The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 444 Zhu Xiu’s ambition

After a busy day in the Hou Mansion, it finally calmed down, and Zhu Xiu finally had the opportunity to take a good look at the new house.

As the oldest man who has followed him, Ma Qing knows his master's living habits very well.

Not to mention anything else, the renovation of the toilets for men and women and a spacious and sunny bathroom made Zhu Xiu very satisfied. He completely learned the essence of the renovation of the Jiedu Mansion of Zhangyi Army in Jingzhou.

Zhu Xiu is very satisfied with her new home. Dongertiao Tianshui Lane is a prime location. There is a lively restaurant street right outside the door, and behind it is Kaifeng's famous begging market.

Despite its cheap name, this begging market is actually a good place to hang out and have fun.

From chickens, ducks, fish and dogs to treasures and antiques, all kinds of weird things are for sale.

Walking to the end of the west side of Dongertiao Tianshui Lane is the more famous Yanliu Lane, where all the Yingyuan brothels gather. If you go there for a walk, not only will your wallet be empty, but your body and bones will also feel a little weak.

Before, Zhu Xiu had thought about going to learn more, but when he returned home, he found that his mother was seriously ill, and several ladies joined together to make the house non-stop. Tired of coping, he no longer had any leisure time.

I heard that Chai Rong came out of the palace yesterday and went straight back to his mansion on Gaohuang Street, which is not far away. Thinking about it, Zhu Xiu still didn't bother him, and we will talk about it when we meet tomorrow.

Today, Uncle Guo took Chai Rong to Songling to pay homage to Queen Saint Muchai, as well as the tombs of Guo Tong and Guo Xin. They had nothing to do, and Zhu Xiu was too lazy to go out, so she simply brought a deck chair to bask in the sun by the garden pond.

After just staring for a while, Ma Qing hurriedly arrived and handed over a secret report from the Zangfeng Camp.

"Monk Hun died of illness?" Zhu Xiu yawned and glanced over, sitting up, no longer sleepy.

Ma Qing sighed: "I heard last year that his legs and feet were getting worse and worse, and he couldn't even get out of bed in the winter. I didn't expect that he would die within a year."

Zhu Xiu thought of the blind, rough man from the northwest. He was one of the first veterans of the Zhenhai Camp. After being injured, he became the steward of the labor camp.

Who has not suffered from the restless gangsters in Jingzhou? Zhu Xiuhua made great efforts to improve public security, and Monk Hun made a great contribution.

"Monk Hun is also an orphan. He has no relatives at home. I have already ordered Brother Jingzhou to send him back to his hometown for a proper burial," Ma Qing said.

Zhu Xiu lay down again, "Let's arrange it like this. His pension will be distributed to the rest of the veterans who have retired. Although we left Jingzhou, there are still our brothers there, and we must take care of them. .”

"Don't worry, Lord Marquis, I will let Sheng He's residence in Anding County be taken care of."

"Is there the whereabouts of Tao Wenju?"

Ma Qing said angrily: "This bitch is well hidden. We found his whereabouts near Zhouqiao a few days ago. Our people followed him. He seemed to have noticed him and he escaped near the Ao Temple."

Zhu Xiudao: "Tao Wenju is familiar with the Zangfeng Camp's behavior. Since he dares to betray me, he must have thought of an escape route. Kaifeng City is so big that if he hides, it will be difficult to find him."

"Even if we dig three feet into the ground, we must find this piece of shit!" Ma Qingfa said fiercely.

Zhu Xiu thought for a while, "Tomorrow, when Wang Jun returns to the court in triumph, Tao Wenju will definitely find a way to contact Wang Jun. He will definitely show up at that time. Keep an eye on him. As soon as he shows up, capture him first!"

"I obey the order, little man! Tomorrow I will personally lead the men to guard the place."

Zhu Xiu stroked the hard stubble on his chin, with a murderous look in his eyes.

He had already received confirmation from Wang Lingwen that Tao Wenju had indeed appeared near Qingliu Pass.

