It has been incorporated into Wannian County City Defense since the fifteenth day."

Wannian County is one of the two counties in Boling, Tang Jianwei was a little curious: "If you become a retainer of our Tongfu, do you still have time to work?"

Shen Huiyu smiled bitterly and said, "For those of us who are not registered in Boling, the city defense has a four-year round. If we cannot be promoted, we will be assigned to the border areas."

"You have meritorious service in defending the city, how can you not be promoted?"

"That night, I was indeed successful in defending the city, and I was rewarded. Unfortunately, I was injured in the waist and could no longer ride a horse... Boling doesn't need a city guard who can't ride a horse. The above rewarded me with enough silver for the rest of my life. You want to arrange an idle position for me, and I will also get a salary every year. It can be regarded as a reward for my meritorious service in protecting the city. But the current job is really boring, and I don’t want to waste my life like this. I want to repay my kindness! Mistress please accept Get me down!"

Shen Huiyu's words inspired Tang Jianwei.

Tang Jianwei asked her: "Do you know any other city defense that will be assigned to the frontier? Are there many such people?"

Shen Huiyu said truthfully: "Many. I know a lot of people who are talented but can't be promoted. After all, there are countless elites in Boling, some of whom are not as skilled as others, and some are indeed unrecognized talents. .”

Tang Jianwei smiled, which was exactly what she wanted: "You will help me recruit twenty elites within ten days. This is one of your tasks as a retainer of the Tong family."

Shen Huiyu was overjoyed: "Did the mistress agree?!"

Tang Jianwei helped her up, and even swept the dust off her clothes with his own hands: "You are so clever and call me mistress so many times, if I don't answer, wouldn't it be unreasonable?"

Shen Huiyu's face was excited, and the ecstasy on his face was not concealed at all.

"However, our Tong's Mansion does not support idlers." Tang Jianwei said, "If you recruit not capable people, but wine bags and rice bags, then you will leave Tong's Mansion with them."

Shen Huiyu immediately corrected his expression: "Don't worry, mistress, I will definitely recruit elite and strong generals for you! Use them for you!"

Tang Jianwei patted her head in satisfaction: "Good boy."

Shen Huiyu smiled shyly.

Tong Shaoxuan, who was poured with jealousy, said, "...Ananda, let's go!"