The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 292 Reunion in Xingzhou

Three days later, Zhu Xiu and Zhang Yongde and his party rushed to Xingzhou, but they saw that Xingzhou City was also in a state of chaos. There were camps outside the city, and soldiers and horses were frequently mobilized. After strict inspection, it was still difficult for the group to enter the city.

Tao Wenju inquired and found out that it was the veteran Liu Ci who was now serving as the military envoy of the Anguo Army guarding Xingzhou.

Liu Ci is in Xingzhou, so there is a high probability that Zhao Pu is also there.

Zhu Xiu hurriedly went to the city gate guard and asked to see Zhao Pu by name.

Liu Ci was Zhao Pu's Bole. Ever since he appointed Zhao Pu as his official, he had been favoring him and took him with him to teach him carefully.

Zhao Pu also regarded Liu Ci as his father and tried his best to advise him.

Now that Liu Ci has become the governor of the Anguo Army, Zhao Pu has also become a judge who controls the money and granary of a town.

Judge Zhao was a popular person around Liu Ci. When the city gate guard heard that Zhu Xiu had specified that he wanted to see Zhao Pu, he spoke loudly, as if he had a close relationship with Judge Zhao and did not dare to neglect. He took them to a small room inside the city gate to sit down. , And sent someone to the government office to inform Zhao Pu.

Less than half an hour later, Zhao Pu hurried over. He was originally wondering who wanted to see him, or whether it was a relative who came to seek refuge with him.

"Mr. Zhao, I haven't seen you for many years. How are you?"

Zhu Xiu walked out of the house and bumped into Zhao Pu, cupping her hands and smiling.

Zhao Pu was stunned when he saw Zhu Xiu: "Your Majesty, yes"

"We said goodbye outside Cangzhou City and haven't seen each other for three years. Could it be that Mr. Zhao doesn't remember me?"

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly, and said leisurely: "Don't be surprised by favors or insults, just watch the flowers bloom and fall in front of the court, don't care whether to go or stay, follow the clouds and clouds outside the sky, I don't know if Mr. Zhao still remembers?"

"Are you Young Master Zhu Xiu?" Zhao Pu was overjoyed. He quickly stepped forward to look at him and laughed: "We haven't seen him for three years. Young Master Zhu has grown a lot taller, and his appearance has also changed slightly. He is more handsome and elegant, and he is taller and taller!"

"Zhu Xiu has met Mr. Zhao!" Zhu Xiu smiled and saluted.

Zhao Pu sighed with emotion. After three years of absence, Zhu Xiu had grown from a weak and shabby young man to a high-spirited, prosperous and handsome young man today.

And he himself is already in his late thirties. Although he is not old, his mentality and appearance are quite vicissitudes.

"Although we haven't seen each other for three years, Zhao has often heard about Zhu Shaolang's reputation! At a young age, he became the commander-in-chief of a town and made a big name in Jingzhou!
Zhu Shaolang is now the marching commander of the Zhangyi Army and concurrently serves as the governor of Jing. In terms of official position, he is still above Zhao! "

Zhao Pu sighed with emotion, "When I left Cangzhou back then, Zhao said that with Zhu Shaolang's talent, he would be completely transformed in just three to five years, and his career would be soaring, and it really came true in just three years!"

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "I would also like to thank Mr. Zhao for taking care of me in Cangzhou. If Mr. Zhao had not spoken kindly in front of Madam Fu, my head would have been chopped off by someone long ago."

Pan Mei and everyone walked out of the house and shouted dissatisfied: "Don't bring up old things again to expose my shortcomings! Lao Zhao, I haven't seen you for three years. Why do you have a lot of white hair? You look like you are over forty." I have told you before, read less and practice martial arts more. No matter how smart your brain is, it will still grow on your neck. If your body and bones are weak, your head will also be broken!"

Zhao Pu stroked his beard and laughed: "Pan Dutou's lesson is right. Zhao is usually busy with government affairs and neglects to exercise. His body and bones are getting worse day by day."

Pan Mei glared at her and shouted: "Old Pan is now a soldier of the Zhangyi Army. He is qualified to be called a general, but he doesn't have to lose everything!"

"Haha~ I'm disrespectful, don't blame General Pan!" Zhao Pu smiled and saluted.

"That's pretty much it!" Pan Mei said proudly.

