The Duke of Xia.

Main courtyard, study room.

Xia Mochou, the old Duke of Xia, teased the thrush in the bird cage and gave an order to the old housekeeper standing behind him:

"It's snowing, it's cold. The bird is afraid of freezing. Remember to have a pot of charcoal fire in the bird's house."

The old butler Chen Chun bowed and said, "I understand."

Xia Mochou turned around, handed the bird cage to Chen Chun, and asked, "Where have the places that general has been going to in the past ten days after returning to Kyoto?"

Chen Chun took the bird cage and replied: "The day after he came back, he was summoned by the emperor and went to the palace."

"On the third day, the prince held a banquet in the East Palace, and he went to the East Palace."

"On the fifth day, I went to Qiuzhuang and Qiuzhu, the master of Qiu family, stayed in the study for a long time, and also used supper in Qiuzhuang."

"On the seventh day, he went to the Wu'an Marquis' Mansion, and played chess with Wu'an Marquis' eldest son, for half a day, and also used supper together."

"Early early yesterday morning, he went to the uncle's mansion... and he was only staying for a while before he came out, but the uncle Qi personally sent him outside the gate."

"In the evening, Empress Qi's honor returned to the uncle's mansion."

“It’s roughly that.”

Xia Mochou nodded slightly, "You go down and call my two unscrupulous sons!"

Chen Chun left the study with a bird cage. Xia Mochou stood in front of the window and looked at the newly blooming plum tree outside the window.

A smile suddenly appeared on his old face.

"After all, paper can't keep the fire!"

"It seems that this eagle has also learned the news about Wuyaguan, and this is an urgent matter!"

The smile on his face slowly calmed down, and a deep expression appeared: "It's good if you are anxious, but you don't have wings to fly to Zhaohua City!"

"The news of the fall of Zhaohua City should be delivered to Kyoto soon!"

"It's better to have a more lively birthday!"

The sound of footsteps came from outside the door, and Xia Mochou's expression returned to his original state. He turned around, and Xia Liu and Xia Li bowed and stood in front of him.

"Father!"

"sit!"

"Thank you father!"

The father and son sat down, and Xia Liu took the fire and cooked a pot of tea.

Duke Xia stroked his long beard and said kindly: "How long has it been since we, father and son, made tea in the fireplace like this?"

Xia Li pondered for three breaths, "I remember the last time I sat here to cook tea was in the winter eight years ago."

"Oh, it's been eight years, and it's rare to be able to sit together today."

"Xia Liu,"

"Ah, the baby is here!"

"Are you still angry that you didn't get the invitation from the prince?"

Xia Liu's hand slightly, then took a tea pot and took a pinch of tea and put it in the teapot. Then she said:

"The child thinks he is still working diligently in the position of Minister of War... at least he doesn't get a penny when purchasing military materials."

"It's the Ministry of Revenue..."

Duke Xia Guowei waved his hand and interrupted Xia Liu, "How the Ministry of Revenue has nothing to do with you!"

"Do you think it's better to spend your birthday with the emperor in the palace? Or should you spend tea with me at home?"

Xia Liu was stunned and thought that she could have tea with you at home at any time, but this is the only time on the emperor’s 60th birthday. Can this be compared?

Duke Xia's face suddenly turned dark, "You have no conscience!"

"No, dad..."

"Dad, I'm not your father!"

When Xia Li saw that the older this father is, the harder he has to figure out. Why do you vent your anger on your elder brother every day?

He quickly smoothed out: "Don't you calm down, isn't your brother doing it for our Xia family?"

"Brother stands firmly in the court. After the prince ascended the throne, our Xia family will be able to live a better life!"

Duke Xia glared at Xia Liu fiercely: "It's useless for him to stand firm!"

"In Wu State, if you want to stand firm, you must have military power!"

"To put it nicely, you are a Minister of War, but to put it badly, you are just a choreographer for major border troops!"

"Forget it,"

Duke Xia waved his hand again, but looked at Xia Li, and his words became much gentler:

"Xia Li,"

"Ah, Father!"

"It seems that His Highness the Crown Prince has forgotten you. Dad originally thought he would let you be a general guarding the city in the city guard... It seems that he is really worried about our Xia family."

"But the opportunity has come, you are ready these few days."

Xia Li was stunned, "Where are you going?"

"Where else can you go? Go to your old place... Xia Wonju!"

Xia Li looked at his father in surprise, "Isn't Gou Kuo just in Xiawonju?"

Duke Xia grinned: "He is running for his life!"

Xia Li and Xia Liu were shocked, "...Wuyaguan is lost?"

Duke Xia raised his eyebrows: "It's not just Wuyaguan, but the entire Xiayuanzhou is lost!"

"The Qicheng Village is over? The Zhaohua City is gone?"

"The Seven City Villages are definitely over. As for Zhaohua City... it should be gone!"

Xia Li swallowed in disbelief, "Did the Red Flame Army occupy Xiayuanzhou?"

"No, the Chiyan Army just captured Wuya Pass and eliminated the main force of Qichengzhai. Zhaohua City was thrown into the hands of the Divine Guard Army."

The water had already started and the tea had been cooked, but the brothers Xia Liu and Xia Li were confused by the news that Lao Guogong said.

Gou Kuo lost Wuya Pass and the entire Xiayuanzhou...

This is a big event when the sky falls!

But there was no news in Kyoto.

Xia Liu couldn't believe it, so he asked again:

"Father, how do you know?"

"Pour tea!"

"……yes!"

Xia Liu poured tea, but Duke Xia did not tell him how to know the news.

He looked at Xia Liu: "To rebuild the seven cities, it requires recruiting hundreds of thousands of soldiers!"

"You are the Minister of War. Remember for me that Xia Yuanzhou is the support of the Xia family in the court!"

"The soldiers of the Seven City Villages need the best soldiers! The best war horses! The best weapons and armor!"

"If you can't do this little thing... I'll smash your butt!"

Xia Liu nodded quickly, "As long as the second brother returns to Xia Yuanzhou, the child will definitely do these things!"

"Well, Xia An has been in the North Mansion for three years. After the second brother is confirmed, he will transfer Xia An to Xia Yuanzhou... After you go back later, ask Qiuqin to see how much money Miao Mansion can still take out."

Xia Liu was stunned again: "The money for recruiting soldiers is the treasury expenditure!"

"You know what a fuck!"

"Don't ask, just do what I said!"

Xia Liu's neck shrank and she didn't dare to say anything again.

Xia Li asked extremely solemnly at this moment: "Father, Zhaohua City is a heroic city!"

"You built the walls of Zhaohua City so high and strong back then... Now that it has fallen into the hands of the Divine Guards, if you want to get them back, it will probably cost you a huge price!"

Duke Xia smiled indifferently: "You will know when you go."

"...Why is my father sure that the emperor will activate the child?"

"Because no one can get Zhaohua City except you!"

Xia Li was shocked again, the meaning of her father's words was a bit deep.

He looked at Duke Xia and thought to himself... he didn't dare to think about it in his heart!

At this moment, the old butler Chen Chun came hurriedly again.
Chapter completed!