The Guo family and the Yan family were family friends. Guo Shu met Yan Zhenqing, cried for a long time, and told the details of the death of his father and brother.

"At the beginning of the year, I and my brother sent troops to the Western Sichuan Plateau, defeated more than 40 cities of the eight tribes of Xibo, and built the Jinchuan Protectorate to frighten them. Later, he heard that Tubo planned to recruit the Nanzhao King, so he led his troops back to Shu. On the way, he was infected with

He contracted the miasma and died of illness just after arriving in Shuzhong. My brother also..."

Yan Zhenqing sighed endlessly, but then he had to ask: "Tubo wants to recruit King Nanzhao to surrender?"

"Yes, Tubo has always wanted to win over Nanzhao, but Geluofeng has always been very loyal to the Tang Dynasty. In the seventh year of Tianbao, there was a tribal rebellion in Nanzhao. My father sent the governor of Yaozhou to quell the rebellion. Governor Li said

Prince Ge Luofeng of Nanzhao refused to cooperate in suppressing the rebellion. I was in Jiannan at the time and sent my brother to investigate. My brother found out that Ge Luofeng had not rebelled against the Tang Dynasty."

Yan Zhenqing patted Guo Shu on the shoulder and said, "Take care of your grandfather and brother's affairs first."

Guo Shu said: "I want to send my grandfather and brother back to Yanshi Shouyang Mountain for burial."

Yan Zhenqing couldn't help but turn around and glance at Xue Bai.

Only then did Xue Bai know that Taigong Guo was not lying. The direct descendants of the Guo family in Taiyuan had indeed bought a large cemetery in Shouyang Mountain.

He then said: "I'm here to help with this matter."

"Thank you very much." Guo Shu looked at Yan Zhenqing again and said, "I would like to ask Mr. Yan to write an epitaph for my grandfather. Is it possible?"

Yan Zhenqing nodded and agreed.

At this time, someone rushed to Yan's house and shouted loudly from a distance: "Guo Erlang is here, the saint has summoned..."

~~

Shaoyangyuan.

When it was dark, Zhang Ting was still sleeping soundly. She was woken up many times last night by her child and fell into a deep sleep.

I was drowsy but was woken up by someone.

"Your Highness?"

"Guo Xuji is dead."

Zhang Ting was a little confused, stood up, rubbed his eyes and said, "Guo Xuji?"

Li Heng couldn't explain Guo Xuji's illustrious military exploits in just one or two words, and said: "Guo Shunyi's elder brother and the sixteenth son's uncle."

"Prince Yong's uncle is dead?" Zhang Ting breathed a sigh of relief, "I was still thinking a few days ago that since we arrived at Shaoyang Yuan, Prince Yong has gradually become restless."

Li Heng shook his head and said: "Sixteenth Lang can't do it. His mother-in-law didn't get it early. I raised him. When he was a child, I used to coax him to sleep, feed him, and teach him to read..."

"You don't even care about our children that much."

"That's because you love the child too much and don't give me a chance." Li Heng carefully coaxed Zhang Ting.

Zhang Ting said: "I still feel that King Yong is uneasy."

Li Heng smiled and said: "No, no matter how I rank, I can't rank him at sixteen."

"A funeral?"

"There will be a sacrificial hall in the ceremonial courtyard these days."

"Just in time, Your Highness can win over Yan Zhenqing."

"yes."

On the afternoon of that day, Li Heng was indeed allowed to set up a memorial hall for Guo Xuji with Li Lin.

He looked very sad, patted Li Lin on the back and said: "You and I have a close brotherly relationship. Your uncle is my uncle."

"Brother."

Li Lin choked with sobs and was moved to tears by these words.

They will surely remember today's scene of deep brotherhood for the rest of their lives, and will recall it again and again someday in the future.

Li Heng then took over the linen clothes and wore the linen clothes and wore mourning clothes like Li Lin. This move won the favor of many officials.

He and the officials discussed Guo Xuji's life achievements and the situation in the southwest. Then he went to the back hall and saw Yan Zhenqing holding a writing brush and standing in front of the desk, thinking hard.

"Gong Yan is writing an epitaph for Duke Guo."

"I have met His Highness."

"No need to be polite, today I am just Mr. Guo's nephew."

