The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 280 Old Man Zhao teaches his son

Zhao Mansion is located on the west side of Chongmingmen Inner Street in the inner city.

Zhao Hongyin got up early in the morning, had some porridge and side dishes, and then started boxing.

After a while, dark clouds rolled in the sky, and thunder rumbled between the clouds. Zhao Hongyin looked up at the dark sky, frowned and muttered "ghost weather", then moved from the garden to the corridor and continued to box.

Zhao Hongyin is 51 years old, with gray hair on his temples and a few wisps of white on his eyebrows. His nose bridge is as high as a hanging gallbladder, his cheekbones are slightly high, his cheeks are slightly thin, he has two mustaches on his lips and a sparse three-part hair under his chin. Short beard.

Mr. Zhao is of medium height, perhaps because of his age. He walks with a slight stoop and a stooped waist. He likes to wear a rough linen round-neck robe. When he grins, he looks like a teacher giving lectures in a rural village.

It's just that the expression of a pair of eyes is changeable, sometimes flashing a sharp gaze like an eagle, sometimes with restrained brilliance, revealing cloudy yellow eyes, like a simple and even slightly honest little old man.

Zhao Hongyin was injured in the eye socket by a stray arrow when he was on an expedition to Meng Shu last year. Fortunately, his left eye was not injured, but it also left some sequelae. The vision of his left eye was weakened, he was afraid of light and wind, and he could not see clearly in dim light.

Since his eye injury, old man Zhao has been accustomed to squinting when looking at people, giving him a more cunning and cunning feeling, like a sneaky old fox.

After Zhao Hongyin finished a set of Zhao family punches, a lot of sweat oozed from his deeply wrinkled forehead, and a large area of ​​his back was wet.

Pulling back his fists and standing up, Zhao Hongyin let out a long sigh of relief.

Looking up at the sky again, low thunder was hovering high in the sky.

"If it's thunder without rain, the thief will know his bluff~" Zhao Hongyin muttered.

A maid came forward with a tray containing towels and tea.

Zhao Hongyin took a towel and wiped the sweat on his forehead, neck, and hands, then picked up the teacup and drank it.

Glancing at the maid with a low eyebrow, Zhao Hongyin narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Lian'er, madam, are you getting up?"

"Replying to the master, Madam has just finished washing up and is having some light breakfast." The maid Lian'er said softly, and the soft voice made Zhao Hongyin feel good, and he stroked his beard with a look of enjoyment on his face.

"Lian'er, I remember that you are from Huainan, right? How many years have you been in the mansion?" Zhao Hongyin was in a good mood today, and cared about the maid serving in his wife's room.

Lian'er timidly said: "I am a native of Caixian County, Yingzhou. When I was young, I fled to Kaifeng with my parents, and encountered the Khitan siege. Both my parents were killed by the Khitans. I followed the refugees into the city and escaped with my life. Later, in Gui'er I was begging outside the temple when I met my lady’s motorcade passing by. Thanks to my lady’s kindness, I took my slave into the house. It has been four years now.”

"Alas, the world is so difficult, and Lian'er has suffered!" Zhao Hong sighed with emotion as he stroked his beard. His peripheral vision swept across Lian'er's slightly bulging breasts under her light green skirt, and he sighed uncontrollably: "So let's think about it. Come on, Lian'er is already sixteen this year!"

"Let me tell you, Lian'er is already seventeen this year, so she is actually eighteen years old."

Lian'er's pink face was dyed red, and she seemed to be aware of the meaning in the master's eyes. She pursed her lips and answered weakly, with a hint of expectation in her lowered eyes.

Old Man Zhao blinked, twirled his beard and shook his head and exclaimed: "It turns out that we are already twenty-nine years old. What a wonderful youth!~"

Old Man Zhao calmly glanced over Lian'er's whole body, her soft pink face, her slim waist that could be grasped, her slightly swollen breasts and hips, her straight and slender legs, and her whole body exuded the aura of youthful vitality.
"It's really a ripe and tempting peach~" Old Man Zhao added silently in his heart.

