The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 397 Zhu Xiu can reach one hundred thousand troops

The guests and hosts were sitting in the main hall, and Zhu Xiu took a sip of tea.

Glancing outside the hall, Zhou Xian didn't know where that girl had gone.

After clearing her throat, Zhu Xiu took the lead and said, "Thanks to your majesty's permission, I took a special trip to Jiangning City today to appreciate the prosperous scenery of Jinling. It was really eye-opening."

Zhou Min smiled and said: "To say that the most prosperous place in Jiangning City is the Sangjia Wazi at night. Lord Zhu has had dinner tonight, so he can take his family to go shopping. Honglu Temple is just around the corner from Sangjia Wazi. It’s not far.”

"Hehe, that's exactly what I mean." Zhu Xiu said.

Zhou Zong sipped the tea with a smile. He knew that Zhu Xiu must have other things to do when he came today, and it was not just to have a good time at home.

"I heard that our lord has sent an envoy to the south. I don't want to ask more questions in the palace today. I want to ask the old lady, where is our envoy now? How long will it take to reach Jiangning? Who is responsible for this envoy specifically? ?" Zhu Xiuxiao asked.

Zhou Zong smiled slightly, put down the teacup and said, "The envoy Zhou has already crossed the river, and he will arrive at the latest the day after tomorrow. As far as I know, the envoy sent by Lord Zhou is named Xue Juzheng, and I seem to have never heard of it before."

"Oh? It's him!" Zhu Xiu was surprised. He didn't expect Uncle Guo to send Xue Juzheng.

After thinking about it for a moment, Zhu Xiu guessed that Wei Renpu must have recommended him.

Zhou Zong asked curiously: "Who is this Xue Juzheng? It seems that he is not well-known."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Xue Gongjuzheng, named Ziping, was from Kaifeng Prefecture and was a high school scholar in the second year of Qingtai in the later Tang Dynasty.

During the reign of Emperor Yin of the Han Dynasty, Xue Juzheng served as the judge of Kaifeng Prefecture. He was demoted because he offended his uncle Li Ye and had been depressed for many years.

This man is a learned man. Our lord has the wisdom to know people and sent him as an envoy to your country. I believe that your Majesty and the courtiers will not be disappointed. "

"Oh?" Zhou Zong twisted his beard and smiled. After hearing what Zhu Xiu said, he had some expectations for Xue Juzheng.

Zhu Xiu secretly smiled, Xue Ju was born as a criminal law officer, and he was born upright and upright. Wei Renpu recommended him to be an envoy to Jiangning to show the majesty and majesty of the Great Zhou to the monarchs and ministers of the Tang Dynasty.

When Xue Juzheng comes to Jiangning to meet Li Jing, the Tang court will definitely be very lively.

Zhu Xiu felt a little uneasy again. Guo Wei had already known about the trouble he had caused in Jiangning, but he just didn't know how Uncle Guo would deal with him.

"I heard that General Bian Hao is leading the army to besiege Changsha. I wonder how the Tang army's war in Jingxiang is progressing?"

Zhu Xiu asked with a casual smile.

Zhou Zong said with a smile: "The Ma family of Southern Chu has lost the hearts of the people. Most people in Jingxiang yearn for our Tang Dynasty. I believe that General Bian Hao will be able to conquer Changsha as soon as possible and save the people of Jingxiang from the fire."

Zhu Xiudao: "But how did I hear that the Tang army had difficulties in advancing in the Jingxiang area, and the Chu army resisted tenaciously. The former King of Chu, Ma Xiguang, and his old general Xu Wei and others were dissatisfied with Ma Xichong's intention to surrender to your country, and raised their troops several times to cause rebellion. The Chu army in Jingxiang surrendered but then rebelled, how capricious is it?"

Zhou Zong's complexion changed slightly, he narrowed his eyes and said: "Zhu Jun's envoy is in Jiangning, so he is very familiar with the situation in Jingxiang?"

"Haha, to be honest, old master, I like to listen to gossip. There are many rumors in Jiangning City about the Jingxiang War. Anyone with some brains and a little bit of sorting can roughly guess the situation of the Chu Land War."

Zhu Xiu unfolded the folding fan with a swish, and the old god was shaking gently on the ground, looking enigmatic.

