85 Follow Me
◎Huo Qubing: I am here, the bloody demon dare not bully you.◎
When word spread that Huo Yan and Huo Qubing had decided to visit their father in Pingyang County next month, the first to express dissatisfaction was Zhufu Yan. He genuinely liked Huo Yan, and he was also a real jerk. He knew Huo Yan was just going through the motions, but he didn't think an elder like Huo Zhongru was worth the extravagant trip.
"You can go anytime. If you go there to do business, you can stop by and we'll be considered to have met." He was wearing clothes made of thin silk and gauze, lying on the couch with his legs crossed, his chest exposed. He tilted his face and asked someone to bring Huo Yan some fruits that had been soaked in well water.
The weather was hot, and Huo Yan was wearing a thin, plain gauze Zen robe. He fanned himself with a paper fan, "It's a rare opportunity to get away and relax."
Zhufu Yan narrowed his eyes, looking him up and down. Then, he snatched the fan from his hand and fanned himself. His movement was so sharp that he accidentally exposed his chest. Huo Yan rolled his eyes rudely and straightened his clothes. Zhufu Yan hugged him and smiled, calling him "good boy Yan'er". Huo Yan said helplessly, "It's hot."
Lord Father Yan did not relax, but just looked at the fan again and again, and then laughed out loud.
This fan was a fine one, crafted from ivory, its texture dense and solid, soft to the touch, and with a gentle tap it rang like metal. The ribs were evenly wide and narrow, the lines flowing naturally. When opened and closed, the fan surface was painted on Huo Yan's favorite gold-sprinkled Xuan paper, with a painting of a spring apricot blossom in the center. The calligraphy on the side was vigorous and majestic, completely at odds with the painting. Most importantly, the red agate pendant beneath was incredibly large and vibrant.
This fan is not like the elegant ones that Huo Yan usually sells for thousands of coins. It can only be said to be very vulgar.
But Lord Father Yan was not laughing because of this incompatibility. He was laughing because he took off the big agate pendant and put it in his hand tomorrow, but Huo Yan didn't say anything. This meant that he had something to ask of him.
He put the agate in his sleeve and waited for Huo Yan to speak. Then he heard Huo Yan's voice and his eyes widened.
"In the matter of the wine steward, I mistakenly trusted those powerful families and brought disaster to the emperor's reputation. I am a criminal and cannot enter the court unless I have military merit."
He's going to join the army!
His purpose was already clear. Lord Father Yan returned the agate to him, along with the fan, but he refused to take any of it. "You kid don't want to live anymore!"
Everyone knew that Liu Che had already vacated the position of Sougu Duwei for Huo Yan. Who dared to go against Liu Che's will? Huo Yan was just acting recklessly.
Inside, the sun was shining brightly. Outside, the chirping of cicadas pierced the stagnant air. Zhufu Yan stared at the gleaming jade pendants on Huo Yan's earrings. The peacock blue hue cast a greenish luster in the draft. "Do you know that the annual salary of a grain-collecting captain is two thousand dan? At your age, I'd still be starving in Yanzhao, chewing grass roots! You're so stupid! What good is there in fighting the Xiongnu? Will you survive?"
He moved suddenly, and the peach pieces in the cup slipped onto the table with his sleeve. Huo Yan moved his hand to avoid the splashing juice, and some of it was stained on his white gauze Zen robe.
"My uncle and I are going, and I only hope that you can look after the family for me. I pay my respects."
The young man bowed with his back straight.
The shadow of the locust tree outside the window suddenly swayed, just like the trembling hand of an old minister.
Huo Yan chose Zhufu Yan. His eyes were blazing as he took a step on his knees and held onto Zhufu Yan's hand. His whole body was filled with high spirits and vitality. "Trust me, if I go, I can save tens of thousands of people. I will go on this trip!"
Zhufu Yan didn't quite believe that someone was born with supernatural powers, but after all, he was Huo Yan. After a long pause, he waved his hand and said, "If you leave, even if you don't tell me, I will help you take care of the family and the child you mentioned."
Huo Yan quickly stood up, touched his belly, put his hand on Zhufu Yan's shoulder, and smiled broadly.
"Old man, I know you are the most loyal. I'm hungry. Give me some wine. I want to relax."
Lord Father Yan also smiled and asked someone to serve food to Huo Yan and him.
Huo Yan and Zhufu Yan toasted each other and sat at the same table. When they were in high spirits, Huo Yan brought the plates to share the table with Zhufu Yan, and they put their arms around each other's shoulders. They had similar interests and were as close as one person. They laughed non-stop during the meal.
"Old man, I told you I want to leave my name in history! I am the future Third Duke!"
"You're not even as big as Mo Tuan, yet you're bragging all over the place. I'm afraid you're asking that kid who followed you to write this fake history."
"You, hahaha, that's also history."
…
The meal lasted from noon until almost curfew. The two of them got drunk and had to take a nap before they could rest.
Huo Yan, blushing, supported the equally drunk Zhufu Yan as they exited the mansion. He staggered to the gate and waved, "Hey, old man, no need to see you off, no need to see you off. I have someone to pick me up!"
As he spoke, he showed a bit of pride, strolled forward, stumbling three steps at a time, and then flopped down in the open space in front of the mansion.
Zhufu Yan had no sympathy at all. Although he was completely drunk, it did not stop him from pointing at Huo Yan and jokingly saying, "Hey, he fell! Hahahaha."
Huo Yan jumped up, patted the ground, his wide sleeves fluttering like moths, and his rosy cheeks tensed. "Old man, how dare you laugh at me? Go out and find out who my brother is!"
Lord Father Yan laughed even louder.
