The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 326 The Feng family’s granddaughter
The young beggar climbed up the half slope, stood under the big elm tree, wiped the sweat from his brow, and smiled sweetly at Feng Dao, showing his neat and clean teeth.

"Ah, hurry up and eat. We were delayed for a while on the way and the pancakes are a little cold." The beggar boy handed the paper bag to Feng Dao.

The beggar boy's voice was soft and sticky, with a crisp tone, it turned out to be a pleasant female voice.

"Thank you for your hard work, Chan'er. Is this pancake stuffed with meat?" Feng Dao sniffed the smell emanating from the paper bag and swallowed with greed.

The beggar boy named Chan'er nodded vigorously and said plainly: "It's mutton stuffing!"

Feng Dao was overjoyed, his eyes were shining, he took out a piece of steamed cake and took a bite.

"It's so fragrant! It's delicious!" Feng Dao wolfed down the food and spoke vaguely, "Everything in Baoxiang Temple is good, but the food is too light. Apart from rice noodles, you can't even see the oil star seeds. If you want to eat wild vegetables, you can't I have to travel several miles to dig."

Feng Dao chewed heavily, and ate a piece of steamed cake in two or three bites.

"Chan'er, you eat too."

Chan'er shook her head: "Aweng, eat it. I've eaten it at that steamed cake shop."

Feng Dao said vaguely: "Aweng is old. He will be full after eating two pieces. Leave the rest to your father and the others."

After finishing more than half of the steamed cake, Feng Daocai asked, "What happened to you on the road? What's the situation in the city now?"

Chan'er sighed and said: "The Ye army went around looting, killing people, robbing women, fighting for property, and the whole city was in chaos. When I came back, I was almost caught by a group of soldiers."

Feng Dao was startled and wiped the flax grains stained on his white beard: "The Ye army has strict military discipline, and Guo Wei is a prudent and sensible person. How could he allow the Ye army to cause wanton chaos? Wouldn't it ruin his own reputation by acting so recklessly?"

"Who knows! In short, Tongyu Street was beaten, smashed, looted and burned by the Ye army. I didn't dare to go down the main street all the way back. I only dared to run along the side streets of the alley. A Weng also said before that Guo Wei has the appearance of a benevolent king. , now it seems that he is also a cruel and arrogant warlord!" Chan'er said angrily.

"Hmm~"

Feng Dao swallowed the last mouthful of pancakes, smacked his lips and hiccupped, "I'm afraid there is something strange about it. According to Guo Wei's behavior, he should not spread his anger to the Kaifeng subjects."

Feng Daobai frowned, stroking his beard and pondering for a moment.

According to his understanding of Guo Wei, there should not be such a thing as the Ye army causing chaos in Kaifeng.

But then I thought about the death of all members of the Situ Mansion, Guo Wei's temperament changed drastically, and it was not necessarily that he was full of resentment towards Kaifeng.

Feng Dao sighed and shook his head, these damn troubled times~
"Then Chan'er, how did you get out of trouble?" Feng Dao asked with concern.

Chan'er recounted what happened in a soft voice:
"Aweng, Zhu Xiu claims to be the Camp Secretary of the Central Army of Ye Army, or the deputy commander of the Tiger Wing Army. He has a giant man under him, who is so tall, terrifying in appearance, and unparalleled in ferocity!

That Fan Ai was severely beaten and fled in panic. I left him two bottles of wound medicine and walked around in a long circle before returning."

Feng Dao squinted and listened very carefully: "According to this, it was Zhu Xiu who saved your life."

Chan'er tilted her head and thought for a moment, then nodded.

"He didn't realize you were a girl?" Feng Dao frowned.

Chan'er pursed her lips and chuckled: "No! That silly boy thought I was a mute little beggar."

"Haha~" Feng Dao stroked his white beard, "This guy is not stupid, you must not underestimate him. Now, he is a popular person around Guo Wei. Once the new dynasty is established, these old people around Guo Wei and Chai Rong will Chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. Above the court, a new generation replaces the old ones. They are the future powerful people in this world."

Chan'er chuckled and said, "I think Zhu Xiu is kind-hearted and a good person."

Feng Dao said with a smile: "Seeing that the road is injustice and being able to help each other with righteousness, it seems that Zhu Xiu has a kind heart."

Chan'er asked strangely: "Aweng seems to admire this person very much? Have you ever seen him?"

Feng Dao shook his head: "I've heard about the name for a long time, but I've never covered it!"

"Is Zhu Xiu famous?" Chan'er was a little curious.

"Haha~ The famous Black Fire Thunder was created by this son. It is still circulated in Cangzhou City that he has the ability to divine secrets. Guo Wei and Chai Rong and his son needed his help to quell Li Shouzhen's rebellion in Puzhou. Although this man is not here He has appeared publicly in Kaifeng, but there are legends about him everywhere in Kaifeng.”

Chan'er thought thoughtfully: "So, he does have some abilities."

Feng Dao narrowed his eyes and smiled: "If we can ask him for help, we will definitely be able to see Guo Wei smoothly! As long as we see Guo Wei, my Feng family can ensure safety."

