Seiwa

Commander Shen has always been the same. He said that he would visit Meng Qinghe's home, which is the superior's sympathy for his subordinates. Not to mention Meng Hu and Meng Qingjiang, even the four frontier soldiers who followed Meng Qinghe were all envious of them.

Although the frontier soldiers are all rough men, they also have eyes.The King of Yan regards Commander Shen as his nephew, and he will ascend to the Ninth Five-Year Plan in the future. With Commander Shen's military exploits and strategy, he will be crowned as a Marquis and become a prime minister just around the corner.

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu dared to win over anyone in the palace, except Shen Xuan.

Needless to say, the former Dingyuan Marquis Shen Liang’s friendship with the King of Yan, Shen Xuan’s strength and strategy are among the top in the army. The importance that the King of Yan attaches to him, and the love and care that Zhu Neng and others have for him, can be clearly seen from all over the palace. .

Zhu Gaochi managed to make King Yan change his opinion a little bit, so he naturally didn't want to make his father unhappy.

Although Zhu Gaoxu has a certain prestige in the army, except for his status as the county king, he is far from being comparable to Zhang Yu, Shen Xuan and others.

The two brothers have been fighting openly and covertly for a long time. Although the flag and drums have temporarily subsided due to the fact that Yan Wang Jing is difficult to raise troops, they both know that if Jing Nan is successful and Yan Wang ascends the throne of the emperor, the competition between them will only become more intense.

The prince is only the successor of the vassal king, but the prince will be rich in the world after the emperor.

What Meng Qinghe said about creating another "family business" has been converted into the Ming Dynasty's expansion of territory in Zhu Gaoxu's mind.

Open up the frontier for the country and do what he wishes, before that, he must prove himself to his father and the world!Even if you don't get that position in the end, there are some things you have to do.

It sounds stupid, but as a descendant of the royal family, he has his own pride and persistence.

Meng Qinghe is not Zhu Gaoxu, so naturally he doesn't understand his thoughts.As a small person, whether he continues to walk the tightrope between Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu, or invests in either side, he has to bear great risks.

Compared to the Zhu Gaochi brothers, the current King Yan and the future Emperor Yongle are the biggest bosses.In the next twenty years or so, desperately brushing up the favorability of this big boss is the foundation for Meng Twelve Lang to save his life and make a fortune.

Think clearly, but how easy is it to actually do it?

Meng Qinghe gave a wry smile, why was he thinking about these things, he should be happy to be able to go home after all.

Outside the palace, more than a dozen carriages loaded with rice, grain, wine, meat and cloth lined up in a row, and more than fifty Yanshan guards acted as grooms and guards, waiting beside the carriages.

Meng Qinghe turned his head to look at Shen Xuan, Commander Shen was very calm, and there was no clue in his expression.

Helpless, Meng Twelve Lang could only ask, "Commander, what is this?"

"The end of the new year is approaching, and the lord obeys Emperor Taizu Gao's "Cunshi Gao Nian Zhao" and prepares rice, grain, cloth and silk to send to the elderly under his rule."

"all these are?"

"most."

A guard brought Shen Xuan's mount, Commander Shen pulled the reins, and got on the horse, "There is also a gift prepared by the home of Mr. Meng Qian."

Meng Qinghe blinked, and his eyes were drawn to the carriage again. Even in the north, horses were raised for war horses, and ox carts were often used by the people.Such a large-scale cavalry team can only be achieved by Yan Wangfu.

Shen Xuan was going to visit his home, which surprised Meng Qinghe, and even brought a meeting gift?

The immediate boss brought a gift to his home to express condolences?

Meng Twelve Lang touched the neck of the war horse under his crotch, always feeling that something was wrong.

That day when Shen Xuan applied medicine for him in the tent, even a fool could understand what happened during that time.

Meng Qinghe wanted to take the initiative, so he simply tore off the window paper that was blocking his face. Anyway, he had already been poked a lot of holes, so why did he block it?However, Shen Xuan's performance over the past few days made him feel like he had nowhere to start.

It's not that people are kept away from thousands of miles away, but it's just that people dare not act rashly. They instinctively feel that once they do it, things will never be good.

This kind of unkindness is more serious than being beaten a few times.

Walking on the road, Meng Qinghe frowned and sighed for a while, or stared at Shen Xuan's back in thought.

