Chapter 384: Protector of Anxi (Part 2)
Autumn in the Western Regions comes relatively late, but it is very intense, very short, very brilliant and gorgeous. Just like changing a drawing board, suddenly a cold air came over, and the hot green summer was replaced by cool and golden autumn clothes in the blink of an eye...
In a few days, a bitter frost will fall, the autumn wind will rustle, the fallen leaves will fall, and the real autumn will come.
At this time, Guanzhong is probably already covered with decay and frost, right?
Half a month later, the scouts sent word that the large group of people who came to take over had already arrived outside the Qijiaojing Canyon.
Fang Jun naturally led the soldiers of Shenji Camp and dignitaries from all walks of life in Gaochang to greet him.
"The grapes in Turpan are ripe, and Anahan's heart is drunk..." Fang Jun hummed while riding on his horse. When he thought about returning to Guanzhong, he felt uncontrollably happy. He felt that the wind was sweet and the fields were sweet. It is sweet, and people are also sweet...
Xi Junmai stepped forward, approached Liu Rengui, and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, who is Anarhan?"
"Little kid, don't ask too many questions!" Liu Rengui glared and scolded Xi Jun.
Xi Junmai was not afraid at all.
Although Liu Rengui is the commander of the Shenji Battalion and has a battalion of more than 500 soldiers under his command, the relationship between the two has always been very good. Liu Rengui admired Xi Junmai, a smart and strong boy, and he had always taken good care of Xi Junmai from the day Fang Jun asked him to come from the Zuowei army.
As for Anarkhan...
Although he scolded Xi Junmai, Liu Rengui was still burning with gossip. He kept thinking about the Gaochang women that Fang Jun had been in contact with during this period of time, but after thinking about it, he didn't expect any girl with this name.
Could it be that the young lady from some family the Admiral has his eyes on?
Well, this is entirely possible...
Xi Junmai asked again: "Also, where is Turpan?"
"Turpan..." Liu Rengui frowned, his face like an old farmer's was full of doubts: "This should be Turkic, right?" It sounds like it should be Turkic, but he is not sure.
"Turkic?" Xi Junmai rolled his eyes, looked behind him, and waved to a soldier not far away.
The soldier trotted over quickly with a smile on his face: "Leader, what's going on?"
Xi Junmai asked in a low voice: "Can you speak Turkic language?"
This soldier is a scout from Guazhou, under the command of Qibi Heli. He grew up in the Western Region and is a Tiele native. A few days ago, while conducting field reconnaissance, I accidentally fell off my horse and injured my leg, so I did not follow Qibi Heli back to Guazhou.
Hearing this, he quickly said: "Yes!"
"Tulupan...what does it mean?" Xi Junmai asked.
"In Turkic dialect, it probably means oasis, or it can also be said to be fertile land?" the soldier said uncertainly.
Xi Junmai and Liu Rengui looked at each other, their confusion deepening...
Fang Jun heard the two people chattering behind him and didn't know what to say, but he didn't care at all.
Not far ahead, Qijiaojing Pass is already in sight!
Just as they reached the mountain pass, a group of people had already turned out.
The flag is flying, the army is majestic!
The two groups of men and horses happened to meet each other. Fang Jun should dismount first and walk to greet them as a sign of respect.
It's not enough to be disrespectful. If the expectations are correct, this Qiao Shiwang is about to become the first feudal official of Anxi Province. Whether he supports it or not is directly related to the success or failure of Fang Jun's strategy for the Western Regions!
Among the crowd on the other side, a minister in purple official robes jumped out of a luxurious carriage and strode forward to greet him.
"Haha, Erlang is indeed a young hero. This time he is willing to serve as the rear guard of the army and appease Gaochang. It can be said that his hard work is a great achievement!"
From a distance, the purple-robed official laughed heartily and gave Fang Jun a high hat!
Moreover, he did not address the official title, but called "Erlang", his posture was very low, and he looked very close, as if he was talking about relatives...
Fang Jun looked at this person and his eyes jumped.
It’s not that I have any opinion about Qiao Shiwang, I just covet this purple robe...
Perhaps, when His Majesty Li Er realizes his conscience this time when he returns to Beijing, he can give us something to wear?
"Prince Qiao is overly praised, I don't dare to be an official..." Fang Jun replied with a smile.
The governor of Shangzhou was from the third rank, and Fang Jun, the highest ranking official and minister of the Ministry of Industry, was from the fourth rank. There was a gap of several ranks. Fortunately, Fang Jun's Xinxiang Marquis was from the third rank, so in terms of comparison, the two were on the same level. Of course, Fang Jun's qualifications were too far apart. Therefore, even though they are of equal rank, Qiao Shiwang can show his closeness, but Fang Jun cannot do it without mentioning his official position...
