Longxi was located in the northwest of the Great Qi Dynasty. Beyond it was the Yuheng Pass. Once one passed the Yuheng Pass, they would be outside the pass, where the Western Rong people lived. In the past, they had been a great threat to the people of the Central Plains.
During the previous dynasty, the Western Rong people had been extremely powerful and had reached the peak of their power. Relying on their powerful cavalry, they had launched several southward raids on the people inside the pass, making the already poor lives of the local people even more difficult.
At that time, the previous dynasty had been corrupt. There had been frequent uprisings within its territory. The royal family and the officials had been busy fighting for power and had been unable to defend against the Western Rong people.
The local people had lived in constant fear. They had not even dared to put down their knives when sleeping.
In such an environment, a man had stepped forward!
He had led the local young men to resist the surprise attacks of the Western Rong people and protect the property of the common people. His actions had received the support and response of many people and had finally developed into a powerful armed force. His status had been comparable to that of a king.
However, this man had not been obsessed with power. After the establishment of the new dynasty, he had voluntarily surrendered his military power.
At that time, the new court's foundation had not been stable. It had not dared to touch his status. Moreover, the new emperor had known about his prestige in the northwest. Therefore, he had entrusted the responsibility of guarding Longxi to him.
This was how the foundation of the Su family had been laid.
By the time of Lu Yinxi's grandfather, who was also Lu's wife's father, the power of the Su family in Longxi had almost reached its peak.
However, at the same time, the Great Qi Dynasty's court and the public had been stable. The world's people had been united, and the merchant family had undoubtedly been the popular choice.
As the saying goes, "How could one allow others to snore beside one's own couch?" Naturally, the former emperor had not been willing to tolerate this. Therefore, he had sent an imperial edict to Longxi, ordering the Su family to move to the capital.
Although the General Su had held a heavy army, he had been loyal to the people. Without much hesitation, he had taken his family to the capital and settled down there, delegating the power of guarding Longxi.
After a few peaceful years, the former emperor had suddenly died, and then the Regent King had come to power. Except for General Su's son and daughter, almost all the direct descendants of the Su family in the capital had been wiped out.
At that time, Lu's wife had already been married. Therefore, the only remaining direct descendant of the Su family had been Su Yuanliang.
Under the protection of Prime Minister Lu, he had returned to Longxi and had risen again with the help of the former officials of the Su family and his former prestige. Finally, he had reached his current status.
Even Shang Mozheng did not dare to reach out here easily unless it was absolutely necessary. This was also the reason why Prime Minister Lu had been eager to send his children to Longxi.
Listening to her brother's introduction of Longxi, Lu Yinxi suddenly felt a little期待 for this strange place.
"By the way, Xi'er, the folk customs in Longxi are more open than those in the capital. When we enter the city later, don't be surprised if you see women doing business on the street."
Because it was close to the border and had once been bullied by foreign enemies, Longxi had once been in a state where the whole population was soldiers. Even the old and the women and children had had to hold knives at all times and be ready to go to war at any time.
Even after the Western Rong people had been blocked outside the Yuheng Pass, most of this tradition had been retained. Therefore, the current folk customs in Longxi were tough.
However, compared to this place, the women in the Yuheng Pass were even more impressive. It was said that women could also join the army there and were no worse than ordinary men.
There was actually such a place in the Great Qi Dynasty?
Lu Yinxi's interest grew even stronger. She made up her mind that she must go to the Yuheng Pass to have a look when she had the chance.
Thinking like this, the destination was already in sight.
In the field of vision, there stood a majestic city gate. On the city tower, there were straight - standing guards. A single glance from their hawk - like eyes made people tremble.
Below were the common people entering and leaving the city gate. Although they were all dressed in coarse cloth clothes, their faces were filled with a relaxed and happy expression, which made people can't help but smile.
Lu Yinxi propped her hand on the car window and watched the scenes in front of her. Her eyes were filled with a gentle smile.
She was so absorbed in watching that she didn't know that she had also become a sight in the eyes of others, making people reluctant to look away.
Hongmei and Hongrui, who noticed their master's gaze, very consciously reduced their presence.
After entering the city, there was another scene in front of them.
A harmonious and warm bustle came towards them. The cries of peddlers and porters blended together, chirping in their ears. Among them, there were also many women.
In the distance, the cry of a child could be faintly heard, and in between, there was also the scolding of his mother.
...
Lu Yinxi greedily looked at all this, just like a child who had entered the city for the first time, curious and surprised.
Actually, there were also such bustling markets in the capital, and she had not never been there. But today's trip to Longxi made her feel that she liked the streets where men and women were mixed together more.
"Luoshu, if we have the chance in the future, can we come here to settle down?"
Almost instinctively, Lu Yinxi very naturally asked Shang Luoshu.
Because she liked it, she wanted to share it with him.
Shang Luoshu's body paused slightly, and then he smiled.
"Okay!"
In the capital
A horse galloped past the city gate and rushed straight towards the imperial city, leaving a trail of dust and a shout.
"Urgent report - a great victory in Yangxian!"
General Zheng Dai, appointed by the Regent King, had captured all the 80,000 rebels in Yangxian with only 30,000 troops.
In just a few hours, this news had spread throughout the capital. Prime Minister Lu had known about it when he was having dinner with his wife.
After a period of recuperation, Lu Wenhan's body had basically recovered. However, he had been feigning illness and had been reluctant to go to court.
The Regent King was very powerful. Prime Minister Lu, the backbone of the faction supporting the emperor, was not in court. Therefore, the court officials who were in favor of the emperor had had a very hard time these days.
"Is it okay for the master not to go to court for so long?"
After being comforted by Prime Minister Lu for these days, Lu's wife had no longer been stubborn. She had understood that Shang Mozheng had come to this point because of his own evil mind, and had nothing to do with others.
Even if the things of that year happened again, the creed of the Su family would not have allowed her to stand by and watch.
"Madam, don't worry."
Prime Minister Lu patted her hand comfortingly and showed a confident look. "I have my own considerations."
The carriage slowly stopped. Lu Yinxi excitedly and nervously jumped off the carriage and immediately saw a middle - aged couple waiting at the door.
Both of them were dressed in magnificent silk robes, but they showed completely different styles. The man was solemn and majestic, while the woman was elegant and gentle.
If Lu Yinxi guessed correctly, these two should be her uncle and aunt.
She was about to speak when the couple walked over first. They affectionately pulled the girl's hand and sized her up and down. The joy in their eyes could not be suppressed at all.
"You must be Xi'er, right? Your eyes are just like your mother's!"
Lu Yinxi pursed her lips and showed a shallow smile. "Xi'er pays respects to uncle and aunt!"
Just as the couple of the Su family were about to reply, they heard a noise behind the girl.
They saw the curtain of the carriage being lifted, and then a man got out of it. He looked sickly. A commoner's clothes on him looked a bit loose, but he still showed a compelling aura.
The couple glanced at each other and then remembered the noble person mentioned by their great - nephew in his letter.
"Your humble subject..."
"Uncle and aunt, there is no need to be so polite,"
Shang Luoshu stopped them from bowing in time and spoke weakly. "I hope you two can keep my coming to Longxi a secret."