Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 641: The One Who Was Beaten [Thank you! Thank you again! I owe you 39k more]

"Greetings, Lord Gu. May Lord Gu have a happy new year."

Xu Zaijing, who was walking in front, said with a smile and a bow.

Lu Zezong on the side also called for help.

Xiangyang Hou glanced at Xu Zaijing with a smile on his face, nodded and said, "Good health, good health! Good boy, I haven't seen you for a while, you look even more handsome!"

"Well, thank you Lord Gu for the compliment. I am unworthy of it."

"Of course, of course." After the Marquis of Xiangyang finished speaking, he nodded to Lu Zezong, then smiled and bowed to Duke Lian.

Looking back, the Marquis of Xiangyang glared and said, "You three, call for help!"

"Brother Jing, Happy New Year." Qi Heng bowed and said with a smile.

The two sons of Marquis Xiangyang, who were five years old in virtual age, hurriedly looked at Qi Heng and imitated Qi Heng in bowing and calling for help.

Hearing his eldest son also following Qi Heng's lead and calling him 'Jing Ge', the Marquis of Xiangyang turned around and frowned, saying, "How dare you call me Jing Ge'er? Call me uncle!"

"Oh! Hello, uncle." The eldest son of Marquis Xiangyang bowed.

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

Previously, Gu Dalang of the Xiangyang Marquis' Mansion was engaged to Xu Zaijing's niece Qing Jie'er at a young age after discussion with the two marquises.

After everyone finished speaking, the old Duke Lian said earnestly: "Lord Gu, love your son and teach him the way of righteousness. Also, pride brings harm, while humility brings benefit."

Qi Heng on the side nodded repeatedly to show his agreement.

Xiangyang Hou looked at the old Duke's expression and restrained his show-off attitude. After looking around, he cleared his throat, bowed and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your kind words, old Duke."

"Well, you guys go first." The old duke bowed his hand in return, then turned and walked south towards the outer court of the imperial palace.

Xiangyang Hou waved his hand and said, "Yuan Ruo, take them both with you and go to the rear court with Jing Ge'er."

"Yes, Grandpa."

As they were talking, Xu Zaijing, Qi Heng and their party came to the back court.

After seeing Princess Pingning, Qi Heng's two uncles hurried over, calling her "sister".

Xu Zaijing also bid farewell to the old lady of Duke Lian and went to his family.

While waiting outside the temple,
Xie and Hualan stood behind Sun, looking around from time to time.

When seeing the sisters-in-law Pingmei and Yanran coming over with Bai and Tingyi, Xie Hualan smiled and nodded.

Zai Zhang was also talking in a low voice with Xu Zai Jing beside him, mostly about the current situation of the Xu family.

Early in the morning on the first day of the New Year, many old friends from the Marquis' Mansion went to Quyuan Street to pay New Year's greetings.

Xu Zaijing nodded from time to time.
"By the way, Xiaowu, early this morning, the son of the Zhajue family also came to our house to pay New Year's greetings."

"Drag Jue Zhongding?"

"Correct."

"Oh! Then when I leave the palace and go to Sheng's house, I will make a detour and go to Zhajue's house to pay New Year's greetings first." Xu Zaijing said.

"Yeah! That's fine."

In front of Xu Zaijing, Xu Xingdai raised his head and looked back and forth between his two uncles.

"Please enter the palace from the Duke of Qi's mansion!" An eunuch's voice came from the front.

Following the call, everyone continued to move forward.

Soon they arrived at the Mansion of Marquis Yongyi.

Enter the palace,

After the New Year greetings were over, Xu Zaijing looked up and found that the people around the Queen this year were a little different from previous years.

Prince Zhao Fang is now studying beside the emperor. Concubine Rong, who usually sits beside him, is not here today because she is pregnant.

The two sons of Marquis Xiangyang were sitting not far below the Queen, and they would occasionally turn their heads to glance at Princess Pingning next to them.

"Brother Jing, are you going to the Duke Lian's mansion to celebrate the New Year this year?"

"Back to my queen, yes."

The Queen smiled and said, "Oh! So that's how it is. Then..."

