The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 294 Gathering in Yedu
Outside Xingzhou City, Zhao Pu went out of the city to see Liu Ci off on behalf of him.

"Mr. Zhao take care, if there is a chance in the future, we will meet again in Kaifeng!" Zhu Xiu saluted and said goodbye.

Zhao Pu sighed: "After three years of separation, we can only meet again for half a day. It's a pity. Zhao also wants to hear Zhu Shaolang talk about his experiences in Jingzhou in the past three years."

"Haha~ Mr. Zhao, there is no need to be sad. The current situation is chaotic, and the age of great strife is far from over. You and I are just a wisp of grass in this floating world, and we all have times when we can't help ourselves!

I believe that troubled times will eventually end, and when the time comes, it won’t be too late for you and me to sit down and sing to the wind and admire the moon! "

Zhao Pu smiled and nodded, looked around, and then pulled Zhu Xiu aside: "Zhu Shaolang has the ability to observe celestial phenomena, make predictions, and understand the secrets of heaven. Please tell the truth, what will be the outcome of this turmoil?" ?”

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly, Zhao Pu came to him to ask about his future.

"This turmoil is not a matter of days, it is actually a man-made disaster! It depends on man-made problems. I will do my best to help Mr. Guo and Shuai Chai return to Kaifeng!"

Zhao Pu was silent for a moment and said in a low voice: "If Guo Gong sends his troops south, does he want Qing Jun to bring order to the court, or is it the same?"

Zhao Pu hesitated to speak.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Or should we simply overthrow this smoky bird court and be the master of our own country?"

Zhao Pu looked at him speechlessly and said with a wry smile: "Zhu Shaolang is a gentle man. Don't be like Pan Mei, a bastard who talks dirty words in the market."

Zhu Xiu asked with great interest: "Which result is Mr. Zhao more inclined to?"

Zhao Pu hesitated for a while and said seriously: "Zhao believes that Liu Han's destiny does not lie with him!"

"Hahaha~ Heroes see the same thing!" Zhu Xiu laughed heartily, "Back then, Liu Chengyou regarded you and me as a thorn in his side in Cangzhou. If we didn't fight back, you and I would never get ahead!"

Zhao Pu looked around with a guilty conscience and said with a wry smile: "Zhu Shaolang is an honest man."

The two looked at each other and smiled tacitly.

Putting aside all the hype, supporting Guo Wei and leading Yedu troops to rebel was the most promising path for them.

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, I will do my best to help Mr. Guo ascend to Kaifeng!" Zhu Xiu said solemnly.

Zhao Pu also said in a deep voice: "Zhao will do his best in Xingzhou to help Liu Laojieshuai mediate with the Kaifeng court and wait for good news from the rebel army!"

"Mr. Zhao, take care!"

"Zhu Shaolang cherishes it!"

The two bowed to say goodbye, Zhu Xiu got on his horse, swung his whip and leaped to the south.

"Old Zhao, I'll meet you for a drink next time we meet~" Pan Mei got on her horse and waved her hand carelessly.

A group of Anguo Army cavalry escorted them straight towards Yedu.

Zhao Pu stopped to watch, the big stone in his heart slowly fell to the ground, and let out a long breath.

Fortunately, Zhu Xiu helped persuade Liu Ci, otherwise He Hui might have persuaded Liu Ci to send troops to confront Yedu.

One move can affect the whole body. If the Anguo army clashes with Yedu soldiers and horses, Hebei will be in chaos.

Publicly and privately, Zhao Pu hopes that Guo Wei can raise the banner of rebellion against the imperial court. This is a good opportunity for everyone to rise to prominence.

Liu Ci was kind to Zhao Pu, and Zhao Pu also regarded Liu Ci as his father, so he naturally hoped that Liu Ci would follow the right path.

Following Guo Wei is the most correct path in his eyes.

