after being kidnapped by the general

There was actually no other reason for Yuanli's refusal to be named Duke, but it was just the traditional etiquette of "three words and three concessions".

The subordinates reacted after being stunned, and calmed down.

Although in troubled times, "propriety collapses and joy breaks down", if someone else would refuse a reward when it comes to him, it is the right thing to hold it in his hand quickly, but Yuanli is a celebrity who is well-known all over the world, and his every move will be watched by people all over the world, and even more so. Not to mention such a big event as Feng Gong.At this point, Yuan Li is not in a hurry, and he doesn't want to make himself look bad.

Yuan Li's attitude was too firm, the angel had no choice but to leave in a hurry with his will and rewards.

After a few days, Chu Hechao finally came back.

Knowing that the army had returned to the camp victoriously, the people crowded into the street, cheering and cheering to welcome the army back.

The man who had been harmed by the Karasuma people choked his voice loudly and said: "The general is mighty!"

"Youzhou soldiers are mighty!"

There are all kinds of shouts, full of joy and sorrow from the people, many people are red-eyed, and it is complicated.Among the agitated adults, there were also children crowded inside, staring at the Youzhou soldiers walking slowly by with bright eyes.

Their dark eyes reflected the heroic figures of Youzhou soldiers.

Under the eyes of the common people, the soldiers looked more serious, with their chests straightened out and their steps firm.

The general in front couldn't help but sit up straight, but when he looked left and right, he found that it was Chu Hechao who the people watched the most.

Not only because Chu Hechao walked in the front and was very handsome, but also because of Chu Hechao's golden armor shining in the sun.

The subordinates winked at each other, thinking that the general was like a man made of gold.

Chu Hechao, the underling's slanderer, didn't know, he was in a happy mood, with a smile on his lips, and he was gently shaking the rein with his fingers, making him even more coquettish and majestic.

Occasionally, when he heard someone shouting excitedly, he glanced over casually, which would startle the group of people to scream again, and some women would evade with red faces.

Among the crowd on the side of the road, Mrs. Yang and her servants were also standing among them holding the hand of their youngest son.

Her eyes passed through the crowd, fixed on the cowering Karasuma prisoners at the rear of the army with their heads bowed and cowering.

Chu Hechao captured [-] Karasuma soldiers this time. These prisoners were tied with ropes and dragged behind the army with their hands.On both sides of them, there are refugees in ragged clothes closely following the army.

These refugees are all Northern Zhou people who were captured by the Karasuma people and returned to the tribe as slaves.After Chu Hechao defeated Gu Lichi, he rescued him from Gu Lichi's tribe.

The Karasuma people lowered their heads, cowering under the stares of the people on both sides. Some people stared back in disbelief, and were immediately spat out by the people.

Seeing this scene, Mrs. Yang sneered, "You deserve it!"

If it wasn't for the youngest son still here, she would have wanted to go up and spit at Karasuma.

She saw the miserable conditions of these Karasuma people over and over again, and her eyes gradually became moist.

Weeping with joy.

They finally won the Karasuma people.

At the gate of Chu Palace, Yuan Li was leading Yang Zhongfa, Liu Jixin and others looking forward to it.

Seeing Chu Hechao and others from a distance, Yuan Li couldn't help smiling.

Yang Zhongfa was so excited that he wanted to run over, and began to repeat: "Master Yuan, the general really won, Gu Lichi was killed by us, am I dreaming?"

Yuan Li smiled helplessly: "You didn't dream, Gu Lichi is indeed dead. Your general showed his might and avenged you."

Yang Zhongfa said "Yes" several times, then suddenly realized, and looked back at Yuanli in astonishment, "You...know?"

Yuan Li nodded at him, then turned back and continued to look at Chu Hechao, "I always have to ask how he got the burn on his hand. Why are you so surprised? Is there something wrong?"

Yang Zhongfa was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "The general never wants to mention this to others."

But his voice was too low, Yuan Li was so focused on Chu Hechao that he didn't hear it.Yang Zhongfa shook his head and didn't care anymore.In fact, there is nothing surprising, after all, he has long known that Yuanli is special to Chu Hechao.