"Who am I afraid of? Who are you, brother? Tell me, I'll see for myself!"
Huo Yan was so angry that he stood up and started to fight if he refused to obey.
Then the two drunks started pushing each other.
When Huo Qubing arrived, Huo Yan and Zhufu Yan were being held on either side by the guards who were checking the curfew. The two ancestors were still cursing at each other. The guard's young commander, who was a subordinate of Huo Qubing, supported Huo Yan and kept calling him "little brother Huo, take a break." When he saw Huo Qubing, he was so excited that he saluted him with a fist.
"General."
Huo Qubing waved his hand, indicating that he would take it.
Huo Yan was already furious, and rolled up his sleeves to fight with Zhufu Yan. When he saw Huo Qubing trying to stop him, he went up and slammed his hand, "Why are you stopping me?"
Damn it, it’s in the way!
"What are you doing!" Zhufu Yan also narrowed his eyes, "We are fighting!"
Faced with the two fluttering moths, Huo Qubing smiled good-naturedly, but the situation looked weird no matter how he looked at it. Under the shocked gaze of the guards, he raised his sword and knocked Zhufu Yan unconscious, then carried Huo Yan on his shoulder and jumped on his horse.
"Ayan is drunk today and has caused you trouble. Tomorrow, when he sobers up, I'll have him treat you to a drink." He stood on his horse, his posture as a god, except for the long stick struggling on his shoulder. He pointed at Zhufu Yan and his household servant and said, "Send the master back first. Ayan's rudeness is due to my inability to discipline him. If I have time, I will come to apologize."
The guards and the household stewards dared not refuse, so they responded repeatedly. Lord Father Yan's household steward also offered polite words. Huo Qubing made up a few words on Huo Yan's behalf before riding off.
His face looked very good, and it was obvious that he was happy because he had caught Huo Yan's pigtail.
This time A Yan can't control him.
He hummed a song as he entered the Huo Mansion. Huo Yan struggled and moved around. He was still drunk, but he just felt uncomfortable in the upside-down position. He was never one to give in, so he twisted himself into a snake, looking for a comfortable angle.
"Let me go!" he muttered to himself, the smell of alcohol wafting through his nose. "Or I'll ask my brother to beat you up!"
After he finished speaking, he was unusually at a loss, looking around blankly, not knowing what he was looking for.
Huo Yan seemed a little frightened and uneasy, so Huo Qubing had to put him down. Huo Yan was too weak to stand up, and sat down on the doorstep like a puddle of water. He looked up and saw the moon and Huo Qubing smiling under the moon.
Late summer moonlight streamed across the bronze ice mirror in the courtyard of the Huo Mansion, transforming the golden tiger pattern on Huo Qubing's Hu clothing into flowing silver waves. The wind-swept chimes on the eaves were startled by the night breeze, startling fireflies hidden beneath the banana leaves. Dots of green light streaked across the jade belt hook with dragon-patterned patterns at Huo Qubing's waist.
Suddenly I saw the bright moon over the spring terrace and the gods descending to the earth.
Huo Yan leaned on the bluestone steps, tilting his head and smiling. The small red mole on his lip was faintly visible when he smiled, like a red plum blossom fluttering in the cold. He whistled loudly and frivolously, "Little brother, you look good!"
He liked good-looking people, and Huo Qubing was pleasing to the eye. He was suddenly interested, struggled to sit up, and laughed again, "Little brother, it's so late, why aren't you sleeping yet?"
"What is brother?" Huo Qubing raised his eyebrows and touched Huo Yan's head.
During the Han Dynasty, there was no term for elder brother. People used "brother" or "eldest brother" to address their elder brother. Huo Yan, for example, would call Huo Qubing "Ah brother." However, calling him "brother" was rare and did not even have a fixed special meaning or usage. Therefore, Huo Qubing had some doubts, but not many.
"Handsome brother, how about doing me a favor?"
Huo Yan's gaze inadvertently slid down the cloud pattern on Huo Qubing's shoulder, hooked the red coral bead on the jade belt hook, and let him touch his head. He also pulled the hem of Huo Qubing's battle robe and begged softly.
Huo Qubing knelt on one knee to comply, and the knee armor hit the stone slab, making a clear sound.
"You tell me, I'll help you."
Huo Yanzhi stood up, feeling a little embarrassed. "Can you take me in for a while?"
Huo Qubing chuckled and nodded.
"good."
Huo Yan also smiled, took off her red coral earrings and placed them in his hand.
For a moment, Huo Qubing felt that his younger brother was sober. He asked someone to make a sobering soup for Huo Yan and took the earrings. Then he led Huo Yan to the Huo Mansion and took him to the small lake next to his home.
Huo Yan stopped, squatted down and touched the water. He was overjoyed. He swung the water around, which made Huo Qubing frightened. He grabbed Huo Yan's collar, and under Huo Yan's puzzled gaze, he coughed lightly and let him continue playing.
Huo Yan fiddled with the water for a long time, letting the cool water flow in his slender palms. After a long time, he let out a long sigh.
Huo Qubing frowned.
The sobering medicine was brought in at this time. He handed the bowl to Huo Yan's lips, but Huo Yan just shook his head.
He was shaking, and if Huo Qubing hadn't held him back, he would have fallen into the water.
Finally, Huo Qubing had no choice but to pinch his cheeks and force him to fill his stomach with the hangover soup. Huo Yan opened his eyes wide and turned his head to avoid it, but in the end, he couldn't resist him and had to swallow it all.
Huo Qubing finished giving his brother the medicine and was about to coax him to sleep, but he saw the boy's guarded eyes and the cow-hair needle faintly visible in the moonlight.
