The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 538 The Black King is mature
There is a manor in the southern suburbs of Kaifeng with unique natural scenery. The Cai River system flows through it. Many willow trees are planted on the embankments. The manor is called Qianliu Manor.

The manor covers an area of ​​nearly [-] hectares, with acres of mountains, forests, fields, lakes and rivers, making it a good place for leisure and entertainment.

Qianliuzhuang was under Ma Qing's name. After the Guangzhengdian Incident in the third year of Qianyou's reign, people in Kaifeng were in chaos, so Ma Qing bought it at a low price of 5000 guan, and spent more than [-] guan on expansion and renovation. Over the years, it has become quite a garden style.

In recent years, Zhu Xiu has been traveling a lot, and Zhu Xiu has only been here twice.

As the big exam was approaching, Zhu Xiu invited Li Chongjin and his family to take his wife and children to Qianliuzhuang to take some time off.

There is a small artificial lake under the mountain forest. Zhu Xiu specially built a beach area by the lake and built a small pier to park several cruise ships.

The female members of the Zhu family and Li Chongjin's wife Dong Waner each took their children to rest by the lake, enjoying the sunshine and lake breeze. Zhu Xiu called Li Chongjin to row a boat to the opposite mountain forest to hunt some wild pheasants to eat game later.

They agreed to row a flat-bottomed boat together. After Li Chongjin fiddled with the oar for a while, he threw away the oar and lay down to bask in the sun with his head in his hands, leaving Zhu Xiu alone at the stern of the boat paddling hard.

This black guy has been in Suzhou for more than a year and has good water skills, but he can't row a boat. He swings the boat around in circles on the water.

When we paddled to the center of the lake, the wind was calm and the waves were calm. Her arms were a little sore, so Zhu Xiu stopped to rest.

"Hey, you don't have anything to say to me?" Zhu Xiu beat his arm.

Li Chongjin narrowed his eyes and glanced: "What did you say?"

Zhu Xiu said melancholy: "It's like sending a parting message or something to express the sadness of a friend's farewell."

Li Chongjin laughed loudly: "What nonsense! It's not like my brother will never come back!"

After a pause, Li Chongjin murmured, "It's also possible that we will never be able to return to Kaifeng again."

Immediately, Li Chongjin smiled with relief and said lazily: "If you don't come back, I won't come back. I've had enough of this stupid place! If I don't go back to Kaifeng, won't you take the initiative to visit me?"

Zhu Xiu was silent for a moment and said with some sadness: "Do you really have no other ideas? If you feel unhappy, you might as well talk to me and don't keep it in your heart."

Li Chongjin glanced at him sideways: "What, are you afraid that I will take my wife and flee south again?"

The corner of Zhu Xiu's mouth twitched, this guy really dared to speak.
Li Chongjin changed to a more comfortable position and leaned back, "Don't worry, it's enough to do something stupid once. I won't do it a second time!"

Zhu Xiu frowned and said tentatively: "Not long after you return to Beijing, you will go to Bozhou. Do you really have no idea? Naturally, it is more comfortable to be the commander of the Guards Division and the military governor of the Returned Army."

Li Chongjin picked his nose and washed it with the lake water. Zhu Xiu suddenly felt that the water in his entire lake was polluted.

"I know what you mean. The Palace Front Division has been established, and a major overhaul of the Forbidden Army is imminent. At this juncture, I, the Guard Division, have commanded envoys to be transferred to feudal towns. In the eyes of outsiders, it is because His Majesty does not want me to interfere with the Forbidden Army affairs anymore. It also foreshadows the , the situation where the Guards Division is the dominant family will no longer exist, from now on, the Palace Division will be the main force of the Forbidden Army." Li Chongjin said with a smile.

Zhu Xiu said sincerely: "It does seem so on the surface! If the Palace Division wants to increase its strength, the first key is to split and reorganize the Guards Division. You are the commander of the Guards' personal army. In the future, I am afraid that you will be ranked behind the Palace Division." .”