Commander Shen didn't turn his head back, and the Yanshan guards who acted as coachmen and guards also didn't see it. Meng Qingjiang was not in a high mood all the way. Lang, what's wrong with you?"

"what?"

"Could it be that you are worried about your family and feel timid because of being close to your hometown?" Meng Hu has been tempered for many days in the army, and his personality is also much more forthright.

Meng Qinghe shook his head, naturally he couldn't say what was on his mind, if he did, Meng Hu would 100% fall off his horse.In case of injury, it's not easy to explain to Uncle Jiu.

"Five cousins ​​don't have to worry, I'm fine." Meng Qinghe said, "It's just that I miss it very much after being away from home for a few months, and I'm going to see my family soon, so I'm just feeling a little emotional."

"Indeed." Meng Hu didn't think too much, and continued, "To tell you the truth, I am the same. It's just the fourth cousin, alas!"

Speaking of Meng Qingjiang, Meng Hu's tone became a little dull.

No need to guess, Meng Qinghe can also think that the relationship between Meng Qingjiang and his family is already estranged, and there is even a bit of complaint left, which may be difficult to make up for.

Meng Qingjiang didn't blame Meng Qinghe for taking him to the frontier. On the contrary, he told Meng Qinghe more than once that if he hadn't left Mengjiatun for Kaipingwei, he wouldn't be where he is today.A small flag is nothing in the army, but there are ten people under his command, and the land grant alone has 150 mu.Although he often encounters dangers while fighting with the army, the horizons he broadens and the rewards he receives are things he would never have imagined a few months ago.

"The fourth cousin has become less talkative, and his mind is calmer than before." Meng Hu said, "If there is another big battle, he can be promoted to the general banner with his military exploits."

Not only has Meng Qingjiang changed, Meng Hu is also different from when he first arrived in Kaipingwei.

I may not have noticed it, but Meng Qinghe could see it clearly.Now that he was discussing hunting wild animals for food, he would never toss and turn in worry and couldn't sleep all night.

As the year approaches, the weather gets colder.

The new wind blew past, and there were scattered snowflakes in the sky.

This kind of weather makes people can't help but recall the days of the frontier fortress. Even though it is bitterly cold, there are still many nostalgia.

The desert is lonely and the sky is far away.

Standing on the top of the city and overlooking as far as the eye can see, there is only the change of the green grass field and the winter snow field.

Defending the frontier is lonely. Beiyuan's annual threshing grass, in addition to threatening the frontier, has also become a channel for the frontier soldiers to relieve their depression.

Killing, fighting, blood and fire are firmly engraved in the soul of the frontier army.

The guards of the Daming Frontier Fortress now took up their swords and guns and fought with their former comrades. The blood splashed in the sword light was also bright red and glaring, no different from killing the Tartars.

As the horse team marched, apart from the howling north wind, there was only the creaking sound of the ruts rolling over the snow.

Yan Jun in the carriage waved his long whip in the snow, it sounded loud, and the whip rarely fell on the horse.

The frontier army took great care of war horses. Meng Qinghe had seen it before when he was in Kaipingwei. Horses were more valuable than people.

The snow is not heavy, but the wind is very cold.

In the wind and snow, a striking building appeared in front of it, a wall built of earth and stone, a turret built of wood, and an old tree behind the wall was particularly eye-catching.

After being away from home for a long time, Meng Qinghe did have a little feeling of being close to his hometown.

Shen Xuan signaled Meng Qinghe to go over, "Where is Mengjiatun?"

"Returning to the command, when the humble staff left home, the walls and turrets had not yet been built."

"The walls and turrets weren't Meng Chen's intentions?"

Meng Qinghe: "..." How did this person know?A born brocade guard?

"The army of the imperial court passed by here, did not loot an inch, did not hurt a single person, and Meng Chen made great contributions. The magistrate of Wanping County has reported it to the prince, and attached the praise of the head of the village and many elders."

Meng Qinghe laughed dryly, "The humble position is only mentioned occasionally in the letter to Jiaci. In the final analysis, it is the joint efforts of the clan."

Shen Xuan smiled and said nothing.

Looking at his smile, Meng Qinghe felt a little uncertain.

King Yan knows?

When the Yan army attacked Jinan, Tie Xuan sacrificed the emperor Taizu God's card again, would it still work?

Regardless of whether it is true or not, King Yan would not bombard Emperor Hongwu's tablet with cannons, would he?

At that time, will I, who borrowed Tie Xuan's ideas, be angered?

