Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 178 The Ningyuan Marquis's Residence, Hua Lan's Thoughts

By the end of July, the southern expeditionary army was well-supplied with provisions and everything was ready for departure.

The day before the army set off, a high altar was erected in front of the central command tent, and all the generals stood with their hands on their swords, their eyes all focused on Gu Tingye.

He was clad in armor, standing tall and straight like a pine tree, with a solemn expression, offering sacrifices to the gods of the six banners of the army with the rites of Shaolao.

"Now, by imperial decree, we will lead our troops on a southern expedition."

"May the gods protect our soldiers, so that they may be invincible, quell the rebellion, and return home to secure peace for our nation!"

After speaking, Gu Tingye personally took the incense, slowly stepped forward, performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows ceremony, picked up the wine cup, raised it above his head, and poured it onto the ground.

The news of the military action against Jiaozhi was already common knowledge throughout the city, and the people in the taverns and teahouses were all talking about it.

As dusk settled, in the flower hall of the backyard of the Ningyuan Marquis's residence.

The lights were on, and the aroma of food filled the air.

Yuan Wenying, Gu Tingwei, Zhu Shi, Shao Shi, and others were all here. Gu Tingwei, as the heir of the Marquis of Xiangyang, had already moved to the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence with Zhu Shi.

Today, he was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, his black hair tied up high, and he appeared more composed and dignified than usual.

In early May, Zhu gave birth to a son, named Gu Shixian according to the generational naming system of the Gu family of Xiangyang Marquis, with the nickname Xian Ge'er.

Ever since he moved to the Xiangyang Marquis's residence, people from the Qin family of the Dongchang Marquis have been frequently visiting his home.

Previously, the Qin family had been trying to curry favor with Gu Tingye, but after repeatedly being thwarted, they turned their attention to Gu Tingwei and tried more than once to send a concubine's daughter to him as a concubine.

However, Gu Tingwei also knew that he owed his success to his second brother, who disregarded past grievances and helped him plan and pave the way.

Although the Marquis of Dongchang was his maternal uncle, the Qin family had already fallen into decline, and his cousins ​​were acting recklessly, indulging in pleasure, and becoming increasingly unruly.

It would be a real loss to cause them to have a rift with Gu Tingye.

Therefore, whenever the Qin family comes to visit, he and Zhu will find various excuses to refuse to see them.

"Second Brother, I heard that Fourth Uncle and Fifth Uncle caught a cold on their way to the ancestral home in Qingcheng. Are they alright now?" Gu Tingwei asked gently.

Gu Tingye glanced at him, put down his teacup, and sighed deeply, "Alas, I'm afraid this is not a good thing."

"As you know, my fourth and fifth uncles used to indulge in women at home and also squandered their money on drinking. Their health was already depleted. After the bumpy journey and catching a cold, how could they possibly withstand it?"

"That's true." Gu Tingwei bowed respectfully. "I hope you will take care of yourself, Second Brother. You can focus on your military affairs in the Southern Frontier."

"My wife and I will help my second sister-in-law with all the things in the clan, and we will make sure she is not overworked."

Gu Tingye raised an eyebrow and shook his head, saying, "It's a bit early to say 'please accept my condolences'."

"I sent a doctor to Qingcheng a month ago. There might still be room for maneuver. I estimate that news will arrive in the next few days."

"It was because Tingwei was too worried about Fourth Uncle and Fifth Uncle that he misspoke," Gu Tingwei quickly added, his eyes darting around.

Gu Ting waved his hand and said quietly, "It's alright. You've always been a good child. Even if your fourth and fifth uncles heard this to your face, they would understand. Don't take it to heart."

"You'll need to put a lot of effort into organizing the funeral in the future."

Standing to the side, Shi Tou couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Gu Tingwei nodded vigorously, not caring at all how his fourth and fifth uncles died.

He only knew that following his second brother's orders could never be wrong.

"Tingwei understands. Second brother, please take good care of yourself on this trip. We are all waiting for your triumphant return in the capital."

