The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 244 Luxury expedition to the heavenly group
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhu Xiu led his army to set off as planned.

Among the Zhangyi army, Yan Ping and Shi Xiangwen went with the army, and Guan Tieshi followed Shi Kuangwei to sit in Jingzhou. At the same time, he sent a letter to the court for mediation to prevent the troubled army from using the court to put pressure.

Li Chongjin commanded the Weihu Camp, with Zhao Kuangyin as his deputy, clearing the way for the vanguard cavalry.

Chai Rong and Zhang Yongde didn't have specific positions, and stayed with Zhu Xiu in the Chinese army, waiting for orders.

Zhu Xiu originally planned to ask Chai Rong to lead the army, but he still served as the marching staff.

Chai Rong smiled and declined, saying that he was not from the Zhangyi Army, and his name was not justified. Zhu Xiu was the commander-in-chief of the Zhangyi Army, so Zhu Xiu led the army. He and Zhang Yongde served as marching staff, and could also be dispatched and lead the army when necessary. The army went to war.

Zhu Xiu was so flattered that Chai Rong could only serve as his deputy, but how dare he actually send someone else.

In terms of official status, Chai Rong was the military envoy of the Yongxing Army and held the rank of third-rank right-guard general.

In terms of ability and experience in marching and fighting, no matter how conceited Zhu Xiu was, he would not dare to compare with Chai Rong.

With a humble attitude and a spirit of seeking knowledge and learning, Zhu Xiu asked Chai Rong for advice on every detail, from setting up camp to arranging patrols at night.

Chai Rong also taught him step by step and imparted his experience without reservation.

Chai Rong was able to transform from a tea dealer to a general, not only relying on Guo Wei's teaching and support, but also relying on his own study over the years, summing up experience and lessons in actual combat, and gradually groping for a set of valuable military experience.

The same is true for Guo Wei. From the personal army established by Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty, Li Cunxu, when he was still the king of Jin, he started from a small personal soldier of Ma Zhi, step by step, and became the Privy Council today, knowing the entire military system well. .

He and his son can be regarded as one of the best military teachers in the world.

Zhu Xiu was taught carefully by Chai Rong, and he could be regarded as Guo Wei's disciple from another generation. It would be a great blessing if he had the opportunity to receive personal guidance from Uncle Guo in the future.

Pan Mei did not stay until the Mid-Autumn Festival, and led the three thousand tooth army infantry to take the lead.

Shi Lingyan originally clamored to come, but unfortunately she contracted a cold before the Mid-Autumn Festival and had a cold and cough. Zhu Xiu and Shi Kuangwei did not allow her to accompany them.

The biggest headache for Zhu Xiu was the Fu sisters. Fu Jinzhan proposed to go north with the army, so Fu Jinhuan naturally wanted to be with his sister and follow him.

Zhu Xiu couldn't hold back them, so he had to agree.

Depart from Anding County, cross Qingshiling to Yinpan County, come to the upper reaches of Yangjinchuan, cross the knee-deep river and continue northward, arrive at Baiquan County in Yuanzhou and join Panmei, and then go to Pinggao together.

Along the way, the autumn colors were pleasant, but the weather was still a bit unbearably hot. It seemed that the autumn tiger was seizing the last opportunity to wreak havoc.

Li Chongjin and Zhao Kuangyin led five hundred soldiers from the Tiger Camp to clear the way forward, two or three miles away, and sent messengers every half an hour to report the situation on the road ahead.

Recently, the relationship between Li Chongjin and Zhao Kuangyin has eased. The two are alone together, and Zhu Xiu and Chai Rong don't have to worry about whether they will fight.

The two are equally good at martial arts, and neither can defeat the other.

In terms of card skills, although Zhao Kuangyin, as a beginner in mahjong, lost a lot of money at the beginning, Li Chongjin really struggled for a few days.

However, Zhao Kuangyin learned his shame and became brave, and his mind was more flexible. He asked Zhu Xiu for advice. Within a few days, his poker skills improved significantly, and he actually recovered a lot of capital from Li Chongjin.

