Sui and Tang Dynasty Generals

Chapter 19 Reminder before leaving
The county government office is located in the core area of Wanqiu City, and has two wide and straight streets leading to the city gate. The remaining streets leading directly to the two city gates are also not far from the county government office.

Fu Zihou followed the two Zhao brothers as they walked along the bustling streets, looking at the dazzling array of hawker shops and all kinds of fragrant millet cakes along the way.

When his mother saw that his cousin's wife was greedy, she went to buy cakes for her herself. When faced with his mother's questions, Fu Zihou, like his cousin, shook his head and refused.

After my cousin's wife had eaten the millet cake, the group continued on their journey.

"Those women are so beautiful!"

"That's right! They all belong to wealthy families..."

From time to time, he could hear discussions nearby. Whenever Fu Zihou looked over, he could see some young girls, wearing short-sleeved skirts, gathered together in a gorgeous manner. Occasionally, they would stop in front of the stalls in front of the hawkers and chat and laugh among themselves.

Not to mention the Zhao brothers who were staring at her infatuatedly, even Fu Zihou couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Fu Zihou is now almost fourteen years old, not almost forty, so his body's reactions in the morning are still the same.

In the past, most women in the village helped with chores, exposed to the wind and sun, and as the world became more and more chaotic, few went out of the village. Therefore, when everyone saw fair-skinned and beautiful young girls wearing short-sleeved skirts, clothes and hairpins, they would take a second look.

Now, with the Xie family's banquet, not only have the ladies from the aristocratic families in other places come to Wanqiu City, but even the ladies from the wealthy families in the city will come out to the streets in groups after getting their families' consent.

The benefits brought by the marriage between Xie and Yang are not limited to the Xie and Yang families. It is also an opportunity for other noble families.

“It hurts, it hurts!!”

Fu Zhi suddenly cried out in pain. Fu Zihou, Zhao Han and Zhao Gu all turned around to look. When they saw Fu Zhi jumping up and down and looking at Tai Shi with pity, the three of them couldn't help but laugh.

Similarly, the girls passing by on the street also laughed when they saw this scene.

Perhaps it was the girl's smile that gave Zhao Han a lot of courage. So while Fu Zihou and Zhao Gu were still watching the excitement between Fu Zhi and Tai Shi, Zhao Han quickly stepped forward and came to the most beautiful girl among the group of women.

"My name is Zhao Han. May I ask your name, young lady?"

Zhao Han's actions surprised not only the group of women, but also the pedestrians and vendors on the street.

Fu Zhi and Tai Shi both forgot about their quarrel at this time, while Fu Zihou and Zhao Gu looked at each other and looked at Zhao Han's back with admiration in their eyes.

"Wei Yanyu!"

The woman did not expect that Zhao Han would actually walk straight up to her and ask her name, but for some reason, she was not annoyed by Zhao Han's behavior. Perhaps it was Zhao Han's eyes that made her not feel disgusted, so she still returned the greeting softly.

"Wei..."

When Zhao Han heard the woman's words, he was happy for only a moment, and then he was suddenly stunned.

At this time, the other women on the side all laughed. Among them, a young and lively girl next to Wei Yanyu even took a step forward and looked at Zhao Han.

"Sister Yanyu is from Jingzhao Wei family!"

The girl was much younger than Zhao Han, and at this moment she was looking at Zhao Han with a teasing look.

Looking at Zhao Han's terrified and helpless look, she found it more and more interesting. She wanted Zhao Han to retreat, and also to remind him to think less and consider himself first.

"May I ask who the girl is?"

When Zhao Gu saw his brother being bullied, he hurried forward. He didn't dare to be rude to Wei, but he looked at the lively girl with some dissatisfaction and asked with a bow.

"It's me! My name is Lai Ling! Who do you think I am from?"

The girl looked at Zhao Gu beside Zhao Han and spoke softly.

