Yi Song

Chapter 96 It’s not a blind date, it’s just a search for a relative
  "Your Majesty, the ancestor of our family is Liu Yanqing." Liu Guozhang replied without changing his expression.

The eldest brother promised him before he died that his relatives are his relatives, and his grandfather is his grandfather.

Liang Shicheng reminded softly from the side: "Erlang, don't let the officials ask, you can say it yourself."

"say what?"

"Tell me your elder brothers and their place of origin."

Oh, there were still such rules for marriage proposals in the Song Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, I am a commoner named Liu Hu, whose name is Guozhang. My ancestor Liu is Yanqing, my grandmother is Liu of the Song Dynasty. My father Liu is Baobao, whose courtesy name is Zaohong, and my mother is Lin Liu. My eldest brother Liu Long is named Guohua.

Born in Kaifeng Prefecture, he originally lived at No. 12, Tianbo Xixi Lane, Jianlongfang, outside the city of Kaifeng Prefecture. "

Liu Guozhang stopped talking. After waiting for more than ten breaths, Liang Shicheng next to him spoke again.

"Go on."

"What's going on?"

"How did you get to Mingzhou?"

"Oh, Your Majesty, my ancestors and grandmother died young, leaving behind my father and aunt. My father, brother and sister depended on each other and had a hard time. When I was sixteen, I sold myself into slavery, collected a sum of money, and gave it to my family. I entered the noble family. I went south to do business with my master's family. After working hard for several years, I settled in Mingzhou. I married the Lin family of Changxi, Fuzhou and gave birth to my two brothers.
  Three years ago, my mother died of an epidemic, and my father died of illness two years ago. My brother and I kept our filial piety for seventeen months, and following my parents' orders, we went north to Bianjing to find relatives and worship our ancestors. Unexpectedly, just after arriving in Chenliu, his brother fell ill and died. "

After hearing this, Zhao Ji turned to Liang Shicheng and asked, "Are they all right?"

"Your Majesty, that's right."

"Xiang Lao."

Liu Baoxiang bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, in the third year of Zhenghe, the imperial concubine was seriously ill. Knowing that she did not have much time to live, she ordered the old slave to go find her relatives. With the great help of Liang Douzhi, the old slave found the wife's original household registration. I learned that my wife’s deceased father is the Liu family, and I’m sure Yanqing will.”

"Well, that year I also issued an edict to posthumously make Liu Zhang the Grand Master."

"Yes, Your Majesty. What was written on the house paper at that time was No. 12, Tianbo Xixi Lane, Jianlongfang, West Wing, which is exactly what Erlang said. The lady also told the old slave that before his father died, he gave his brother a jade pendant. , with the words 'Feasting in the Four Seas' engraved on it."

Hearing this, Liu Guozhang understood that he was not recruiting a bride, but looking for a bride. What did Ting Ting mean? He was Wuniang's cousin?

The key is the package of things he left for Liu Baoxiang.

At that time, I was ready to leave Kaifeng City, and I would not be able to come back in a short time. I thought of leaving my eldest brother's belongings to Xiang Lao and asking him to help me continue to search for clues - he was highly respected in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and had many connections in the officialdom. He is old and can endure the hard work of water grinding. Besides, they are all surnamed Liu, and they were the same family five hundred years ago.

After much selection, I felt he was the most suitable.

Unexpectedly, I actually found it!
  Zhao Ji nodded, his face full of sadness, and he reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"It's confirmed that Liu Erlang is indeed the son of Queen Mingda's brother and a close nephew. My beloved, my beloved, four years after your death, I finally fulfilled your long-cherished wish and helped you find your relatives."

Zhao Ji covered his face and started to cry.

It's really unexpected that Zhao Ji, the emperor of the Song Dynasty, actually cried in front of everyone? !

Liu Guozhang was surprised and happy.

What’s shocking is that I never expected that my eldest brother would give me such a huge novice gift package before he died!

Fortunately, Zhao Ji still has deep feelings for Queen Mingda. So as Queen Mingda's only natal relative, with only one grain in ten acres of land, I will be able to make a fortune in the future.

Liang Shicheng advised from the side: "Guan family, today is a happy day. For four years, Guan family relied on their longing and affection for Lady Mingda and persevered. After four years of searching, they finally found Lady Mingda's only natal relative.

