Chapter 886 Siblings reunited
In the middle of Yecheng Square, a carriage slowly stopped in front of a house. Wang Xi got out of the carriage first, and while instructing his servants to come in and post a message, he turned back to Li Licheng, who was getting off the car, and said with a smile: "This house is so beautiful." It is the home of Li Sanqi, Duke of Dongping, in Yedu."
After hearing this, Li Licheng became a little nervous. After getting off the car, he lowered his head and straightened his clothes. At the same time, a short young man in his twenties walked out of the house door and walked towards Wang Xi. He cupped his fists and said, "There are auspicious birds singing and dancing in front of the court this morning. Sure enough, distinguished guests will come to the door soon. Your Majesty, please come in quickly. My brother will go to Pengcheng Gong's Mansion to send greetings. He will return soon."
This young man is Li Yu's seventh son and Li Licheng's youngest brother. His name is Li Xinze. Although he is short and slightly funny, he is also knowledgeable and courteous and has a good bearing.
"I came here without warning, but the master didn't feel bored and was already thankful that Lao Qilang was there to welcome him."
Wang Xi said to Li Xinze with a smile, and then pointed to Li Licheng who was standing behind him and introduced: "This Li Lang is an old friend who recently came to Yedu, and he also has a relationship with the Zunfu. So let’s visit together today.”
After Li Xin heard this, he looked at Li Licheng again. After looking at it for a few times, he felt that he looked familiar, but he was not sure of the other person's identity. He just said with a smile: "I'm sorry, please ask Li Lang and Wang to envoy Let’s talk about it later.”
When Li Licheng saw that this sibling brother could not recognize him, he couldn't help but tremble at the corner of his mouth, and his eyes suddenly became a little moist. He was fostered in his aunt's home. He was only seven years old when he moved west with Xiaowu, while his younger brother Li Xin was just an infant. It was normal for him not to recognize himself, but it is not possible for brothers to meet each other. Thinking about it makes people feel quite sad and sad.
He tried hard to control his emotions, and under the guidance of Li Xinze, he and Wang Xi entered the house, and then couldn't help but look around.
This house is located in a relatively remote location in the district. It is a courtyard with two front and back entrances. The area is not too large, and the layout and furnishings of the house are not gorgeous. It looks like an ordinary family with adequate food and clothing. Li Licheng remembers it It can be said that there is a huge gap between the two houses in Luoyang.
This gap also reflects the changes in their family's situation. When they were in Luoyang, their family was not only a well-known family, but also a noble relative of the emperor, so their family was naturally very wealthy.
But now that even the Yuan family has lost their royal family honor, they, those former relatives of the emperor, naturally no longer have any honor.
Before Li Licheng came here with Wang Xi, he also inquired about the situation of his brothers. Since his father Li Yu was killed, his eldest brother Li Daoduan succeeded him to the title. Now Li Daoduan serves as a regular servant in the court, and his fourth brother Li Yixiong and sixth brother Li Zhiyuan serve as official assistants under his old family respectively. The matter was outside the county, and his younger brother Li Xinze, who had not yet become an official, was also included.
The four brothers who are now staying in the Northern Qi Dynasty cannot be said to be very noble. Under the care of their relatives and friends, they can be considered to have enough food and clothing. The actual situation is not as good as that of Li Licheng, who is living alone in Kansai.
Of course, Li Licheng also received the care of his cousin King Taiyuan. Not only did he successfully marry a wife and start a family in Guanzhong, but his official title and living conditions were greatly improved.
Li Xin had been looking at Li Licheng from the corner of his eyes, thinking about what relationship he had with his family. But when he saw Li Licheng looking around after entering the house, he couldn't help but feel a little unhappy, but he didn't show it.
After sitting down in the hall, Li Xin personally brought some cheese berry snacks for guests, and then couldn't help but ask Li Licheng: "May I ask where Li Lang lives? Please forgive me for my young age and short knowledge, so I have many old people. I don’t know how to describe the relationship that Wang Shijun talks about?”
Wang Xi was made quite uncomfortable by Li Licheng in his manor a few days ago. When he saw that the two brothers were unfamiliar with each other, he also smiled and watched with interest without making any explanation.
Li Licheng looked at this little brother who was a little dazed. He didn't know how to introduce himself for a moment. He opened his mouth and hesitated, then asked: "When will the eldest brother come back?"
Li Xin was stunned when he heard this slightly affectionate title, and a thought came to his mind. However, he thought that the lost brother was far away in Guanxi and the journey was long, so how could he appear in Yecheng, so he replied: "Peng Chenggong held a banquet in his residence today. He sent several people to invite him, so I went to pay my respects. I have already sent people to inform you. I believe he will return soon."
Pengcheng AD Shao was the nephew of Emperor Xiaozhuang Yuan Ziyou, and Li Licheng's mother was Yuan Ziyou's sister, so Yuan Shao was their cousin. Li Chong's family has been married to the Yuan family for generations, and the relationship between them is also very close.
Yuan Shao married the former empress of Emperor Xiaowu and the daughter of Gao Huan. Although he was no longer part of the Yuan and Wei clan, he was still Gao Qi's consort, so his status was still quite noble and he did not receive much impact from the change of dynasty.
