Before Liu Taozi arrived in Yecheng, Tian Zili and others had already arrived in Cheng'an.
The snow outside Cheng'an is not very clean either.
The road was extremely muddy, but fortunately, there were no small black snow mountains piled up on both sides of the road.
The ground is dirty only because of trampling.
As soon as they approached Cheng'an City, they saw the fiery scene in the distance.
Outside the gate of Cheng'an City, it was extremely lively.
I saw several large tents set up outside the city gate. There were people standing in the wind and snow, shivering, and there were bonfires all around.
The bonfire swayed with difficulty in the strong wind, and a gust of cold wind blew in. The fire was almost extinguished, and even the light of the fire had disappeared, but at the next moment, another flame jumped out.
In this cold wind, the bonfire tried its best to emit weak fire and light.
The area around this insignificant fire was crowded with broken people, their clothes were in tatters, their appearance was ugly, and their eyes were dull.
"Next!!"
someone shouted.
A broken man suddenly became whole. He took back his hand and strode towards the city gate.
Outside the city gate, there were many officials sitting. They were verifying the identities of the deceased one by one, and then gave them certificates and told them not to run away again and to live a good life.
Tian Zili and others were a little surprised when they saw this familiar scene.
"Is this a way to resettle the dead? Who is Cheng'an Ling now??"
They rode slowly past these bonfires and all the way to the city gate.
The officials at the city gate were startled when they saw the noble man who suddenly appeared. They jumped up and saluted in horror.
"Wang Hesheng?? Is it you?? Why are you still working as a casual official??"
Yao Xiong suddenly asked.
One of them raised his head and was surprised to find that the noble man who suddenly appeared was his classmate!
Tian Zili, Kou Liu.
He also knew them both.
He was overjoyed.
"Mr. Yao Yao?? Why is it you??"
"Where's Mandrill? Is he here?"
The three words "Mr. Mandrill" were like a mysterious button being suddenly turned on. After a while, the officials on the left and right, the soldiers in the distance, and the people beside the campfire all raised their heads.
They looked at each other and whispered "Mr. Mandrill?", "Mr. Mandrill" in their mouths.
In an instant, the mandrill's name was chanted outside the city.
Yao Xiong was shocked.
"He hasn't come yet."
Tian Zili cleared his throat and asked, "Who is Cheng Anling now?"
"It's Mr. Lu."
"Mr. Lu?? Why is it still him? Wasn't he promoted?"
Yao Xiong asked confused.
"This is the road, the road offers wine, and the road orders history."
Yao Xiong was overjoyed, "Now he is Cheng Anling??"
Tian Zili frowned, "Didn't he hold a position in the court?"
"Where is he??"
Facing such a group of dignitaries, this official did not dare to be presumptuous. He immediately ordered his left and right people to stay here to work, and he led a few of them towards the county government office. Yao Xiong was quite dissatisfied with this, "It makes us unaware
The road is the same, do we still need you to take us there?"
Wang Hesheng smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Yao, it's not like before. You are an official official. If you don't escort me, I will be punished."
Yao Xiong laughed, "Except for Lu Gong, I have the highest rank in this city. With me protecting you, what are you afraid of?"
"By the way, it's been so long, why are you still a casual official?"
Wang Hesheng laughed bitterly and said, "Mr. Yao, there is a limit to the number of official and casual officials in this county government. The current official officials are all better than me. What else can I do?"
"Oh, that seems to be the case too."
"Are you still busy conferring fields?"
"Yes, the number of household registrations in Cheng'an is increasing, and things are getting better day by day in this city."
Wang Hesheng smiled and looked ahead.
Cheng'an City is quite clean. You can see the slowly rising smoke from all around. You can even see people going out in the wind and snow, wrapped in thick clothes and carrying things in their hands.
The sound of dogs barking was heard in the distance.
It is really different from many cities that Yao Xiong has visited.
Yao Xiong talked to him about the situation here, but Tian Zili narrowed his eyes. He looked around and suddenly asked: "How is the law school, Mr. Wang?"
Wang Hesheng sighed, "Oh, don't mention it, I'm going to stop."
