Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 695 He Family's Younger Brother [Thank you! Goodbye! 41k more to go]

As soon as Chai Zhengzheng finished speaking,
A little maid came in with a smile and said, "Young lady, the sister from the Madam's courtyard is here."

"Let her in." Chai Zhengzheng said.

"Yes."

quickly,

A maid holding a note came in, bowed and said, "Miss, tomorrow His Majesty will accept the surrender at Nanxun Gate. The Ministry of Works has set up a number of colorful tents on the roadside outside the city. This is our location."

"Oh?"

Chai Zhengzheng stretched out his hand with a smile. Yunmu quickly took the post and handed it to Chai Zhengzheng.

"Go ahead and tell mother I know! Fu Yi, send her off."

"Yes, young lady." The two maids left the room together.

Chai Zhengzheng unfolded the post in his hand and looked at the location drawn on it in the candlelight.

Apparently, Mrs. Chai had read the post in advance and circled her own position with a pen. When she saw the words 'Yong Yi Hou Xu' next to her own position, a smile appeared on Chai Zhengzheng's face.

Yun Mu, who was standing next to Chai Zhengzheng, said, "Miss, what you said is so true! There will be many opportunities in the days ahead."

Chai Zhengzheng raised his eyebrows proudly, closed the post with a smile, and handed it to Yunmu.

The next day, it was April.

The sky was blue and the spring was bright that day.

morning,

The south gate of Bianjing City, Nanxun Gate,
The flag standing on the city gate tower fluttered gently in the wind.

Not far from the city gate, the Hulong River under the bridge was sparkling, and the trees on the bank were swaying in the spring breeze.

Although it was not a holiday, the roadside across the Hulu River Bridge was crowded with people and bustling with noise.

Whether it was the colorful tents, flat ground, trees, houses on the roadside, or the carriages parked on both sides of the road, they were all filled with people.

There were so many people that it seemed that those who used to flock to the west of the city had all come to the south of the city today. Many of the onlookers were standing on tiptoe and looking at the middle of the road.

The reason why the people gathered here was obvious, because there was something exciting to watch: last year there was a great victory in southern Xinjiang, and today the army returned triumphantly to present the prisoners.

In the Chai family's colorful tent, which is closest to the Hulong River and has an excellent location, Chai Zhengzheng, who came in from outside, looked around curiously.

Just now she went to the Xu family's colorful tent next door, but found that the Xu Zaijing brother was not there.

After some inquiries, Mrs. Chai learned that Xu Zaijing and others, who had a day off yesterday, did not have classes today and were brought to the south of the city early in the morning by Master Zhuang.

However, the colorful tent that everyone went to was not the one belonging to the Qi, Gu, Xu, Sheng and other families, but the tent belonging to the home of Lord Gu Lin, the prefect of Kaifeng.

As an important official of the dynasty, the Gu family’s tent was in a good location, and they had connections with Zhuang Xuejiu, and there were no female relatives in the tent.

After looking for a few times, Chai Zhengzheng stopped and saw Xu Zaijing standing and talking not far away. Chai Zhengzheng felt that he could recognize Xu Zaijing's appearance at once.

When Xu Zaijing and others were standing and talking in the colorful tent,
On the Nanxun Gate Tower,
The ceremonial procession representing the emperor and empress slowly arrived at the center of the city gate tower.

The process at the beginning was similar to the previous surrender of Baigao, but on a much smaller scale. After all, the South was just a rebel, not a powerful country.

"I'm coming!"

Chang Feng looked at the official road to the south and said excitedly.

Everyone in the colorful tent also turned their heads to look.

In Xu Zaijing's vision,
Walking in the front was Rong Xian, who was wearing armor, a bright red cloak and holding a flag.

Behind Rong Xian were Xiong Yan, the Earl of Kang'an, whom Xu Zaijing knew, and Viscount Xie, his relative.

Among the knights following behind him, Shen Congxing and others were also among them.

Behind the Great Zhou soldiers was a large group of thin and dark-skinned surrendered people.

Under the escort of the imperial guards, the surrendered people walked towards Nanxun Gate. They wore colorful feathers on their heads, colorful hemp short coats, hand shackles on their hands, leggings on their calves, and iron chains on their ankles.

