The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 502 Zhu Xiu’s happy life

Zhu Xiu went for a walk in the back garden with Shi Lingyan's support.

It was obviously early spring, and the flower beds and flowerbeds in the garden were still covered with a thin layer of snowflakes, and the diffuse fog gradually dissipated until noon.

"Zhu Xiu, I've been to all the fun places in Kaifeng. I've been stuck at home these past few days, so bored." Shi Lingyan complained with a pout.

Zhu Xiu heard what this girl meant and said with a smile: "Yan'er wants to go out for a walk?"

Shi Lingyan smiled: "I heard from Ma Qing that Guanghe Trading Company bought a batch of camels from Qingzhou and has sent them to Luoyang. They will go to Beijing in two days?"

Zhu Xiu knew what this girl wanted to do and suppressed a smile: "That's true. These camels were bought for the imperial court and will be used as military horses after they arrive."

Shi Lingyan's dark brown eyes blinked: "Camels are no better than army horses, and they are not easy to serve! There are many people in Kaifeng City who know how to look at horses, but not many people know how to look at camels!

Do you think we should find someone who knows how to deal with camels to take over?To avoid being deceived by those Uighur merchants, don’t take any of the sick, weak-boned, or old-talking ones! "

Zhu Xiu thought for a while: "Yan'er is right. When I turn around, I will tell Taipu Temple and ask them to prepare a few talents who know how to look at camels."

Shi Lingyan held Zhu Xiu's arm and said with a smile: "You don't have to look for it, I understand! You send me to Luoyang to take over these camels, and I promise to bring them back safely!"

"You?!" Zhu Xiu pretended to be surprised.

Shi Lingyan said angrily: "You are looking down on me! When I was in Jingzhou, I often dealt with Uighur traders from the Western Regions. I am good at looking at horses and camels! I can also treat minor illnesses and injuries!"

"Oh~ I don't know about my husband, but Mrs. Yan'er is a capable veterinarian?" Zhu Xiu deliberately teased.

"That's right!" Shi Lingyan puffed up his proud chest and shook his arm: "Just let me go! Okay!"

Zhu Xiu knew that this girl had a restless temper, so if she stayed in the house all day, she would be exhausted within a few days.

He didn't forget that before Shi Lingyan married him, she was the well-known Mrs. Shi in Jingzhou.

With a short sword and long whip, she led the Zhangyi army to eliminate bandits and protect the trade routes to the west. She was famous among the officials and people of Anding County who didn't know her.

Zhu Xiu had seen Shi Lingyan's ability in looking at horses, and it was she who caught the eye of Red Boy at the Yuanzhou Racecourse.

I've never seen Xiang Luotuo, but I think it's pretty much the same. This girl is so confident that she must be sure of it.

Zhu Xiu said sternly: "It's okay to let you go, but you must promise me that you will obey the arrangements of Taipu Temple officials in everything, and you will not make decisions without authorization, let alone play around."

"Oops! People know this, how verbose!" Shi Lingyan happily jumped three feet high and kissed Zhu Xiu on the cheek.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Also, you have to wear men's clothes when you go out, and I will ask Ma Qing to match you with some good players from the Zangfeng camp.

If you do well on this errand, I will arrange other tasks for you when you come back. "

"It's a deal!" Shi Lingyan smiled and snapped her fingers.

Zhu Xiu caressed her hair on the temples lovingly. After all, this girl was from Shatuo. She had grown up in a remote and cold place and had a rough temper. After marriage, she was allowed to stay at home like a girl from the Central Plains. It is impossible for a husband to teach a child, so it is better to let her use her talents and do something she is good at.

"By the way, remember to choose a stronger one that can carry Shi Dalang on his back. From now on, he will go out with me so that he can have enough leg strength." Zhu Xiu warned.

Shi Xiangwen's body is heavy, even Honghaier can't carry him well enough, and ordinary military horses can't bear the weight. After thinking about it, only camels are suitable for him.

