The return of the son-in-law

"Are you going out?"

Since Guo Xiantong practiced the Qipin Pentie Shi, he didn't have to go to the household office every morning to check his hair as usual, and he felt that he had lost face, and instead spent more time at home.

As soon as he was free, Guo Feng'an was the most unlucky. He was supervised by his father to study all day long, and he could no longer be as lazy as before.

Maybe because seeing his second son's life is hopeless, Guo Xiantong pays more attention to Guo Zhan'an these days.No, I heard that there was a big commotion in Guo Zhanan's yard early in the morning, so I brought a few followers over to see it.

After Guo Zhan'an waited for the servants to salute, he asked them to continue to carry his and Huo Yu's luggage to the carriage outside, then he turned around and replied, "I haven't visited the old general Shao since he arrived in the capital from the northwest. The ancestor is an old acquaintance, as a junior, I should take the initiative to visit his old man."

After hearing this, Guo Xiantong frowned and said, "Although Old General Shao has been made a Marquis, he can no longer return to the Northwest. His Majesty already suspects him. I heard that his soldiers in the Northwest have been reduced by half, and that Yongcheng has lost its master. It should be the son of Old General Shao who will take over, but someone sent by His Majesty will manage it on behalf of Old General Shao, so why do you bother to make trouble?"

Guo Zhanan smiled and said: "Father is worried. It's just that in life, you always look forward and backward in everything you do, and you are afraid of the head and the tail. What's the fun in living? Old General Shao and his grandfather fought together on the battlefield. It was my childhood. , and Yongcheng is thousands of miles away from the capital, so I can't visit his old man in person. Now that General Shao is in the capital, and he has no relatives to accompany him, if I don't go to visit, who else will visit? Father?"

He does not mean that.Guo Zhan'an said this just to show his position, but it fell into Guo Xiantong's ears, and he felt that this elder son who was always against him was mocking his indifferent behavior back then.

"Just go if you like, and just treat me, Guo Xiantong, as unlucky enough to have given birth to such an unfilial son like you."

Since ancient times, filial piety has been an important criterion for evaluating a person's character. If Guo Xiantong's words are spread outside, Guo Zhan'an will inevitably be criticized again.

However, Guo Zhan'an is also used to it. Regarding Guo Xiantong's words, he just smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your understanding, my son will go to prepare first."

Time was running out, Guo Zhan'an didn't want to make unnecessary courtesies with Guo Xiantong, so before Guo Xiantong could react, he went back to the yard to continue tidying up.

Guo Xiantong was devastated by his eldest son, and his stomach full of anger had nowhere to vent, so he turned around and walked towards Guo Feng'an's yard.

Poor Guo Feng'an, he just woke up and knew that today's homework was [-]% heavier than before, and before he could cry, he was taught a lesson by Guo Xiantong.

Guo Zhan'an didn't care about the wild things of those people, and waited for the luggage to be loaded into the carriage. Guo Zhan'an once again told Wu Jia and others who stayed to look at the yard: "The food in the kitchen is enough for you for more than 20 days. Don't go out these days. , Don’t pay attention to other people who answer the door, especially other people in this house.”

Guo Zhan'an spoke cryptically, Wu Jia and others thought that Guo Zhan'an was worried that Liu Pianpian would act as a demon while he was not in the house, so they nodded and said, "Don't worry, young master, we will definitely not let other people into the yard."

Then Guo Zhan'an and Huo Yu boarded the carriage together and headed to the marquis mansion of Old General Shao.

Old General Shao received Guo Zhanan's post in advance, and ordered someone to guard the door.

Guo Zhan'an and Huo Yu got out of the carriage, and were led to the hall by the two stewards of the Marquis Mansion, where Old General Shao was already sitting.

"Uncle, I'm bothering you." Guo Zhan'an saluted the old general Shao first, and then introduced Huo Yu beside him: "Uncle, this is my righteous brother Huo Yu. Before hearing what Yu'er said, I had the honor to meet with Huo Yu at the foot of the barren mountain." Uncle met once, but he didn't introduce himself properly in a hurry, he has been thinking about it since he came back. Today I finally saw Uncle again."

Old General Shao was old, and what he looked forward to most was a full house of children and grandchildren. But since he became a nominal marquis, he has been trapped by the emperor in this capital. He has no close relatives around him, and he has been lonely for a long time.In Yongcheng, Shao Nianli applied for several times, wanting to move his family to the capital, but was put aside by Li Chonghao and ignored.

Seeing Huo Yu now, he is younger than Shao Ganhuai, and he looks like an old man. The old general Shao felt happy when he saw him, and said with a smile: "It's just in time! I heard that Yu'er is going to participate in this year's competition Qiu Wei, isn't it?"