Huo Qubing sighed and felt that there was no way he could be coaxed today.
But this time, Huo Yan suddenly jumped up and bit his wrist fiercely. Huo Qubing didn't even blink. Huo Yan was furious and bit even harder. With the meat in his mouth, he mumbled, "You all lied to me! I'll bite you to death!"
Huo Qubing was silent for a moment, "No one lied to you."
Huo Yan gritted his teeth and threatened, "Shut up! I know whether I've been deceived or not, I know my limits!"
Huo Qubing watched his brother nagging without a word, and lost his temper. "Then when are you going to sleep?"
Huo Yan looked up at the moon, then clenched his teeth against Huo Qubing.
"Waiting for someone to pick me up." His confused face only remembered that someone would come to take him home. He frowned and shrugged, "I don't like being alone. Besides, there are so many words in the sky, it's so noisy."
Huo Qubing laughed.
"good."
The night is deep and the dew is heavy, the moonlight is soft.
Huo Yan curled up in a ball and slept by the lake.
Huo Qubing leisurely lifted his brother by the waist, then slung him over his shoulder like a sack, carrying him away. The night breeze lifted the hanging bamboo curtains, revealing images of newly made farm tools inside the room. Huo Qubing's hair brushed against a model plow wheel on display, its bronze gears gleaming a faint blue in the moonlight.
"Brother, is that me?" He undressed Huo Yan at the head of the bed, wiped Huo Yan's saliva marks on his clothes, then sat at the head of the bed and said softly, "Did Ah Yan get cheated?"
No one answered him, but he would work his way back. He counted the people who could deceive Huo Yan, and finally he identified that person and fell into a rare silence.
After a long while, he made a conclusion and said, "It must be my uncle."
Huo Yan had no idea that his drunken behavior had caused Huo Qubing to reflect on himself. He only knew that his back hurt.
"Which bastard hit me?"
Early in the morning, he rubbed his neck, and then hundreds of barrage messages that he had not dared to say yesterday flashed by. His face turned red, his breathing became rapid, and finally he slammed the table and stood up.
"Master Tianshen, my brother actually dared to carry me like a sack and turn against Tiangang!"
He rushed towards the Wei Mansion and bumped into Gongsun Jingsheng.
When Gongsun Jingsheng saw Huo Yan's face, he remembered the experience of being picked up and beaten by Huo Qubing, and jumped away immediately.
"Hehe," he rubbed his hands and said embarrassedly, "My uncle has given birth, so I'm leaving."
Huo Yan watched him crawl away, completely confused.
"Uncle Gongsun is pregnant, why didn't you ask me to take his pulse?"
[Dad, is it possible that a man can't get pregnant?]
Huo Yan tutted his words and rolled his eyes, "Then he's avoiding me. Why is he avoiding me?"
[Uh, I don’t know.]
Huo Yan shook his head and sighed, "You guys are only good enough to hang around with me. If it were my junior brother, he would just say logically that you're useless and what's the point of living."
The barrage was shocking.
Huo Yan successfully scared everyone, and then he smiled and followed Wei Shaojun, Wei Bu, Wei Guang and the whole family to have dinner. After the meal, he listened to some talk about going to recognize relatives before leaving.
He didn't file a complaint here, he just wanted to scare his brother and take revenge on him for holding him back.
As a result, Huo Qubing came to the Wei Mansion, but he brought with him a large group of more than a dozen carriages and horses.
The supremely powerful Marquis Guanjun rode in front, his personal guards at his heels. Zhao Po Nu, completely disregarding his position as a marquis, bared his teeth. Seeing Huo Yan, he clasped his fists and jumped out of the carriage to whisper in his ear. He bluntly addressed Huo Yan, "The general offended His Majesty and was fined a year's salary. His Majesty also ordered him to leave Chang'an. Oh, Brother Yan, let's go and hide somewhere else."
The boy's excited words were full of happiness.
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing looked at each other. Huo Qubing looked away guiltily, stroked his pretty face, and said, "Get in the car."
Zhao Po Nu and the young men behind him were still grinning, looking so happy that they didn't seem like they were being punished, but rather like they were getting married as a group.
Is this a disaster?
The Wei family members were confused and looked at Huo Yan in unison. Huo Yan looked at Huo Qubing, but Huo Qubing stroked the cat's head and didn't look him in the eye.
Could he say that he asked his uncle for money for Ah Yan, and his uncle got angry and refused to return the money, and even asked him to get out of his sight?
He can't, he is the champion marquis, how can this be glorious! His uncle is shameless, he still wants it!
Just leave, your uncle is so rude and unkind, he won’t let Ah Yan suffer with him!
He is running away from home!
Huo Yan waved his hand, saying they were leaving for Pingyang County today, and thus tricked the Wei family into going over. He quickly boarded the carriage, grabbed Huo Qubing's head, and forced him to look over. "What happened? Have you been confiscated and exiled?"
Huo Qubing didn't answer, instead pursing his lips and stroking his pretty little tiger head by the handlebars. Huo Yan didn't bother to pay attention to him. Huo Qubing couldn't hold it in for three hours anyway, so he would always tell him that it didn't matter if he knew it earlier or later. He simply lifted the curtain to get in and sit for a while, but ended up being stuck outside the car.
The housekeeper sitting inside was trembling with fear because Huo Qubing drove him too fast, and he was still protecting the pots and bowls in his hands. When he saw him, he subconsciously smiled with wrinkles on his face, "My dear, you are precious. Your Majesty was worried that you would not be used to the food, so you brought us along as well."
