Four years later

"Second brother, second brother!" An excited shout came from far and near with the sound of running footsteps. Before he could hear the sound of the person, he could outline a happy young man in his mind.

Yuan Sikong was lying on the neatly tidy pile of hays reading. The hay that had been sunburned for a day was warm, exuding a green and simple smell, and it was very comfortable to smell. His eyes were still staring at the yellowed rolls, and he didn't blink, and he replied lazily: "Here."

The next moment, a young man in green rushed into the stable, ran a few steps to the haystack, flipped up the ground neatly, and the haystack was only slightly swaying. The agility of movement showed that the lower plate was stable.

"Second brother!" The young man rushed to Yuan Sikong, his eyes turned to the book in his hand, "'Yiwenzhi'...what evil book are you reading?" He reached out and was about to grab it.

"What evil book? This is a book of Yin and Yang numerology." Yuan Sikong pulled open his claws.

The young man snorted: "You saw the heaven forced me to recite Confucius and Mencius, but you had the leisure to read these books."

"Then have you cared?" Yuan Sikong sat up, staring at the young man's beautiful and handsome face seriously, and was a little lost in his mind for a moment. Despite so many years, sometimes he couldn't help but sigh that he was obviously a person with no blood relationship, so how could his appearance be so similar?

On the hay pile, there were two boys of similar age, similar appearance, and even in green clothes sitting, looking like carved from the same mold, but the two boys had very different temperaments, one was full of innocent youthful aura, and the other had a steady attitude beyond their age.

This young man is Yuan Nanyu, the most beloved young son of the Yuan family.

Yuan Nanyu sneered: "I've cared."

"Is that so? I'll test you..."

"Oh, second brother." Yuan Nanyu said coquettishly, "I haven't remembered it yet, next time."

"You carried a ghost." Yuan Sikong laughed and scolded. He pulled Yuan Nanyu's clothes, "How many times have you said, don't dress like me."

"You left the door before dawn. How could I know what clothes you are wearing?" Yuan Nanyufu became excited again. "Second brother, Mr. Li of Chengnan is married to his daughter today, and it's so lively. Wow, Zi Nanmu has made a big box, and two strong men have to carry it. It has 16 boxes of dowry! Dad is going to have a drink later, so there must be a lot of delicious food. Let's go together."

"If you don't go, it's not that we are marrying a wife." Yuan Sikong said, "If you have time, read more books and practice martial arts. Don't get old and join in the fun."

"Dad, don't you join in the fun too."

"Nonsense, is my dad joining in the fun? Last year, Mr. Li donated two thousand winter clothes to the soldiers. This year, he will repair the southern city wall and raise it with the gentry and wealthy people in the state. You are really in the mood to have a wedding banquet as your dad."

Yuan Nanyu grabbed his head and seemed to understand: "Why don't the court pay for winter clothes and repairing the city walls?"

Yuan Sikong's eyes suddenly became cold: "Which year can the military pay in Liaodong be obtained on time and accurately? If it weren't for this, my family..." A bitter past appeared in front of him, and he stopped talking in time.

Although Yuan Nanyu was the same age as him, he was a childish character, and it was useless to tell him. He was too precocious than his peers, which seemed to be heretical.

"If you don't go, then I won't go." Yuan Nanyu said disappointedly, "I'll watch the horse with you."

"There are people in the stables, so I don't have to watch them, nor do you need to watch them. Either you go and help your elder brother, or go back to accompany your mother."

"I spend time with my mother every morning and evening. The eldest brother is boring. I like to be with my second brother." Yuan Nanyu laughed, "My father praised you yesterday and said that you are well-raised."

Yuan Sikong looked at the rows of horse sheds not far away. The horses in the shed were strong and bright in their body and hair, and they all had good qualities and colors. You can tell at a glance that they were good horses. In the past four years, he had spent the most effort on studying and practicing martial arts. He couldn't help but feel a little satisfied: "Our horses are horses from Hebei Road, with Khitan blood. Only when the horses are good can they raise good horses."

Yuan Nanyu seemed to be honored: "You must also raise your second brother well."

"It's a pity that my father still didn't let me cut a piece..." Yuan Sikong was quite disappointed.

"Dad said it was illegal to be military law like that."

