Chapter 234 Chance Encounter

Chapter 234 Chance Encounter

Chapter 234 Chance Encounter
In the wind and snow, pedestrians hesitated.

Pei Kang lifted the curtain of the carriage, and the indigo-colored city of Luoyang was already before his eyes.

"Stop and rest." Pei Kang ordered.

"Yes." Liu An, who was in charge of the escort, ordered the car to stop, and a group of hundreds of people stopped outside this small country shop only a few miles away from Luoyang.

The wind was strong, making the rain cloth on the carriage rustle. When a corner of the rain cloth was lifted, colorful silk was revealed.

This is undoubtedly top-grade Hedong silk. The dyeing technique is also quite skillful, and the colors are bright and beautiful.

This kind of silk sells very well in the market because it is beautiful, strong, wear-resistant and can be used for a long time.

Pei Kang brought thousands of horses at once, which was a huge investment.

The country inn was not big. After Pei Kang and a few other people sat down in it, the others found a sheltered place to rest.

The owner quickly warmed up the wine, served a few dishes, and then quietly left.

"I've been worried all the way, and now we're about to reach Luoyang. Let me ask you one thing, have you made up your mind?" Pei Kang took a sip of wine, sighed with satisfaction, and asked.

Liu Anzhi nodded solemnly and said, "I've thought about it."

"Oh?" Pei Kang was a little surprised when he heard that. He said, "When I asked you yesterday, you were still hesitant. How come you figured it out today?"

"Isn't it because of the family letter that Pei Gong received?" Liu Anzhi said with a wry smile.

They came from the direction of Henei, and when they reached Mangshan, Henei prefect Pei Zheng sent someone to deliver a letter saying that Luyang Hou Shao Xun led his troops to the north, defeated Liu Han's 60,000 troops, recaptured Yecheng, and shocked Shandong.

If before this, there were still people in the Pei family who had objections to making friends with Shao Xun, after this incident, there should be fewer people saying strange things.

Pei Kang had previously "overcame all objections", but now it was "a natural outcome". Perhaps, he could also attract more money, nephews, and followers to Guangchengze - the "investment" or "equity" of other branches of the Wenxi Pei family.

"This is how the big families should act. I'm old, and it's inconvenient for me to leave Hedong. You're still young, and it's just right for you to try your luck." Pei Kang said, and then he personally poured a bowl of wine for Liu Anzhi.

Liu Anzhi took it flattered and said he didn't dare.

Pei Kang put down the wine pot and said, "No one can predict what will happen in this world. Only by serving in many families can we protect our family business."

Liu Anzhi nodded silently.

Liu Qi, a cousin, stayed in Hedong to manage the family business. If Liu Han forced him to serve as an official, he would refuse at this stage.

If he really could not refuse, he would be appointed as an official and become a member of Liu Han's bureaucratic system.

As for the Pei family, they will not take up official positions now.

Liu Yuanhai did not dare to force them. Once the Pei family was touched, it would make the Pei, Song, Liu, Xue and other big families collectively uneasy and the country would be in turmoil. In that case, his grand plan would be shattered.

By the way, a branch of the Wang family from Taiyuan recently moved to Pi County, Pingyang Prefecture and settled there. Judging from their behavior, more people will move here in the next few years.

However, the Pei, Liu and Xue families had some doubts about the real purpose of their separation.

The Wang family of Taiyuan did not come earlier or later, but just after Liu Yuan conquered Pingyang and Hedong counties, and then they split up and moved. Considering the close relationship between the Wang family of Taiyuan and Liu Yuan, this move is indeed somewhat suspicious.

In short, the Pei, Xue and Liu clans work together to help each other, and they also have connections with other families, and even have frequent exchanges with the Guanzhong families across a river.

If Liu Han's momentum is good and there are signs that he will unify the north, then their attitude will slowly change.

If the momentum is not good and there are signs of destruction, then I'm sorry, but I won't take up an official position. Who made you the Xiongnu regime?

They have made all preparations and it all depends on how the situation develops.

In addition to Liu Han, other forces will also be investigated.