The distance from Guangnan West Road to Bianjing is more than 3,000 miles, but it was not entirely walked. A lot of the distance was traveled by boat.

As rebels who surrendered, the government could not possibly feed them too well; it was enough as long as they didn't starve to death.

After a long journey, these people naturally looked pale.

Zhuang Xuejiu, who had been sitting behind everyone and fanning himself with a folding fan, also came over and looked at the surrendered people from southern Xinjiang passing by not far from the colorful tent.

"Everyone, have you noticed anything from observing these surrendered people today?" asked Master Zhuang, closing his folding fan.

Chang Feng looked at them carefully and said, "Scholar, these surrendered people have traveled thousands of miles, and I can see that they have suffered a lot along the way."

Zhuang Xuejiu nodded.

Qi Heng said, "Scholar, I see that the feathers they wear, the short coats and leggings they wear are a little too bright and neat! They may have been placed in the carriage along the way and were only given to them today."

"What Yuan Ruo said makes sense." Zai Zhang said on the side.

"Erlang, what about you?"

Gu Tingye listened to the question and bowed, "Scholar, I feel that these surrendered people have some strange expressions, and they are somewhat different from the Baigao surrendered people I saw before."

Glancing at the surrendered people from Southern Xinjiang passing by, Gu Tingye continued, "But, I can't tell you exactly what the difference is!"

Changbai and the young Changzhang also nodded.

Seeing the scholar's gaze sweeping over, Changbai cupped his hands and said, "Scholar, I feel the same way!"

Nagatake nodded in agreement.

Zhuang Xuejiu smiled and said, "You can see these, obviously you are observing carefully!"

Then, Zhuang Xuejiao asked confidently, "Zai Jing, have you figured out anything?"

Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Scholar, I have figured out something!"

"As Erlang said, these surrendered people have strange expressions! From what I can see, this strange expression is very much like fear, awe and curiosity."

Hearing this, Zhuang Xuejiu smiled and looked at the others, saying, "What do you think of what Zaijing said?"

Looking at the surrendered people from Southern Xinjiang who were still passing by, Changbai nodded and said, "That's appropriate."

Gu Tingye, who was standing by, clapped his hands with his fists and said in a tone of sudden realization, "Yes, yes, yes! That's it."

Gu Tingye continued, "Scholar, I have seen surrendered people in Beizhou before! Most of those thieves looked ashen and their hearts were as dead as wood, but they rarely showed awe and curiosity."

Changbai and others who were standing aside nodded when they heard this.

"Why do you have such an expression?" Zai Zhang asked puzzledly.

Qi Heng's heart moved, as if he had thought of something, and there was a look of understanding in his eyes.

Zhuang Xuejiu put his hands behind his back, looked at Xu Zaijing with a smile, and said, "Wulang, tell me."

Hearing this, everyone looked at Xu Zaijing.

After Xu Zaijing bowed and nodded, he looked at the surrendered people from Southern Xinjiang in the middle of the official road and said, "Yes, scholar! I think that the surrendered people from Southern Xinjiang are like this because of the process of our heavenly soldiers' victory."

Qi Heng raised the corner of his mouth and revealed a smile. It was obvious that he and Xu Zaijing had the same idea.

"Process?" Gu Tingye frowned, as if the answer was within reach.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "One of the reasons why our army won a great victory was the hail from the sky!"

When the word 'hail' was mentioned, Gu Tingye closed his eyes in annoyance and said, "Yes! It's hail, I just didn't remember it at the moment."

"It's not just hail! I heard that the hail is still chasing the southern Xinjiang bandits, but our Chaotian soldiers are safe and sound!"

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven! The power of Heaven is unpredictable, they will naturally be in awe! They also want to glimpse the face of Heaven, so they are naturally curious."

As Gu Tingye spoke, Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "That's right! Just as Erlang said."

Not to mention in ancient times when people were very superstitious, even in modern times when technology is advanced, when encountering certain things and adding some mysterious statements, there will be people who believe them without a doubt.

What's more, the hail that day seemed to be directed by someone, and it only hit the bandits, while the soldiers of the Great Zhou were only hit by raindrops.