Zhu Xiu curled his lips and said: "This guy's military position was self-appointed within our Zhangyi Army. He has not been appointed by the court. Mr. Zhao does not need to take it seriously."

The crowd burst into laughter.

Pan Mei blushed and said angrily: "The imperial court has nothing to do with our Zhangyi Army! Shi Jieshuai said that I am a soldier and horse envoy, and we, old Pan, are!"

Zhao Pu's face changed slightly, he looked around and signaled him to be silent: "There are many people with mixed eyes, so don't talk nonsense!"

Pan Mei snorted and glared at Zhu Xiu resentfully.

Zhu Xiu turned his head and ignored it.

"This is not a place to talk, you just follow me."

Zhao Pu said cautiously and softly, and called the city gate guard to speak, and led everyone into the city.

There are few pedestrians on the streets of Xingzhou City, and occasionally a few look like they are in a hurry, as if they dare not stay outside for too long.

There were frequent exchanges of soldiers and horses on the streets, and the city was enveloped in a tense atmosphere of imminent war.

Zhao Pu took them to a private house near the government office.

"This is my residence. You can rest here without anyone disturbing you. You can live in any room as you like, and the kitchen will provide you with your daily meals."

Zhao Pu invited everyone to rest in the main room, but Shi Xiangwen dozed off. Zhu Xiu asked Tao Wenju and Hu Guangyue to take him back to the side room to settle down.

"Mr. Zhao seems to know our intention?" Zhu Xiu smiled while holding a tea cup.

Zhao Pu poured tea for everyone, sat aside and sighed: "Now there is chaos inside and outside the court, the king is ignorant and the ministers are treacherous. There are heavy troops gathering near Yedu. When you come to Xingzhou at this time, needless to say, you must want to use the road to go south. Yedu."

"Mr. Zhao hit the mark." Zhu Xiu admired.

Zhang Yongde hurriedly said: "May I ask Mr. Zhao, what is the situation in Xingzhou now? What are the movements of the Anguo Army?"

Zhao Pu smiled bitterly and said: "You have seen it when you entered the city. Now the troops and horses are entering the city. The whole city is under martial law and under strict control. Xingzhou and Yedu are only more than [-] miles apart. If you want to guard against the soldiers and horses of Yedu heading north, Xingzhou is The first line of defense.”

Zhu Xiu heard something beyond the words, "Mr. Zhao, what is Mr. Zhao saying, that Commander Liu Laojie of the Anguo Army has received the imperial order?"

Zhao Pu nodded and sighed: "The officials issued an edict, ordering Xingzhou Anguo Army, Beizhou Yongqing Army, Zhenzhou Chengde Army, and Cangzhou Henghai Navy to join forces and go south to besiege Yedu and capture Privy Secretary Guo and Commander Chai Jie. and a group of rebellious ministers and rebellious party members.”

"Bang!~" Zhang Yongde cracked the armrest of the chair with a heavy palm, his face was extremely pale.

Zhu Xiu smiled bitterly and said, "How have the towns responded?"

Zhao Pu said: "Except for the Anguo army and the Yongqing army, all the other military and towns killed the imperial envoys, burned official edicts in public, held high the banner of Yedu, cried out for Privy Guo, and threatened to follow Privy Guo and march southward. Return to Kaifeng and ask the officials why they listened to villains and framed Zhongliang."

Zhu Xiu nodded, and said in a deep voice: "Justice is in the hearts of the people. Guo Gong, Chai Shuai and the soldiers of the Tianxiong Army didn't want to rebel. It was the Hunjun and the villains around him who persecuted them in every possible way, so that they caused chaos in the world." Zhang Yongde gritted his teeth and said sharply: "Soldiers On the day I enter Kaifeng, I will personally capture Li Ye and Nie Wenjin and chop them alive!"

Zhao Pu opened his mouth to say something, Zhu Xiu shook his head slightly, and Zhao Pu retracted his words.

Zhu Xiu knew that Zhao Pu wanted to tell him about the tragedy that happened in Kaifeng City, but he had not returned to Yedu yet and was worried that Zhang Yongde would lose control when he knew the truth.

The hall was quiet for a while, and Zhu Xiu asked, "What does Commander Liu Laojie think of An Guojun here now?"

Seeing Zhao Pu's sad face, Zhu Xiu guessed that the Anguo army must be in a dilemma. He didn't know whether to obey the official's orders and send troops to Yedu, or to express his support for Guo Wei.

