Everyone loves Huo Qubing

"Come here quickly, try this!"

I yawned and stepped over the threshold, and my second uncle was already holding the Huoyun horse in the yard and waving to me.In his free time these days, he hid in the backyard and secretly fiddled with carpentry work, which was quite mysterious.

I stared at what looked like a rope ladder hanging from Huoyun's back.

Huo Yun was obviously not used to having a new gadget dangling on his back that kept hitting his stomach, so he raised his hooves and sniffed dissatisfiedly, and turned around in circles.

"It's finally finished, let's see if we can climb up." The second uncle grabbed the rein.

"This is too ugly..."

Although I said reluctant words, I still obediently climbed onto the rope ladder and quickly climbed onto the horse's back.

"Well, the effect is good." The second uncle nodded, took a few steps back, and stared at Huo Yun and me with his chin propped up for a while, "It looks—it's really ugly."

"How did uncle come up with such an idea?" I asked curiously.My second uncle's carpentry skills are a bit ugly, but they are very useful. You can get on and off your horse freely in the wild where there is no one, without the help of the terrain or other people's help.

"I saw someone in the northern Xiongnu area hang two rope loops on one side of the horse for the children of the Huns to get on and off the horse, so I thought it would be suitable for you. But I think the rope loops are too soft, so I made a few wooden ladders between them. ,ensure safety."

I grabbed the rope ladder, turned over and jumped off, and landed firmly in front of my second uncle.

"Isn't the prince underestimating the minister? Since the children of the Huns can climb onto the horse's back with only a rope ring, the minister can't lose to them." I frowned dissatisfied.

"Stop and go up and down after a steady stop, safety first. Also, you are not allowed to call me Junhou." The second uncle slapped me hard.

"Woo, uncle is angry." I covered my forehead and yelled, while secretly watching the other person's expression between my fingers.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" The second uncle immediately pulled my hand away nervously to check.

"I'm scaring you." I giggled and hugged his waist, taking the opportunity to bury myself in his slightly sweaty collar, "Thank you uncle, uncle is so kind to me, even if he traveled such a long distance on the expedition Missing my nephew."

It is said that the second uncle can really run. After leaving the entrance of Yanyin Valley, he felt that the speed of light vehicles and luggage was slow, so he only took [-] elite riders and ran to Longcheng outside the northeast foot of Yanshan Mountain to destroy the holy place of the Xiongnu. In order to avenge Zuo Xianwang's bloodwashing of Shanggu, the military official Shan Yu was so angry that he jumped.

The terrain at the northern foot of Yanshan Mountain is gentle, with lush water and grass, and there are many small tribes of Huns dotted along the way. My second uncle can actually come and go like the wind, avoid the scouts, and hit the opponent without anyone knowing it. When he pointed out to me on the map My eyeballs popped when I saw where he ran.

"You bastard, your glib kung fu is not the specialty of our Wei family. You must have learned it from His Majesty in the palace." The second uncle smiled and stretched out his hand to hold the top of my head, compared to his own chest, "Qubing has already It grows a lot taller, maybe you don’t need so many rope ladders, try which ones are easier to get up and down, and I’ll cut off the extra ones later.”

***

Taixue is a new pair of little ones.

Grand Master Li Jiao's adopted son, Li Ling, is six years old this year, with two little hair tied up, leading a little black horse to join our queue.On the other side, Zhang Anshi, the second son of Ting Wei Zhang Tang, who was the same age as Li Ling, had already rolled up his horns and was leading his bay red pony. He was hiding behind his brother Zhang He, poking his head out curiously to look around.

"Look at my new equipment. I don't need a man's stool, and I can mount the horse with bare hands." I took Huoyun to show everyone the rope ladder.

"That's great, cousin. Where can I buy it? I want it too." After a test drive, Su Wu sighed while climbing down from Huoyun's back.

"This is a secret weapon invented by my second uncle. It is a pendant specially used for climbing horses. I named it 'Madden'." I introduced.

"But, don't you think this kind of thing is hanging on the horse's back and swinging around, which affects the view a bit?" Cao Xiang frowned.

"Uh, I think so too." Zhang He nodded in agreement.

"It's nothing to be ugly, the key is practical value." I raised my eyebrows and said, "If you don't agree, then come and see who is faster."

These two guys, Cao Xiang and Zhang He, are tall enough to get on a horse by themselves, and of course they don't hurt their backs while standing and talking.

Grand Master Li Jiao came over with a quiver on his back.

"Teacher Li, look quickly." I rubbed twice, quickly rolled onto Huoyun, pulled the reins, and clamped the horse's belly with my legs, Huoyun flew out immediately.