Li Chongjin gritted his teeth, and the two of them roped in Zhang Yongde and Shi Kuangwei, and fought all night long on the Mid-Autumn Festival night until dawn. The post-war settlement was evenly matched.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yongde and Shi Kuangwei, who were playing with them, lost nearly a hundred dollars each.

This pair of enemies fought countless times without showing any affection for each other. Unexpectedly, they actually felt a sense of sympathy for each other at the card table, which was really puzzling to Zhu Xiu.

I still remember that at noon on the second day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhu Xiu went to the bedroom to wake the two of them up for dinner. On the bed, two big men with half-undressed robes were sleeping together with their arms and legs entwined. That scene was truly terrifying.

Having known the two for such a long time, Zhu Xiu saw them talking and laughing at the dinner table for the first time that day at lunch.

Zhu Xiukuo was riding a gray donkey and took a sneak peek at Chai Rong, who was riding a horse and walking aside.

Chai Rong yawned, looking a little sluggish, and the dark circles around his eyes had not completely dissipated.

His tired look was not caused by the march, but by staying up late playing mahjong with Li Chongjin, Zhao Kuangyin, and Zhang Yongde in Yinpan County last night.

Zhu Xiu curled his lips and murmured in his heart that he had previously proposed to teach Chai Rong how to play mahjong, but he sternly rejected it.

Unexpectedly, on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I saw him sitting at the table with a calm face, playing a landlord match with Fu Jinzhan and Fu Jinhuan, and then invited him to play mahjong together.

I remember that he went to the Yajun camp early that morning to check the preparations for the expedition. Li Chongjin, Zhang Yongde, and Zhao Kuangyin were in the chess and card room in the city. It seemed that only sisters Chai Rong and Fu Jinzhan were in the house.

What surprised Zhu Xiu even more was that at the card table that day, Chai Rong and Fu Jinzhan were chatting and laughing, and even had a hint of flirting.

Zhu Xiu secretly guessed, not knowing what happened that day when a man and a woman were alone together.
Chai Rong yawned sleepily, and suddenly noticed a pair of sneaky eyes staring at him next to him. He turned around and saw Zhu Xiu squinting her eyes and looking at him with a lewd expression.

"Why are you looking at me like this?" Chai Rong frowned.

Zhu Xiu laughed strangely, and said tentatively: "Chai Shuai hated mahjong before, why did he become uncharacteristic these few days, and fight with Li Chongjin and others every night when sleeping in the open?"

Chai Rong smiled sheepishly and said: "It was me who bothered me before. Games such as mahjong are just for entertainment, not serious beasts. If I keep a distance from them, it will appear that I am weak-willed and unable to control myself."

How can a truly ambitious person be distracted by a mere toy? "

Zhu Xiu was greatly surprised. In just a few days, Chai Rong's thoughts had changed so quickly.

"Chai Shuai is wise!" Zhu Xiu cupped his hands in admiration.

Chai Rong said with shame, "I only came to my senses after Madam Fu asked her to do it."

Zhu Xiu was surprised. She wanted to laugh but hurriedly held it back.

Could this be the principle of one thing descending from another?

Then I thought about it, Fu Jinzhan was taught mahjong by himself, and Chai Rong was taught by Fu Jinzhan. Doesn't Chai Rong become his disciple and grandson?

Chai Rongyouyou said with emotion: "This thing is indeed interesting. It affects people's mood changes between the ups and downs of the card game, and the victory and defeat. It is really intriguing and worth studying."

Chai Rong cast an admiring glance at Zhu Xiu: "Only your whimsical mind in the world can create such interesting toys."

"Chai Shuai is overrated." Zhu Xiu looked ashamed. Is it possible that in the history books of future generations, Zhu Xiu's profile will become the originator of mahjong, an ancestor worshiped by gamblers for generations?
Zhu Xiu saw that Chai Rong's eyes were bright, as if he was still recalling last night's card game.

"Chai Shuai, entering Yuanzhou today, I plan to officially issue a military order. Gambling will be banned in the army in the future. Mahjong, poker and other items are all prohibited from appearing. Those who violate the order will be severely punished! I don't know what Chai Shuai wants?" Zhu Xiu asked.