Zhu Xiu felt a little strange. Zhao Pu himself had always admired Guo Wei, and Liu Ci and Guo Wei were also friends for many years. It stands to reason that even if An Guojun did not resolutely support Yedu like other vassal towns, it would not act like it was strictly guarding against Yedu. A defensive stance.

But now Xingzhou City has been mobilizing troops frequently, blocking the road south to Yedu, and stationing troops at various important roads, obviously to prevent Yedu troops from moving north.

Will Liu Ci obey the imperial court's orders and go against Guo Wei?
Zhao Pu said sadly: "Commander Liu Laojie acted prudently. Originally, I advised him to temporarily appease the imperial envoys. On the surface, he promised to obey the imperial edict, but secretly sent someone to contact Yedu to explain to Privy Council Guo the difficulties of our Anguo army. , Privy Guo’s mind is as broad as the sea, and he will definitely understand Liu Laojieshuai’s situation.”

Zhu Xiu nodded: "Mr. Zhao's suggestion is a pragmatic approach. After all, Mr. Liu's family is still in Kaifeng and cannot publicly declare support for Yedu. But it is even more undesirable to follow the imperial decree and send troops to Yedu. We have a good relationship with Privy Councilor Guo, and secondly, it is unrealistic to use the strength of the Anguo Army to fight against the soldiers and horses of Yedu."

"Master Zhu has seen clearly, but it's a pity that Mr. Liu Laojie was deceived by a traitor and did not want to listen to my advice." Zhao Pu's face was full of sorrow.

Zhu Xiu frowned and said, "But someone encouraged Liu Laojieshuai to send troops to fight against Yedu?"

Zhao Pu said: "Everyone in the Anguo army knows that the military envoy He Hui is a trusted general of Laojieshuai. This person and Nie Wenjin are old acquaintances. He was the one who encouraged Liu Laojie to send troops to Yedu in compliance with the imperial decree."

"He Hui?" Zhu Xiu frowned.

Pan Mei shouted anxiously: "Now is the time of urgency. If you make a wrong step, you will be doomed! Could it be that Mr. Liu is old and confused? How could he help the imperial court to harm Zhongliang? Then He Hui must have secretly promised Nie Wenjin, this Only then did he try his best to encourage Liu Laojieshuai to fight against Guo Dashuai!
Hum~ Why don't we go see Liu Laojie, the handsome man, and tell him face to face that he is awesome? If He Hui still dares to talk nonsense, I will chop off his head with a knife! "

Zhao Pu couldn't laugh or cry: "General Pan must not act rashly. He Hui is a general in the Anguo Army. He is not weak in martial arts and is quite resourceful. If he touches this person lightly before he persuades Commander Liu Laojie, I am afraid that Commander Laojie will misunderstand him." We are going to attack the palace with troops. The commander-in-chief has a tough temperament, so we cannot resort to such tactics."

Zhu Xiu waved his hand and said with a smile: "Old Pan, don't be so noisy. Let's go see Commander Liu Laojie first. As for He Hui, he will act according to the opportunity!"

Zhu Xiu winked at him, while Pan Mei glared at him, rubbed her chin to get some hint of the meaning, and chuckled a few times.

Although Pan Mei's words were simple and crude, they gave Zhu Xiu a wake-up call.

The current situation is chaotic, and only by cutting through the mess quickly can we avoid unnecessary complications.

Brutal and brutal methods are often the fastest way to solve troubles.

Immediately, Zhu Xiu took Pan Mei and Zhang Yongde and followed Zhao Pu to visit Liu Ci.

In the official office of Anguo Army Jiedu Mansion, Zhu Xiu met this famous old general.

Liu Ci was sixty years old, with a long, snow-white beard and neatly tied silver hair. He was sitting upright in a green robe, giving him a somewhat fairy-like air.

Zhao Pu briefly introduced the identities of Zhu Xiu and the others. Liu Ci smiled and invited them to sit down, and stroked his beards and said, "So you are the young genius who created the Black Fire Thunder. When I saw you today, you really look extraordinary. No wonder you are valued by Skuangwei. The imperial court It’s such a pity to let such a great talent like you go~”

Zhu Xiu cupped his hands and said: "The purpose of building the black fire thunder is to protect the land and the people, and protect my people's territory from the Khitan people's ravages. It is not for promotion and wealth!"

