Long live the general

Guo Xie's pupils shrank suddenly, and he saw the black horse rushing towards him like lightning, and the people around him scattered. Huo Yi stood upright like a tree.

Hei Fu neighed, and the moment he rushed over, Huo Yi soared into the air, precisely? Hei Fu sat astride Hei Fu's back, holding the reins tightly.Hei Fu was extremely angry, he let out a long hiss like thunder, raised his front legs, and stood upright, trying to throw Huo Yi down.

Huo Yi naturally remained motionless, even riding on Heifu's back in a relaxed posture.Heifu turned his head and ran around in the racecourse, at such a lightning speed that he could almost see only black afterimages, like an elf.At the same time, Hei Fu kept twisting his body, vacated his hooves, and jumped high, trying to throw the person on his back off. Huo Yi held the reins tightly, as steady as Mount Tai.

Heifu is not easy to be tamed, even if he cannot get rid of the person on him, he is not willing to stop.With force under his feet, he actually flew across the courtyard and ran out of the courtyard.

Guo Xie involuntarily uttered an exclamation, watched Hei Fu and Huo Yi disappear from sight, then turned to look at Huo Xiaoman.

Huo Xiaoman was very calm, still smiling, and said to Guo Xie, "This black man is indeed full of wildness."

After about two sticks of incense, there was a slow sound of horseshoes in the distance.All the people waiting on the racetrack cheered up and looked over there together.I saw Huo Yi riding on the black steed, still holding the rein in his hand, as stable as Mount Tai.Heifu's speed slowed down, and he didn't deliberately think about throwing Huo Yi off.It has been running at the fastest speed for too long, jumping and turning over all the way, tossing and tossing, its physical strength has been exhausted, but Huo Yi is still sitting steadily on his back.

It felt the strength and aura of the person on it, and no longer chose to resist.

Huo Yi and Heifu returned to the racecourse, Guo Xie came forward to meet him, and said with great admiration, "As expected of General Huo, I am truly convinced."

The others were all in admiration. They knew how fierce this horse was. Many people who claimed to be masters of horse taming took turns playing for a whole day without taming the horse.

Huo Yi didn't get off his horse and said, "Thank you Guo Gongshe for your love."

Seeing Guo Xie approaching, Heifu snorted suddenly, lowered his head and bumped into him. Guo Xie was startled, staggered two steps, and was supported by his subordinates to stand firm.

Seeing this, Heifu had a mocking look in his eyes.

This horse is so human, Guo Xie couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat.

Huo Yi stroked Hei Fu's shiny mane, then stepped off the horse and gave the whip to that person before him.

Guo Xie's eyes flickered, and he could see that the whip had never been used: "The general tamed the horse without using a whip."

"You need whips and awls to tame stupid horses, but you don't need these to tame smart horses?" Huo Yi smiled slightly: "How do they know? It's useless to resist if you choose the real master."

Guo Xie's complexion changed slightly.

"For a horse? It's not a good thing to be too hot-tempered. If whips and awls can't be tamed, then? It can only be killed."

Guo Xie twitched the corner of his mouth. He would rather believe what General Huo said? It meant something.

Huo Yi led Heifu away, returned to the inn and waited for another day, and finally bought all the remaining horses from Qiancao.

They are all male horses, and they can be bred when they go back, so Huo Yi looked at Heifu with a very kind look in his eyes.

Qian Cao was very surprised and admired that he was able to bring the horse back from Guo Xie, but was also afraid that it would implicate herself.

Huo Yi wanted to comfort him at first, but after a second thought, he asked, "Boss Qian, what did you say earlier, how many years have you been raising horses?"

"It started from the ancestors." Qian Cao said.

"Do you want to go to Chang'an?" Huo Yi asked: "Your Majesty has a special stable in Chang'an City. If you want to, I can recommend you to be a horseman to raise horses for His Majesty."

Qiancao at first glance? Hearing it, there is something? I couldn't believe it, and asked: "Really?"

"Of course." Huo Yi said: "You are excellent. Your Majesty knows people and makes good use of them. I will definitely appreciate you very much."

