Back at the manor, the Gu family members were still talking. The manor had received a certificate of merit, which brought honor to the entire clan, and they discussed opening an ancestral hall to enshrine it.
Accompanying the clan chief Gu Yongnian were his sons and grandsons. In this dynasty, civil officials were valued over military officials, and all of Gu's descendants were scholars. Only the eighth son was a rough soldier. He was an illegitimate son and, like the old Marquis, was tall and strong.
Xie Zhaozhao had some impression of this person.
He is currently a captain in the Cavalry Division of the Three Military Commands. His position is very low, but he is both intelligent and brave. His martial arts skills and wisdom far surpass those of noblemen with powerful family backgrounds.
In his previous life, Emperor Hui was in the later stages of taking medicine and was unable to support the government. The Western Xia, together with the Liao and Uyghurs, invaded the border. Gu Chongjin led troops to the border to fight the enemy.
He defeated the Western Xia, personally killed the Uyghur prince, and later pursued the Liao army. However, the Duke of Cheng'en sabotaged the court and cut off their food supplies. The army went without a single grain of rice for five days and was then attacked by a hail of arrows from the enemy, whereupon they died on the battlefield.
Gu Chongjin died for his country, but he couldn't even be wrapped in a horse's hide to die, because his body was hacked to pieces by the Uyghurs and Liao people, and he never returned.
He is now in the Ma Jun Division, a position Gu Shaoyu sent him to many years ago, but he earned his position as a captain through his own hard work.
Gu Chongjin was not the legitimate son. His mother was a short-lived concubine. She was supposed to drink a contraceptive soup after serving the men, but the maid was careless and secretly poured out the medicine, leaving behind a child, Gu Chongjin.
This child is even more detestable than a concubine's illegitimate son.
So this son wasn't even considered a master at home; his stepmother wished he would just disappear. His presence? Zero!
Even if Gu Shaoyu threw him into the Imperial Guard, now that he's a captain, he still doesn't have much of a presence.
He didn't have a name at first. Because he was honest and simple-minded since childhood, everyone called him "Han Niu" (meaning "simple-minded ox"). When Gu Shaoyu sent him to the Imperial Guard, he changed his name to Gu Chongjin.
If Gu Shaoyu hadn't gotten him into the Imperial Guard, he would have died somewhere without anyone knowing!
In Xie Zhaozhao and Yin Jin'an's plan, they would seize territory and salt wells in the wild south, and go out to sea to do business. One Dongqin would be enough.
However, she never initiated the plan to attack the north.
The way people fight for territory in the northern and southern wilderness is completely different.
The southern region is a land of miasma and extremely harsh environment. Since ancient times, it has been a place for exile and banishment of the most heinous criminals, and also the final destination for fugitives.
As long as there is food, weapons, and troops, these rabble are not difficult to conquer, and seizing territory is relatively easy.
But the North is a different story. The North is home to a true nomadic, warlike people, with formidable military strength. When they invade our borders, they are willing to devote all their national resources to a major war.
Xie Zhaozhao wants to seize northern territory, so she needs brave generals and enough troops and provisions.
She's still laying the groundwork for the troops and supplies, but what about the generals? She sent Xie Jue to the Imperial Guard for training, but she doesn't have high hopes for him; Xie Jue is only thirteen years old.
Gu Chongjin was the most suitable general that God had sent to her.
Her plan could begin secretly.
Gu Chongjin helped Gu Yongnian sit down, and he stood quietly and respectfully in the corner.
Seeing his restraint, Xie Zhaozhao asked Yuan Yuanman to prepare a stool for him, but Gu Chongjin waved his hand and said that standing was fine.
He was just a son of a concubine and had no right to sit there. It was already a great honor for his father to bring him to the Marquis's mansion today.
"Eighth Brother, after you finish paying your New Year's respects with the clan elder today, come to the manor. I'd like to introduce you to two friends," Xie Zhaozhao said earnestly to Gu Chongjin.
Gu Chongjin was taken aback. The old lady of the cabinet was speaking to him?
Gu Yongnian said in a low voice, "The Grand Secretary's wife is giving you face, what are you standing there for?"
Gu Chongjin immediately clasped his hands in agreement and said, "I have nothing else to do now!"
Seeing that Gu Chongjin had agreed, Xie Zhaozhao didn't delay and immediately called Xu Li over, saying, "Go and wish Second Master Yin and Second Master Li a Happy New Year. Tell them that I'm waiting for them to come and wish me a Happy New Year at the mansion."
Xu Li got up and left.
"If they're playing with other people, just call Yin Jin'an over."
She actually only wanted Yin Jin'an to know about taking Gu Chongjin in.
Xu Li went out to look for someone, and Gu Shaoyu didn't ask her what she wanted to do with Yin Jin'an. He looked at her with his dark eyes, a hint of hurt in them.
She doesn't include him in her social circle!
It's one thing for the noble ladies' inner circle not to include him, but they also don't include him on the Silk Road. Yet, even a dark-skinned, seemingly simple-minded Gu Chongjin can catch her eye.
Xie Zhaozhao couldn't ignore his gaze and looked back at him intently.
He was so handsome, with sharp eyes and jade-like skin. But what was most captivating was his temperament. He was dignified yet upright, with a hint of wickedness in his eyes but not a seductive charm. He possessed a unique and elegant demeanor.
Unable to bear his gaze, Xie Zhaozhao couldn't help but explain, "I wanted to introduce Eighth Brother to Second Brother Yin."
Gu Chongjin is five years older than her and is the eighth child in his family, but Gu Shaoyu is older than Gu Chongjin. Gu Chongjin has to call her sister-in-law, and she has to call Gu Chongjin her eighth brother.
Gu Shaoyu didn't speak, his lips pressed tightly together.
"I want to send my own people." That was all she could explain. With the Hou family and Gu family members present, she couldn't say more.
Gu Shaoyu glanced at Gu Chongjin, still remaining silent. The guy was both simple-minded and ugly, but his fighting skills were decent...
Yin Jin'an, Li Yunmu, and Zhou Lingyin had the least interesting holiday.
The three men were rolling in money, but they didn't tell their families at all. Their families just assumed they were still messing around and didn't bother with them.
So they weren't included when we visited relatives for the New Year, and no one even properly invited them to our New Year's Eve dinner yesterday.
The three of them squeezed into Lao Liao's house to drink, just as Yun Yuan, Yun Yang and a group of people said they were going to wish Xie Zhaozhao a Happy New Year, so they all came over.
They met Xu Li on the way, and Yin Jin'an and Li Yunmu were overjoyed. It felt so good to be remembered and needed!
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