Chapter 63 is here

  Seeing her expression, Xu Wei shook his head and smiled: "I'm just Xu Jiu, do you know me?"

  The little girl's eyebrows were tightly knitted, her eyes narrowed: "Are you really Xujin?"

  Xu Wei was annoyed, what a big shot he was pretending to be. Just as he was about to speak, another woman came over, around the same age as him, wearing simple clothes and with an innocent face. But Xu Wei felt that this woman was different from her gait. In this era, even a village girl would walk with light steps, swaying gently. But this woman walked very briskly, striding over in just a few steps, and asked loudly: "What's going on?"

  "Go ask him yourself!" The little girl said with a huff.

  The woman turned her head and looked at Xu Wei with a smile, asking: "Excuse me, are you Mr. Xu from the Xu family village in Xiajin?" She was elegant and refined, without any pretence or artificiality. Xu Wei was taken aback, nodding his head solemnly. The woman's face flashed with a hint of joy, smiling as she said: "It really is Mr. Xu! If it's convenient, may I borrow a moment to speak with you?" Xu Wei had already caught sight of the sedan chair not far away, with a maid sitting inside - this was no ordinary young lady, but a noblewoman from a good family. What luck was this? Which young lady had taken a fancy to him? He thought to himself in jest, and followed the woman as she walked away. The little maid trailed behind them at a distance, as if afraid that Xu Wei might do something to her mistress.

  "Cousin, Mr. Xü has arrived." The woman reminded in front of the sedan chair. The sedan was covered tightly, and it was impossible to see inside. Just as Xu Wei was wondering, a soft and beautiful voice came from inside: "The other day at the mansion, I disturbed you, but unfortunately, Mr. Xü was not at home when I left, so I couldn't thank him in person. Unexpectedly, we meet again today, please come to my humble abode no matter what, to fulfill the host's courtesy."

  Xu Wei asked, "Who is this? Besides San Jie, what other woman has come to my house? Could it be another relative?" Thinking of this, he then asked: "May I ask if we know each other?"

  Inside, there was no response for a moment. Then, the woman standing beside the sedan chair smiled and said: "Mr. Xu is indeed a noble person who often forgets things. Didn't you save someone just the other day?"

  "Oh, it was her after all. I remember now. On that day, I brought people to surround the White Horse Gorge and rescued a mother and daughter, even arranging for them to stay at my home for a while. However, later on, San Jie told me that the mother and daughter were ungrateful and didn't take the Xu family seriously. We saved their lives, provided food and shelter, and took care of them, but when they left, they had an arrogant attitude that made people angry! I was too busy with my own affairs and forgot about this matter."

  "It's nothing, just a small matter, why be so polite? That's it, I still have things to do, goodbye." Xu Wei said and turned around to leave. His mind was now preoccupied with how to withstand the impending Golden Army's thunderous strike, where did he have time for this?

  "Hey, this guy, forget it, Miss. Just look at him, a roughneck who doesn't even know basic manners, humph!" The little maid snorted, speaking to Xu Wei's back.

  The woman beside him said, "Maybe she really has an urgent matter."

  "How can he handle so many things? Is he busier than our master? I heard the young lady say that he's just a useless hero. What's there to be proud of?" The little maid didn't mince her words.

  The sedan curtain was lifted, and He Gu Niang's delicate face appeared. She looked around and saw Xu Wei walking towards the Xu residence. After a moment of thought, she said: "Jiuyue, wait here for me. If he comes out, be sure to invite him home."

  "Yes." Strange, this woman called her cousin, that should be her older female cousin, why is she addressing her by name directly?

  After instructing, she ordered the sedan chair to return to the mansion. As they were about to leave, the little maid suddenly turned to the woman named Jiuyue and said, "Hurry up, if you can't make it on time, that's okay, there are many things to do in the mansion." Jiuyue smiled and responded with a "yes", but found it strange that the little maid, who was clearly a servant, would speak to her in such a tone.

  Xu Wei arrived at the gate of Xu's mansion and said to several men guarding the entrance, "Please announce my arrival. Tell them it is Xiajin Xu Wei..."

  Those men had long since noticed him, seeing that he was dressed simply and came alone, knowing that he was not some noble or wealthy person. Looking again at the bag of something in his hand, it must be some local product from the countryside. Hearing that he mentioned coming from Xiajin, with the surname Xu, another poor relative has come to seek refuge. The mistress had already given orders, all those who come to the capital from the countryside seeking refuge are to be turned away, so as not to see something unpleasant.

  "Go away, go away! The old master is not at home and has no time to receive you." A man interrupted him impatiently, waving his hand.

  Here is the translation:

  "Alright, I've saved some money. Xue Wei put the silver back in his pocket and set down the bag of pears, a smile on his face: "You can eat this if you like it, or feed it to the pigs if you don't." With that, he ignored the several gatekeepers who were staring at each other in confusion and walked away. Originally, he had planned to come see this Third Uncle, who was after all the third-ranking official in the Imperial Secretariat, to see what his views on the Song-Jin relationship were. But now that Zhang Zhi-fu was also in the capital, it would be more reliable to discuss things with him. Besides, Zhang Shu-ye had said before that they should get in touch with old friends and acquaintances in the capital to present a joint petition. Since they could present a joint petition, presumably they held similar views - this was a good opportunity."

  "Xu Guanren!" Xu Weiman was deep in thought, thinking of strategies to resist the Jin army, when suddenly he heard this voice calling out to him, and he jumped in fright. He looked up to see that it was the woman from just now - why hadn't she left yet?

