The banquet lasted from sunset until the moon was high above the willow tree branches.
The reason why the banquet lasted so long was not only because the children could eat too much, but also because the banquet was too sumptuous (there were too many wild animals sent by the villagers). Of course, the most important reason was that the banquet was held at Han Tianhu's house. The children could eat as much as they wanted here, and they had more freedom than they did in Qizhou.
Therefore, the banquet was quite lively. One could hear the laughter in the courtyard from the entrance of the village.
Outside the courtyard, a group of villagers had already gathered. These villagers had come to pick up the children to sleep in their respective houses. There were a total of 49 households. Originally, 50 children would correspond to 50 households, but Iron Egg would definitely stay with his father at night, so only 49 children would sleep in the villagers' houses!
The fields in Kaiyang Village had all been "swept" by the Sky Pheasant Brigade this afternoon. Now, there were almost no locusts left. The villagers naturally knew who the credit was, so in order to let the children have a good night's sleep, many villagers gave up the cleanest room and the softest bed in their house for the children from Han Village and Mei Village to sleep in!
"Alright, alright! Hurry up and wash up, then sleep! Listen carefully, don't make a fuss at night! "
Seeing that the children had eaten and drank to their hearts' content, Han Lizheng stood up and said loudly.
"Don't worry, Lizheng. We definitely won't make a fuss at night!"
"Yes! We definitely won't make a fuss! "
"Haha! Er Niu, do you wet the bed at night? "
"Er Hu, you're the one who wet the bed!"
The children played around for a while, then left the courtyard under Han Tianhu's lead.
The villagers who had been waiting outside the door came forward one by one. Each family took one child and repeatedly promised that they would not let the children suffer in their own homes. Then, they turned around and left with the children.
This scene was just like a modern day kindergarten where parents picked up their children at the school gate after school …
"Father-in-law, your house is quite big!"
After dinner, Li Zexuan took Iron Egg to visit Han Lizheng's new home. After walking around for a while, Li Zexuan couldn't help but exclaim.
It was a house with three courtyards, about the same size as the Li Family's house in Chang 'an City's Yongle Lane. There were pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and so on. However, many places looked as if they hadn't been cleaned for a long time. Fallen leaves, weeds, and dust were everywhere!
"If this house is too big, it'll be troublesome. According to my original plan, having a place to stay here would be enough!"
When Han Lizheng heard this, he smiled bitterly and said, "You know the original owner of this house, Little Xuan. It's Liu Shiren and his son!"
Li Zexuan and Iron Egg were both stunned.
"Father, is Liu Shiren also in Willow Village? And how did his house become yours? "
Iron Egg said in surprise.
He had a deep impression of Liu Shiren and his son. When he was young, he and Han Yuxi were oppressed by Liu Shiren and his son. Last year, Liu Haojian even seriously injured him.
Li Zexuan pursed his lips and didn't say a word. Regarding Liu Shiren and his son in Willow Village, Han Lizheng had mentioned it in his letter to Han Yuxi. However, Iron Egg was busy with his studies at the Academy and probably didn't see the letter!
Han Lizheng patted Iron Egg's shoulder and said, "After Liu Shiren was chased out by the villagers of Plum Village, he came to Willow Village and became the landlord here! This year, I came here to buy land and coincidentally met him. Who knew that even though this guy came to Lan Province, he was still dishonest. He was rude and unreasonable in the village, oppressing people and committing all kinds of crimes. Then, he was arrested by County Magistrate Wang's men! His house in Willow Village became ownerless. The villagers didn't dare to live there because they were afraid of offending Liu Shiren. They were afraid that Liu Shiren would find trouble with them after he was released from prison. So, father moved in! "
Speaking of this, Han Lizheng said helplessly, "It's just that this house is too big. How can I take care of it alone? Usually, I only take care of my own house. The other houses have been abandoned for a long time! "
This was also the reason why Han Tianhu didn't leave more children to live in his house. Those rooms that hadn't been cleaned for a long time would take a lot of time to clean up. It was already not easy to clean up two rooms for Li Zexuan and Iron Egg to live in!
"Father-in-law, you can buy some servants back! First, they can help you clean up the house. Second, they can take care of your daily needs. It's so convenient! "
Hearing this, Li Zexuan said with a smile.
Although Han Tianhu's body was quite good, he was getting older. How could there be no one to take care of him?
