It wasn't like this in my last life

Before it was time for the main election, Duke Lu returned home.

At the first family banquet in the Duke's mansion, Song Badai met the rumored invincible Duke Lu.After taking off the mighty and icy armor, Duke Lu was no different from any other patriarch of a great family, with silver hair, thin yet tough, and cold and sharp eyes.Song Badai was swept away by his eyes, and suddenly felt that the snacks in his mouth were tasteless.

This time the family banquet was not too formal, other than the heir candidates, only Lu Guogong and the old lady attended.

The old matriarch had focused on Song Wenfei from the moment he came in, and asked his servants to add more dishes to him from time to time, and asked them to withdraw some dishes he didn't like.If it weren't for Duke Lu's scruples, she might ask someone to add a seat beside her, and let Song Wenfei sit there.Apart from being a little surprised at the first glance, Lu Guogong didn't say much, which made Song Badai think that the old lady Jun Sisun Xinqian had admitted the wrong person.

Lu Guogong encouraged everyone, and told anecdotes about the battles, which made everyone fascinated.

Today, most of the territory of the world belongs to the territory of Dingxi Kingdom. To the east of Dingxi Kingdom is Yue Kingdom. The two countries have a non-war agreement for a hundred years. The relationship can be regarded as harmonious, and they often communicate with each other. To the west, they border small countries such as Monba and Hani. However, he is brave and good at fighting, and has continued to fight with Dingxi; then the whole south is surrounded by mountains, which is a big natural barrier; finally, there is another big country in the north, Qiliang, which is equal to Dingxi. The two countries have constant friction and wars.

The surname of Dingxi Kingdom is Zong. The emperor Zongqian has been restless in recent years, and the three princes under his knees have been involved in the dispute for the crown prince. There are constant internal worries.And Qiliang even took advantage of the vacancy, and entangled a large number of soldiers to station at the national border, staring at them.

Today, although his temperament is a bit indecisive, he is not confused in major matters. It is just better that he is not healthy, so he immediately issued an edict to order Duke Lu to fight against Qiliang.This battle lasted for half a year, and tens of thousands of enemies were wiped out. In the end, Qiliang was defeated and submitted to the peace talks.But after this battle, Dingxi also paid a heavy price - 40 troops went out, and less than 20 returned. The population was withered and the national treasury was empty. Dingxi would not be able to withstand a second war within ten years.

For ten years, Lu Guogong may still be able to afford it, but what about 15 years, or even 20 years?Qiliang is bound to make a comeback, and Duke Lu may have turned into a piece of loess by then. Who will bear the burden of Duke Lu's mansion, the Song family, and even the common people in this world?

Song Badai was worried when he heard this.

After the family banquet, Song Qidai, Song Wenfei and Song Dan were left by Lu Guogong to speak.

After Song Badai went back, he tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.Before this, he only had one worry, that is, if he could not compete with his half-brothers, the Song family would bury him with him; but after hearing Lu Guogong's words, what he was thinking now was that if they really The one who won, with his mediocre talent, might be buried with the common people of this world.

Song Qidai quietly opened the gauze curtain, thinking not to wake him up, but as soon as he touched the bed, he felt stared at by a pair of bright eyes, "Second brother?"

"Well, why haven't you slept yet?" The quilt made Song Badai very warm, and Song Qidai put his feet on it with peace of mind, feeling extremely comfortable.

Song Badai sniffed, "Second Brother, what did the Duke of the State tell you?"

Song Qidai was drowsy, and said lazily: "It's nothing more than a few words of encouragement for us."

Song Badai opened his mouth, really wanting to tell his second brother that we pack up and leave, go back and buy a mountain to be a hermit master, whoever wants to fight in this world will fight for it.

There was silence in the darkness.

Song Qidai suddenly stretched out his hand and brought Song Badai over, hugged him and patted him gently, "Don't worry, there is a second brother in everything."

With just such a sentence, Song Badai was miraculously relieved, and had no dreams overnight.

The training on the second day was still the same. Song Badai found that after Lu Guogong’s heart-to-heart conversation last night, everyone became more diligent when practicing martial arts. If the masters asked to do it ten times, everyone would consciously do it five times more ten times. Even when Master explained, he listened more attentively.

Unconsciously, Song Badai slid a few more laps of the horse, barely pulling the big bow away.

While eating, his hands shook uncontrollably, and two blisters appeared between his fingers.It seems that the force was too strong, Song Badai had no choice but to let Song Qidai feed.

After dinner, everyone went back to rest.

Song Badai quietly asked his second brother, "Why do I see all the maids and boys who come in and out today are sullen? Don't tell me what happened in the house?"

Song Qidai dug up the plaster and applied it on Song Badai's fingers, and said casually: "It is said that the old lady's beloved emerald carved tureen fell down yesterday."

"Isn't gold inlaid with jade just a bowl? Why is it so?" Song and Eight Dynasties shrank their hands.