Huo Yan looked into the car and saw that even the fruitless grape vines at home had been pulled up. It seemed that Huo Qubing was not leaving Chang'an, but planning to move to Pingyang County.
He raised his eyebrows. Was he really exiled?
[No, so they were all exiled to Ningguta?]
[Is Qubing not coming back? The grapevines have all been moved.]
[Oh my goodness, there is nothing left at home!]
[What did you do to get rid of the disease?]
…
Huo Yan's face grew darker as he read the barrage of comments. His cheek twitched, and then he silently lowered the curtain, sat in front of the car, leaned against Huo Qubing, and a strange smile appeared on his lips.
Exile is good! Exile from Chang'an is good! He just can't think of how to be lazy. What fun is there in Chang'an!
He laughed without saying anything. Huo Qubing didn't dare to say anything either. He just glanced at him secretly, then drove away and led the caravan out of Chang'an into the sunset.
They both had their own thoughts. When the carriage had traveled a mile out of Chang'an, Huo Yan suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up." He stood up and shouted to the car behind him, his wide sleeves puffing up like a butterfly fluttering its wings. "It will be dark soon and we won't be able to find a place to stay!"
After saying this, he squeezed past Huo Qubing, raised his whip, and drove away at a swift speed.
Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this, and the air was filled with joy.
Huo Qubing finally spoke. He had always been upright and never talked about others behind their backs, but now he suddenly said, "Uncle is wrong!"
Huo Yan's smiling face could no longer be suppressed and turned directly into a big question mark.
"What did you say?"
Huo Qubing clasped his sword across his chest, leaning against the carriage. "Yesterday, I asked Lord Sang, and he hasn't paid you back for the money you spent collecting grain to fill his granary. He's taking advantage of his age to bully you."
He usually appeared stern, quiet, and arrogant, but when he was around Huo Yan, he was full of words. His red lips moved and closed as he said a long paragraph about how you were wronged when I was away, and then he concluded in a loud voice, "Don't be wronged. We are not going back. No one can make you suffer, not even your uncle."
Huo Yan's face, originally confused, froze for a moment, but then his smile returned. He put his hands on his hips and laughed loudly towards the sky, startling the birds and making them fly away.
"Did you beat him for me? I've always wanted to beat him." He had laughed enough and asked Huo Qubing. Huo Qubing shook his head with a serious face, "I scolded him. I told him to worship the gods less, always remember the money he owes, and save it for you."
Huo Yan was satisfied and felt warm all over.
[There is only one brother in the world who is good.]
[My brother's children are like treasures!]
[The bright moon hangs high in the sky, shining only on me! Damn girl, what a blessing!]
…
After asking, Huo Yan found out that Huo Qubing was neither demoted nor exiled. On the way out of Chang'an, Huo Yan felt very regretful. He thought he was exiled, which made him very excited.
As the carriage passed through the ancient city of Xianyang, the more than ten carriages traveling back and forth attracted attention.
On the south bank of the Wei River, three hundred wooden treadmills lined the water. Craftsmen from the official brewery were pounding the koji (drinking yeast) with their treads. A "Hundred Diseases Diagram" on the mud wall was cut by willow shadows. Next to a simple figure depicting a drunkard, the words "No more than three cups of wine a day" were neatly inscribed. Officials in brown robes shuttled back and forth, carrying wicker baskets, distributing steaming lees to the poor.
Zhao Po Nu jumped out of the car and went to buy some wine. The wine official in a black robe brought out the wine. He looked up and saw Huo Yan waiting for someone not far away. His hair, which was even more fluffy than the others, seemed to stand on end. The warm sunlight fell. He filled two large spoons of wine for Zhao Po Nu and the others, then put down the spoon handle and handed it to the other officials. He ran to Huo Yan excitedly, "Little Dad!"
His voice was so loud that everyone looked in Huo Yan's direction. The sackcloth-clad commoners were filled with fear. It wasn't until an old craftsman confronted Huo Yan and declared that he was their master that their expressions changed. They didn't know who Huo Yan was, but they knew who had let them drink the cheapest wine and who had given them the lees for free to feed their livestock.
Huo Yan was talking to Huo Qubing when the hairy head suddenly appeared in his sight. Huo Yan subconsciously gave a gentle smile.
"Xiao Ke, it's great that you're here!"
Xiaoke also bowed to Huo Qubing, then jumped onto the carriage at Huo Yan's invitation, threw herself into his arms, and leaned against him, her eyes sparkling.
"Are you here to see me?"
Huo Yan rubbed his head and said, "I want to cross the Yellow River, so I'm leaving from here. I have to hurry on."
Xiao Ke shrugged dejectedly, "Why don't you stay a little longer?"
Huo Yan was about to shake his head, but Huo Qubing nodded repeatedly and advised, "Let's go tomorrow, Ah Yan."
Huo Yan didn't know what kind of medicine Huo Qubing was selling, but that didn't stop him from indulging him.
"That's troublesome, Xiaoke."
Xiaoke cheered and welcomed them into the winery.
Huo Yan followed him in and received grateful glances from the people along the way. His gentle smile made the people dare to talk to him a few more words even though Huo Qubing's personal soldiers were following him.
Huo Yan was very happy. He let Huo Qubing go in first. He talked enthusiastically with the people and didn't let a word fall by the wayside.
Huo Qubing did not leave, but sat aside to watch the craftsmen making wine. He looked similar to Huo Yan, and some people boldly asked Huo Yan, "Who is that?"
He pointed cautiously at Huo Qubing. Even if Huo Qubing was restrained, the bloodiness of the battlefield could be seen at a glance.
