The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 510 Between Brothers
When the boat docked, Chai Rong stepped off the stern, followed closely by a young man with a sword and six masters of the Imperial Guard.

As soon as Li Chongjin gritted his teeth, he was about to fold his fists and kneel on one knee: "The sinner Li Chongjin pays his respects to King Jin."

Before he could bow down, Chai Rong quickly took a few steps and held his arms tightly with both hands to prevent him from bowing down.

"You guys, when I met you in the past, we were both my elder cousins ​​and my younger cousins. Why are you so different today?

I'm not used to being so respectful and polite!

According to Zhu Xiu's words, your hypocritical appearance is so fucking disgusting! "

Chai Rong laughed loudly, and Zhu Xiu couldn't help but smile.

Inadvertently, the two of them exchanged glances. Chai Rong's eyes were full of gratitude and admiration, while Zhu Xiu's eyes were modest but with a hint of elation.

Both of them knew in their hearts that Zhu Xiu had done Chai Rong a big favor by stabilizing Li Chongjin in time during his trip to the south and preventing chaos in Huaibei.

For Chai Rong and the court, this contribution was no less than the achievement of expanding the land.

However, this merit is destined not to be seen in the court, or even known.

But in Chai Rong's heart, it will never be forgotten.

Li Chongjin stared blankly at Chai Rong's hearty smiling face, feeling bursts of sadness and sadness in his heart, and his eyes immediately turned red.

Chai Rong's words completely dispelled his worries and whispered: "Cousin, it's my brother who did something unethical. He knows he was wrong. I hope you won't blame me."

Chai Rong waved his hand and scolded with a fierce face: "You sneaked to Suzhou with your wife and children without saying a word, and you just thought about it by saying softly and admitting your mistake? Tell you, it's a delusion!"

Chai Rong punched him hard in the chest: "Your attitude of admitting your mistake depends on how much you drink tonight! If you drink too much, you will be detained for two months before returning to Kaifeng!"

Li Chongjin was startled, grinned and laughed: "That's easy to say! When it comes to drinking, you and Zhu Xiu combined are not even half as good as my brother!"

"Insanity!"

"Fuck him!"

Chai Rong and Zhu Xiu looked at each other and cursed in unison.

Back in the government office, Li Chongjin brought Dong Wan'er and Li Yanfu in his arms to meet Chai Rong.

Although Chai Rong looked kind and cheerful, Dong Waner was still trembling with fear, not even daring to sit down, and stood aside uneasily.

She didn't dare to really treat Chai Rong as a relative. This was His Highness the King of Jin, the future emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Li Chongjin had no choice but to stand with his wife.

Chai Rong held Li Yanfu in his arms. The little baby was also very considerate. When he saw Chai Rong, he couldn't stop giggling. His fair and plump appearance was endearing, and Chai Rong also liked him very much.

"With your appearance, it is really rare to give birth to such a fair and beautiful child. This is all the credit of my wife!" Chai Rong also expressed the same emotion as Zhu Xiu.

Li Chongjin scratched his head and chuckled, Dong Waner's face was rosy, she knelt down and timidly said: "I will thank His Highness for your compliments on behalf of Yanfu!"

"Sister-in-law, there is no need to be polite. We are all family members. Sit down!" Chai Rong said with a smile.

Dong Waner just refused, so Chai Rong had no choice but to let her do it.

Chai Rong teased little Yanfu and said with a smile: "The princess is also pregnant and is raising a baby in Kaifeng. After returning home, I asked my sister-in-law to come to Qingning Palace often. If there is anything that needs attention, please teach the princess."

Dong Waner was secretly happy and said hurriedly: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely take Yanfu to visit the princess more often!"

Li Chongjin said happily: "This is a great event. The officials must be very happy!"

Chai Rong smiled and said: "Fourth sister gives birth to a daughter, and you give birth to a son. It depends on whether the princess gives birth to a boy or a girl. If it is a girl, how about our two families arrange a baby to get married?"

Li Chongjin was stunned and ecstatically said: "Okay! It's a deal!"

The couple looked at each other, both happy.