Gu Tingye raised his hand and patted Gu Tingwei's shoulder, then turned his gaze to Yuan Wenying, who was three months pregnant.

"By the time I get back, the child will most likely have already been born."

Yuan Wenying gently stroked her lower abdomen, a gentle smile on her face. "Once the child is born, I will send someone to deliver a letter to you as soon as possible."

"Erlang, there's no need to worry. Xian'er and I will take care of things at home," Madam Shao said softly.

Xian'er, standing to the side, chimed in, "Yes, Second Uncle, don't worry. Just take good care of yourself while you're out there."

Xian'er is thirteen or fourteen years old this year. She is wearing a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), her hair is tied up in a bun at the back of her head, and she is adorned with simple pearl flowers. Her eyes and brows are full of lively spirit.

Gu Tingyu's appearance was exactly like that of Da Qinshi, with handsome and gentle features. If he hadn't been bedridden for many years, he would have been even more outstanding than Qi Heng.

As his wife, Mrs. Shao naturally possessed beautiful and refined features.

Xian'er not only inherited the good looks of Gu Tingyu and Shao Shi, but was also intelligent and quick-witted, and could manage household affairs very easily.

"Alright, I'll leave the house to you."

After speaking, Gu Tingye pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "When this child is born, if he is a boy, we will name him Gu Shumin, which means clear-mindedness, benevolence and humility."

"The girl's name is Gu Shuchang. May she grow up to be as beautiful as the fairy Chang'e."

Yuan Wenying nodded gently, "As you wish, Lord Marquis."

The next morning, the army gathered outside the city gate, their banners fluttering in the wind.

The sound of horses' hooves pounding the ground was dull and rhythmic, and the armor gleamed coldly in the morning light.

At the beginning of the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), Zhao Han, dressed in a scarlet robe and with a jade belt around his waist, led Jing Ge'er, Han Zhang, Hai Yanping, and several other ministers to the top of the city wall.

Gu Tingye and the other soldiers clasped their hands in salute.

Zhao Han's gaze swept lightly over them, and he said in a deep voice, "Jiaozhi is a small, barbarian country that is incredibly audacious. It has repeatedly disturbed our borders, causing our border people to be displaced."

"I have sent you south not to wage war, but to wipe out the bandits and protect the peace of the Great Zhou border."

"I know that the journey is long and the weather is unpredictable. All those who have rendered meritorious service in this battle will be rewarded according to their merits, promoted and ennobled, and a victory banquet will be held. Your achievements will be recorded in the annals of history and remembered by future generations!"

"Lord Gu is brave and skilled in battle, and exceptionally loyal. You will follow him on this campaign, and you should be of one heart and one mind, so that you can return to the capital as soon as possible and reunite with your families!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a deafening roar erupted from below the city walls: "Conquer Jiaozhi and return home as soon as possible!"

"Sweep away Jiaozhi and return home as soon as possible!"

"..."

Gu Tingye bowed deeply and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I, Gu Tingye, will certainly not fail your trust! If anything goes wrong, I am willing to offer my head in retribution!"

Having said that, he leaped onto his horse, long sword in hand, and declared, "Follow me!"

At a command, the southern expeditionary army, like a long black dragon, slowly marched south, its hooves kicking up dust as it pounded the ground.

Above the city gate tower, Zhao Han stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Gu Tingye's figure, and asked softly, "How old is Gu Hou's son, Chang'er?"

Upon hearing this, Qingyun quickly thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, Young Master Gu is already three years old. I saw him once from afar when Lady Gu entered the palace earlier."

"Not only are his features handsome, but he is also not shy at such a young age, and seems to be a clever and quick-witted person."

Zhao Han pondered for a moment, "Next spring, let him and Quan Ge'er enter the palace together to accompany each other in their studies."

Sending ministers' children to the palace to study with them was not only a favor, but also a form of coercion, especially for military generals with outstanding achievements.