From Thief Town to Chang'an City, it can be said that it is a one-step climb to the sky.If someone else came to say this to Qian Cao, Qian Cao must have felt that he was lying to him, but he believed in General Huo.

Although the two hadn't gotten along for a long time, he felt that General Huo was someone worth entrusting.

It is undoubtedly a very difficult decision to leave the place where the ancestors lived for generations and go to Chang'an City, which is only spread in the market and never really visited, just because of one sentence.Huo Yi originally planned to let Qian Cao think about it for a while, but Qian Cao gave the answer soon, and he wanted to go.

Huo Yi asked him why? He made a decision so quickly.

Qian Cao said: "Thieves Town is a good place, but it's too remote. Whether it's buying or selling horses, or finding out the news from the outside world, it's very slow. Staying in Thief Town all the time is no different. As for building a car behind closed doors, I am afraid that I will never be able to breed better horses than Heifu, so I want to go to Chang'an City for a try. If it doesn't work, I can come back."

But when I come back, I'm sure? Didn't I say? Say? So simple, Qian Cao looked at Huo Yi expectantly, and said, "At that time, I will have to rely on General Huo to take care of me."

Qian Cao decided to move his family, so it will take some time to clean up.Huo Yi didn't go to sleep in the inn at night, but stayed at Qian's house. Qian Cao tidied up a guest room and came out, making the two of them feel wronged for a whole night.

After late at night, Huo Yi was half leaning on the bed, his long black hair falling down like splashed ink. He looked at Huo Xiaoman who was fully alert, and asked, "Aren't you coming to sleep?"

Holding the sword, Huo Xiaoman said: "Patriarch, today we broke into the dragon's pond and tiger's lair, I'm afraid that the surname Guo will come to revenge."

Huo Yi laughed out loud, his shoulders were shaking, he covered his mouth with his hand, and said after a while: "What is that? Longtan Tiger's Den, come and sleep, they won't come."

"Why? Huh?" Huo Xiaoman was puzzled. He felt that the Patriarch's behavior today was very hateful, and finally made a mockery.

"Because Mr. Guo is a man who keeps his word and does what he does." Huo Yi tilted his head, and the candlelight slid over his eyelashes. He lowered his eyes and said, "He stands in front of those? Since you have spoken first, you will naturally not go back on your word."

Huo Xiaoman: "Oh..."

"Another reason is that Mr. Guo is different from before. He wants to have a good relationship with the court, so he has to do some superficial work." Huo Yi said: "Mr. Guo often advertises that he respects the court. , Passing the gate of the county magistrate, you have to get off your horse."

Huo Xiaoman said aloud: "I don't think any of the things he did was to have a good relationship with the court." Instead, he was frantically challenging the court's authority and bottom line.

"In his heart, he not only looks down on the court, but also fears the court. At the same time, he also yearns for the court." Huo Yi thought to himself, this kind of mentality is similar to his attitude towards me: "So? Ah, don't look at what he said?, It depends on what he did? Xiaoman, not only him, but also others must be careful to distinguish between true and false, good and evil."

No matter how much Mr. Guo is rumored to repay grievances with virtue and respect the government, he can learn the truth just by looking at what happened.

Huo Xiaoman put away the sword, and smiled foolishly: "Master, are you talking to me? This tone seems to be talking to the eldest lady."

It's this kind of elder's reasonable tone, before? Huo Yi was not like this, but after staying with Huo Lingyue for a long time, he became very fond of reasoning with others.

The whole person is also full of kindness and peace visible to the naked eye.

Huo Xiaoman found this change very interesting.

Huo Yi scratched his face: "Is there?" In his eyes, Huo Xiaoman is just a child.

Huo Xiaoman thought to himself, sometimes General Huo would make him think of his mother who died young, of course he would not dare to tell the Patriarch.

Sure enough, nothing happened that night. Early the next morning, Qian Cao had already packed up his belongings. Apart from dry food, he only brought some seeds and a manuscript about raising horses.There are not many servants in his family, and they all help him raise horses, and they all brought them along.

When Huo Yi came, there were only a few people, but when he left, the team was much larger.