After walking around the cobblestone path in the garden for a while, a beautiful figure hurriedly passed by under the corridor. Shi Lingyan waved and called: "Sister Zhou!"

The figure hesitated for a moment, stopped and walked over. It was indeed Zhou Xian.

"Sister Zhou, please accompany Zhu Xiu for a walk. I'm going on a long trip, so I have to be well prepared!"

Shi Lingyan smiled coquettishly, shook her braid and ran away without looking back.

"Eh~" Zhu Xiu was speechless. Why did this girl leave him alone?

Zhu Xiu looked at Zhou Xian and said with a smile: "If Ehuang has other things, you can go and do it yourself. I'll go back after a while."

Zhou Xian said softly: "It's okay, it's not too late to go to Guanyin Temple later."

Zhu Xiu smiled: "Let's go then."

The two walked along the path towards the pond. Several willow trees beside the road began to sprout new buds.

Zhu Xiu stepped on a piece of frozen hard soil, her feet slipped, and she staggered. She was not frightened, but shocked Zhou Xian beside her, and she hurriedly held his arms tightly with both hands.

"Haha, it's okay, my foot slipped." Zhu Xiu comforted.

Zhou Xian breathed a sigh of relief and whispered: "Walk slower and be careful where you step. You have just recovered, but you can't get hurt again."

Zhu Xiu gently held her hand, which was soft and boneless, slightly cold, and said softly: "I have you to take care of me during these days."

Zhou Xian struggled to free himself a few times, but failed to do so. His face turned slightly rosy, and he turned his head and said, "It's not just me who deserves the credit. Sister Fu, Ling Yan, and Lady Feng all worked harder than me. Especially Sister Fu, everyone in the house worked harder." Count on her for taking care of it.”

Zhu Xiu sighed, "With all of you beauties and confidantes, I will die without regret!"

Zhou Xian frowned and glared at him: "Don't talk nonsense! It's unlucky!"

"Okay, don't say anything, let's go~"

The two walked arm in arm around the pond, and the thin mist lingered around them, like a couple of gods and gods.

"Ehuang, don't go to Guanyin Yuan again, and don't have the idea of ​​becoming a nun anymore. Let's live a good life." Zhu Xiu held the beautiful lady's cat tightly and whispered.

Zhou Xian pursed his lips and said quietly: "Didn't you realize that I haven't worn that monk's robe for a long time?"

Zhu Xiu was startled, thinking about it, it was really true.

"you"

Zhou Xian said softly: "The abbot has accepted me as a lay disciple. I went to Guanyin Yuan to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters for my family."

Zhu Xiu was stunned for a moment, her heart throbbing slightly, and she gently held her thin shoulders and said in a gentle tone: "Don't worry, I will never forget what I promised the old master in Jiangning, and I will never betray you in this life!"

Zhou Xian didn't say anything else, just hummed slightly.

