The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 223 Lao Shi, let’s talk
News that the turmoil in Zhecheng City had subsided reached Yancang, and Zhu Xiu returned to the farming area under the protection of a group of soldiers from the Beihu Camp.

Li Chongjin led the remaining soldiers and rushed back to the county seat without stopping. The tiger camp returned to the Yajun camp and took a five-day vacation. Li Chongjin plunged into the chess and card room to vent his long-simmered gambling addiction.

Zhu Xiu didn't dare to go back to the county town, so after a few days he sent Shi Xiangwen back to check on him.

He stayed in the reclamation area until the end of August, when the autumn harvest was basically over. Zhu Xiucai returned to the county town with his two wives, Fu Jinzhan and Shi Lingyan.

Shi Lingyan was very sad about Wei Hu's death and was depressed for a long time. No matter how Zhu Xiu explained and persuaded, it seemed that he could not convince her of Wei Hu's guilt.

After all, she has never seen Wei Hu's dark side. In her heart, Wei Hu has always been the elder brother Wei who took care of her and protected her since she was a child.

Shi Xiangwen was confused, but as the elder brother, he was always taken care of by Shi Lingyan.

Wei Hu, to a large extent, replaced Shi Xiangwen and assumed the role of elder brother in Shi Lingyan's life.

Zhu Xiu had no choice but to take Shi Lingyan back and leave it to Shi Kuangwei for guidance.

When entering the city, Guan Tieshi, Pan Mei, Tao Wenju, Pei Jin and a large group of Jiedu officials came to greet them. Zhu Xiu briefly exchanged greetings and sent them back to work.

I heard that Shi Kuangwei hadn't stepped out of Jiedu Mansion for a month. People in the mansion knew that Jiedushuai was in a bad mood, so they didn't dare to make any noise for fear of making the handsome man angry.

Zhu Xiu didn't dare to be too showy and disturb Lao Shi's peace. What if this guy's anger arose in his heart, and he rushed out and insisted on tearing off his own clothes and hitting the board?
The dignified young envoy was exposed to the board with his bare butt in public, how will he lead the team after the news spreads?
Zhu Xiu took Guan Tieshi and Tao Wenju aside, looked at Tao Wenju first, and asked with concern: "How is the injury?"

Tao Wen raised his head and bowed his head: "Trust the young envoy, Hong Fu, most of the wounds of the humble position have healed, but scabs and calluses have formed, and sometimes the butt hurts."

"This time, you have made great contributions. From now on, I will hand over all the affairs of the salt factory to you. Work hard!" Zhu Xiu said, patting him on the shoulder.

Tao Wenju smiled happily, like an old chrysanthemum in full bloom: "You must devote yourself to a humble job, and die!"

Zhu Xiu asked Guan Tieshi again: "How is handsome master?"

Guan Tieshi sighed: "Since he came back from Zhecheng City, the handsome man has not been able to go out. He either shuts himself up in the house and plays chess with himself, or carries his fishing rod to the back garden for fishing. He often sits there all day long. , I don’t like to see anyone. I went to visit, but I was sent away after I couldn’t say more than three sentences.

It means that Shi Dalang can stay with the handsome man for a longer time, one of them digs earthworms, the other fishes, and occasionally he can hear the handsome man and Shi Dalang talking and laughing."

Zhu Xiu listened carefully and asked again: "How is your handsome master's appetite?"

Guan Tieshi thought about it and said: "It's not bad. I just like to drink. I drink two taels at every meal. I don't drink the good Western wine from Taihe upstairs. I have to drink the most spicy Shao Bai Dao and Tai Bai Zui, and I don't get drunk. I fall asleep every time after drinking it.”

Zhu Xiu smiled bitterly to himself and drank wine to help him sleep. Lao Shi had an unresolved knot in his mind.

"There are a lot of things going on at the salt factory. Tao Wenju will rush over immediately. Don't delay the salt transportation and production. Brother Guan rushed back to the house, ventilated the handsome man, and told him that I would go see him later."

Zhu Xiuxiang ordered.

The two of them were ordered to retire.

Pan Mei crossed her arms and snorted angrily: "We've done all the dirty work, the tiring work, and the scolding work. You finally know how to show your face?"