The brothers Shao Xun, Marquis of Luyang, and Gou Xi of Qingzhou, who have been gaining momentum in recent years, are the ones they focus on observing.

Liu Anzhi came to seek refuge with Shao Xun.

The family has decided that he has to come whether he likes it or not.

From now on, he and Shaw Brothers would prosper and suffer together.

If he faces a life-or-death crisis, if it is too troublesome, the family may not necessarily rescue him.

In addition, if someone from the Liu family served Liu Han, there was a possibility that they would meet on the battlefield in the future.

This is the unspoken rule of the aristocratic families dividing their official positions into different factions - of course, rules are rules, and the details depend on personal relationships and so on, which is very complicated.

"Shopkeeper, please warm up the wine quickly." A rough voice came from outside the door. After a while, a burly man walked in and repeated the call again.

The shopkeepers responded repeatedly.

The warrior was startled when he saw Pei Kang, then he bowed and said, "Mr. Pei."

Pei Kang nodded, but he didn't recognize this person.

Soon two more people came in. When they saw Pei Kang, they were also stunned. They all bowed and said, "Mr. Pei."

"So you are the talented people of Wei and Le families." Pei Kang stood up, pulled the two of them to sit down together, and said with a smile: "I haven't seen you two young men for many years."

The visitors were Wei Jie and Le Kai.

Wei Jie was the grandson of the former imperial teacher and minister of works Wei Guan. His wife, Le, was the sister of Le Kai and had passed away.

Le Kai was the son of the famous scholar and Shangshu Ling Le Guang.

The Wei family was also a large family in Hedong, but it suffered heavy losses in the early days of the Eight Kings Rebellion. Nine members of the family were killed, and only Wei Xu and Wei Jie happened to be away from home and escaped.

In fact, the Pei family was also hit hard in the early stage of the Eight Kings Rebellion, but the damage they suffered was far less than that of the Wei family. In addition, the Pei family itself has a deep foundation, and to date, the two families are no longer on the same level.

Furthermore, the Hedong Wei family is now very low-key. Apart from their relatives, they basically do not interact with outsiders. It is a bit like the feeling of being bitten by a snake once, so they are afraid of ropes for ten years.

"Mr. Pei is full of energy and vigor, and he is still strong despite his old age. How many people envy him?" Wei Jie said nothing, so Le Kai asked, "Are you going to Luoyang?"

"That's right." Pei Kang did not hide it and said directly: "I heard that Hongxu has been studying in Nanyang for many years. How can he have time to hang out in Luoyang?" "I have to go out for a walk." Le Kai smiled and said: "First, I will go to Liang County to visit my sister and nephew, then visit relatives in Hedong, and travel to Luoyang with Shubao. In a few days, I will go to Xingyang to visit my brother. Before the New Year, maybe I will go to Yecheng."

Le Kai's younger brother Le Zhao served as a middle- and lower-level official in the court of Grand Tutor Sima Yue and temporarily lived in Xingyang.

Wei Jie's brother Wei Wei was a regular attendant to the emperor, a sinecure equivalent to an advisor in later times. Whether one had power depended entirely on whether or not one was trusted by the emperor.

Wei Li was quite trusted during the time of the previous emperor, but that is no longer the case after the current emperor ascended the throne. It's normal that a new emperor appoints new ministers.

Le Kai said that he was visiting relatives along the way, which was not wrong. His sister, brother-in-law, and brother came to visit him. As for who Shao Xun in Yecheng was to him...

Well, it’s hard to say.

Anyway, the Nanyang Le family is now very concerned about this cheap "brother-in-law" they picked up. After all, they are too close. Luyang County in Nanyang is even Shao Xun's fiefdom.

The military leader is at your doorstep, are you afraid?
Pei Kang was not happy when he heard the word "nephew", but he remained calm and asked, "Going to Yecheng? To see Marquis Luyang?"

Lekai nodded frankly without hiding anything.

Wei Jie glanced at him quietly, with an ambiguous expression, as if he wanted to say something.

Lucky remained indifferent.

In fact, some of Nanyang Le’s actions could not be hidden from others.

