The rise of bandits in Huangzhou, Jiaozhou and Xuzhou triggered complaints from the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Although the war on the northwest border did not end, no protracted war broke out. Huanghuang and Great Zhou soldiers patrolled the border every day and encountered each other.

It was bound to be a life-and-death fight. Both sides had their own frontiers and looked at each other. Occasionally they would rush in and fight to build up morale.

But among the bandits within the Great Zhou Dynasty, although sporadic bandits would sit on the mountain as kings from time to time every year, they could not form a climate. As for the bandits at the junction of the three states, the minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty actually led the troops to exterminate them, which was really disappointing.

People are surprised.

Ling Xin'an carefully filtered and considered the information collected every day, and then came to the conclusion that his nominal father was even more elusive than the rumors in the temple.

Before returning to the capital, Ling Xin'an made detailed inquiries about everyone who had been in contact with him throughout the capital to prevent his identity from being exposed.

And the people of the Ling Mansion are even more important. As one of the two ministers of the Zhou Dynasty, Ling Shang was not a powerful person in the court, but he still held a high position of power. Many officials fawned over him, so many officials in his team

I don't know how many officials there are, but for the sake of a group of bandits, I personally led troops to exterminate them. If I tell them, people will question them.

The court said that Ling Shangshu wanted to increase military prestige. As Shangshu of the Ministry of War, his goal was to serve the Taifu. After all, his father Ling Kun was old.

His qualifications as the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Rites are already sufficient. What he lacks is the qualifications of the Ministry of War and the soldiers of the Zhou Dynasty, so this time it is for military merit.

Ling Xin'an naturally thought of this, but more importantly, he really didn't understand that his father definitely did not do this for military glory. If so, then he should have gone to the battlefield earlier, why should he deal with it now?

Even if the bandits are wiped out, how much military power can they accumulate?

Because one of the ministers had left the imperial court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the regular meetings continued as usual every day. However, many matters concerning the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Husbandry, and the Ministry of Rites were reported to the emperor in their respective Zhongshu, and then decisions were made.

"Sir, we have collected some information about the bandits. The bandit leader named Wang Tianshi led nearly two thousand people to rob homes at the junction of the three states. This is their information." Zhong Wuyan reported back.

"Worship the Heavenly Way as your teacher and establish your destiny for the Heavenly Way?" Ling Xin'an frowned as she looked at the information in her hand.

The bandit leader's name is Wang Tianming, who is from Xuzhou. He failed many scientific examinations and was unable to enter the two major colleges. He returned to Xuzhou and was destitute and unable to make a living. However, one day he suddenly preached the way of heaven and claimed to be a follower of the way of heaven.

Heaven establishes destiny.

He kept traveling to various villages and towns, and in just half a month, he was followed by thousands of believers, who then began to rob homes and homes, euphemistically saying that he was walking on behalf of heaven.

"Master, do you need to activate the chess pieces over there?" Zhong Wuyan asked.

"No need, I actually know Wang Tianshi's information now, just keep an eye on their movements and report them at any time."

"Yes, sir!"

The days were calm. Half a month later, Ling Shang led two thousand soldiers of the Zhou Dynasty to appear in Jiaozhou. At the same time, the garrison troops in Xuzhou and Huangzhou each gathered more than a thousand soldiers. A total of almost six thousand soldiers gathered together. The military flag of the Zhou Dynasty was flying.

Heading towards the junction of the three states to suppress bandits.

The war is about to break out, but the capital city thousands of miles away is still full of life and the summer is scorching.

It's already the beginning of midsummer, and the capital is bustling with activity. The Marquis's Taibai Tower has become a high-end drinking venue for dignitaries in the capital. If there is new wine, Taibai Tower will hold some cocktail parties from time to time, inviting members to participate and enjoy the wine together. Now it's slow.

It slowly spread and became a fashion.

At this moment, news came that Ling Shang had defeated the bandits. Under the command of Ling Shangshu, more than half of the Tianshi bandits circling the junction of the three states were wiped out in one fell swoop. Things happened so fast that people were caught off guard.