Li Heng mourned for a while, then looking for an opportunity, he gradually brought the topic to Yan Zhenqing.

"By the way, I heard that Mr. Yan has been in some trouble lately?"

"Has your Highness heard about it?"

Li Heng lowered his voice and said: "I will definitely support Duke Yan. You can find your consort Zhang Bian, and he will help you."

Yan Zhenqing was stunned for a moment and looked at Li Heng.

Li Heng nodded, and since it was not appropriate to talk more, he turned around and walked away to talk to Zhang Bian.

According to his thinking, since Yan Zhenqing was severely suppressed by Ge Nu, he happened to defect to the East Palace with Xue Bai at this time. Zhang Bian was a smart man and knew what to do.

Over there, Yan Zhenqing looked at the prince's back and sighed, recalling Guo Xuji's death and the changes in the situation in Tubo and Nanzhao again in his mind.

He couldn't help but feel a burst of sadness, and then he began to write freely.

"Woohoo! I am impartial in both civil and military affairs, and I am loyal to the public. I am all virtuous and thorough in my ways. I am worthy of my painting. I ascend to the throne of the royal family in my prime. If my destiny is not fulfilled, I will die in the king's affairs. I block the heart of the holy king.

How can I not cherish the ambition of the common people?!"

~~

A few days later, the Chinese New Year is getting closer.

In the twelfth lunar month of winter, Guo Shu left Chang'an with a generous gift from the saint and a handwritten letter from Yan Zhenqing to pick up the bones of his father and brother.

To transport the bones from Sichuan and Sichuan, his family went down the Yangtze River to Yangzhou, then took the canal to the north, and passed the Yellow River to Yanshi. Although it took a long circle around the Tang Dynasty, it was all by water, so the old mother and family members could suffer less.

Many sins.

Guo Shu's legs were worn out from riding horses. He wiped his face covered with wind and frost and hurried to Shouyang Mountain.

As soon as he rode back eastward, he still didn't know what kind of hatred between his country and his family he was carrying on his shoulders.

On the same day, a large group of people was coming from Shouyang Mountain.

Fan Lao rode his horse and rushed to the front of the team. He looked up and saw the majestic Chang'an City in the distance, and couldn't help but be shocked by it.

This was his first time coming to Chang'an and seeing this magnificent city for the first time.

"Chang...Chang'an."

Fan Lao escorted Du Youlin back this time mainly because Xue Bai wanted to meet him and listen to him talk about the current situation of the copper and iron business. But secretly, he actually wanted to meet the emperor's grandson.

Knowing what kind of person the emperor's grandson is, he can trust his brothers' lives in his hands with peace of mind.

"What are you doing in a daze?"

Du Youlin rode forward and murmured: "Chang'an City, I will soon be appointed as the young master here."

"Du Gong has a bright future."

"To tell you the truth, I feel very guilty." Du Youlin said, "It would be great if you could be the bad guy of Jingzhao Mansion."

"Dugong, don't be kidding me."

Fan Lao decisively refused and followed the carriage into Chang'an with awe.

~~

Shengpingfang.

Du's house, which had been quiet for more than a year, became lively again. Du Wulang was happy and regretful, and was busy settling in.

After finally moving several boxes of books to the study, Du Youlin couldn't wait to talk to Xue Bai.

"Where's Xue Bai? I saw him there just now."

"I'll go look for it."

Du Wulang turned around and walked out of the study. When he faced him, Lu Fengniang came up to meet him and said, "Where are your two sisters? I just returned to them."

"ah."

"Let me ask you, why are you making so much fuss all day long?"

"Ah, I thought something happened at Fengweilou recently. I should talk to Sister A. I'll go find them."

Du Wulang sniffed and ran all the way to the fourth courtyard. He was about to go to the west wing and knock on the door. After thinking about it, he rolled a snowball into the courtyard and threw it against the window.

After that, several were lost in succession.

He waited for a while, then went over and asked: "Are you in there? I want to talk to you about business."

No one answered, so Du Wulang scratched his head and walked to Wujin Courtyard, where he saw Xue Bai, Du Wei and Du Jin sitting in the pavilion, looking serious.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Let's talk about business." Du Wei, who was already making tea, responded calmly.
To be continued...