When Zhao Gu heard the girl's words, he was stunned for a moment. Looking at the girl who was staring at him, he already knew in his heart that this girl was someone who came home.

Although the Lai family is not the Wei family, they are far superior to their Zhao family.

"Don't……"

Seeing this, the other girls laughed even more and covered their mouths as they looked at the two brothers. Fortunately, at this time, Wei Yanyu pulled Lai Ling and whispered a reminder, so Lai Ling stopped teasing the two brothers.

Looking at Zhao Han with a lost look on his face and seeing the sisters beside him leave, Wei Yanyu thought for a moment and nodded slightly in return, but she still secretly glanced at Zhao Han as she passed by.

"What is the origin of Jingzhao Wei family? And that girl named Lai Ling..."

Fu Zihou listened to the puzzled voice of his aunt Zhang behind him. He was not surprised that his aunt Zhang had never heard of these two aristocratic families. After all, in this era, the people's daily lives were farming, eating, drinking, defecating and urinating.

For ordinary people, living in the same place, day after day, is a lifetime.

Wanqiu is not far from the village, but over the years, except for my father and uncle, no one else in the Fu family ever came to Wanqiu City.

now.

Looking at Zhao Han's silent and lost appearance, although Fu Zihou was not involved, he could fully understand that kind of despair.

Jingzhao Wei family!

This is a family that surpasses the Xie family, and one can despair just by listing the names and official titles of Wei Xiaokuan's descendants.

The Wei family was not among the famous Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats in later generations, but in this world, the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats may not be able to match the Wei family.

"Perhaps Zihou has a way to help Brother Han win the heart of a beautiful woman!"

Fu Zihou looked at Zhao Han's distraught appearance, and thought of the enthusiasm of the two brothers towards him and his family. He turned around to look at the backs of the group of women leaving, came to Zhao Han and Zhao Gu, and said to Zhao Han.

After hearing Fu Zihou's words, not only the brothers Zhao Han and Zhao Gu looked at Fu Zihou in surprise, but even Aweng, Old Liu and others were also stunned.

"Hou'er, stop talking nonsense!"

This time, the person who spoke was not the carefree Zhang, but the old man who doted on his grandson. Zhang didn't understand, but the old man had heard of the name of Jingzhao Wei.

Even Mrs. Tao looked at her son helplessly and whispered to him not to brag.

Although Tao, like Zhang, had no idea about the origins of the Wei mentioned by Miss Lai Ling, but looking at the appearance of the Zhao brothers, Tao knew that they must be extraordinary.

In Tao's eyes, the Zhao brothers were kind-hearted and took such good care of the Fu family, so how could her son deceive them?

"Zihou, that girl is from the Wei family. I'm afraid you don't know the Wei family..."

Zhao Han smiled bitterly and looked at Fu Zihou with gratitude.

Like everyone else in the Fu family, the brothers Zhao Han and Zhao Gu only thought that Fu Zihou was trying to comfort them and did not believe that Fu Zihou had any solution. After all, the gap in their family backgrounds was too big, and the two brothers knew it clearly.

In the minds of the two Zhao brothers, Fu Zihou might not even know what Wei represents, so the method he mentioned must be an ordinary one like giving jewelry or hairpins.

But the two brothers were very grateful for Fu Zihou's kindness. At least Fu Zihou did not choose to laugh at their brothers' jokes or laugh at them behind their backs.

"Wei Xiaokuan had six sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Wei Na, died young. He was given the title of Envoy with Special Envoyship, Yitong Sansi, and the Duke of Zhongping County!"

"The other five sons are: General Wei Chen, the founding duke of Huan County! General Wei Zong, the prefect of Jingzhao! Duke Wei Shou of Hua! Junior minister of the Ministry of Rites, the earl of Anyi County, Wei Ji! Assistant minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and judge of the Ministry of Shangshu, Wei Jin! The other three daughters all married into powerful and aristocratic families."