Liu Ci smiled with admiration and said: "Well said, you are really an aspiring young man!"

Liu Ci looked at Zhang Yongde and asked, "I wonder why you came to see me today?"

Zhao Pu didn't want to speak clearly and directly, but wanted to be more tactful. Zhu Xiu took the initiative and said, "To be fair to the old general, I came here today specifically to save the lives of the old general and his family!"

Liu Ci's smile froze and he frowned, his face full of displeasure.

Zhao Pu's heart skipped a beat and he smiled bitterly. Unexpectedly, Zhu Xiu came straight to the point.

"My whole family is in Kaifeng, and I am here in Xingzhou, with tens of thousands of strong soldiers under my command. Who can harm my life? Don't use false pretenses or exaggerate, Mr. Zhu!"

Liu Ci stroked his white beard and said calmly.

Zhu Xiu stood up, saluted, and said in a loud and authentic voice: "Old General, what you said is wrong!"

After taking two steps, ignoring Liu Ci staring at him coldly, Zhu Xiulang said in a loud voice, "The old general still doesn't know that disaster is approaching, I really feel sorry for the old general!"

Liu Ci seemed to be smiling but not smiling: "Please tell me and listen!"

Zhu Xiu pointed to the sky: "Old General, don't you see that the sky is gloomy and the great rivers and mountains are about to fall into the hands of the Khitans!
The incident at Guangzheng Palace in Kaifeng shocked the world. The officials were stupid and listened to the slanderous words of Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and other villains to harm the loyal and the good. In just two days, they killed more than a thousand innocent people and turned the city of Kaifeng into a Shura slaughterhouse. This is What kind of atrocities could a corrupt and dark court commit? "

Zhu Xiu's face was full of sorrow and anger, and his expression was quite exciting: "Old General, who has served in the four dynasties of Liang, Tang, Jin and Han, has he ever seen a king as ignorant and cruel as today's officials? He brazenly launched a mutiny to kill the founding heroes, and even fell to the ground. The infants and the dying old men were not spared, and every family was slaughtered! Such atrocities were even worse than those of Jie and Zhou!"

Zhu Xiu was furious and said sternly: "Such atrocities are outraged by both humans and gods! If the divine weapon of destiny is allowed to be controlled by such a group of thugs, it will be a misfortune for the people of the world! If General Liu continues to be loyal to such a court, he will undoubtedly be aiding the evil!"

Liu Ci looked at him in surprise. Unexpectedly, this young man had the guts to openly denounce the officials and the court. His disapproval was obvious!
"What did Mr. Guo do wrong? What did the Tianxiong Army officers do wrong? How can such an unkind and tainted court deserve the loyalty of a hero like the old general?"

Zhu Xiuchang bowed his head and continued to talk: "If the old general listens to the emperor's orders and sends troops to Yedu, it will definitely cause turmoil in Hebei! If there is chaos in Hebei, the Khitan people will definitely go south. By then there will be war inside and bandits outside, and the country will once again face the possibility of overthrow. Danger!
The safety of Hebei concerns the whole world, and the safety of the whole world depends on the old general's thoughts. Please think twice, old general, and put the overall situation first in everything! "

Liu Ci's hand twirling his beard remained motionless, his white eyebrows furrowed and he said nothing, falling into silence.

Zhu Xiu sighed: "If Hebei is trapped in the flames of war because of the old general, how will the old general face the people of Hebei? The old general is from Damingfu, how should he face the elders in his hometown? Even the people of Hebei know that Guo Gong is wronged, why? The old general wants to listen to the words of the foolish king?

If the old general sends troops to Yedu, everyone will be destroyed!How can you rest in peace if you can't keep your family safe in life, and can't live up to your loyalty and righteousness in death? "

"This" Liu Ci's eyelids jumped when he heard it, and Zhu Xiu's words were heart-wrenching and made people sweat.

But it is undeniable that what Zhu Xiu said is indeed reasonable.

The movements of the Anguo army are related to the safety of Hebei. If the Khitan people get wind of it, there is no guarantee that their army will not go south.

When war breaks out again in Hebei and the people are ravaged by foreigners, will he not be the only one to bear the infamy?

Liu Ci woke up with a start, and just as he was about to speak, an angry voice came from outside the hall: "Commander, you must not listen to the nonsense of Guo Wei's lobbyist!"

(End of this chapter)