"Does it hurt you?" Song Qidai hurriedly grabbed his fingers and blew, trying to divert his attention by changing the topic, "I guess, it may be related to the adoption of the Duke's Mansion." See Song Badai looked puzzled, and he explained: "The old matriarch's things fell, and I haven't heard of any servants being punished. It can be seen that the old matriarch dropped the things herself. If it was unintentional, then this matter will be exposed." Forget it, but look at the dignified faces of the servants in the mansion, which can make everyone in the mansion keep silent, except for the Duke and the old lady."

"You mean the old lady wants the Duke to adopt Wen Fei, but the Duke disagrees, and the two got into an argument and overturned the bowl?"

Song Qidai nodded.

He can guess the movement of the Duke's Mansion from a broken bowl, his second brother is really amazing!It seems that after arriving in the capital, Song Qidai broke free from some kind of shackles, and began to show the courage and ability that matched his ambition. Although it was not obvious yet, it was unstoppable.

Song Badai looked at his second brother, unable to conceal the surprise and admiration on his face.

The main election came in such an atmosphere.

Unsurprisingly, Song Badai was defeated in the martial arts test. Fortunately, the others did not last long. Except for Song Qidai, Song Wenfei and Song Dan, they all lost one after another.It's just that more people chose to stay here this time than in the primary election, and because of Duke Lu, most of them chose to join the military.

The final selection was made by Lu Guogong.

At this time, ethnology had already started, and in addition to the original courses, additional subjects such as ritual music and arithmetic were added.Those who choose to stay can receive a monthly allowance of two taels of silver in addition to the cost of food and clothing. Pens, ink, paper and inkstones can be collected from the warehouse according to the allowance.

On the day of the final election, Song Badai, who had finished class, was not in a hurry to leave, and took Quanfu to Yutangxuan in the courtyard of Guogongfu Middle Road. Several children of the Song family had already gathered here to watch the excitement, and when they saw him, they flocked. He kept silent, as if he was hiding something.Song and Eight Dynasties knew that they had been isolated by these people because of their previous gang formation, but they didn't take it seriously, and stood quietly in a corner waiting for the final result.

With a sound of "squeak", the door was opened, and the tall and burly Song Dan walked out.Everyone thought that he was the first to be eliminated, but they saw that there was no trace of frustration and loss on his face.Song Wenfei came out next, with a smile on his face, but he could vaguely see a bit of reluctance.

Lu Guogong came out side by side with Song Qidai.

Standing with their hands behind their backs, with the same solemn expression, it is not an exaggeration to say that the two of them are relatives at this moment.

The result is clear.

Sure enough, Duke Lu announced the result in public.The official adoption must wait until the ancestors are worshiped, and the uncle of the Song clan will write the name on the Song family tree as a witness, and then enter the palace to meet the emperor.The date had already been chosen, and it was just three days away.Of course, before that, Song Qidai had too many things to do.

He had to go back to the east side room to pack his things first, and move everything to the courtyard on the middle road, which belonged to the big courtyard of the sons and grandsons of the Duke's Mansion.Before adopting the ceremony, he also had to meet several family members of the Duke's Mansion, besides the old matriarch, there were also the two daughters of the Duke of Guo—the aunt of Song Qidai, and the deceased daughter-in-law of the Song family Qin's family, her mother's family, will be the mother's family of the Song and Seven Dynasties after adoption.

The eighth generation of the Song Dynasty followed closely behind the seventh generation of the Song Dynasty, and found everything very novel, "Second brother, what's wrong with the Duke this time? Everyone guesses that the Duke must test your riding and archery skills. I think Song Dan looked happy when he came out, and his heart skipped a beat."

Song Qidai put away the books he often read, and said with a smile: "The Duke of the country has made a decision a long time ago. This time the exam is nothing more than showing mutual sincerity. The topic is not difficult to say-"What is real politics?" Do you see that, this topic is interesting."

What's interesting?

Song Badai was ignorant, looked down and smiled, "Brother, clean up your confusion, it's all mine."

Song Qidai slapped him lightly, "Who the hell is confused, just don't help clean up, and tease your second brother?" He called Quanxi again, "Let them move these over here first, I and the third I still live in the same courtyard, so I don’t have to run back and forth.”

"Okay." Quanxi smiled brows and eyes.

Song Badai was completely dumbfounded, and it took him a long time to find his voice, "Second brother, you mean, I will move in together?" Not so good?

Song Qidai glared at him, "You still don't want to move? I said I will take care of you, so I don't feel relieved to let you here alone. Be obedient, go and clean up, I have greeted the Duke, If anyone wants to talk too much, brother will deal with him immediately."

Song Badai was moved and proud, and Pidiandian ran to help clean up.

On the second day, the two aunts from the Duke's Mansion were invited back, and the one from the Qin family was Song Qin's younger brother.The Seventh Dynasties of the Song Dynasty put on new clothes and were led by their servants to pay homage.

Walking halfway, Song Qidai turned his head and saw Song Badai waving at him from a distance.