Thinking of Zhu Xiu coming all the way from Jingzhou, Zhao Pu suddenly had a feeling. Could it be that Zhu Xiu had known that the world situation would reach this point?
After thinking about it, he thought it was impossible. Zhao Pu shook his head. Zhu Xiu was indeed a genius, but he was not a true immortal. It was impossible to completely figure out the secrets of heaven.

Then there is only one explanation. Zhu Xiu has an extraordinary sensitivity and accuracy in the direction and judgment of the current situation.

"Whenever there is a major event in the future, it is better to test Zhu Xiu's tone before making a decision, so as not to take the wrong path or take a fork in the road."

Zhao Pu muttered and went back to the city.

~~~
Three days later, Zhu Xiu and his party rushed to Yedu.

Yedu was heavily trooped and under strict martial control. Fortunately, Zhang Yongde held Guo Wei's military order and was able to enter the city without any hindrance.

The atmosphere in the huge city was depressing and solemn. Zhang Yongde's face was gloomy, as if he noticed something from it.

Everyone did not dare to delay and went straight to the camp office.

When I rushed outside the official office, I saw two rows of armored guards standing solemnly, their waists wrapped in white linen.

White flags are hung high on the plaques of the official offices, which is only done when the house is holding a funeral.

Chai Rong was informed by the guards and hurried out of the house.

Zhu Xiu was shocked when she saw him. She saw that his face was blue, his cheeks were thin and sunken, his cheekbones were slightly convex, his eyes had become much darker and more sinister, and he had a lot of white hair on his temples. He had lost more than ten kilograms. Not only that, his face was covered with stubble, showing his haggardness and vicissitudes of life, as if he had aged ten years overnight.

When he and Jingzhou parted ways a year ago, they were completely different.

"Chai Shuai." Zhu Xiu's throat was choked, and she realized that she couldn't say a word, so she knelt down and bowed.

"Even you are here." Chai Rong smiled bitterly and leaned over to help, "Get up quickly!"

"I received a report from Ma Qing and learned that something happened in Kaifeng." Zhu Xiu said in a low voice.

"No need to say more!" Chai Rong's thin but powerful hand patted Zhu Xiu's shoulder heavily, "A friend in need is a friend indeed. You came all the way from Jingzhou. This friendship is extremely precious and I will definitely remember it. Keep it in your heart and never lose it!”

Chai Rong's eyes were moist and his voice was slightly trembling: "I just regret that I didn't listen to your warning and didn't take my child with me when I left Beijing, so..."

Chai Rong's heart ached like a knife, his throat was choked up and he couldn't speak anymore.

Looking at his red eyes and slightly trembling body, it is hard to imagine how much pain he is enduring at this moment.

Zhu Xiu also had red eyes, lowered her head and wiped the corners of her eyes quickly.

Zhang Yongde stared closely at Chai Rong, who was dressed in white linen, feeling that it was very dazzling, and murmured: "Situ's Mansion, Situ's Mansion."

Chai Rong's cold voice suppressed great anger: "Liu Chengyou sent Kaifeng governor Liu Zhu and enshrined officer Meng Ye to lead troops to besiege Situ's mansion, set it on fire and kill everyone. No one in the mansion, old or young, was alive. Meng Ye's head was enshrined in front of the soul. , but still needs Liu Zhu’s head.”

Zhang Yongde was shocked, his eyes turned red instantly, he clenched his fists tightly, and turned back angrily to glare at Zhu Xiu: "Since you already know, why didn't you tell me in advance?"

"The situation along the way was unclear. I was worried that Brother Zhang would be unable to control himself in grief, so I didn't tell anyone. Please forgive me!"

Zhu Xiu bowed his head and apologized honestly.

Zhang Yongde's eyes were red and he sighed sadly.

Chai Rong patted his shoulder and said softly: "Where is the fourth sister? Please give her some advice." Zhang Yongde nodded silently: "Is your father-in-law okay?"

