Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 693: A few comrades [Thank you! Goodbye! 41K owed]

In late March,

The warmer the weather,

All kinds of flowers have already bloomed, and the shouts of flower vendors can be heard from time to time in the streets and alleys.

But if you ask where there are the most flower vendors, it must be the streets leading to Xinzheng Gate and Wansheng Gate.

To ask why,

The reason is that since the beginning of March, Jinming Lake has been open to the public, and many people in Beijing have gone out of the city to visit Jinming Lake and other lakes and gardens. There is a large flow of people along the way, so business is naturally good.

Of course, there are not only flower stalls, but also many stalls selling kites, food and other things.

The carriages, sedan chairs and colorful pavilions of shops on the street are all decorated with beautiful flowers of various colors.

On the way out of the city, there were many people and it was very lively.

The streets are usually orderly, but from time to time there are immoral, rude and uneducated dandies riding their horses through the downtown area, causing passers-by to exclaim and curse.

The exclamations and shouts from passers-by seemed to be a compliment to these playboys, making them shout even louder.

When these unruly young men riding horses in the downtown area offend ordinary people, the common people are usually helpless and can only yell at them and curse at them at best.

But if the carriage of a high-ranking family in the capital was disturbed, the consequences would not be resolved by just scolding.

This morning,

After going to school for several days in a row, Xu Zaijing rode out of the city on horseback.

The sun was shining brightly on the road, and the surroundings were bustling with life, and from time to time various smells came into Xu Zaijing's nose.

When they arrived at Xinzhengmen Street, looking at the congested street ahead, Xu Zaijing gently reined in his horse and slowed down.

Relying on the high back of the little black colt, Xu Zaijing could see that the crowd was surrounding several strong knights and several horses.

There was a person pressed in front of each strong knight, and someone next to him was whipping him with a whip.

As the knights swung their whips, screams and cries were heard from time to time.

"it is good!"

"Another whip!!"

"Hit him!"

The people watching cheered loudly from time to time!
Behind Xu Zaijing, three maids including Qingcao, who were sitting in the carriage, lifted the curtain and looked outside.

The carriage was not high, so Qingcao could only look at the side and ask, "Brother Qingyun, what's going on over there?"

Qingyun took a few glances and said, "It seems that there is a group of dandy young men who have offended someone they shouldn't have offended."

"what?"

Hearing Qingyun's words, the three maids instantly became more interested. They hurriedly moved to the car door, pushed it open and looked forward.

"How many lashes will this require?" Yun Xiang asked doubtfully.

Qingyun shook his head and said, "Sir, do you know?"

Xu Zaijing hummed, turned around and said, "The Zhou Dynasty Criminal Code states that anyone who runs a carriage or horse without reason in the streets or among the crowds of people in the city will be flogged fifty times."

"Today we're using a whip. I think I'll get twenty lashes."

Not only Qingcao and the other three, there were also girls riding in cars and sedan chairs on the surrounding streets, looking into the crowd.

Hearing Xu Zaijing's voice and looking at his mount, several girls looked at him several times, but no one came forward to speak.

Half an hour later,

Someone in the crowd spoke loudly and dispersed the onlookers, and the road was then passable.

There were bailiffs from Kaifeng Prefecture dragging the evil teenagers who had just been whipped to another place, and at the same time they took away their mounts.

The strong knights who were carrying out the execution watched from the side, and from time to time they bowed and talked to the people of Bian Jing who praised them.

When Xu Zaijing passed by,
The young man standing among several sturdy knights was a descendant of a noble family in Bian Jing as soon as he saw his clothes, belt and his overall demeanor. He turned around and glanced around.

After seeing Xu Zaijing, the young man quickly walked over and said, "Wu Lang, what a coincidence today!"

When Xu Zaijing saw the young man turn around and walk towards him, he had already dismounted and smiled, cupping his hands and saying, "Brother Liang, when did you return to Beijing? Liu Lang didn't even tell me!"

The young man in front of him was Liang Han’s biological elder brother, Liang Xu, the eldest son of Madam Wu. He had been serving under his father for the past few years.

Liang Xu smiled and said, "Hey! What can I say about my trip to Beijing? Wulang, you are studying hard again, preparing for the imperial examination next year. I don't want to disturb you!"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Brother Liang, what are you talking about! What are you doing today?"

Liang Xu looked at the Kaifeng government servants going away and said with a smile, "Thanks to the grace of His Majesty, I returned to the capital and joined the Dragon Guards! Just yesterday, the family of Lord Lu Yibu, the deputy envoy of the Ministry of Revenue, was harassed by a group of evil young men on horseback."

"Today I brought a few subordinates with me to catch those evil young men here. Fortunately, I'm lucky."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

While the two were talking, the people who were watching around had mostly dispersed, and the street returned to normal.

The several sturdy knights who had just captured and executed people also walked towards Liang Xu.

On the way, several strong knights looked up and down at Xu Zaijing and Qingyun, and glanced at the little black colt from time to time.

Seeing Xu Zaijing looking behind him, Liang Xu looked back and said with a smile: "Come, let me introduce you."