You have invested in Shao Xun. As time goes by, outsiders will gradually know about it. After all, Guangchengze is now crowded with people and it is difficult to keep it secret.

In fact, Le Kai received the letter from home in Hedong. It was already mid-November, twenty days after the Battle of Yemagang.

After receiving the letter from his sister, he went to Luoyang with Wei Jie, intending to visit Prime Minister Wang Yan and then go to Xingyang and Yecheng.

As for what was going on in Yecheng, he had a rough idea.

To be honest, he was not very interested. Dunqiu was too dangerous. Moreover, he was the eldest son of the Le family. After his father was killed by Sima Yi, the King of Changsha, he was now the head of the main branch of the Le family. It was really not suitable for him to serve as the governor of Dunqiu.

However, my third brother Le Mo can become an official.

He had been a county magistrate before resigning and returning home. It was not surprising that he was appointed as a prefect.

Besides, there are probably not many Henan scholars willing to serve as officials in Hebei now, so the competition will not be too fierce.

It’s hard for my third brother!
"The Marquis of Luyang is so powerful that many people in Hebei rely on him." Pei Kang said with emotion: "The emperor must commend us for our return."

This is just lying with open eyes.

Everyone present here is a profound mystic. Who among them has not observed the celestial phenomena at night, checked the qi and observed the energy? Who among them has not written a few books on gods and ghosts?

Last year's prophecy, after a year of spreading, became known to too many people.

If Luyang Hou had remained unknown, perhaps no one would have mentioned him. But he was extremely powerful. In the Battle of Yemagang, he defeated Shi Le with 20,000 men and routed his army. Some people have compared him to Gou Xi, calling him the Han Bai of the modern era.

Isn’t this kind of person the incarnation of the Taibai star spirit?
Well, some people might ask, is Gou Xi also the incarnation of Taibai Star Spirit? But the problem is that Shao Xun was only 22 years old after the Chinese New Year, and he didn't have much time to learn military tactics. His martial arts skills were revealed when he was only 15 years old.

Judging from a "rational" point of view, he is a god sent from heaven.

How could the emperor be willing to reward such a person?

"Marquis Luyang is the great general who revived the Jin Dynasty. With his help, the emperor will enjoy peace and prosperity throughout the world." Le Kai had a look of approval on his face.

There is no doubt that this is also lying with open eyes.

Pei Kang became even more unhappy after hearing this.

Of course, these days there are more and more things that make him unhappy.

The niece of Shizhong Yu Min had already been chosen as the legal wife of Marquis Luyang, and this could not be changed.

If the Pei family wanted to marry a legitimate daughter to Marquis Luyang, it was already too late.

Shao Xun would not agree in the first place.

Hedong is far north of the river, but Yingchuan is very close, so it is obvious what to choose.

Furthermore, it would greatly offend the Yu family and cause a lot of trouble.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Lekai and felt depressed.

No matter how poor the Le family is, the eldest son of Marquis Luyang was born to a daughter of the Le family, so their reasons for running around are more sufficient than those of the Pei family.

Alas, how did things get to this point? It was obvious that Shao Xun, that audacious villain, seduced the mistress first.

He was losing interest, really losing interest, and Lao Pei didn't want to talk anymore.

Liu Anzhi drank silently on the side, but his ears had already pricked up.

There were some things he vaguely knew, but he pretended not to know.

Today's encounter was really annoying for Pei Gong.

But what can we do?

The situation is changing so fast that it's dizzying.

In his opinion, it is never too late to do some things.

Besides, is there definitely no chance?
The Wei Jie in front of us, his aunt Wei Xiu is the second wife of Wang Jun of Youzhou - Wang Jun married four times in his life, the first three wives have passed away, and the current wife is from the Qinghe Cui family.

Who can predict what will happen in the future?
Pei Gong actually understood it in his heart, but he just felt uncomfortable. Otherwise, he would not have brought a large amount of wealth to Luoyang, and after receiving the letter from Henei Pei Zheng, he even talked to him for a long time, which further strengthened his determination.

Hedong County has already fallen into the hands of the Xiongnu, and the Pei family should make multiple preparations.

(End of this chapter)