The facts are there.

In fact, many soldiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty, like the surrendered people from southern Xinjiang, were full of awe and curiosity towards the emperor of the time.

Zhuang Xuejiu smiled, turned his head to look at the surrender ceremony of Nanxun's disciples, and said: "After suppressing the rebellion this time, I think there will be more uncivilized people in the southern border who will turn to our dynasty. How to properly govern them will be your homework in the next few days."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing and the others bowed and said, "Yes, scholar!"

Then, everyone stood up and looked down at the city gate.

At this time, the emperor on the city gate had issued an order, and a senior official came down from the city gate tower.
He loudly preached more than a dozen sentences, most of which were praises and rewards for the soldiers of the Xie family, the Xiong family, the Rong family and other families.

When the Grand Minister's voice paused for a moment, Rong Xian and the others all thanked him in unison, their voices very loud.

After the Great Zhou soldiers were defeated, the Prime Minister announced the treatment of the surrendered people from southern Xinjiang.

The gist of it is that the leader of the rebels is dead, and these surrendered people were also bewitched and kidnapped by someone. Although they can be spared the death penalty, they will still be punished if they are still alive.

Afterwards, several rows of imperial guards were walking among the surrendered people from southern Xinjiang. The imperial guards in front used keys to open the hand and foot shackles, while the imperial guards behind distributed meat buns.

When the Grand Chancellor made the announcement, someone naturally translated it loudly.

When the surrendered people from southern Xinjiang heard that they would not have to die, they all had expressions of disbelief on their faces. After their shackles were removed and they were given meat buns, they knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the towering city gate tower.

Outside the Hulong River,

In the colorful tents on the roadside,

The sons of officials and nobles had different expressions when they saw this scene.

Some people smiled and nodded;
Some people had a blank expression on their faces, but their eyes were full of deep thought.

As the surrender ceremony was coming to an end, dozens of eunuchs, accompanied by the golden-armored imperial guards, walked along the official road outside the Nanxun Gate, shouting something loudly.

The eunuch's voice was sharp, and the common people could hear it clearly: it was the many "benefits" that were offered to those who voluntarily moved to Southern Xinjiang when Southern Xinjiang was first settled.

Seeing this scene, Xu Zaijing and others who were about to leave stood in the colorful tent and listened a few more words.

Qi Heng looked at the eunuch who was giving the lecture and shook his head, saying, "Southern Xinjiang is humid and full of pestilence, and there are snakes and insects everywhere! How can the people be willing to move there!"

Chang Feng in the colorful tent echoed, "Young Master is right."

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Yuan Ruo, if we can think of it, then the great ministers in the court can do it too."

Gu Tingye also smiled and said, "Not bad!"

Zhuang Xuejiu stroked his graying beard.

While everyone was talking, someone in front of the Lord's colorful tent, who was some distance away from everyone, shouted loudly: "This eunuch, Guangnan West Road..."

Surprisingly, what this person said were all the things that Qi Heng had been worried about, such as how hot and humid Lingnan was.

After Xu Zaijing took a look, he smiled and said, "Erlang, isn't that the stone next to you?"

Shitou is tall and strong, with a loud voice. Even at such a distance, people can still hear him vaguely, so he is suitable to be a babysitter.

Gu Tingye smiled and nodded: "Yes! It's that boy. Mr. Yu specially sent someone to select him yesterday."

The people who were watching the fun were also attracted by the sound of the stone. They stopped to look at the eunuchs in the palace, curious about how they would answer.

The eunuch smiled and said, "Don't worry, my dear. There are post stations along the way and Huimin Pharmacies that provide various kinds of herbs."

"Guangnan West Road is not a wild place. Several wealthy families in Beijing have businesses in Guangnan West Road. Some of them have farms growing crops such as sugarcane and cotton!"

Not only in front of the Lord's colorful tent, there are characters like Shi Tou elsewhere, who explain the concerns and doubts of the people one by one.

After watching for a while, everyone got off the colorful tent and rode back to the city on carriages and horses.

On the way,

Changbai said while riding his horse: "I think the court will issue notices to all prefectures and counties in the Great Zhou in the future! The method we saw today can also be added to our lessons!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Not bad! The rigid lectures are boring for the people. This kind of question-and-answer session will surely work well to arouse their curiosity."