Lian'er's face was flushed and she lowered her head shyly. The master's eyes became more and more fiery.

"Haha, Lian'er is not young anymore, have you ever thought about getting married?" Zhao Hongyin asked casually.

Lian Er quickly raised her eyelids and glanced, then said timidly: "Let the master decide."

"Ahem~" Zhao Hongyin looked at Lian'er's shy look, feeling as if he was being scratched by a kitten.

"Lian'er~" Zhao Hongyin pretended to be calm, "You have been in the palace for four years and have been serving my wife. You are dedicated, thoughtful and smart in your work. My wife and I like you very much.
If you are willing, come to the south wing tonight, and I will discuss the marriage with you! "

Zhao Hongyang put his hands behind his hands and raised his head slightly, as if he were the master of the Zhao Mansion, and his tone was indifferent, as if he was announcing a trivial matter.

Lian'er was startled, and timidly glanced at the master's bedroom at the back of the house, and said in a low voice: "I don't dare. If Madam finds out, she will be angry, and she will beat her up and drive her out of the house. of."

"Of course you can't let Madam know!" Zhao Hongyin chuckled, with a somewhat expectant tone, "Madam is going to attend a party at Su Xiang's residence tonight, and I'm afraid she won't be back until Hainan. When you call for leave later, Madam will let you stay at home. of"

Old Man Zhao raised his eyebrows with an expression of "You know what I mean?"

Lian'er took a step back while holding the tray, and whispered with panic on her face: "Master, forgive me, slave, slave, I don't dare! Madam's discipline is strict, if, if Madam notices, she will beat me to death!"

Old Man Zhao was a little anxious. He took a step closer and whispered: "I'm afraid! I have the master to make the decision for you! At worst, I will buy you a new house in the outer city."

Lian'er's eyes were red, she was about to cry, and she said pitifully: "If the master promotes this slave and is willing to take her as his concubine, I will be grateful for the master's kindness and will definitely serve the master for the rest of my life! But, the master must first seek the wife's opinion, and the wife nodded in agreement. , this slave dares to get close to the master! Otherwise. Otherwise, I will beat this slave to death, and this slave will not dare to touch the madam’s brow!"

Old Man Zhao was furious and anxious, and couldn't help but beat his chest and feet: "Alas, alas, you maids, are you all only afraid of the madam, not me? The madam can beat you, but I can't beat you? I'm so angry!"

Old Zhao glanced around, his heart skipped a beat and he stamped his feet. He took a step forward to grab Lian'er's little hand and play with it first.

Lian'er was anxious and scared, and didn't dare to dodge. She closed her eyes and shivered while holding the tray.

"Father! Father!"

Waves of rough shouts came, and heavy footsteps quickly walked towards the back garden.

Zhao Hongyin shivered with fright, hurriedly retracted his hands and feet, stood with his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, looking calm and calm.

Lian'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at Old Zhao with an angry look, knelt down and saluted, "My slave, please leave."

Zhao Kuangyin strode from the corridor, Lian'er hurried past him, bowed, and ran away with the tray in hand.

"Dad, what are you looking at?"

Zhao Kuangyin saluted, stood beside Zhao Hongyin, looked up at the sky, and asked doubtfully.

Old Man Zhao cast a sideways glance at him, stroking his beard and saying, "Dark clouds are threatening to destroy the city, mountain rain is about to come, and the wind is filling the building. Can't my son see that?"

Zhao Kuangyin curled his lips, pointed to a piece of thin white bird droppings that had just fallen on the bluestone steps two steps in front of him, and said with a smile: "My child only sees that there will be strong winds and heavy rains that day. If you don't find a place to take shelter, , before you get caught in the rain, you have to be hit by the bird droppings first!"

Zhao Hongyin snorted, turned around and walked to the stone table at the end of the corridor to sit down.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled and followed his father. "What's the point of not going on duty in the palace so early in the morning and going out to the garden to yell and disturb the peace of your father and your mother?"

Zhao Hongyin was very angry that Zhao Kuangyin had ruined a good thing just now.

Zhao Kuangyin said helplessly: "Didn't dad know that the child had a rest today and told the concierge that I was not allowed to go out and asked me to stay in the house all day?"