"This is the Fifth Brother of the Xu Family that you have asked about several times."

After Liang Xu finished speaking, the muscular knights' faces were full of disbelief, and then they smiled, their eyes full of excitement, enthusiasm and admiration, and they bowed repeatedly.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's slightly puzzled expression, Liang Xu said, "Liu Lang, these people originally served under Brother Zhang, Brother Xu, and their trusted lieutenants!"

"I knew that I would join the Dragon Guards after returning to the capital, so I shamelessly asked for them."

The two 'trusted deputy generals' Liang Xu mentioned were Huang Qingyue and Lu Junyi.

As he spoke, Liang Xu turned sideways and motioned for the knights to introduce themselves.

One of the muscular knights bowed and said, "I am Mu Cunli, a former captain under Commander Huang, and participated in the Battle of Keyi Gate. Nice to meet you, Wulang."

Xu Zaijing's eyes lit up, and he smiled and said, "Nice to meet you! I was in the mountains at that time."

"Hey, I know!"

Because they had fought together in the northwest and participated in the recovery of Baigao Kingdom together, these experiences made these knights very friendly towards Xu Zaijing.

Another knight stepped forward and said with a bow, "My humble name is Jiu Juanyi. I once served under the Crown Prince. Like Old Mu, I was also beaten with the stick of Keyimen, and later entered Xingqing Prefecture."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded, saying, "Nine surnames are rare! Besides, I may have entered Xingqing Prefecture earlier than you."

Everyone laughed when they heard this.

Jiu Juanyi smiled and said, "Wu Lang is so brave. If it were me, I wouldn't dare to go in!"

Everyone laughed again.

Then a knight with a fair complexion and handsome features bowed gracefully and said, "I am Zhao Tangtang, and I once served under the prince. I fought against Black Stone City with Lu and others."

Then he said with some regret: "Unfortunately, I was injured when I was chasing the defeated army at Dengkou, and I was unable to participate in the subsequent battles."

Xu Zaijing nodded with emotion: "That's amazing, is your injury healed? If you feel any discomfort, you can go to see Doctor Xiao Yu."

Zhao Tangtang looked embarrassed and said with a folded hand: "Wu Lang, I have recovered very well! I was treated by Doctor Xiao Yu in the northwest before, but I dare not go again!"

When the others heard this, they all showed expressions of approval.

"I am Ning Jierui, and my experience is the same as Tangtang's."

Xu Zaijing was stunned when he heard this: "Jie Jie Rui?" Then he smiled and said: "What a good name!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Wulang."

"I am Lin Luotuo, and I once served under Commander Wu. I was rewarded for recruiting Baigao soldiers with the Viscount Li." "I am your humble servant."

Xu Zaijing listened carefully, and from time to time he smiled and said a few words about what he was busy with when the knights were performing meritorious deeds.

In the process of recovering Baigao in the northwest, Xu Zaijing joined halfway and should not have been well-known.

But Xu Zaijing started out as a scout, and although he was the eldest son of a marquisate, he always led the charge in times of trouble, and his achievements were all real, which made this group of elite soldiers like him from the bottom of their hearts.

Especially when the armies of the two countries were fighting outside the Keyi Gate, Xu Zaijing led a dozen people to block the Baigao reinforcements.

It would have been fine if they just blocked it, but they actually forced them to surrender.

Later, he took the lead and went deep into the heart of the country, the capital of Baigao.

The elite in the army have always admired the strong. The logic is simple: the strong can give you a greater chance of survival in the battlefield of life and death!
Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "You can follow Brother Liang back to Bianjing. It seems that my brother and Lu Junyi are very optimistic about you!"

"Work hard under Brother Liang. He will be the Marquis of Yongchang in the future. He will definitely guarantee a good future for everyone!"

Liang Xu, who was standing by, heard this and nodded with a smile on his face. He said, "Wulang, when are you free? Let's go to the polo field owned by my mother to play polo."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Brother Liang, you have been staying in Beijing. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future! Several classmates are still waiting for me outside the city. Brother Liang, everyone, I will take my leave first."

Liang Xu nodded and said, "Okay!"

After Xu Zaijing and Qingyun got on their horses, they smiled and bowed to the others, saying, "Everyone, see you again if we are lucky!"

"Wu Lang, take care!" everyone bowed.

Xu Zaijing smiled and bowed, then tapped his horse's belly and led his men out of the city.

Looking at Xu Zaijing's back, someone asked, "Sir, has Wulang married yet? I wonder which noblewoman she is from. We should be more respectful when we meet her next time!"

Liang Xu smiled and said, "Unfortunately, Wu Lang hasn't gotten married yet! I guess we'll have to wait until after the imperial examination next year!"

Everyone nodded.

"Let's go! Go to the camp to get the armor and train those who refuse to obey." Liang Xu said as he walked towards his horse.

Outside Xinzheng Gate,

Xu Zaijing and Qingyun stopped their horses outside the Hulong River.

The area was bustling with people, but most people were like Xu Zaijing and his men, listening to the military music and watching teams of infantrymen walking out of the city gate.