Zhu Xiu said without changing his face: "Beheading is your specialty. Of course, I have to invite you, Lao Pan, to sit in such a critical scene, so I can rest assured! Hehe, I heard that you chopped off that guy's head with a single knife. It's amazing. !"

Pan Mei said angrily: "Don't do this! You kid is playing dirty tricks behind your back, letting Tao Wenju and I take the blame and bear the wrath of Shi Jieshuai. It's so unethical!"

Zhu Xiu spread his hands: "Everyone in the Zhangyi Army knows that the position of military envoy belongs to you, are you still satisfied?"

Pan Mei was overjoyed and her eyes widened happily: "Seriously?"

Zhu Xiu pouted: "Go find Wen Zhongping and Pei Jin to sign the documents. I will give you the talisman later."

"Come on! It's not in vain that I suffered so many murderous eyes from Shi Jieshuai on your behalf! Hehe~"

Pan Mei laughed and hurried to handle the job handover.

Seeing that Zhu Xiu was still frowning, Fu Jinzhan smiled and said, "Are you worried that Commander Shi Jieshuai will be angry with you because of Wei Hu's death?"

Zhu Xiu smiled wryly and said: "After all, Wei Hu has followed the handsome man for ten years, and the handsome man treats him like a son, no matter what, I know that the handsome man does not want to kill him.

This time, if I hadn't asked Tao Wenju to play a bitter trick to lure Wei Hu into the trap, I'm afraid he wouldn't die, and we could still maintain the apparent harmony between us. "

Fu Jinzhan said softly: "Since Wei Hu has developed alien ambitions, he will become a disaster sooner or later. The best policy is to get rid of him as soon as possible. As time goes by, the harm will only get worse. Shi Jieshuai is not unaware of the power of it. He It’s just a temporary sadness, and it won’t take long for you to feel relieved.”

Zhu Xiu forced a smile: "Thank you Madam for enlightening me."

Shi Lingyan was lying by the car window, looking at the bustling street in a daze. When Zhu Xiu just wanted to speak, she snorted and rolled her eyes, retracted her head and put down the curtain, too lazy to pay attention.

Zhu Xiu had no choice but to wave her hand: "Go back home."

The sergeants of Beihu Camp escorted them into Yacheng and back to Jiedu Mansion.

Zhu Xiu took a deep breath, crossed the threshold, and prepared to enter the house, feeling a little uneasy.

"Yan'er!" A familiar loud voice sounded with a bit of joy, and Shi Kuangwei rushed out of the door in a hurry.

With a smile on her face, Zhu Xiu cupped her hands and was about to come forward to meet him, but Shi Kuangwei ran past him as if he hadn't seen him.

"Dad!~" Shi Lingyan pursed his lips and let out a cry of grievance, as if he had been greatly wronged by Zhu Xiutian while living in the farming area.

Shi Kuangwei surrounded his precious daughter with distress, his knife-like eyes wanting to carve out a few pieces of flesh from Zhu Xiu's body.

"Shi Jieshuai." Fu Jinzhan bowed with his hands folded.

Shi Kuangwei said with a smile: "Yan'er is naughty, didn't you cause any trouble to Mrs. Fu?"

Fu Jinzhan smiled and said: "Sister Yan'er and I have the same temperament, and we get along very happily."

"That's good, that's good. If you don't take good care of me, Mrs. Fu will take care of you. When you go back to Jiedu Mansion, it's like going back to your own home. Don't be polite."

Shi Converse's smile remained unchanged, and there was nothing unusual about it.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shi Kuangwei hugged Shi Lingyan and walked back to the back house without giving Zhu Xiu a second glance.

Fu Jinzhan comforted him softly: "It seems that Shi Jieshuai is still angry. If he scolds you a few words, don't take it to heart. It will be fine after a while."

Zhu Xiu forced a smile and said, "I understand. Madam, please go back to your room and rest."

Fu Jinzhan nodded and went back to the courtyard where she lived to rest.

Zhu Xiuxian went back to his yard to sit for a while and drank a few sips of tea. After thinking about it, he decided to take the initiative to talk to Lao Shi openly.

I met Guan Tieshi on the corridor leading to the back house. This guy was wearing armor and carrying a sword, standing there like a door god.

