Chapter 1189 Expedition

  After the cotton field incident, the aristocratic families in Bingzhou and Hedong, whoever participated in the investment, will send their responsible persons to stay in Chang'an.

  After all, since you have decided to board the chariot of the big man, you must always pay attention to the political center of the big man.

   Moreover, sending the children of the clan to study in the academy also requires someone to take care of them.

   Facts have proved that this decision is very correct.

  The news that the Dahan United Reserve Bureau has decided to expand its membership is like dropping a boulder on a calm lake, causing huge waves.

  Families came like sharks smelling blood.

   "Your Majesty, someone outside sent a greeting card..."

   "No see no see! How can I have time to meet them now and tell them I'm not free."

   "Here."

   I'm really convinced by these guys, I voted three times a day, what is Feng's mansion?

   Trash?

  Besides, paper is so precious, and I really don’t know how to save money when I use it to do such repetitive and futile things.

  Since it has been decided to lead the army, it is natural that the military situation is the most important thing.

  Where does Feng Duhu have the time and mood to engage in those things that smell like copper?

   "You don't have to worry about how much food each family pays in the end, and how to pay. It's all up to Jiang Gong from Shangshutai to talk to them."

   "After Jiang Gong negotiates with them, he will send you the details of the money and food handed in by each family."

   "All you have to do is to see how to allocate the membership quota according to the detailed list sent by Mr. Jiang."

   "I have already told you about the general rules for this matter. If there are any major changes, you can discuss it with Mrs. You."

  Feng Duhu gave instructions to Li Mu, and in the second half of the last sentence, he turned to Mrs. You who was holding the child.

  Madam You gave him a blank look, and curled her lips.

  It was Li Mu who lowered his eyebrows and replied respectfully:

   "Yes, don't worry, male gentleman, I will remember."

  When Feng Duhu was the captain of Qiang Hu, she stayed in Nanxiang and did a good job.

  Some personnel from the exchange and the Reserve Bureau were brought out by her personally.

   Now that he is back in his old job, Feng Duhu has nothing to worry about.

  Of course, in fact, this matter can also be handed over to Madam You.

  But Mrs. You has to take care of the children, plus she has to read the political affairs sent from Shangshutai and file them.

  If Feng Duhu hadn't gone to war, she would have to pick out the important content so that Feng Duhu could know.

  So don't pressure her on this matter, lest she get tired.

   This is definitely not because there is also a royal seat in the Dahan United Reserve Bureau, so Feng Duhu is afraid that if he is not in the mansion when he goes out, the royal family will take advantage of the opportunity to interfere in this matter.

  Feng Duhu walked up to Madam You, and looked down at his youngest daughter.

  The child has fallen asleep in her mother's arms. She is quiet and well-behaved. It seems that she will grow up to be a lady in the future.

  Feng Duhu showed a smile on his face, he lowered his voice subconsciously, and said:

   "Although Jiang Gongyan will discuss the money and food involved in this matter with them, we still have to check the final amount, and the supervision must be done well."

   "But there is a real problem. It is inconvenient for the third wife to meet Jiang Gongyan, but you can. You should take this into consideration."

  There are left and right wives in the house, and there is a sequence in entering the door, but regardless of size.

  So Ah Mei is the second wife, and Li Mu is naturally the third wife.

  Madam You weighed the child in her arms, shook it lightly, and at the same time hummed softly:

   "You and Jiang Gongyan joined forces to facilitate this matter, can't you trust him?"

  A sister, as a queen, went to the Zhongdu Hufu to discuss matters with her Alang in person a few days ago.

  No matter what the reason is, in fact, it is still a bit condescending in the end.

  As the queen's younger sister, she can naturally vaguely guess some reasons—Shang Shutai exerted force and put some pressure on the palace.

  The prime minister passed away, the emperor was in charge, the palace, or the queen wanted to use Wei Yan to suppress Alang.

  Alang was so angry that he ran to the frontier to inspect, and at the same time, in the eyes of outsiders, it was Alang taking a step back.

   It's just that the queen probably didn't expect that the counterattack would come so quickly—even the knife behind it was handed over by her.

  When the Dahan Joint Reserve Bureau was first established, the palace also contributed a lot.

   Taking advantage of the original share, Gongli's voice in the Reserve Bureau, even if it is not as good as Xinghanhui, is not small.

   Now that the seats are suddenly expanded, and it is still led by Zhongdu Hufu and Shangshutai, it has virtually diluted the right to speak in the palace.

   After all, who doesn't know the virtues of those aristocratic families?

  Whoever benefits will go with him!

  If it weren't for the help of the aristocratic family, even if the Later Han Dynasty was about to fall in the end, it would not have fallen so quickly.

   "Why don't I trust him? Isn't he responsible for all the food and grass for this expedition?"

   This expedition used the last foundation in the treasury.

