86 Who am I?
◎Gongsun Hong: Thank you for the invitation, I regret it.◎
At the beginning of March in the first year of Yuanshuo, Huo Yan and Huo Qubing finally arrived in Pingyang County.
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing had a strong impression of Pingyang. This was where they were born, as they were the sons of slaves in Princess Pingyang's mansion. Later, when their aunt and uncle became favored, they moved to Maoling as relatives.
This area, called Pingyang County, had been the fief of the Marquis of Pingyang for generations. Although a fiefdom, under the Han Dynasty's feudal system, while the marquisate enjoyed a degree of independence, it was still strictly governed by the central government. Cao Xiang, the Marquis of Pingyang, enjoyed economic privileges such as collecting taxes within his fiefdom. He also had certain powers of governance and could appoint officials to manage the marquisate's affairs. However, crucial powers, such as the mobilization of the fiefdom's troops and the appointment and dismissal of key officials, remained with the central government. The marquisate was bound to obey the central government's orders and could not arbitrarily disobey them. So Cao Xiang was merely acting as a custodian, but he had been entrenched for generations, and it became almost a consensus among the second-generation marquises to visit Cao Xiang in Pingyang.
In the past, if they had just asked, Cao Xiang would have arranged everything for them. But now, Huo Yan didn't understand what his brother was doing. Fleeing for fear of punishment was a bit too much, and running away from home was a bit childish. After thinking it over, he felt that it was necessary to hide from Liu Che.
Therefore, he made no fanfare along the way, even using the trade routes established by his own winery and tea industry to disperse his people and belongings. By the time they reached Pingyang County, it was just him and Huo Qubing, along with a few personal guards and horses.
As they were suppressing bandits along the way, according to the time calculation, Huo Yan and his group, who were the first to arrive, were the last to arrive. The housekeeper had already rented a house and arranged accommodation for them, which was very close to the government office.
Huo Yan raised his eyebrows and looked towards the government office not far away in the corner.
This government office is the second neatest place in Pingyang after the Princess's Mansion. Two sculptures of gate guardian beasts stand on both sides of the tall gatehouse. The top of the mountain is covered with green tiles, and there are pine and cypress trees in the courtyard. You can vaguely see the green. All the people coming and going are minor officials in black clothes. You can even hear the neighing of horses when you are close.
The houses in Pingyang County are all similar. The ones close to government offices are the best houses, but they are still far behind those in Chang'an.
This house has no garden or rockery. There is a courtyard as soon as you enter the door. A main room is located in the north section of the central axis, with a wing room on each side. There is a well in the courtyard and some mustard planted in the yard. It is estimated that the previous tenant did not have time to dig it up, and now it has blossomed, a bright yellow field.
The food had already been prepared. When the kitchen staff got the news, they filed out and placed the dishes on the long table in the main hall.
Zhao Po Nu and others also rushed over from their own residence to greet Huo Qubing and Huo Yan.
"It's simple, but the table is quite large, just like the one at home."
Huo Qubing took off his wristband and gave a brief comment. Huo Yan, who was serving him food, said helplessly, "This is the table at home."
You asked someone to carry it onto the carriage yourself.
Huo Qubing curled his fingers and tapped the tabletop lightly, making a crisp jade-like sound. He nodded and said, "It's from home." After confirming, he said to the others, "Ayan is always considerate."
His tone was full of boasting and complacency.
Those veteran soldiers were used to it and began to praise Huo Yan loudly.
Huo Yan accepted it all without hesitation.
Huo Qubing was satisfied.
[Little Ayan really took it all in, hahaha, without even blushing.]
[Ayan: I am perfect.]
[Maybe Ah Yan will walk in with his left leg tomorrow, and Qu Bing will have to praise me, saying that my little brother can walk with his left leg.]
[He loves it.]
[This idler Qubing has no idea that in history, he was the man who asked the governor of Hedong County to clear the way.]
[Ayan, let's go catch a young Guangguang tomorrow!]
…
After dinner, Huo Qubing taught his little girl how to climb the cypress tree in the yard.
One man and one tiger, contented and happy.
This place is really nice.
Huo Qubing was half lying on the tree, watching the little girl scratching the tree below.