"Pediatric." Yuan Sikong put away the book and said, "Go back to have supper."

"Why."

-----

At dusk, the two of them returned home, but in the courtyard, they met Yuanmao, who should have gone to Mr. Li’s house for wedding banquet.

Yuan Mao was walking out with a boy of sixteen or seventeen years old and saying something. The boy was handsome, tall, majestic, wearing light armor, and a heroic figure.

"Dad?" Yuan Nanyu said in surprise, "Why haven't you been there yet?"

"Dad has something to do, you can go to have a meal." The young man was Yuan Mao's eldest son, Yuan Shaoxu, who had already joined the army.

Yuan Sikong saw that Yuan Mao's expression was extraordinary, but he did not dare to ask too much and led Yuan Nanyu to the main hall.

"Kong'er." Yuan Mao suddenly stopped him.

"father."

"Come here, dad asks you a few words."

Yuan Sikong walked over.

There was no change in Yuanmao and four years ago, but the eyebrows were more firm and calm: "Cong'er, do you know how many war horses can Guangning Guards, including the surrounding prefectures and counties?"

Yuansi's hollow heart was shocked.

Yuan Mao was the garrison of Guangning Guards. His greatest responsibility was to protect Guangning City. There were other troops guarding Huangshui. As long as the Jin people were not Huangshui, the superiors would not make any mobilization. Yuan Mao only needed to store grain and train troops and did not move his troops. Now Yuan Mao asked him about the war horses. Is this day finally coming?

Since abandoning the seven prefectures in northern Liao, the Sheng army retreated to the south of Huangshui. The court negotiated peace and traded with each other, which brought peace for three years. The situation changed last year. The Jin people tried to cross the Huangshui and were forced back by the Sheng army. In fact, they all understood that this was not a long-term peace plan. Liaodong, which had no natural danger in northern Liao, had been exposed to the Jin people's iron cavalry. The middle of winter was approaching, and Huangshui was about to freeze again, and it was paving the bridge for the Jin people's invasion.

Yuan Sikong clenched his fists secretly: "It should be possible to gather two thousand good horses."

"Okay, I'll let Xu Hu arrange it, you can choose it with him."

"Dad." Yuan Shaoxu frowned, "Cong'er is still young. How can you a child be appointed for such a big deal?"

"Chong's horse has been raising horses for many years. He is good at raising them better than anyone else. He is accurate in looking at horses. I asked him to follow Xu Hu to have a long experience, and there is no question of being appointed."

Yuan Sikong listened to his heart beating: "Dad, is it... a Jin thief attacked?" He was born in Liaobei and grew up with the story of the Jin people eating people and drinking blood. He also saw the tragic situation of the city that was robbed by the Jin people. Moreover, because the Jin people's family was destroyed, he was afraid of the Jin people, but his bone-wrenching hatred was even stronger.

"Not yet, it's the General of Datong who asked us for horses."

"General Datong?" Although Yuan Sikong did not understand the situation very well, he read military books diligently and knew that Datong was still a distance away from them. Guangning was not a good place to raise horses, and the limited horses were also supplied to Liaodong. It was not the turn of Datong Prefecture to come.

"They entered the city tomorrow, and my father still has a lot to prepare. Let's talk about it later, Shaoxu, I'm leaving." Yuan Mao said and left hurriedly.

"Brother, what's going on?" Yuan Nanyu grabbed Yuan Shaoxu's sleeve, "Datong isn't it far away from us."

"It's not too far." Yuan Shaoxu's expression was a bit complicated. "King Jingyuan led his troops to pursue the defeated Oirat tribe and chased Nekar in one breath. As a result, he almost got ambushed and threw away his baggage before he escaped. Now he needs to come to Guangning to replenish supplies, otherwise he will not be able to go back."

Yuan Nanyu said in confusion: "Will you go to the capital to replenish supplies closer?"

"Nothing." Yuan Shaoxu patted his head, "I don't know anything, go eat quickly." After saying that, he chased Yuan Mao.

After Yuan Shaoxu left, Yuan Nanyu was still confused: "What, Datong is quite far away... Second brother, do you understand?"

"Yes." Yuan Sikong thought while walking into the house.

