Spring and autumn

State of Jin, Xinjing.

Xun Hui, who was anxiously waiting for Zhao Xu's dismissal order, not only did not confirm what he expected, but was sent by Zhao Xu to preside over the first round of inspections of the new government. , still received such a heavy use from the emperor, the people below did not dare to neglect, but Xun Hui became more and more puzzled.

It was a matter of people's livelihood. No matter how suspicious Xun Hui was about his own destiny, he had to find a job every day he was in office. So when he came back from this trip, he submitted a long silk letter and reported his work carefully and competently: "Among the five prefectures, only Hengzhou's climate is not suitable for grain production. Shengzhou is a granary. According to the forecast of this year's agricultural officials, it will be a year of great abundance. Yuwai Qianzhou and Xinjing can all be self-sufficient. If there is no major war, We should be able to stockpile some food this year."

"Hmm..." Zhao Xu watched and listened to his report, glanced at the silk scroll, and suddenly asked, "How is the situation in Fuzhou?"

At the mention of Fuzhou, Xun Hui's heart sank, and he tentatively opened his mouth and said, "Fuzhou is just a small piece of land separated from Dingzhou. Food, population and other industries can be reported together with Dingzhou. It is divided into two places instead. With the increase of redundant staff, the ministers thought that there was no need to form a state alone..."

"It is necessary." Zhao Xu immediately interrupted him, put down the silk book and stared at the bewildered Xun Hui, "You are the Marquis of Fu, and you still want to ask the widow to remove Fuzhou?"

"This minister, Fuhou, has not fulfilled his responsibilities for a single day, and everything he does is the responsibility of the prime minister, and he dare not claim credit for his merits, and he will receive rewards for no merit. This minister feels uneasy." Xun Hui explained.

"What is Xiangguo worried about? Do you think I don't know?" Zhao Xu's tone suddenly became severe.

Can always be accurately poked at the pain point, Xun Hui stepped forward in desperation and wanted to explain again: "Your Majesty..."

"That's all." Zhao Xu interrupted him again, and his stern tone relaxed, "Which Xiangguo is not a Marquis, how can you be missing? Fuzhou is just a piece of land, you don't have to worry about it, if you really want to do your duty , there will be opportunities in the future, what is Xiangguo doing in such a hurry?"

Xun Hui was blocked from speaking, so he had to swallow again, and was about to leave, but Wei Fan, who had not removed his armor outside, hurried in without even giving a notice.Seeing Xun Hui here, Wei Fan was also taken aback, but didn't say much, and bowed towards the top: "Your Majesty."

Zhao Xu immediately smiled, came down to help Wei Fan himself, and put his hands on his shoulders: "Yang Fu, what's going on in Wangcheng?"

Without looking at Xun Hui again, Wei Fan reported truthfully: "I failed to enter the womb of heaven. When I rushed there, Duke Qi personally guarded the gate of the palace. I didn't dare to force my way, and I didn't dare to neglect. Come back and report to your majesty."

Jiang Chun was not inside, but guarded outside. Zhao Xu was also a little surprised, and then asked as if he had figured it out: "Then can you see who Jiang Chun took?"

"This... I didn't see it clearly." Wei Fan replied, "Qi Gong didn't let his ministers in, and even scolded you, Your Majesty, for the sake of peace between the two countries, the ministers really didn't dare to ask any more questions."

After savoring Jiang Chun's reaction, Zhao Xu became more and more confused. After thinking about it for a while, he patted Wei Fan's shoulder with a smile, and said, "Thank you, General Wei, go down and rest. You won't be on duty today."

Wei Fan took the order and left without saying anything, leaving Xun Hui staring at his back suspiciously.

Xun Hui, who was unconsciously staring at Wei Fan, didn't realize that his reaction had already been seen by Zhao Xu, Zhao Xu turned back to the table and said, "Xiangguo has seen the emperor's edict from Wangcheng, right? "

"Is it the Little Man League?"

"Yes." Zhao Xu shook his robe and sat down, "Jiang Chunchu succeeded the Duke of Qi. It can be said that he may not be familiar with the situation of Qi's own country, but he was suddenly attentive to this alliance and hurriedly left five days early. Xiangguo Why do you think it is?"

Testing him again, Xun Hui didn't change his face, pretending to be stupid on purpose: "Didn't he say it? To thank you."

"Thank you? Children won't believe it!" Zhao Xu sneered, picked up the pen and continued to approve the document, but he said it clearly to Xun Hui, "When Jiang Chun was in Chu State, he didn't seem like a person who would take the emperor by himself. , if it's not that he has completely transformed after becoming Duke Qi, then there are some extraordinary people around him."

What a great person, Qi Guo didn't even dare to take the position directly, so what else could there be?Xun Hui didn't take it seriously, but asked directly: "Duke Qi has arrived, when is your majesty going to the alliance meeting?"

"Leave tomorrow, if you don't catch up with the first one, it's better to be No.2."

The time was so short, Xun Hui pursed his lips and replied, "Then I will arrange it."

"No need." Zhao Xu looked up with a smile, "Xiangguo has worked hard all the way to inspect the five states. Although the alliance meeting is big, it is just a routine meeting, so I don't bother Xiangguo to go with it."

This arrangement made Xun Hui anxious, and hurriedly said: "I... I am the Prime Minister of a country. How dare I bother with such an important event as the Four Nations Alliance..."