The sky cleared, and wisps of light penetrated the fog and fell on the two of them, bringing the warmth of spring.

~~~~
Jinming Restaurant, Qishengyuan Street, Xicheng.

In a private room on the second floor, Zhao Kuangyi hosted a banquet for a group of young eunuchs who were no more than 20 years old.

This group of young eunuchs are distributed in various palaces and bureaus under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They have a low status and are usually the most inconspicuous group in such a large palace.

But they have one thing in common. Because of their errands, they have the opportunity to leave the palace frequently and have a lot of contact with people outside the palace.

Zhao Kuangyi spent several months getting acquainted with them, developing friendships with them, and now getting to know each other as friends, inviting them to eat, drink, play, and develop relationships.

A lot of money was spent, and the effect was obvious. These little eunuchs tasted the benefits and voluntarily gathered around Zhao Kuangyi and listened to his orders.

Zhang Dejun is also one of them. His external name is Wang Jien.With his sweet talk and quick thinking, Zhang Dejun quickly stood out among these young eunuchs and gained the favor of Zhao Kuangyi, who would give him money alone every month.

Zhang Dejun accepted everyone who came, but the one who was most grateful was not Zhao Kuangyi, but Zhu Xiu.

Lord Zhu is such a good person. He arranged for him such a good job, so that he can get endless rewards every month.

In Zhang Dejun's view, Zhao Kuangyi, a wealthy yamen official, was completely taken advantage of. He had never seen a son of an official squandering money from a bunch of cheap slaves.

Zhang Dejun didn't know for the time being what Zhao Kuangyi wanted to use them for. Anyway, if he had the money, he wouldn't give it for nothing. He would just serve him in a flattering manner first.

The atmosphere in the box was noisy. Zhao Kuangyi and a group of young eunuchs exchanged cups and drank happily.

After a while, a servant of the Zhao family came to Zhao Kuangyi and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhao Kuangyi stood up and cupped his hands and said: "I'm sorry, everyone, I have something urgent to do, so I can only take a step forward! You can continue the banquet, and all the accounts will be recorded in the name of the Zhao family."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for your hospitality!" The young eunuchs said a few words of apology before bidding him farewell.

Zhao Kuangyi and his servant walked out of the box. Zhang Dejun suddenly thought about it and picked up Zhao Kuangyi's cloak that had fallen on the shelf and chased him out quickly.

"Langjun Zhao, stay!" Zhang Dejun returned the cloak to him with both hands. "Langjun Zhao, I forgot to take my clothes. It's cold and I just drank wine. Be careful to catch a cold."

Zhao Kuangyi smiled and said: "When I get drunk, my memory gets worse. Thank you so much, Mr. Wang."

Just as Zhao Kuangyi was about to take it and put it on, Zhang Dejun shook his cloak and said with a smile, "I will serve Mr. Zhao to change his clothes."

"How did this happen?" Zhao Kuangyi hesitated.

"Hey~ Mr. Zhao's status is not comparable to that of eunuchs like us. From now on, slaves and maids will have to rely on Mr. Zhao for support!" Zhang Dejun bowed his waist, holding his cloak in both hands, with a flattering smile on his face.

Zhao Kuangyi smiled, opened his arms, and let Zhang Dejun put the cloak on him.

"The king's servant will stay, I'll take my leave first!" Zhao Kuangyi handed over and left.

Zhang Dejun stood on the second floor, watching him ride the carriage away from the window. After thinking about it, he went back to the box to say hello to the eunuchs, saying that he was not feeling well and wanted to return to the palace first. After leaving the restaurant, he followed the direction of the carriage. Chase all the way.

When they arrived at an old and dilapidated house in a remote alley outside Xihua Gate, the carriage stopped. Zhao Kuangyi got out of the car and looked around, then quickly walked into the ajar door.

At the corner of the alleyway in the distance, Zhang Dejun exposed half of his head and watched carefully.

After a while, another carriage slowly came from the end of the alley. A figure wearing a black cloak and a hood stepped on the footstool and carefully looked around to make sure no one was around before opening the door and walking in.

Zhang Dejun stuck his head out and watched the door of the house close with his own eyes, feeling doubtful in his heart.

Although the figure just now was far away and couldn't be seen clearly, his figure and steps looked familiar.

Zhang Dejun thought carefully and slapped his thigh suddenly. Isn't this the old eunuch Li who lives in Yongxiang?

Zhang Dejun grew up in Yeting. Helpless little slaves like them were often called to work by the old eunuchs in Yongxiang. He was quite familiar with the old eunuchs in Yongxiang.

"You can't be wrong! It's that old dog slave Li!" Zhang Dejun cursed secretly. This old eunuch Li also tortured him when he was a child.

But how could Old Eunuch Li leave the palace and meet Zhao Kuangyi in such a hidden place?

Zhang Dejun was confused, there must be a ghost here.

He didn't dare to get close, so he thought it would be better to go back to the palace first and ask his adoptive father, Zhang Gui, to inquire about Old Eunuch Li's past.

He kept this place in his mind and left quietly.