This kind of friendship is truly touching, and is rare throughout the ages. "

Liu Guozhang took a look and saw that this hidden minister was really a talented person.

"Yes, it's a happy event!" Zhao Ji took the handkerchief, wiped away his tears, and said loudly: "Master, let's declare the edict."

"Yes!"

Liang Shicheng took out an imperial edict and read it in front of everyone: "Under the sect. To govern from within, we must first be kind, which is the foundation of human relations. Rituals are based on emotion and system, and they are also the most noble people in the world. Mingda Queen Liu's position is extremely Yuan Concubine, the crown prince of virtue. She has the ambition to advance and capture the virtuous, and has no intention of asking for private visits. The more she inherits, she only serves internal duties. She is lazy all day and night, and the concubine is obedient. If you abandon me, you will die early, and your liver will be broken. Heart
  The Liu family's ancestor, Bao Yanqing, posthumously presented Zhongshu Ling, Taishi, and the founding Duke of Wu County; his elder brother, Bao Bao, posthumously presented the gifts to Hedong Jiedu Envoy and the Inspector of the School; and his eldest nephew Liu Long, posthumously presented them to General Jinwuwei and Envoy Chijie. The military officers of Yuezhou, the governor of Yuezhou, and the training envoys of the regiments of this state."

After hearing this and reading the Tiandi newspaper for more than ten years, Liu Guozhang, who already knew the rules and meanings of the imperial edict, knew that the next step was to grant him an official rank.

"The second nephew Liu Hu, heir to the Liu family's bloodline, will continue for thousands of years. He was granted the title of Dr. Zuowu, the envoy to Chijie Mingzhou's military affairs, and the governor of Mingzhou (Note 1). He was given a house, 10,000 guan of money, and 1,000 pieces of cloth. The horse enters the Sophora Pavilion of Zhihuai, and is honored with a tripod seat. Mi Xuan Yiyou only obeys his orders.

Still ordered the commander to prepare a book of gifts and orders. "

After Liang Shicheng finished reciting, Zhao Ji said in a kind tone: "Erlang, you are the nephew of Queen Mingda and also my nephew. If you need anything in the future, please tell Shicheng and ask him to report it to me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The first thing I want to do now is to pay homage to the tombs of my ancestors. Then I will go to my ancestor's tomb to offer incense and offer condolences to the ancestors."

"Erlang's filial piety is commendable. That's it, just go ahead and do it."

After a few greetings and Liang Shicheng's look, Liu Guozhang took the initiative to leave.

"Well, I still have state affairs to deal with, so I won't keep you here. After Erlang is done with his work, I will hold a banquet to entertain you. Master, please see off Fifth Sister and Erlang for me."

"Yes."

After walking out of the side hall, Liu Guozhang was still in a daze.

Just now he was a prisoner in the West Prison of Kaifeng Prefecture, but he turned around and became an official! An official personally appointed by an imperial edict from an official family.

It's unpredictable!
  "Prime Minister Liang, should I go back to Kaifeng West Prison?" Liu Guozhang couldn't change his mind for a while.

"Erlang is joking. You are an official now. Why are you going to Kaifeng West Prison? Are you doing a patrol?" Liang Shicheng replied with a smile.

"My case?"

"What case? What case does Erlang have?" Liang Shicheng smiled more amiably.

"My two friends from Hebei's military service?" Liu Guozhang asked again.

"I told Lieutenant Gao that I will go to Daming Mansion tomorrow to write a letter. From now on, they will be the imperial military attachés in front of the palace. Well, Erlang is more familiar with Captain Gao. If you go and tell him, he will save more face." It's really the worst The era is also the best era!

Zhao Ji and his treacherous ministers had long destroyed the normal discipline and legal system of the imperial court to the utmost extent.

Not to mention the reigns of Yuanyou and Shaosheng, even the reign of Yuanfu Daguan, they did not dare to act so wantonly.

Now, let's talk a little bit.

The more dilapidated the house, the better it is to tear it down and rebuild it.

Liu Guozhang shook his head: "The great sorrows and great joys in life, the ups and downs, are so exciting that I feel a little dazed."

"Haha, Erlang is an open-minded person and will not take these false names seriously." Liang Shicheng laughed.