  "Mr. Xü has been kind to my aunt and cousin, please come with me no matter what, it's also a chance for us to express our gratitude." Jiǔ Yuè said sincerely.

  Xu Wei didn't have the heart to bother with these things, and solemnly said: "It's really a small matter, and it's within my duties, no need to thank me. You go back and pass on the message, just say that I appreciate your kind intentions." After finishing speaking, he thought about leaving again.

  In September, he hastily stepped aside and said repeatedly: "Exterminating the bandits may be Xu Guanren's responsibility, but after rescuing them, they were arranged to be taken care of in the mansion. How can this kindness not be repaid? If Xu Guanren doesn't go, I won't have a way to explain when I return."

  Xu Wei just heard her call that He girl a cousin, what's wrong with this cousin relationship? Insisted on not going, Jiuyue had no choice, and immediately bowed to him: "Since Officer Xu insists on not going, I'll thank you on behalf of my aunt and cousin for saving our lives, letting us stay overnight, and taking care of us."

  Xu Wei was surprised, after all, she was a woman from a big family, knowledgeable and courteous, receiving guests and handling things very properly. After a few humble words, he bid farewell and left. Jiuyue saw him off until he disappeared from view, and the smile on his face didn't disappear until then, secretly sighing, this time he's afraid of being scolded to death...

  Xu Wei left the Xu mansion and inquired about the address that Zhang Shuye had given him. However, it was a case of asking ten people and nine not knowing, and it took great effort to find someone who knew. After finally finding out, he discovered that it was an inn, but what surprised him was that Zhang Shuye, as the governor of the capital city, should be living in such a shabby place? Even the inns in Xiajin County were more upscale than this one. The storefront was small and the location was too remote.

  Upon reflection, it's not hard to understand that he wants to find old acquaintances in the court to discuss a joint memorial. Nowadays, the mainstream view of the imperial court is probably all about being friendly with neighbors. However, he wants to join forces with other ministers to petition for defense against the Jin state, and needs to be more cautious. He calls out the shopkeeper's apprentice, gives him some money as a reward, and asks him to take care of the horses. The man is still unwilling, so he adds a bit more before slowly leading the horses away.

  "Excuse me, boss. I'm disturbing you, but I'd like to ask you something." He entered the store, and since it was still early, there weren't many customers eating yet. He came up to the counter and said politely.

  The shopkeeper was stroking his mustache and looking at the account book, raised his head and glanced at him with a slanted eye, then lowered his head to continue reading. Those who open doors for business are always polite to clothes before being polite to people, Xu Wei is dressed in shabby clothes, so naturally he didn't have a good face.

  "Is there a Mr. Zhang from Shandong living here?" Xu Wei asked without hesitation.

  Upon hearing this sentence, the shopkeeper put down his account book, and a hint of warmth appeared on his face as he forced out a smile, saying: "I don't know what kind of official you are..."

  "Oh, right on time." As soon as Xu Wei finished speaking, the shopkeeper quickly came out and bowed, saying: "Please go upstairs! Please go upstairs!" He led the way in front of them. The two had just reached the second floor and hadn't even turned around when suddenly it went dark in front of them, and two men blocked their path. One of them saw Xu Wei and hastily cupped his hands together: "Ah, Xu...". He hesitated for a long time, unsure how to address him. He had participated in the battle against the bandits a few days ago and recognized Xu Wei. But here he couldn't use his official title, and calling him by name seemed inappropriate too.

  "What's wrong, don't you recognize me, Xu Lao Di?" Xu Wei said with a light smile.

  The man was taken aback, then smiled and said: "Brother Xu, please come quickly. My master has instructed me to wait for you here." He led Xu Wei towards the end of the corridor, while another servant sent the shopkeeper away and remained standing in his original position.

  At the door of the last room in the corridor, the man bowed his head and said: "Your Honor, Xu, Brother Xu has arrived."

  Inside, a burst of footsteps, the door opened and closed, Zhang Shuye's face was solemn. After Xu Wei entered the house, he closed the door again. The first sentence was: "Xianzhong, things are not going well."

  Xu Wei, although he had been mentally prepared, couldn't help but ask in surprise: "What's going on?" Could it be that the Jurchen people have invaded the south ahead of schedule? That can't be, can it? He had just eliminated a few bandits, could that have changed the course of history?

  "The Jurchen people are recruiting Han people from the original Liao territory as village soldiers, strengthening the defense of the passes and gathering a large army. Their intention to invade the south is very clear!" Zhang Shuye's tone was heavy, but his speech was extremely fast!

  Xu Wei's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched: "So it has finally come." But how did Zhang Zhifu know? You're in Jinan Prefecture, far from the front lines. If even you know, there's no reason the imperial court wouldn't, right?

  It seemed that Zhang Uncle Ye noticed Xu Wei's confusion, and explained: "Since the day I parted with Xia Tian, I have been paying close attention to the situation in the north. Recently, an old friend who returned from Taiyuan to visit his hometown told me that the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty has begun preparations for a southern campaign. Many people in the Western Northwest Army are also aware of this, but Guangyang Jun Wang Tong Guan, who is stationed in Taiyuan, ignores these opinions and continues to send people to negotiate with the Jurchens about returning to their old territory... This is simply..."

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  Today's first update! How are you guys satisfied with it? Please recommend and collect! If possible, reward two, I'm grateful!