The general of Datong was the famous King Jingyuan Feng Jianping, who was the only king of Dasheng's surname. He once served the king to save the country and turned the tide, and made great achievements in Dasheng's country. After 20 years of guarding the border, the Xuanfu and Datong defense line were as solid as a golden rule. The Oirat fought south and north, and expanded its territory with the power of a fierce tiger. It was said that they had been expeditioning to the Rakshasa, but they had coveted the Central Plains for many years but could not fight because of the King Jingyuan guarding the border.

So, if Datong Mansion wants horses, it is necessary to move Guangning City back, the court might agree.

Of course, King Jingyuan really cannot go to the capital to replenish supplies. Those who hold heavy troops have come to the capital have a hasty approach and regard it as a disobedient. It is a big taboo.

Although it was not the Jin people who called Yuan Si a little wider, he was still quite unhappy when he thought that the horses they had worked hard to raise were to be given to outsiders.

"Wow, then will you be able to see the Feng family army tomorrow? I heard that it is so powerful, second brother, we must go and have a look tomorrow!"

"Okay." Yuan Sikong was like many big-shen men, and was full of curiosity and fascination for the Feng family army, which was known as the world's number one army, although he still couldn't bear to leave his horse.

As soon as the two entered the room, the smell of food came.

"Mom, sister, we're back."

Yue Qingshuang walked out of the kitchen and held a pot of hot bone soup in her hand.

"Mom, why are you still going to the kitchen?" Yuan Sikong hurriedly ran over, took the soup from her hand, put it on the table, and complained, "The kitchen is full of smoke, so you should be chest tight again."

Yue Qingshuang smiled and said, "It's okay. It's not cold these days. I feel much more comfortable with my heart and lungs. Look, your father and your elder brother are going to have a wedding banquet, so we should have something good at home."

"Dad..."

Yuan Nanyu was about to say something, but Yuan Sikong was restrained with his eyes.

Yue Qingshuang is weak and has the problem of asthma. It is particularly difficult for winter and they don’t want her to worry about many things.

Yuan Nanyu immediately fell silent, grabbed a piece of roasted pork with sauce and threw it into his mouth. The roasted pork was just out of the pot and was still breathing white. As soon as he put it in his mouth, it rolled between his lips and teeth. He jumped and shouted: "Wow, it's so hot, wow, it's so delicious!"

Yue Qingshuang and Yuan Sikong couldn't help laughing.

"A family belongs to you and is also the most unruly." A pleasant female voice came from behind. The sound was as nice as a nightingale, but not as soft as an ordinary woman, but bright, crisp and refreshing.

The visitor is a cardamom girl, Yuan Weiling, the eldest daughter of Naiyuan's family. She is famous for her unparalleled beauty and cool personality. She is a twin with Yuan Shaoxu.

The Yuan family has unique bloodline. Yue Qingshuang has two pairs of twins, and so is Yuan Nanyu. However, Yuan Nanyu's compatriot brother died at a young age. Therefore, when Yuan Mao saw Yuan Sikong four years ago, he resolutely took him home and adopted him as his adopted son, which made people sigh at the strangeness of fate.

"Sister." Yuan Nanyu laughed, "The roasted pork made by my mother is so delicious."

"Mom, I have told you many times, don't cook in person." Yuan Weiling pressed Yue Qingshuang in the chair, "I will do this roasted pork with sauce, and I will make it next time."

"Bah, let my elder sister do it, the pig will die unjustly."

"Baby, are you looking for a fight?" Yuan Weiling rushed over and wanted to hit him, but Yuan Nanyu dodged through the chair.

Yue Qingshuang pretended to be angry and said, "Your father is not here, so you dare to be arrogant at the dinner table." After that, she laughed first, and she grabbed Yuan Sikong's hand, "Kong'er, you are still steady. Look at this big and small, your daughter looks like she doesn't have a daughter, and her younger brother is naughty. If you didn't care about him, you wouldn't have to go to the room to remove the tiles."

Yuan Sikong said: "Yu'er is actually very sensible, she just loves to play." Looking at the Yuan siblings and brothers who were laughing and chasing, his eyes were filled with a soft smile.

When he felt that God had taken away everything from him and had completely abandoned him, he let Yuan Mao come to him like a god, giving him a warm and happy home, and he was already content.
Chapter completed!