  However, the summer grain will be put into storage soon. Looking at the current appearance of these aristocratic families, it must be seamlessly replenished soon.

  The prime minister was away on an expedition, and Jiang Wan was able to provide enough food and clothing for the army.

  Feng Duhu believed that when it was his turn, Jiang Wan could do the same.

  Feng Duhu didn't look up, but said calmly:

   "So in this matter, it's not a question of trustworthiness, but a question of rules."

   "Friendship is friendship, but if you want to do things, you still have to follow the rules."

   Having said that, he finally couldn't hold back anymore, stretched out his hand, and gently touched the child's pink cheek:

   "If you don't follow the established rules, you are destined to not go far."

  Madam You bit her lower lip and asked suddenly: "Then you are not afraid that I will go to the palace?"

  Feng Duhu heard the words, raised his head, with a gentle smile on his face, and said softly:

   "You are different, I believe in you, I can change the rules for you."

   As he spoke, he poked his head across the child, kissed Mrs. Right's face lightly, then stretched out his hand and rubbed her head:

   "You will be buried with me in the Feng family's family grave in the future!"

"ah!"

  Although they are old couples, but Feng Duhu suddenly did this in front of the other three wives and concubines, which frightened Mrs. You to let out a short exclamation.

  The cheeks turned red like a girl, and it spread quickly, making Mrs. You feel as if her face was on fire.

   "You, you... what family grave..."

  Where is the family grave of the Feng family now?

  The tombs of uncles and aunts are all clothes tombs now, not to mention that Alang has never heard that they will be designated as family graves.

  Clan grave selection, that is a big deal.

  Feng Duhu has rarely seen his wife look like a little girl again in these years, and he couldn't help laughing.

  But I think Madam You is right. If there is no accident, after I die, I am afraid that I will be buried next to the little fat man's imperial tomb.

  With the temperament of the little fat man, it is impossible to say that he should be ranked first.

  As for Mrs. You, she has always had an identity, that is, Shang Gong, a female official in the palace, and also represents the person in charge of the Shaofu outside.

  These years have not made any contribution to the palace.

   Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to become Lord Shunde, and even the palace gave her a mansion.

   At that time, I will be buried next to the emperor's mausoleum, so maybe Shunde Jun will also be buried next to the Hou mausoleum.

  As for Mrs. Zuo, it is more than enough to be buried with the emperor's tomb as a meritorious official based on General Guan's illustrious reputation.

  Hey, when the time comes, the three of them may not be able to be buried in the Feng family's family grave.

   When Ah Chong, Ah Shun, Ah Mo and others go to worship themselves, wouldn’t they have to go to Adou’s imperial tomb to worship?

  Thinking of this, Feng Duhu reached out to embrace Mrs. Zuo again, and kissed her again.

  Madam Zuo's eyes were rolling, her cheeks were rosy, and she seemed angry and happy.

"I am leaving!"

   "Alang (male gentleman) be careful!"

  Out of the house, a group of children in the courtyard lined up.

   Liu Chen's gaze was full of curiosity, but more of admiration and excitement.

   Zhongduhu is a famous general of the Han Dynasty. It is a blessing to see Zhongduhu go to war with his own eyes.

   It just made him feel a little disappointed that the big man's right hussar general went out, and it seemed a little too low-key.

  As for Zhuge Zhan, although he was a little curious, he tried his best to hide his emotions.

   After all, compared to Liu Chen, his lord, but the prime minister, has repeatedly led the army to fight against bandits.

  As for Achong Amo and the others, they were much calmer.

  In the early years, adults and grandma often went out on expeditions, and it was not uncommon for them not to see anyone for a year or so.

  The only child who was in the wrong mood was Shuangshuang, the eldest sister.

  Her little face was full of worry, and there was even some sadness in her eyes.

   "My lord, can you not go?"

  Seeing the lord and grandma coming out, she ran up, hugged Feng Duhu's thigh, and cried.

   Seeing her like this, Feng Duhu felt a little pain in his heart, hugged her, forced a smile and comforted her:

   "Your Excellency is going to fight for the country, how can you say no? Don't worry, Your Excellency will be fine."

   My daughter still loves me.

  Both hugged Feng Duhu's neck and shouted loudly:

   "But I don't want to part with adults!"

   "Shuangshuang, don't worry, your lord will be back soon."

"Really?"

   "Really, how could I lie to you?"

  Shuangshuang let go of Feng Duhu's neck, looked at Feng Duhu flickeringly, and then snapped his fingers to calculate:

   "Then, are those three days enough? The day after tomorrow, no, can you come back the day after tomorrow?"

   Probably in her heart, three days is a long time.

   Seeing his daughter like this, Feng Duhu felt even more reluctant.

   Madam Zuo, who was behind her, looked at the affectionate father and daughter in front of her, and suddenly said lightly:

   "My lord is not in the mansion, you have to study hard, otherwise, there will be no one in the mansion to protect you."