Liu Guozhang turned to look at Zhao Wuniang, "Wuniang, I have become your cousin."

Zhao Wuniang smiled, her eyes sparkling, "Isn't it good? Isn't Brother Erlang happy?"

"Happy, so happy! I'm so happy that I can't even recover!"

After leaving Baozhuan Palace, Zhao Wuniang got on the bullock cart. Liu Guozhang took a horse from a guard and climbed on it.

"Prime Minister Liang, there's no need to send her off. I'll go to Houde Palace to talk to Wuniang first, and then I'll go to my house next to Lingguang Courtyard."

Liang Shicheng waved his hand, "I want to send it off, I want to send it off, I want to send it to the west. Fifth sister, Erlang, please come with me."

As he spoke, he got into the sedan and led the way.

The group of people walked south along Jinglong Street, turned to the west on Panlou Street, and then turned south to Junyiqiao Street when they arrived at the West Corner Tower of the Imperial City.

"Prime Minister Liang, are we going back to Houde Palace?"

"Erlang, please wait a moment."

After walking for a mile, Liang Shicheng's sedan stopped in front of a house.

"arrive!"

"Are you here?" Liu Guozhang dismounted and looked at the house.

This house has a gate, with left and right entrances. At first glance, it looks like a mansion of a powerful person.

Zhao Wuniang got off the oxcart and walked over with Liu Baoxiang.

"Mr. Liang, where is this?"

"This is Xuanhuafang, Erlang's residence."

"Ah, such a nice mansion?"

"This used to be the residence of the former left prime minister and Duke Zhang of the State of Wei."

"Ah! Who is Mr. Zhang?" Liu Guozhang asked.

"Mr. Zhang Dunzhang." Zhao Wuniang reminded in a low voice from the side.

"Oh, Zhang Dun."

"The location here is excellent. To the north is the Ao Temple, to the east across Junyi Bridge Street is Jingling West Palace and Shangshu Province, to the south is Junyi Bridge, not far from Yuxian Tower. To the west is Houde Palace across a square. "

A mansion in a prime location!

Liu Guozhang quickly cupped his hands and said, "Xiang Liang really took the trouble, thank you for the trouble!"

"Haha, I have no money or power, so I can only work hard. The furniture, servants, maids, cooks, and gardeners are all here. You can move in tonight."

You can also check in with your bags.

The group of people walked to the front yard, and there stood a group of people, old and young, men and women. When they saw Liu Guozhang, they bowed and said in unison: "You guys have met your husband."

Liang Shicheng said to the side with a smile: "If you are short of anything, just ask the servant to buy it. There is 50,000 yuan in the treasury at the back of the yard for Erlang to buy some odds and ends."

This is really a big deal.

Liu Guozhang stepped forward and held Liang Shicheng's hand, "Xiang Liang, what do you want me to say? Not a relative, but better than a relative."

The more I look at you, the more friendly I feel.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, you were an eunuch and I was a relative. We were in the same boat. No wonder we were so close.

Liang Shicheng was a little surprised by Liu Guozhang's words. He was stunned for a moment and replied with a smile: "You're welcome, Erlang is too polite. I have nothing to do but worry about running errands. These are all Dong Gong's wishes."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince?!" Liu Guozhang was stunned.

He, a wild royal relative, has just been released, and people are already thinking about him.

"Please thank His Highness the Crown Prince for Erlang. Whenever it is convenient for Your Highness, Erlang will go to the East Palace in person to express his gratitude."

Seeing Liu Guozhang being so sensible, Liang Shicheng smiled so much that his brows were dancing, "Okay, okay, I will definitely convey Erlang's thoughts.

It was getting late, so I took my leave first. "

Liu Guozhang scratched his scalp and said, "Wu Niang, why don't you go in and take a look."

"Of course I want to take a look. I want to be the first to come in and take a look." Zhao Wuniang glanced at Liu Guozhang, held up her skirt, and walked in with her head raised.

Note 1: Envoy Chijie xzhou military, xzhou governor, is the official statement in the official document of xzhou governor. "Regiment Training Envoy" and "Defense Envoy" are added after the previous sentence to serve as the "Regiment Training Envoy" or "Defense Envoy" of this state.

(End of this chapter)