"Next, the lineage of Wei Xiaokuan's son Wei Zong alone has seven sons and two daughters. The eldest son Wei Yuancheng, Duke Jing of Yun! The second son Wei Kuangbo, Duke Yi of Shu! The third son Wei Yuanzhao, married Princess Fengning of Sui! The rest of the children are Wei Xianwan, Wei Xianhui, Wei Lianpei, Wei Lianbei, Wei Xianshen..."

Fu Zihou told part of Wei's origins as if he knew everything about them.

This is only a small number of people, but each of them is optimistic and powerful. One can imagine how terrifying it would be if all of Wei Xiaokuan's descendants were added together.

Not to mention, there are the other four branches of the Wei family.

The teacher once said that in the Sui Dynasty, the strength ranking among the five branches of the Jingzhao Wei family was first the Wei Ying lineage, followed by the Wei Xiaokuan lineage, and then the descendants of Wei Xiaogu, Wei Ziqian, and Wei Shun.

on the street.

Hearing Fu Zihou's words, everyone in the Fu family was stunned.

"Hou'er, how do you know this?"

Looking at the stunned looks of the brothers Zhao Han and Zhao Gu, and listening to his mother's puzzled words behind him, Fu Zihou turned to look at his mother.

"Hou'er heard uncle mention it before, so I remember it!"

Fu Zihou explained and then looked at his aunt.

As long as his aunt Zhang didn't expose him, not only the Zhao Han brothers, but even Zhao Zi would not think of him as a teacher. After all, he had only been an apprentice for a short time, while his uncle had been traveling around all year round.

When Zhang heard Fu Zihou's words, she was a little confused at first. When did her husband and nephew have such a good relationship? And why had she never heard of it? It was only when she saw Fu Zihou's eyes that Zhang reacted.

Fortunately, although Zhang has a harsh mouth, she is the first one to stand on the side of her family in front of outsiders.

"Fu Hong?"

A Weng, like Old Liu, frowned and remained silent, looking at Fu Zihou. "Zihou, is what you said true?"

After Zhao Han came back to his senses, he couldn't help but ask with some anticipation yet disbelief.

Zhao Gu on the side also looked at Fu Zihou in disbelief, but Fu Zihou seemed to know Wei very well.

"Zihou is just the icing on the cake, so that Brother Han can win the favor of the beauty. There is a chance!"

Fu Zihou turned around and looked at Zhao Han, couldn't help laughing and gave him a reminder.

"If I can really win the favor of Miss Wei, Zhao Han's life will be enough! If Zihou can help Zhao Han, Zhao Han will be grateful!"

When Zhao Han thought of the woman's appearance just now, his heart beat faster unconsciously. No matter whether he could marry her or not, as long as he could get her favor, he would have no regrets even if he died.

"Brother Han, please go get the circular for Zihou. Zihou will let me know when we leave the city!"

Fu Zihou said with a smile.

When everyone saw that Fu Zihou was keeping it a secret, they were all very curious, but when they saw that Zhao Han had no objection, they suppressed their curiosity and followed Zhao Han.

soon.

After arriving at the government office, with the help of the Zhao brothers, the Fu family quickly received a circular of approval from Wanqiu City.

On the way to Xin County, this letter is needed to prove identity and origin when passing through cities and passes for inspection.

After receiving the circular and leaving the county government office, Fu Zihou, Aweng and others walked all the way to the north gate of Wanqiu and left Wanqiu City under the escort of the Zhao brothers.

Outside the city gate.

Just when everyone in the Fu family was looking at Fu Zihou with curiosity, they found that Fu Zihou called the Zhao brothers aside alone.

"Hey, hey, hey! Hou'er, why do you treat us as outsiders?"

Zhang was the first one to yell in dissatisfaction, but seeing Fu Zihou just smiling and not saying anything, she was so angry that she was gasping for breath, but there was nothing she could do.