Huo Qubing also noticed the gaze behind him. He was about to look back when he heard Huo Yan say, "That's my brother. Haven't you heard about the drama where General Huo led 800 cavalrymen in a night raid and captured 3,000 Xiongnu?"
He raised his eyebrows happily, "He is General Huo, he is the great hero who fought against the Huns! Those who followed him are fighting against the Huns and protecting our safety!"
The common people had never imagined that the brave general from the opera was right in front of them, still so young. Every citizen of the Hanwu Dynasty knew how fierce and difficult the Xiongnu were. Therefore, they couldn't help but sigh, "Great heroes! They are all great heroes!"
They didn't say many words, just repeated Huo Yan's words over and over again, but it made them seem more sincere.
Huo Qubing didn't look back, he couldn't hide the corners of his lips that were raised high.
Zhao Po Nu and the others couldn't help laughing.
They are great heroes!
Xiahou Shichang also smiled. He took a sip from the wine cup and his eyes fell on Huo Yan.
Mr. Jiang is right, Young Master Huo is a good husband!
[It’s more real than real gold and silver.]
[Our army is invincible, and all of them are heroes.]
[Fighting the Xiongnu earned one a title of nobility, and fighting the Xiongnu also served the country.]
[Maybe I didn't think about it that much at first, but I'll remember it when I go out to fight from now on.]
Huo Yan and the others left the next day. Xiao Ke was reluctant to leave and was patted on the head by Zhao Po Nu. Zhao Po Nu, the shameless soldier, said jokingly, "Then uncle will stay with you, nephew!"
Xiaoke let him go.
Huo Yan gave Xiaoke a few instructions before getting into the car with a smile.
The car had only gone a hundred meters when it was stopped by a group of old men and women.
Huo Qubing stopped the car. The old woman in linen clothes at the head of the group stuffed a tightly wrapped millet cake into his arms. The old people behind her also gave the leaf-wrapped cakes in their arms to Zhao Po Nu and the others. Huo Qubing accepted it silently.
The old woman's smile was very similar to Wei Yu's, very kind. She said, "I saw that the young master liked to eat it yesterday, so I steamed some this morning. Luckily, we made it in time. The general can try it too." As she spoke, she stuffed an egg into Huo Yan's hand and said, "This is a hen fed with wine dregs. Try it, young master."
Huo Yan smiled and nodded, then got out of the car and asked Xiaoke to send someone to take them there.
After the crowd had dispersed, Huo Qubing opened the paper package. Golden millet and sorghum were spread on the dark green reed leaves, revealing the beautiful patterns on the cake pressed with red dates. The patterns were so crooked that Huo Qubing stared at it for a long time before he found that it was vaguely the word "good luck".
The old woman was illiterate and thought the words were patterns. She laid this layer because she thought her husband was precious.
Huo Qubing gave half of it to Huo Yan. He took a sip and found it soft and slightly sweet, with the sweetness of red dates and the fragrance of reed leaves.
He took another bite, and after a long while, he said to Huo Yan who was still chewing the cake, "I am Ah Yan's brother, so I can enjoy this delicious meal."
Huo Qubing was good at praising people.
Huo Yan raised his head while busy chewing the cake and accepted without hesitation.
"Where are we going now?"
[Yes, we haven’t even reached the Yellow River yet. Once we get there, my son will be a hero among heroes!]
[Go there, you can eat for free with that face!]
[My boss Ayan!]
[This trip is free, I'm so glad you were invited.]
…
Huo Yan and his companions continued their journey for a few days, passing Xinfeng at noon. As the towering cliffs of Tongguan came into view, Huo Yan's face lit up with a smile. He suddenly stopped the carriage, his long robes sweeping across a riverbank dotted with milk vetch and plantain. He carefully observed the water marks left by the flood on the rocky wall on the opposite bank, then chuckled as he plucked a handful of young milk vetch.
The bronze capstans between the cliffs use the height difference to hum and transport stones to the top of the mountain. The water wheels that can be seen everywhere on the ridges of the fields were all designed by Huo Yanzeng, including the dredging workers on the mountainside that slow down the flow of water, prevent erosion of the river bank, and enhance the stability of the dam.
The old overseer saw the noble young man. Huo Yan was too young then, and now he's grown up. Logically, no one would recognize him, but the old man recognized him the moment he raised his eyes and smiled. When the old man saw him again, his eyes welled up and he wept with joy. He said to Huo Yan as if he were announcing good news, "My dear, you're back. The Yellow River hasn't burst its banks in years. There hasn't been a peach blossom flood this year either."
Huo Yan nodded. He looked at the sweeper who had caused him to lose all his hair. He was still as steady as he was back then, and his eyes were red.
The craftsmen who were transporting the stones all looked at him. They also recognized Huo Yan, and all of them bowed deeply to Huo Yan and performed a great ceremony.
In an instant, Huo Yan felt that this life was enough. He bowed back and said, "Thank you all for your perseverance over the years. Only then can we have no trouble in the Yellow River today."
[Ayan, you are serious, I will flatter you forever.]
[Woo woo woo, our hard work has not been in vain.]
[A sluice is typically constructed using materials like willow branches and reeds, soil, and stone, using a specific method of bundling and stacking. It is a relatively flexible and quickly implemented hydraulic structure, and has proven effective in regulating sandy rivers. We made the right choice back then.]
[The sluice gates control the flow and level of the water, the dredging workers reinforce the embankments, and the Fengling Ferry diversion project, Ah Yan, may truly protect the people of the Yellow River for many years to come.]
…
When Huo Yan left Tongguan, the people along the nearby Yellow River who knew the news spontaneously sent him off. He had returned in a hurry that year, but now the people along the Yellow River held his hands and called him "young master" one by one. The Yellow River had not burst its banks and the waterwheel was working well.