It would be a supreme honor to be able to become in-laws with the future Emperor of Zhou Dynasty, and to be closer to each other.

This indicates that the wealth of Li Chongjin's family for generations will be guaranteed.

Li Chongjin said: "If Zhang Yongde knew about it, he would definitely envy me."

Chai Rong said: "Don't be so proud. My sister-in-law gave birth to this child Yanfu. If he looks like you, my daughter will look down upon him!"

Zhu Xiu was enjoying himself, but Li Chongjin glared at him angrily, scratched his head and shouted: "Anyway, one of your girls will be worthy of my Yanfu family!"

Chai Rong said: "If the princess gives birth to a boy, the daughter of the consort's family and Zhu Xiu's daughter will be one for each of our families."

Li Chongjin said hey: "That's exactly what I mean!"

Zhu Xiu spread her hands: "Brothers, don't count on me. You can't be sure about this kind of thing."

Chai Rong and Li Chongjin laughed and cursed in unison: "Know your shame and then be brave! Go back and work harder!"

~~~
The moonlight is like water, and the backyard of the government office is brightly lit.

Under the cool night breeze, the three of them were sitting on the ground in the courtyard. Seven or eight empty wine jars were leaning here and there. The leg of lamb roasted on the fire gave off a burnt aroma, and a dozen cups and plates were scattered on the floor.

All three of them drank a lot and were all drunk.

Especially Li Chongjin, who picked up the wine jar and drank a lot, and was already [-]-[-]% drunk.

The young military attache accompanying Chai Rong stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, can you go back to your house and rest? It's late at night and the ground is cold. Be careful of catching the wind."

Chai Rong sat in a very unimpressive Ji, hiccupped, waved his hands and said, "It's okay, it's hot in Huaibei, just to cool off."

The young military attaché smiled bitterly, took one look at Zhu Xiu and Li Chongjin, who were in the same style, and bowed his hands before retreating.

Chai Rong stopped him and said to Zhu Xiu and Li Chongjin: "His name is Cao Han. He was originally my personal guard in Chanzhou, and he has just filled the vacancy of the enshrinement officer."

Li Chongjin lay on the ground and said drunkenly: "It turns out to be Cao Zongfeng, why don't you come and have a drink?"

Cao Han clasped his fists and said sternly: "I am responsible for guarding in this humble position. I dare not drink. Please forgive me, Duke Li!"

Li Chongjin burped from wine, smiled and ignored him.

Zhu Xiu stood up unsteadily, cupped his hands and said, "I have seen Cao Chongfeng."

Cao Han said: "Master Zhu, there is no need to be polite."

After a brief acquaintance, Cao Han resigned.

Zhu Xiu slightly narrowed his drunken eyes. This was also a famous figure in the history. Now he is just an unknown person, but he will definitely shine in the future.

Chai Rong specially introduced him to Zhu Xiu and Li Chongjin, which showed that he admired him a lot.

"Cousin, I actually can't figure out why you would be interested in the position of emperor with your temperament?"

Not sure if it was a drunken remark, Chai Rong suddenly asked with a smile.

Zhu Xiu's heart froze, and the drunken look in her eyes immediately dissipated a lot. She quietly sat down by the fire and added firewood to roast the leg of lamb.

Li Chongjin said drunkenly: "It's not that I don't want to mention this matter anymore, why mentioning my brother again is just a moment of confusion, I know I made a mistake, and I will never do it again in the future!"

Chai Rong chuckled and said: "I heard that there is a secret agent next to you, who is a spy sent by Liu Chong of the Northern Han Dynasty. He wants to create a estrangement and cause chaos within the Zhou Dynasty? I wonder where this person is?"

"How did I know? If you ask Zhu Xiu, he was the one who caught the burp~" Li Chongjin hiccupped with wine and was a little confused when he spoke.Chai Rong looked towards Zhu Xiu, who whispered: "I wanted to imprison him for interrogation, but the man suddenly died suddenly the next day. After an examination, he couldn't tell how he died."

Chai Rong nodded slightly. In fact, he already knew these situations through Wu Desi.

Chai Rong seemed to be drunk, but not drunk at the same time, murmuring: "Zhongjin, do you know how sad and disappointed your father is for you? You pretended to flee south. You clearly don't trust us and feel that you have done something wrong." , we can’t spare you, we will definitely take your life?

