Sui and Tang Dynasty Generals

Chapter 3 The Forgotten Engagement
"Zhi'er, practice well! Listen carefully to what Mr. Liu says!"

Early in the morning, when it was just light, Aunt Zhang came out with a wooden basin to wash clothes. I didn't know whether it was because my uncle came home for a rare occasion or if some happy event happened, but her face was beaming with joy and her voice could be heard outside the yard.

"The horse lance is the best weapon in the military and the best weapon for breaking through enemy lines. As the ancients said, it can destroy an army by sweeping it and kill a general by stabbing it. When combined with a horse, its power is unstoppable..."

Old Liu had already gotten used to Zhang's voice. Looking at Fu Zhi who was practicing martial arts, he felt a little sorry. Unlike his father, Fu Zhi was a simple and honest person. If he had learned martial arts earlier, he might have been able to make a name for himself in the future.

Unfortunately, he was five years older than Fu Zihou and missed the best time to practice martial arts.

"Although there are no war horses, the momentum of the horse spear, the horse's steps and the footsteps are all similar..."

Mr. Liu continued.

Fu Zihou listened to what Old Liu said and waved the long stick continuously.

In the first year, Fu Zihou followed Mr. Liu's instructions and continued to practice swinging, stabbing, picking and chopping, practicing these four basic movements day after day.

In the second year, Mr. Liu began to ask Fu Zihou to use the four movements continuously. Not only should they flow smoothly, but he also had to try to change the rules and repeat them over and over again.

Now in the third year, Mr. Liu would suddenly block Fu Zihou's actions and demand that Fu Zihou react immediately and fight back without any hesitation.

Martial arts.

Whether it is swordsmanship, longbow, or horse lance, they are all the inheritance of the Central Plains for thousands of years. They are the experience gained from countless battles on the battlefield, the experience passed down from generation to generation, and after countless people's sleepless research, they have long become the foundation of countless people's livelihood.

This life-saving skill is far beyond the fancy three punches and two kicks of ordinary people. It is truly born for killing.

noon.

A figure just appeared outside the garden, and then a middle-aged man was seen saying goodbye to the others and walking into the garden alone.

"Father!"

Seeing the person coming, Fu Zihou put away his sword, breathed slightly, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Fu Zhi, who was standing by, was also filled with joy when he saw his uncle coming back, and followed his cousin forward.

"Hou'er!"

Fu Zihou's father Fu Rui didn't care about the sweaty and wrinkled face. When he saw his son, he smiled and nodded. As a father, there is nothing more satisfying than having a sensible child.

"Zhi'er, hey!"

Fu Rui saw Fu Zhi's expectant eyes, smiled, took out a small hairpin from his arms and handed it to Fu Zhi.

"Thank you uncle!"

After Fu Zhi took the hairpin, he thanked him quickly and immediately turned around and ran into the house.

At this time, Tao, who heard the noise in the house, had already walked out. Seeing her husband Fu Rui coming back, she hurried forward to take the package for her husband, and then used her hands to clean up the dirty parts of her husband's body.

"I heard last night that there was a riot in the village next door and many people died, so I didn't come back!"

Fu Rui explained to Tao that he knew his wife did not return home last night and must have not slept well.

"It's getting more and more chaotic outside!"

Tao said with some concern, looking at her husband, if it weren't for the whole family, all relying on her husband to take care of things, she really didn't want her husband to leave home alone again.

"Yes! It's because of the officials who have the grain. As they see the grain becoming more and more expensive, they are increasingly reluctant to sell it. It's obvious that the grain was obtained through embezzlement. They used to delay the use of the grain for disaster relief. The more people died, the more grain they secretly got. Now, many people in the city have taken out their family heirlooms and started exchanging them for grain, but they are still reluctant to give up the grain!"

Fu Rui nodded and chatted with his wife about what happened in the city as if he was just chatting. Then he looked at Fu Zihou, and with his brows slightly furrowed, he took out the long cloth package from beside him.

"No matter what, as long as you are safe, my dear, my brother is back! He has something important to discuss with you!"