Chai Rong sighed: "Father has been living without food and water for two days. He has locked himself in his bedroom all day long. Only Mr. Wei and I can go in for visits occasionally. That's all. Come with me first. Father knows you are coming and may see you." one side."

The atmosphere in such a large administrative office is almost suffocating. Everyone is dressed up for mourning and funeral. The middle hall is also hung with white flags and decorated as a mourning hall. Under a huge inscription, densely packed spiritual plaques are placed on the altar table. Zhu Xiu After just one glance, I felt chills all over my body, and I didn't dare to look any further and quickly turned my head away.

Zhang Yongde couldn't help himself and burst into tears.

A man who was usually an unsmiling man actually cried so much that he collapsed in front of the spiritual tablet.

He is the son-in-law of Guo Wei, and the families of Guo Wei and Chai Rong are his family members.

Guo Wei's sons and nephews regard him as an elder brother, and his step-wife Zhang is his wife's biological mother. His mother-in-law is less than 40 years old. She is gentle and kind and treats him like her own son.

When she was in her hometown of Yangqu in Bingzhou, her wife Guo Qing found out that she was pregnant. She brought a letter back to Kaifeng. Mrs. Zhang was extremely happy and prepared to leave for Yangqu to take care of her personally. Unexpectedly, in just a few months, the world was separated from yin and yang.
Chai Rong looked up and sighed, his eyes were blood red and hot, and it hurt like acupuncture.

Only he himself knows how many tears he shed while lying alone on the couch all night long in the dead of night.

Zhu Xiu offered incense, kowtowed, and silently mourned the deceased.

Looking at the human head placed on the plate in the middle of the altar table, Zhu Xiu felt extremely heavy.

Even if he had guessed that the historical trend was irreversible, some things that were destined to happen would still happen. But when this tragic scene really appeared in front of his eyes, Zhu Xiu was still shocked. It was hard to imagine what happened to Liu Chengyou and Li Ye's gang. How do you think, how stupid these people are to make such a crazy move.

The key is to destroy the entire family of Situ's Mansion, which is of no benefit to Liu Chengyou's elimination of the power of the auxiliary ministers and the capture of the imperial power.

Just to enjoy the momentary cruel pleasure and express his resentment, Guo Wei was completely pushed to the opposite side.

Liu Chengyou's biggest mistake was to magnify the Guangzhengdian incident and expand the scope of the attack without limit.

If the incident was limited to the sphere of influence of Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin, and Wang Zhang, perhaps the outcome would be completely different.

Unfortunately, the outcome seemed to be doomed from the moment the Forbidden Army broke through the gate of Situ Mansion.

Sometimes, Zhu Xiu really wanted to split open Liu Chengyou's brain to see if it contained tofu or feces.

Such a stupid, incompetent, cruel, and vicious person is truly unworthy of sitting on the throne of a human being.

No wonder Xue Juzheng, when he was compiling the History of the Five Dynasties, commented on him: "Since ancient times, no one has restored the sect as quickly as the Emperor!"

If God wants him to perish, he must first make him crazy. Perhaps even God wants to destroy him, which makes him so crazy.

Looking at the dozens of spiritual tablets on the altar table, most of them started with the word "Guo".

Among these people, some Zhu Xiu had met before, while others had only heard Chai Rong mention them often.

Zhu Xiu suddenly felt a sense of sadness in her heart, and her eyes became moist.

In the face of the torrent of history, no one is too small, so small that even though they know the outcome, they are still being carried forward.
After the worship, Chai Rong led them back to the back house.

In a quiet courtyard, Wei Renpu, dressed in black robe, sat at a stone table, lost in thought.

Seeing Chai Rong and others coming, Wei Renpu got up to greet them.

"Mr. Wei." Zhu Xiu and Zhang Yongde bowed.

Wei Renpu nodded in greeting and forced a smile.