Yao Xiong was shocked, "Why??"
Wang Hesheng shook his head, "There is no position. I have learned the law but there is no place to be an official. The number of people in various places is full, so I can only go to other places, and other places need their own people. Who wants people from outside to be officials?"
"There are so many people in Cheng'an. If it were in other cities, the law school wouldn't be able to gather a group of people for several months. But in Cheng'an, it's always full."
"Oh, it's all annoying to talk about."
Yao Xiong was shocked.
Tian Zili smiled and explained: "In the past, officials were consumables and were replaced after use, so they could maintain a balance. But now, if officials are not consumed and cannot be promoted to officials, the law school will naturally become useless.
"
Yao Xiong glared at him, "The law school is over, I wonder why you are still so happy?"
Tian Zili shook his head, "There's nothing much to say about this relationship with you."
The group of them arrived at the official office, and the place was even more lively. Upon learning that they were coming, everyone in the county government office rushed over to greet them.
The people here are all their old friends.
Everyone smiled and exchanged greetings.
The doorman Xu Laoli was particularly surprised. He pulled Yao Xiong's reins and said, "Xiong, ah, it should be Mr. Yao! I heard that you were promoted with General Liu and made a fortune!"
The experience of Liu Taozi and his colleagues is simply a legend in Cheng'an.
He inspired all the officials and all the people.
Especially in the eyes of these officials who have almost no hope for the future, their success is the only light, and it is the only possible way out for them.
Yao Xiong raised his head and laughed after hearing what Mr. Xu said.
"It's true! It's true!"
"Brother is in Yecheng now and will be coming in a few days!"
When everyone heard this, they were even more surprised and shouted.
There was a commotion in the venue, and finally, a moment later, a person appeared in the distance surrounded by everyone.
Tian Zili, Yao Xiong, Kou Liu and others dismounted one after another.
The person coming is just the way to go.
Lu Qubing came to them almost at a trot. When he saw a few of them, he was so excited that he even wanted to cry.
The three of them paid homage to him and were pulled up by him.
"Where's Brother Taozi?"
"He is still in Yecheng."
"But, Lu Gong, don't you serve in the imperial court?"
"Ah? Didn't Brother Taozi tell you?"
Lu Qubing's eyes widened, "I thought he didn't reply after reading the letter, but it turned out that he didn't even read it? I originally served in the imperial court, and then His Majesty selected many people from the imperial court and distributed them to local places, so I
is one of them"
Tian Zili asked with a smile: "Are the people selected this time all Han Chinese?"
"oh?"
"When you say that, it seems true."
"It was my brother's suggestion to Your Majesty."
"I see."
Lu Qubing took the three of them to his house and said as he walked: "Cheng'an is different from before. Since Lu Gong took over the place, among the many counties in the Central Plains, Cheng'an is the richest. Whether it is household registration or grain production,
They are all among the best, and even Yecheng is asking us for food!"
"Hahaha, after I took office, I continued the past policies and went to the city."
Lu Qubing kept talking about the situation here, and the three of them could only listen to his story.
Even when he reached the house, he still didn't stop.
Everyone ate together, but he still didn't stop.
In the end, Tian Zili couldn't help but interrupted him. At that time, Lu Qubing was talking about the Law School.
"Mr. Lu, is it true that the law school can no longer run?"
Lu Qubing explained: "In the past, after studying in the Law School, you could directly take the exam. But now there is no shortage of officials in the government and no exams are held, and the surrounding counties do not like to use their own people. Therefore, the Law School
It’s hard to support it, but there are still many people coming to study.”
Tian Zili suddenly said with emotion: "It's great. In our frontier fortress, it's really difficult to find someone who can read and write. We have to rely on the relief from surrounding counties and counties to find some minor officials, but there are still serious shortcomings.
Whether it is among the civilians or in the border garrison areas, we have opened law schools, but we still have to teach them how to read. Alas, it is really enviable."
"Zi Li wants to bring some talents to Wuchuan?"
Lu Qubing saw through his words at a glance.