Before leaving Thief Town, Guo Gong came here to see him off. Huo Yi rode on Heifu, looking down at Guo Gong and the subordinates behind him.

"Mr. Guo." Huo Yi cupped his fists and said, "See you by fate."

Guo Xie looked at the backs of Huo Yi and other pedestrians with some regret, feeling heavy in his heart.

Huo Yi originally wanted to return to Chang'an directly from Thief Town, but when he was at the post station, he was stopped by the local county magistrate.

There are counties under the county, and the town is under the county.The county magistrate, surnamed Yang, is a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance and somewhat skinny.

There are many county magistrates in Dai Viet. This position is considered a member of the bureaucratic system whether it is high or low. But whether it is done well or not depends entirely on the individual and the local situation.At the beginning, Zhao Cheng was a county magistrate, and Huo Yi took a fancy to him and recommended him to His Majesty, and His Majesty reused him.

In contrast, Yang Xiancheng is relatively ordinary, mainly because his personality is not tough, but there is an overly tough ranger like Guo Xie.

Yang Xiancheng waited for Huo Yi at the post station, and came to see him off. He said that General Huo sent a letter when he first arrived. He wanted to visit him, but Huo Yi refused.

Huo Yi said: "I came to Thief Horse Town for the purpose of buying horses, so there is no need to make such a big splash."

"I understand the general's kindness, but I'm just uneasy." Yang Xiancheng specially invited Huo Yi to have a meal. During the dinner, he asked nervously: "General Huo, you are in the town of thieves, don't you?" Do you know if you have heard of Guo Gongyi?"

Huo Yi put down his chopsticks, and said calmly, "Guo Xie? I've heard of it. It's like thunder, what's wrong?"

Yang Xiancheng lowered his head and smiled for a while, the wrinkles on his face deepened as a result, and he looked shriveled like a dead tree. He wanted to say something, but he didn't say it in the end.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Huo Yi took the initiative to ask, "I'm in Thief Town, and I've heard a lot about Mr. Guo."

Yang Xiancheng hummed.

"For example, when a Confucian scholar treated him indecently, Guo Gong not only didn't care about it, but thanked the Confucian scholar and exempted him from corvee."

Yang Xiancheng's face turned slightly pale, and Huo Yi continued: "You said? He is a commoner, why? Dehe? Can, can? Yes? Exemption from corvee. As far as I know, only His Majesty in Da Viet can do this Power, only those who have paid for the title can be exempted from corvee and personal tax."

This is a big hat, Yang Xiancheng did not dare to neglect, and explained:

"It's all done by his subordinates... His method is very simple. He just bribes the little official. Every time it's the Confucian scholar's turn, he jumps over the Confucian scholar."

Huo Yi said lightly: "It seems that you are aware of this matter."

As soon as Yang Xiancheng's legs went limp, he wanted to kneel down, but Huo Yi grabbed him and pushed him back onto the stool.

"This……"

Huo Yi stared at him with a serious tone: "Master Xiancheng, you are the official appointed by the imperial court, why? Just sit back and watch such criminal acts. It is said that Mr. Guo also made money privately, what? The sum of the crimes is already enough for the death penalty."

Yang Xiancheng raised his head and said with desolate eyes: "Although I am an official ordered by the court, who will listen to me? There are only more than 30 small officials in the county government, but there are thousands of people under Guo Gong... and , I heard that he has a lot to do with the southern bandits."

The bandits in the south have always been a headache for Dai Viet.But this kind of small problem is not as good as the Xiongnu, just thinking about it makes me annoyed, like a bag bitten by a mosquito.

There are several small countries in the south, which are more mysterious. Although geographically, they are closer than the Western Regions, they have never had any contact with Dai Viet.

"There was a homicide case in Thief Town. I brought people in to investigate, but Guo Gong stopped him. Not only did he have those patrons, but he was also able to mobilize everyone in the area. The people didn't trust the government, but only Guo Gong. That time, I almost died in Thief Town. If it was for the law of the country, I could have fought him, but how many children do I have in my family? If a conflict arises, I can't even protect my wife and children. .”