After chatting with each other for a few words, footsteps sounded outside the hall. A middle-aged man walked in from the door and bowed to Wang Xi from a distance. However, when he looked at Li Licheng who stood up to greet him, there was something unexpected. The young man's expression suddenly changed, and he walked quickly to Li Licheng, and said with a slight hesitation: "Son, you, look at me as a close relative... Are you Wu Lang?"
"Brother, it's me!"
After Li Licheng heard this, tears suddenly poured out of his eyes. He took a step forward, worshiped in front of his eldest brother Li Daoduan, and said sadly: "We have been separated for many years, and we can only see each other in dreams... But In recent years, even the voices in my dreams have become blurry. If I don’t come to see you again, I’m afraid I’ll forget what my brothers look like!”
Li Daoduan was middle-aged, and his emotions were already very restrained. But after confirming Li Licheng's identity and hearing these words, he couldn't help but burst into tears. He bent down and hugged Li Licheng, crying in his mouth. Get up: "Wu Lang, my Wu Lang is finally back! When you were lost, your parents regretted it until their death. Now my brothers are finally reunited. I can see my parents again after death. I can feel no regrets..."
Li Xin, who was next to him, realized at this moment that the so-called relationship was actually a close relationship between siblings. He also saw his two brothers hugging each other and crying, and he couldn't help but burst into tears.
When Wang Xi saw the reunion of their brothers, he was also very moved. He knew that Li Daoduan might not be able to entertain him for the time being, and he and Li Daoduan did not have a close relationship. He just wanted to send Li Licheng to meet him, so he also realized what was going on. He got up to say goodbye and left.
The Li family is not a large and complex family. In addition to Li Daoduan's family and the unmarried Li Xinze, there are also several servants born in the family. Li Licheng, led by his elder brother, first worshiped his parents, and then met his elder brother's wife and children.
Of course, he didn't forget to tell his brothers not to publicize his arrival. Compared to the world-famous King of Taiyuan, he was naturally unknown and would not attract too many people's attention. However, since he has lived in Kansai for many years and has served in the Shannan Daotai Prefecture, it is better to keep a low profile.
After brothers are reunited, it is inevitable to ask each other about farewell and the past. When Li Licheng talked about his experience and situation in Kansai, Li Daoduan was also deeply pleased and couldn't help but sigh: "Wu Langyou is a blessed person. Although he lives alone in Kansai, he can meet the most outstanding people in my family." I am also very familiar with the deeds of that cousin, but I regret that we were not able to have a deep relationship with him last year. "
Li Tai's family had lived in seclusion in Qinghe County for a long time, but their family did not move to Hebei until the Eastern Wei Dynasty moved the capital to Yecheng. After the death of his parents, Li Daoduan was still busy with the family's livelihood and educating several young brothers, so naturally he had no Too much time is spent traveling around the country visiting relatives.
"Now that I'm here, I don't have to regret it anymore. Wang Shannan's career in Taiyuan is booming. He can not only support his relatives and friends to live a leisurely life, but also needs talents to help with important things. I came to Hebei this time to bring a few of our close relatives there. Go to Xiangyang!”
As soon as Li Licheng finished speaking, Li Xinze beside him couldn't help but said excitedly: "Fifth brother, can we really go to Xiangyang to join the King of Taiyuan? Can we work under his house and make achievements?"
In the minds of the Guandong clan, especially the younger generation, Li Tai is an absolute idol, a hero who can lead their Guandong clan back to the top. They no longer have to be scorned by those Jinyang nobles and Xianbei sergeants. !
So not only Li Xinze, but also Li Daoduan's two sons were very excited when they learned that they had the opportunity to follow this fifth uncle to Xiangyang and couldn't help but think about it.
However, as the head of the family, Li Daoduan had to be more prudent and thoughtful. After hearing this, he just sighed and said: "The career of King Taiyuan in Kansai is indeed admirable and enviable. Wulang, you must have gone through a lot of difficulties along the way. Your family will have a chance." It is a good thing to be able to go there and rely on them, but my family is not at the end of its life and can no longer survive. Moreover, both my parents have died here. Once they pass away, our ancestors will inevitably be lonely and desolate..."
Although Li Daoduan did not object to his family following Li Licheng to Xiangyang, he wanted to stay to prevent his parents' tombs from being buried in weeds. Although his eldest son also very much hoped to go to Xiangyang to perform meritorious service, but after hearing what his father said, he also expressed his intention to stay and accompany his father.
Li Licheng tried hard to persuade him again, but when he saw that his brother still insisted on his opinion, he had no choice but to give up.
However, with the departure of other family members, Li Daoduan and others staying in Hebei will definitely face more dangers, and they may one day be punished by the Northern Qi court. For example, the previous Qinghe Cui was not worthy of death, but he was still involved in the murder because of his close relationship with the Li family in Longxi.
Of course, this is only an extreme situation. The east and west sides are deeply involved in each other's personnel affairs, so it is difficult to completely eliminate them. If Li Daoduan could keep a low profile, reduce his sense of existence, and receive help and cover from his relatives and friends, he would not necessarily be punished for anger.