Chu Hechao also saw Yuanli's figure, and when he saw the young man standing there, he flew over with all his heart, drove his horse forward one step ahead, and flew off the horse when he reached the gate of the mansion, walking quickly Walk up to Yuanli.

He wanted to raise his arms to hug someone, but he restrained himself by scanning Yuanli up and down with his eyes, and spit out two words from his throat, "I lost weight."

Yuan Li wore a blue dress today, which made his face white as jade, very handsome.Hearing this, he pursed his lips and smiled, his smile was full of jokes, "You think I'm thin in your heart, and that's why you see that I'm thin everywhere."

"I'm already thin," Chu Hechao said, "If I get thinner, my hands will hurt."

Yuan Li glanced at him and told him not to talk nonsense.The corners of Chu Hechao's mouth curled up, his heart felt itchy, and he obediently stopped talking.

In the evening, everyone had a meal at Chu Wangfu.At the dinner table, Chu Hechao's personal soldiers carried Gu Lichi's head around in front of everyone.

Looking at this head, Yang Zhongfa felt very happy. He drank a glass of wine happily, cried and laughed, and dragged Yuan Congyun to drink.

Yuan Congyun knew the pain in his heart, so he drank with him silently.In the end, this group of people drank and drank, and seven or eight of them became drunk.

Yuanli couldn't laugh or cry, and sent someone to send them back home.As soon as the person left, Yuan Li immediately leaned back and stretched loosely.He wasn't full yet, so he turned around and asked Chu Hechao, "Are you still eating?"

Chu Hechao just nodded without moving his chopsticks a few times and said, "Give me a bowl of noodles."

Yuanli thought of the chicken soup that had been simmering in the kitchen for a day, so he asked the kitchen to serve two hot dishes and two bowls of shredded chicken noodles, let them nest eggs in the shredded chicken noodles, and then served a plate of refreshing pickles.

There were people waiting in the kitchen all the time, fearing that they might be hungry, the cook brought up the meal as quickly as possible, along with the fruit wine that Yuanli made before.

The color of this fruit wine was clear, with a hint of green. Chu Hechao felt sweet and sour after taking a sip, and the aftertaste was very refreshing. His appetite suddenly opened up, and he suddenly felt hungry.

One of the two hot dishes is braised elbow, and the other is charcoal-grilled meat.

Especially the elbow, like a crystal, is trembling and trembling, soft and sweet at first glance.

The kitchen also brought green vegetables and seasonings. This is also the way of eating that Yuanli invented. Wrapping the meat in vegetable leaves not only relieves the greasy taste but also enriches the taste. Nowadays, vegetable leaves are a must for barbecue in the kitchen.

Chu Hechao rolled up his sleeves and started eating, and the two of them, Yuanli and Yuanli, were sweating profusely.When they were full, the food was gone.

Yuan Li slumped on the chair, "It's fun."

Chu Hechao deliberately said: "You can really eat."

Yuan Li kicked him and glared at him, "You can eat better than me."

There was still some gravy on the plate, so Chu Hechao dipped the dry food and ate it, and drank two more glasses of fruit wine, "This is delicious, how did you make it?"

"Apricot wine, it can whet your appetite," Yuan Li chuckled, "Fruit wine, you can drink a little more."

Chu Hechao clicked his tongue, "This pot is only about five or six cups."

After the two of them talked, Yuan Li's eyes drooped and he felt drowsy. He looked around and found no one, so he stretched out his hand to Chu Hechao, "Brother, I'm sleepy, I want to go back to sleep."

Chu Hechao's heart was pounding because of his daughter-in-law's acting like a spoiled child, so he stepped forward and hugged Yuanli, and led him into the house, "You are so grown up, why are you getting lazy."

Yuan Li wrapped his arms around his neck, wrapped his legs around his waist, and buried himself in Chu Hechao's neck, feeling lazy, "Can't you hold me anymore? If you can't hold me, just say, I'll come down by myself." Walk."

Chu Hechao said: "There are two more you and I can hug."

