Hsu Fengnian originally wanted to say goodbye and go around the Yellow Flower Pass to enter Liangzhou, but Li Maozhen would not let him go. He kept pestering him until he entered the You Ji General's residence. Even Liu Gongren and the others could not escape. A large banquet was held in the residence. Li Maozhen called his eldest son, Li Houshi. The old officer did not dare to make the new King Liang drink, but he was not polite to Liu Gongren. Li Maozhen was an old wine worm who had been soaked in the wine jar of officialdom. He was very good at drinking, persuading, and avoiding alcohol. The young talents of the Military Field Department wanted to stay sober in front of the young King, but they quickly drank until they collapsed. Liu Gongren was drunk and sang a song. It was Yu Luandao's "Liangzhou Da Ma". The banquet ended happily. Li Maozhen was also drunk. He could only let Li Houshi help Hsu Fengnian out of the Yellow Flower Pass. When they left the residence, there was a handsome young man in a scholarly robe sneakily following behind them. Li Houshi, who was in the prime of his life, had a helpless expression. He explained to Hsu Fengnian that the young man was his youngest son, Li Jingfu. He had become a xiucai at the age of eleven. However, this child greatly admired the number one King of Beiliang. Hsu Fengnian praised him from the bottom of his heart. Li Jingfu could be considered a rare scholar in Beiliang.
Li Houshi's appearance was similar to his father, Li Maozhen. However, he did not have a strong official aura. In the evening, according to the records of the Fu Shui Chamber, this Yellow Flower Pass cavalry captain who had been in charge of the Yin Suoyin Guard for eight years walked with Hsu Fengnian on the deserted street. The young man, Li Jingfu, saw that the King of Beiliang and his father did not reprimand him for not knowing the rules. He tiptoed behind the four of them. He looked enviously at Lu Yunzhang, who was carrying a blade, and Wang Sheng, who was carrying a case. Li Houshi hesitated and said softly, "Your Highness, my father does have selfish motives. He wants me to take over the Yellow Flower Pass. Father has always said that even if I can inherit the title of You Ji General, it is meaningless. I hope Your Highness does not mind. "
At this point, Li Houshi, who was not good with words, blushed and smiled. He probably did not know how to continue.
Hsu Fengnian smiled indifferently. "Your father's addiction to being an official is not small. This banquet is also to pave the way for you. It's good that you leave an impression in the Prince's Mansion of Mount Qing Liang. In the future, it will be easier for you to be promoted. However, you still underestimate your father too much. Before your father entered the city, he made a bet with me. If, after I saw you, I felt that you could shoulder the heavy responsibility of guarding Huanghua Pass, then I would allow him to serve as an old soldier in either of the Vanguard and Breaking Enemy Battalions. If you want to put it this way, your future Ruoshui Commandant was exchanged with your father's life today. "
Li Houshi's face turned red. After holding back for a long time, he finally said, "Your Highness, don't listen to my father. This old man is already so old. He can still ride a horse in casual clothes, but if he wears armor and holds a spear, he won't be able to last an incense stick of time."
Hsu Fengnian nodded his head.
Li Houshi continued. "Your Highness, our Li Family's bloodline is still flourishing. I still have two younger brothers who are in the military. The family business of Huanghua Pass is not lacking in successors. My father's wish should be fulfilled by me, the eldest son of the first wife."
Xu Fengnian didn't comment. He turned his head and saw Lu Yunzhang hugging the Confucian-robed youth's shoulder and whispering to him. It was most likely Lu Yunzhang, that sly little rascal, showing off his shrewdness in worldly affairs. Li Jingfu waited for the vassal king to turn his head. He lowered his body and broke free from Lu Yunzhang's arm. He mustered his courage and took a few steps forward. Just as he was about to speak, he was glared at by Li Houshi. "Don't push your luck. Go back and read your book."
The youth's voice trembled slightly as he said in a clear voice, "I am a scholar. Instead of writing my name down in history, it's better to hang my head at the gate of the country!"
As soon as these words came out, the already deserted street became even more silent. Li Houshi was a rough man who was used to using a bow and spear, but rarely used a pen. Wang Sheng and Lu Yunzhang were even worse. They only felt that this person of the same age spoke in a scholarly manner.