Ling Xin'an quickly received a letter from the front line after the flying bird passed the letter. Ling Shang used the technique of luring the enemy deep and attacking from the front and back to divide the bandits and surround the enemy and annihilate them. This technique was also used by General Gong Songling, but was defeated by

Wang Tianshi failed to identify him many times and escaped. This time, Ling Shangshu was supposed to lure the enemy fifty miles away. When the enemy pursued them twenty miles away, the army led by Ling Shang suddenly appeared on the enemy's retreat path. They attacked from both sides and surrounded them.

The enemy defeated the bandits in a decisive battle on the plains, but the life and death of the leader Wang Tianshi was unknown. He killed more than ten other leaders and more than a thousand bandits, almost annihilating the entire bandits. At the same time, General Gong Songling's Lieutenant General Hou Feiyong

The 1,000-man troop he led suddenly arrived at the bandits' lair and destroyed it directly.

From the launch to the end of the bandit suppression, it only took twenty days to wipe out the bandits that were ravaging the three states. The news spread back to the capital, which made the capital happy and the court overjoyed.

In the Marquis's Mansion, Ling Xin'an frowned. The bandits that had been wreaking havoc for nearly three months were wiped out in this way. Good news came from the Ling Mansion. They went back tonight to celebrate a little. After Ling Shang got home,

Let’s celebrate in a big way.

At night, Ling Xin'an arrived at the Ling Mansion. As soon as she entered the door, she saw many faces of the Ling family that she had never seen before but had known for a long time.

For example, his second uncle Ling Kui and his third uncle Ling Wu were about the same height as Ling Shang. Ling Kui had a serious look and was not good at talking or laughing. Ling Wu was a martial artist. Both of them helped take care of the family affairs.

"Should I also call you Lord Hou?" Ling Wu looked at Ling Xin'an and joked.

"Third uncle, what did you say?" Ling Xin'an saluted quickly: "No matter what my nephew is, he is still your junior!"

Ling Wudao: "Being a Marquis really makes a difference. It's been so long since I came back and I haven't seen you sitting in the house. People who don't know about it would think you dislike the family's poverty!"

Ling Xin'an smiled and said: "Third uncle was joking, my nephew will apologize to you."

At the same time, the cousins ​​looked at Ling Xin'an one after another with different expressions, including surprise, jealousy and other unknown expressions.

"Okay, Third Brother, it doesn't matter what you say to a junior. No matter what, he is still a member of our Ling family. When he becomes the Marquis, it is also a matter of honoring the ancestors." Second uncle Ling Kui suddenly said.

"Yes, second brother!" Ling Wu said.

"Zhi'an, since you have returned to the capital, you will spend more time with these cousins ​​in the future. With your ability in Jiangzhou City, plus what you have done in the capital during this period, and things in the clan, when the eldest brother comes back, I will

Tell him, you should also participate, we will get old one day, and we will always rely on you to pass on the future!" Ling Kui said.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes and expressions suddenly changed. They looked at Ling Kui who was sitting above him. Many people were puzzled by his words. They couldn't help but whisper, and they looked at Ling Xin'an with admiration.

"Yes, do everything as your second uncle does!" Ling Xin'an saluted.

"Okay, stop talking nonsense. My eldest brother went to suppress the bandits this time and returned with a great victory. I received the news today and will return home in two days. I will be able to return to the capital in about half a month. When the news came back, I had already sent someone

I have informed my father that I will gather the children of the Ling family today. Firstly, I am grateful to my ancestors for their blessing, secondly, I am grateful for the emperor's grace, and thirdly, the children of the Ling family should always keep their family mission in mind and strive for it." Ling Kui said majestically.

"Follow the family's mission!" All the members of the Ling family responded loudly.

Next was a family dinner. Ling Xinan sat next to her mother Dong. Her brother Ling Zhixiong and sister Ling Xiaoke were both at the table. As soon as they sat down, Ling Zhixiong sighed: "It's like this every time, so why don't we have some?"

What’s new?”