Yuan Li didn't say whether he believed it or not. When he was resting with his eyes closed, he felt that Chu Hechao was groping around with his hand, and his movements were fiery.

He opened his eyes, and quietly said: "Didn't you say that I'm so skinny, how can I touch it so vigorously?"

"Not tight, this is just right," Chu Hechao patted Yuan Li, panting slightly, "Not fat or thin, where there is meat, it is soft, and where there is no meat, it is thin, I love you the most." Le Jun, before going to bed, let's play a little bit?"

Yuan Li didn't make a sound, but his lips lightly bit Chu Hechao's Adam's apple.

Chu Hechao gasped, feeling like his whole body was about to explode.He strode to the bedroom with Yuan Li in his arms, and pressed Yuan Li against the door as soon as it closed.

The sound of water was loud in the dark room. After a long time, Yuan Li swallowed the saliva in his mouth. The man walked down his neck, tasted the salty taste, and smiled, "I didn't take a bath."

Yuan Li blushed, "Then stop making trouble and go to sleep."

"How can it be?" Chu Hechao's voice became hoarse and his breath was sexy, "I don't despise you."

Yuan Li quietly rolled his eyes.

Who knew that Chu Hechao seemed to be able to see it, "Did you roll my eyes?"

"..." Yuan Li insisted, "No."

Chu Hechao snorted, kissed all the way down, took the mosquito bag in one mouthful, and ate two mouthfuls vigorously.

Vaguely said: "I want to die brother."

Yuan Li raised his head, his neck was sweating, and his breathing was messed up.

On the second day, when the two of them opened their eyes, the sun was about to shine on their buttocks.

Occasionally, it feels really comfortable to sleep late. Yuan Li lay down for a while, and then got up with Chu Hechao to eat.

After finishing the resettlement of refugees and Karasuma captives, Yuan Li grabbed Chu Hechao and asked him about his experience on the battlefield.

Chu Hechao said in a few words, and then said: "Yuanli, you should often go to the barracks of the Youzhou soldiers, so that the Youzhou soldiers are familiar with and know your face."

Yuanli was confused, "Why?"

Chu Hechao patiently explained the truth to him, "Youzhou soldiers are very loyal to you, and their existence is also very important to you. If you want to get to that position, you must have troops in hand. Soldiers don't know generals. This is a dangerous thing. If they only know the generals above them, their trust will slowly transfer to the common generals. If there is a general who betrays at that time, many soldiers will be taken away with one response. If things go on like this, Youzhou soldiers will no longer It's your Youzhou soldiers."

Yuan Li suddenly realized, and was a little thankful, and kissed Chu Hechao's face resoundingly, "Brother, fortunately you told me, I didn't think of this."

"It's not too late to know now," Chu Hechao suppressed his smile, "so you have to go to the barracks often, whether it's visiting wounded soldiers or inspecting soldiers' training, you should try your best to let them know what you look like. Sample."

Yuanli nodded and remembered, and went to the military camp the next day.In the next few months, he would go to the barracks four or five times a month, and by the time winter came, everyone in Youzhou had seen him from near or far.

When Yuan Li went to the military camp, he never put on airs.His attitude is friendly, and dressing up the wounded soldiers himself is a trivial matter. Once in the barracks, he eats and drinks with the soldiers, and he doesn't dislike it.

Knowing the day when the military pay was distributed, Yuan Li went to the military camp on this day and stayed in the tent where the military pay was distributed all day, watching whether the accountant was honest and whether the officials in charge of the pay were corrupt.

Since he did this, Youzhou soldiers were flattered and extremely grateful to Yuanli. Words of praise and admiration for Yuanli were everywhere in the army.

As Chu Hechao said, their loyalty to Yuanli became stronger.

In the midst of busyness, time passed quietly.Years passed in a blink of an eye, and after the year, the emperor's second decree to grant the Duke came to Ji County again.

And this time, Yuanli also refused of course.

The angels had guessed that this was "three words and three concessions", so they didn't panic the first time, and returned to Yangzhou obediently.