"you are"

Guan Tieshi said helplessly: "Young Ambassador, please come back. The handsome master has issued a strict order and you are not allowed to see him."

Zhu Xiu looked behind him and whispered, "What are they doing now?"

Guan Tieshi shook his head: "I don't know either. The handsome man pulled Mrs. Yan behind closed doors to talk, drove me out, and asked me to stay here to prevent you from entering the inner house without permission."

Zhu Xiu smiled bitterly and said, "When will the handsome master be willing to see me?"

Guan Tieshi glanced towards the inner courtyard and lowered his voice: "I should be able to do it tomorrow. The handsome master only asked me to stay until tonight and didn't say to continue tomorrow."

As he spoke, Guan Tieshi winked at him.

Zhu Xiu understood and cupped his hands: "Then I'll come back tomorrow morning. Thank you for your hard work, Brother Guan."

Watching Zhu Xiu leave, Guan Tieshi sighed and pitied himself silently in his heart. The old handsome man and the young handsome man were at odds, and he was caught in the middle and was not a human being.Sigh~ It's better to think of a way to be transferred elsewhere. It would also be good to go to Pingliang Ranch to raise horses. I can't stay in Jiedu Mansion any longer.

Guan Tieshi calculated silently, glanced behind him, straightened his back and continued to stand astride with his sword in hand.

The next day, Zhu Xiu woke up very early, counting Lao Shi's usual wake-up time, and seeing him when the sun was high in the sky, it should be about the same time.

Zhu Xiuzheng was walking around the courtyard with his hands behind his back, thinking about what he should say when he met Lao Shi later.

"Zhu Xiu!" Shi Lingyan's crisp voice sounded, and soon she was seen running into the courtyard.

"Yan'er?" Zhu Xiu was startled, listening to the voice and looking at his face, Shi Lingyan was no longer as gloomy as yesterday, and seemed to be in a much more cheerful mood.

"Sister Fu asked me to accompany her to the school today. She asked me to come over and tell you." Shi Lingyan waved to him.

"Wait a minute!" Zhu Xiu hurriedly grabbed her, looked up and down, "Yan'er, are you alright?"

After being back for only one night, Shi Lingyan's previous depressed mood seemed to be resolved.

Zhu Xiu felt amazing about this.

Shi Lingyan pouted, lowered his head and kicked a pebble: "Dad has made it clear to me that you are not to blame for Wei Weihu's incident."

"Yan'er." Zhu Xiu was so moved that she almost cried, she didn't expect her to be so understanding, let alone Lao Shi would take the initiative to relieve her last night.

Shi Lingyan pouted and glared at him, feigning anger: "But why didn't you discuss such a big matter with me? Why did you hide what Wei Hu did before from me and dad?

This matter is not over yet, I will settle the score with you again in the future! "

The little lady waved her little fist at him fiercely, flicked her braid and ran out of the courtyard.

Zhu Xiu opened her mouth and froze on the spot, smiled bitterly, then cheered up and went to the back house.

There was no one in the inner house, and the aunt who was cleaning the house said that the handsome man went fishing at the pond in the back garden early in the morning.

Zhu Xiu hurried over.

By the pond, I saw the figure of Skuangwei sitting alone, with a pair of fishing gear beside him.

There is a cloth bag next to Shi Kuangwei, which looks familiar.

Zhu Xiu slapped his forehead. Isn't this his secret wine lees?

How was he found by Lao Shi? Now his secret as a pond fishing master was exposed.

Shi Kuangwei is sitting on a horse, wearing a loose narrow-sleeved robe, a scarf on his head, and cloth shoes on his feet. At first glance, he looks like a hermit and an idler.

Zhu Xiu crept closer and bowed to the ground: "Your Majesty, Zhu Xiu, pay homage to your handsome master!"

Squamway holds a fishing rod in one hand, squints his eyes, and remains motionless, like a sculpture.

Zhu Xiu looked at the clear sky and the sparkling water, and laughed and said: "The air is crisp in autumn and the water is sparkling. It is really a good weather for fishing!"

Shi Kuangwei twitched the corners of his mouth, but still ignored him.