"It's really a good idea. With this 'Madden', you don't need my help from now on." Grand Master Li nodded in praise.

"Look, I can not only get on the horse quickly, but also jump off directly." I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't remember my second uncle's instructions. The Huoyun horse was still running, so I let go of the reins and stepped on the rope ladder to borrow strength from the horse. Jump up and down.

"Danger!" Grand Master Li exclaimed, and I was already dragged for a distance on the ground by hanging upside down.

It was dark for a while, and then it was full of blue sky and white clouds.At the critical moment, Li Jiao quickly climbed onto Cao Xiang's white horse and chased after me. He jumped onto Huoyun's back and pulled the rein quickly, saving me with one foot entangled in the rope.

Surrounded by a circle of people, I rolled over on the ground with stars in my eyes, and Taishi Li took off the blood-oozing Hu suit to check my injuries.

"There is a bump on the back of the head, and the back is bruised." Li Jiao ordered the eunuch to get the herbal medicine to stop the bleeding and reduce the swelling. "Fortunately, it is in the pasture. If it is a bluestone road, such dragging will definitely cause serious injuries. Watch for vomiting in the next two days Not feeling well, please don't use Madden for now."

***

The showers in the summer afternoon bring a little coolness to the hot weather.

"Qubing, Your Majesty called me to Xuanshi Hall, I will go with you." Master Sang stopped me after school that day.

"Your Majesty summoned you, guess it's about recruiting troops?" I asked curiously while holding my umbrella.

Sang Hongyang nodded: "The messenger didn't elaborate, but it should be. Recently, the unit price of horses has risen, and I am also worried."

"Aren't we short of funds?" I remember my uncle once mentioned this matter.After a battle, the imperial court lost so much property, lives and gold and silver that the national treasury might not be able to bear it.

"The funds are not bad." Sang Hongyang denied, "Last year before Prime Minister Tian passed away, he donated his property and land to the state treasury, plus the property collected by Dou Ying and Guan's family into the state treasury to make up for the loss of Yanmen. There should be more than enough horses."

"Then why are you still worried?"

Sang Hongyang sighed: "Because we big men lack horse sources. Not all horses are suitable for war horses, and there are not many good horses that can adapt to the desert climate in the north. For example, your white horse is a rare Dawan horse. However, our Central Plains does not produce this kind of horse suitable for marching in the north. As for the high horses raised by the Xiongnu, now that the Han and Xiongnu have declared war on each other, the official horse trade has almost stagnated. The number and size of private horse dealers are limited."

"Smuggler? Like Nie Yi?"

"good."

I tiptoed over a puddle of water.No wonder my second uncle would go to Mayi to stay for two months every year. Usually, the nobles in Chang'an city bought horses just to see how to pick and choose to settle the bill, and it didn't take more than a day.

***

"Who is that?"

"I heard that it was a pet sent into the palace by Dou Taizhu. After Chen Fei was thrown into the cold palace, Dou Taizhu was afraid that the Chen family would decline, so he fell in love with His Majesty, so he specially sent a well-behaved one to be a pet."

When they arrived at Xuanshi Hall, the two little yellow gates were whispering to each other.

Wait, how did pets enter the Xuanshi Palace, which is heavily guarded?

I opened the bead curtain, and the emperor hurriedly pushed away the boy sitting on his lap, and pushed him back to the desk.

The boy was not yet at the age of a weak crown, but he had already worn a single-knot emerald jade crown early on, and was wearing a dark green silk train, sitting obediently on his knees.His skin is as thick as fat, his eyebrows are delicate, and his big watery eyes are full of affection. At this moment, because he was suddenly rejected, he was looking at the emperor with aggrieved and astonished eyes. Caramel residue, the hem of the train is slightly raised, revealing a section of smooth legs and wrists.

"Ahem," the emperor hid behind the scroll, his eyes wandering away.He cleared his throat in embarrassment, "This is Dong Jun, a newcomer recommended by my aunt. He is good at poetry and book etiquette, and has a good handwriting. I ordered him to come and help sort out... um... materials."

I widened my eyes, and looked at Dong Jun, who was in charge of "sorting out the materials" in front of me, with spring eyes and messy clothes, in a funny way.

"To be hailed as the number one beauty in the capital is indeed a well-deserved reputation." I thought to myself.This should be the famous Dong Yan. The real person is actually more beautiful than the Chang'an women I have ever seen. The only one who can compare his appearance is Han Shuo who is far away in Shuofang.

It is said that when Dong Yan was 13 years old, he was shocked by Dou Taizhu and became a heavenly man. He stayed in the Dachang Princess's mansion to raise him personally, and asked his master to teach him the six arts.Now this fairy-like person is actually sent into Weiyang Palace as a pet by Taizhu Dou. It seems that the advantage of being an emperor is that there are always people rushing to pay tribute as a substitute.