Huo Yan was carrying a hoe. His grape vines had died, so he planned to plant something else. He set his sights on the roses growing over the wall of his next-door neighbor. The flowers were in full bloom, bright red and pink, and the fragrance was overwhelming.
Huo Yan had been coveting the plant since he arrived. He asked Huo Qubing to give him a ladder, intending to climb up the ladder, greet the owner over there, and spend money to move a plant over.
Huo Qubing held the ladder for him from below and asked him to go slower.
He climbed a ladder and peered into the next courtyard. The family didn't seem very wealthy, with only one wing. The yard was bare except for a rose trellis. Beneath the vibrant rose trellis sat a small swing. On the swing sat a child, about nine years old, about the same age as Liu Ju. He wore two buns, and on his knees rested a long bamboo slip, which seemed to be riddled with notches. The child was mumbling something from the Analects, gesturing on the ground with a small twig.
Huo Yan couldn't bear to stop him from studying, so he just listened to him read.
After a while, perhaps because he had finished reading for the day, the child rolled up the bamboo slips and sat quietly under the flower stand, looking a little lonely.
With the fragrance of flowers filling his nose, Huo Yan plucked a flower and threw it on the child's book. The flower was in full bloom and it scattered when it hit the child's book, and the bright red color flowed on the ink words. The child looked up at the flower and happened to meet Huo Yan's eyes.
Huo Yan smiled broadly and waved at him, "Hello, young man. I am the owner of the house next door to you."
The young man was hidden in the rose bushes, with slightly curved almond eyes, green temples and black hair, and a red mole at the corner of his lips, looking like a monster made of red roses.
The child's eyes flashed with surprise, and he replied obediently, "My brother is fine too. My father is not here. Is there anything I can help you with?"
He did not inquire why Huo Yan appeared on the wall, but only asked what was the matter.
Huo Yan pointed at the roses and said, "Young Master, your flowers are blooming beautifully. I want to buy one."
The child, or perhaps he should be called Huo Guang, had no idea that this was the reason why such a gorgeous young man was climbing over the wall to look for him. But Huo Guang quickly reacted, raised his head, and smiled just the right way. "Brother, you don't have to buy it. This flower is easy to grow. I can cut you a new branch. If you put it in the soil, it will come back to life."
After saying that, he put down the book, took a sickle and cut a slightly longer new branch for Huo Yan, and handed it to the waiting Huo Yan. He looked very cute now, holding a flower branch and stretching it out in the distance, his little face slightly red from just exercising.
"If you can't take care of the flowers, you can come to me. I take care of all the flowers at home."
Huo Yan took the flower and placed it in his palm. "Okay, thank you, young master."
Huo Guang nodded, picked up his book and prepared to leave, but was stopped by Huo Yan. The young man poked his head out and smiled, "Wait a moment, young master!"
Huo Guang stopped and stood there obediently.
Huo Yan quickly climbed down the ladder, threw the flower branch to Huo Qubing, and ran towards the house. Huo Qubing casually caught the flower and asked, "Who were you talking to just now?"
Huo Yan ignored him, so he climbed the ladder by himself.
Huo Guang was still standing there when he saw the similarities between Huo Qubing and Huo Yan. Huo Qubing lowered his eyebrows and wore a long gown with wide sleeves. At first glance, he looked very much like Huo Yan, but Huo Guang was not mistaken. "Is the brother from before still here?"
Huo Qubing raised his eyes, his sharpness unconsciously revealed, "He is looking for something, please wait a moment."
His glance made Huo Guang's heart beat fast. He was a little flustered, but he calmed down and said, "Okay."
Huo Qubing was not a talkative person, and it was obvious that Huo Guang was not either. Huo Qubing only took a quick glance and felt that this child had a good heart and an unusual calmness. If he joined the army, he would definitely achieve great things in the future.
Huo Yan rummaged through the things he hadn't had time to sort out, pulling out a book with his left hand and then another with his right. He glanced at the title, rolled up his own copy of the Analects, and hurried back. Seeing Huo Qubing on the scroll, he urged Huo Qubing to give the book to Huo Guang. He and Huo Qubing looked so much alike that no one could recognize them at first sight.
