Linzhi

In the summer of the second year of Jiayou, when the leaves in the forest were luxuriant enough to cover the top of the head, He Rong and his party finally returned to the capital.

Compared with the majestic and hustle and bustle when he went, when he came back, besides the mulberry forest, there were only dozens of guards accompanying He Rong to protect him, which seemed a bit shabby.

But this time, Crown Prince He Mu and Duke Heng both obeyed the emperor's orders and went out of the city to meet them at the same time.

In the distance, the tall city wall came into view, and the dizzying surprise along the way turned into shock here. Sang Lin looked at it fascinated for a long time, and let the horse go all the way, almost bumping into the ass of others.

He hurriedly reined in and pleaded guilty to He Rong.

"Your Highness laughed. I have been in Sangjiazhai since I was born. I have seen many mountains and deep forests. I have never seen such a majestic city. I thought Guangzhou was already prosperous, and I learned a lot along the way. Thinking of seeing Chang'an, I realize that I am too shallow, there is a heavenly palace in the world!"

He Rong didn't make fun of him: "I returned to Chang'an after more than ten years, and I feel the same as you, maybe even more excited."

Sang Lin didn't believe that people like An Wang would lose his temper, and thought he was just trying to comfort himself, but he never expected that He Rong's words were not exaggerated.

Not only He Rong, when the He family returned to the capital, the moment they saw Chang'an, the excitement was no lower than that of Sang Lin now. From then on, He Rong knew that not only him, but all the He family made a promise in their hearts. One wish, never to return to that cold and cramped room in Zhushan in this lifetime.

"It seems that someone is coming to pick us up at the gate of the city?" Sang Lin looked over.

"King Ji came back from Ganzhou, and we probably happened to bump into each other at about the same time as us, so His Majesty asked His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to come over."

On the way back, He Rong had already received a report from the residence, and he knew more about it than Sang Lin.

The crowd gradually approached on horseback, and Sang Lin saw that the lower part of the East Palace was dressed in the prince's robes. His figure was slender and majestic, and there was another person beside the prince, who was very heroic, and the general's battle robe was flying against the wind. Sang Lin looked familiar, and then thought, Isn't it somewhat similar to King Xing?

Then the identity of this person is ready to be revealed.

"Your Highness, the one standing next to the prince is King Ji, right?" Sang Lin asked.

He Rong: "That's right, behind them are Li Kuan, Lord Heng, and Zhang Yi, the third son of Zhang Tao, Marquis of Wuwei."

When I first arrived in Chang'an, besides the tall city walls and beautiful city, my first impression was that there were a lot of marquis official positions. He Rong said two, and Sang Lin was a little dizzy. He was about to ask Duke Heng who he was. He Rong had dismounted first and walked towards the opponent.

"When I came out today, Your Majesty also told me that the magpies on the branches kept screaming, which must be a great good thing. As expected, I came out of the city and welcomed you two! Tell me, this one came from the north. Come on, one came from the south, how could it be such a coincidence that they all arrive today?"

The prince took a step forward, held He Rong's arm, stopped him from saluting, and smiled heartily.

He Rong smiled slightly, met the prince's smile, and then looked at the weather-stained face of his second brother He Xiu behind him.

"Maybe, my second brother and I have a heart-to-heart connection?"

He Xiu: "I heard that you achieved a great victory in Lingnan?"

He Rong: "This is all due to Goro. I also read it in the mansion newspaper. The second elder brother killed Fu Nian Khan's younger brother. The significance of this battle is much greater than ours in Lingnan!"

The two smiled at each other.

The prince pretended to sigh: "One and two of you have made great achievements outside. As the eldest brother, I had to stay alone in the capital and wait for you to come back. This is almost hopeless. Fortunately, you all came back safely, otherwise my sister-in-law and I would have been together." You are worried every day, and His Majesty even asks about you every two or three days."

When he casually mentioned the Crown Princess Song, He Xiu's smiling face suddenly turned cold.

The prince didn't have eyes behind him, so naturally he didn't notice it, and still smiled and patted He Rong's shoulder.

"Today, His Majesty specially ordered me and Heng Guogong to go out to meet the two triumphant heroes. The sun is poisonous here, so let's go to the city first!"

Li Kuan also cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Congratulations to the two Highnesses on their return after a great victory. Your Majesty wanted to hold a banquet in the palace to clean up the dust for the two, but His Highness the Crown Prince felt that the two of you had traveled all the way and were exhausted physically and mentally. I suggest you go on another day." The feast is a celebration, so after the two Highnesses enter the palace to see your Majesty later, you can go back to the residence earlier to rest."

He Rong: "My elder brother is always considerate."

The prince jokingly gave him a light punch, and several of them got on the horse separately, the prince and He Xiuxing were in front, and He Rong and Li Kuan were one horse behind and lined up behind.

Li Kuan took the initiative to open up the conversation: "I heard that the south is hot and humid, and there are Nanyi people who don't understand Mandarin. Your Highness has lost a lot of weight during this trip. It's really hard work."

He Rong: "It's okay, but it's true that there are more mosquitoes. When I first went, I had prickly heat on my body, and so did many soldiers. Later, it was Sang Lin, the father of the little man behind me. I gave us some herbs and took a few baths before it gradually subsided."

Li Kuan said with a smile: "Fortunately, the south has been settled. As long as the government is properly governed in the future, there will be no worries. When the good news came, His Majesty was listening to our discussion in the Xuanzheng Hall, and he was overjoyed at the moment. He clapped his hands repeatedly and praised several His Highnesses for their excellence , is the pillar of the country!"