Military generals, who commanded large armies and held military power in the region, were required to have their families reside in the capital to reassure the court and were not allowed to leave at will.

Only a very few military generals are granted the privilege of being allowed to travel to their garrison with their principal wives, while their children and parents must remain behind.

Zhang Fu's eldest son, Zhang Zheng, and Zhongjing Marquis's eldest son, Zheng Jun, were both granted the privilege of having their principal wives accompany them by the side by the late emperor.

Given Gu Tingye's abilities and the Gu family's prestige in the military, his offspring would undoubtedly be sent to the palace as study companions. Even if Zhao Han hadn't brought it up, Gu Tingye, with his astute and cautious nature, might have even taken the initiative to send them to the palace.

"This servant has remembered it," Qingyun replied solemnly.

Zhao Han nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Jingge'er. As the eldest son of the emperor, he naturally bore a heavier burden than others.

Even in ordinary families, the eldest son is valued and strictly disciplined, with the hope that he will become successful as soon as possible, support the family, and bring honor to the ancestors.

"I brought you here today so that you would know that stability in the court and peace among the people are not easily obtained."

Jingge'er bowed solemnly, saying, "Your subject understands."

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, inside the Renming Hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

As soon as Cai Zan entered, Hua Lan immediately put down her needlework and asked impatiently, "How is Hui Jie'er? What did the imperial physician say?"

"Your Majesty need not worry. It's just that Madam dotes on her granddaughter and knows that Hui-jie likes candied yam, so she let her eat more of it at dinner last night."

"The child is young and has a weak digestive system. He couldn't digest the food properly and accumulated food, which caused him to cry and have abdominal distension at night."

"The imperial physician said it's nothing serious and has prescribed a mild digestive remedy. He should be fully recovered in a couple of days."

"Madam Hai said that the lady was also frightened, fearing that Hui'er was also poisoned like Wei Xiaoniang, so she hurriedly sent someone to the palace to invite the imperial physician."

Upon hearing this, Hua Lan's eyebrows relaxed, and she gently exhaled a breath of stale air.

"It's good that you're alright. Mother always spoils her children. When you have time, ask Hai to keep an eye on Hui-jie and take good care of her."

"I've got it," Cai Zan replied with a smile.

Hua Lan picked up the hot tea on the table, took a small sip, and a faint worry appeared on her elegant and noble face.

After a moment, she said gently, "You said that marriage between close relatives is unwise. Is there any truth to those eight words?"

Cai Zan raised her hand and scratched her head. "This servant only knows that marriage between people with the same surname will not result in many offspring. People with the same surname who marry will likely not have many descendants."

"Where did Your Highness hear that from?"

Hua Lan gently put down the teacup, the bottom of the cup making a soft sound as it touched the table.

A complex emotion flickered in her eyes as she whispered, "It was the Emperor who told me this a few days ago."

"He also specifically mentioned that relatives within three generations cannot marry."

"If this is disobeyed, the children born in the future will be either mentally challenged or stupid, or missing limbs, or too weak to withstand the slightest storm."

"I don't know if it's true or not..."

Marriage between cousins ​​was especially common in the Zhou Dynasty.

The purpose was to strengthen family ties through marriage and consolidate family power; many noble families in Bianjing alone chose to do so.

But to this day, I have never heard of any family having a child who is mentally challenged or missing limbs.

The reason is simple: many children are miscarried or die in utero before they are even born.

Secondly, even setting aside noble families, ordinary families also value face.

When something like this happens, the first thing to do is not to call a doctor or imperial physician, but to think about how to cover it up.

They would either secretly send the child to a village in the far suburbs and never see them again, or, even more cruelly, find a pretext to dispose of the child, saying only that the child had died young, without even recording it in the family genealogy.

Moreover, they would never consider the possibility of marriage between close relatives; they would only think that it was due to bad luck, moral failings, or offending their ancestors.

Hualan has met Huijie a few times since she was born.