"Guo Gong's sphere of influence spreads all over Jiaojun. I reported this matter to the governor of Jiaojun, but nothing came of it, and there was no reply." Yang Xiancheng mourned: "General, you are a reasonable person, can you? What can a county magistrate like me do? Don't I know that he is insulting the country's laws and undermining justice? He just has more energy than he wants. Just give me a chance..."

There is a lot of pressure on him, from top to bottom, orders from the imperial court and county guards, coercion from aristocratic families and Guo Xie and others, distrust and non-cooperation from the common people, it can be said that he is struggling , it is difficult to move an inch.

Huo Xiaoman said angrily: "You are so arrogant!" Now he can't wait to go back and kill Guo Jie.

Huo Yi was silent for a moment, and said to Yang Xiancheng: "I know, I will truthfully report this matter to His Majesty."

He might be able to give Yang Xiancheng a chance.

When they left, they could still see the station standing in the distance, watching them all the time.

Nothing happened after that. From Jiao County to Shu County, Huo Yi stepped into Chang'an City together with the first snow in winter.

Starting from Chang'an City to Ringing Horse Town, and then returning from Ringing Horse Town, it took a whole autumn.When Huo Yi left, the leaves were still green. Along the way, he watched the scenery gradually turn yellow, and Chang'an City had turned into a world covered in silver.

Zhou Zhenyan came out to greet him in person, and as soon as he came back, he couldn't wait to take him into the palace.Huo Yi was very used to this reception standard, so it was strange that he couldn't see Zhou Zhenyan under the city of Chang'an when he came back from outside.

On the contrary, Qiancao turned pale with fright. She never expected that the legendary His Majesty was a young man, yet he was so approachable.He knelt down in a hurry, not daring to look at the emperor's face, but could only stare at the black hem.

When he heard Huo Yi introduce himself to His Majesty the Emperor, Qian Cao was in a daze. He only knew how many times he responded foolishly. When he realized it, he realized that His Majesty gave him a... The post of horseman, the monthly salary is six hundred shi.Considering that he has just come to Chang'an and has no place to settle down for the time being, he can still withdraw one year's salary in advance to buy a house.

From now on, he will specialize in raising horses for His Majesty.

At this time, Qiancao had it—it turned out that what General Huo said was true, but this idea was realized too fast and too real.He originally thought that when he arrived in Chang'an, he would have to go through a lot of twists and turns before he could get his wish.

He tried his best to recall what happened before, it seemed that General Huo mentioned it, and His Majesty the Emperor immediately agreed, without any hesitation, and very considerately? Considering the issue of his residence...

Your Majesty is so kind, General Huo is so kind...Qian Cao's hands and feet are weak? He went to find his attendant.

After Huo Yi returned to Ziwei Palace, Zhou Zhenyan put a sable fur on him first, and said, "When you left, you didn't bring any winter clothes? What if it snows heavily and you're stuck on the road? manage."

Because of last year's snow disaster, Zhou Zhenyan was a little worried.

"Isn't this coming back?" Huo Yi said: "It's not very cold on the road. The south is better than Chang'an. The further north you go, the colder it gets."

"You're finally back. I wanted to write you a letter." Zhou Zhenyan held his hand and said, "I miss you so much when you're not here."

Huo Yi: "..."

He opened his eyes slightly, but after a closer look, Zhou Zhenyan said this sentence very normally, nothing? A strange emotion.

Zhou Zhenyan took his hand very naturally and said, "Take me to see the horse."

The two went to see the few good horses, including Heifu.Heifu has always had a stubborn temper, and he won't let anyone touch him except Huo Yi and Qiancao on the road. Huo Yi can only feed it horse grass and comb its hair by himself.

At this moment, Hei Fu looked very well-behaved when he saw Zhou Zhenyan. He lowered his head and snorted obediently.

Zhou Zhenxie laughed loudly: "That's right, it's a good horse, what's its name?"

"Hei Fu." Huo Yi was shocked by Hei Fu's wisdom. It knows this place? Who is the real master.

"...Heifu, it's pretty good." Zhou Zhenzhen thought, seeing the mare named Hongyan in Huo Yi's house, he thought to himself, this name is definitely not Huo Yiqi's: "You are not here for a while, The arsenal has made new things, you will be sure to see them later."