Li Chongjin curled his lips and said: "It doesn't matter. The Guards Department is too bloated. It would be better to divide and streamline it earlier. It would be a good thing to strengthen the strength of the Forbidden Army. As for the rank order, do you think I really care?"

Zhu Xiu was speechless. To be honest, he couldn't figure out Li Chongjin's current state of mind.

Li Chongjin sat up straight and said sternly: "I have thought clearly since I returned to Beijing from Suzhou last year. Damn it, fighting for power and fame is nothing! Like now, Your Majesty can use me to lead the troops. If you don't need me during the war, it would be nice to go home, drink, listen to music, play mahjong a few times, and have more babies, it would be beautiful and joyful, wouldn't it be good?"

Zhu Xiu also smiled, "You are very thoughtful and open-minded."

Li Chongjin smiled and said: "I know how capable I am, Lao Li. I can't do anything too big and can only lead troops to fight. I don't want to do anything that is too tiring. Anyway, there are so many capable people in the world, so it's not bad." Me alone.

It's good to go to Bozhou. Veteran Li Wanchao has been in the German army for many years. This time he was transferred to Xuzhou. I went to take over his shift, which was a big deal.

Songzhou and Bozhou are both rich and prosperous places, Your Majesty is letting me enjoy the blessings! "

Zhu Xiu also felt relieved, "If you can figure it out, it's best! I'm just afraid that the rumors outside will affect your relationship with His Majesty."

Li Chongjin said contemptuously: "The idiots outside underestimated Your Majesty, and they also underestimated me, Li Chongjin!

They don't understand the bond between us brothers at all.

Last year, His Majesty went to Suzhou alone to see me. Under those circumstances, His Majesty was able to tolerate my sins. How could he use this method to guard against me now?
Although Your Majesty and I are not related by blood, after the death of the late Emperor, we are the two closest brothers in the world!This family property left by the late emperor belongs to Your Majesty, and I, Li Chongjin, will protect it with my life! "

Zhu Xiu looked at him with a look of amazement as he re-recognized him. The Black King Li Chongjin really seemed like a different person in the past year.

Li Chongjin rubbed his hands excitedly and said: "His Majesty also told me that the Huainan War will start at the latest the year after next. At that time, I will lead an army alone. As a vanguard, we will first attack Sizhou and then capture Haozhou!

Haozhou is your hometown, right?When the time comes, my brother will try to be gentler, treat the soldiers and civilians of Haozhou preferentially, and let you return home in fine clothes to meet your elders! "

Zhu Xiu's eyebrows jumped. Li Chongjin should be the first person to know that His Majesty intends to take Huainan first.

Going south first and then north is also Chai Rong's personal strategic direction.

Zhu Xiu said hurriedly: "You must not let any news of such a big event leak out!"

Li Chongjin said: "Don't worry! I said it in front of you. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have said a word. Do you think I'm a talkative woman?"

Zhu Xiu couldn't help but roll his eyes. Li Chongjin a few years ago was just a loudspeaker with no control over his words!
"Then sister-in-law and eldest nephew are staying in Kaifeng?" Zhu Xiu asked again.

Li Chongjin smiled and said: "Your Majesty is gracious and allows me to take my family to my post."

Zhu Xiu said, Chai Rong also showed the greatest trust as the emperor by doing this.

When the news is officially announced, the rumors from the outside world will naturally disappear without any attack.

Li Chongjin suddenly stood up and began to take off his robe and hakama, and soon he even had to take off his underwear.

Zhu Xiu was shocked, "What are you going to do?"

Li Chongjin said excitedly: "The sun is just right and the lake is clear. Of course I need to take a dip first!"

With a crash, Li Chongjin's dark body fell into the water, causing a big wave and splashing all over Zhu Xiu.

