"A husband who loves fortune is an ax to attack his nature; a man who is addicted to lust is a horse that chases disaster." [Shuoyuan·Jingshen]
The closing time of all the houses was the same, and loud bells rang out one after another from the pavilions everywhere, and there were also shouts to remind people to be careful of candles at night.
Cang Tou had never seen Su Ze sweating profusely and looking miserable. In his impression, Su Ze always seemed to be so calm and calm, precocious and mature, but now
"Where are you going? What did you meet on the way?"
Su Ze didn't rush to tell him. He was still riding on the horse. At this time, the horse was free of rein, and he slowed down and walked slowly on the street. On both sides of the street, there were wealthy families, and the regulations were all in compliance with the law. Su Ze looked all the way,
Breathing slightly, he said: "I, the Su family, have raised horses over the years, no less than ten thousand, but this time I missed it. This horse is indeed a good horse. You can buy a good saddle, bridle and bridle tomorrow and take it as a gift."
Give it to Ma Mengqi.”
"That horse is very arrogant and rude, and he is the daughter of a Qiang girl. Since it is a good horse, why is it worth giving it to him?" Cang Tou was a little unhappy and whispered softly: "If you like it, young master, you can use it yourself."
"What do you know?" Su Ze said coldly: "Even if he is useless, fortunately he taught me one thing."
On the other side of Chang'an City, the Ma family, who lived near Manyi Mansion, was having a banquet. Dogs were roasting sheep, and water shield and fish soup were being served in an endless stream.
Ma Chao has not reunited with his brothers for a long time. Among the three brothers, he was favored to enter the imperial college from the beginning, while Ma Xiu and Ma Tie were extremely lucky to stay with their father Ma Teng. Five years ago, they
He was still young, but now he had grown into a healthy young man of sixteen or seventeen years old. Ma Chao was very happy to see him.
"The last time we met, it was during the Chinese New Year. I didn't expect that half a year has passed and you have grown taller again." Ma Chao happily patted Ma Xiu on the shoulder and invited him to take a seat. Ma Teng is stationed in Huaili all year round and is not in Chang'an.
, the mansion here would be left to Ma Chao alone to make the decision.
Ma Xiu was a bit introverted. He smiled shyly and sat down with Ma Chao. He drank two glasses of wine, ate a few mouthfuls of roasted mutton and scones, and then swallowed slowly: "Brother, I have been studying in the Imperial College for so long.
Did you know that you were left behind in cavalry and archery? Aweng often said that cavalry and archery on the battlefield are the foundation for success. If you are not good at cavalry and archery..."
"What's there to worry about?" Ma Chao knew what he wanted to say. He chewed the mutton and swallowed it with a glass of wine: "Although I have been studying in Taixue these years, my equestrian skills have not been neglected for a day. At the beginning of the year, you and I
When brothers meet, you and Xiaotie can't beat me on the school field together. How long has it been now? Do you not believe me, or are you dissatisfied with me in your heart?"
He said it jokingly, as if he was taking advantage of the drunkenness to drag the horseman to a test of riding and shooting in the open space behind the house, in order to maintain his brother's authority.
Matthew looked embarrassed and waved his hands quickly: "That's not what I meant!" Then he raised his wine bowl and admitted his mistake generously: "I made a mistake, so I'll punish you first."
Then he didn't say much and drank it all in one gulp. Ma Chao also appreciated his straightforwardness and said "Hello", and then he also became enlightened.
After Ma Xiu finished his drink first, he looked at Ma Chao, who had a fierce personality, and had something in his heart that he didn't know how to express.
While hesitating, Ma Chao asked: "Aweng called you this time, but do you want me to go to the Huaili Army as soon as possible? Have you discussed it with Huangfu Gongdu? I will work as a teacher in the night school while holding a concurrent job.
Uncle, or Army Sima?"
This just brings up the problem that Ma Xiu wants to talk about. Before he came, he was warned by Ma Teng. The other party changed his words and asked him to tell Ma Chao that something had changed. He was asked to stay in Taixue first and not rush to Huaili Army.
Matthew knew very well the temper of this eldest brother. He was young and ambitious, had a resolute personality, and was most likely to be impulsive when things happened. He was full of joy and prepared to escape from prison, return to the mountains and forests, and prepare to do a big career with great ambitions, but in the end he fell into trouble.
Ma Xiu couldn't even imagine how violent he would be if he was given a basin of cold water.
But Ma Chao was staring at him with a burning gaze. Ma Xiu had no choice but to answer. He had to whisper, his voice as thin as a gnat: "Aweng said that the Imperial Academy has not yet completed its studies, and the past has hindered the system, so
We have to wait a little longer.”
How could Ma Chao not hear what he was saying? He was asked to wait without giving a specific time. Does it mean that he had to complete his studies only after the emperor came back from the expedition and organized examinations for them?
Ma Chao smashed the wine bowl on the table, stared at Matthew with an angry face, and said in a deep voice: "What do you mean by this?"
"I, I don't know either..." Matthew left the table and stood up in fear, and hurriedly explained: "How can Aweng explain it to me in detail? Before leaving, he only asked me to tell my brother that this matter cannot be done at the moment.
"
'boom'
The flying wine bowl broke into several pieces at Matthew's feet.
Fufeng on the right, outside Huaili City.
There were two people sitting opposite each other in the military tent. The one sitting in the main seat was an old man with gray hair, loose eyelids, and a stooped figure, but his broad outline when he was young could be vaguely seen. Sitting opposite him was
A middle-aged military general in his prime, with a broad nose and deep eyes, and a yellowish beard, he actually looked a bit like a barbarian.
The middle-aged military general was silent for a long time, and finally hesitantly said: "Do you really want to write a reply to him? In my opinion, it is not necessary to use this method."
"Since Han Wenyue still misses you, you can't treat him coldly." The old man raised his eyes, looked at him with a faint look, and said in a confused voice.
The middle-aged man is Ma Teng, General Pingdi, and the old man is Huangfu Song, the hussar general of the dynasty. Over the years, Huangfu Song has aged very badly for some reason. Perhaps because of his age, the hidden diseases left in his early years can no longer be suppressed.
I couldn't help it, first I had stomach pain, and then I felt dizzy from time to time.
Huangfusong knew that he was not energetic enough, so he regarded the battle to defeat Han Sui as the last battle in his life. It was also a successful conclusion to the Qiang chaos that he had devoted countless efforts to pacify during his half-life in the military.
So at this time, he was unwilling to continue to be conservative and cautious, but wanted to use his talents to outline an excellent strategy. This is why after learning that Ma Teng received a letter from Han Sui urging him to join the uprising, he did not press the button.
My previous character destroyed this letter, but I boldly took advantage of it.
"Since Situ Magong was deposed, the Fufeng Ma family has declined in the court. You have lost your support and you are a subordinate general. It must be natural to feel embarrassed and uneasy." Huangfusong looked at Ma deeply.
Teng, unhurriedly stretched out his hand to stop what the other party was about to say, and spoke in a calm tone:
"Han Wenyue is the best at understanding people's hearts. He must be deeply aware of this, so he thought he was sure to persuade you to rebel. Little did he know that this was giving me the hilt of the sword so that I could destroy this great enemy."