Inside and outside the city of Bianjing,
There are many imperial guards stationed there.

March is a month that is neither too cold nor too hot, and is a good time to train the army.

Like the tall Baojin Tower on the south side of Jinming Lake, the emperor often watched the imperial guards training in the square below from this tower.

Although there were imperial guards maintaining order on the roadside, there were still women and girls watching and throwing flowers in their hands into the marching procession.

This situation often occurs when you see tall and good-looking soldiers in the ranks of the imperial army.

The previous battle to recapture Baigao had obviously trained a lot of outstanding junior officers.

Xu Zaijing saw that the formation of the imperial guards' infantry was quite neat and their march was quite methodical.

Watching the team go away, Xu Zaijing turned his horse and headed south.

After passing Qionglin Garden, Xu Zaijing walked south for another quarter of an hour and arrived at a large gate with a plaque above it that read "Xia Songyuan" in large characters.

Looking at the endless white walls on both sides, Qingyun whispered, "Sir, is this also the property of the Qi family in the Duke's Mansion?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "No, Yuan Ruo said that this garden belongs to the Chai family."

"Oh!" Qingyun nodded.

After talking to the gatekeeper for a few more words, the Xu family's carriage entered the garden.

Before Xu Zaijing dismounted from his horse, he saw Bu Wei, with a smile on his face, walking towards him quickly.

"Greetings to Wulang! Brother Qingyun." Buwei bowed and said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Are Yuanruo and Erlang here?"

"Replying to Fifth Master, we are all here, waiting for you."

"Okay! Let's go!" Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Afterwards, Buwei mounted his horse and walked towards the depths of the garden along the path in the garden with everyone else.

It was the time of spring with lush grass, singing birds and blooming flowers. Now there were people taking care of the pine garden. The scenery along the way was beautiful with birds singing and flowers blooming, which was no less beautiful than the breeding garden in the north.

A gust of spring breeze blew by, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers.

After walking for half a cup of tea, a few corners of the eaves appeared from among the green trees.

Soon, a gate to a courtyard appeared.

Bu Wei smiled and said, "Fifth Young Master, he's over there."

Xu Zaijing nodded and turned his head to look to the other side.

From what we could see, there seemed to be another courtyard deeper in the garden, with kites flying in the wind.

Xu Zaijing lowered his gaze and narrowed his eyes, and saw someone riding a horse towards him.

Both Xu Zaijing's figure and mount looked very familiar.

"Fifth Young Master?" Looking at Xu Zaijing's eyes, he was somewhat puzzled.

Xu Zaijing waved his hand and said, "Buwei, take them in first, I'll be there later."

After looking at the approaching knight and nodding in agreement, he walked towards the courtyard gate with Qingcao and the other three, carrying cups and other items.

Soon, the knight came near Xu Zaijing, and after taking a look at the little black colt, he immediately rode his horse over.

The young knight was quite surprised and asked with a smile: "Brother Xu Wu, why are you here?"

Looking at Yue Fei in front of him, Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "I should be the one asking you this question! Shouldn't you be learning martial arts from Master Zhou at this moment?"

Yue Fei smiled and said, "Fifth brother, my master said that there is a great weapon craftsman who is free today! So I asked my eldest sister to bring me here and ask the master craftsman to make an iron spear suitable for me."

The 'senior sister' Yue Fei referred to was Madam Zhou.

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at where Yue Fei came from, pointed at the kite flying in the sky, and asked in confusion: "Such a master weapon maker actually lives here? Who flew the kite?"

Yue Fei said with a smile: "Fifth brother, the weapon master came here to see the face of Mr. Chai, and I came here to benefit from it! The one flying the kite seems to be a noble lady from a wealthy family in Beijing."

"When I went to visit the weapon master, I even talked to the two maids!"

"Sister maid?" Xu Zaijing looked puzzled.

Yue Fei nodded and said, "You two said that you knew Sister Qingcao, so I spoke to them."

Xu Zaijing hummed and said, "How much money does it cost for a master craftsman like this to make an iron spear? Do you have enough? Just ask Brother Chai to come to me for the money!"

Yue Fei smiled and said, "Don't worry, Fifth Brother, that's what the Chai family's steward said."

Xu Zaijing was stunned when he heard this, then smiled and said, "That's good. Come in with me and I'll introduce a few people to you."

Yue Fei looked embarrassed: "Fifth brother, I still have to go back to the Zhou family! I dare not disobey Master's words."

Xu Zaijing waved his hands helplessly: "Go!"

Lower Pine Garden,
Deep in the courtyard,

Chai Zhengzheng looked at the kite in the sky and asked, "Brother Yue is gone?"

Yunmu and Fuyi smiled at each other and said, "Let's go, young lady! You and I have told you many interesting things about the Xu family!"

Yunmu said, looking at the kite in the sky, and continued: "I am at the door, and I vaguely saw that Xu's Fifth Master seems to have arrived! Young Master Qi is also in that villa, young lady, how about you go over there?"

Chai Zhengzheng pulled the kite string excitedly, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Forget it! I won't go! Anyway, there will be a chance in the future."

(End of this chapter)