Huo Yan nodded, shook their hands firmly, and pushed away their things.
[When the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, the people near Chang'an also sent food to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, expressing their concern for their holy emperor.]
[What the hell.]
[I say Ah Yan can be the Holy Son of Heaven, crowned emperor. Your brother is here, make him the Grand Marshal of the Army, recruiting troops and conquering the land!]
[Rebellion, jeer jeer!]
Huo Yan was speechless for once. "When you get killed, don't ask me to sew your heads together!"
Comments from the crowd: Hahahaha.
He had a few words with the barrage, and then encountered bandits in the west of Tongguan. Before he could react, his brother led his men out.
Chang'an.
Chang'an is in chaos now, so let's drink it while it's hot.
Huo Qubing ran away with Huo Yan. When Emperor Liu Che found out, he sent people to chase them but couldn't catch up with them. Huo Qubing didn't report to any county governor along the way, so the people he sent didn't even know where Huo Qubing was going and had to split into more than ten groups.
Liu Che was furious and stood in the Pepper Room with his hands on his hips, raging.
"Your good nephew, I just said a few words to him and he ran away from home! I can't say anything to him!"
Wei Zifu lowered her eyebrows and smiled gently.
In the past, Liu Che would not be angry when he came here, but today was different. Wei Zifu saw Liu Che's visibly angry expression, and then she heard the emperor's furious words, "Ayan also ran away with him! My Ayan, I have already found a job for him! But he is gone!"
The emperor's angry roar echoed in the Pepper Room for a long time.
"Ayan ran away with him!"
Wei Zifu's heart was in a knot, because she couldn't show her speechlessness on her face, so she could only feel it in her heart.
Liu Che is like the sun. When it is warm, it is really warm. When it is hot, it is really hot. He has been restless these days and doesn't like anyone.
The ministers could not stand it any longer, not even Liu Ju, so he fled day and night to the Wei Mansion to ask Wei Qing for help.
At this time, Wei Qing was leisurely watching the grape vines, occasionally picking out the twisting caterpillars from the grapes, putting the fat caterpillars into his small box, and sitting in the pavilion to feed the worms.
Liu Ju came in a hurry and gave a long speech.
The carefree General Wei only then realized that it seemed that his two eldest nephews had not come to eat for a long time, but it was okay, the children were grown up and could go out and play.
If Huo Yan had gone alone, Wei Qing would have been a little worried, but with Huo Qubing around, Wei Qing was back to looking at insects. Who could be better than Huo Qubing?
He invited Liu Ju to come and see the insects, "No one dares to mess with your brothers Qubing and Ayan."
As he spoke, he felt a little proud.
"They're the only ones who mess with others."
Liu Ju was sweating profusely. "My brothers' strength is obvious to all. I can't stand my father anymore!"
Wei Qing said seriously, cutting a grape, looking confused. "What does this have to do with Your Majesty?"
Liu Ju was stuck. It turned out that you just listened to what Brother Qubing said and ran away with Brother Ayan.
He said it again helplessly. Wei Qing ate a grape and frowned because of the sourness. He muttered to Liu Ju, "Your Majesty is just being willful for a moment. It's very cute."
He continued, "Ayan's grapevine is still there, and his should have borne fruit too. They're probably sweet, so I have to go try some."
Liu Ju cried out, "Uncle, listen to me, I can't stand it anymore, I want to run away from home too."
Wei Qing, adhering to the principle of not wasting food, took another bite of grapes, still frowning. He chuckled at what he heard and instructed, "Then bring more people with you."
Liu Ju silently took out the drawings he had prepared and asked his uncle to show him a clear way.
Wei Qing's eyes were still smiling as he casually drew a few lines towards the northeast, ending in Pingyang County.
"Ju'er is too young, let me take him there."
Liu Ju's eyes lit up.
Near Fengling Ferry, the Yellow River bends east. Huo Yan stood on the bank, gazing at the newly built dams on both sides. The goose-wing-shaped stone embankments diverted the torrent into Zhonghong. This was the bend of the Yellow River, connecting east and west, a crucial transportation location. The Yellow River surged tirelessly, its waves surging, carrying silt eastward. The muddy yellow water slammed against the banks, making a deafening sound.
The Yellow River has nine bends and thousands of miles of sand.
Boats travelled frequently, the boatmen shouted and worked together to row the boats to and from the shore, transporting batch after batch of goods and travelers to the other side. The noisy voices, the sound of water and the sound of oars paddling were intertwined.
At the ferry, there were specialized official and civilian vessels used to transport personnel and supplies. There were docks and an agency responsible for managing the ferry, responsible for organizing the deployment of vessels and ensuring orderly crossings. Huo Yan's boat had already approached, and he was lining up behind it, ready to get the tugboat.
Huo Qubing was still leaning against the front of the carriage, slowly wiping a curled-blade ring-handled sword.
Huo Yan looked back while waiting for the boat.
His brother's precious knife was chopped to pieces.
This knife had just been used to chop down a few bandit leaders who were greedy for money an hour ago, and the blood was still splattering. Huo Qubing put it down beside his legs as if nothing had happened, and wiped the knife with a handkerchief. It was so rough. The medicine Huo Yan applied to his face was also so rough.
He really felt that his brother had no place to put his energy.
After leaving Tongguan, Huo Yan led his men northeast, following the flat terrain of the Fen River valley. They passed through settlements and towns along the way, replenishing supplies and resting their forces. Huo Qubing, who knew the way well, remained with his legs crossed the entire time, looking relaxed and amused, as if he were just passing the time.
