Dugu's name was Dugu Yu. Because his father and grandfather did not live long, as the eldest son, he became the head of the clan at a young age. But although this person was young, he was very capable. These years, the Dugu clan had kept a low profile and did not seek to make a name for themselves in the political arena, but they had managed to avoid many political battles and preserve the Dugu clan's strength.
These years, the Dugu clan had focused on annexing land and managing grain, gradually becoming one of the largest landlords and grain merchants in the Guanzhong area. Having grain in hand was a kind of strength. Whether in troubled times or prosperous times, no one could do without them. Because of this, the Dugu clan gradually gained a strength that could not be ignored in the political arena.
Whether it was decisively withdrawing from the officialdom before, thereby avoiding political calamities one after another, or the natural means of expansion like the blooming of flowers in spring, or the melting of ice and snow, seeking good fortune and avoiding calamity, as if he had the help of God, all these things had happened during the few years that Dugu Yu had been the head of the Dugu clan.
Because of this, although he was young, no one dared to underestimate him. Dugu Yu was not a quick-witted person, and would occasionally speak clumsily when interacting with others. But he had great wisdom, as long as he carefully considered everything, he would be able to come up with a perfect plan. Because of this, even the head of the Liu clan could not help but ask for his opinion.
"This junior thinks that it is still too early to talk about splitting the peaches!"
Dugu Yu grinned and calmly replied, "Right now, we should strike while the iron is hot. First, we should help the imperial court pull down a few more people. This way, in the future, we will have more positions to choose from and more peaches to divide. Then, we will be able to reason with the aristocratic families of Shandong!"
"Yes!"
The head of the Wei clan nodded approvingly, "Dugu may be young, but his knowledge is extraordinary. This is the principle. So, everyone, do not think about fighting for benefits now. We should concentrate our strength and create more empty seats. With more empty seats, there is no need to hurt the harmony. "
The head of the Liu clan agreed, "If everyone has no other ideas, then go back now and mobilize the power of your respective clans. Make use of this opportunity to fight for a bigger opportunity, and begin!"
Everybody got up one by one and cupped their hands in salute to Old Man Wei and the owner of this place, Shen Guogong. They whispered into each other's ears as they left.
Their carriages were parked in the spacious courtyard of the Shen Public House. Dugu Yu left the living room and walked to his carriage. The coachman immediately put down the pedals and whispered in his ear, "Ah Lang, I just received news that Yang Fan has arrived in Chang 'an!"
"Oh?"
A playful smile appeared on Dugu Yu's face. "He really came to Chang 'an? Huhu, this person is actually not returning to Luoyang. Indeed … as expected, as expected! "
Dugu Yu pondered for a moment, then said with a faint smile, "Let's go! Let's go to Aunt Pei's house and wait for the hare! "
…
Sun Yuxuan and Hu Yuanli waited in the living room for a long, long time …
Princess Taiping finally appeared. She was radiant and beautiful, just like … a bride who had just been showered with rain and dew.
Therefore, the two of them glanced at Yang Fan at the same time, their gazes quite playful. There was ridicule, envy, and even more admiration in their gazes.
Yang Fan was very helpless. He did not do anything, really did not do anything. He only sat there and watched Princess Taiping happily dress herself up. Finally, under her pretentious pleas, in order to let this princess go to the front hall to receive the guests as soon as possible, he reluctantly picked up the eyebrow pencil and symbolically drew on her closed eyes and smiling face. He also clumsily helped her put on her hair ornament.
That's all! He really only did this little thing. But looking at the strange gazes of these two wretched fellows, why did it seem like something had happened between him and the princess?
They were looking down on him too much. Would he, Yang Fan, throw away his helmet and remove his armor so quickly? If he used his full strength, Miss Yue would not even be able to walk right now. How could she walk so lightly like a cat? Because Yang Langzhong could not explain it, he could only hold his head high and try hard to put on an appearance of a clear conscience.
Yang Fan suddenly discovered that women were born to act.
Just a moment ago in the boudoir, Miss Yue, who had a sweet smile on her face, had now changed into a high and aloof royal princess.
Her steps were light and graceful, her posture was elegant and noble, and her smile was tranquil and graceful. When she leisurely walked into the hall, not only did her skirt not move a bit, even the pearl hair ornament in her hair did not sway a bit.
Her reception of Hu Yuanli and Sun Yuxuan was also impeccable. Whether it was her attitude or her words, she was kind and amiable, making people feel like they were bathing in the spring breeze. She was polite and always maintained the dignity and elegance of a royal princess. She was really a beautiful woman who could walk out of the hall.
Yang Fan suddenly realized that Sun Yuxuan and Hu Yuanli were also very good at acting. Just now, they looked at him with such a wretched look, but at this moment, in front of Her Royal Highness, their speech and behavior were impeccable, just like gentlemen. Women were born to act, and people who had been officials for a long time were also good at acting.
When Princess Taiping met Sun Yuxuan, Hu Yuanli and others, it was not good to let Yang Fan be alone with her again. Princess Taiping had official business to attend to, so she was concerned about the progress of their mission to the south this time. She thanked them for their hard work, and inquired whether their accommodation had been properly arranged. After roughly deciding the date of their return to Luoyang, Yang Fan and the others had to take their leave.