Zhu Xiu picked up the fishing rod placed aside and said with a smile: "Isn't it boring for the handsome master to fish alone? I am willing to accompany you!"

Looking around, Zhu Xiu took two steps forward, ready to grab some distiller's grains from the cloth pocket next to Squawe.

As soon as he stretched out his hand, Lao Shi opened his claws like lightning and yelled angrily: "Get out!"

Zhu Xiu muttered aggrievedly: "This is my unique secret bait."

Shi Kuangwei pointed casually and said coldly: "Use this."

Zhu Xiu glanced at it and saw that they were freshly dug earthworms.

Unable to find a solution, Zhu Xiu could only hang up an earthworm, sit aside and start fishing.

In the middle, Zhu Xiu deliberately made conversation, but unfortunately Shi Kuangwei ignored him.

They sat quietly for half an hour. During this period, Zhu Xiu changed the bait several times. The cunning fish ate half of the earthworms every time, but did not eat the rest hanging on the hook.

The water surface where Shi Kuangwei's fishhook was hanging down suddenly remembered the sound of flapping. A bright red carp bit the hook, struggling and twisting to slap the water surface.

Shi Kuangwei laughed loudly, flicked the fishing rod, and lifted the fish out of the water and into the fish basket.

Zhu Xiu looked on enviously.

Shi Kuangwei's eyes were filled with excitement, he glanced at the empty fish basket in front of Zhu Xiu, and snorted contemptuously.

He also hung a piece of dough that smelled like wine on the fishhook and threw it far into the pond.

Not long after he sat down, another fish took the bait, and Shi Converse couldn't help but hum proudly.

Zhu Xiu gritted his teeth and stared at his fishing rod, not believing that he could not catch a fish.

The nest that Lao Shi made before worked, and the fish took the bait one after another. The fish basket could hardly hold it, so he had to put a few fish back in.

Suddenly, Zhu Xiu felt a vibration coming from the fishing rod, and the thin reed stems floating on the water had a tendency to be pulled downwards. He was overjoyed and raised the fishing rod suddenly.

A small crucian carp the size of half a palm, covered in silver, flew out of the water.

"Hahaha~" Shi Kuangwei laughed unceremoniously.

Zhu Xiu angrily picked off the small fish and threw it back into the pond.

"You brat, you played tricks on me that day when you were fishing, and you really made me very angry. Now I want you to have a taste of it."

Shi Kuangwei finally took the initiative to talk to him and laughed loudly.

Zhu Xiu curled her lips and muttered: "Be careful."

Shi Kuangwei suddenly feigned anger and said: "You designed to trap and kill Wei Hu. Who is so narrow-minded? How did you two guarantee it in front of me that day? Why did you have to kill each other?"

Zhu Xiu looked at him and said in a deep voice: "You know Wei Hu's temperament better than I do, but you are lucky and always have hope for him. If he knows his mistakes and can correct them, how can he be fooled? He wants to rely on Hou Zan, surrender to the imperial court, your head is the first step to his advancement!
If he could show any mercy to you, I would spare his life, but it's a pity that he doesn't!
Therefore, he must die! "

Shi Kuangwei's eyes were bloodshot and his voice was trembling: "Even so, you can just do it yourself. Why did Tao Wenju let Tao Wenju create suspicion and force me to take action?"

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly and murmured: "If I directly kill Wei Hu, even if you don't blame me afterwards, there will still be a thorn in your heart.

And I don’t want this thorn to exist between you and me.

Therefore, I can only let you clean the portal yourself."

Zhu Xiu turned her head, stared at the sparkling water, and said quietly: "It is better to be heartbroken for a moment than to have a rift between you and me. I have no choice, Lao Shi, don't blame me."

Shi Kuangwei took a deep breath, sighed, dropped the fishing rod and left the fishing platform.

After walking a few steps, he stopped again and said in a low voice: "I have explained Wei Hu's matter clearly to Yan'er, and she will not blame you."

Zhu Xiu was still sitting on the fishing platform, holding the fishing rod in one hand, without looking back, and said calmly: "Thank you very much. Don't worry, I will treat Yan'er well."

Shi Kuangwei was silent for a moment, then walked along the gravel road and left the back garden.

(End of this chapter)