Then, Huo Yan and his group encountered a group of blind bandits who, seeing their youth and wealth, tried to fleece them. Huo Qubing, who had been reading a storybook, jumped up in surprise and stopped the charging Xiao Piaoliang. He then led his men, swords drawn, and charged in. They'd just cut them down, and that was it, to eliminate the trouble. But one hill wasn't enough for him, so he asked the bandits to lead the way, leading Zhao Po Nu and the others to five more hills in one night, eliminating all the bandit dens in the area.
In this battle, more than 20 people were beheaded, more than 300 people were captured, and the amount of supplies seized has not yet been counted.
But Huo Qubing was very dissatisfied, because it was difficult to ride a horse in the mountains. In order to go faster, he took the mountain path and used a knife to cut branches to clear a path. The edge of his most beautiful knife was bent, and his face was covered with bloody scratches from the branches. Huo Yan kept complaining about him all morning.
Huo Yan took another slap and smeared the medicine all over the other half of his face.
"God damn it, what are you doing in that forest?! Are you going to look for mountain ghosts? You can't kill bandits one by one, you have to kill them all overnight! You think you're not in good health, right? God damn it!" Huo Yan cursed and shouted, "Zhao Po Nu, what the hell are you doing? Don't you know how to tie him up and bring him back? You just run after him, even with a bloody face! What if the tree is poisonous? Don't come back!"
Zhao Po Nu's face was covered with medicine, and his whole body was shiny. He handcuffed the bandits' hands behind their backs, tied them with a long rope, and led them one by one as if they were robbing Hun lambs. He looked very majestic, but when he heard Huo Yan's shout, he immediately shrank his neck and looked at Huo Qubing for help like a quail.
General, you said you wanted to run away.
Huo Qubing, who insisted on running away, had a face full of greasy and sickly skin, and turned his head away without looking at him.
If he responded today, his brother would have to tie him and Zhao Po Nu to the same carriage shaft.
After Huo Yan finished teaching Zhao Po Nu a lesson, he went to find the team supervisor. Then Xiahou Shichang, with a face full of bloodstains, couldn't hide his confidence, "Don't worry, sir, I know that tree, it's not poisonous!"
Those who are close to Huo Qubing release their nature.
Huo Yan's tooth started to ache.
Finally, he angrily flicked his sleeves and told his housekeeper, "Go and apply another layer of paste to your Lordship!"
It's all Huo Qubing's fault.
These bandits were originally difficult to deal with, but Huo Qubing liked to deal with troublemakers and he loved to train his troops. He trained these bandits for a few days and then sent them to the army to suppress them.
What fun is there in spending your prime years watching mountain monkeys baring their teeth instead of fighting the Huns?
Banditry was rampant along Huo Yanding's route. This route was a crucial transportation link between Chang'an and the Hedong region, with frequent personnel exchanges and abundant supplies. Some areas, due to their complex terrain, were particularly conducive to bandit hiding. For example, the mountainous terrain near Tongguan, where they had passed yesterday, provided a haven for bandits. Huo Qubing completely unleashed his instincts. Whether he went to Pingyang County or not was irrelevant; he was determined to eliminate this bandit.
He recruited nine hundred bandits and pirates along the way, which shows how much he loved this activity.
Because of him, not only did no one get close to Huo Yan, even the monkeys in the mountains avoided them.
Huo Yan lost the joy of observing wild animals and started observing the large-scale lethal weapon Huo Qubing every day, which resulted in Huo Qubing being smeared in the face every day. When Huo Qubing was unhappy, he would go to the bandit's lair, and every time he went there, he would be smeared in the face. This vicious cycle ended only when all the bandits within a hundred miles had escaped with their wives and children.
Huo Yan quoted the barrage of comments and said, "Why would you provoke Huo Qubing for no reason?"
Huo Yan had his men divided up. The housekeeper, who had come aboard earlier to pack the boxes and cabin maids, had almost finished packing. He then disembarked and said to Huo Yan, "Young Master, everything is packed. We can leave now."
Huo Yanxie and his men got on the ferry first. Huo Qubing wrapped up his fat tiger and, like coaxing a child, carried the little pretty boy on his back, tied up the tiger's two paws, and dragged him onto the boat.
Xiao Piaoliang wanted to scream, but after receiving a look from Huo Qubing, she immediately became obedient. Only after getting on the boat did she dare to call out to her big daddy twice, which was then greatly encouraged by Huo Qubing.
Huo Yan knew he was worried that Xiao Piaoliang would scare people, but this was a bit exaggerated. Although the weight of an adult South China tiger varies by gender, generally speaking, an adult male South China tiger weighs between 130 and 175 kilograms. Xiao Piaoliang was even sleek and smooth, probably weighing 180 kilograms before being dragged up by his brother.
Huo Yan now just prayed that no blind pirates would come up and disturb his brother, whose precious knife had a bent blade, from reading his storybook.
Life on the ship was incredibly dull, and Huo Yan spent his days reading storybooks and drawing. There wasn't much else to do. It wasn't until the ship passed a supply store that he went out to play with Huo Qubing and buy a bunch of things to prepare some calming incense.
night.
Huo Yan's calming incense had done its job, and he was about to go out to find Huo Qubing when he suddenly felt the boat stumble. The boat was sailing on a government-owned waterway, which had been well maintained year-round. Today, with no wind, the water was calm and the stumbling was unexpected.
Before he could ask, he heard Zhao Po Nu and the housekeeper arrive with a message, his voice tinged with eagerness. "We've encountered pirates! Four fishing boats, about 120 or so. The general said someone probably got in when we docked this morning, and they're trying to coordinate with us. Don't panic, Brother Yan, just stay indoors."