The traces of Zhu Wu and his party were revealed to Tao Wenju by Wude Si's traitors, and it was Tao Wenju who suggested the plan, which led to Li Hongji's pursuit.

Only then did the Qingliuhe pursuit begin, and Wu Youdi fell into the water.

Zhu Xiu clenched his fists, wanting to execute someone with his own hands like never before.

Tao Wenju and Li Hongji, he will not let anyone go.

Ma Qing added: "I have two more pieces of news about Bi Hongyu and Yan Ping. Do you want to hear it?"

"speak."

Ma Qing said hurriedly: "After Li Guangyan fled back to Xiazhou, Li Yiyin not only did not hold him responsible for the defeat and capture, but instead allowed him to continue to serve as the general of Wuyuan Town.

Last autumn, the Pheasant Clan, a branch of the Dangxiang people, caused rebellion in the Wuyuan area. Li Guangyan was ordered to suppress it and won a complete victory.

One month later, Li Guangyan's father, Li Yijing, died of illness, and Li Guangyan was promoted to the defense envoy of Youzhou due to his meritorious service."

"Wait!" Zhu Xiu asked, "Li Guangyan was promoted to defense envoy after his father died of illness?"

Ma Qing carefully recalled the information sent back and affirmed: "Exactly!"

Zhu Xiu sneered: "In order to ensure Li Guangrui's position as the prince of the Dangxiang clan, Li Yiyin took extreme precautions against the younger generations of the clan. Li Guangyan was known for his bravery, and Li Yiyin almost had the word "precaution" written on his forehead against him.

According to Li Guangyan's age and merit, being a defense envoy was more than enough, but Li Yiyin waited until Li Yijing died of illness before he was willing to give the position of defense envoy to his good nephew. "

Li Guangyan was not a fool. He knew exactly what Li Yiyin was doing to him.

The more this happens, the more dissatisfied Li Guangyan is with his father and son, and the easier it is for him to win over him.

"Then?"

Ma Qing swallowed and carefully observed his master's face: "Li Guangyan returned to Youzhou. Li Yiyin wanted him to marry the daughter of a local Han official, but Li Guangyan refused. He married Mrs. Bi."

Zhu Xiu was stunned, then turned to look at Ma Qing: "Li Guangyan and Hongyu are married?"

Ma Qing nodded, his big face smiling uglier than crying.

Zhu Xiu was startled again.

It's not that he didn't expect this result. Bi Hongyu was always a woman, alone and helpless. Although Li Guangyan was a party member, he was also handsome, young and energetic, and very skilled in martial arts. It was no surprise that the two got together.

"Did Hongyu send the information about party members?" Zhu Xiu asked.

"Yes, it was written by Mrs. Bi herself, very detailed."

Zhu Xiu was silent for a while, then said: "Remove Bi Hongyu's name from Zangfengying. In the future, you will continue to keep in touch with her, but for information about the party, especially Li Guangyan, you can't just listen to her side of the story. Also send someone to investigate.

Regarding the news about Kaifeng, if she takes the initiative to ask, just pick up some irrelevant information. If she doesn't ask, don't mention it. "

Ma Qing said: "You understand, I understand that Bi Hongyu married a Dangxiang man and settled in the Dingnan Army. She can no longer be of the same mind as us, alas~"

Ma Qing sighed, feeling that letting a capable person like Bi Hongyu go for nothing was a great loss to the Zangfeng camp.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Li Guangyan is a talented person, and if Hongyu follows him, it will be a good destination.

The agreement I made with Li Guangyan back then was just a verbal agreement. I didn't expect him to appreciate my kindness and let him go. I just wanted to use his ambition to divide the Dangxiang clan. Even I was not sure whether it would succeed or not. Ma Qing muttered: "If the Marquis had accepted Madam Bi earlier, he would not have benefited from Li Guangyan in vain."