Tao said to her husband Fu Rui.

Fu Rui was a little surprised when he heard this, especially when he saw his wife's appearance. However, when he went to the house, he still unwrapped the cloth, took out an exquisite sword from it, and gave it to Fu Zihou.

"Hou'er, when I went out this time, I saw someone exchanging this fine sword for money, so I brought it back to you!"

Fu Rui handed the sword to his son.

Because he had an eldest daughter and a second daughter, Fu Rui, who rarely had a son, had spoiled Fu Zihou since he was a child. After running around all these years, Fu Rui's health was not as good as before and he no longer had children.

As his eldest and second daughters got married, Fu Rui, who went into business to take care of his father and family, felt extremely guilty towards his son when he thought about the grievances his identity as a businessman had brought to his son. Over the years, to make up for his guilt, Fu Rui gave his son almost everything he could without reservation.

"sword?"

Fu Zihou took the sword. He felt a little sorry for his father spending money, but the moment he pulled out the sword, his eyes were fixed on the pattern on the sword. The words of heartache that he should have blurted out the next moment were reduced to just one sentence.

"I like it! Thank you, Dad!"

In this world, as long as there is no worry about food and drink, there are probably only three things that are most attractive to men: beauty, sword, and horse. Fu Zihou is no exception. Looking at the sword in his hand, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of amazement.

Gently stroking the stripes on the sword, he seemed to want to see what the scene was like when this sharp sword was forged.

"I'm going to meet your uncle!"

Seeing his son's happy look, Fu Rui smiled, squinted his eyes, and his face was full of satisfaction. Then he said to his wife and son and walked towards the wooden house.

In the courtyard.

Fu Zihou didn't want to see his uncle's face, and since he had obtained a good sword, he stayed in the yard, practicing martial arts while getting used to the feel of the new sword.

But soon, a few quarrel sounds could be heard faintly. It was the first time that Fu Zihou saw his father so angry and arguing with his uncle. After stopping, Fu Zihou put away his sword and walked towards the house despite being worried.

Open the door.

Before Fu Zihou entered the house, he saw his father staring at his uncle with a red face and an angry look on his face. His uncle, who was always kind-hearted, and his aunt, who was always harsh in her words, actually looked guilty. One side of his cousin Fu Zhi's face was even redder.

This scene surprised Fu Zihou very much. What had happened to make his uncle and his wife look like that? His cousin seemed to have been slapped in the face.

"Hou'er is here too, let's let Hou'er make the decision on this matter!"

The elderly grandfather saw Fu Zihou enter the house, sighed, and spoke softly.

"Father, my brother wants money, and I am willing to give it to him, but I will never agree to Hou'er's marriage no matter what!"

Although Fu Rui was not angry with his father, there was anger in his tone that was hard to hide. Tao, who was standing aside, also had red eyes as she looked at her uncle's family and grandpa with some resentment in her eyes.

"Father, what happened?"

Hearing that it was related to him and was about his marriage, Fu Zihou became curious. At this time, he also vaguely guessed that it must be because of him that his father was so angry and even quarreled with his uncle.

"Grandson's wife, go take a look outside!"

The old man turned around and told Fu Zhi's wife, Tai, to go out and watch the garden and not let outsiders hear it.

Tai, who had been holding a brand new hairpin in her hand, nodded when she heard what Aweng said, and told her husband Fu Zhi not to let his father and uncle quarrel, then she got up and left.

With the arrival of Fu Zihou, the old man asked his second son Fu Rui to sit down and calm down, and then he told Fu Zihou what had happened in front of the whole family and Old Liu.

It turned out that before the Fu family had completely declined, the great-grandfather had promised a marriage to the Li family. Just like Fu Zhi and Tai, the Fu family and the Li family also wanted to have a closer relationship through marriage. But later, as the Fu family declined, the woman was embarrassed to break off the engagement due to face and reputation, but her actions were no different from breaking off the engagement.

That is to replace the fourth daughter who was supposed to be married to Fu Zihou with the sixth daughter who was born with defects.