The more I think about it, the more uncertain I feel, and I can't help but break out in a cold sweat.Being blown by the wind, he sneezed solidly.

Can't blame him for thinking wildly, it is really not easy to gain Emperor Yong Le's favorability, but it is quite easy to increase hatred.

Before thinking too much, the guards on the turret had spotted the group of people and immediately rang the gong.

Shen Xuan ordered the crowd to stop, patted their horses and approached him personally, explaining the purpose of their visit.

Meng Qinghe followed closely and opened his voice, "Uncle Nine, Twelve Lang and two cousins ​​are back!"

This voice is more effective than the food cloth brought by Commander Shen.

The hanging door on the wall was lowered immediately, and after a while, several old men walked out of the door. They were all wearing thick round-neck padded jackets, their beards and hair were gray, and their faces were full of dimples that could not conceal their excited expressions.

The old man was followed by members of the Meng clan, including several cousins ​​of Meng Qinghe, but Meng Guangxiao and Meng Qinghai were nowhere to be seen.

"It's Twelve Lang!"

"Shiro and Goro are back!"

"It's good to be back!"

Seeing Meng Chongjiu who looked older than a few months ago, Meng Qinghe, Meng Hu and Meng Qingjiang had already dismounted from their horses and knelt on the snow to kowtow to the old man.

Meng Chongjiu personally helped up Meng Qinghe, who was dressed in a military officer's uniform, and then looked at the equally heroic Meng Hu and the calm Meng Qingjiang, and couldn't help crying.

With these good sons, the Meng family has hope. Under the nine springs, he can also straighten the rocker to see the brothers in the family who have passed away, and he can say a word when he sees his ancestors. worry.

"Get up!" When Meng Qing and the three got up, Meng Chongjiu turned his gaze to Shen Xuan who had dismounted, "Who is this?"

Shen Xuan took a step forward and said: "Shen Xuan, the junior, I have seen the elder."

"Uncle Nine, this is Commander Shen, the Yanshan defender under King Yan's command."

Knowing that it was a third-rank military officer in front of him, Meng Chongjiu hurriedly wanted to salute, "The little old man is shameless, and he lost his manners, Commander Shen, please forgive me."

Shen Xuan moved very quickly, supporting Meng Chongjiu's arms, "Don't let the elders offend the younger generation, the younger generation should pay respects to the elder."

After the words fell, he clasped his fists and bowed, performing a junior salute to Meng Chongjiu.

Being treated so courteously, Meng Chongjiu almost fainted even though he had experienced great storms and thought he had seen the world.

No matter how senior the Twelve Langs are, they are all juniors in the clan, and Meng Chongjiu will naturally accept his courtesy.

Shen Xuan and the Meng family are neither relatives nor relatives, yet they hold the junior ceremony to him, Meng Chongjiu is really a little dizzy.

No matter how much Emperor Taizu respected the elderly, he never saw a third-rank official in the imperial court treat ordinary people with such courtesy.

Could it be the will of King Yan?

If this is the case, the king of Yan will be the Son of Heaven when he ascends the Great Treasure.

What kind of tyrannical and indiscriminate killing by King Yan is all nonsense!

Meng Chongjiu's brain power is a bit strong, Commander Shen's original intention was seriously distorted, but it happened to be distorted to be very reasonable.

When King Yan found out afterwards, he also stroked his short mustache and said proudly, "My brother's son is indeed a unicorn!"

What can the misunderstood Commander Shen say?

Can only be silent and agree.

This misunderstanding cannot be explained at all.

In many cases, misunderstanding is easier to believe than truth.

A group of people were welcomed into the gate, and the guards unloaded the grain and cloth from the carriage. It happened that the head of the village was in the middle of the village, so there was no need for the people to make a long detour. We just asked the members of the Meng clan to deliver letters to the nearby villages, and someone came to collect them. .

"I also ask Commander Shen to move over to the humble house and have a cup of hot tea to warm up."

Shen Xuan thanked Meng Chongjiu for his kindness, and insisted on waiting until the people from the nearby villages arrived one after another, and distributed the rice, grain, cloth and silk in person, and the rest of the cart was said to be a gift to Meng Qinghe's family.

Not only Meng Chongjiu, but everyone who heard this began to faint.

Everyone looked at Meng Qinghe with question marks, what's going on?

Could it be that Twelve Lang's abilities are as high as the sky, which makes the Shangguan treat him so courteously?

