Sui and Tang Dynasty Generals

Chapter 70 Visiting the Wen Family
To go from Huxian to Taiyuan, one needs to return along the original route, passing through Chang'an and other cities, all the way back to the Yellow River, and then go north from the Yellow River to Fenyin and Longmen, passing through Jiang County, Linfen County, and Xihe County, before reaching the territory of Taiyuan County.

When Fu Zihou was driving his carriage through Jiang County, he did not encounter any danger because Li Yuan had just led his troops to pacify the rebels in Jiang County.

Then we passed by Yubi and saw the famous natural barrier of Emei Terrace with our own eyes.

The only pity was that in the days that followed, when he passed by Pingyao County in Xihe County, because Li Chengzhi was not there, Fu Zihou had no intention of staying when he looked at the magnificent Pingyao City.

Pingyao City is located to the north of Xihe County, not far from Taiyuan County.

When entering Taiyuan County, the first city you pass along the official road is Qi County, which is also the former residence of the Wen family of Taiyuan.

Fu Zihou followed Li Aong's instructions and came to visit the Wen family's mansion.

After explaining his purpose to Wen's servant, he watched the servant quickly enter the mansion.

Not long after, Fu Zihou saw three young men in military uniforms walking out quickly with their servants.

"Wen Wuyin, nice to meet the young master of the Fu family!"

"Wen Jin!"

"Wen Zhen!"

Wen Wuyin was the first to raise his hand to salute Fu Zihou, and Wen Jin and Wen Zhen also raised their hands to salute.

"Fu Zihou, greetings to the three gentlemen of the Wen family!"

Fu Zihou raised his hand to return the greeting, watching Wen Wuyin enthusiastically invite him into the house. Wen Jin and Wen Zhen also looked at him with a friendly look, so he nodded. He knew that he would have to rely on the Wen family in the future, so he did not say too many polite words.

In the main hall of Wen's mansion.

As soon as Fu Zihou entered, he saw men kneeling behind the wooden tables on both sides of the main hall. At a glance, there were no less than twenty people.

With so many members of the Wen family gathered together, Fu Zihou could tell that there were obviously guests.

But since he was already here, Fu Zihou naturally couldn't just leave.

During Wen Wuyin's introduction, Fu Zihou was the first to pay his respects to the old man of the Wen family who was kneeling in the main hall. The next one was Wen Daya, who was the second oldest and was kneeling at the wooden table next to the main hall.

Wen Daya is 43 years old. His father, Wen Junyou, is no longer alive. The old man Wen mentioned above is his uncle.

Wen Daya had two sons: Wen Wuyin and Wen Shiyun.

Wen Dayou had four sons: Wen Jin, Wen Zan, Wen Yu and Wen Qu.

Wen Dalin had two sons: Wen Zhen and Wen Ting.

These are the descendants of the three brothers Wen Daya, and there are also more than ten people from the lineage of Old Wen in the main hall.

However, Fu Zihou knew clearly that the people who had a good relationship with Li Aong were his uncle Wen Daya's two brothers and their descendants. As for other members of the Wen family, since Li Aong did not mention them, it was likely that they could not be relied on too much.

"Zihou, this is Tianshui City, the uncles of the Wu family..."

After Wen Wuyin's introduction, Fu Zihou realized that the people who came to visit the Wen family today were the two brothers Wu Shiling and Wu Shigui, who lived in Wenshui City, Taiyuan County, not far from Qi County.

When Fu Zihou heard the name Wu Shigui, the first person that came to his mind was Wu Zetian.

Fu Zihou never dreamed that he would meet Wu Zetian's father in such an occasion.

"Zihou, I pay my respects to the two uncles of the Wu family!"

Fu Zihou raised his hand and saluted.

Although Wu Shiling and Wu Shigui were not familiar with Fu Zihou, they had just learned from the servants of the Wen family that this young man was the grandson-in-law of Li Gang, so they raised their hands politely to return the greeting.

After the ceremony.

Under the guidance of Wen Wuyin, Fu Zihou knelt behind another wooden table next to Wen Daya.