The Queen Mother glanced around the palace, passing over several noble ladies, and continued, "Then if you, Jing'er, marry the eldest lady in the future, will you still go?"

Princess Pingning, who was sitting not far from the Queen, looked at everyone in the hall with great interest after hearing this.

Seeing the strange expressions on the faces of several noble ladies and their wives, Princess Pingning's eyes were almost filled with smiles.

After laughing, Princess Pingning turned her head to look at her handsome son, with a look of fantasy in her eyes.

"Uh," Xu Zaijing smiled awkwardly, "Your Majesty, I probably won't go then."

"Hmm!" The Queen nodded with a smile, waved her hand and said, "Dai, come here, let me take a look at you."

Xu Xingdai rolled his eyes and walked forward.

Looking at the child approaching, the Queen Mother smiled and glanced at Xu Zaijing, and said, "I heard that Dai Ge'er misses his father?"

"Yes! Yes, Queen, I still miss my grandfather a little."

As soon as this word comes out,
A burst of laughter was heard in the hall.

"Madam Xu Hou, it seems that Marquis Xu's love for him is not in vain." Princess Pingning looked at Sun and smiled.

Sun smiled and nodded.

"Good boy, go ahead." The Queen said with a smile.

As nobles from other families entered the hall, it was soon filled with people.

After the emperor came back from court and led everyone into the hall, everyone cheered "Long live the emperor" and wished a happy new year.

Zhao Fang, who was sitting next to the emperor and empress, had been looking at Xu Zaijing from time to time since he entered the hall.

While the emperor was sitting on the dragon throne, encouraging and praising several sons of noble officials, Zhao Fang was whispering with the queen.

When Zhao Fang heard the Queen say "I will marry a lady in the future" and so on, he looked around the palace with a smile in his eyes.

Xu Zaijing's attention was on the Northern Liao envoy, who had followed the important officials and nobles of the Great Zhou into the palace and whose attitude was very kind and even humble.

The emperor said a few more words, and amid the shouts of the eunuchs and the congratulations from everyone again, he left the palace.

On the way out of the palace, Xu Zaijing approached several dukes and marquises and listened to their conversation.

After another round of questioning during the conversation, Xu Zaijing learned that the envoy from Northern Liao had come to attend a major court meeting today and put forward a very sincere plan in public.

"All of Fengzhou from the previous dynasty will be given to me?"

After leaving the palace,
Gu Tingye, who was riding a horse beside Xu Zaijing, asked with surprise.

Qi Heng, who was standing by, also had a puzzled look on his face: "Brother Jing, Northern Liao wants to cede land to us?"

"Correct!"

Seeing Qi Heng's puzzled look, Xu Zaijing said, "Yuan Ruo, it was Northern Liao who attacked us first in the twelfth lunar month! If you don't cede territory and apologize, we will fight back when the weather warms up in spring and summer!"

Gu Tingye shook his head and said, "How can we just give up such a small amount of land?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Yes! So I heard from several adults that the condition for our peace talks with Northern Liao is to cede the six western states of the Sixteen States of Yanyun to us."

Hearing this, Gu Tingye and Qi Heng both raised their eyebrows.

"Tsk! Those adults are so cruel." Qi Heng sighed.

"He's just asking for a sky-high price. We still have to negotiate the details." Xu Zaijing said.

Gu Tingye exhaled a breath of white air and said, "Now that this condition is put forward, it seems reasonable for Northern Liao to give us one or two states."

"Hahahaha!" Xu Zaijing and a few others laughed.

Turning a street and looking at the pedestrians on the roadside, Gu Tingye said with a little regret: "It's a pity that Zheng Xiao didn't return to Beijing, otherwise we could still drink together!"

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath, feeling the coolness in his nose, and smiled, "There are so many young talents in the capital, Zheng Erge must seize the opportunity to make merit and get promoted, otherwise the Duke of Ying will not be so easy to relent."

As soon as these words came out, everyone burst into laughter again.

They walked to a street corner while chatting and laughing. After Xu Zaijing said a few words, he took Qingyun and walked towards Zhajue's house.