Chai Rong's face turned serious, and he said solemnly: "It should be so! Although this trip is not a real expedition, military affairs, no matter how big or small, are not trivial. In the Zhangyi Army, many soldiers like poker and mahjong. There are also many people who secretly get together to play cards, and they should be stopped in time to avoid a sudden war and delay the military aircraft!"

Zhu Xiu nodded, summoned the messenger, and ordered him to go down and deliver the military order. "Young Envoy has issued an order. From now on, gambling will be prohibited in the army."

The messenger galloped forward on horseback, beating the gong and shouting with all his might, conveying the military orders to every sergeant's ears.

Chai Rong turned his head and looked back, and saw the Fu family sisters riding horses behind, chatting and laughing, and seemed to be discussing the piles of golden wheat straw stacked in the fields beside the road.

"Ms. Fu has told me everything about you and Fu Jinhuan. Please consider this matter carefully. Fu's marriage is an opportunity not to be missed!"

Chai Rong said softly and meaningfully.

Zhu Xiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She didn't expect Chai Rong to be interested in these gossips.

"Chai Shuai also saw it. It was Mrs. Fu who ignored me, not because of me." Zhu Xiu said calmly.

Chai Rong snorted softly, pretending to be displeased and said: "Mrs. Fu has already explained your thoughts to me. Do you still want to fool me? Tell me, why don't you want to marry Mrs. Fu?"

Zhu Xiu was speechless and secretly cursed, women, women, can't escape their nature of gossiping and gossiping.
Zhu Xiu smiled. You can’t say that these two sisters were the wives of your Chai family in history. We, Xiao Zhu, are moral and are not interested in robbing other people’s wives. We just want to hold your lap and live a peaceful life. Just fine.

If because of marrying Fu Jinhuan, history changes drastically, and he is blinded in the future, it will be called a loss outweighing the gains.

It's really not worth it for a woman.

Ever since Cangzhou narrowly escaped the catastrophe, Zhu Xiu thought very clearly that changing history and creating history is something only a person with great luck and ability can do. Just be content with being rich and stable.

Just integrate into history with peace of mind, live according to the established historical trajectory, and eventually become a part of the original history.

Therefore, facing the temptation of marrying Fu, Zhu Xiu had many concerns.

After calculation based on the current situation, it still does more harm than good, so I had to refuse.

All the unspeakable secrets could not be explained clearly. Zhu Xiu could only sigh and said: "Forgive me, Commander Chai. Zhu Xiu promised Shi Jieshuai earlier that he would take care of Sister Yan'er for him for the rest of his life. I have fallen in love with Sister Yan'er and have been together for more than two years. Lay a solid emotional foundation and never bear to betray a beautiful lady! Zhu Xiu can only accept the kindness of Privy Guo and Chai Shuai."

A few words, plus a 45-degree angle of looking up to the sky and sighing, create a vivid image of a peerless good man who is loyal to his feelings.

Having said this, Chai Rong could understand and sighed empathetically: "If that's the case, it would be understandable for you to reject Mr. Fu. To be honest, Zhuo Jing and I have known each other since we were young, and she didn't think I was shabby and vulgar back then. , committed to marrying, I will be grateful in this life.

Since he joined the army following his father, he has made minor achievements and held the position of Jiedushi.When I was in Kaifeng, many official families asked me whether I was married. Even if they found out that I was married, many families were willing to marry their daughters to me as concubines, but I tried my best to refuse.

If anyone asked me to abandon my wife who was a loser and marry another bride, I would rather die than submit.How can a man who is upright and upright be the kind of person who has a bad heart and a bad luck? "

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Chai Shuai and his wife are so affectionate as husband and wife that they are the envy of others. My sister-in-law has a unique vision and can spot my brother in the huge crowd. This is the so-called destiny of marriage."

"It will be my lifetime honor to marry E Hui!" Chai Rong sighed softly, his face full of tenderness and his eyes full of longing.

Zhu Xiu looked at him with envy.

This was the first time I heard Chai Rong take the initiative to mention family matters. Before, I only knew that his first wife's surname was Liu. Her real name turned out to be Liu Ehui. She sounded like an ordinary, simple and gentle woman.

