The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 281 Zhao Da and Zhao Er

Zhao Kuangyin thought about his father's words and returned to the courtyard where he lived.

"Brother~"

Just as he was about to open the door and enter the house, there was a shout from behind.

Zhao Kuangyin turned around and saw a man walking out of the darkness under a lush grape trellis in the yard.

The person who came was a young man of eleven or twelve years old, wearing an elegant silk and satin scholar's uniform, a square scarf on his head, a topaz belt around his waist, and a sapphire pendant on his left side. He was dressed elegantly.

Looking at the appearance, he is quite similar to Zhao Kuangyin, but he is more delicate. His narrow eyes are full of different colors, his eyebrows are slightly feminine, and his thin lips are pursed. At first glance, he feels that he is a smart and wise man. Xiaolangjun.

This person is Zhao Kuangyin's direct brother, Zhao Kuangyi.

Zhao Hongyin's first wife, Du Shi, gave birth to four sons and two daughters in total. The eldest son Zhao Kuangji died young, the second son was Zhao Kuangyin, the third son Zhao Kuangyi, and the youngest son Zhao Kuangzan who was born a few years ago also died early.

Zhao Hongyin's only concubine, Geng, gave birth to a son named Zhao Tingmei. He was the younger brother of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Kuangyi. He was only three years old now.

In terms of seniority, Zhao Hongyin has three surviving sons, the eldest Zhao Kuangyin, the second Zhao Kuangyi, and the third Zhao Tingmei.

Geng was Zhao Kuangyin's wet nurse. She was dignified and beautiful, with a gentle temperament and neither fighting nor jealousy.

The first wife, Mrs. Du, knew that she could not have any more children, and because Geng had been in the government for many years and had a gentle temper, she agreed to take Zhao Hongyin as his concubine.

Old Man Zhao has fallen in love with many women over the years, but Geng is the only one who has Du's approval to join the Zhao family.

Du's family was strict and followed etiquette. Zhao Hongyin and his son respected her.

In family affairs, no one dares to make decisions without Du's nod.

Zhao Kuangyi was still studying in the Zhongzijian in Beijing. He had shown extraordinary intelligence since he was a child. In addition, he had a calm temperament and was relatively mature in dealing with others. He had considerable appeal among his peers and was considered a well-known figure among the nobles of the Forbidden Army.

Zhao Kuangyi stepped forward from under the cool grape trellis with his hands behind his back.

Perhaps because of entering puberty, the wings of Zhao Er's nose were a little red, and a few pimples appeared on his cheeks. This made Zhao Er, who was very concerned about appearance, very distressed. He went to the doctor to take medicine for a few days, but the pimples did not disappear, but appeared in continuous patches. development trend.

Zhao Ersheng was afraid that others would laugh at him, so he simply took leave at home.

He was smart since he was a child, and he completed his studies much faster than students of the same age. He had already mastered the Imperial College courses to a minimum, and it didn't matter even if he dropped out of school.

I went to the Imperial Academy to hang out just to make friends with the noble children of various families and to run my own small circle of contacts.

Zhao Hongyin was often away on military expeditions, so the important task of disciplining his children was left to Du.

Sometimes Mr. Zhao wants to experience the pleasure of being a father educating his son, but unexpectedly, he is crushed by his two sons in all aspects.

In terms of martial arts, he is not as good as Zhao Da.

In terms of knowledge, he is not as good as Zhao Er.

Old Man Zhao was self-aware and knew that his ability to discipline his children was far inferior to his wife Du's, so he no longer interfered with their children's studies.

Therefore, in the minds of the children, the image of mother is far more majestic than that of father. In the Zhao family, Du's status is indeed higher than that of Old Man Zhao.

If Old Man Zhao had a quarrel with Mr. Du over the matter of taking concubines, no one in the Zhao family would speak for Old Man Zhao.

However, Mrs. Du is indeed not an ordinary woman. She often keeps reading and talking, and has a shrewd mind. She strictly disciplines her husband at home, is gentle and courteous in front of outsiders, gives her husband face, and keeps Old Man Zhao under control.

"Why are you here, my second brother? Why are you hiding under the shed instead of sitting in the house?"