He added: "If you have such an idea, just tell me directly. There is no need to use the same words to deal with other county officials."
Tian Zili blushed and quickly lowered his head, "I am rude, please forgive me."
Lu Qubing pursed his lips and said: "The frontier fortress needs people, I understand that. Considering Brother Taozi's reputation and what you have experienced, there must be some people willing to go there, but it is still too far there after all.
This road is not easy to travel, I can send people to ask and contact you, but I will not force people to go to the frontier."
"This is natural. Brother will not allow us to take others away by force."
"I just hope Lu Gong can tell them that my brother is in charge of things over there. We can escort them all the way without encountering danger. When we get there, if we can perform meritorious services, my brother will report him as an official and there will be no shortage of rewards. Where
There are many, many vacancies, and many, many opportunities for mediocre people like us, who have been promoted and officially become officials just because we followed our elder brothers."
Lu Qubing waved his hand, "You don't need to say more, I understand all this and I also know how to say it."
Only then did Yao Xiong react, "No wonder you are so happy just now!"
"I am only happy because they have a way out. Cheng'an lacks everything, but Wuchuan lacks everything, whether they are scholars or craftsmen."
Lu Qubing suddenly asked again: "I heard that when Brother Taozi returned this time, he encountered many nobles who intercepted and killed him. Is this true?"
"Of course it's true!"
"Gong Lu, let me tell you."
While everyone was chatting, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
"County Magistrate, County Lieutenant Changsun wants to see you!"
Lu Qubing stood up suddenly and slapped his forehead, "Why did you forget the county captain? Invite him in quickly!"
Soon, the eldest grandson Kasyapa limped into the house. He looked at Tian Zili and others in front of him, pursed his lips, but did not call them.
Tian Zili hurriedly bowed and said, "Grandpa Changsun just calls me Zili."
"Hahaha, speaking of which, your official position is higher than mine, how can you call me that?"
Changsun Gong said, and looked at Yao Xiong again, his eyes slightly complicated, "I heard that you are also a general with no title at the moment?"
"That's right."
Lu Qubing quickly invited his eldest grandson Kasyapa to sit aside.
Yao Xiong continued to talk to Lu Qubing about all the things he encountered when he came back. Grandson Kasyapa listened and just kept drinking.
Everyone had gathered together for a long time, and Lu Qubing remembered that he still had things to do, so he asked them to take a break.
When everyone came out, eldest grandson Kasyapa suddenly grabbed Yao Xiong's hand.
Yao Xiong was stunned, "Mr. Changsun??"
Kasyapa, the eldest grandson, hesitated for a long time, his lips trembling, and after being so entangled for a long time, he finally raised his head and asked: "Is there still a lack of people around General Liu?"
"ah???"
The eldest grandson Kassapa's lips trembled and his eyes were full of resentment.
"In the past, when I worked here, I didn't have much opportunity for promotion, but with my injury like this, I didn't have much pursuit."
"But His Majesty really doesn't pity us now!!"
"When I was more than ten years old, I became a soldier. I can't say that I have made much contribution, but I have experienced countless bloody battles and survived to this day."
He slapped his leg suddenly, "My leg was shot through. I can't stand or walk steadily. I can only leave the frontier and come here to become a seventh-level lieutenant. But Your Majesty, he started to dismiss us old people.
Let's use those Han people to replace our seven captains. Three of them have already been replaced. I really don't want to end up like this."
"Although I was injured, I can still ride a horse, shoot an arrow, and train soldiers. Rather than being abandoned by others, it would be better for me to leave on my own."
"If General Liu is still short of people, I am willing to follow him to the frontier fortress."
Although the official rank of the eldest grandson Kassapa is low, it is the most important department, responsible for the security around the capital. This position is not available in other counties and can only be found around the imperial city.
The knights under his command are also the most elite Chinese cavalry, and there are even two hundred-man cavalry teams. Even in the border fortress, if you can easily take out two hundred Xianbei knights, it is still a large garrison.
Looking at the grief-stricken County Captain Changsun in front of him, Yao Xiong was silent for a long time.
"lack."