All the people in the world who had friendship with Yuanli wrote letters to Yuanli, tentatively asking whether Yuanli's refusal to be granted the title was a resignation or whether he really didn't want to be granted the title.

Not everyone wanted to see Yuanli being proclaimed Duke, but the two emperor's uncles were the ones who didn't want to see this scene the last.

Envelopes were piled up in the political affairs hall, and the officials in the political affairs hall responded to irrelevant people.But Yuan Li had to reply to the letter from Zhang Liangdong and his master Ouyang Ting.

In front of these two elders, Yuanli did not hide anything, and frankly stated that he would accept the emperor's will to be a duke after "three speeches and three concessions".

Zhang Liangdong was in Bingzhou, and he was the first to receive the reply. After reading the content of the letter, he didn't know whether it was sadness or joy, so he only sighed lightly.

The disciple asked next to him: "Didn't you want Yuanli to be an important minister of the emperor and assist the emperor to stabilize the Northern Zhou Dynasty? Now the governor of Yuan Dynasty is ascending to a high position step by step. At this age, he is already one of the best achievements in history. Governor of Yuan Dynasty With such strength, you can better govern the world for the emperor, why do you still sigh?"

"I really thought so, that's why I secretly urged him to kill Li Lihao to make a contribution. But I didn't expect Yuanli to get to this point so quickly..." Zhang Liangdong sighed softly, "He just At the age of 25, he has already been conferred the title of Duke, so what reward should the emperor give him if he makes meritorious service in the future?"

The disciple was stumped, "It... depends on what kind of credit it is."

"There are people who dare to proclaim themselves emperor. In this world, the most indispensable thing is great merit." Zhang Liangdong sighed again.

The disciple tentatively said: "Then...you have to be crowned king?"

Zhang Liangdong didn't speak for a long time, until his disciples thought he was asleep, he said slowly: "What about after becoming king?"

If it is not enough for Yuanli to become king, what else can the emperor give him?

Zhang Liangdong was worried for a moment, then shook his head.

No, Mr. Yuan Le is not such a daring rebel.

He shouldn't think so.

Zhang Liangdong suppressed the worries in his heart, and comforted himself, Yuan Li is a disciple of Ouyang Ting, a loyal minister of Northern Zhou, he has always served the country and the people, so how could he do something that would harm the country and the people?

Thinking of this, Zhang Liangdong felt relieved.

Everyone in the world is paying attention to Yuanli's conferment of the Duke, and the Yuan family is no exception.

When Yuanli refused to be named Duke for the second time, he was invited back to Yuanfu.

In the study, Yuan Song is waiting for Yuan Li.Yuan Li pushed the door open, bowed to his father, and asked, "Why did father call me here?"

"Le Jun," Yuan Song was taken aback for a moment, and quickly told him to sit down, "Sit down and talk about it, how busy are you these days? I haven't talked to you for a long time."

It is indeed busy, not only Yuanli is busy, but Yuansong is also busy. All kinds of things are inseparable from Yuanli, especially when Jizhou has just won, there are many things that cannot be missed.

Yuan Li smiled and said, "Father wants to talk to me, so let's have a good talk today."

Yuan Song said hello several times, and pushed the refreshments that had been prepared to Yuanli.While watching Yuanli tasting tea, he hesitated, not knowing what to say.

As Yuan Li's status became higher and higher, and his power became more and more powerful, Yuan Song was also a little cautious when facing this son, always feeling like he didn't know what to say.

He wanted to act like a father, but felt guilty.Not only Yuan Song was like this, but among all the family members except Yuanli's mother, the Chen family, the other Yuan family members became respectful and fearful of Yuanli.

They didn't dare to get close, and they didn't dare to offend them. They were afraid of being rash when they said something intimate. Their attitude towards Yuanli was no longer as casual as before, but more partial to the monarch and his ministers.

Looking at Yuan Song's expression, Yuan Li said considerately: "Father, just tell me what you want to say, there are only us father and son in this room, what should we worry about between father and son?"

Yuan Song couldn't help but nodded, his face relaxed, and asked: "Le Jun, I ask you, will you accept the emperor's appointment as Duke?"

