Chapter 208 Chapter 208 Update.
At the gate of Guanglu Xun's private residence in Changling, Chen Juan saw off the carriage of the guests from the General's Mansion and returned to the mansion, fanning himself. With a plan in mind, Yu Lu asked:
"What is the purpose of the general's visit?"
"It's about the marriage between the Zhuang and Hao families." Chen Juan said.
"My brother has already refused this."
Youlu was also there on the day of the rejection of the engagement. His brother was talking about having someone in his heart. Although he was a rough man, he could guess that the person must be Xu Niang, who lived in the same hometown. Over the years, Xu Niang was the only woman his brother had any contact with.
Chen Juan was aware of this matter. He had known this long before when his lord was willing to offend the Li family in order to help the Ping'an restaurant. He was always cautious and sent cavalry officials to Gaoshi to deliver a golden plaque. This was to announce to the world his old friendship with the city chef.
But Chen Juan said:
"Marrying the general will help you gain access to the Central Court and assist in government. You and I should persuade you to enter into this auspicious marriage." "We should persuade Mr. Chen. Last time, I listened to him and hid it from my brother. I felt very uncomfortable and was reprimanded. This marriage with the Hao family is obviously not going to work out."
"not necessarily."
Chen Juandao said that he heard that when the lord's mother was pregnant with him, it was the wheat harvest season. The old Marquis of Muping, who had a fief of 500 households, led the soldiers and civilians to harvest the wheat. Unexpectedly, the city was attacked by bandits, and the fief was occupied and looted. The old Marquis of Muping was also killed by the bandits in the ambush.
Moreover, this group of bandits was worried that if they did not completely eradicate the problem, they would be retaliated in the future and would kill his wife and children as well.
His pregnant wife had to flee south with her biological parents to avoid the disaster, until she settled in Lingshui County, Kuaiji.
Later, in order to have some shelter, the widow remarried a local butcher and gave birth to her posthumous child. Unfortunately, both mother and child were beaten and scolded day and night, and their lives were not easy.
After his mother died, the butcher drank alcohol and often whipped his non-blood-related son.
When things came to this, the butcher was killed by a thief who broke into his house and had his throat slit. However, his son, who had been mistreated, used the family's butcher knife, chased the thief for ten miles and killed him. He was only a little over ten years old at the time, and he created a beautiful story of revenge for his father and the utmost filial piety.
Two years later, he was recommended by the county magistrate and became the Tianshufu, who was in charge of guarding the public fields.
Chen Juan had two chilling speculations about this beautiful story:
The young man in this family was strong enough to lift a tripod. He might have cut his stepfather's throat with his own hands, and then put the blame on the thief who broke into the house, and then killed the thief himself.
Or maybe he watched a thief kill his stepfather, and then chased the enemy and killed him.
Regardless of his previous circumstances, he was always known as a filial son.
However, this is just Chen Juan's guess because he followed his lord to war and lived with him day and night.
Of course, it is not entirely groundless rumors. The reason is that the lord served as a cavalry official in the capital. After inheriting the title of my father, he ordered people to move the tombs of his great-grandmother, great-grandfather, and mother to the fiefdom in Qingzhou on the grounds of returning to his roots. It was also mentioned that when the tombs were moved, the tomb of his fake father, that is, his stepfather, would be repaired.
This should have been motivated by filial piety, but when he said this, the coldness in his eyes happened to be caught by Chen Juan. Later, when he saw with his own eyes how swiftly and calmly his lord killed the enemy and cut their throats on the battlefield, his intuition led him to make this guess, and his determination to follow him became more determined. It was precisely this cruel ambition of his lord that he was attracted by.
Because of this, Chen Juan was somewhat confident that he could persuade the couple to enter into a marriage alliance.
When the lord returned from hunting in the other garden, Chen Juan asked for an audience outside the study. After the meeting, he explained the matter and especially advised:
"The general has been in the Central Dynasty for many years and has a deep foundation. If the lord can marry him, he will surely be promoted to a higher position and be accepted into the Central Dynasty in the future."
Unexpectedly, Zhuang Gaiyi did not adopt his suggestion. Chen Juan bowed and said:
"A gentleman is like an elm tree, and a woman is like a kudzu vine. The elm tree is tall, and the kudzu vine climbs up. They complement each other, and that is the way to happiness. My lord should be like an elm tree with luxuriant branches and leaves, enjoying the pleasures of love without being overly indulgent. A real man should prioritize his career!"
I don't know what this sentence reminded him of. His expression was gloomy under the light, and he said with a hint of mockery:
"What a man who prioritizes his career."
He dropped the book, walked out of the study, and said:
"I have made up my mind on this matter. Sir, there is no need to persuade me. The Xianbei and Xiongnu areas are suffering from severe drought this year. Not a single blade of grass grows, and cattle and sheep cannot graze. Yesterday at the other garden, urgent reports arrived over eight hundred miles, reporting several cases of Xiongnu plundering border residents. For this reason, the imperial guards have returned to the palace early. I have requested permission to use King Outuo, whom we captured alive last year, as a guide to penetrate the Xiongnu's heartland and defeat them. She refuses to take shortcuts, and neither do I."
"If she had a shortcut that didn't involve taking any risks, she might be willing to take it after weighing the pros and cons."
"shut up."
Chen Juan's words made the figure turn around and scold him. Chen Juan couldn't help but sweat profusely, feeling that he had gone too far. When he looked up again, the figure had already walked away with big strides.