Zhao Kuangyin looked at the red pimple on his brother's face and asked, suppressing a smile.

Zhao Kuangyi noticed his brother's efforts to hold back the ridicule and glared at him angrily: "As the eldest brother, my brother is sick, so I just don't ask about it, and he laughs behind his back? Don't you think his behavior is too much? It's very rude. What?"

Zhao Kuangyin said hurriedly: "Brother, why don't you care? Didn't I introduce Dr. Ma from the Imperial Medical Office to you? Just go find him!"

Zhao Kuangyi said angrily: "When I go to the Imperial Medical Office, I have to pass by the Imperial Academy. If my classmates and friends see me, wouldn't it make people laugh?"

Zhao Kuangyin said helplessly: "Mr. Ma is the best at this. If you don't go to him for diagnosis and treatment, how can you get better? At your age, my face is often greasy and pimples appear easily. Many people have this problem, why bother?" What are you afraid of being laughed at?"

Zhao Kuangyi groaned and said: "You are a warrior, and it has become a habit to be dissolute. I am different. I am a scholar and abide by etiquette. Of course, I have to pay more attention to my image."

Zhao Kuangyin pouted, spread his hands and said, "Then what do you want?"

Zhao Kuangyi thought for a while and said, "Brother Lao, go and invite Dr. Ma to come to your home for a consultation."

"Imperial Doctor Ma is not an ordinary imperial physician. He is a close friend of the late Emperor from the same hometown. Even the Queen Mother respects him. I can go and invite him, but I can't guarantee whether he will come or not." Zhao Kuangyin said with a bitter smile.

"My eldest brother is rich, so I'll give him a generous reward and I won't worry if he doesn't come." Zhao Kuangyi had many ideas.

Zhao Kuangyin laughed angrily and said angrily: "You have a loud voice, you will try your best to try to get my idea. You also have private money, why don't you take it out? I am on duty in the palace, and I have to provide entertainment and entertainment, and I have to leave it for your sister-in-law." Some personal use, and your unborn nephew also has to wait for the money!"

Zhao Kuangyi said confidently: "My younger brother and my eldest brother were born from the same mother. What's yours is mine? What's the matter with spending some money on your biological brother? My sister-in-law lives in the house and has her own mother to take care of her. How can she be short of food and clothing?" The eldest brother's child has not yet been born, how can there be any need to spend money? Besides, he is the eldest grandson of my Zhao family, so parents will take care of you, what are you afraid of?"

Zhao Kuangyin pointed at him and was angry and funny, "What you say is nice! Ever since I was a child, whenever I got a new gadget, it would end up in your hands? But when will the things that fall into your hands be seen by you? Have you ever come back?
We are brothers, and what is mine is indeed yours, but what is yours is still yours, but not mine!You kid is really good at calculating this shrewd abacus! "

Zhao Kuangyi chuckled, his expression quite similar to Zhao Hongyin, like a little fox stealing his mouth.

"Who is my eldest brother? He was a famous Xiang boy in Luoyang City back then. He had a strong sense of loyalty since he was a child. He had friends and brothers all over the world. At the age of thirteen or fourteen, he became a tyrant in the southern city with his fists. He was a man of great arrogance and had the Five Mountains in his chest. How can he be on the same level as his biological brother?"

Zhao Kuangyi raised his head and gave a big compliment.

"Bah! You kid, don't give me money!" Zhao Kuangyin was indignant. "Anyway, I have been tricked by you a lot since I was a child! Now I have learned well. If you want me to run errands to ask for Dr. Ma, you can, but you have to Pay half of the money, no, you pay [-]%, and I’ll help you pay for the rest!”

Zhao Kuangyi held his heart and looked distressed: "When did my eldest brother Zhao Yuanlang become such a stingy and stingy person? Are you and I brothers so worried about a little money?" Zhao Kuangyin hugged him and looked at him and sneered: "No matter what you say, brother, I will not be fooled by you! When it comes to cheating, tricking, and abducting, compared to that other little bastard, you are a bit inferior!"

Zhao Kuangyi was startled, restrained his exaggerated performance, frowned and said: "Is it the Zhu Xiu of Jingzhou that my brother said?"