Huo Yu heard old general Shao asking himself, and quickly replied: "Go back to old general Shao, yes."

This well-behaved appearance is much more appropriate than Shao Ganhuai's brat. The old general Shao was very happy, and said: "Why are you so alienated? You are the same as Zhan An. Calling me 'Bo Gong' is not considered alienated."

Huo Yu first glanced at Guo Zhan'an, saw the latter nodded, and then solemnly changed his words: "Thank you uncle for your concern."

Old General Shao nodded with satisfaction: "It's good that you listen to your brother. Since you are going to participate in Qiuwei, you must hurry up and study these days. I have ordered someone to prepare a secluded yard, which is suitable for You study. Go, I'll take you to have a look, if you don't like it, you can return it."

Guo Zhan'an said: "Mr. Lao Bo has taken care of it."

Old General Shao laughed loudly: "You boy, why are you being polite to me? Your Majesty is sympathetic to the old minister, and gave me such a big mansion, but it's a pity that I'm the only old man living in it. Isn't it just what you scholars say is a waste of money? You two You don’t need to be polite to me, just say what you want, and mention anything you feel uncomfortable with. If you are embarrassed to tell me, just tell these two stewards that they were bestowed by the prince, and there is nothing they can’t do! "

Guo Zhan'an understood that it was Old General Shao who was quietly telling him who in the Marquis's mansion he could trust and who he needed to be wary of, so he nodded and said, "Don't worry, Uncle, we won't be polite."

The Marquis's Mansion was much bigger than the Guo Mansion, and there was usually only Old General Shao as the owner, so many yards in the backyard were vacant. We only locked the gate at the entrance of the yard and sent one or two people to watch it.Along the way, the three or four courtyards I saw were eerily quiet. The people who were supposed to be guarding the courtyards were leaning against the wall and sleeping in thought. Two or three snores startled the sparrows not far away.

This bleak appearance made Guo Zhanan couldn't help asking: "Uncle, what are these yards for?"

Old General Shao replied indifferently: "It's free, I'm alone, and I can't sleep in two beds at the same time, can I? It would take a lot of manpower to clean these yards, and my annual salary is so much. I can afford such expenses. Simply lock all the locks, and whatever happens inside, it has nothing to do with me."

If this was in Yongcheng, how could Old General Shao end up in a situation where his pockets were shy?Thinking of the bustle at the Viscount's Mansion in Yongcheng, Guo Zhan couldn't bear it, and said: "Uncle, if there is anything I can use, just say it."

Old General Shao nodded and said, "I won't be polite to you. Your and Huo Yu's yard is in the southwest of my yard. It's close to my yard, but there are few people passing by on weekdays, so it's just convenient for Huo Yu to study. .”

When Huo Yu heard this, he thanked him loudly: "Thank you, Uncle."

Old General Shao felt at ease with this uncle call, he laughed loudly and said, "Since I got your call 'Bogong', uncle can't take advantage of it for nothing. Look, this is my yard, and if you walk a little further, it will be yours." courtyard."

After watching the courtyard—Guo Zhan'an and Huo Yu naturally had nothing to dissatisfy—Old General Shao personally led people into his courtyard and ordered the maids to serve tea.And he walked inside, and after a few noises, he came out holding a suitcase that was not too big or too small.

"I heard that you saved Zhan'an several times, but you were injured yourself, right?"

Huo Yu was a little embarrassed, nodded and said: "It's just some trivial matters, it's not worth remembering by Uncle."

"Protecting your brother with your body, why is it such a trivial matter? You know, it is not uncommon for brothers to kill each other in this world. You know how to protect your brother at a young age. In my opinion, this is more important than knowledge. " As Old General Shao said, he put the box in front of Huo Yu, opened it, and took out a set of well-made shoulder pads.

Old General Shao looked at the shoulder pads and said, "When I first went to the battlefield, I was about the same age as you are now. At that time, I just joined the army, and I was a small soldier whose life was worthless. Northwest Tatar suddenly attacked. I Just put on ill-fitting armor and went into battle to kill the enemy. As a result, I suffered three fatal wounds, not to mention other large and small wounds. Fortunately, I met your foster brother's grandfather, who came from a military family. Although he is a recruit like me, he has some qualifications to speak in the army. He hired a military doctor for me, and let the military doctor treat me carefully, so that I don't have to lie on the ground with other injuries and wait in line for medicine , I was lucky enough to save my life. The shoulder pads I used at that time were broken, but Brother Di took them back and rebuilt an identical one, and gave it to me as a souvenir. Now I will pass it on to you, I just hope you In the future, I can also protect your brother-in-law like now, so that brother Di can smile at Jiuquan."