"Okay, let General Wei go on your behalf this time, and the widow will explain to the emperor." Zhao Xu didn't give him a chance to explain, and made the deployment straightforwardly, and his tone was even a little displeased, "Xiangguo just said no To fulfill the duty of Marquis of Fu, Beijing and China have already made arrangements for the time when the widow goes to the alliance meeting, Xiangguo has worked so hard for a long time, why not go to Fuzhou to stay for ten days and a half months."

"Your Majesty, I..." Xun Hui wanted to argue again.

"Ziren." Instead of calling "Xiangguo", Zhao Xu stood up and called his name directly, which made Xun Hui stunned, staring at Zhao Xu in a daze, watching him speak word by word that made people feel ashamed. Shocked, "How long has it been since you went back to accompany your wife and children?"

When mentioning his wife and children, Xun Hui was speechless, so he lowered his head slowly, and said in a deep voice despite his entanglement: "Your servant takes orders."

After failing to pass the trial period, Zhao Xu had completely lost his trust in him—this was the conclusion Xun Hui reached after meeting the King this time.After returning to the mansion in Xinjing, he got into a carriage and went out of the city, ordering his wife and children to accompany him, so anxious that he was forced to do so.Walking to the gate of the city in embarrassment, Xun Hui and his party quickly left the city when they met Wei Fan who was in high spirits.

This is a collective migration of Xiangguo's family, maybe it can't be called a migration, it's simply an escape.Zhao Xu's attitude was clear, and Xun Hui didn't dare to neglect him for a moment. He wanted to argue and stay, but Zhao Xu reminded him with a smile that he still had his wife and children in Beijing.Fuzhou is Jinguang's fiefdom, and Junshang deliberately granted this land to him, which proves that his relationship with Jinguang cannot be washed away no matter what. It is already the best ending to be merciful and sent to Fuzhou.

"Ziren, what's the matter?" The woman holding the child in the carriage frowned and looked at the silent Xun Hui, "Didn't you just come back from inspection? Are you going to move to Fuzhou?"

"No...it's nothing..." Xun Hui didn't know how to explain it. Looking at the little boy sleeping in the woman's arms, there was a trace of sadness in his heart, "Han Lu, I've always been sorry to you mother and son..."

The woman named Han Lu frowned even more when she heard this. It was the first time her husband Xun Hui said such words to her, suppressing his bad premonition, Han Lu tried to comfort her with a smile: "I also live in Xinjing. Living in Fuzhou is the same, as long as I'm with you, it's the same anywhere."

Xun Hui nodded and said nothing, Han Lu forced a smile, then looked at the child in her arms and said, "Yao'er is as quiet as you, and he is not noisy when he moves from Taicheng to Xinjing. He is usually noisy. , just looking for Dad."

As if struck by lightning, Xun Hui looked at Han Lu blankly. The smile on her lips was like the warm sunlight, but it couldn't melt the ice in her heart at this moment.

It is true that he seldom went home. Before he took office as Prime Minister, his wife and children were placed behind Minsheng Guoben. If Zhao Xu hadn't deliberately reminded him, he really wouldn't be able to remember.Speaking of which, he and Han Lu were connected by Jin You, a young man with a bright future, and a lady from a high family. This marriage is still a good story in the Jin Kingdom.Relying on his wealth and talent, Xun Hui had already climbed to the position of Situ when he was newly married. He had a thorough understanding of officialdom and human relations, but he was always slow and restless when dealing with emotional matters.The dull young man didn't know what it meant to conceive the bride on the night of the consummation, until ten months later, a boy was born bleeding from his blood.

The spring was shining brightly that day, and the pear blossoms were all over the branches, and the child was as white and tender as pear blossoms.

"Let's call him Xun Yao."

After deciding on this name, Xun Hui experienced for the first time the feeling of leaving a mark on someone for a lifetime.

Yaoer's full moon wine is held in the palace, this is the only child who is not a member of the office but can get such treatment, the child who is not noisy and can respond to adults' teasing is really cute, anyone can come Hug him, and when Jin Guang reached out to hug him, he even smiled at this "Uncle Guang", making everyone suggest that Jin Guang be Yao'er's godfather.The godfather was recognized, Jin Gongyou was so happy that he swiped his pen, and actually bestowed the unprecedented "Recognition of Godfather Edict".

Thinking about it, it was really a time when flowers were blooming and brocades were cooking oil. Every time I think about it, I always miss it. Life at that time was still orderly but hopeful.Xun Hui does not dislike being cautious at work. He is afraid of the change of habitual events, as if overnight, he has no one to admire, his standing has become blurred, and he doesn't know who to trust.It's like being alone in the fog and losing direction in an instant.

Even under threat, he finally looked back. He should have looked back a long time ago. Xun Yao has grown to five years old, and his absent father should return to the family.

"Yao'er..." Xun Hui stretched out his hand to hold Xun Yao's little hand, and looked up at Han Lu as if he had made up his mind, "Let's go to Fuzhou and start everything over again. Since your lord doesn't trust me, I I don't want to be a prime minister any more, there's nothing wrong with being an idle Marquis, let's raise Yao'er properly."

The wheels of the carriage creaked on the uneven road, but it sounded very pleasant to Xun Hui at this moment. Driving to Fuzhou is also driving to another life with a direction.