Huo Qubing threw the scroll at Huo Guang's feet, a faint smile on his lips, "Thank you for the flowers, my brother."
After saying that, he jumped off the ladder, picked it up and walked away.
"Ayan, do you want a swing?"
He turned around and asked Huo Yan with a smile.
Huo Yan jumped and followed him, "Yes, yes, yes! Brother, I want it!"
Huo Guang next door could not see Huo Qubing's expression clearly. He disappeared for a moment when he bent down to pick up the book, as if it was just a dream after he finished reading the book. Only the touch of the paper in his hand and the laughter of the boy next door told him that it was not a dream.
He opened the book and saw very clear handwriting, with punctuation marks separated by small dots with tails.
This seems to be the rumored expensive Chang'an paper.
"Father!"
He ran towards Huo Zhongru's study, as if a very powerful person had moved in next door.
Huo Qubing wanted to build a swing for Huo Yan, which attracted everyone to watch.
Now, to carve wood, the wide-sleeved gown was too cumbersome. Huo Qubing took off his red gown and tied it casually around his waist, leaving only a light black shirt on his upper body. He rolled up his sleeves, placed his right foot on a rectangular wooden board, and held his curved knife in his left hand. The calluses on his knuckles scraped against the wood fibers, making a fine, rustling sound.
"I want a big one." Huo Yan squatted beside him, poking the soil and planting his flowers in the wood. "It would be best if it's next to the flower stand. Then I can study among the flowers."
Huo Qubing nodded, "Yes, you can also read the storybook."
He turned and ordered the housekeeper, "Bring the camphor wood board that His Majesty gave as a reward."
As he spoke, several guards arrived carrying wood. As Zhao Po Nu hung the red gold hook on the beam, Huo Qubing glared, "The hook is facing outwards, and Ah Yan's knees will be easily hit."
As he spoke, he wrapped the edge of the beam with deerskin, his movements as meticulous as wrapping hoof guards on a warhorse. Zhao Po Nu obediently and silently turned the hook outwards.
Huo Yan had just adjusted his rose when he heard Huo Qubing whistle. Looking up, he saw a glittering swing. The red brocade rope was wrapped with gold thread, and the four corners were inlaid with golden cloud patterns. Huo Qubing had even inlaid the wooden handrails with various colorful gems.
It's so flashy and so ugly that it's blinding.
"Try it?" Huo Qubing was extremely satisfied. He pulled the rope with one hand, and the muscles on his arm stretched out in the sunlight. Seeing Huo Yan hesitate, he sat on the swing himself. Zhao Po Nu came forward to push, "General, can you push me for a while?"
Huo Qubing simply replied, "Higher!"
As he swung, he asked Huo Yan, "Ayan, do you want it?"
Huo Yan let him play, set up a piano, and played a song "Two Tigers" for him.
The tune was cheerful and seemed to carry a mischievous smile, and everyone in the courtyard was amused.
Just as the gong sounded at the hour of Xu, two muffled "dong dong" sounds hit the door again.
"Who is it?" Jiashen asked hurriedly through the door.
Huo Yan stopped playing the zither, and Huo Qubing sat on the swing, both looking outside the door.
The Huo family father and son stood before the vermilion lacquered gate. Huo Zhongru gazed at the gilded tiger-head doorknockers on the lintel, his Adam's apple bobbing. Twenty steps away, the lights were still on in the government office.
"Pingyang County Magistrate Huo Zhongru and his son, Ziguang, have come to pay their respects to the noble."
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing's brows knitted together almost silently.
[What's going on? How did Huo Zhongru know the whereabouts of Ah Yan and the others?]
[Could it be that he also traveled through time?]
[A noble person? He didn’t know Ah Yan’s identity.]
After a moment, Huo Qubing said, "Open the door."
The housekeeper opened the door obediently. The moment the door opened, Huo Qubing and Huo Yan's eyes fell on Huo Zhongru. The highest-ranking official Huo Zhongru had ever seen in his life was Cao Xiang, but he had only seen him from a distance. Now, the overwhelming power of Huo Qubing and Huo Yan frightened him so much that he knelt down on the stone steps, stammering and not daring to speak.