It can be seen from the position that because of Mr. Li, Wen Wuyin and others are very caring and concerned about Fu Zihou.

"My dear nephew, is Mr. Li okay?"

Watching Fu Zihou take his seat, Wen Daya began to ask about Mr. Li's condition.

Wen Daya's father was a close friend of Mr. Xue Daoheng and Mr. Li Gang. The three brothers Wen Daya had received a lot of favors from Mr. Li in the past, so when they saw Mr. Li's grandson-in-law Fu Zihou, they wanted to know how Mr. Li was doing.

"Don't worry, Uncle Wen, Mr. Li is safe and sound!"

Fu Zihou bowed and said, then he took out the letter from Mr. Li from his arms and handed it to Wen Daya with both hands.

In the main hall.

Everyone in the Wen family and the two brothers of the Wu family, looking at Fu Zihou, actually wanted to observe him. After all, this young man was actually the grandson-in-law of Old Li, and he did not come from a famous family. Therefore, they were all very curious about what was so special about this young man.

At this time, everyone saw Wen Daya suddenly put down the letter in surprise.

"My dear nephew, are you going to Yingyang Mansion in Jinyang to serve as a captain?"

Wen Daya looked at the young Fu Zihou with surprise.

"What? Captain!"

"Is he a captain?"

After hearing Wen Daya's words, not only Old Wen in the main hall, but also Wen Wuyin, Wen Jin, Wen Zhen and others in the main hall, as well as Wu Shiling and Wu Shigui, all looked at Fu Zihou in shock, and then looked at each other in surprise.

"The young master of the Fu family is a captain?"

Elder Wen in the main hall couldn't help but ask softly at this moment.

"Zihou had a chance before, and was granted the title of Fenwu Wei by His Majesty, and went to Yingyang Mansion in Jinyang to lead the troops!"

Fu Zihou said to Wen Daya and Mr. Wen.

At this time, the eyes of the people in the main hall who were originally looking at Fu Zihou had changed.

Even Old Wen and his uncles and aunts from the same lineage looked at Fu Zihou with much more enthusiasm.

The four brothers Wen Jin, Wen Zan, Wen Yu and Wen Qu all had bitter smiles on their faces. They had never thought that the young Fu Zihou was actually their father's colleague. A long time ago, their father Wen Dayou was recommended by Li Lao and Li Gang to serve as a cavalry officer of the Imperial Guards.

Now he is leading the cavalry in Yingyang Mansion in Taiyuan.

"My dear nephew, you are already a lieutenant at such a young age. You really have a bright future ahead of you!"

Wen Daya said with some emotion, no wonder the young man is Mr. Li's grandson-in-law, one really can't judge a person by his appearance, he is already a Fenwu Lieutenant at such a young age.

Then Wen Daya looked at the letter and slowly put it away.

"Erlang is now in Jinyang City, commanding the Yingyang Mansion Cavalry. When I go to Jinyang City in the future, I will give the letter to Erlang. After Erlang has read it, he will definitely tell me a little about Jinyang!"

Wen Daya returned the letter to Fu Zihou.

"Zihou, thank you, uncle!"

Fu Zihou took the letter with both hands and bowed in gratitude.

Looking at the Wen family, Fu Zihou had seen the city defenses of Qi County just outside the city of Qi County.

The walls of Qi County were sufficient to defend against hundreds or thousands of ordinary thieves, but for the 100,000 bandits three months later, Qi County might not be able to resist at all.

Moreover, unlike Zhang Jincheng, Wei Daoer's group of more than 100,000 bandits had already possessed large-scale siege machinery over the past few years.

Fu Zihou knew that he had to bring the Wen family to Jinyang in two months.

Just when Fu Zihou wanted to take the opportunity to ask Wen Daya about the situation of the rebels in the north, he suddenly heard the voice of Wu Shigui.

"Since Captain Fu is also going to Jinyang, why don't we go together so that we can take care of each other!"

The thirty-eight-year-old Wu Shigui spoke to Fu Zihou.

Wu Shiling also nodded. The purpose of the two brothers' visit was actually similar to that of Fu Zihou, but the difference was that they came with a lot of money and generous gifts.

