It's only a few days' journey to go to Chang'an on horseback.
It was almost dusk when Qin Liang and the other three entered the city. As soon as they arrived in Chang'an, they were immediately attracted by the palace of the Han Dynasty.
It is impossible for people not to notice those palaces, because the Changle and Weiyang Second Palaces directly occupy nearly half of the entire Chang'an City. They are simply huge and can be seen by anyone who is not blind.
There is also a Jianzhang Palace in Shanglin Garden to the west, which is said to be larger than Changle and Weiyang Palaces.
Such a magnificent building complex has experienced hundreds of years of wind and frost, and it is not easy to survive to this day. Qin Liang glanced sideways for a long time, looking in the south direction, and felt that the palaces left by the Western Han Dynasty were even grander than the current Wei Palace in Luoyang.
The majestic high-stage hall and ancient pavilions seem to show the world the momentum of the Chinese ethnic group to establish a stable and vast territory for the first time, and describe the ambition of the anxious and enterprising times at that time.
The people of the Han Dynasty once advanced into the unfamiliar Western Region, expedition to the dangerous Mobei, and opened up the far south. They laid a solid foundation for the territory of Han civilization on the map for the first time. From then on, the territory of thousands of miles will always be called the Han Dynasty. Just like the rammed earth foundation of these palaces and palaces , can stand for hundreds of years without falling.
However, no matter how great an empire is, it will eventually come to an end, and that day will come sooner than the founders imagined.
As the sun sets, the old and dilapidated palace in the distance looks particularly deserted and lonely, completely unpopular; the slightly dry air and the light of the setting sun add to the sense of desolation.
Without enough living people and without an economy, no matter how grand the palace is, it is just a spectacle and an attraction.
In fact, Qin Liang noticed that the entire city of Chang'an, and even the Guanzhong area, was far less dynamic than the Luoyang Central Plains area. The population was small and it seemed a bit desolate. This was probably also the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the Wei Dynasty did not return to Guanzhong to establish its capital. Just because of.
Today, there are still some Han Dynasty revivalists in Yizhou and other Shu areas who are stubbornly resisting. Maybe those people at the beginning did have ideals, but Qin Liang understands that many major things will become beyond recognition if they are done. Don't face reality. What are the people there now for? Is it because of ideals? Qin Liang feels that it is really mysterious and a big question mark should be placed on it.
Half a century has passed since the chaotic times of the late Han Dynasty. The Three Kingdoms have been fighting for years and have not turned from chaos to rule. They are still in ruins and poverty.
Although the government of Wei is as dim as Luoyang after being isolated by layers of walls, it is still the strongest political power. If you want to end the war, you still have to rely on Cao Wei and Han. It is just a symbol, and the real meaning is People, Wei people are also Han people.
Qin Liang and other three people led their horses along the wide galloping road with few pedestrians, and first found the Governor's Mansion. Seeing that the sun was going down, he decided to ask the officials of the Governor's Mansion to arrange a room and stay there for one night. Anyway, there were three men. , life requirements are relatively simple.
Unexpectedly, before it got dark, a junior official came to Qin Liang and said that the governor heard that he had arrived and invited him to dinner. The junior official did not recommend himself for the official position, but he should be a dependent like Chen An, so Qin Liang asked him again He said something and asked someone to arrange meals for the two companions.
Perhaps because Qin Liang had just arrived in Luoyang, Guo Huai prepared a banquet at last minute and had no time to invite guests. There were no outsiders tonight, and the banquet was held in the inner house of the Governor's Mansion, which was filled with Guo Huai's family members.
When Qin Liang was brought to the courtyard by the maid, a middle-aged woman with a child first greeted Qin Liang, "Your name is Qin Zhongming." "Grandma?" Qin Liang bowed to her.
Mrs. Wang suddenly looked happy and said, "Zhongming, come to the hall with me first. Your great-aunt will be back soon."
She did not introduce the little boy beside her, but only asked the maid to take him away. The little boy was probably Guo Huai's youngest son, and Qin Liang had to call him an elder. I guess Wang also felt a little embarrassed.
The Chinese and foreign military officers and soldiers in Guanzhong were the same as those in other places. Their families were not in Guanzhong and were separated. However, Guo Huai's wife and children were all in the governor's mansion. It is estimated that his eldest son had already gone out to become an official.
My maternal aunt was probably in her forties. Qin Liang paid attention to her facial features. Sure enough, she had some similarities with Wang Ling and even Wang Lingjun. This woman from the Wang family was indeed good-looking. My maternal aunt was in her forties and should have given birth.
Even after having several children, she still retains her charming charm, and her manners and temperament have a sense of dignity and elegance.
When Qin Liang took a second look, he felt that the Wang family's wife was beautiful, probably because her head and body were well proportioned, so even though she was a little older, her bones were not so slender due to gravity, but she was still very well-proportioned and beautiful.
Mrs. Wang walked to the pedestal in the front hall, turned back and said with a smile: "Wang Gongyuan is very good at choosing a son-in-law. I am surprised that I found such a handsome and polite son-in-law for him."
Qin Liang smiled and said, "Grandma is too praised."
He immediately had a good impression of this grandma-level elder. It may be because of the family tradition of the Wang family. Although most of the men are warriors, the Wang family is very refined and kind to people, and most of them have a peaceful mentality. Even the head of the family, Wang Ling, is not a person.
A sharp-edged person.