Chan'er's delicate brows furrowed and she thought carefully:
"I heard Zhu Xiuhe's men talking. They seem to live in Laoya Lane, in a place called Shenghe Dishe!"

Feng Dao stroked his beard and thought for a moment: "It shouldn't be wrong. I heard that Li Ye sent people to destroy Sheng He's residence years ago, killing and arresting many people from Hexi, and finally alerted Chai Rong and the Fu family to come forward to help. That should be The property purchased by the Chang Yi Army."

Chan'er said worriedly: "But Laoya Lane is not close to here. I'm worried about encountering rebels on the road again."

Feng Dao smiled and said: "Guo Wei is not a confused person. He will not allow rioters to cause trouble. He will definitely order the restoration of public order in the city as soon as possible. Don't worry, it won't be long before peace can be restored in the city."

Chan'er nodded in understanding.

Feng Dao looked at her, stroking his beard and asked with a smile: "My dear granddaughter, I'm going to test you, why did we choose this refugee cave at the back door of Baoxiang Temple's vegetable garden as a hiding place?"

Chan'er bit her lip and thought for a while: "My grandfather donated a lot of money to the temple in the name of the benefactor Ma Lao, and he formed a good relationship with the monk who presided over it. The abbot will definitely take us in.

This place is close to Honglu Temple. It used to be a residence for envoys from various countries. The imperial court deployed patrols at Yiqiu Gate in the inner city to maintain law and order. Therefore, although dragons and snakes are mixed here, there has never been any major trouble.

There is also a frequent flow of people here, and the court wants to trace it, but can't find it for a while. "

Feng Dao clapped his hands, stroking his beard and laughing: "Chan'er is smart and has guessed about [-]% of my intention."

Chan'er pursed her lips and smiled and said: "There are still two or three points left, please give me advice."

Feng Dao stroked his beard and said proudly: "As the saying goes, no matter how safe a place is, I will not completely relax my guard. This place is not far from Caihe Pier. I bought a boat early and docked it at the pier. Once the court investigates, Once we get down, my family can take a boat out of the city.

The presiding monk of Baoxiang Temple has a bodhisattva heart and is highly respected. The dignitaries in the city respect him. If there is chaos in the city, we can hide in Baoxiang Temple and escape with the help of the protection of the monks. "

Chan'er flashed her big black and white eyes: "Why didn't Aweng hide in Baoxiang Temple from the beginning?"

Feng Dao shook his head and said with a smile: "There are many pilgrims in Baoxiang Temple, including many dignitaries. If I show up too early, I will be easily recognized."

Chan'er suddenly nodded and smiled: "Aweng is such an old fox!"

Feng Dao proudly said: "The old man was able to live to be 68 years old, and he survived three dynasties and eight emperors. It is because of this prudence that he is prepared for danger in times of peace! Chaner, remember, at any time, don't forget to leave a way for yourself. When you are in crisis , everything is about survival!"

"Don't worry, Aweng, I'll remember it." Chan'er said with a smile.

Chan'er helped Feng Dao walk to the dilapidated tile house. Feng Dao leaned on crutches and sighed: "Although our Feng family has a lot of people, there are really not many smart people. Your father is just a foreigner from the Ministry of Industry, and he only works all day long." He knows how to write and do calculations, he is addicted to calculations and can’t help himself, he doesn’t know how to flatter his superiors, and his brain is not enlightened!
Your uncles are either greedy for comfort or have no ambitions. It seems that you are the only one in the Feng family who suits me, and your temper is somewhat similar to me.

It's a pity that you are born as a girl. Otherwise, if the Feng family is left in your hands in the future, it will still be able to prosper for a generation.
If I have to rely on you to support the Feng family in the future, I need to find a good husband for you.
Those who can stand in the court in the future must be Guo Wei's old Conglong tribe. From these people's nephews, choose a well-matched one to marry, which will be good for you and the Feng family."

Chan'er listened silently and said nothing.

Although she was also a young lady from a noble family, she did not suffer from the bad habits of being a wealthy daughter of a wealthy family, including being conceited, extravagant and lewd.

Growing up with Feng Dao and listening to Feng Dao's stories about the troubled times in the late Tang Dynasty, Chan'er understood a truth very early on. There is no lasting wealth in the world. Even if you have the support of your ancestors, you must be careful and cautious to ensure that your family business will not decline.

In these troubled times, even the emperor is in danger, let alone other noble families.

If you follow the wrong person or stand on the wrong team, your family will be destroyed in a matter of seconds.