You shouldn't, you shouldn't just walk away!
You stay and admit your mistake properly. No matter how big your sin is, father and I will not do anything to you!
You fled south with your wife and children, determined to go against us!

If you have the chance, do you still want to start a war and divide the Zhou Dynasty?
My father was lying on the hospital bed. When he found out that you had fled south, he was so angry that he vomited blood and scolded you for being unfaithful and unfilial!
Come back, you really did something wrong this time."

Li Chongjin covered his face with his hands and cried bitterly after hearing half of it.

Zhu Xiu looked at him in shock, unable to believe that this guy would cry so heartbroken one day that he almost fainted.

"I'm sorry, uncle! I'm sorry for you!" Li Chongjin beat his chest and huddled on the ground, his wails sounding a little scary in the middle of the night.

After a while, Li Chongjin was tired from crying, drunk, and fell into a deep sleep with sobs.

Zhu Xiu found Liu Qingyi and asked him to take someone to carry Li Chongjin back to his bedroom to rest.

Only Zhu Xiu and Chai Rong were left in the cool backyard.

Chai Rong fiddled with the fire, sparks crackling.

"Sometimes, I envy Li Chongjin. He can get very drunk when he drinks. He can fall asleep when he is drunk. He can also cry loudly when he feels unhappy. The black guy seems to be living a hazy life, but he is actually more carefree than anyone else. comfortable"

Suddenly, Chai Rong sighed in a low voice.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "I really thought His Highness was drunk just now, but it turns out that the more he drank, the more he became sober."

Chai Rong looked at him: "You are so different."

The two smiled at each other.

Zhu Xiu sighed: "I also want to get drunk. When I'm drunk, I have a good sleep. I don't have to think about anything. I don't have to think about it, and I don't have any worries."

Chai Rong asked curiously: "What troubles can you have?"

"." Zhu Xiu hesitated and sighed: "My mother was very sad because of the sudden death of the Queen Mother. She became sick with worry and her condition worsened. She often said that she would not be able to see me give birth to an heir, which made her feel uneasy. This made me deeply sad. Feeling pressure~~”

Chai Rong said with a smile: "This time you were forced to go south, but you delayed the important task of having a child! When you return to Kaifeng, I will decide to let you have two months of leisure, so that you can focus on your house!"

Zhu Xiu was stunned and speechless. He shook his head and said: "If His Highness's remarks are heard by the officials, they will definitely come to the court to advise him. They are worried that I, the heir of Zhou, is addicted to women."

Chai Rong laughed: "It is natural for people to have great desires, and they can be controlled in moderation. Why should they be taboo?"

Zhu Xiu cupped his hands and said narrowly: "Your Highness is not afraid that I will sue the princess? Said His Highness has the idea of ​​nasty!"

Chai Rong was stunned and pointed at him: "How dare you!"

Zhu Xiu said hey: "The princess is my sister-in-law. For the sake of the peace of your highness's family, I have no choice but to risk my life!"

Chai Rong was speechless, coughed a few times, gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "Your wife must not know what you and I say in private! Otherwise, she will definitely tell the princess!"

Zhu Xiu blinked: "Does this count as taking advantage of His Highness?"

"You kid!~" Chai Rong was stunned and speechless.

Zhu Xiudao: "To be honest with you, Your Highness, I promised Madam Feng to marry her before the end of the year, but it's hard for Mr. Feng to go through this. Please ask Your Highness to help you and make peace with me when you get back!"

Chai Rong said angrily: "Are you threatening Gu?"

"Don't dare! Your Highness will help you. I will keep your Highness's secrets secret. In the future, I can also help His Highness to cover up the princess's place, so that our homes will be peaceful. Isn't it good?" Zhu Xiu looked like she was calculating and sneaky.

Chai Rong thought for a while and reluctantly said: "Deal!"

The two stared at each other, throwing their heads back and laughing.

Chai Rong was in a much happier mood, which was why he liked getting along with Zhu Xiu.

Neither will she be too estranged because of her status and status, and she will not lose the rules of superiority and inferiority. Zhu Xiu has a good grasp of the proportion in this.

