Wei Jing told her that he wanted to bring Jiu'er to offer sacrifice to his mother and brother.
He probably wanted to tell his mother and brother that he was a father now.
Shao Qing responded softly and said okay.
When she regained her sight, it was already the Ghost Festival.
On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, the birthday of the God of Hell, the underworld releases all ghosts. It is said that deceased ancestors can return home to reunite with their families.
Wei Jing may not believe in too many mysterious things, but that does not prevent him from placing his emotions on them.
The Zhongyuan Festival is a major event for the entire Pingcheng, and is attended by a large number of worshippers. However, Shao Qing will not attend for the time being. The big ceremony was in the afternoon, the sunlight was very strong, and her eyes were still recovering, so she couldn't stand the strong light.
"When dad comes back, come with us."
Shao Qing leaned on the beauty couch, holding her little daughter in one hand and gently shaking a golden rattle in the other.
Compared to when she was just born, Xu'er now sleeps less. The weather was still hot, and Shao Qing didn't like to wrap her in swaddling clothes all day long, so a thin silk dress would be enough.
Xu'er's little face was rosy, and her pair of black glass-like almond-shaped eyes were wide open, chasing the golden rattle that was making a thudding sound without blinking. After a moment, she stretched out a tender little hand.
"ah!"
The little girl called out.
Shao Qing chuckled: "Okay, I'll give it to you."
She put the small rattle into her open little hand, and Xu'er immediately grabbed it and held the rattle.
The little girl was obviously excited, kicking her feet, bouncing her head, and making "ahhhhh" sounds.
Shao Qing kissed her forehead, looked up at the water clock, and saw that the time was almost up. She quickly changed Chunxi to get the sacrificial robes, and asked the wet nurse to feed Jiuer first.
The little girl cried a few times out of unhappiness when her rattle was taken away, but she soon stopped crying because she had food to eat.
Shao Qing felt relieved and quickly changed into sacrificial clothes.
A white long gown with a blue border, a ritual dress for women. There are also imitation small clothes and pants for Xu'er. Just as the mother and daughter changed, they heard a steady and powerful sound of footsteps coming from afar, walking up the wooden corridor towards the main room.
Wei Jing is back.
He was dressed in a dark sacrificial garment, a long crown, a wide robe with wide sleeves, a dark cloud pattern, and a thick tuxedo, which made him look even taller, more solemn and majestic.
"Husband."
"ah!"
The mother and daughter came forward, and Wei Jing's cold brows softened. He responded with an "hmm" and hugged them gently in a very natural way.
"Shall we go over there?"
Now that dusk was setting in, the light was just right.
Shao Qing agreed.
Wei Jing took Jiu'er, held her firmly in one hand, held his wife's hand with the other, and went out to the west.
A large courtyard was built on the west side, which was specially used for the seating arrangement of Empress Fu and the former prince's family, and it could also be considered a ancestral hall.
Walking up along the corridor, the sunset dyed half the sky red, one half was dark and the other half was bright red, a long-missed scene.
Shao Qing didn't dare to look any further, fearing the glare. She lowered her head and turned around the wooden corridor and stepped onto the corridor. Wei Jing tilted his head to comfort her, "We'll look again when everything is ready."
"good."
Shao Qing responded softly.
Xu'er is a very well-behaved child who seldom cries. In the colorful outdoors, which is very different from the indoors, she opened her eyes wide and looked quite surprised.
Wei Jing chuckled and shook her. She looked at her father, but her expression remained unchanged.
This little girl.
The ancestral hall is a spacious two-story courtyard planted with pine and cypress trees, with smoke rising from the sky and a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Wei Jing's expression became serious. Carrying his daughter and his wife, he climbed up the bluestone steps. He stood in the middle of the hall, staring quietly at the row of tablets on the long table, his eyes falling on the two largest ones in the middle.
"The spirit of my late mother, Ms. Fu", "The spirit of my late brother, Wei Zhang".
It is a very simple memorial tablet, with no biography or honorific title, but the handwriting is vigorous and was written by Wei Jing himself.
"Mother, Brother, I'm here."
In the quiet hall, with dim lights flickering, he spoke in a low voice.
All the servants were dismissed, and Shao Qing stepped forward personally and lit a few incense sticks. Three pillars belong to Wei Jing, three pillars belong to her, and the last three pillars belong to Xu'er.
Wei Jing took the incense and looked down at his little daughter in his arms who was staring at the candlelight with wide eyes.