"defective?"

Fu Zihou frowned slightly as he listened to Aweng's words, and then looked at his mother Tao and father in confusion.

Why have my parents never mentioned the matter of my marriage to me in all these years?

"It is said that the sixth daughter of the Li family has been unable to speak since she was a child. So after learning about this, our Fu family cut off contact with the Li family..."

When Tao saw her son's gaze, she explained with red eyes and told Fu Zihou that after learning about this matter, the Fu family was furious, and although they did not turn against the Li family, they no longer contacted the Li family.

After saying that, Tao looked at her uncle with resentment.

"My husband and I had hoped that my elder brother would become successful and take care of Hou'er, but we never thought that my elder brother would make Hou'er lose face and marry the disabled sixth daughter of the Li family!"

Tao spoke word by word, her words were full of questioning. A mother is strong. At this moment, not only Fu Rui turned hostile, but Tao also showed a rare look of anger, as if she wanted to make things clear with her uncle.

"I see!"

Fu Zihou probably knew the reason, and was not surprised by the Fu family's resentment towards the Li family and his parents' anger.

Not to mention ancient times, even today, people all over the world believe in divination and are very superstitious. Even the Sui Dynasty Emperor Yang Guang killed the meritorious minister Li Mu because of a prophecy. You should know that Li Mu had unparalleled founding contributions to the Sui Dynasty. In the fourth year of Daye, Yang Guang specially held a grand ceremony to commemorate Li Mu again.

And just because of a prophecy, Yang Guang ruthlessly killed all the descendants of Li Mu.

Superstition is at work here.

In addition, there are also great differences between the current Buddhism and the Buddhism of later generations. Among them, there is the concept of "human defects" in the current Buddhism, which undoubtedly makes people in the world avoid people with congenital defects.

Fu Zihou was naturally not superstitious. On the contrary, he was very sympathetic towards those who were born with defects.

Being born with defects was not their choice, but they have to endure the strange looks from others all their lives.

"Aunt, since we've lost contact, why are you bringing up this marriage now?"

Fu Zihou asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Zihou saw that both his parents and his grandfather turned their eyes to his uncle.

Finally, Aong sighed and said, "Hou'er has been sensible since he was young. It's better to tell him so that he can know."

So, with the instruction of A-weng, before her mother Tao could say anything, her aunt Zhang looked at her husband Fu Hong and, as the elder, told Fu Zihou her husband's plan.

It turned out that uncle Fu Hong planned to take all the family wealth and go to Wei Qilin to plan a rebellion together!
Wei Qilin was from Pengcheng, not far from Huaiyang. He was worried that if a rebellion broke out, Zhao Tuo, the governor of Huaiyang in Wanqiu City, would not let his family go. So to prevent being caught, his uncle hoped that they could go north to Xin County and seek refuge with the Li family.

Li Shaozhi of the Li family was the Gongcao of Wuyang County, and his other brothers also had many connections in Hebei. In addition, there were turmoil everywhere in Hebei, and the edicts of the Sui Dynasty were not strict. In Xin County, the Li family was able to protect the Fu family.

inside the house.

After Zhang finished speaking, not only the grandfather remained silent, but even cousin Fu Zhi did not dare to look at Fu Zihou. In his heart, he felt that his father's behavior was inappropriate. The elderly Liu at the side looked at Fu Zihou and couldn't help sighing.

As an outsider, this had nothing to do with Old Liu, but Old Liu's life was saved by Fu Rui. After coming to the Fu family, although he considered himself Fu Rui's servant, the Fu family never treated him as an outsider, not to mention that both Fu Zhi and Fu Zihou followed him in martial arts.

Last night, Fu Hong told all his plans to Old Liu without hiding anything. Although it conflicted with his own ideas, Old Liu knew in his heart that Fu Hong was right. This was probably a rare opportunity for the Fu family, or even the only chance.

For several years, Fu Hong used Fu Rui's money to travel around and make friends. No one knew that if he missed this opportunity, it would take several years or even more than ten years before he would be appreciated by others.