"Hui'er has given birth to three sons for me. The eldest son, Zong Yi, is eight years old. He is lively, playful and smart. The second son, Zong Cheng, is four years old. He likes to be quiet and dislikes movement. He loves to pester his mother to listen to some interesting anecdotes. Zizong Chu has just turned one year old, but he is a fat boy, but I don’t know what his character will be like in the future."

Chai Rong softly described the warm daily life at home in Kaifeng in a gentle tone that he had never seen before.

Zhu Xiu listened carefully and laughed when he heard something interesting. Chai Rong also laughed constantly when he talked about interesting things about his three sons.

Suddenly, Chai Rong's warm palm gently pressed Zhu Xiu's shoulder and said with a smile: "In the future, when you go to Kaifeng, I will let the three boys worship you as their husband and study with you."

Zhu Xiu was stunned, and all kinds of feelings suddenly surged in his heart.

"Chai Shuai is not afraid that I will mislead my disciples?" Zhu Xiu scratched his head and laughed.

Chai Rong laughed loudly: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid! I don't ask you to teach me any profound knowledge, I just want to learn some tact from you, as long as I don't fear the treacherous charms of this world!"

Zhu Xiu grinned, cupped his hands and said, "I will definitely fulfill my mission!"

"Then it's settled!" Chai Rong decided happily with a wave of his hand.

After joking for a while, Chai Rong told him about Fu Jinzhan's worries that Fu Jinzhan had told him on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Chai Rong smiled bitterly and said: "Since you have made a love with Shi Jieshuai's daughter first, I don't have any choice but to persuade the Fu family. It's just that Mrs. Fu's worries about the Fu family are not unreasonable. Without your relationship, my father would Neither Shuai nor I have to help the Fu family."

Zhu Xiu thought for a while and said with a smile: "If Privy Guo wants to strengthen the relationship with the Fu family, he can actually use other methods. For example, let Lady Fu recognize Privy Guo as her adoptive father. In this way, Chai Shuai and Fu Da The wife behaves like a sworn brother and sworn sister, and others are blameless. From now on, there will be an additional layer of connection between Privy Guo and Mrs. Fu."

Chai Rong thought about it carefully and laughed happily: "What a great idea! I'll write to my father about this when I get back!"

Just as he was talking, Fu Jinzhan and Fu Jinhuan rode up to him. Fu Jinzhan smiled and said, "Why are you two so happy?"

Chai Rong smiled and said, "Ms. Fu, please take a step to speak."

Fu Jinzhan's almond-shaped eyes turned between the two of them, and he pursed his lips and chuckled: "Why is it so mysterious?"

Chai Rong and Fu Jinzhan drove their horses to the roadside, walked side by side, and talked softly.

Fu Jinhuan looked curiously, wondering what his sister and the others were saying.

Zhu Xiu came forward and said with a flattering smile: "Huan'er has been riding horses for a long time, are you exhausted? Do you want to take a ride to rest?"

Fu Jinhuanfei glanced at him with white eyes, and said mockingly: "My sister was born in the general family and rode a horse since she was a child. Don't mention it for half a day, even if she jumps on a horse and whips her whip, she can travel thousands of miles! Unlike some people, as the commander-in-chief of the three armies, Riding a donkey during the march is so ridiculous!"

Fu Jinhuan tightened the reins, raised his whip and whipped hard. He let out a sweet scolding and galloped forward, leaving only the horse's butt swinging violently for him to see.

Zhu Xiu's smiling face stiffened and her teeth itched in annoyance.

The young lady's skin was damaged and she was sharp-tongued, which made him very angry.

Wasn't it just on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival that she won more than sixty dollars at the poker table? Why is she so worried about it?

The sergeants around him were suppressing laughter and looked at him strangely. Zhu Xiu's face was expressionless, but in fact, she was blushing.

"啕啕~" The gray donkey and the black egg chewed the donkey's lips and made a mocking sound.

"Stupid donkey, when I learn to ride a horse, the first thing I will do is to wash you clean and make donkey meat and burn it on fire!" Zhu Xiu patted the donkey's head with his back molars clenched.

(End of this chapter)