Zhu Xiu smiled and scolded: "You're a good Ma San, which girl does this Marquis like, and why do you want me to take care of it?"

Ma Qing smacked his lips and said, "I don't dare, I just think it's not worth it for Madam Bi."

Zhu Xiu laughed loudly. If Ma Qing knew that Li Guangyan was the Taizu Emperor of Xixia in history, he would never have such thoughts.

"How is the situation over there in Taiyuan?"

Ma Qing said with a smile: "After Yan Ping arrived in Hedong, he spent half a year building an intelligence network covering the five states of Taiyuan Prefecture, and also used money to get a job as a Cang Cao in the army. Now the information in Hedong is flowing smoothly. The Zangfeng Battalion knew about the victory in the Jinzhou War three days before the imperial military report arrived."

Zhu Xiu praised: "Yan Ping did a good job. This kid has a bright mind and is best suited to go deep behind enemy lines."

Ma Qingdao: "At first, the Marquis demoted Yan Ping to Taiyuan. I thought the punishment was too much. But now I know that the Marquis had a foresight!~"

Zhu Xiu said lightly: "Yan Ping has a bit of evil in his character, and he does things by any means. This kind of person is like a sharp knife if he uses it well. If he doesn't use it well, he will hurt others and himself.

The situation in Hedong is mixed, so sending him there is just for training. Even if it doesn't work, there will be no loss for the Zangfeng camp. "

After a pause, Zhu Xiu said: "I plan to merge the Hedong Zangfengying branch with Hu Guangyue's fifth capital to form a police department. Hu Guangyue will be the first envoy, and Yan Ping will be the deputy envoy. They will be responsible for Liu Chong in Hedong. and intelligence reconnaissance in the Southern Tang Dynasty.”

Ma Qing was startled. He bent his knees and fell to the ground. He said with a sad face: "But what did the villain do wrong to make the Marquis dissatisfied?"

Zhu Xiu signaled him to stand up and said with a smile: "I am very satisfied that you are doing your best. Don't think too much. It's just that the Zangfeng Camp is too bloated to take everything into account. The establishment of a separate Police Department will also reduce your burden."

Ma Qing swallowed his saliva and felt relieved.

"From now on, the Zangfeng Battalion and the Police Department will stand side by side, with no distinction between high and low, and will not be subordinate to each other. I will transfer manpower from both sides from time to time to inspect each other. If either side makes a mistake, it will be dealt with according to military regulations!" Zhu Xiu said lightly.

Ma Qing was shocked and bent down to salute: "I obey, little man!"

The purpose of Mr. Hou's arrangement is to allow the Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department to check and balance each other and monitor each other.

"And Jiang Ning, arrange for reliable and competent people to enter the East Palace as soon as possible, and keep an eye on Li Hongji for me. I want to know his every move!"

"The villain takes orders!"

Zhu Xiu lay down to take a rest, and waved his hand to signal Ma Qing to leave.

After taking two steps away, Ma Qing turned around and said, "Master Hou, I have a question. I don't know whether to ask it or not?"

"Say." Zhu Xiu half-closed his eyes.

Ma Qing said: "The Marquis has spent a lot of effort and countless money to set up intelligence networks in various places, but he doesn't let the court know. Why on earth do he do this?

The villain had previously guessed that the Marquis was going to help the officials and the Duke of Taiyuan overthrow Liu Han, but now that the Guan family had founded the country and ascended the throne as emperor, and the Marquis was also a well-known figure in the Zhou Dynasty, there was no need to do things in such a secretive manner.

But if one day, the existence of the Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department is known to the officials, I'm afraid the Emperor will be suspicious and it will be detrimental to the Marquis! "

Zhu Xiu opened his eyes and was stunned. Ma Qing's question caught him by surprise.