"This is the little girl that Ah Qing and I just had. Her name is Xu'er. She is over two months old. Take a look at her."
He raised his eyes and gazed at the spirit tablet again, then walked forward and inserted the sandalwood sticks neatly into the incense burner in front of the altar.
He stepped back, took the stick from Shao Qing's hand, and offered it to her again.
The little girl in his arms finally got tired of the lights and looked up at her biological father. She recognized him, pouted her lips, and cried out "Ah".
"Well, what happened to Dad's daughter?"
Wei Jing had freed his hands and put them around her, rocking her and coaxing her softly.
Shao Qing bowed three times respectfully, lit the incense, turned around to look at the father and daughter, and Wei Jing looked up: "Let's go back."
He was holding a little kid kicking his legs in his arms, with a gentle expression. Shao Qing raised his hand and gently stroked his eyebrows.
The evilness of the past is no longer seen.
She smiled and said, "Okay."
…
Xu'er seemed to like being outside very much, and the couple even took her to the garden for a walk before going back.
Wei Jing said that now that it is autumn and the temperature is so high in the morning and evening, he can take his daughter out for a walk every day.
Shao Qing smiled and said yes.
After touring the garden, the family of three went back to have a meal, coaxed their baby to sleep, and the couple went to sleep in each other's arms.
At 11:00 the next day, Wei Jing got up early and went to the front yamen as usual, but there was something different today. He was no longer alone, but went with his wife.
The same as Shao Qing before she gave birth.
Although she gave birth to a daughter, Shao Qing certainly did not want to be trapped in the inner house. Yan Ming also said that her eyesight is gradually recovering, and during this period she will not get tired just by looking at strong light, and she can live a normal life without the need for too much protection.
Then the work will naturally have to start all over again.
Wei Jing knew her and didn't disagree.
Xu'er was entrusted to the care of Sun. The couple were reluctant to let her go, but it was not appropriate to bring her to the front yamen. Shao Qing could only comfort herself and just treat it as going to get off work and going home. Isn’t that the case for all professional women in later generations?
She loves her daughter, but her life cannot be all about her daughter.
After the explanation, Mrs. Sun came happily early in the morning. The couple and the grandparents said goodbye reluctantly and left with a hardened heart.
"Ah, I wonder if Xu'er will miss her father and mother?"
Wei Jing had already resumed his official duties in the former yamen, and he accepted it very quickly. He said firmly, "Yes."
Shao Qing automatically ignored common sense and believed him.
The couple chatted with each other and soon arrived at the front yamen, where they first went to Shao Qing's duty room.
The familiar scenery and familiar furnishings are the same as before, cleaned every day without any dust, as if the owner was still working there yesterday.
Shao Qing showed a trace of nostalgia, sighed, and walked around the room a few times, turning over and touching this and that.
It’s really not easy.
But it finally came.
But unfortunately, she won't be able to stay in this duty room for long.
Wei Jing kept watching with a smile and said, "We should move out of Pingcheng."
…
Shao Qing returned to the meeting room. She sat to the right of Wei Jing, her eyes bright and lively.
The news that the mistress had regained her sight had already spread throughout the upper class of Pingcheng, but Ji Huan and others mentioned above could not hide their joy, and they congratulated her one after another when they met.
"Thank you for your concern, please get up quickly."
Shao Qing woke people up with a smile.
After some laughter and chatter, everyone took their seats and the conversation got down to business. The atmosphere suddenly became serious.
Ji Huan bowed and said, "My Lord, now that my wife has regained her sight and my little girl is almost a hundred days old, we should start the process of moving out of Pingcheng."
Wei Jing conquered Yangzhou three months ago, and a month ago he ordered Zhang Yong to lead an army of 80,000 to attack Jiaozhou.
Jiaozhou is a place far away from the Middle-earth and not affected by the war. It is the safest place, but it also has great disadvantages. The area is remote and sparsely populated, the division is old and has little food, and the combat experience is pitifully little. Moreover, Jiaozhou is surrounded by Yi, Jing and Yang, which is undoubtedly meat in Wei Jing's mouth.
There was no need for Wei Jing to lead the army in Jiaozhou himself, so he appointed Zhang Yong to lead the army.
With 80,000 elite soldiers approaching the pass, even though the pass was defended, the Jiaozhou army could not hold out for long and was defeated in six days. Zhang Yong immediately led his troops straight in to pursue the defeated Jiaozhou army.
The latter was defeated.