Qiao Shiwang strode forward, grabbed Fang Jun's hand, and smiled affectionately: "That's right, that's right! We are already old and dying. The future of the Tang Empire depends on civil and military officials like Erlang." Only those who are versatile can afford it and let us have no worries, haha! ”
Qiao Shiwang is actually not very old, less than fifty, but his hair is still more than half gray, but his body is very strong and his steps are as fast as flying, no less than that of a young and strong man.
He has a square appearance and a gentle manner, and has a humble and gentle temperament in his speech, which makes people feel good.
This should not be a very strong person...
Fang Jun felt a little awkward when he grabbed his hand. He didn't know why people in this era always hold hands when they meet...
However, I couldn't get rid of him, so I had to endure the discomfort in my heart and said with a smile: "What Governor Qiao said made Fang Mou feel ashamed..."
Qiao Shiwang smiled and said: "There is no need for a talented person to be too modest..."
Just as he was talking about this, someone behind him suddenly said: "Lord Qiao has resigned from the post of governor, and is now the Protector of Anxi under the title of His Majesty. He is a second-grade high-ranking official. Shouldn't the Marquis of Xinxiang pay an audience with the courtesy of a lowered official?"
Fang Jun's face darkened instantly.
Well, it was quite dark originally, but it’s even darker now...
The smile on Qiao Shiwang's face suddenly froze, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes, but it did not come out.
Fang Jun followed the sound and saw a scribe in blue shirt glaring at him angrily.
This man is sick...
You're so rude and rude to me, and I'm not even angry yet. Why are you staring so big?
"Who are you?" Fang Jun asked in a deep voice, feeling a little confused. Does this person have a grudge against me?
The scribe shook his long robe and said proudly: "The new deputy governor of Anxi Protectorate, Hou Wenxiao!"
Fang Jun was stunned for a moment and said: "Sorry, I haven't heard of it..."
He told the truth.
Hou Wenxiao? Who the hell knows which rock crack you jumped out of!
Hou Wenxiao suddenly turned red and furious!
In his opinion, this was Fang Junchi's contempt and the most direct insult!
The dignified Deputy Protector of the Anxi Protectorate is a high-ranking official of the third rank, and he can be on an equal footing with Fang Jun!
Moreover, in Hou Wenxiao's mind, Fang Jun, the Marquis, was completely lucky and was a gift from His Majesty, and his official position was real!
Why do you despise me?
Hou Wenxiao glared at Fang Jun, gritted his teeth and said, "Hou Wenyi is my younger brother!"
The raging anger in his eyes seemed to be sprayed out, burning Fang Jun to the bone!
Fang Jun was simply baffled. Is this man mentally ill? I don’t even know you, so why would I know who your brother is?
However, his sleeve was pulled by Duan Zan behind him. Fang Jun turned around in surprise. Duan Zan came up and whispered: "This man is Hou Junji's nephew. Hou Junji's son has been demented since he was a child and is unknown to outsiders. Therefore, Hou Junji attaches great importance to his two nephews and regards them as the basis for inheriting the family business. The Hou Wenyi he mentioned is the one who was executed by your Excellency in accordance with military discipline some time ago..."
"Oh——" Fang Jun suddenly realized and blurted out: "It turns out to be that damn ghost!"
Emotional Hou Wenxiao wants to avenge his brother?
No wonder you look at me like a fly that has seen shit and insists on taking a bite... Bah, what a metaphor!
But this Hou Wenxiao can actually serve as the deputy governor of the Grand Protectorate of the third rank? It's really surprising. However, Fang Jun thought about it and understood the mystery.
Fang Jun ignored Hou Wenxiao, who had a face as good as pig liver, and asked Qiao Shiwang with a smile: "I guess Marshal Hou has been punished by His Majesty?"
It must be His Majesty Li Er who severely punished Hou Junji and even reduced his official position to improve military discipline. But after all, Hou Junji was an old brother who followed His Majesty Li Er into the battlefield. Although he had to be punished due to military law, he still had a relationship with him in the past, in order to promote Hou Junji's nephew as an expression of compensation...
Sure enough, Qiao Shiwang said calmly: "It is true that Duke Lu was impeached by the imperial censor and has been taken into prison by your majesty, waiting for the review and decision of Dali Temple."
Fang Jun glanced at Hou Wenxiao, who was staring at him, wanting to pounce on him and bite him to death, and narrowed his eyes.
This guy is obviously hell-bent on him, and he has an impulsive personality. If he stays in Gaochang, he may be a hindrance to his strategy.
But after all, this guy is a third-grade Deputy Protector, can he kill him by himself?
It seems like it will take a lot of effort...(End of Chapter)