Hsu Fengnian raised his hand and motioned Li Houshi not to make a sound. He said with a smile, "Kid, you are still young, but your tone is not small. I have seen Huang Longshi, Cao Changqing, and Xuanyuan Jingcheng. These three people are the Confucian Sages among the Land Immortals."
Hearing this, in just a short sentence, three thunderous names appeared. The young Li Jingfu's eyes shone brightly as he stared at the great hero in his heart. He thought that the King of Beiliang, who had traveled thousands of miles, had seen the world more than anyone else.
Hsu Fengnian continued, "But they didn't speak as if they could swallow mountains and rivers like you."
Li Houshi couldn't help but chuckle. However, when he saw his young son's pale face, he sighed quietly.
Hsu Fengnian seemed to be talking to himself. "The name of a scholar goes down in history, while the head of a military official hangs at the gate of the country. They don't interfere with each other. If the former can write more good things about the latter when they are behind closed doors writing beautiful articles, that would be very good."
Hsu Fengnian looked at Li Jingfu and said, "I'm not laughing at you for overestimating yourself. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. When I practiced the saber back then, I also harbored great ambitions. At that time, no one thought highly of me. When one's heart is moved, one's intention will be born. The reason why I'm telling you this is because I feel that you are still too young. Even if you throw away your pen and join the army, you will only be a burden to others on the battlefield. Besides, Beiliang has three hundred thousand cavalry that are the most powerful in the world. How can a young scholar like you cut off your head and study? "
After saying this, Hsu Fengnian told Li Houshi that there was no need to send him off. He took his two disciples and walked straight out of Yellow Flower Pass.
After a long time, Li Jingfu came back to his senses. He pinched his cheeks and laughed foolishly. "Prince Liang talked to me?"
Li Houshi, who always felt that the older the child got, the more difficult it would be to talk to him. He laughed softly and said, "Silly boy."
Li Jingfu happily walked toward the You Ji General's residence. Li Houshi silently followed behind him. Looking at his son's still slender figure, he felt somewhat proud.
Li Jingfu suddenly turned his head and asked, "Father, do you want to go to the Jade Wall Restaurant to drink?"
Li Houshi was taken aback, then said, "I can still drink a catty of eight taels."
Li Jingfu grinned and said, "Then I'll treat you to a drink."
Li Houshi was confused.
Li Jingfu blinked and walked next to Li Houshi. He said quietly, "This year, I went out of the city for a walk and saw a girl. Her father is the shopkeeper of the Jade Wall Restaurant. Every time I am tired from studying, I will go there. Just looking at her and not thinking about anything else, I feel refreshed. "
Li Houshi roared with laughter.
The corners of Li Jingfu's mouth curled up slightly. He purposely said bitterly, "But that girl likes a street wanderer who is not in the pass right now."
Li Houshi rubbed his young son's head, not knowing how to comfort him.
Li Jingfu looked up and said with a smile, "Father, I want to learn from Zhao Changling and Li Yishan, the two Beiliang strategists. In the future, when I am successful, I will give Prince Liang advice and strategize from thousands of miles away."
Li Houshi made a sound of acknowledgment.
The father and son walked together to the restaurant two streets away. Li Houshi said softly, "Since you have a girl you like in your heart, and you also have ambitions, your grandfather won't let you drink, but your father will let you drink."
Two hours later, the commandant of Yellow Flower Pass, Li Houshi, walked out of the restaurant with his drunk young son on his back. The rough man had a warm expression.
As he walked, the commandant's gaze gradually became determined. If he wanted to study, he should study. But there was one thing that the vassal king had said. Beiliang had three hundred thousand cavalry. Only if everyone, including Li Houshi, lost their heads would it be the people's turn.
Didn't the Beimang claim to have a million people controlling the strings?
Even if they took down Beiliang, would there be tens of thousands left?
The youth on his back murmured drunkenly, "Father, I will study hard and become a Confucian Saint. I will not be afraid of walking the narrow path, but will pave a bright path for the people of the world."
Li Houshi smiled and said, "You are so reasonable even when drunk. You are better than Father."
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