"Your Majesty, the Proclamation Room is the main hall of the late emperor. Unless it is a matter of law and regulation, no one else can enter it. Now, the people who serve Princess Tao's East Palace can enter the Proclamation Room privately. It is really against the rules of etiquette. Dongfang Shuo who followed in shook his head.

"Okay, let's not make an example." The emperor waved at Chuntuo, signaling the eunuch to take Dong Yan away.

"I will discuss with the Lord Father Yan about conscripting soldiers and buying horses from various feudal states. The idea of ​​the Tieguan camp is a good idea. I also invite Sang Aiqing to go back and draw up a plan."

After Sang Hongyang left, the emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey, I haven't finished writing yet." My left hand was stained with ink, and I stared at the wolf hair that the emperor took from my hand.

The emperor signaled the eunuch to take the pen away, and with a wave of his big hand, he wrapped me in his arms.

"I have a very serious matter to discuss with my nephew." He cleared his throat and put on a serious expression, but as soon as the next sentence came out, I almost didn't laugh out loud.

"Dong Jun's entry into the palace, my nephew will help me keep it a secret, please don't tell your second uncle."

"Everyone has already been brought into Xuanshi Hall, uncle will know sooner or later." I gave him a blank look.

"Your Majesty, Sun Hong, the left internal historian, has an audience."

"It's coming again." The Son of Heaven rubbed the center of his brows, curled his lips, and gave me a helpless smile.

"Your Majesty, just now in the courtroom, I didn't care to brush his face, but this Ji Changru has occupied the position of Lord and Captain since his Majesty ascended the throne. He has been sitting for 11 years. Apart from quarreling with his colleagues, he has no achievements No achievements." Taifu Gongsun was so excited that he could not stop talking, and he knew that he had just quarreled with Ji An in Waichao. Turmoil. I was promoted by His Majesty from a small local county. I am grateful for Your Majesty's kindness in nourishing the world. I can't see the people suffering repeatedly. I implore Your Majesty to consider and let Captain Ji go down to have a look and experience the difficulties of local officials. It's better than occupying the position of Jiuqing and not—"

At the end, Gongsun Hong glanced at me and swallowed his words reluctantly.

"According to Gongsun Aiqing, where should Lieutenant Ji Du go to observe the people's sentiments?" The emperor kicked the ball back to Gongsun Hong with one sentence.

"The minister is now serving as the internal historian of the left, and with a heart-to-heart comparison, he asked Lieutenant Ji Duwei to be appointed as the internal historian of the right. I think it is most appropriate."

***

"I'm home now, Doctor Dongfang, please go back." I jumped off the gray-maned horse Dongfang Shuo was leading.

Except for being drunk that night, Dongfang Shuo has been following the rules when he is sober and has not done anything wrong. I just treat him as drunk and let him take me to school and go home every day in the name of "dropping in".

Su Jia was tossing dinner in the kitchen, the bay red horse was parked in the stable, but the horse Deng on Huo Yun was gone.I groped into the backyard, and the second uncle was indeed tinkering with carpentry in the corner again.

"Grand Master Li Jiao said that when you got off the horse, you were entangled in the rope and hung upside down on the horse, so I thought, if the gap between the rope ladder is made smaller, only the front sole of the foot can pass, and the whole foot can be prevented from getting stuck."

With a "click", the iron saw in the second uncle's hand saw off a half-finished product.

"Try it and punch it if it fits."

"It can be smaller." I pulled out my ankle.

Looking at the busy second uncle with his head down, I suddenly thought of a question.

"Does uncle know about Dong Yan?"

An awkward pause.

I closed my eyes, clenched my fists, frowned and sighed secretly, I was really speechless, why did I ask so uncontrollably.

"Yes, I know." With an affirmative answer, the second uncle finally started to fiddle with the work in his hand.

"No, second uncle, you, you, you actually acquiesced?" I was so surprised that I couldn't close my mouth from ear to ear.

"I've already married, and I shouldn't interfere in Your Majesty's private life because of emotion and reason." The second uncle didn't raise his head, but just saw off the three pieces of wood in his hand, "Besides, Your Majesty is the lord, whoever he likes, he can be a courtier." how to place the beak."

"Could it be that uncle really doesn't mind at all?" I looked at the other party's slightly lonely expression.

The second uncle pursed his lips and thought for a while, and when he looked up, the light of joy was ignited again in his star pupils.

"It's not too early to tell you now—the third sister is pregnant with a dragon fetus, and the imperial doctor ordered that this fetus should be the prince."