"When my brother arrives, I will tell him personally."
Kasyapa, the eldest grandson, was very happy and said, "Thank you very much, thank you very much."
The three of them were temporarily separated at this time.
Kou Liu went out and ran straight to Zhangjiacun outside the city, anxious to see his mother.
Yao Xiong is going to the city to meet his relatives.
Tian Zili wanted to meet his old brothers.
Yao Xiong arrived at his destination first. His relatives lived in the city, and they didn't have many, only one sister and brother-in-law.
Yao Xiong lost his parents when he was young. He was raised by his elder sister. Her elder sister loved him very much and helped him a lot after they got married. This made his brother-in-law very prejudiced against him and always spoke harshly and insulted him.
lesson.
But this time we met, the situation was different.
The elder sister was still the same as before, hugging Yao Xiong and crying bitterly, while the brother-in-law sat aside proudly and opened the door, letting everyone on the left and right see this relative who he had least wanted to mention.
"My brother is back!!"
"My brother is now a general in the frontier fortress!!"
Yao Xiong's brother-in-law is short and has a round belly. He is the cook of the county government and has good cooking skills.
He stood in the yard, looking at the neighbors and friends outside, his face was full of pride, and when he smiled, his little eyes could not be seen.
Several young nephews gathered around Uncle Yao, clamoring for gifts.
The brother-in-law decided to cook himself and took out the ingredients that he was reluctant to use to entertain his accomplished brother.
But Yao Xiong did not fight back at all because he gained power and insulted his brother-in-law, nor did he show a noble face. He was still the same, with a silly smile on his face, and secretly took a few more pieces of meat, which annoyed a few nephews.
scream.
The brother-in-law stood on tiptoe and touched Yao Xiong's head, saying he wanted to get some luck.
The house is filled with joyful laughter.
Zhangjiacun.
I haven’t seen you for a long time, and this place has changed the most.
Because of Liu Taozi's relationship, almost no one dared to offend the people here, and even attracted some related people to settle here.
Walls have been repaired around the village. They are not very tall, but they can defend against ordinary beasts.
It was winter, so there weren't many people outside.
It's just that the scale here is already a bit like a large village.
Kou Liu led his people back, which immediately caused an uproar.
Zhang Erlang learned from him that his brother was still alive and cried bitterly.
Kou Liu also met his mother.
Compared with before, mother had hardly changed. Before Kou Liu could speak, she recognized his identity and called him my son.
Mother and son meet in a warm atmosphere.
Kou's mother loved her son very much. She was holding his hand at this moment, but she didn't ask about the battlefield or what happened outside the Great Wall. She just talked about the memories of the past.
Sitting by the fire, Kou Liu felt very comfortable.
He had not felt so comfortable and comfortable for a long time. It was as if he had forgotten all the turmoil and only felt that the stove in front of him was really warm. He just wanted to straighten his legs, lie aside and listen to his mother's voice.
But here in Tian Zili, the situation has become a little different.
In a mansion, Tian Zili looked at the many brothers in front of him in surprise.
"What??"
"rebel??"
Looking at the brothers who were ready to make a move in front of him, Tian Zili frowned and said, "Speak more clearly!"
One person said: "Brother, it hasn't been that long actually. Just a few days ago, a prince sent someone to give us money and said he wanted to see us."
"We met with him. Like my brother, this man couldn't bear to see these Xianbei people running rampant!"
"He said that he could help us in our rebellion. Not only could he give us money, crossbows, and armor, but he could even send us to Yecheng."
"He said that there is a great chaos at the moment, and we can hold a big man hostage, force him to rebel, and accomplish great things!!"
Tian Zili slowly narrowed his eyes, "Where is that prince now?"
"He has left. He left something behind and left. We also wanted to find him, but we couldn't find him and didn't say when he would be back. Brother, can we start the army now?"
"Raise an army? Raise an army! More than ten of you are not enough to fight one soldier in Yecheng!"
"Besides, Xianbei people. Xianbei people, is the chaos in this world just caused by the Xianbei people?"
"ah???"
Everyone was shocked.
Chapter completed!