Zhou Zong stared at him closely, secretly shocked.

The Tang court declared that the war in Jingxiang was progressing steadily, and the army would conquer the entire territory of Hunan in a short time.

The people of Jiangning believed it to be true, cheered and cheered, thinking that their army was sweeping away fallen leaves in Jingxiang like the autumn wind, making the Ma family's Chu army flee like rats.

In addition, last month, Ma Xichong, whose brother had seized the throne, led his family to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. They entered the city with the people of Jiangning watching, and after meeting with Li Jing, he was named the Observer of Jiangnan West Road, given a mansion, and was imprisoned.

As a result, the people of Jiangning believed even more that the Tang army was fighting smoothly in Jingxiang.

But in fact, the battle to destroy Chu was extremely difficult, and the situation in Hunan was far more complicated than imagined.

After Ma Xiguang's death, the Ma brothers seized the throne, and a large group of powerful generals such as Xu Wei and Liu Yan gradually grew stronger and disobeyed Ma's rule.

Mahi'e rebelled against Ma Xiguang, and Ma Xichong rebelled against Mahi'e. Ma Xichong wanted to surrender to the Tang state, but his general Xu Wei and others refused.

Ma Xichong became the leader and led Bian Hao's army into Hunan. He took his whole family to Jiangning to submit.

Hunan is now in chaos. Ma's old generals divided their troops and occupied prefectures and counties. When the Tang army came, they gathered together to fight against the Tang army.

When the Tang army retreated a little, Ma's old generals once again confronted each other, fighting endlessly.

Bian Hao led the Tang army like a firefighting captain. Today Langzhou is pacified, and tomorrow Hengzhou will be in chaos. When Hengzhou is pacified, Changsha will be in chaos again.

Mahi'e was previously imprisoned in Hengshan by Ma Xichong. General Xu Wei occupied Hengshan and proclaimed Mahi'e as the king of Hengshan. He raised the Ma family's banner, with the goal of continuing to occupy the entire territory of Hunan, and called on the Chu army and the Tang army to fight to the end. The momentum was unprecedented. .

News about the war in Hunan is indeed flying all over Jiangning City, but most of it is good news deliberately spread by the imperial court, just to calm people's hearts.

Zhu Xiu revealed the real situation in one sentence, which surprised Zhou Zong. He didn't know how he could see it.

Zhou Zong was silent for a moment: "I heard that Mr. Zhu learned from the hermit master and knew how to observe the sky and ask for good or bad luck?"

Zhu Xiu was noncommittal and said with a faint smile, "The battle to destroy Chu is related to the fate of your country, and it is naturally related to the celestial phenomena.

I have been observing the horoscopes in Hunan for the past few days and noticed some changes, so I wanted to ask the old master how the war in Chu was going.

Although I can't do the work of charging into battle, I am no stranger to deducing battle situations and marching and forming formations.

Don't get me wrong, old lady, this is just the sense of a person who has been leading troops all year round, and he does not intend to inquire about your country's military secrets. "

Zhou Zong took a deep look at him: "I heard that Zhu Jun was highly appreciated by Shi Kuangwei, the Jiedu envoy of the Zhangyi Army. Back then, without the permission of the Emperor Han, he privately granted Zhu Jun the post of marching commander of the Zhangyi Army, known as the commander-in-chief.

After that, he traveled thousands of miles to aid Yedu and helped the Lord Zhou go south to establish the Han Dynasty. Now he serves as the deputy commander of the Huai Army.

From this point of view, Zhu Junshi not only had outstanding literary talent, but also made many achievements in military affairs.

Yunwen and Yunwu are the pillars of the country! "

"Haha, the old master is too praised. My master often scolds me for being lazy and refusing to practice martial arts. He says that I am incapable of binding a chicken and am embarrassed to carry out important tasks!~"

Zhu Xiu spread her hands, her face full of grievance: "It's not that I don't want to practice martial arts, it's just that I know myself and am not a martial arts material. In this life, I only want to strengthen my body, and I don't dare to expect to fight for my life on the battlefield."

Zhou Zong twisted his beard and said with a smile: "A brave individual can kill at most a hundred people and be exhausted. But with infinite brain power, he can plan the world and win thousands of miles! The Lord of Zhou can defeat a hundred thousand strong troops with just one envoy from Zhu Jun!"