Therefore, whether it was because of Fu Hong or Fu Rui who did not want Zihou to carry the label of a merchant's son for his entire life, Old Liu finally nodded in support of Fu Hong's decision.

However, Mr. Liu also understood that behind this decision, if he wanted to save the Fu family, he could only join the Li family.

And once you choose to join the Li family, it would really be... you owe Fu Zihou too much.

Even an old man of his age couldn't bear it.

inside the house.

There was silence, and everyone was silent because of this incident. It was not until a few breaths later that the silence was broken.

"The Li family, Li Shaozhi? Mother, what about the Li family?"

Fu Zihou listened to his aunt's words. He had a vague impression of the name in his mind, but he couldn't remember it. So he could only look at his mother and ask about the six girls and the Li family.

"The sixth daughter of the Li family is named Li Cai. She has been unable to speak since she was a child. Her father is Li Liyan, the second son of Li Gang, the right chancellor of the Shangshu. Unfortunately, when Mr. Li went to Hainan, he was almost killed. After returning, he resigned from his official position and lived in seclusion. Hou'er, although the Li family has declined, it is still a famous family. The late wife of Li Liyan is from the Bohai Gao family, the daughter of Gao Shining. Although she has also declined, she got married again later..."

Before Tao answered, her aunt Zhang spoke anxiously, as if she wanted to persuade Fu Zihou to agree to this matter and put up with it for the sake of the family. Moreover, in Zhang's mind, the identity of the son-in-law of the Li family, if the Li family still had some conscience, would allow Fu Zihou to learn some skills in the Li family and get help from the Li family in the future, which would be better than being laughed at by everyone in this village as a merchant's son.

Zhang's behavior made Tao very angry. As a mother, Tao naturally had different thoughts from Zhang, who was an aunt.

Fu Zhidu couldn't help but gently pull on the corner of his mother's clothes, indicating that he also disagreed with this matter.

However, seeing Zhang glaring at his cousin Fu Zhi, Fu Zihou, who was unintentional but took the listener seriously, was completely stunned.

Unlike other people in the family, Fu Zihou knew very well that compared to the Fu family which had already declined, if it was really the Li family that his aunt mentioned, then behind this seemingly declining family, there would be big shots in a year or two.

Mr. Li from the Li family was later praised as the prince's tutor of three dynasties. Although Yang Yong, Li Jiancheng, and Li Chengqian all missed the throne, behind these three events, he was truly respected by the emperors of three dynasties, Yang Jian, Li Yuan, and Li Shimin.

The Fu family actually has an engagement with the Li family!

Fu Zihou really never expected that, looking at his aunt Zhang glaring at his cousin Fu Zhi fiercely and his cousin begging with gritted teeth, Fu Zihou could not help laughing.

Isn't it just that she can't speak! A real man can bend and stretch, marry her!
After making the decision in his heart, Fu Zihou slowly turned around, and while everyone was still looking guilty and embarrassed, he looked at his father and mother, raised his hands, and looked sincere.

"Father, mother, since the Li family and the Fu family have an engagement, Hou'er is willing to marry the sixth young lady of the Li family!"

After Fu Zihou finished speaking, he kowtowed to his parents earnestly to express his request.

Inside the room, as soon as the words fell, everyone in the Fu family, who had already anticipated that Fu Zihou would refuse and even be angry, did not expect to hear such an answer in the end.

At this moment, not to mention Fu Zihou's parents Fu Rui and Tao, even Zhang, his uncle Fu Hong, and even A-weng and Old Liu, all looked at Fu Zihou with surprise.

Cousin Fu Zhi also looked at his cousin in surprise. It was a very unlucky thing to marry a woman with defects. Just now, he was slapped by his father for speaking up for his cousin, and he also asked his mother not to have any ideas about his cousin.

As a result, my cousin was actually willing to agree!
This……

Fu Zhi looked at his cousin in confusion. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't understand why his cousin was willing to marry the defective Sixth Miss of the Li family.

(End of this chapter)