Yuan Li asked back: "Does father want me to accept Feng Gong?"

Yuan Song thought for a while, nodded with a serious face, and shook his head again.

Yuan Li raised his eyebrows, "Father, what do you mean?"

"I want you to be made a duke, but I don't want you to be made a duke," Yuan Song said worriedly. "It's unprecedented in this dynasty for you to be made a duke before you reach [-]. I'm worried that once you get a duke If you are a public servant, you will become a public figure and arouse the envy of other people. Look at the emperor's two uncles, Qin Pei and Qin Meng. A small family and a small surname, now hastily accepting the decree of Feng Gong, isn’t it just offending these two people in vain, and making the family with a deeper background than us worry? Le Jun, we don’t need to make a show, and it should be more stable to act in a low-key way.”

Yuanli was silent.

Yuan Song thought he was right, but when he saw that he didn't speak, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, and his heart became uncertain.

Now that Yuan Li has practiced the kung fu of not showing emotions, Yuan Song couldn't see anything from his face, so he said nervously: "My son, am I wrong?"

Yuanli was indeed a little disappointed.

But at the same time, he can also understand Yuan Song's thoughts.

Yuan Song is not him, he does not have lofty aspirations and a broad vision from later generations. He still thinks of the small people in his bones. He is worried about offending people and the powerful family, so he feels that it is a mistake to stand out.

With Yuan Song's knowledge and experience, it's not surprising that he has such an idea.

Because I'm afraid he can't imagine what kind of things his son is planning.

Yuan Li swallowed a sigh, and patiently explained: "Father, even if I don't become a Duke, there will still be people who hate me."

Yuan Song was taken aback.

"It's the same with Qin Pei and Qin Meng you mentioned, and it's the same with other people," Yuan Li paused, "As long as I don't die, they will never trust me."

Yuan Song shook his hand and almost knocked over the tea bowl, "My son, is that really the case?"

"Yeah, father," Yuan Li sighed, but his face was calm, "In troubled times, those who contend with me are wolves, tigers and leopards, and if you show weakness, you will be torn to pieces. They are afraid, but being strong will make them start to be afraid. If the emperor enshrines me as a public and I give up because of various scruples, it will not make them treat me kindly, but let them know that I am weak inside and out. It can be bullied. So I will not refuse, not only will I not refuse, but I will accept it with great fanfare, so that they will not dare to act or offend me because of my status."

No one spoke in the study for a while.

It took a long time for Yuan Song to recover from the shock. He looked at Yuan Li complicatedly, nodded and said, "I understand, I will make preparations for you to become the Duke."

Yuan Li put down his tea, smiled and nodded, "Then I will trouble Dad."

After talking about this matter, Yuan Song found a stack of letters from the side and pushed them in front of Yuanli, "These are the people who asked me to recommend them to you recently. I rely on you. I don't understand these things, so I didn't agree, and I didn't completely refuse, you can take a look."

Yuanli took out a few letters and looked at them. These people were all people with names and surnames. They were based on the whole family and wanted to take refuge in Yuanli with all their wealth.

Thinking back a few years ago, there were only a few people in Yuanli, and even Liu Jixin had been by his side for several months before he recognized him as the master. How could he have thought of it now?

Yuan Li closed the envelope, "Next time, father will let him deliver the letter directly to the Political Affairs Hall. This kind of thing will only increase more and more, you can't start with it."

Yuan Song nodded again and again, "I know it well, and I will definitely not drag you down."

"What do you say is dragging or not?" Yuan Li said helplessly, "You are my father, and I am your son. Together, father and son, we can also be soldiers against father and son."

Yuan Song was amused, shook his head, and suddenly remembered something: "Your younger brother will be married in two years, and I am choosing a wife for him. Le Jun, you..."

Yuan Li stood up, seemingly unintentionally said: "Father, I remembered that I have to go to the barracks today, it's getting late, I'll go first."

Looking at Yuan Li's leaving back, even Yuan Song, who was very dull, noticed something was wrong.