He Rong: "Duke Heng praised you absurdly. You are also a famous general who has experienced many battles. If it were you, I am afraid that you would have won the battle and returned."

Li Kuan laughed: "Your Highness thinks too highly of me. If you want to talk about famous generals, Zhang Tao and Chen Wei have to be the first in this dynasty. It's a pity that the weather is not good. Zhang Hou died young, which made the court lose the famous general. But Ji Wang This time, Your Highness not only swept away the prestige of the Turkic people, but also raised my face in the sky, it can be said that the waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead, and Li feels ashamed!"

He Rong: "Duke Heng is too modest. You and my second brother will soon become sons-in-law. In the future, both father-in-law and son-in-law will be famous generals in the battlefield. Isn't it a good talk? I also heard that His Majesty intends to appoint Duke Heng." As a prime minister, if this happens, it will be three happy days, if I come to ask for a glass of wedding wine at that time, Duke Heng can't turn me away."

Li Kuan may pay homage to the prime minister. On the eve of He Rong's arrival in Chang'an, Wen Jiang had already sent someone to wait there to inform him of the latest court movements. Because of this, He Rong also knew that Empress Pei had just given birth to a baby boy. , Emperor Jiayou named Baoer, implying the treasure of heaven.

This is a true first prince. On the day when the eighth prince was full moon, Emperor Jiayou ordered an amnesty for the world to celebrate the little prince's birthday.

His tone was flat, with no intention of joy, and he spoke so blissfully, that Li Kuan couldn't figure out whether His Highness Wang An was really congratulating him, or just being sarcastic.

Li Kuan shook his head and laughed: "His Royal Highness is fighting outside, and many news may not be well-informed. His Majesty does intend to let me be the prime minister, but I am not the only one selected, and I have already reported to His Majesty three times, and I will not accept my resignation. I am a person who knows nothing except fighting, and the prime minister is the king and governs hundreds of officials, how can I, Li Kuan and He De, take on this important task!"

He Rong: "Your Majesty values ​​kindness and kindness. The more Duke Heng refuses, the more His Majesty will feel that you are doing your part. Naturally, I know that Duke Heng is modest and cautious, and he refuses to leave any excuses. But those who don't know may think that you are doing something wrong." Whether you want to welcome or refuse."

Li Kuan: "Mouths grow on other people. I can't sew their mouths up with a needle. Those who clean themselves will clear their mouths. Since I ascended the throne today, there have been many gossips and rumors directed at me. Presumably His Royal Highness An also has some. heard."

He Rong was surprised: "What kind of rumors? Please ask Heng Guogong to make it clear."

Li Kuan smiled: "Just now His Highness said that I have three joys coming to my family, and this third joy is probably just the rumors that came from somewhere?"

He Rong also laughed: "Maybe, I heard that Empress Pei will personally preside over the selection of concubines this year, and Duke Heng, your favorite jewel, will also become one of the beauties of the harem."

The apple of his eye was not Li Suian, but Li Kuan's other daughter, Li Qingluo.

Compared with his sister Li Suian's reputation, the concubine Li Qingluo is much more low-key, but even He Rong has heard that Li Qingluo is naturally beautiful, and his appearance is even better than that of his sister.

The older sister is about to become Princess Ji, but the younger sister is going to enter the harem, and there will be a layer of separation in the next generation. This may be criticized by the people, but it is nothing in the Tian family.

Li Kuan raised his eyebrows and said in surprise: "King An is away in battle, thousands of miles away, and he still hears such rumors about the capital? Your ears are long enough. Could it be that there are thousands of incarnations, one in Lingnan and one in Lingnan?" Incarnate in the capital?"

He Rong: "Duke Heng is joking, how can I have this kind of ability? It's just that when communicating with Prince An's family, the people in my mansion will inevitably mention the new things that happened in the capital recently. When they hear what they hear, they will communicate with them." What did I say, is it possible that this is another gossip, purely fabricated?"

Li Kuan smiled wryly: "You've already talked about this, how dare I say anything? Your Majesty's choice of concubine is true. As for who to choose and who not to choose, that's not something I can make a decision. , I naturally hope that I can keep her for a few more years, but if the emperor calls, she will naturally have to obey, don't you think?"

He Rong: "It seems that these rumors and rumors may not be all unfounded, so I said, Duke Heng is coming to his house three times, don't forget my glass of wedding wine."

Li Kuan arched his hands: "His Royal Highness King An is a distinguished guest. If you are willing to come, let alone a glass of wedding wine, even if you want to drink old wine every day, I have to find ways to get it for you!"

The two people's voices were not loud, if they didn't listen carefully, it would be as if the two reunited after a long absence, they had a deep friendship and had endless things to say.

A group of people were allowed to enter the palace on horseback, and did not dismount until they were not far from the second palace gate.

Emperor Jiayou had already heard the news and waited for a long time in the Xuanzheng Hall. Seeing that his two sons returned to Beijing on the same day, they both returned with victories. In the middle, the weight is also slightly divided.

For example, for He Xiu, Emperor Jiayou not only encouraged him, but also mentioned his marriage with Li Suian. Here, although there is no lack of praise and praise, it is much shorter. After asking a few questions about Lingnan, everyone is asked to leave and go back to rest first.

When the crowd dispersed, the crown prince was at the end, called He Rong to stop, and said to him: "Sanlang, Your Majesty just thought of the tragic death of Erlang's wife and child, and wanted to make up for it. He didn't mean to belittle you, so don't take it to heart."

He Rongxin said that I have been used to it for a long time, but he said: "East Turkic is a serious problem for my confidant. The second brother has made great achievements this time and severely defeated the spirit of the Turkic people. It is reasonable for His Majesty to favor you."