She was born with delicate features and was very pleasing to the eye. As her younger brother's child, she naturally doted on her.

It's not uncommon to think that when Hui-jie grows up, she will marry Jing-ge or Zhang-ge.

Firstly, the two families know each other well, and the girl raised by Sheng Changbai and Hai Chaoyun will surely be well-educated, intelligent, and proper in the future.

Secondly, it can also ensure that the family prospers for another hundred years.

However, the eight words Zhao Han had spoken of—that marriage between close relatives was unwise—lingered in her mind and could not be shaken off.

Although she didn't quite believe it, she felt that since Zhao Han had brought it up, it must not be baseless or a casual remark.

Cai Zan frowned, quickly considering the matter in her mind, and said softly, "The two princes are still young. Isn't it a bit premature for Your Highness to be thinking about these things now?"

"Moreover, marriage is a major event, and in the future, it will depend on His Highness and Hui'er's wishes, and even more so on His Majesty's approval."

Hua Lan looked up at her, sighed softly, and shook her head. "You're right."

-

A few days later, Shenglong, this place was originally called Da Luo City.

After Li Gongyun moved the capital there, he fabricated a story about a yellow dragon appearing beside the royal boat, renamed the place Thang Long City, and embarked on a large-scale construction project.

The palace was built to be very similar to the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, but due to geographical and financial constraints, its area was significantly reduced.

Jiaozhi was further divided into twenty-four routes, and the official system not only followed the Zhou dynasty, but also included hereditary tribal chief positions.

Inside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials lined up on both sides according to their rank.

Above the throne, forty-five-year-old Li Rizun wore a bright yellow brocade dragon robe, his brows furrowed, and dark circles under his eyes were clearly visible, indicating that he had not slept well for several days.

Seeing that none of the ministers spoke, the hall fell silent.

Li Rizun grew increasingly agitated. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "The Zhou Dynasty has already dispatched troops. You're all just standing here. Hurry up and come up with a countermeasure!"

Previously, the Great Zhou had implemented new policies within its territory, including land surveying and tax reform, which aroused widespread resentment among officials and gentry in Guangnan.

After discussing the matter, Li Rizun and other ministers, including Grand Commandant Li Changjie, discussed it further.

He originally planned to secretly contact those forces in Guangnan who were dissatisfied with the new policies, offer them benefits, incite them to openly defy the government's orders, and then secretly gather troops to take the opportunity to march north.

Even if you can't capture the city, you can still reap a lot of benefits.

Unexpectedly, the Zhou Dynasty reacted extremely quickly, directly dispatching its elite troops, and now a large army is pressing on the border, making the border extremely dangerous.

After considering the matter in his heart, Li Changjie shook his head and said, "We underestimated the Zhou emperor's courage. Peace talks are no longer an option. We have no choice but to lead our troops into battle."

"How's the research on firearms going?" Li Rizun asked him, looking at him with a troubled expression.

His health has deteriorated over the past two years, and his eldest son, Li Qiande, is not yet four years old. If the war is lost, there will be no one to defend the country.

Upon hearing this, Li Changjie's face darkened. "Its power is far inferior to that of the Zhou Dynasty, and it even injured many craftsmen. I truly do not know how the Zhou Dynasty managed to create something so powerful."

"I've heard that the Liao Kingdom is in the same situation, and its research and development of firearms has been stalled to this day."

General Nong Zongdan stepped forward and said, "The Zhou Dynasty had firearms, and our dynasty's elephant cavalry is also invincible."

“Those elephants have thick hides and flesh that ordinary swords cannot pierce. The firearms of the Zhou Dynasty may not be able to harm them. I believe that we have a good chance of winning this battle.”

"General Nong is right," Li Changjie agreed. "How can we subdue the enemy without a fight!"

Li Rizun rose from his throne and slowly walked to them, looking at them expectantly. "In that case, mobilize the troops and prepare for a battle with the Zhou army."

"If we succeed, I will reward you handsomely!"

(End of this chapter)