"That's right!" Zhao Kuangyin smiled, "When I first met Zhu Xiu, he was a few years older than you. He was also very eloquent and could talk the dead into living things and the living into confusion. In the end, he was willing to be deceived by him, and he still had to think in his heart. It’s good for him!”

Zhao Kuangyi shook his broad sleeves, sat down in the courtyard, and said disdainfully: "I heard from my brother that this person is just a little smart. I don't know which idler in the barren mountain followed him, learned some strange skills, and copied two poems. Good poems, just go to Guo Wei and gain the reputation of a hermit and a master disciple."

Zhao Kuangyin also sat down and said sternly: "Second brother has never seen Zhu Xiu, so don't draw conclusions easily! Most of the dandy boys in the Imperial College were influenced by the rumors spread by Li Ye and others, and had negative opinions on Zhang Yijun, Shi Kuangwei and Zhu Zhu Xiu slandered Zhu Xiu, and the second brother also listened to their remarks and dismissed Zhu Xiu. When you really deal with him, you will know how powerful this person is."

Zhao Kuangyi thought for a moment and asked curiously: "Brother praises him so much, I wonder what his talents are?"

Zhao Kuangyin thought for a while and said: "Zhu Xiu has learned a lot. He knows astronomy from the top and geography from the bottom. He is erudite from ancient times to the present. I am my brother in Jingzhou. I saw him teach the refining method of rock salt, produce white ash that can be used for construction, and smelt hundreds of steel. , and also taught farmers how to practice it, greatly improving the efficiency of farmland farming!

He can tell you a lot about raising chickens, ducks, cattle, sheep, and pigs.This guy is also good at cooking. There is now a restaurant in Luoyang City called Taihe Building, which is the property he bought. I think that in the near future, there will be a Taihe Building in Kaifeng City. Then I will take you to support me.
As for the black fire thunder and the sky-shattering thunder, not to mention, once these sharp weapons are released, they will definitely be great weapons on the battlefield.Three years after the official succeeded to the throne, he ordered the Department of Ordnance Supervision and Firearms to develop black fire thunder for three years. Now he can barely master the formula of fire powder.

The sky-shaking thunder, which is more powerful than the black fire thunder, can only be produced by the Changyi Army in the world.

With all these abilities, do you still dare to underestimate him? "

Zhao Kuangyi said in surprise: "Listening to what my brother said, this Zhu Xiu is really a peerless genius!"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled and said: "In the three years since Zhu Xiu was in Jingzhou, the situation of the Zhangyi Army has changed drastically. Now it has a strong army and strong horses, and it is so powerful that no one dares to underestimate it.

Last year, they defeated the Nanjing Army in Yuanzhou and captured Li Yiyin's son and nephew. Li Yiyin threatened revenge and complained to the court. In the end, he just pinched his nose and admitted his defeat and obediently paid the ransom.

If the Zhangyi Army did not have this strength, how could Li Yiyin give up so easily?Although the Dingnan Army is strong, it may not be sure to win against the Changyi Army. Even if it can win, it will definitely be a tragic situation of killing one thousand enemies and eight hundred losses.

The Dangxiang people are not stupid. Zhang Yijun has become an iron nail quietly, and they will not step on it easily. "

Zhao Kuangyi fell into silence.

Zhao Kuangyi knew the situation in the world well.

Nowadays, in the northern vassal towns, the strength of the Dingnan Army is definitely among the top three. However, the Dingnan Army is located in the remote Xiazhou of Yinzhou. Various ethnic groups live in the area under its jurisdiction, and there are many conflicts. It also faces the threat of the Khitans in the north. Over the years, He has been busy with domestic affairs, and he still maintains a superficial respect for the Central Plains court. He does not show off his dignity and does not participate in expansion wars, so he gives people an illusion of gentleness in the court.

Many ministers in the court were disapproving of the Dingnan Army, and felt that it was no big deal if the Dangxiang people listened to the instructions but not the announcement. The Dangxiang people were tough and bloody, and some of their tempers were normal.