Aong and Old Liu couldn't help but look at each other, their eyes full of confusion.

Tao, Fu Zhi and Tai also looked at Fu Zihou, Zhao Han and Zhao Gu who were not far away.

"Zihou, what can we do?"

Zhao Han looked at Fu Zihou expectantly, his rapid breathing revealing his inner nervousness.

Zhao Gu was also staring at Fu Zihou. After all, he really couldn't understand how Fu Zihou could be sure of making the beautiful woman from the Wei family look at his brother Zhao Han differently, or even favor him.

This is a thousand times more difficult than robbing someone with a knife or a sword!
"Brother Han, Brother Gu!"

Fu Zihou looked around and saw that there was no one around and the city gate was some distance away from here. Then he looked at Zhao Han and Zhao Gu and told them what he had seen before.

"Just now at the west gate, Zihou observed the people entering the city and noticed something was wrong. Some people were in a hurry, some had strange expressions, and when he looked at the gatekeepers, they had murderous intent in their eyes. If Zihou's guess is correct, someone might take advantage of the two days of the Xie family's wedding banquet to attack Wanqiu City!"

Fu Zihou said to the two of them.

If he had only guessed when entering the city, then after arriving at the north gate and observing the people entering the city through the north gate and comparing them with the people he saw when entering the city, Fu Zihou had already determined that the people he saw when entering the city just now would definitely take action against Wanqiu City and that they had all sneaked into the city as accomplices.

"what?"

"Attack Wanqiu?"

Hearing Fu Zihou's words, Zhao Han and Zhao Gu, who were caught off guard, had shock on their young faces. They looked at each other with wide eyes, wondering if they had heard it wrong, and then looked at Fu Zihou.

Now both of them felt that Fu Zihou was crazy, as he actually said that someone was going to attack Wanqiu, and at the time of the Xie family's wedding banquet.

"Zihou! Who... is so bold as to attack Wanqiu?"

Zhao Han looked at Fu Zihou in confusion, and couldn't help but asked with a somewhat ridiculous smile.

I thought Fu Zihou would give him some advice, but Fu Zihou said something like this, which made people...look at him sideways.

Zhao Gu standing by also had a strange look on his face at this time. He looked at Fu Zihou and couldn't help looking at the sky. It was a sunny day and there was nothing wrong except that it was a little chilly.

"This is unusual! If Brother Han believes Zihou, then he should tell everyone about this at the Xie family's wedding banquet. Brother Han does not need to mention Zihou, and just take it as Brother Han's words. This will surely attract the attention of the beauty, and it can be regarded as Zihou's intention! If Brother Han does not believe it..."

Fu Zihou thought about it and raised his hand to salute: "Brother Han, please also tell Uncle Zhao what I said. You must bring people to guard the city gate. If the city gate is not lost, there will be sufficient food and equipment in Wanqiu City. We can defend the city if we advance, and negotiate peace if we retreat to protect the Zhao family!"

After Fu Zihou finished speaking, he knew that his words were hard to believe, but there were still people who dared to do such a thing.

The reason why Fu Zihou said that he was sure he could make Wei Yanyu favor Zhao Han was because he had just noticed that the Wei woman glanced at Zhao Han when she left.

This at least shows that Zhao Han gave that woman a good impression!
If Zhao Han could perform well, it would leave a glimmer of hope for the two of them.

"This……"

Zhao Han was a little hesitant and embarrassed.

Seeing his brother's look, Zhao Gu sighed and took the initiative to look at Fu Zihou.

"Zihou, do you know who came to the Xie family's wedding banquet? It's not that Zhao Gu is bragging, but if those guests make the slightest mistake in Wanqiu, no matter who the thieves are, they will no longer have a place to stay in this world! Moreover, Zihou also said that Wanqiu is the county seat, and the soldiers, horses, and food are all there. Who can do that?"