When he was young, he wished he could get married and become an adult as soon as possible, and he was anxious when he mentioned this matter.But looking at Yuan Li's appearance, he has no urgency to get married at all, and even seems to resist.

That night, Yuan Song couldn't help but asked Mrs. Chen, "Does Mr. Le have someone in his heart who is unwilling to marry?"

Chen's face turned pale for a moment, and he forced a smile and said, "Why do you say that?"

"I think he really doesn't want to marry a wife," Yuan Song sighed, "How can he bear it at such a young age? Does the person he likes come from a bad background, so he refuses to tell us?"

"Master thinks too much," Chen said with a chuckle, "I think our son is busy. Don't worry too much. Look at the general, isn't he still married?"

Something flashed through Yuan Song's mind, but Yuan Song didn't catch it.He was stunned for a moment, then he simply stopped thinking, nodded and said, "That's right."

In the early summer, the emperor's third decree to enshrine the Duke reached Youzhou again.

Everyone in the world knows that there is one, there is two, and there is no third.If Yuanli intends to accept Feng Gong, then this time he will not refuse again.If Yuanli really didn't want to be named Duke, the emperor wouldn't force it after this refusal.

Many people are waiting for Yuanli's choice.

On June [-]th in the sixth year of Zhou Yan, the emperor's mission arrived in Ji County.

Yuanli led his ministers out of the city to meet them, washed their hands and fasted, and respectfully accepted the emperor's will.

He was enshrined as a public, and owned nine prefectures in Jizhou, including Neiwei County, Julu County, Bohai County, Qinghe State, and Zhao State, as well as nine jurisdictions in Bingzhou, including Shangdang County, Taiyuan County, Xihe County, and Yanmen County. Counties are fiefdoms, and from then on they are the real masters of these counties.

Yuanli also needs to give his fief a title.

For example, Youzhou of the King of Chu was called "Yan" in ancient times, but the King of Chu used his own surname as his title, and Youzhou can also be called the State of Chu.The same is true of King Chen, whose Yangzhou is the Kingdom of Chen.

This is different from the historical rules that Yuanli is familiar with. If Yuanli is willing, his surname can also be used as the title of Jizhou and Bingzhou in the future, and he will be called "Yuan Gongguo", and his title will also be from "Yan Dynasty". Jun Hou" becomes "Yuan Gong".

It's impossible that Yuanli's fiefdom is not Youzhou, he still bears Youzhou's ancient name "Yan"!

Regarding the title, Yuanli actually thought about it for a long time.

Naturally, he would not use his surname as his title. After all, if he could really achieve his ultimate goal, then the title at this moment would most likely become the title of the new dynasty in the future.

What word should I use?

Because Chen Wang and Chu Wang took the title first, Yuanli actually didn't need to follow the old system to get the title, as long as he liked it.But Yuanli and his subordinates still flipped through the books, and rigorously found out the ancient names of Jizhou and Bingzhou in the past.

The historical development of this world is different from the historical development that Yuanli is familiar with. Finally, there are four ancient names selected, namely: Jinyang, Liang, Wei, and Wen.

Each title has its own history and meaning, and Yuanli's subordinates couldn't argue which word is better after several days of discussion.When they asked Yuan Li, Yuan Li's eyes were fixed on the word "Wen" and could not move.

The subordinates followed his gaze and asked, "Does my lord prefer the word 'wen'?"

Lin Tian seemed to think of something, and said in a very pleasant surprise: "I remember when my lord took us to the Chu Palace in Luoyang, the courtyard where I lived was named 'Wen Dao Yuan' by my lord."

"That's right," Yuan Li said with a smile, raising his hand to caress the word, as if there were dazzling stars hidden in his eyes, "let's use the word 'Wen' as the title of the fief."

Chao Wen Dao Xi can die.

From a certain point of view, this sentence is very appropriate to Yuanli.So he once named his courtyard "Wen Dao Yuan", and also wanted to name his fief "Wen".

To smell means to hear, to smell, to see.

What Yuanli thought was actually very simple.

Hear the voice of the people of the world, do what the people of the world want to do, that's all.

From then on, he was "Wen Gong".