Han Lizheng waved his hand and said, "No! No! I'm fine living alone! What's the point of buying servants? "
"Father, just listen to master! If you don't have enough money, I still have some money here. I'll give it all to you! "
Iron Egg interrupted at this time.
This child was starting to feel sorry for his father!
"Hey! You stinking brat! Your father wants your money? I'm just used to living alone. I don't want the trouble! "
Hearing this, Han Lizheng couldn't help but pat the back of Iron Egg's head. Although he said this, his heart felt warm.
"Alright, alright! That's your room. Go wash up by the well and then sleep! "
After pausing for a moment, Han Lizheng urged Iron Egg again.
"Oh! Then I'll go to sleep first! Father, master, you guys should sleep early too! "
Iron Egg knew that he couldn't persuade Han Tianhu. He stopped persuading him and prepared to sleep.
"En! Go! "
Li Zexuan nodded and replied.
Iron Egg turned around and left.
Li Zexuan picked up where he left off and said, "Father-in-law, you definitely have to buy a slave. Otherwise, you'll be the only one living in such a large residence. What kind of person is that?" I'll pay for it. Tomorrow, I'll get someone to help you find a few loyal servants! "
This wasn't a problem of money, nor was it a problem of being used to living alone. It was just that living in such an uninhabited house for a long time would make one feel more lonely. It was also a torture to one's heart!
Seeing Li Zexuan's determined face, Han Lizheng thought for a moment and replied, "Alright! Let's just buy a few servants! Xiaoxuan, you don't have to pay for it. I have more money than I can spend. After I'm done with this, I'll go buy some servants! "
Li Zexuan said suspiciously, "Father-in-law, don't wait until we leave and change your mind! I think you should go buy some tomorrow! "
Han Lizheng glared at him and said angrily, "You little brat! Do I look like someone who doesn't keep his word? "
"Hehe! What a joke! What a joke! "
Li Zexuan laughed dryly and suddenly asked, "That's right! Father-in-law! How do you know that Ma Jiang? Did he used to live here? "
Han Lizheng thought for a moment and said, "That's right. Old Ma was originally from Willow Village! He joined the army first. I joined half a month later than him. When I first joined the army, I didn't know anything. With Old Ma's help, I didn't have to suffer a lot of beatings. Later, we were transferred to the Personal Guard Camp and became the personal guards of Duke Yi!
Back then, in the battle of Yunzhou, we were heavily surrounded. I blocked an arrow for Duke Yi. Old Ma wasn't bad either. His martial arts were even better than mine. He killed dozens of Turkic soldiers alone. However, I had to return home early because of my leg injury. Old Ma waited until the world was at peace before he retired!
He had a lot of military achievements. Logically speaking, he could use them to get an official position. However, he said that he didn't know how to be an official and didn't want to be one. He only wanted to go home to farm and accompany his wife and children. So, he went back to Willow Village in Yifang! I didn't expect that we two old brothers would meet again in our lifetime! It's really fate! "
Li Zexuan sighed and said, "That's really a coincidence!"
"It's really a coincidence!"
Han Lizheng nodded. Then, his face suddenly became sad. He sighed and said, "It's a pity that some people, no matter how coincidental, will never meet again!"
After saying that, Han Tianhu's figure became inexplicably lonely. His back also became bent, as if he had suddenly aged a few years!
Li Zexuan's heart moved. He thought for a while and asked, "Father-in-law, are you thinking of your old comrades?"
Han Lizheng nodded and said, "Yes! Yes! Many of us died in that battle. We couldn't bring back the bodies of our brothers. In the end, we could only bury them near the border of Yunzhou! Now that I'm living in Yifang, it's not far from Yunzhou. Every Qingming Festival, I can go and pay my respects to my brothers. It's pretty good! "
Hearing that, Li Zexuan suddenly remembered that at the end of last year, Han Tianhu went to Yunzhou. After he came back, his temperament changed greatly. He became even more silent. Later, in order to help him deal with the sewage around the mine, Han Tianhu bought Willow Village, Nanping Village, and Kaiyang Village with his "sponsorship". Then, he completely lived in Lanzhou!
Now that he thought about it, Han Tianhu insisted on going to Yunzhou and living in Willow Village. Could it be that it was convenient for him to pay his respects to his old comrades? Father-in-law wanted to be the guardian of the heroes' graves!
After comforting Han Tianhu for a while, it was almost late at night. Li Zexuan went to the well and took a simple "cold shower". Then, he went back to his room to sleep.
…
The next day, early in the morning, the sky was not completely bright.
