Before I knew it, the first eight years had come to an end.
The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is the last time Qin Liang will attend the court meeting this year. He will leave Beijing next spring. After today's court meeting, he will not come to Tai Chi Hall again for at least a few months.
So just after the court meeting ended, the eunuch Zhang Huan retained Qin Liang again and sent a message to the Empress Dowager to summon him.
It was still an office room on the east side of the East Hall. Qin Liang and Zhang Huan walked through the middle of the Tai Chi Hall courtyard together.
Someone should have cleared the snow on the brick floor in the courtyard square in the morning, but the snow was still falling. At this time, the brick floor was covered with a layer of white snow. The tops of the surrounding palaces and palaces were even more covered in silver.
The weather is very cold, but the winter scenery in the palace seems even more beautiful. The snow has covered many brick and earth details on the ground, leaving only the light golden walls, doors, windows, and red pillars, set against the snow-white color.
It is more colorful. It is less earthy and more gorgeous like a fairyland.
Qin Liang patted the snowflakes on his shoulders and arms outside the door, then took off his shoes and walked in with his socks on. He immediately found that there were two more people behind the semi-transparent curtain, and the Queen seemed to be here too.
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Queen Mother Guo's voice said: "Zhongming doesn't need to be rude."
When I suddenly heard her voice, I still thought it sounded nice. It was still a solemn female alto with a delicate sound in the consonants. Of course, the voice she made on another occasion was Qin Liang's favorite.
Qin Liang then stepped forward, bowed his head empty-handed, and said, "I congratulate Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother on your health."
As soon as she said this, Queen Zhen covered her mouth and made two suppressed "cough cough" sounds.
Queen Mother Guo looked sideways and said: "The queen is not in good health. I told her not to go out, but she wanted to come over and take a walk to get some fresh air."
Empress Zhen's voice said: "I don't like winter very much. I get cold easily when it's cold. But it doesn't matter. I've been like this for the past few years and I'm used to it."
Qin Liang said cautiously: "Please take care of your body, Queen."
Queen Zhen actually whispered: "Thank you, General Qin, for your concern."
At this time, Queen Mother Guo's voice asked: "Has Zhongming confirmed the itinerary?"
Qin Liang said: "Two days ago, I had discussions with Zhuo Jing and other family members, and all the subordinate officials, and planned to set off on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month."
Queen Mother Guo sighed softly, sounding a little sad. Parting always seems to be such an atmosphere. She said: "At least we can celebrate the Lantern Festival. When will Zhongming return to Luoyang?"
Before he set off, he asked when he would be back. Qin Liang thought for a while and then said: "Spring wheat is sown in February and March. We will arrive in Guanzhong around early February, repair some houses and plow the land, just in time for sowing.
The season is right. The harvest can be harvested in June and July. There are only a few months left to farm. I will probably return to Beijing in the autumn."
He paused briefly and added: "If there is no war."
Empress Dowager Guo said: "Guo Boji was a veteran general in the Wei Dynasty who was good at conquering and fighting, but he was killed by Jiang Wei. When Zhongming goes to the Western Front, be careful about Jiang Wei."
Qin Liang thought to himself: Guo Huai has indeed capsized in the gutter.
He cupped his hands and said: "I accept the order. However, the Northern Expedition of the Shu Han Dynasty will cost a lot of money. Jiang Wei probably won't be able to come next year."
He continued: "After I leave the capital, Zhuojing will take Ayu and Achao back to Yishouli to live in the Wang family's residence. The eldest brother will move to General Wei's mansion for a few months. In addition, Chengmen School Lieutenant Fu
As long as he remains in Luoyang, the general's office will assist him in all affairs of the court, so your highness will have nothing to worry about."
When Qin Liang talked about Ayu, his tone became slightly stronger.
General Wei's Mansion is not only Qin Liang's home, it also has an important role, which is to guard the arsenal! Qin Liang will not take away all the soldiers in the backbone camp, but will leave some troops behind to let Qin Sheng, the backbone general, live in the guard.
The general's mansion can also defend the arsenal.
For a smart person like Empress Dowager Guo, Qin Liang didn't need to explain it in detail. As long as she briefly mentioned the arrangement, she would definitely understand its meaning.
Sure enough, the people in the curtain made some moves. Queen Mother Guo nodded slightly and said, "I have never been to General Wei's Mansion, but I heard from Zhang Huan that the scenery in Zhongming's place is very good, and your brother and sister-in-law should be able to get used to it."
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Qin Liang smiled and said: "You can see Mang Mountain from home, especially on a sunny day, the view is very magnificent."
The beautiful face was looming in the curtain, and Queen Mother Guo seemed to be smiling. After a while, she said softly: "Last time Zhongming pacified Youzhou, I gave you too little reward, but now I have no chance, so I can only
Wait until Zhongming returns from farming."
When Qin Liang heard this, he couldn't help but raise his eyes, glanced inside the curtain, and looked at Queen Zhen's position. Queen Zhen had some words to say here, but she was not old, so she probably couldn't understand the hidden implications.
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Although separated by a semi-transparent curtain, the room was not big and they were relatively close to each other. Qin Liang suddenly saw Queen Zhen's face clearly again and couldn't help but be startled.
Under the green and red robes and the gorgeous gold and jade jewelry, Empress Zhen's lack of vitality is a bit weird. Unexpectedly, her face becomes even whiter in winter. In addition, she wipes her lips red, which makes her look even more pale.
It looked even more gorgeous and lifeless, which really impressed Qin Liang.
Teenage girls are really not suitable for dressing up like this. Moreover, Empress Zhen's complexion is not very good, and she does not seem to have a long life, which is really a bit pitiful. Although Qin Liang is dissatisfied with the emperor, his empress is another
It's the same thing, because Queen Zhen's grandfather sided with Qin Liang at the critical moment.