  Feng Duhu only felt his body stiffen.

   Just when he was in a daze, both of them came down from his arms numbly, ran to Madam Zuo, held Madam Zuo's hand, and said obediently:

   "Grandma, I will definitely, I won't make Grandma angry again in the future."

  Feng Duhu hugged subconsciously, to catch the air, and suddenly felt empty.

  Madam Zuo glanced at Feng Duhu.

  Feng Duhu let out a long sigh: "Let's go!"

   "Congratulations to my lord (Zhongduhu)! I wish my lord (Zhongduhu) a successful start!"

  Amidst the greetings of the children, Feng Duhu walked out of the mansion gate, got on his horse, and raised his hand to the relatives inside the mansion gate.

   Then he clamped the horse's belly, "Drive!"

  The horseshoe was too good, and under the protection of the personal guards, he headed towards the city gate.

  The sun is like fire, and the armor is like blood.

  The military order to mobilize the Tongguan garrison had already been issued together with the emperor's edict in the name of the Central Capital Protectorate.

   At this time, Li Qiu should have set off with the whole army.

  Feng Duhu set off from Chang'an, did not wait for Li Qiu, but only brought the soldiers of the personal guard battalion, and headed towards Wuguan.

   When passing through Lantian, he deliberately stayed for a day and went up the mountain to worship the prime minister.

   Guo Mo, who has been guarding the Prime Minister's Temple, is also old, and his body has become a little rickety.

  Sometimes he plays the flute or strokes the piano, playing "Swordsman" and "Swordsman".

  Some people from all walks of life who came to worship, heard the name of the song, and then heard that it was passed down by Feng Duhu, and they were shocked to hear the song.

   "Sir, you are a great talent. You can play the flute much better than me."

  Feng Duhu stood in front of the prime minister's tomb and said to Guo Mo.

  Guo Mo's strength has weakened, and he seldom goes up the mountain on weekdays, but Feng Duhu is here, so he will follow him no matter what.

  Hearing Feng Duhu's praise, he didn't feel complacent at all, but stroked the flute in his hand with nostalgia and regret, and said:

   "If the prime minister is still there, how happy it is to be able to play the piano and flute with the prime minister!"

   "The prime minister once said that when the husband comes back, he must play a duet with him. The husband and the prime minister really know each other."

  If you are not a confidant, how can you die generously for the prime minister?

  Guo Mo smiled, then sighed again:

   "The ensemble seems to be hopeless..."

  He glanced at Feng Duhu, then sighed again:

   "If you are lucky, you can be buried next to the prime minister, and play with the prime minister under the yellow soil to fulfill your long-cherished wish. It would be nice."

  Feng Duhu knew what he meant when he heard the words, and said with a smile:

   "Mister's wish will never be known. I have written down this matter, but when I return to Chang'an to meet His Majesty, I can ask about this matter for my husband."

   Thinking of the prime minister's frugality during his lifetime, and letting himself be buried lightly after his death, if only the prime minister was buried on such a large mountain, the prime minister would scold me even if he was underground.

   Not to mention that the prime minister is alone on the mountain, I am afraid that he will be a little lonely. It is also a kind of filial piety to have Guo Mo, a confidant, to accompany him when the time comes.

  Guo Mo received Feng Duhu's promise, his eyes lit up, his stooped body straightened a little, and then he bowed his hands together:

   "I'm here, thank you in advance. If my wish comes true, I'm so grateful..."

  Feng Duhu helped Guo Mo up:

   "Why do you have to be like this, sir, if the prime minister can be accompanied by him, I'm afraid he will be happy. As a disciple of the prime minister, I must thank you."

   After paying homage to the prime minister, Feng Duhu continued eastward, passed through the Yiguan Pass, and finally arrived at Wuguan Pass.

  Gu Fu and Meng Yan greeted him in front of the gate of Wuguan Pass early:

   "Meet the Protector of the Central Government!"

   "No need to be too polite, get up!"

  Feng Duhu got off his horse, looked up at Guan Cheng in front of him, and said to the two:

   "Let's go to the city and talk again."

  Wuguan is built on a relatively flat highland among the canyons, with the rock cliff of Shaoxi Mountain in the north.

  The east, west, and south sides are surrounded by the steep stream of the Wuguan River Valley.

  There are two gates in the east and west of Guancheng, and the west gate in the direction of Guanzhong is relatively flat.

  To the east of Guancheng in the direction of Jingxiang, there are four Junlings, high and steep, and one uphill, which cannot be ridden together, and is shielded by Wuguan.

   Therefore, as long as Guanzhong sends troops to guard here, once the city is closed, Jingxiang Road will be difficult to pass.

  But no matter how dangerous the pass is, it must be guarded.

  The former Han Dynasty prospered in Wuguan and also died in Wuguan. It can be seen that the danger of Guancheng lies not in the terrain, but in the hearts of the people.

  (end of this chapter)