"Hey, the old lady has given you too much praise, I don't deserve it!" Zhu Xiumei smiled brightly and spoke modestly.

Regarding the progress of the Tang Army in Hunan, both parties tacitly agreed not to mention it again.

However, Zhu Xiu got the answer he wanted, got up and left.

Zhou Min sent Zhu Xiu out of the mansion and hurried back. When he saw Zhou Zong, he was still sitting alone in the hall, deep in thought.

"Father, why don't you take the opportunity to ask him if he is really interested in my Ehuang?"

Zhou Min said excitedly.

Zhou Zong said indifferently: "What Zhu Xiu said to His Majesty in the palace was just to prove that he went to Jujing Garden not to assassinate, but to be jealous of a woman and the crown prince. Why should he take it seriously?"

Zhou Min said regretfully: "I think Zhu Xiu and E Huang are a good match, what a pity!~" Zhou Zong snorted coldly: "Zhu Xiu is from the Northern Dynasty, how can he marry my Zhou family?"

Zhou Min said casually: "Can't we just find a way to get Zhu Xiu to stay? Anyway, his whole family is in Jiangning. If he is willing to change his family and join our court, can't he stay in Jiangning and become the son-in-law of my Zhou family?"

"Ok?"

Zhou Zong was stunned for a moment, then stood up, his old eyes shining with vicissitudes of life.

Zhou Min was startled: "Dad, what are you doing?"