"what??"

"Horseshoes." Zhou Zhenxie said, "I'll take it later and put it on for Hei Fu. You can try it right away."

Zhou Zhenxie is very satisfied with his investment in the arsenal. In just two years, there have been many new things in the arsenal. Although most of them are not easy to use, there are a few of them that are easy to use. Say? That's a good thing.

The existence of the arsenal not only enabled the rapid development of iron smelting technology, but also increased the production capacity and inventory of weapons.Except for Chang'an City, every county has its own arsenal. According to the report sent this year, there are more than 50 guns, more than 5 spears, and more than 7 weapons in just one county in the Bianjun area. weapon.

This kind of military strength is enough to allow the Dai Viet Empire to deal with any battle.

When the attendants went to get the horseshoes, Zhou Zhenzhen and Huo Yi talked about the incident in Thief Town.

Zhou Zhenxie asked, "Brother Huo, did the journey go well?"

"It's going well." Huo Yi said: "But there is one thing that must be told to Your Majesty. I met a man named Guo Xie in Thief Town."

He told all he knew that Guo Xie was not an issue that belonged exclusively to "Thieves Town", or even an issue about "Guo Gong" personally. The challenge is a complex social issue.

After all, the common people also sincerely feel that Guo Gong is more reliable than the government.

Zhou Zhenxie and Huo Yi discussed for a long time. There are two reasons for the dishonesty of the government's authority in the local area. One is the weakness in force, and the other is the inconsistency in thinking.

"This matter still needs to be discussed in the long run." Zhou Zhenyan said: "Frozen three feet is not a day's cold."

Huo Yi nodded sympathetically in the icy world.

The attendant quickly brought the horseshoe, and Huo Yi held it in his hand and looked at it interestingly.

This is a semicircular iron object, a little bigger than a normal horseshoe.Huo Yi had noticed before that all the horses in the stable except Heifu had this thing on their four hooves.

He returned the horseshoe to the groom, and the groom took the horseshoe and tools and walked up to the black husband. The black husband immediately started a fire, raising his legs and neighing.Huo Yi had no choice but to stand beside it to appease it, and happened to observe closely how the horseshoe was put on.

A horse's hoof is made up of two layers, and what touches the ground is a hard cuticle about one finger wide, just like human nails, which are insensitive.

While nailing horseshoes on the hard horn, the groom explained: "General, this layer of horseshoe is in contact with the ground. After being rubbed by the ground for a long time, it often accumulates water and often falls off. wear on the hooves."

Huo Yi thought about it for a while, and it was true. Every time they marched in battle, they would not slow down, just to reduce the loss of horsepower.

The groom continued: "The purpose of nailing the horseshoe is to delay the wear and tear of the horse's hoof, and after the nail is nailed, the horse's hoof can grip the ground more firmly, and it will be more stable whether it is riding or driving."

He looked quite sophisticated, and while talking, he quickly ordered the horseshoe.Heifu neighed a few times impatiently, stepped on the ground tentatively, and was curious about the new things on his feet.

Zhou Zhenyan watched from the side, and said with a smile: "Try it, General Huo, do you want to prepare a saddle?"

"No need." Huo Yi patted Heifu on the back, turned over and sat on it, Heifu neighed excitedly, and ran out with long legs.

Snow had just fallen in Chang'an. Although there was no snow on the racecourse, it was still a patch of wet soil.However, Heifu ran extremely happily. The big racecourse in Chang'an City was not comparable to that of the Guo family. He ran happily, with the largest strides, and from time to time provoked the other horses locked in the stable.

Huo Yi: "..." Although it is a good horse, it seems to have some problems with its personality.

The cool wind blew past, this extreme speed was very rare, and Huo Yi also felt very refreshed.Hei Fu ran two laps before slowly walking back. Huo Yi found that Zhou Zhenyan had been there all the time, watching him. When Huo Yi drove his horse over, Zhou Zhenyan suddenly said to him: " General Huo, what do you think? Is it time for me to repair the imperial tomb?"

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