I made a lot of money this time.
His tea boat has an emblem. Would the pirates dare to rob him?
Huo Yan had a flicker of doubt in his heart, but now he didn't have time to think. He left the cabin and calmly said to the housekeeper, "Prepare the boat. You and the old man who can't fight will leave first. This will prevent these people from damaging the boat."
Uncle Bai said anxiously, "Your Excellency, please ask my husband to go to the boat as well."
Huo Yan simply drew his sword and swung his bow. "Not all of those outside are my brother's personal guards. There are also people from the tea factory. They only recognize me. If I disappear, people will disperse and chaos will break out."
The housekeeper was terrified and wanted to persuade Huo Yan to get on the boat. But he glanced at him and said, "Go do it."
After Huo Yan finished speaking, he walked onto the deck.
"Hand over all the gold, silver, and treasure! You Confucian and Taoist villain, you plotted against my brother Guo Jie, leading to his death! Serious official, I've been watching you for a long time, and today I, Han Gong, come to avenge you!" The leading pirate shot an arrow into the boat, which lodged itself in the mast behind Huo Yan. Pirates often used a few methods to rob people: setting fire to people and boarding ships to hijack them.
This was clearly an attempt to board the ship and hijack it.
Huo Qubing laughed, he pulled out the arrow, lit it with a torch, and drew the bow back. In an instant, the arrows hit his clothes and the boat was in chaos.
He looked at the chaos and smiled smugly.
As it happens, he likes to set people on fire.
"I think the revenge for Guo Jie is fake, and the robbery is real."
"You dare to use the name of a dead man?" Huo Yan stepped forward and stood beside Huo Qubing, shoulder to shoulder. His arrival relieved the panicked tea factory workers who had been directly restrained by Huo Qubing. "How foolish."
Huo Qubing only brought more than 20 people on this trip, all of whom were his confidants. Huo Yan knew that they were brave, but he did not want them to be sacrificed by the bandits. Although there were only 120 or 130 bandits, there were still at least 100 of them including the boatmen and crew members.
He glanced at the group of tea factory workers and sailors, "Those who have weapons ready, step forward. Those who cannot, leave. I am with you all. If you die, I will treat your sons, your wives, your fathers, and your mothers as my own."
The people from the tea factory stood up.
At this moment, the pirates had already boarded the boat one after another, and were killed one by one by Huo Qubing's guards, and thrown into the sea. Huo Qubing also joined the battle, and he even had time to arrange two guards to follow Huo Yan closely to protect his safety.
Huo Yan found it amusing for a moment. Was he really that weak? He drew his sword, and with a sharp flash of light, he cut the bandit's throat cleanly and neatly.
"Just follow me if you're pretty. Go help my brother."
After the personal guards left, the pressure on Huo Qubing and the others was relieved a little, although they had no pressure to begin with.
Huo Qubing and his men treated it as a game, and even disliked the people from the tea plantation for being in the way.
Huo Yan felt that he had worried for nothing and that he should go to the boat.
He slowly straightened his back and fired three arrows in succession, burning the pirates' boats to ashes.
Zhao Po Nu killed the last pirate with one sword. When he turned around and was about to show off to Huo Yan who was watching the fight, he saw a scene that he would never forget.
A bandit approached the young man standing quietly watching the fight. The tiger nearby growled and pounced, but someone was even faster. A sharp dagger flew out and stabbed deep into the bandit's chest. A flash of sword light followed, and bright red blood flowed from the sword onto the young man's hand.
Red and white, the impact of the swords and daggers stuck in the water bandits' bodies was too shocking.
Huo Yan pulled out the gilded dagger, and a few drops of blood splashed onto the boy's fair face. Combined with the ruby pendant embedded in his ear, he looked extremely charming.
The young man threw the body into the water as if nothing had happened, his movements smooth and flowing.
The guards didn't dare to think that this was the weak younger brother mentioned by their general.
Only the owner of the dagger raised the corners of his lips and cheered for his younger brother.
"I've made progress. This time, I'm playing the pig and eating the tiger."
Huo Yan smiled gently and returned to his usual weak appearance.
[Oh my god, is Yanzai okay?]
[It's okay, Ah Yan has been practicing with Qu Bing since he was a child.]
…
It was already late in the evening, and the maids on the boat had returned and were cleaning up the bloodstains on the ground.
After bathing, Huo Yan changed into a jade-colored robe, put on an outer garment, and slowly knocked on Huo Qubing's door.
Huo Qubing had just finished bathing, and when he saw him coming, he asked him to sit beside him. Huo Yan brought up a small incense burner and said, "The bloody smell won't go away for a while, but you'll feel better if you smell the calming incense."
Huo Qubing couldn't help laughing, "This is the smell I'm most familiar with. I'm afraid I'll sleep better."
Huo Yan lifted the corner of his quilt, crawled inside, and said bluntly, "Well, that's why I'm afraid. You sleep with me."
Huo Qubing sat at the head of his bed, flipping through a storybook and reading to him.
Huo Yan buried his head in his arms and said in a muffled voice, "If I had known you could handle it, I wouldn't have tried to be so stubborn. This is my first time as a human being."
The lantern flickered and he shrank back inside.
Huo Qubing's palms were covered with rough calluses as he stroked Huo Yan's hair bit by bit.
"Huluhulumao, you won't be scared. Brother is here, the ghosts won't dare to bully you."
Huo Yan hugged him tightly, and finally fell asleep in this position.
The general was probably right, and he slept soundly that night.
【Author’s words】
The next chapter will end this volume.
There are extra chapters according to your habits, you can choose
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