In a great defeat, nearly half of the 50,000 soldiers were killed, and the already low morale fell to the bottom. Faced with the powerful enemy forces, there were repeated incidents of soldiers abandoning the city and fleeing in Jiaozhou. Zhang Yong easily captured three cities in seven days.
There are not many cities in Jiaozhou, and these three cities are already close to Weqiu, the capital of Jiaozhou.
In desperation, Jiaozhou Governor Zhao Yong surrendered.
At this point, the four southern states, Yi, Jing, Yang and Jiao, had all fallen into the hands of Wei Jing.
It dominates the south and owns half of the country.
Pingcheng is not far from Tanggu Road, but it is a bit remote, with many mountains and no smooth road to the north, so it is no longer suitable as a base camp.
When looking for a more suitable strategic city to serve as the new center point.
This was the consensus of everyone present from top to bottom. As Xu'er grew older, Shao Qing regained his sight, and good news from Jiaozhou came back, the time was ripe to move out of Pingcheng.
Wei Jing nodded: "Bo Yan is right."
After setting the tone for the move, he looked around at everyone and said, "Which one do you think is better, Yedu or Liling?"
There is actually no need for a comprehensive audition for the new center point. After all, both Jingzhou and Yangzhou originally had owners, and more than one. This city, which combines military significance and economic center, has been occupied by its original owner for a long time.
Ye City, the seat of Yangzhou, was once the base of the Qu family.
Liling, the seat of Hanshou County, was the base camp chosen by King An after he conquered Jingzhou.
Ye City faces Xuzhou across the river, and several major roads lead directly to the north; Liling and Hanshou are protected by high mountains to the north, and there are smooth roads and dangerous passes leading to Yuzhou. The dangerous passes are within the territory of Hanshou and are the garrison points of their own side.
Both places have excellent natural defenses and are close to the Central Plains, making them ideal places to sit firmly in the south and wait for an opportunity to march north.
Now choose one of the two.
The ministers pondered for a moment. Ji Huan and Zhuang Yan, who was sitting next to him, looked at each other and both of them cupped their hands at the same time. "My lord, I think Li Ling is the best choice."
Li Ling has a barrier in front and a natural barrier behind. If Wei Jing had not annihilated Prince An's 180,000 troops at the same time as he took Quyang, the disparity in military strength between the two sides would have been too great. They have occupied Pingyang and are in a state of semi-encirclement of Hanshou. It may not be so easy to take it.
"Although Ye City is not bad, it is located south of the Yangtze River. Our main force is the land army."
The navy was not needed in the Northern Expedition.
The biggest defensive barrier of Ye City is the Yangtze River, but if we want to march north, we must first use warships to transport soldiers across the river. It's not impossible, but whether attacking or retreating, it won't be as convenient as Li Ling.
Another more important point.
Ji Huan added: "Xuzhou was ruled by Prince Ji. Since Prince Ji was defeated and retreated, all the border towns and passes south of Xuzhou have been heavily guarded."
Wei Jing's intention to launch a northern expedition can be said to be Sima Zhao's intention.
It goes without saying that the states bordering the South must be on high alert.
Xuzhou is the place where Prince Ji's family lives. The various passes and cities are connected to each other. If one wants to march north from here, they have to use force.
Yuzhou was a battlefield. Although the imperial army had retreated to the northwest, the Runan County to the south was divided between Prince Ji and Wang Ji. These two people are currently very discordant.
Disharmony is good, because disharmony makes it easy for loopholes to be found.
Ji Huan glanced at the person above him. Wei Jing looked as calm as usual, with no sign of joy or anger.
Given his lord's ability, Ji Huan didn't believe that he couldn't see the obvious advantages and disadvantages.
Perhaps Wei Jing hated Prince An too much, and had no good feelings towards Liling, Prince An's former base, so he was unwilling to make the decision himself, but let everyone discuss it together.
Ji Huan sighed, stood up and saluted: "My lord, I think Li Ling is the best."
Zhuang Yan immediately responded: "I second the motion."
"Second the motion!"
"The bidder also..."
…
"good."
Everyone spoke in unison. Wei Jing looked around and nodded, "Pass my order. From now on, prepare to move to Liling."
All the officials present immediately stood up and responded in unison: "We will obey the orders of our lord!"
The sound was extremely loud, passing through the hall and out through the tiled roof, making the ears buzz and making people's hearts excited.
Many people looked excited.
Shao Qing knew why.
Moving to Liling was the first important deployment of the Northern Expedition. This order means that our side has officially turned its attention to the Central Plains.
Taking a deep breath, she also stood up.
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