After the horse trotted for a while, Xu Zaijing arrived at the residence of Zhajue's family.

As a former important official of Baigao, Lord Zhajue made great efforts in persuading Emperor Baigao to surrender, so the configuration of his mansion is very good.

The gatekeeper was also a sharp-eyed man. He only took a look at Xu Zaijing and quickly asked the servant to go into the courtyard to pass on the message. He then walked over quickly, bowed and said with a smile: "Hello, Wulang! Why are you here today!" Xu Zaijing quickly got off his horse and said with a smile: "I came to see the old man."

Xu Zaijing entered the gate and took a few steps before he saw Zhajue Zhongding running towards him.

"Wulang, I am sorry for not coming to meet you here. Please forgive me."

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "Zhongding, I just stopped by to see the old man, what crime have you committed?"

Zhuajue Zhongding smiled and said, "Wulang, please come in."

"Please." Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

The two walked towards the backyard, looking at the beautifully decorated house. Xu Zaijing said, "You have been in Beijing for more than a year, haven't you thought about marrying a wife? This house looks empty."

"No hurry, no hurry." Zhua Jue Zhongding said with a smile.

"You are not in a hurry, and neither is the old man?" Xu Zaijing continued with a stern face: "Today I will ask someone to go find Madam Wu to see if she has anyone suitable."

Zhua Jue Zhongding smiled and nodded.

In the backyard,
"Father, Xu Jia Wulang is here."

Following the shouts of "Zhajue Zhongding", Xu Zaijing lowered his head, walked through the cotton curtain and entered the hall.

"Old man, long time no see! Happy New Year." Xu Zaijing bowed with a smile.

The old man stretched out his hand and said with a smile: "Well! Distinguished guest! Wu Lang is a distinguished guest, please take a seat!"

Xu Zaijing already knew the identity of this old man. He was a Jinshi in this dynasty several decades ago.

At that time, the imperial examination was conducted in the palace, and there were also cases of being dismissed and failing.

This old man was of humble origins, and had failed the palace examinations twice. In a fit of anger, he defected to Baigao, and became an important official of Baigao by virtue of his ability and talent.

This was also the reason why the houses of the Zaijue family in Xingqing Prefecture were all built in the style of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Moreover, the wife who had pulled Jue Zhongding before was also a noble lady from the Baigao Li family.

The fact that he was able to survive the purge of Liang Yi's family shows the talent and wisdom of this old man.

"Marquis Yongyi has made new achievements in the northwest. I would like to congratulate you here."

"Thank you, old man! My father said in his letter that the infantry of Zhaijue and Liannu played a big role in this great victory. Zhongding also played a role here."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing looked at Zhajue Zhongding who was standing aside.

"Oh? Wulang knows everything?" the old man said puzzledly.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Although Bei Liao was able to send troops with the order of Bei Liao Xijin Prefecture, the conflicts among several tribes near the border also played a catalytic role."

The old man smiled and nodded, saying, "Today, the envoys from Northern Liao attended the grand court meeting and the conditions for peace talks were to cede the remaining land of Fengzhou to the Great Zhou."

Xu Zaijing gave a thumbs up.

Afterwards, the old man talked about the possible negotiation conditions between the two countries in the future, and Xu Zaijing nodded continuously.

After talking for about a quarter of an hour, Xu Zaijing stood up and bowed, saying, "Old Master, I have to go to the master's house to pay New Year's greetings, so I'll take my leave first! Old Master, please stay."

"Okay! Go slowly, Wulang. I am too old and frail to see you off."

On the way out of the hospital, Xu Zaijing nodded and sighed: "The old man is very knowledgeable. I benefited a lot from just a few words!"

"Wu Lang's words are too serious."

Arriving at the gate,
Xu Zaijing mounted his horse, smiled and nodded at Zhuajue Zhongding who was bowing to see him off, and said, "Go back."

"Goro, take care."

"it is good."

After riding for a while,

Xu Zaijing's eyes narrowed, and he turned his head to look at the several tough young men on the side of the road, and asked solemnly, "What are you guys doing here?"

One person was about to speak with an angry look on his face, but was suddenly pulled away by his companion.