Zhou Zong stroked his beard and laughed: "You did remind my father! Haha, change my clothes for me, my father will go to the palace right now!"

~~~
In a pavilion built near the lake in the harem, the wind blows across the water, bringing a little bit of coolness, and the curtains hung on all sides of the pavilion sway gently with the wind.

The weather was cool after the rain, but bursts of angry shouts came from the palace:
"Stupid! Stupid!

Even if you teach a cow, you will still learn it!
I finally got my hands on a handful of Eighteen Scholars, but you guys randomly played my cards and let me lose myself with a small cannon? "

Zhou Zong followed the eunuch who led the way and walked quickly into the palace. Before he saw Li Jing, he heard bursts of angry scoldings and his eyelids twitched.

Beside a square table, Li Jing was pacing angrily. A pair of fine jade tablets was pushed down and some fell to the ground. Three eunuchs in red robes knelt aside tremblingly.

These three are all third-grade eunuchs from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Usually Zhou Zong would say hello when he saw them, but this time he was scolded by Li Jing and did not dare to raise his head.

The reason turned out to be that at the card table just now, someone fired some wild cards and ruined the big hand that Li Jing had managed to collect.

Li Jing was about to get ready for a big fight, but was stopped abruptly by a little butt slap.

Li Jing was so angry that she scolded the three of them for their poor poker skills, and then went to the level of attacking their character.

Zhou Zong listened for a while and couldn't laugh or cry.

I heard that this mahjong was also invented by Zhu Xiu. Ever since Zhu Xiu came to the palace to play with Li Jing for an afternoon, His Majesty the Emperor fell in love with it.

For several days, except for necessary court meetings, they stayed in the harem playing cards.

These three eunuchs were already among the top mahjong beginners. It was really unreasonable for Li Jing to attack them with his half-baked skills.

"Go!~"

Li Jing cursed for a long time, her anger subsided, and her face was restored, and she ended with the word "Go".

The three eunuchs in the inner palace quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude and fled out of the palace in panic. Before leaving, they bowed gratefully to Zhou Zong.

Apparently they believed that Zhou Zong's arrival hastened their liberation.

Zhou Zong considered his words, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the art of gambling is only for entertainment and fun. Do not indulge in it, lest you lose your mind by playing with it."

"Haha, of course I know!" Li Jing replied perfunctorily, picked up a bowl of iced lychee paste and took a bite.

"What do you have to report, old master?"

Zhou Zong looked serious and said in a deep voice: "May I ask Your Majesty, how is the progress of Bian Hao's army now?"

It was okay not to mention this matter, but when it was mentioned, Li Jing became angry again, put down the porcelain bowl with a bang, and said angrily: "I received a military report that Bian Hao's army has been unable to attack Changsha for a long time, and there is another Chu army in the direction of Hengzhou. Gather together and recruit troops under the banner of Mahi'e.

These Chu barbarians are really difficult to deal with!When our Tang army entered Hunan in March and April, the war turned out to be so unsatisfactory, with more than [-] casualties and military supplies being under great pressure~"

Zhou Zong was silent and then asked: "Besides Your Majesty, is there anyone who can accurately know the news about the war in Chu?"

Li Jing waved his hand and said: "Military reports are always made in duplicate, one is sent to the palace, and the other is given to Prime Minister Song Qiqiu. As long as the palace and prime minister do not announce the news, no one in the court will know.

In addition, there is a secret report from Bian Hao, which is to be handed over to me. Even Song Qiqiu has no right to interfere. "

Li Jing asked strangely: "Why does the old lady ask like this?"

Zhou Zong looked a little solemn: "Some people have already inferred that the war in Chu is progressing slowly and the Tang army suffered heavy losses without reading the military reports!"

"What!?" Li Jing suddenly raised his voice and his eyes widened, "Is this happening? Who is it?!"

Zhou Zongdao: "Zhu Xiu!"

Li Jing was stunned for a moment, then sat upright: "Sit down and tell me in detail."

Zhou Zong thanked him, sat down on an embroidered pier, and said in a deep voice: "Today, Zhu Xiu came to the old minister's house. He first asked the Lord of Zhou about the whereabouts of his envoys, and then asked the old minister about the situation of the war in Southern Chu."

"What did you say?" Li Jing asked hurriedly.

Zhou Zong smiled bitterly and said: "The old minister was naturally vague and quoted the same rhetoric announced by the imperial court to the people.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Xiu didn't believe it at all, and then expressed his own judgment to the old minister."

"What did he say?" Li Jing interrupted again, looking very anxious.

Zhou Zong had a sullen face and said word for word: "It is exactly the same as the content of the military report just mentioned by Your Majesty!"

"Hiss~" Li Jing took a breath and said angrily: "Did someone leak the details of the military report?"

Zhou Zong shook his head and said: "Not even the veterans know about this military report, and it has not been made public to the court. At present, only Your Majesty and Mr. Song have it, so it cannot be leaked!

According to the opinion of the veteran, Zhu Xiu is indeed a talented person who knows people well and knows how to observe celestial phenomena. He has served as commander-in-chief of Zhangyi Army in Jingzhou and Huai Army in Suzhou Town. He understands the overall situation and military affairs. He is truly a genius rarely seen in the world. Vertical talent!
He can accurately predict the war situation in Chu Land by relying on celestial phenomena and mere rumors. I can't find anyone else with this talent!
Such an outstanding talent, with a few more years of hard work, will surely become a pillar of the country, becoming a general and a prime minister! "

Li Jing sighed in disbelief: "If Zhu Xiu really predicted the direction of the war in Chu from clues, then his intelligence and agility are indeed beyond ordinary people!"

"Today, when I watched Zhu Xiu, I thought of several talented and beautiful people in the Jiangnan court in history!" Zhou Zong's tone was faint, which whetted his appetite.

"Who?!" Li Jing opened his eyes wide again.

"In the past, Lu Boyan was the leader of Soochow, and Chen Qingzhi was the leader of Xiao Liang!" The old master said in a serious tone, not minding praising someone to the sky.

Li Jing murmured: "These two are the officials of the country who help protect the country and protect the country from danger!"

Zhou Zongdao: "Isn't Zhu Xiu just such a pillar of the Tang Dynasty?"

Li Jing was a little confused: "But Zhu Xiu is from the Northern Dynasty, how can he be loyal to our court?"

A sly smile appeared on Zhou Zong's old face like orange peel: "Now Zhu Xiu's family, young and old, are all in Jiangning. Whether or not to let him go is all up to His Majesty! If you delay for three to five years, you won't be afraid that he won't obey!"
As the saying goes, people in the Kaifeng court will remember him after a few years.

Zhu Xiu has not yet married and started a family. If he is really interested in Lao Chen’s beloved daughter, as long as he is willing to stay, Lao Chen is willing to make a good relationship happen.”

Li Jing's fat face was stunned, and his eyes gradually lit up.

"The old lady has a good intention!" Li Jing praised, stroking his short beard under his jaw, "Let me think about this matter carefully~"

(End of this chapter)