Qin Liang calmed down and said: "It's just a matter of personal responsibility. I don't dare to take credit for it."
Empress Dowager Guo said: "On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, I asked Zhang Huan, the visitor from Changqiu, to see Zhongming off."
Qin Liang couldn't stay too long when summoned in a place like Taiji Hall. Hearing what Empress Dowager Guo meant, he thanked her and said goodbye to Empress Dowager Guo and Empress Zhen before leaving.
In the following month, Qin Liang became very busy. In addition to the New Year sacrifices and gift-giving, he was mainly involved in the preparations for farming.
For example, transporting newly made plows, seeds, cattle and other sources from the iron officials in Xingyang and other places were relatively trivial matters.
When Qin Liang goes west this time, he will bring with him the subordinate officials of the General Guard's Mansion, including Chief Shi Du Yu, Sima Wang Kang, Zhonglang Yang Hu, and military adviser Xin Chang. The details of the farming in Guanzhong will be with him at that time.
You can ask them to help you with your affairs.
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Wang Lingjun and Xuanji packed Qin Liang's luggage early in the morning and said goodbye to each other.
However, this trip, Qin Liang was not going to fight, so at least they were not that worried. Therefore, Qin Liang also brought two women, Wu Xin and Lu Ning. Lu Ning had people he knew in Shu Han, and he was good at medicine. Qin Liang
I took her to Guanzhong, thinking she might be useful.
Wang Lingjun and Xuanji sent Qin Liang to the front hall and courtyard. It was already dawn. In their memories, Qin Liang said goodbye to them many times in the dark dawn, but it was different now.
When Qin Liang and Wu Xin walked to the corridor together, he turned around and saw Wang Lingjun and Xuanji still in front of the gatehouse. He said again: "The growth time of spring wheat is short, I will be back soon."
Of course, the main reason Qin Liang went to the Western Front this time was not to farm.
The officers and soldiers of the Chinese army who left Beijing were the two battalions directly under Qin Liang. Including the Zhongba camp and most of the Zhongjian camp, the total number was about 40,000. The troops did not set off together today, but were still divided into groups just like the march.
Dispatch. People have left Beijing before the Lantern Festival.
...Everyone went through Tongguan, and Qin Liang's army was the largest, with nearly 10,000 foot and horsemen. It took more than half a month for everyone to arrive in Chang'an, carrying many tools for farming.
Outside the majestic Chang'an East City Gate, a group of people have already greeted him outside the city.
Qin Liang rode his horse and came to the front. In addition to Chen Tai, the governor of Yongzhou, Deng Ai, the governor of Liangzhou, and Wang Jing, the governor of Nan'an County, they all rushed to Chang'an. The officials stood by the moat and bowed to Qin Liang one after another.
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Qin Liang turned over and jumped off his mount first, standing on the ground to return the salute. People on both sides walked here, and they immediately exchanged greetings and chatted with each other, and the crowd was lively.
Chen Tai and Qin Liang were not very familiar with each other. It was only because of their relationship with Fu Gu that they seemed to be closer. However, when Fu Gu was appointed as the Chief of General Wei's Palace, he should have asked Chen Tai for his opinion.
Now that Guo Huai is dead, the highest-ranking officials on the Western Front are Chen Tai and Deng Ai. Chen Tai wants to fulfill his duty as a landlord and is the first to talk to Qin Liang.
He seemed to be a vigorous and resolute man. When they met, he said: "Guanzhong's population is declining and there is no shortage of arable land. I am located on the east side of Wuzhangyuan and have freed up some land for General Wei. There are water sources such as Wei River and Wugong Water nearby. I wonder if General Qin is satisfied.
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Qin Liang said: "Luogukou is also over there. I've been there before and it's a familiar place. It's quite nice."
Deng Ai next to him said: "Last year...we said goodbye. I thought it would take several years, but I didn't want to see each other again so soon."
Qin Liang smiled and said: "Yes, I didn't expect to meet in Chang'an. Last year Jiang Wei attacked Didao and Shizai attacked Liangdao. They fought well. I have already requested credit for Shizai and others at the court."
When Wang Jing heard this, his expression changed slightly. Qin Liang saw this and thought that Wang Jing himself might also know that he did not perform well in the Battle of Longxi last year.
Wang Jing introduced an official around him: "This is Hu Xuanwei (Hu Fen), the governor of Longxi County. My servant was in Didao last year, and he and Xuanwei were guarding the city."
Qin Liang met Hu Fen for the first time, but he had heard the names of these people, so he turned his head and looked at Hu Fen. Hu Fen saluted and said: "I pay my respects to General Wei."
Qin Liang returned the courtesy and said: "Your Majesty (Hu Zun) sent a memorial to Luoyang in the twelfth month of last year. I read it in the palace. Hu Shijun is currently in Xuzhou and there is no war."
Hu Fen said: "Thank you, General Wei, for thinking about my father."
Chen Tai, who was standing next to him, said: "Please come to the city and settle down temporarily. Your servants have prepared several tables of wine for the general."
Qin Liang said calmly: "I won't drink any more. Let's have a meal together. I will go to pay homage to Governor Guo's soul in the afternoon."
Chen Tai nodded and said: "General, please."
The willow trees by the moat have new branches and leaves, and they look green from a distance. Although Chen Tai said before that Guanzhong is withered, in spring, Chang'an looks full of life.
When everyone came to the city on horseback, there were few pedestrians on the spacious galloping road. Only then could people feel that such a large city of Chang'an indeed lacked the prosperity of the capital city in the past.