"The two uncles of the Wu family are also going to Jinyang?"

Fu Zihou raised his hand and looked at Wu Shiling and Wu Shigui with some confusion.

"My dear nephew, you may not know that Wu Jia Silang is also going to Jinyang this time to serve as Jinyang Armor Officer! In the future, my dear nephew and Wu Jia Silang will definitely have more exchanges!"

Elder Wen held his long beard and explained to Fu Zihou with a smile.

The local armor officers were responsible for managing the soldiers' equipment and ceremonial guards in the past. The ranks of the armor officers in various places ranged from seventh rank to eighth rank. Wu Shigui was the armor officer of Jinyang, which was only one level lower than Fu Zihou's sixth rank, and belonged to the seventh rank.

"I see! Zihou is not familiar with the road, I am afraid I will trouble the two uncles to take care of it!"

Fu Zihou quickly raised his hand and saluted Wu Shigui, indicating that he was troubled by Wu Shiling and Wu Shigui.

Throughout the whole process, Fu Zihou did not feel the slightest bit proud because he was at a higher level.

"Captain Fu is too modest!"

Seeing Fu Zihou's actions, Wu Shigui also quickly raised his hand to return the greeting.

After the ceremony, looking at the young Fu Zihou and hearing Fu Zihou still calling him uncle after knowing that he was Kai Cao, Wu Shigui felt very fond of him.

Now that we are all so old, when we are colleagues, no matter who we are, we don’t want to be looked down upon by a junior.

Subsequently.

In the main hall of the Wen family, as everyone was talking, Old Wen also asked about Fu Zihou's family situation.

When they learned that Fu Zihou's father was a businessman in the past, everyone in the Wen family was surprised. In contrast, Wu Shigui showed joy in his eyes.

"My dear nephew, your father is also a businessman?"

Wu Shigui said with curiosity.

He had always had a good impression of Fu Zihou. When he heard that Fu Zihou's father was a businessman, Wu Shigui liked Fu Zihou even more.

"Yes! In the past, my father often traveled to other places and slept in the open air to support the whole family!"

Fu Zihou raised his hand and said.

Fu Zihou could not and would not hide the fact that his father was a businessman. There is no wall in the world that is not guarded by enemies. When he was in Xin County, there would always be people who would investigate the news about his family, let alone in the future.

Instead of hiding it, it is better to say it openly. You won't feel ashamed and afraid of other people's eyes.

"His father should be a husband!"

When Wu Shigui heard what Fu Zihou said, he made a frank comment about Fu Zihou's father.

When Elder Wen and his descendants heard this, they did not quite agree with it.

But Wen Lao and others were not surprised that Wu Shigui would say such words.

The Wu family is a wealthy family in Tianshui. Their members have been doing business for generations, and their wealth has accumulated over the generations.

Over the years, relying on his family's abundant wealth, Wu Shigui had frequent dealings with the Yang family of Hongnong, the Li family of Longxi, and the Niu family of Anding.

They even heard that some time ago, Li Yuan, who was highly regarded by Emperor Yang Guang, often stayed at Wu Shigui's house when he led troops in Jiang County and Fenyang County.

Wu Shigui, who came from a merchant family, naturally would not look down on his father Fu Zihou, who was also a merchant.

In the Wen family residence.

Hearing that there was a very young Fenwu Wei in the main hall, the many women of the Wen family in the backyard became curious.

The young ladies of the Wen family, on the other hand, did not have so many concerns. They came to the main hall with curiosity, and then they stepped slowly and looked inside the hall secretly through places where they could observe.

　Note: In history, Wen Dayou was recommended by Li Gang as a cavalry captain of the Imperial Guards. When Li Yuan started the uprising, he and his brother were by Li Yuan's side. However, his stance seemed to be unsteady, and he was not one of the seventeen heroes. There is a lack of historical records about him.

　　In addition: According to historical records, Wu Shigui became close friends with Li Yuan when he was recruiting Li Yuan to Fen and Jiang counties. He was Li Yuan's most trusted confidant. It is possible that Li Yuan needed the Wu family's money.

(End of this chapter)