Millet and bacon also fell to the ground, covered with dust, and were then picked up by Huo Guang. Huo Guang picked up the meat and piled it at the door, then took out the book from his arms and held it up with both hands.
"I dare not accept the gift from the noble man."
When Huo Yan heard the word "light" and the familiar child, he immediately thought to himself that it was a bad fate.
Huo Qubing looked at him.
After a moment, the two stood up together. Huo Yan patted Huo Guang's shoulder with a smile and said, "This is a gift for you. You don't have to return it. Come on, come in."
He led Huo Guang and Huo Zhongru into the house and asked someone to bring some snacks.
"Have a bowl of cheese first."
Huo Guang followed him in obediently, but when he saw the big swing, he unconsciously narrowed his eyes slightly.
So flashy.
Huo Yan saw his reaction clearly and his smile deepened.
"A Guang, what kind of books do you usually read? I see that you are quite good at reading the Analects of Confucius."
Huo Guang swallowed the cheese in his mouth and replied to him in a serious tone.
[Lovely and bright.]
[I didn’t expect it to be Guangguang.]
…
The atmosphere was harmonious between them, while Huo Qubing, expressionless, helped Huo Zhongru to his feet. His almond-shaped eyes swept over him, and Huo Zhongru became even more frightened. His legs trembled like a sieve, and he fell to the ground again. "Forgive me, Your Excellency."
Huo Qubing frowned, picked up the man by the collar and walked into the house.
Huo Yan then stood up and gave up the main seat, "Sir, please take a seat."
Huo Zhongru refused repeatedly and became weak again.
Huo Qubing said directly, "Qubing Ayan is your lord's body, so there is no need to be alarmed."
Huo Yan also smiled and said, "Son, please take a seat, sir."
The remains, the blood of the relatives.
Qubing, Huo Qubing, the bravest of the three armies, who was crowned marquis in one battle!
His brother, the one in front of him was Huo Yan, the world-famous man who controlled the Yellow River at a young age.
Their mother is Wei Shaoer!
If Huo Qubing had not held his collar, Huo Zhongru would have knelt on the ground again. The back of his black robe was soaked with cold sweat.
"Don't be alarmed, sir." Huo Qubing said, "Ayan and I should perform the solemn ceremony."
As he spoke, he and Huo Yan almost simultaneously bent their knees, frightening Huo Zhongru so much that he stood up and stopped them from kneeling. "This old minister has entrusted his life to you, General. Your Excellency, this is the will of heaven, I dare not take credit for it."
Huo Yan and Huo Qubing's knees straightened very quickly, and they had no intention of kneeling, they were just pretending.
Huo Yan helped Huo Zhongru up, seemingly smiling, but in fact he held him firmly in the seat of honor.
Now that people have arrived, it's time to go through the process.
"You are my biological father. My son and I haven't been able to take care of you for many years, and we are deeply saddened." He then took out a list of land and houses he had already purchased. "My son and I are unable to fulfill our filial duties by your side. We hope that you take care of yourself, father."
This is the money for buying out the relationship. Even if someone finds fault with Huo Qubing and Huo Yan in the future and accuses them of being unfilial, Huo Yan and Huo Qubing can use the land and property given to Huo Zhongru to shut them up.
In their minds, Huo Zhongru was just a hidden danger that Wei Qing had reminded him of that needed to be resolved. Now that the land and houses had been given to him, the hidden danger had been eliminated, and Huo Yan and Huo Qubing had nothing to do with him anymore.
Huo Zhongru was not stupid. He was stunned, the corners of his lips trembling. It was Huo Guang's words that broke the deadlock. The usually mature child's eyes sparkled, "Then you are my eldest brother and second brother. My eldest brother is the Marquis of Guanjun, and my second brother is good at flood control."
His words were so endearing that Huo Yan smiled immediately. He wanted to pat the child on the head, but then he saw a pair of trembling hands taking his adopted child. His biological father smiled ingratiatingly, and he could still see his handsome face twisted into a ball because of that smile. "Zimeng is young and ignorant, and he doesn't dare to associate with the nobles and the elders. I will take him away now."
As he said this, he was about to pull Huo Guang away.