Zhao Gu said softly, not believing at all that anyone would dare to attack Wanqiu City.

Zhao Gu also had a good impression of Fu Zihou, but no one would believe Fu Zihou's words even if they were told to others, let alone the two brothers. If they told anyone about it on the street in the city, they would be laughed at.

"Zihou also knows that what Brother Gu said is true..."

Fu Zihou listened to Zhao Gu's words and nodded without denying it, but then he looked at Zhao Gu and asked, "But if this person is not from this place! If this person has a big family background! Then the Xie family wedding banquet is the best opportunity!"

Fu Zihou reminded, looking at Zhao Han and Zhao Gu frowning in silence, thinking of the scene when they learned that the Fu family had left and specially chased after them.

"Under normal circumstances, even if the thieves sneaked into the city as an insider, they would hardly have weapons! But for this Xie family wedding banquet, nobles from all over the country came!"

Fu Zihou looked at the soldiers outside the city gate not far away who were checking the people entering the city, and spoke softly, looking at the two brothers.

"Today, Zihou also thought about who would dare to attack Wanqiu, come from a well-known family, and be able to attend the Xie family's wedding banquet. So Zihou thought of one person among those who had already started the rebellion!"

Seeing this, Zhao Han and Zhao Gu looked at each other and then looked at Fu Zihou.

"Who?"

Zhao Gu asked first.

Under the gaze of Zhao Han and Zhao Gu, Fu Zihou frowned and looked at them.

"Lu Mingyue!"

Fu Zihou said the name.

Just like the rebel Gao Shida who now dominates Gaojipo, Gao Shida initially started his rebellion in Xin County, while Lu Mingyue raised his army in Zhuo County of Zhuo County.

There is the Bohai Gao family in Xin County, and the Fanyang Lu family also has a title, Fanyang Zhuoren!

Just as Mr. Fu Zihou said, the noble families naturally could not rise up against the Sui Dynasty, but if people with the same surname started a rebellion, it had nothing to do with their noble families. They had no connection with the rebels, and would not support the rebels in their fight against the court!
"Lu Mingyue? Wasn't he defeated by General Zhang Xutuo before and fled without a trace?"

The brothers Zhao Han and Zhao Gu were not unfamiliar with this name. After all, they had heard their father mention this matter, especially the fierce generals Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin under General Zhang Xutuo. When their father mentioned these two people, his face was full of praise.

Now, when they heard Fu Zihou talking about this person, the two brothers were very confused.

"I'm afraid that's why he wanted to take advantage of the Xie family's banquet to raise troops again in Huaiyang!"

Fu Zihou shook his head.

"It's getting late, and Zihou still needs to hurry on his way. Brother Han, please remember, if you believe in Zihou, then do as he says. If you don't believe, you must tell Uncle Zhao!"

Fu Zihou looked at the brothers Zhao Han and Zhao Gu looking at each other, then glanced at his family not far away. He did not stay any longer and bowed to say goodbye.

As a person who was about to leave Huaiyang County, the changes in Wanqiu City would not threaten Fu Zihou, but because of the Zhao family, Fu Zihou gave a special reminder.

Fu Zihou knew very well that the Zhao family was not one of those famous and prominent families, especially since the prefect of Huaiyang was Zhao Tuo of the Zhao clan. During the Daye period, the Sui Dynasty officials and the refugees were at loggerheads. No one was sure whether Lu Mingyue would use the head of prefect Zhao Tuo to establish his authority after conquering Wanqiu.

That’s all I have to say. Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to the Zhao family to decide.

　On October 615, the th year of Daye (), Lu Mingyue led an army of to attack Huaiyang and Xiangcheng counties. Then he moved to the north of Henan. In years, his army grew to , and his momentum was extremely great. He was granted the title of "Supreme King". Later, he was defeated in the battle with Wang Shichong, the governor of Jiangdu, in Nanyang and was beheaded.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)