Therefore, Chan'er is not opposed to her marriage. She has long understood and accepted that her marriage is a transaction of interests, and everything is for the sake of the safety of the family and herself.

~~~
Early the next morning, Zhu Xiu had just gotten up, finished washing and had breakfast in the house.

Hu Guangyue went into the inner city to inquire about Guo Wei and the court's movements.

Just after taking a sip of the warm goat's milk, Chen An ran in and reported, "Mr. Shaolang, there are two beggars looking for you outside the door."

"Pfft~" Zhu Xiu almost spit out a mouthful of milk, wiped her mouth and coughed a few times, staring: "Where is this beggar from? Just give him some money, rice and noodles to send him away."

Chen An couldn't hold back his laughter: "I gave it, but they didn't want it, so they had to clamor to see you. Young Master, you just came to Kaifeng not long ago, how come you already know the beggar?"

Zhu Xiu rolled his eyes and said angrily: "What do the two of them look like? Is there anything special about them?"

Chen An thought for a while: "One old and one young. The old man's hair and beard are all white. He is not young. He speaks in a polite manner, as if he has read a book. Although he is dressed in rags like a beggar, he looks knowledgeable and sensible. The younger one looks like a beggar. He is a short young man, fifteen or sixteen years old, with a calico face and a dirty look."

Zhu Xiu was startled and thought of the beggar boy he met yesterday.

Gulu drank a bowl of goat's milk in two gulps, and Zhu Xiu wiped his mouth: "Lead the way."

Chan'er supported Feng Dao and stood at the gate of Shenghe's residence. Feng Dao, leaning on a cane, raised his head to look at the hanging plaque, stroked his beard and praised: "These characters have exquisite bones, strong writing power, and novel and rare brushwork. I don’t know which famous artist it was from.”

Chan'er looked up, then quickly shifted her gaze and looked curiously into the gate.

Although she had studied piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and was good at calligraphy, she was not actually interested in these.

Asking her to read poetry and painting is not as interesting as reading medical books.

Zhu Xiu stepped out of the gate and saw the beggar boy at a glance, and hurried forward to meet him.

"How did you find this place?" Zhu Xiu looked at her, then at Feng Dao, and realized that the old man with white beard and white hair had a strange face that he had never seen before.

"Who is this old man?"

Chan'er curled her lips and said nothing. Feng Dao squinted his eyes and looked at Zhu Xiu carefully, and didn't speak for a while.

"Uh" Zhu Xiu raised his forehead and remembered that this beggar boy seemed to be mute. Could it be that this old man was his grandfather, who was also mute?Or a deaf person?
Zhu Xiu gestured and said, "This old man is your grandfather? What's the point of your visit?"

Seeing that he looked funny, Chan'er burst into laughter, revealing a pair of white teeth.

Feng Dao looked at it with a smile and found Zhu Xiu very interesting.

Zhu Xiu helplessly spread her hands and said: "You two are speechless, I can only communicate like this."

Chan'er snorted softly: "You are the mute."

Zhu Xiu was stunned, thinking that she had auditory hallucinations, why did this young beggar speak?

"Forgive me, Shaolang Zhu, but my grandfather and grandson are not deaf-mute." Feng Dao said with a smile.

Zhu Xiu was startled, looked at Chan'er, then at Feng Dao.

"Why didn't you say anything yesterday?" Zhu Xiu glared at Chan'er angrily, feeling that he had been deceived and his wisdom was insulted.

Chan'erbai glanced at him and hummed: "If you don't want to say it, naturally you won't say it. You can understand me, so why bother talking?"

Zhu Xiu opened her mouth, but was speechless.

But soon he felt something was wrong, looked at Chan'er again, and said in shock: "Are you a girl?"

Chan'er glanced at him with disgust and muttered: "You idiot."

"Haha, old Feng Dao has met Zhu Shaolang!" Feng Daogong held his hand.

Just when Zhu Xiugang was about to bow, he was shocked and his eyes widened: "Is this the Grand Master Feng Daofeng?"

Feng Dao stroked his beard: "Yes, I guarantee it will be genuine!"

After a pause, Feng Dao shook his head and said: "I don't dare to be a grand master. I have been dismissed from my position by the late emperor's order, and now I am just a white man."

The late emperor in Feng Dao's mouth refers to Liu Chengyou. When he mentioned that he was just a white man, Mr. Feng looked indifferent and didn't care at all.

Thinking about it, he had had similar experiences countless times in his long life.

"Young Master Feng came before you, but this junior didn't recognize you. I'm ashamed! I'm ashamed!" Zhu Xiu hurriedly bowed and bowed, with an apologetic look on his face, "Mr. Feng, please come in quickly!"

Zhu Xiu personally led the way, took Feng Dao and Chan'er into the main room to sit down, and ordered Chen An to bring fragrant tea.

Feng Dao hadn't sat down to taste tea for a long time, holding the tea cup and sighing with emotion.

As soon as Chan'er took a sip of tea, her stomach growled. She quickly put down the tea cup and held her stomach tightly, feeling a little embarrassed on her cheeks.

Zhu Xiu heard the sound clearly and said with a smile: "You two came early. I think you haven't had breakfast yet. If you don't mind, I'm preparing to eat some. Could you please use some for Mr. Feng, Miss Feng and me?"

Zhu Xiu waved to Chen An and whispered a few instructions.

A blush appeared on Chan'er's little cat-like face. Feng Dao patted his belly and said with a smile, "Thank you so much, Mr. Zhu, for the hospitality! We have been walking in a hurry, and I am really hungry."

(End of this chapter)