Princess Taiping knew that it was not the time to be obsessed with her Langjun, and Xiaoman was already pregnant. Yang Fan should go to visit his wife first, so she had to reluctantly send them away. At this time, Princess Taiping finally could not continue acting. When she sent Yang Fan and others down the stairs, Princess Taiping finally could not help but gently pull the corner of Yang Fan's clothes and whispered, "Langjun, when will you come to see me again?"
Hu Yuanli, Sun Yuxuan and Maqiao had only walked three steps down the stairs. Although the voice was soft, how could the three of them not hear it? However, the eunuchs and maids behind Princess Taiping pretended not to hear it, so Hu Yuanli and others also pretended not to hear it.
Sun Yuxuan was about to turn around and ask the Princess to stop, but he had already turned half of his body. Hearing the Princess's words, Sun Yuxuan stopped abruptly. He frowned and tried to look at the exquisite four-corner pavilion in front of him, as if a flower suddenly grew on the tip of the pavilion. Hu Yuanli, with his back to the Princess, adjusted his clothes, collar, and sleeves very slowly. Only Maqiao stood there straight like a flagpole, maintaining the character of a soldier.
Yang Fan was still not used to this kind of whispering in public. He coughed unnaturally and said in a clear voice, "Your Royal Highness, please stay. We will leave now. When we settle down, we will come to pay our respects to Your Royal Highness! "
Princess Taiping smiled sweetly.
What kind of scenery would it be when a graceful and luxurious peony blossomed to its heart's content?
It was so beautiful that it could make people's hearts tremble. Yang Fan actually had a feeling that he did not dare to look at it directly. It was a good thing for Maqiao. If he missed this day, he would never have the chance to see such a charming and beautiful little woman like Princess Taiping. Originally, he just stood straight, but now even his eyes were straight.
As soon as they left the Princess Residence, Maqiao immediately held Yang Fan's arm and sighed in his ear, "Brother Fan, we are really good brothers!"
"Oh, why do you say so?"
Ma Qiao said, "Even when it comes to having an affair, it's so earth-shattering!"
…
Aunt Pei's house was in Dunhua Workshop. To be precise, this residence should be called Gongsun Residence.
When Yang Fan rode south alone, Hu Yuanli, Sun Yuxuan, and the others escorted the Princess to Chang 'an. After sending Princess Taiping to her residence in Yongkang Workshop, they immediately escorted Xiaoman to Dunhua Workshop. So they knew the way.
But this time, of course, there was no need to disturb the couple's reunion. So they just pointed the way for Yang Fan and the group went to see Liu Xuntian. They had more than three hundred people. The food for the people and the horses were, of course, arranged by Liu Xuntian.
Aunt Pei's husband was called Gongsun Bufan. He only had a rough knowledge of riding and archery, but did not know martial arts. His wife, Aunt Pei, was good with the sword. Aunt Pei was the younger sister of General Pei Min, the Longhua Military Envoy of Beiping. Her family's sword skills were very good. Gongsun Bufan was just an ordinary official's family in Chang 'an. He was not famous, and was not as famous as his wife and daughter.
The people in Guanzhong loved martial arts, and Chang 'an had more heroes than heroes. Aunt Pei and Miss Gongsun did not deliberately hide their outstanding sword skills. Their reputation was naturally known by everyone in Chang' an.
Yang Fan followed the address Maqiao and the others told him and went straight to Dunhua Workshop.
The roads in the Dunhua workshop were very spacious. Not only were the intersecting streets wide and flat, even the winding alleys between the residences were very wide. Compared to the narrow alleys in Luoyang, it could be called a main road.
The roads were all made of rammed earth. Once there was a heavy rain, the roads would become muddy and impossible to walk on. When the capital was still in Chang 'an, there were often times when the emperor did not attend court and the yamen did not work because of heavy rain. It had just rained here two days ago. After the road was dried, the ruts and hoofprints on the road had not been flattened. Looking at these marks, one could imagine how difficult it was for the pedestrians who were anxious to go home when the rain poured down.
There were deep drains on both sides of the road. There was a row of tall locust trees on the drains. One or two elders and three or five women were chatting under the locust trees. It was very leisurely and peaceful.
Yang Fan walked more and more hurriedly. Although he had asked for the address of Aunt Pei's house from Maqiao, he was still not sure after wandering around the workshop. After going around two streets, he was about to find someone to ask when he saw seven or eight teenagers gathered in front of the door of a house in front of him. They were gesticulating and talking about something.
Yang Fan immediately rode to meet them. When he reached the door, Yang Fan was about to open his mouth and ask when he took a look. He couldn't help but laugh. Coincidentally, this house was the Gongsun Mansion. On the lintel of the door was a horizontal board with the words "Gongsun Mansion" printed in gold.
Yang Fan happily dismounted and was about to walk up the stone steps to knock on the door. The seven or eight teenagers seemed to be arguing about something. When Yang Fan arrived, they stopped and looked at Yang Fan. These teenagers all carried swords and wore arrow sleeves. They looked at Yang Fan with unkind eyes.
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