Mrs. Dong picked up her chopsticks and was about to hit Ling Zhixiong on the head. The latter dodged and said with a smile: "Mom, isn't it?"

"As the eldest son of Ling, if you actually say such stupid things, I'm going to get you beaten!" Dong said angrily.

Ling Zhixiong said: "I don't understand these things. I think the fourth brother is the most suitable."

Ling Xin'an smiled and said: "Brother, don't put the responsibility on me. You are the eldest brother and you can't escape."

Ling Xiaoke said from the side: "That's right, brother, if you don't want to be the one, there are many people rushing to be the one!"

"Girl, shut up!" Ms. Dong scolded.

Ling Xiaoke curled his lips, but his face was unconcerned.

"I've met my aunt!" A man came over and saluted Mr. Dong. He was Ling Xin'an's cousin and his second uncle's eldest son, Ling Zhifeng.

"Zhifeng, you don't have to be so polite." Dong smiled and said, "I heard that you just came back from the north. Is this going well?"

"Go back to Auntie, everything goes well!" Ling Zhifeng said politely.

Ling Xin'an looked over, and saw that Ling Zhifeng's appearance was fifty-six times similar to that of his second uncle Ling Kui. Compared with his lack of speech and laughter, Ling Zhifeng's face was more determined and had a faint smile.

"That's good, that's good!" Dong laughed and said, "You two can talk!"

After saying that, he left the table and left.

Ling Zhifeng sat down, looked at Ling Xin'an and said with a smile: "You kid, you haven't been to the mansion for so long since you came back. Do you really want us to visit you, the Marquis?"

Ling Xin'an smiled and said: "Brother Feng, you are making fun of me too. You know, every word and deed I say is seen by some people. If I wander around, I may not reach anyone's ears."

Ling Zhifeng smiled and said: "Why, the dignified prefect of Jiangzhou was vigorous and resolute, but now the Marquis is afraid of those young people?"

Ling Xin'an said: "It is better to do less than to do more."

Ling Zhifeng looked at him and sighed: "You have really grown up!"

"Don't pretend to be sympathetic here!" Ling Zhixiong said coldly: "You have been thinking too much since you were a child, stop pretending!"

Ling Zhifeng smiled: "Brother, you always misunderstand me!"

"You just like to pretend!" Ling Zhixiong said.

Ling Zhifeng sighed: "You are the eldest brother, you are reasonable! It ruins the scenery." After saying that, he left the table.

"Don't pay attention to him!" Ling Zhixiong said.

"I think Brother Feng is quite a good person!" Ling Xin'an said with a smile.

"..." Ling Zhixiong suddenly choked.

The older generation took each side, and the younger generation each side, held a small celebration banquet. As soon as the banquet was over, Ling Xin'an said goodbye to her mother and left. Ling Xiaoke shouted that she wanted to come to the Marquis's Mansion to play, and came home.

There were too many people there and she didn't like it. Dong could not be stubborn, so she walked out of the Ling Mansion with Ling Xin'an.

"Fourth brother, you don't seem to like staying at home!" Ling Xiaoke said on the way.

Ling Xin'an smiled and said: "How could it be? It's just because I have too many things to do and it's not convenient for me to live at home."

"That's right. You are the only Marquis in Dazhou now, so it is naturally inconvenient. But Fourth Brother, you have changed after all!" Ling Xiaoke said.

"You girl, you know how to think wildly. Why, after you entered the Royal Academy, you five poisons plus those five harms, the Royal Academy was not overthrown, and you want to come to my Lord Marquis's house to cause trouble?"

Pfft, Ling Xiaoxiao laughed, rolled his eyes and said, "As for you, we are not interested yet!"

"I don't know what happened to those girls now!" Ling Xin'an sighed.

"Don't worry, they are very good and very popular with the teachers. With us here, no one dares to bully them."

Ling Xin'an said sternly: "You want to bully them? Haha, are you sure you have this ability?"

Ling Xiaoke pursed her lips and stamped her feet: "It's all your fault. You taught them everything and you lose to them every time!"
Chapter completed!