The children who stayed in the villagers' houses had already come to Han Lizheng's courtyard to have breakfast.
In this era, many people did not eat breakfast in the morning. However, because the children had to lead the Sky Chicken Brigade to kill locusts in the morning, this was very tiring work. Therefore, Han Lizheng still prepared breakfast for them. Breakfast was also very simple. It was porridge and flatbread. The flatbread was made before and only needed to be heated in the morning. It was a simple breakfast, but the children ate happily.
"Xiao Xuan, come with me to Yunzhou today. When we get there, I have something to tell you!"
Li Zexuan was eating porridge when Han Tianhu came over and said to him.
"Yunzhou? Father-in-law, why do you suddenly want to go to Yunzhou? "
Li Zexuan was puzzled.
Through the conversation last night, Li Zexuan knew that many of Han Tianhu's old comrades were buried in Yunzhou. However, today was neither Qingming Festival nor Chongyang Festival. Why did Han Lizheng want to bring him to Yunzhou?
"Don't ask, Xiao Xuan. When we get to Yunzhou, you'll know! We'll go to Yunzhou in the morning and come back in the afternoon. It won't delay your work! "
Han Lizheng shook his head and did not explain the reason. Instead, he insisted.
Li Zexuan thought for a moment and then nodded. "Alright then! We'll ride to Yunzhou later! "
After breakfast quickly, Li Zexuan led Da Bai out while Han Lizheng led a strong black horse. They were ready to set off for Yunzhou.
As for the Sky Chicken Brigade, they had already instructed Iron Egg to make arrangements. Yesterday, Iron Egg was in charge of commanding the Sky Chicken Brigade, so there was nothing to worry about.
After packing up, the two of them immediately set off.
"Father-in-law! Your black horse is not bad! "
On the road, a black horse and a white horse galloped to their hearts' content. Li Zexuan saw that the black horse could actually keep up with Da Bai's speed and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Hehe! I picked up this black horse! It's fate! "
Han Lizheng said with a chuckle.
Due to the fast speed of the horse, his hair and the corners of his clothes were blown back by the wind. He looked a little like an old man chatting with a young man.
"You picked it up? Where did you pick it up? "
Hearing this, Li Zexuan was stunned for a moment.
This horse that he picked up could run so fast. How could he be so lucky?
Hearing Li Zexuan's question, Han Lizheng's expression was faintly smug. "It's a coincidence. This year, I went to Yunzhou to pay respects to my brothers. On the grassland not far away, I saw a black horse being chased by five grassland wolves. It was already bleeding from several bites. I've been to Yunzhou before and knew that wolves would occasionally appear here. When I came, I brought a bow and arrows.
I saw that the black horse was quite pitiful, so I drew my bow and shot two of the wolves. When the other three wolves saw that their companions were dead, they didn't dare to continue chasing! This black horse actually had some intelligence. It knew that I saved it, so it ran to my side and didn't leave. When I saw the wounds on its body, its hind legs and buttocks were bleeding, I hurriedly led it to a nearby county and found a doctor who could treat livestock to treat it! After a few days, its wounds were healed, but it didn't leave. It was as if it wanted to rely on me, so I took it as a mount! "
When Li Zexuan heard this, he couldn't help but click his tongue in wonder. "This horse knows how to be grateful? It's really intelligent! And looking at the speed of this horse, it's not inferior to some of the grassland's precious horses! Father-in-law, you've picked up a treasure! "
Han Lizheng smiled indifferently. "I'm not going to the battlefield now. I only go out to ride occasionally. What's the use of a good horse? It's fine as long as it can run! Xiao Xuan, if you need it, I'll give this horse to you! I heard from Yuxi a while ago that His Majesty has appointed you as an Adjutant of the Black Armored Army. How can you not have a good horse in the army? You'll be looked down upon by the soldiers! "
Li Zexuan smiled and refused. "There's no need, Father-in-law! My Whitey isn't inferior to your black horse! Isn't that right, Whitey? "
As he spoke, Li Zexuan patted the neck of Whitey's horse. Whitey seemed to understand that someone, uh, a horse wanted to steal its "rice bowl". Thus, it completely became a runaway wild horse. It ran at full speed and in the blink of an eye, it left the big black horse behind!
"Heh! Whitey can run so fast? Hyah! "
Han Lizheng was surprised for a moment, but he quickly reacted. He quickly urged the black horse under him and chased after Li Zexuan!
…
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