Ji Xu also returned to his office to work because his hunting trip ended early. In the middle of the month, he heard that the northern border was in turmoil and Guanglu Xun was ordered to lead troops to fight the enemy.
On the day of departure, there was a large-scale military recruitment in the eastern suburbs, and many soldiers' families came to see them off.
Some of them brought their children with them. They would break off willow branches by the Ba Bridge and put them in their husbands' bags as a symbol of staying together, hoping that their husbands would return victoriously soon.
One of Yulu's concubines also came to see him off in a carriage, holding his hand and crying. Yulu's face turned red all the way to his neck, and he said:
"I'm going there to kill the enemy and earn fame. It's a hundred times more enjoyable than staying stuck in Chang'an, and you're just looking so sad."
The concubine struck him on the chest and said:
"I am crying because I am concerned about your safety. The swords on the battlefield are merciless, so you must be careful."
As she spoke, like many other female relatives, she stuffed a willow branch into his hand and waved goodbye to him reluctantly.
"Go back, go back! Don't see me off."
Yulu turned around and waved while riding his horse to the side of his brother of a different surname.
Seeing him lower his eyes to look at the willow branch in his hand, he became more and more uncomfortable, pretending to be carefree and said:
"This is stuff only women believe!"
But he didn't throw it away. He rolled the willow branches into a ring, and secretly stuffed it into his clothes without telling his soldiers.
"All the soldiers are ready to go, just waiting for the general's order."
Chen Juan changed his usual attire of a weak gentleman and put on strong armor, riding a horse. The wind rustled the flags, but the figure on the horse was quiet. He followed his lord's gaze and saw that it was the road leading out of the city from Qingming Gate.
However, this place is far away from the city, and the family members who came to see them off on the road have already left. There is no one here, only the wind blowing the wild grass, and it is cold and deserted.
"Set off!"
Zhuang Gaiyi retracted his gaze, turned his horse, and gave orders to the thousands of soldiers and horses, and they headed towards the border in a black mass.
Tang Guanchu was also talking about the Han army going to war.
"Master Zhuo, your son-in-law is a crossbowman in the military camp, but is he also in the army fighting against the Xiongnu?"
Zhou Ping asked, ever since the experience of accompanying Ji Xu on the hunting trip in Bieyuan, her heart had changed, and she felt less bitter towards Ji Xu and more sincere.
The relationship between the pastry room and the secondary pastry room founded by Ji Xu has also improved. It is no longer as tense as before. She and the chef here still chat from time to time.
"Indeed, my daughter prepared some dry food and naan early in the morning and went to the Ba Bridge to break willow branches to see him off, hoping for his safe return. By now, the marching troops must have already left Hangu Pass."
I only heard a reminder from the crowd:
"Tang Guancheng is here!"
The food officials gathered in the courtyard stopped telling jokes or chatting, and listened attentively to Ji Xu arranging matters for each room.
Now is the time when spring turns to summer, and the affairs of each room also change with the seasons.
For example, the wine room no longer brews spring wine, but instead brews summer wine; the seasonal vegetables in the fruit and vegetable room are also changed from spring leeks to eggplants, cucumbers, etc.; the cake fermentation method in the cake room and the secondary room will also have its fermentation time shortened as the weather gets warmer.
"We must be careful to avoid over-fermentation, which can be harmful to the body."
Ji Xu warned. In addition, there is another important matter. Jia Jiuzheng, the wine room master, was demoted to a wine man because of his poor performance.
This matter was decided by Tang Guanling. After Ji Xu came back from the villa, he reported to Tang Guanling that the horse had been frightened and gone crazy after being pricked by a needle.
Although there was no concrete evidence, many people witnessed Jia Jiu stepping forward to help the kitchen maid lift the grain bag. After investigation, he was the most suspected.
Moreover, two years ago, Wang Huzi made mistakes due to drunkenness, and there were rumors that he replaced Wang Huzi's thick wine with strong liquor. Although this was also Wang Huzi's own fault for drinking too much while on duty, Jia Jiuzheng was also suspected of framing Shangguan.
At first, Tang Guanling did not investigate the matter further and let him go, but this time he found a reason to punish him.
After giving these instructions, Ji Xu continued as usual:
"Let's go to each room."
"yes."
The food officials all agreed and returned to their respective places to do their duties. Tang Guanling, who was watching this scene at the door, nodded and said to the old nanny who accompanied him:
"This Tangguan Office is becoming more and more organized. I made the right choice."
Looking at the tender green locust trees in the yard, rustling in the wind and full of vitality, Old Officer Tang left with a satisfied look on his face, leaning on his cane.
The green locust tree in the yard is covered with fallen leaves from summer to autumn, and snow piles on its branches in deep winter.
The food officials below were constantly coming and going, and their official uniforms were padded and furry. Little Gourd, wearing a thick padded jacket, fell in the snow and got up and said:
"The Han army has returned victoriously! The Han army has returned victoriously!"
Everyone in the yard told each other the news and was very happy about it.
Naturally, the situation became even busier, as the imperial court was going to reward the soldiers who had defeated the Huns in the Minguang Hall. There would be music and dance, and delicious food for three full days, and the entire catering department was busy preparing for the feast.
As Tang's chancellor, Ji Xu naturally could not escape punishment.
There was also another piece of news, which was an oral message from the eunuchs in the Forbidden City:
"Guanglu Xun was shot in the abdomen by an enemy arrow, but fortunately no vital organs were injured. The imperial physician has removed the rotting flesh and instructed him to recuperate. His food during this period will be provided by the catering bureau."
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