"Hmm?" Xu Zaijing asked again.

"We want to go and wish the old man a happy new year." One of the young men said with a smile.

"Oh! I see." Xu Zaijing nodded.

After looking at a few people carefully with a warning look on his face, Xu Zaijing tapped his horse's belly lightly and continued to move forward.

Qingyun urged his horse forward and said, "Sir, I see those people have no good intentions."

"Well, it seems I need to have a word with the Imperial City Division."

As they spoke, the two of them sped up their mounts and headed towards Jiying Lane.

Looking at the backs of Xu Zaijing and Qingyun, the young man who had been angry just now spat on the ground.

The few people did not continue to move forward to pull Jue's family, but turned around and left somewhere else.

Xu Zaijing knew these young men. After all, it was Xu Zaijing who personally escorted them all the way from Xingqing Prefecture to Bian Jing, and he also personally taught them a lesson in front of Jinglong Gate.

Jiying Lane,
Sheng family,

Zhuang Academy,

inside the house,

"Scholar, I wish you a happy new year!" Xu Zaijing said with a smile and bowed.

Zhuang Xuejiu smiled and nodded, holding out his hand, saying, "Come, Zaijing, sit down."

"I heard from your brother that you went to Bai Gaojiang's house?"

"Yes, pedant."

Zhuang Xuejiao nodded, looked at Xu Zaijing and thought for a moment, took a breath with regret, and said, "Is the surname of that old man Zhajue?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes, but he was also a Jinshi in the Great Zhou Dynasty before, and later married into the family of Zhaijue after marrying into Bai Gao's family. I didn't ask what his last name was in the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"Oh!" Mr. Zhuang nodded.

Xu Zaijing hesitated and said, "Scholar, the old man looks about the same age as you, could it be..."

"I don't know him." The scholar waved his hand.

Xu Zaijing raised his eyebrows and said nothing.

After chatting for a while, Xu Zaijing bowed and said goodbye.

Looking at the cotton curtain swaying gently after Xu Zaijing left, Zhuang Xuejiu was stunned for a moment and then shook his head.

Xu Zaijing walked towards the front hall of the Sheng family. When he passed by the school which he had not been to for more than half a month, Xu Zaijing stopped and looked for a while, and actually felt a little touched in his heart.

After smiling and shaking his head, Xu Zaijing continued walking forward.

The front yard main hall,

Seeing Xu Zaijing approaching, Danju, who was standing at the door, hurriedly said with a smile: "The Fifth Young Master is here!"

As he spoke, Danju reached out and lifted the cotton curtain at the door.

inside the hall,

Minglan, who was talking to Pinlan, immediately turned around and looked towards the door when she heard the shout.

Minglan's sight as she looked towards the door happened to pass by where Qi Heng was. Seeing Qi Heng looking straight at her, Minglan had to try hard to focus on the door.

When Qi Heng turned his head to meet Minglan's gaze, he suddenly felt someone else's gaze was on him. When he turned around, he saw the girl next to Minglan looking at him angrily with a frown.

Xu Zaijing stepped into the house.
Looking at the people in the hall, he quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, elders."

After greeting everyone, Xu Zaijing sat next to Gu Tingye.

Wang Ruofu, who was sitting next to her sister-in-law, Madam Li, waved her hand to signal the maid to serve tea, and continued to look at Zai Zhang with a smile on her face.

The satisfaction with her son-in-law was almost overflowing in her eyes.

Sitting on the Arhat chair at the top, the old ladies from the second branch of the Sheng family continued to speak.

Xu Zaijing blew the hot tea in the teacup gently. It sounded like Pinlan, the daughter of the eldest wife, had made some friends in Beijing, all of whom were legitimate daughters of wealthy merchants.

After taking a sip, Xu Zaijing looked to the side and saw Chang Zhao, the seventh son of the Sheng family, who was sitting next to Chang Feng in an orderly manner, looking at him with some curiosity in his eyes.

After looking at each other, Xu Zaijing smiled and raised his eyebrows at the child whose face was somewhat similar to Minglan but whose expression was like Changbai.

(End of this chapter)