~~~
In the dilapidated hall that had been in disrepair for a long time, Old Eunuch Li bowed to Zhao Kuangyin and saluted with gratitude on his face: "Thank you, General Zhao, for taking care of the poor nephew of the Za family!"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled softly and said, "Shi Nei Li's words are serious. We should help each other."

"Yes, yes~ General Zhao said yes!"

Old Eunuch Li bowed his hand in a much more polite manner.

Not long ago, Zhao Kuangyin brought his nephew to Kaifeng from Luzhou and arranged for them to meet.

The matter of his nephew's beating to death was also solved by Zhao Kuangyin's efforts to clear up connections in Luzhou. He only lost his position as county magistrate. Zhao Kuangyin also promised him that after a few days, he would clear up his official relations and see if he could make up for it near Kaifeng. Shortage.

Old Eunuch Li has half his neck buried in the soil. His biggest concern in the world is his useless nephew. He still hopes that he will carry on the family line and continue the bloodline of the family. Only in this way can he have an explanation to his ancestors after his death. .

Zhao Kuangyin came forward to help him solve his worries, so he was naturally grateful.

Old Eunuch Li hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth and said: "The Za family has received the kindness from General Zhao, and it is the duty of the Za family to repay it. The Za family agreed to what we said last time! Just do as General Zhao wants!"

Zhao Kuangyin was overjoyed and said hurriedly: "The weather is suitable for carrying out this plan recently, please ask Li Li to complete it as soon as possible! Do you need to think of a way to manpower?"

Old Eunuch Li waved his hand: "Although the Zajia is a useless person, after living in Yongxiang for so many years, a few servants are still able to do what they want. They rely on the Zajia to make a living. They dare not disobey whatever the Zajia asks them to do! "

"This is the best!" Zhao Kuangyin clasped his fists, "Just ask Chamberlain Li to act according to the plan! I'll wait for the good news!"

Old eunuch Li said with a smile: "General Zhao will have to worry about the matter of appointing the nephew to serve as an official."

"Don't worry, Chamberlain Li, I will definitely find a good job for your nephew." Zhao Kuangyin smiled slightly, but there was a sharp look in his eyes.

After seeing Old Eunuch Li out and watching him drive away in a carriage, Zhao Kuangyin returned to the back hall.

Zhao Kuangyi wrapped himself tightly in his cloak and sat beside the brazier and dozed off.

Zhao Kuangyin sat down and pushed him. He smelled a strong smell of alcohol and frowned: "How can you drink so much with a bunch of little eunuchs?"

Zhao Kuangyi's face turned red and he burped from the wine and said: "The newly hired Huihe winemaker from Jinminglou is very good at his craftsmanship. I'll invite you to have a try someday!"

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "Is it worth it for you to spend money and energy just to make friends with a bunch of young eunuchs?"

Zhao Kuangyi said lazily: "As long as one of those people can become the eunuch in charge of the inner palace, what I have done will be completely worth it!

We, the Zhao family, have no help from the central government and the court, so we have to think of ways from scratch.

Among those idle people in the Central Committee, whether it is the Privy Council or the Zhongshu Provincial Department, who is not looking for food?If you have no power, no one will bother to talk to you. "

Zhao Kuangyin fiddled with the charcoal fire and said solemnly: "The Zhao family's tree is not strong enough to recruit useful talents."

Zhao Kuangyi rubbed his hands and said hehely: "When Chai Junhou succeeds to the throne, my eldest brother's opportunity may come!"

Zhao Kuangyin originally wanted to scold him for his disrespectful words, but then he thought about it. Now that the officials are in power, he is just a military case officer and has no chance of getting ahead.

When Chai Junhou succeeds to the throne, he, Zhao Kuangyin, may be able to seize the opportunity to rise to the top without doing anything like he is now.

He is still only 26 years old and has many ambitions waiting for him to realize.

Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath, stared at the crackling charcoal fire, and murmured: "I hope so."

(End of this chapter)