As they were talking, they took a detour through Guangli Gate in the southwest and returned to the city.

evening,

Quyuan Street,
Yong Yi Hou Mansion,

Xu Zaijing had just returned to his own courtyard.
Qingcao, who stayed at home, came over holding two pieces of paper.

Xu Zaijing, wiping his face with a towel, asked curiously, "Whose post?"

"Sir, from the Xiong family of Kang'an Marquis and the Rong family of Fuchang Marquis."

"Oh?"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing wiped his face and handed the towel to Qingcao, and took the invitation.

After reading it, Xu Zaijing shook his head slightly: "These two people have been to the battlefield together, why do they have to spend two days together to get together?"

"Isn't this delaying my studies?"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing handed the note to Qingcao and said, "Go, ask Xunshu to take my note and go to the Xiong and Rong families to see if they can be combined on the same day, let's do it tomorrow night."

"Yes, son."

Qingcao agreed and turned around to go out.

Before reaching the door, Xu Zaijing said again: "Green grass."

"Sir?"

"Let's go to the Liang family again and bring Liu Lang along! He doesn't read much, so he knows more about the anecdotes in the capital!"

The green grass should go away.

later,
Xun Shu returned to the Marquis' Mansion and sent a message to the backyard, saying: There is no problem with the three young masters!

Turn around,

Xu Zaijing exercises and goes to school as usual.

During the lunch break,
Mother Cui walked into the school with a smile.

After bowing to Zhuang Xuejiu, Xu Zaijing and others, he smiled and said, "Gentlemen, an old friend of our old lady has come, so please go to Shou'an Hall for dinner."

Hearing this,

Xu Zaijing's heart moved, and he knew who was coming. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Mama Cui, for coming to inform us! We are in for a treat today."

Changbai and others smiled and nodded.

Qi Heng had a particularly bright smile on his face. As he was about to walk out, he turned back to look at Minglan.

Subsequently,

When everyone left the school, Qi Heng deliberately walked at the end.

On the way to Shou'an Hall, Qi Heng would occasionally glance at the three Lans and Chang Qiang behind him.

Seeing Qi Heng looking at me from time to time,

Molan lowered her head somewhat shyly;
Rulan frowned and looked at Minglan with some doubt, following Qi Heng's line of sight. Minglan did not look at the people in front of her, but turned her head to talk to her younger brother Changzhang.
Qi Heng felt that he hadn't seen enough of Minglan's profile when Cui's mother's voice came from the front: "The gentlemen have arrived."

Only then did Qi Heng realize that he had arrived at Shou'an Hall.

In the main house,
Madam He and Madam Sheng sat on the upper chairs.

There was also a handsome young man sitting below, wearing a white spring outfit.

Following Mother Cui's shout,

Everyone in the room looked towards the door.

Looking at Zai Zhang who was walking in the front, Madam Sheng said with a smile: "This is my eldest grandson's husband, also my nephew's grandson, Zai Zhang."

The young man in white at the bottom has stood up.

"Beside Zai Zhang is Ningyuan Hou Gu's Erlang, and behind him are Changbai and Jing Ge'er's child."

Seeing Xu Zaijing, Mrs. He's smile became more genuine, and her eyes looking at Xu Zaijing were full of love and gratitude.

After all, if Xu Zaijing had not rescued the prince many years ago, the He family would have been in great danger.

"This is Qi Heng, the young master of Duke Qi's Mansion, and Chang Feng's child."

Madam He continued, "Then the girl and boy at the back are your granddaughter and grandson."

Madam Sheng smiled and nodded: "They just followed those brothers to the school to make up the numbers."

The young man in white at the side listened to the introduction from his elders, bowed and called for people.

Except for Minglan and Changzhang, all the young men in white call him brother.

After the young man in white finished calling everyone, Madam Sheng looked at the curious eyes of Zai Zhang and others and said with a smile: "Children, let me introduce you. This child is the grandson of my old sister, He Hongwen."

"Hello, brother He!" Xu Zaijing and his classmates bowed with a smile.

(End of this chapter)