Mrs. Wang waited for Qin Liang to approach and got to a seat slightly behind the side, before they entered the front hall together. She added: "But our Lingjun has been a beauty since she was a child. I haven't seen her for many years."
.”
Qin Liang said: "If there is an opportunity for my grandpa to return to Beijing to report on his work, my grandma can come back with me for a reunion. I miss you very much."
"Really?" Wang said happily.
Anyway, Qin Liang had never heard Wang Lingjun mention this relative, but Qin Liang just didn't want to lie at home, and telling a few lies outside was not a big problem.
He nodded without changing his expression: "She said that grandma is a very good person. I met her today and it turned out to be true."
Mrs. Wang covered her mouth and smiled, and then her face showed some melancholy. She sighed and said, "Yes, we haven't been together for a long time."
She did not sit on the upper seat, but knelt down to the side and invited Qin Liang to join the table. Qin Liang saw a wooden mat on the banquet, so he took it over and knelt down too. In front of strange elders, his posture was quite polite.
Wang turned sideways and asked, "Have you been to the Wang family's residence in Taiyuan?"
Qin Liang said: "I haven't gone yet, but I heard your Majesty talk about it."
Mrs. Wang nodded, "Actually, it's just a very ordinary farmhouse, a bit boring. If you think about it carefully, there's probably nothing special about it. But I can still dream about it, maybe because I grew up there and it's so familiar to me." Hers
Looking at the sky, he said, "The road ahead goes through a forest. The road is paved with stone slabs. In summer, the sunlight on the stone slabs becomes speckled."
She suddenly came back to her senses and hurriedly smiled and said, "Don't laugh at me, people tend to be wordy when they get older."
When Wang met her relatives, she seemed to feel vaguely homesick, so Qin Liang asked kindly: "Why don't you go back and have a look?"
She shook her head and said, "That's what women are like. The place where they grew up is not their roots. The Guo family is their home." Qin Liang nodded and said, "What grandma said is indeed quite philosophical.
.”
At this moment, a strong man about fifty years old strode into the front hall. He was not very tall, but he had an even and steady aura and was quite official. This man should be Guo Huai, the governor of Yongzhou, and he has a little belly.
A bulging face, a big face and a double chin. People who were strong when they were young will indeed gain weight if they don’t pay attention as they get older.
Qin Liang stood up from the banquet, bowed and said, "Your servant Qin Liang pays homage to my granduncle."
Guo Huai returned the gift and said kindly: "Zhongming, there is no need to be polite. I just heard that you arrived at the Governor's Mansion, so I asked your maternal aunt to cook a few dishes." Guo Huai's eyes were very sharp, and he was easily impressed.
People feel a sense of awe, and that kind of majesty is a natural expression between expressions and actions, not a pretentious gesture.
Qin Liang's mentality was relatively stable, but when facing Guo Huai, his mood was completely no longer as cordial and relaxed as when he was talking to Wang just now.
He said: "It turns out that my grandma cooked the food herself. I was really touched by her hospitality."
Wang's expression became more serious and dignified. She said softly: "I have nothing serious to do anyway. It's my first time to meet Zhong Ming. I want to give you a taste of Taiyuan. But I don't know if Zhong Ming is used to it."
Qin Liang said: "I must be used to it, but it seems that only the servant is not from Taiyuan County."
Guo Huai knelt down in his upper position, stretched out his hand and made a gesture, and said: "I think it is quite fate that my first official position was in Pingyuan County."
Qin Liang said: "Yes, without fate, we will not become relatives."
Mrs. Wang turned sideways and whispered: "It's the first time I meet your great-aunt's son. Most of them are afraid of him and can't say a few words. Zhongming is so generous that he can talk to your great-aunt about family matters."
Qin Liang smiled and thought: Although we are relatives, in terms of office, I am a member of Cao Shuang and an official of Yongzhou. Who can touch me? Even though Qin Liang is still cautious about Guo Huai, it is because of the Sima family.
reason.
Guo Huai's voice said: "Those are outsiders. I am usually very busy and don't have much time to talk to them about family matters. But Zhongming is a member of my family, what should I be afraid of?"
Qin Liang agreed, picked up the wine glass and said, "I hope my great-aunt will teach you more in the future, and I would like to thank my great-aunt for taking care of the food herself. I respect you for doing it first."
The three of them had a drink with each other. At this time, Guo Huai asked: "Zhongming joined the army as a forward. Do you have any insights on this battle?"
Qin Liang pondered for a while and then remembered Sima Shi's words. If he had any opinions, he could discuss them with Guo Boji instead of going to Cao Zhaobo.
Moreover, he saw Guo Huai with his own eyes tonight and saw his majesty. He suddenly had a speculation: Zhao Yan, the former governor of Yongliang, was already in his seventies and would obviously resign soon. Unexpectedly, Cao Shuang directly transferred him.
Xia Houxuan came to take over as the governor. Guo Huai had fought so many battles on the Western Front. Is he satisfied with this matter?
Thinking of this, Qin Liang said more cautiously: "I have just arrived in Guanzhong, and I don't know the actual situation yet. In addition, my great-uncle is a battle-hardened general. After my great-uncle arranges it, I can do some checking and filling in the gaps."
thing."
Guo Huai nodded and said to Wang: "Although Zhongming is young, he is a man of great strategic strategies. The second brother Qing also praised him generously in his letter. When I saw him today, I felt that Zhongming was also a humble man.
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Qin Liang said: "I don't dare. I can only do my little bit for the country."
At this time, Guo Huai raised his wine glass, and the three of them continued the banquet.