But Zhao Kuangyi didn't see it that way. He knew that the Dingnan Army was not a watchdog kept by the imperial court in the Hetao and tied at the foot of Yinshan Mountain. They were a group of strong wild wolves that would turn around and bite the imperial court severely if they failed.

It is interesting that the Zhangyi Army dared to attack the Dangxiang people. What is even more strange is that the Dangxiang people did not dare to fight back.

This shows that this remote border town has developed and grown silently, and is no longer the poor and isolated frontier land that people thought in the past.

Besides, given his brother's temperament and lack of real information, how could he let him have a sincere relationship with him?

"After the elder brother said this, the younger brother is quite curious about Zhu Xiu and hopes to have the opportunity to get to know him." Zhao Kuangyi said.

"Yes, Zhu Xiu can't stay in Jingzhou all his life. He will always come to Kaifeng. I will introduce you to him then."

Zhao Kuangyin smiled. Before he met Zhu Xiu, he thought his second brother was a little monster among his peers.

After getting to know Zhu Xiu, he felt that Zhu Xiu was weirder than his second brother and was simply a monster.

Zhao Kuangyin was secretly looking forward to what would happen when two evil geniuses met.

"By the way, why did you come to me? It's not just to ask me to pay for Dr. Ma, right?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.

Zhao Kuangyi smiled slightly and said leisurely: "I was originally worried that my brother would go to Chaoyang Gate to see Guo Wei off, so I got up early to come to see you. Later I found out that my father had already made arrangements, so I felt relieved. I was also worried that you might not understand and be secretly angry, so I specially I'm here to explain to you, but seeing your expression is normal, it seems that my father has already spoken clearly."

Zhao Kuangyin snorted coldly: "It's about the safety of the Zhao family, why can't I figure it out? What's more, you can figure it out, why can't I figure it out?"

"That's not necessarily the case!" Zhao Kuangyi's childish face looked serious, "My younger brother has no friendship with Guo Wei and Chai Rong, and his judgment of the situation will not be mixed with any personal emotions.

The eldest brother is confused when he cares, and he also likes to talk about brotherly loyalty. Who knows if you will get hot and run to see Guo Wei and Chai Rong off, ruining our father's arrangements. "

Zhao Kuangyin was speechless and sighed: "Don't worry, dad has made it clear that the Zhao family's priority is to protect themselves, and I will not act rashly."

"It's best if the eldest brother can figure it out, so I won't bother you too much. The eldest brother will go to accompany your sister-in-law. The younger brother will leave."

Zhao Kuangyi nodded, stood up, dusted his sleeves and robe and said goodbye.

"Wait!~" Zhao Kuangyin suddenly called out to him. Zhao Kuangyi turned around and asked doubtfully: "Brother, is there anything else?"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly and said: "You also think that the brotherhood I value is ridiculous, right? In the fierce moment of party struggle in the court, the so-called friendship is just a matter of emotion?"

Zhao Kuangyi's narrow eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of his lips curved as he said: "In normal times, it would be beneficial for my brother and Zhao family to have a good relationship with Guo Wei and Chai Rong, so your brotherly friendship is valuable!

But now, if your friendship with Guo Wei and his son is not temporarily broken off, it will be a great danger to our Zhao family!Therefore, we should not act out of impulse and put family interests first! "

Zhao Kuangyin looked at him with slightly complicated eyes, and said with a wry smile: "If one day the interests of the Zhao family conflict with the brotherhood between you and me, should I abandon you and protect the Zhao family?"

Zhao Kuangyi suddenly grinned brightly: "That's natural! The Zhao family is the most important in everything. If there is no family, where will you and me be?"

Zhao Kuangyin was silent for a moment, pretending to be amused and said: "Your tone is exactly the same as your father's. No wonder he has loved you the most since he was a child!"

"Haha, my eldest brother has been traveling around all the time, so it is inevitable that he will be a little bit involved in the world. But don't forget, our Zhao family is a family of officials, and we are still different from those reckless people."

Zhao Kuangyi smiled, cupped his hands and saluted: "Brother, don't forget about Ma Taiyi, younger brother, I will leave."

The courtyard became quiet, and Zhao Kuangyin sat alone in the courtyard, as if he had been deep in thought for a long time.
(End of this chapter)