Chai Rong felt very comfortable in this relationship of being both a monarch and a minister as well as a close friend.

Now that the two are brothers-in-law, this relationship is full of intimacy and trust.

After joking about some family matters, Chai Rong said lightly: "In your opinion, does Li Chongjin really know his mistake? Or, will he not have other thoughts?"

Zhu Xiu said softly: "Your Highness, Li Chongjin was really drunk just now!"

These words were a reminder to Chai Rong that judging from Li Chongjin's behavior just now, he really knew he was wrong and was definitely not pretending to be drunk or deliberately perfunctory.

Chai Rong understood and said calmly: "Of course I can see it, but I still want to hear your opinion."

Zhu Xiu thought about it for a while and said: "Li Chongjin has no second thoughts, let alone any objections! If he really has ulterior motives and there is chaos in the palace during the Shangyuan Festival, this trip south to Suzhou will be two great opportunities!"

Chai Rong nodded, frowned, and remained silent.

Zhu Xiu added: "Your Highness should know Li Chongjin better than I do. He does many things on a whim, and when the interest is over, he naturally feels boring. I dare to assert that in his cognition, the emperor is just a vague and illusory figure. Concept, he doesn't even realize what those two words mean."

Chai Rong said quietly: "Being an emperor is not easy, but everyone wants to get it! Those who have coveted this position will never forget this thought in their hearts."

Zhu Xiu was startled and hurriedly raised his hands and said: "Your Highness, Li Chongjin's loyalty to the official family and to Your Highness is unquestionable, and I am willing to be your guarantee!"

Chai Rong waved his hand and said with a smile: "Don't think too much, I naturally trust you and Chongjin. It's getting late, go back and rest!"

Chai Rong stretched himself, walked out of the courtyard, and returned to his dormitory surrounded by Cao Han and several guards.

Zhu Xiu watched the group of people walking away and sighed softly.

It seems that Li Chongjin's false imperial edict and his escape to the south left a deep mark on Chai Rong's heart.

Chai Rong's trust in him has created an irreparable rift.
Two days later, everyone packed their bags and chartered a passenger ship to return north to Kaifeng.

About Chai Rong's southward travel, only Li Gu knew about the boundaries of Suzhou.

Li Gu came specially to meet him, and the two talked in secret for half a day behind closed doors.

Chai Rong comforted Li Gu with kind words and commended him for his appropriate handling of the incident.

The horse bandits entrenched deep in Dangshan Mountain northwest of Suzhou City also quietly disappeared without a trace.
In early July of the third year of Guangshun in the Great Zhou Dynasty, when Zhu Xiu and his party were returning north, several major events happened in the world.

The 21 tribes of the Pheasants tribe in Gyeongju were dissatisfied with the governor Guo Yanqin's unauthorized increase in taxes and additional salt tax. They gathered the young and strong members of the tribe to rebel, broke into the county seat, killed more than ten county officials, and looted the treasury. The turmoil spread rapidly and shocked Jing. original place.

The imperial court decreed that Guo Yanqin should sit down and immediately transferred Cong Ruan to serve as the envoy of the Jingnan Army in Binzhou to suppress the rebellion of the pheasant clan.

After Zhe Congruan's son Zhe Deku became the governor of Fuzhou, both father and son took charge of the feudal town, which became a popular story.

On the Hebei side, Zhang Zangying, the Khitan Youzhou Yanyan envoy and governor of Fangzhou, who knew Lutai military affairs, surrendered with his own soldiers and staff and [-] people and livestock.

On the south side of the Yangtze River, there was a severe drought in the Tang Dynasty. There was no rain for several months. The shallowest part of the Huaihe River was even so deep that you could run your legs through it.

The hungry people in Huainan helped the old and young across the river into Huaibei. The imperial court ordered the prefectures and counties along the route to open warehouses and release grain to provide relief to the people.

When the news spread to the south of the Yangtze River, the officials and nobles did not comment on it, but the common people praised the kindness of the Northern Dynasty.
(End of this chapter)