Zhao Hongyin coughed dryly and patted his forehead: "Oh~ It's true. As I get older, I always forget things~"

"The child is about to ask dad why he won't let me leave the house?"

Zhao Hongyin looked at him sideways: "Why don't you know?"

Zhao Kuangyin frowned and said, "Dad, don't you allow me to go to Chaoyang Gate to see Guo Shuai off?"

"Asking even though you know it!" Zhao Hongyin snorted.

Zhao Kuangyin said angrily: "My father and Guo Shuai are on good terms. The child was under the command of Tianxiong Army and was taken care of by Guo Shuai. The child and Chai Rong are brothers of Paoze. Now Guo Shuai and his son are about to go to Hebei. As an old subordinate and Brothers and friends, shouldn't we go to say goodbye? Why did dad stop me?"

Zhao Hongyin shook his head and said: "Friendship is friendship, but at this juncture, my Zhao family can no longer have anything to do with Guo Wei. Not to mention completely drawing a line, but we must maintain a certain distance. Didn't my father also go to see him off? You If you go, my Zhao family won’t be able to explain it clearly.”

"My Zhao family acts openly and aboveboard. Is there anything I need to explain to others?"

Zhao Kuangyin was indignant, "Father is afraid that Li Ye, Nie Wenjin, Guo Yunming, and Houzan, these snakes and rats, will seek to bring bad luck to my Zhao family? Humph~ I'm not afraid, kid!"

Zhao Hongyin was so angry that he blew his beard and glared: "I have been on the battlefield all my life. Last year, at the age of fifty, I personally killed two pioneer generals from Meng and Shu. Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and others are just eagles and lackeys. How can I be afraid of them?"

Zhao Kuangyin spread his hands: "Dad is a hero, Li Ye and other treacherous villains are not worthy to be compared with you. In this case, our Zhao family is close to Guo Shuai, why should we be timid and worried about rumors?"

Zhao Hong looked at him seriously: "Li Ye and others are nothing to be afraid of. It's just that the officials are standing behind them. The officials and the ministers are at odds with each other. Now if we stay close to Guo Wei, how will the officials view it?" My Zhao family?

The previous time my father declined the post of commander of the Longwu Army, it had already angered the officials. Although they did not say it openly, the officials must have resented him in their hearts.

At such a delicate moment, if our Zhao family showed any signs of being close to Guo Wei, we would definitely be persecuted by the officials, Li Ye and others.

The situation in the government is unclear, so the Zhao family can only stay in this life-and-death battle by maintaining an impartial attitude. No matter which side wins in the end, although the Zhao family will not gain anything, it will not suffer any harm. "

Zhao Kuangyin said dissatisfiedly: "But my child used to be a subordinate of Guo Shuai and Chai Shuai, and you always transferred me to the inner hall without saying hello. Because of this, I have already failed Guo Shuai and his son for cultivating me, and I have betrayed the brotherhood.
Now that Guo Shuai and his son are on an expedition for the country, it’s okay if the child can’t help. It would be too unkind to not even go to see him off. How will I get along with my brothers when they meet in the future? "

Zhao Hong twisted his beard and smiled and sighed: "My son has a deep sense of loyalty. Seeing you as a father is like seeing myself 30 years ago!"

Zhao Kuangyin curled his lips and murmured in his heart that his father was shrewd and cunning when he was young, and he could not compare with him.

Zhao Kuangyin only dared to say these words in his heart. If he said them out, his father would be greatly annoyed and he would take off his shoes and slap him.

Zhao Hongyin changed the subject: "But in this world, how much is brotherhood worth? In the end, it's not about profit. At that time, Li Shouzhen and Guo Wei were good enough to wear the same hakama, but now? The official gave an order, Didn’t Guo Wei lead his troops to personally annihilate Li Shouzhen?
There were also Du Chongwei and An Chongrong back then. They worked for the Jin Dynasty with the late emperor, and they didn't even talk about being brothers all day long.