Or did the two have a deadly friendship?

Or did Commander Shen owe Twelve Lang a favor?

No matter how you look at it, the probability is very low.

Twelve Lang is indeed smart, but with his current body, it is a miracle in the eyes of the Meng clan that he can return from the battlefield without incident and be promoted to an official position.

"To be honest, the younger generation has an extraordinary friendship with Twelve Langs. This trip is ordered by the prince to visit Twelve Langs' home."

As soon as this remark came out, Meng Qinghe also began to faint.

Twelve Lang... It was the first time Shen Xuan called him that.

Friendship is extraordinary?Subconsciously pinched his ear, feeling a little hot.

Shen Xuan spoke clearly, Meng Chongjiu and the others would naturally not hold him back by force, they could only tell Meng Qinghe not to treat Shangguan slowly.

"Twelve Lang is really amazing!"

The crowd once again gave a sound of admiration, and Meng Hu stood beside Meng Chongjiu, holding the old man's arm, "Grandfather, grandson also brought back some grain and cloth, and also brought a whole mutton and a beef leg, all of which were rewarded by the prince." .After returning home, the grandson kowtows to you and your parents."

Since his father was a married man, Meng Hu followed his mother's surname, and it was natural and reasonable to call Meng Chongjiu his grandfather instead of his maternal grandfather.

As a door-to-door son-in-law, Meng Hu's father was not allowed to take the imperial examination, was nominated to be an official, and could not occupy his wife's property.Concubine?Absolutely don't even think about it.If the descendants want to change their father's surname back, they must obtain the approval of the court, and it is absolutely impossible to change it without authorization.

Once any of the above items were committed, it would be light to be imprisoned, and those who committed serious crimes would be exiled into the army.

Meng Chongjiu's family is kind to others, Meng Hu's father is not lazy, and the family lives in harmony.

However, with Meng Hu emerging in the army, it is inevitable that this honest son-in-law will not have some ideas.During the Hongwu period, some officials who entered the imperial examination changed their mother's surname to their father's, inheriting the incense of their father's family, and the emperor personally approved it.

If the son-in-law has such thoughts, Meng Chongjiu doesn't know whether he should accept him or try his best to stop him with the kindness of the year.

For Meng Hu's future promotion, it is not good to bear the name of the son-in-law.

Meng Chongjiu turned a few turns in his mind, still unable to make up his mind, so he had to let it go for the time being.Right now, compared to the affairs of his own family, Shiro's family is really difficult to deal with.

"Shiro, you come with me."

Dalang's misfortune, if not handled properly, may involve the clan, the clan will naturally not publicize it to the outside world, but Shiro must know.

"Your parents and elder brother are locked in the ancestral hall now, you go to see them first and kowtow to your parents. After you come back, Uncle Jiu will tell you the reason.

Hearing that his family members had been imprisoned in the ancestral hall, Meng Qingjiang's expression changed suddenly.No matter how much resentment there is in his heart, it is also his parents and elder brother. Hearing this at first, it is false not to worry.

But if you think about it carefully, it must be a big mistake for parents and elder brother to be imprisoned in the ancestral hall. The decision was made after the joint discussion of the elders in the clan. Otherwise, Meng Guangxiao, as the patriarch, and Meng Qinghai has the reputation of a scholar, Meng Chongjiu alone has no right to be involved. them.

"Respect Uncle Nine's teachings, Qingjiang will come whenever you go."

Meng Qingjiang looked anxious and hurried on his feet. Meng Chongjiu and several elderly people shook their heads and sighed.Meng Guangxiao was confused, they had misjudged him at the beginning, if Twelve Lang didn't mention it, even Shiro was a hundred times stronger than Da Lang.

Good at reading, smart, but not right in mind, sooner or later becoming an official will bring disaster to the clan.

Of the officials who committed crimes in the early years, which one did not bring a family down?

"Grandpa, what's going on at the lobby uncle's house?"

"Don't ask, Shiro will tell you when he comes back. Twelve Lang, wait for Commander Shen to leave before inviting him home."

"Yes."

Meng Hu helped Meng Chongjiu back home, and the clansmen dispersed one after another.The chief of the village is here today because of the trouble Meng Qinghai provoked.The head of the village regretted the marriage for a long time, but his daughter was stubborn, so he could only find ways to say something good for Meng Guangxiao's family.

Most of the face for half of his life was thrown on this son-in-law.