Huo Yu heard that it was given to Old General Shao by his elder brother's grandfather, so he didn't dare to accept it, so he quickly waved his hands and said, "Uncle, this gift is too precious."

"Why is it so expensive?" Old General Shao stretched out his hand and insisted on Huo Yu taking it, "I'm old now, and my flesh is loose, not to mention that my shoulders are much wider now than when I was a child. I can't wear this shoulder pad anymore. Come on. No matter how well-made the shoulder pads are, what is the use of putting them in a box? I feel sorry for these shoulder pads! I think it’s just right to give them to you now. Zhan’an, what do you think?”

Guo Zhan'an said with a smile: "If my grandfather's spirit in heaven knows, he must be happy."

Old General Shao beamed with joy: "That's right."

Huo Yu had no choice but to take it respectfully with both hands.

Only then did Old General Shao feel satisfied: "Try it when I go back. I reckon it fits well, but I still have to try it to know."

Huo Yu held his shoulder pads and bowed, "Thank you Uncle."

Old General Shao looked out at the sun and said: "After talking so much, I almost forgot that our Huo Yu is a person who wants to study in university, and it's still early for dinner, so I won't bother you to study. In the evening, I will let the kitchen cook a table of delicious food, okay?"

Huo Yu nodded and said, "Thank you Uncle, then I will take my leave." He put the shoulder pads back into the box, and did not let Fu Quan and others take over, but carried the box and went back to his yard to rest with the steward.

After Huo Yu left, Old General Shao asked another steward to take the others down, and ordered his two confidantes to guard the door. Then he sat down and talked to Guo Zhanan: "Did His Highness tell you?"

Guo Zhan'an didn't hide anything, nodded and said, "I've said it all. Uncle, what are your plans?"

"Soldiers come to block, water comes to cover." Old General Shao has a plan in mind, "Li Shaojin and Liu Yuanheng's methods have always been playing tricks. If they really want to use real swords and guns, they still have something to learn. By the way, I listen Is it true that Liu Yuanheng is going to die soon?"

Guo Zhan'an replied: "There are rumors that Liu Yuanheng's health is getting worse day by day, but there is no definite news from the Liu residence. Although the Liu family has declined, Liu Yuanheng has been the prime minister for more than ten years, and his connections are still there. The doctor Liu Wenhua hired for him is tight-lipped, so we can only deduce it from the medication."

Old General Shao frowned and said: "This Liu Yuanheng's city is extremely deep, and he is not an easy opponent to deal with. Fortunately, he is not in good health now, otherwise we would have to spend a lot of effort on him."

Guo Zhanan said cautiously: "The Liu Mansion still can't relax. Liu Yuanheng began to intervene in the Imperial Army more than ten years ago. I'm afraid there are still places in the capital that we haven't noticed."

Old General Shao nodded and said: "You are right. His Royal Highness has already set up a net, and you and I will be there. As long as the [-] troops from the outskirts of the capital arrive, the situation in the capital will be settled."

"Yes."

Three days later, Li Chonghao fainted suddenly, which made the queen mother and all the concubines extremely anxious.However, the forbidden army suddenly mobilized and surrounded the prince's mansion, bluntly saying that it was the prince Li Shaojun who killed his father and seized the throne.

The prince's personal guards and the forbidden army fought fiercely outside the prince's mansion, and fought and retreated, and finally retreated to a corner of the prince's mansion.

Seeing that the prince was about to be captured, another forbidden army suddenly rushed out to support the prince.

At the same time, the 60 troops originally stationed in the outskirts of Beijing pulled out their camps and headed straight for the capital, but were blocked under the city wall.There were about [-] to [-] soldiers guarding the city wall. Through the strong city wall gate and Li Chonghao's "imperial decree", they shouted and cursed at the army below on the city wall.

When confronting each other inside and outside, blaming each other, and stalemate, four or five of the more than 50 people guarding the city wall suddenly opened the city gate while their companions were unaware.The [-] army took the opportunity to launch an offensive, smashed open the city gate with iron cavalry and giant trees, and drove straight in.

After the [-] troops entered the capital, they quickly dispersed and rushed to all corners of the capital to control the situation.One of them rushed to attack the Prince's Mansion, joined Li Shaojun, captured the previous batch of imperial guards, and surrounded Li Shaojun to the palace.

In just five days, everyone in the capital was in danger and dared not go out behind closed doors.The prices of vegetables, fruits and meat have skyrocketed, and many people can't ask for a bowl of rice, so they can only starve.There were also hooligans and gangsters who fished in troubled waters and robbed many people's money, and even some young ladies and young children were robbed.

Three days later, news finally came from the palace that Li Chonghao had abdicated as the Supreme Emperor, and Prince Li Shaojun ascended the throne.