"How is father?" Chai Rong glanced at the closed door and whispered worriedly.

"The cakes delivered by someone this morning were not touched at all. They stayed there for less than a quarter of an hour before being kicked out by the handsome man." Wei Renpu smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Chai Rong looked at the cakes placed on the stone table and sighed: "Father doesn't think about food and tea, and stays up all night. How can my body bear it if this goes on?"

Wei Renpu looked at Zhang Yongde and Zhu Xiu, and said, "This morning, the handsome man suddenly asked me where the fourth lady and Zhang Yuhou are. If the handsome man knows that Zhang Yuhou is back, he might meet you."

Chai Rong said: "I will report to my father right away."

"Dong dong dong~" Chai Rong walked softly to the door and knocked lightly.

After knocking twice, a hoarse and deep voice came from the room: "What's the matter?"

Chai Rong said hurriedly: "I'm going to tell my father to come back from Luzhou with one in my arms, and Zhu Xiu is also coming from Jingzhou thousands of miles away."

The room was quiet for a while, and then a low voice came out: "Let them come in."

Chai Rong turned around and motioned to everyone, gently opened the door and walked in quietly.

Wei Renpu and Zhang Yongde entered one after another, and Zhu Xiu followed closely with his head lowered.

The light in the room was dim, and there was no smell of drinking to drown one's sorrows as expected. There was only the smell of oily sweat from a person who hadn't washed or bathed in several days.

A burly man with disheveled hair and wearing only a thin robe sat on the couch.

Zhu Xiu raised his eyes and was really shocked when he saw the man's face clearly.

It was an old face, with bags under the eyes, thin cheeks, and beards. The majestic look in the past had become much more fierce now.

The first time he saw him, Zhu Xiu felt as if he was seeing a sick and aging tiger. It seemed sick and old, but the tiger's power was still there and it could still hurt people!

"Father-in-law!~"

When Zhang Yongde saw Guo Wei, the sadness that had just subsided surged into his heart again, and he fell to his knees with a sob.

Guo Wei gently stroked his head with his slightly trembling hand, and whispered with his chapped lips: "It'll be good to come back. I guess martial law has been imposed in Luzhou, and the government has sent soldiers to arrest you everywhere. How did you escape?"

Zhang Yongde cried and said: "My son-in-law hid in Luzhou City for several days, looking for opportunities to disguise himself as a woodcutter and get out of the city. He was almost discovered by the soldiers. Fortunately, Zhu Xiu came to meet him outside the city and escaped smoothly."

Guo Wei looked at Zhu Xiu with slightly sluggish eyes and murmured: "Okay~"

Zhu Xiu hurriedly bowed and saluted: "Zhu Xiu pays homage to Guo Shuai! The Kaifeng Incident shocked the world. After I heard about it in Jingzhou, I was worried that the court wanted to harm Guo Shuai and Chai Shuai, so I hurriedly set off to come. Commander Shi Jie of the Zhangyi Army was already in Jingzhou The state is preparing troops and horses, and is willing to listen to Guo Shuai's orders! Zhu Xiu is willing to stay with Guo Shuai and listen to him, but if he has orders, he will not give up even if he dies!"

Guo Wei's turbid eyes were not bright at all, and he shook his head in a low and hoarse voice: "As a traitor, I have already committed a crime. If you stay, you will only be implicated. It's better to leave."

Zhu Xiu cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: "The emperor in the imperial court is ignorant and treacherous. How can Guo Shuai sit back and wait for death, being slandered and persecuted by villains for nothing? Guo Shuai is a top-notch hero in the world and is respected by the world. I am willing to follow Guo Gong to denounce the evildoers." , seek justice for the dead!”

Guo Wei sighed deeply, shook his head and said nothing.

Chai Rong said anxiously: "Father must not feel depressed! One hundred thousand troops gathered in Yedu, waiting for my father to raise his arms and raise his arms. If my father retreats lightly, wouldn't it chill the hearts of the soldiers?"

(End of this chapter)