Huo Qubing raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
Huo Yan didn't say anything, but just asked the maid at home to bring some snacks back to Huo Guang.
The matter was settled, and the two of them didn't care much about whether Huo Zhongru stayed or left. Then they saw Huo Zhongru's face suddenly pale. "I didn't know your identity, so I made up a random word. I hope your forgiveness."
"Meng" means eldest son. Zi Meng is the first child of the Huo family.
He pressed his forehead against the blue brick and asked Huo Guang to kneel down as well.
Huo Yan felt bored.
"That's all right. My brother and I like Zimeng very much."
He helped Huo Guang and Huo Zhongru up, smiled faintly, and touched Huo Guang's head. "I have many books, and I love to talk about them. You can come often."
Huo Guang nodded happily and went out with Huo Zhongru.
After they left, Huo Yan tutted and lit some incense. He crossed his legs and leaned his head against the mist. "Are you and I some kind of mountain goblins?"
He was so scared.
Huo Qubing also found it boring, so he pointed it out directly, "He is worried that you and I will kill the child. Worry turns to fear."
"He mistook you for me. If it weren't for my uncle's insistence, I wouldn't even bother to see him."
Huo Yan stretched like a cat and said, "Speaking of my uncle, I really miss him."
Huo Qubing nodded.
They were missing each other, while in Chang'an, Liu Che went crazy.
"You said my great general, my base is gone!"
The copper clock in Jianzhang Palace ticked to three quarters past the hour of You. The emperor could no longer restrain his composure, his teeth nearly breaking as he gritted his teeth, "I haven't found my Ah Yan yet!"
Huo Qubing, you damn boy, you'd better not come back, otherwise I will beat you up.
His shouts startled the eunuch who was holding the lamp and made him fall to his knees. The palace servant from the Pepper Room who had come to deliver candied bayberries also shrank back.
The emperor's black robe with dragon pattern was illuminated by the candlelight, turning it scarlet. Liu Che was so angry that he laughed. "The general and the prince left the city three days ago and you just reported back! You think they're too slow, right?"
The Qimen Pushe, with his head bowed, dared not move, and only shouted, "Your Majesty, calm down."
"Keep looking for me!"
When Gongsun Hong entered the hall, he saw Qimen Pushe crawling backwards.
"Your Majesty, calm down." He bowed, the jade pendant on his waist unmoving, and he tried to make amends. "It's a good thing for the Crown Prince to gain experience with the General."
"Experience?" Liu Che suddenly laughed, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes looked like knife cuts in the candlelight. He had heard these words eight hundred times.
"Qubing took Ayan away, you said it was a hunting trip, Zhongqing took Juer away, you said it was for training, then what am I? I am just a stumbling block on their journey!"
He grabbed the gold-inlaid bronze ruler on the table. A dragon with a trembling pearl at its tail was biting it. He was so angry that he picked at the pearl.
"Who am I?"
Gongsun Hong's eyelids twitched because of his howling, and he regretted coming to persuade him.
It’s nothing, you just have a loud voice.
【Author’s words】
Irresponsible Little Theater
Gongsun Hong: My ears~
Pig: Who am I! [Angry] Who am I!
Qubing: Since we're not here, you're kicking air. [Sunglasses]
Ah Yan: What are you calculating? What can you even calculate? I can’t even follow you with that abacus. [rolling eyes]
Liu Ju: My father, who is always so unreasonable, I don't want to count your anger points today. [Cracks]
Wei Qing: That's it, Your Majesty, forget it.
Wei Zifu: It's my bad luck. [Spreading hands]
Pig: I don’t count! I want to find it! [Angry][Angry][Angry]
Gongsun Hong: Keep your voice down, Your Majesty. Is this a glorious thing? [Eating melon]
Lord Father Yan: It's just hunting and training. Your Majesty, try the vegetable oil my eldest son brought me. He made it himself.
Liu Che: The darkest hour.
There are five extra chapters: the last cat-turning series, the outdoor variety show, the Hanwu series, and a new extra Hanwu chat group. The alternative is the ghost story derivative.
Choose anything you like, but I’m not very good at ghost stories, so I might end up writing a rant.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