Meng Guangshun and Meng Guangxin discussed as they walked. Twelve Lang is now an official, but Meng Guangxiao's family has angered the whole clan. When Meng Guangzhi just died, who would have thought that the situation would be like this?

"Second brother, I think it's better to return the fields of Twelve Lang's family."

This statement was immediately approved.

"Fourth brother is right, return it as soon as possible, otherwise you won't be able to sleep well."

Meng Guangshun shook his head, "How can Twelfth Lang value such a thing now? If he insists on returning it, there will be another trouble. If someone spreads that Twelve Lang bullies the weak and bullies the clansmen, we won't be able to eat it from the clan elders." Walking around. Now the whole family is counting on the Twelve Langs, so we have to think carefully about what we do."

"so what should I do now?"

"In my opinion, the field can't be repaid. It has to be refilled at a nearby place." Meng Guangshun said, "Go back first and pick up the fat and tender lamb, kill it, and send it to Twelve Lang's family. The sixth sibling knows that Twelve Lang is back, You may not know that Shangguan will come to the door, I am afraid the family is not prepared."

"Second brother said, let's go back now!"

"Wait a minute, go back and tell your mother-in-law, don't gossip if you have nothing to do. Guangming, especially yours. The children in the clan will have to rely on Twelve Langs to support them in the future, so we can't be confused at this time."

The brothers agreed and went home one after another to prepare. After a while, the cry of the lamb came from the village.

Meng Guangshun and others sent the slaughtered lamb to Shier Lang's house, and Meng Chongjiu and several other family members also sent a copy to each of them.In addition to selling well, he also saved another thought. Meng Guangxiao was shut down in the ancestral hall, and the patriarch must choose someone else. Erlang went out to win a game, but the rest couldn't convince the crowd at all.

The brothers work hard to make a good impression in the eyes of the elders, and ease the relationship with Twelve Lang, maybe the benefits will fall on their own heads.

Naturally, Meng Qinghe didn't know what Meng Guangshun and the others were thinking. He was standing in front of Mrs. Meng, looking at Shen Xuan in the hall, his head was buzzing.

He suspected that he was hallucinating, it wasn't just him, even Meng Wang who was sitting in the hall had been petrified, as for Meng Xu and Meng Zhang who were in the side room behind the door, they were also taken aback.

The only ones who seemed nothing had happened were Third Sister Meng and Fifth Sister Meng who were happily sharing candies.

Pine nut candy, malt candy, and some unknown ones. I haven’t seen them during the Chinese New Year. They contain a piece, and the mouth is full of sweetness.

Third Sister Meng was changing her teeth, she opened her mouth to smile, but two of her front teeth were missing, and her speech was a bit leaky.

"Mother, the headband given by Uncle Twelfth."

After distributing the sweets, the two little girls opened the wooden box Meng Qinghe had given them, picked up a hair rope with beads the size of rice grains strung on it, and asked Meng Xu and Meng Zhang to tie their hair.

The two sisters-in-law's thoughts are outside at the moment, so they don't have the time to tie their daughter's hair.After saying a few words in a good voice, the two little girls were also sensible, and they went aside to play by themselves.

In the main room, Mrs. Meng Wang hadn't recovered from the petrified state, and sat stiffly without making a sound.

Shen Xuan put away his murderous aura, and said in a warm voice, "This junior hits it off with Twelve Lang, and they have a tacit understanding, and the friendship is so deep that they can be called brothers. These are just a few thoughts from this junior."

With a handsome face and bright eyes, he is slender and straight, with an air of nobility all over his body.

Good manners and a gentle attitude make it easy for people to have a good impression.

However, no matter what he said, the "worship" before Meng Wang's eyes was a bit too scary.

The cartload of grain and cloth in the yard is not even considered as an addition, but the pair of jade pendants that are taken out next are really scary.

Is this a gift?

Even if Mrs. Meng Wang is a village woman, she can see that these two jade plaques are of great value, and they are probably treasures that cannot be easily obtained.The pattern on it is not something ordinary people can use, and the implication is really special.

Flying together, the alliance of phoenixes.

Can such a pair of jade pendants be given away easily?

Or do you not understand the nobleman's rules of conduct?

Meng Wang subconsciously went to see her son, but she didn't know that Meng Qinghe was also shocked by the thunder that Shen Xuan suddenly released.

Moving his eyeballs with difficulty, Shen Xuan, what exactly does he want to do?