When the late emperor settled in Kaifeng and established the foundation, didn't he successively eliminate the old brothers who were unconvinced? "

Zhao Hongyin thought about the past and had many emotions: "When you were young, you were full of blood, and you could fight through mountains and fires for the sake of loyalty. But when you get older, you each have a family and have your own interests. The so-called brotherhood at that time was just for the sake of safeguard their respective interests.

When the interests are in harmony, there is naturally a deep brotherhood, and when the interests are in conflict, they will meet each other without hesitation!

As a father, I have seen many enemies and enemies in my life. Only by not getting carried away by the so-called friendship can you survive in this world safely.How many people who served under Emperor Zhuangzong with their father back then are still alive today? "

Zhao Kuangyin listened silently and couldn't help but muttered: "Even if what my father said is the reality of the world, the child has inherited the kindness of Guo Shuai and his son, and has a similar spirit and deep friendship with Chai Rong and others. If he just ignores it and doesn't ask, the child will be like this." It never feels right in my heart.”

Zhao Hongyin said with a smile: "My father declined his position in the Longwu Army, also claimed to be on leave at home due to illness, and handed over the military power of the Guardian Army. This is the greatest support for Guo Wei! Although my father's position is not high, he has been fighting for decades. I still have a little reputation, and the other generals of the forbidden army will know what to do when they see my Zhao family acting like this."

Zhao Hongyin twirled his short, sparse white beard with a proud look on his face.

Zhao Kuangyin hesitated and said: "Even if most of the Forbidden Army generals remain neutral, there are still many who support Li Ye and others. If the power of the Forbidden Army tilts towards the officials, I am afraid that Li Ye and others will dare to take risks and kill them!"

Zhao Hongyin said calmly: "The struggle for power is a life-and-death battle. It depends on which side can seize the opportunity and win the hearts of the people! This is why my father said that the situation in the court is still unclear."

Zhao Kuangyin came closer and whispered: "In my father's opinion, who will have the last laugh in this contest?"

Zhao Hongyin glanced at his son, shook his head and said: "It's hard to say, the official family has a righteous name, and the power in their hands is also increasing step by step. The auxiliary ministers group has the hearts of the courtiers, and has deep prestige in the Forbidden Army and the vassal towns in various places. If the fight continues, it will inevitably This is a situation where armies are facing each other, and it’s unclear who will win when the time comes.”

Zhao Kuangyin stared at his father for a while, then smiled and said, "Father already has a winner in his heart?"

Zhao Hongyin was a little annoyed by his son's teasing laughter, glared at him, and said in a low voice: "If the official family wants to win, there is only one way, to get rid of Shi Hongzhao and Yang Bin, and at the same time try to appease Guo Wei!
Guo Wei has great military exploits. No matter whether he is in Beijing or abroad, once he is angered, he is a man-eating tiger!

Therefore, there is no rush to deal with Guo Wei, and we can only use the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers to hold him back. After a few years, we can gradually reduce the power in his hands and dilute his influence on the Forbidden Army and the vassal towns in various places.

But if the official gets confused and kills Guo Wei, tsk tsk~ Then maybe things will really change! "

Old God Zhao Hongyin pointed at the sky covered with dark clouds.

Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath and was speechless for a long time.

Zhao Hongyin smiled slightly, stood up, shook his robe, and continued to box leisurely.

Zhao Kuangyin's mood was a little confused, he wanted to go back to his room to be quiet, and got up to leave.

Zhao Hongyin didn't stay long and hummed lightly.

Zhao Kuangyin walked through the corridor, and when he was halfway there, he turned around and warned: "If dad wants to take a concubine, he should first ask for mother's consent. Otherwise, he will anger his mother and be kicked out of the house. The child will not dare to help and plead for mercy."

After Zhao Kuangyin finished speaking, he clasped his fists and saluted, and strode away.

Zhao Hongyin stumbled and almost fell down. He held on to the pillar and barely managed to stand still. He gritted his teeth in anger and said, "You bastard~"

Old Man Zhao thought again that this was in the garden of the back house, and hurriedly looked around with a guilty conscience, fearing that his wife might have heard what he just said.
(End of this chapter)