Ma Qing whispered: "The officials in the Zhou Dynasty were in charge. In the future, there will be Taiyuan Dukes. It is also their business to unify the world. After all, the Marquis is a minister, so he should just fulfill his duties as a minister.
The villain thinks that the Marquis worries too much about the world, and is worried that the Marquis will be in bad health and will cause trouble in the end.
Haha, sometimes villains even think that it would be great if the Marquis was the emperor. When brothers serve for the Marquis, they are serving the country, and they can also make a bright future for their children and grandchildren in the future."

Zhu Xiu looked at him: "Did you think of these thoughts yourself, or did everyone else below think so?"

Ma Qing said hurriedly: "I have thought about it myself. I also mentioned it when chatting with Hu Guangyue and Bi Zhenhai. Everyone feels that it is too dangerous for the Marquis to secretly cultivate power without telling the court as before."

Zhu Xiu was silent and looked a little ugly.

Ma Qing said in a panic: "The villain said something wrong and made the Marquis unhappy. The villain deserves to die!"

Zhu Xiu waved his hand: "You reminded me at the right time. I didn't think about these issues clearly. Go down!"

"I'll take my leave, villain." Ma Qing stuck her butt out and walked away.

Zhu Xiu lay down with his hands on the back of his head, staring at the blue sky in a daze.

Ma Qing's words made him suddenly realize that he had never thought clearly about where he wanted to go in the future.

He left Cangzhou because he had to offend Liu Chengyou and had to escape for his life.

Although it was not his original intention to go to Jingzhou, it was still far away from the Feng court. With Shi Kuangwei taking care of him, he was able to thrive.

The ultimate goal of recruiting and surrendering Bi Zhenhai, opening a salt factory, forming the Zangfeng Battalion, and taking control of the Changyi Army was to save his life and strengthen his bargaining chips to counter the Liu Han court.

Now that we are in the Zhou Dynasty, Liu Chengyou, who poses the greatest threat to him, has long since died. He doesn't have to worry about cultivating his power at all. Wouldn't it be nice to be the founding prince of the country in peace and stability?
According to the historical trajectory, it is now the end of the Five Dynasties, and there will be no major wars in the north. A few years later, after the mutiny that shocked the world and had far-reaching consequences, he can justifiably follow the trend and fall into the arms of Zhao and Song. , it is not a problem to mix up another founding hero.

To be fair, his relationship with Zhao Kuangyin is not as close as that with Chai Rong, and his friendship is not even as deep as that with Zhang Yongde, but it is not much different.

Based on Zhao Dal'er's behavior and historical evaluation, as long as he is willing to surrender and surrender, the outcome will definitely be good.

With the shadow of this door, Lao Zhu's family could still be prominent in the Song Dynasty.

Zhu Xiu frowned. For some reason, the thought of taking refuge in Zhao Daer and kneeling at his feet made him feel uncomfortable.

There is a strong feeling of unwillingness and dissatisfaction.

If it were Chai Rong, he would have no burden at all and would bow down and obey.

"Zhao Da'er is actually not bad. We can be friends, but asking me to kneel down and kowtow is a bit uninteresting, let alone that Zhao Lao San will be there in the future. What the hell?"

Zhu Xiu murmured to himself.

The status of these two brothers in the Great Zhou Dynasty is completely inferior to his. When I think about the future, the old Zhu family will kneel down and surrender to the old Zhao family and be loyal to the old Zhao family for generations, which makes me feel as uncomfortable as eating fly excrement.

If Chai Rong was in power and could sail the giant ship of the Zhou Dynasty and continue to cut through the waves, Zhu Xiu felt that he could be willing to remain loyal throughout his life.

But if history is inevitable and Chai Rong will eventually die young, is he, Zhao Daer, the only one in the world who can stand up and clean up the situation?
Zhu Xiu had a headache and closed her eyelids.

Suddenly, he sat up straight, opened his eyes wide, and had a wonderful expression on his face.

He thought of what Ma Qing muttered just now.

Apart from Zhao Da'er, is there anyone else who inherits the Great Zhou Dynasty?
For example, I, Zhu, myself!

　Thanks to the corpse-laying boss for the ten monthly tickets! ! !bow~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)