This black guy was naked, like a big black fish, flopping happily under the lake.

Zhu Xiu said angrily: "There are still women here, you are so shameless!"

Li Chongjin lay down on the side of the boat and wiped the water stains on his face, "You are far away and you can't see anything! The water is so comfortable. Come down and play!"

Zhu Xiu waved her hands again and again: "It's insulting to the gentlemen, I refuse!"

Li Chongjin laughed wildly and began to shake the boat violently. The flat-bottomed boat tipped left and right, and Zhu Xiu was so frightened that he clung to the edge.

"Take off your clothes and get into the water! Otherwise, my brother will ask you to become a drowned pheasant!" Li Chongjin laughed.

Zhu Xiu gritted her teeth, suppressed the shame and anger and began to undress, until only the white strips were left.

Li Chongjin shook the boat violently. Zhu Xiu stood unsteadily and fell into the water with his hands fluttering. The coolness that penetrated his heart was very comfortable.

"How about it, are you comfortable?" Li Chongjin laughed.

Zhu Xiu wiped the water on her face, grinned and nodded.

It's really comfortable. I'll bring my wives and concubines here alone in a few days. Then the beach and waterside will have unique scenery, which is enough to feast your eyes!
The two naked men were swimming shamelessly in the middle of the lake, sometimes rolling in the waves, sometimes drifting on their backs, enjoying a rare leisure time.
~~~
Three days later, Daqing Hall.

The huge hall was filled with square tables and chairs, about five feet apart from each other. Hundreds of officials of the fifth rank and above were sitting in different directions. Some were meditating hard, some were writing furiously, some were at a loss, and some were writing like gods.There was silence in the hall, except for the occasional slight sound.

Chai Rong was dressed in crimson uniform, sitting high on the imperial throne, reading several reports from various places, raising his eyes to scan the hall from time to time, with a majestic look on his face.

Below the majesty's steps, there was a row of invigilators. Zhu Xiu sat in the middle in an official uniform, with a serious face, and kept scanning the examination room.

Wang Pu beside him seemed unable to sit still and kept patrolling back and forth in the examination room.

This is probably the largest selection examination for serving officials in history.

The process is rigorous and the atmosphere is serious, even the imperial examination is not as good.

Many officials' legs trembled as soon as they entered the venue, and some even showed up even before they arrived. They lied that they were feeling unwell and wanted to leave temporarily, but Chai Rong approved it in court.

The result is immediate dismissal from office and never to be renewed.

Such a decisive punishment made many officials who had retreated not dare to take any chances and sat down to participate in the assessment with trepidation.

Today is the policy theory exam. There are two questions. One is "It is difficult to be a king and it is not easy for a minister."

, one is called "Pingtian Policy".

The second question is easy to say. Everyone knows about His Majesty’s ambition and everyone can guess it.

But the first question is difficult, and many people don’t know where to start.

Tao Gu, who was sitting in the west corner, secretly rejoiced when he saw the question. He was glad that he went to Zhu Xiu's house in advance to ask for advice. Three days was enough for him to do some hard work.

Tao Gu was very grateful to Zhu Xiu. He suppressed his excitement, pondered for a moment, dipped his pen in ink and began to write quickly. He finished writing a piece of paper, which made his colleagues around him speechless.

Tao Gu looked confident, which put great pressure on the surrounding officials.

Less than an hour later, Tao Gu raised his hand to hand in the paper.

An official from Zhongshu came forward and made a brief inspection, sealed it up on the spot, and then asked Tao Gu to leave.

Before Tao Gu left, he bowed to the emperor on the throne and the invigilator in the front row.

From a distance, the old man cast a meaningful look at Zhu Xiu.

Wang Pu returned to his seat and sat down, drinking tea and sighing.

Zhu Xiu chuckled and said, "Did Mr. Wang realize today how many mediocre officials there are in our dynasty?"

Wang Pu smiled bitterly in a low voice and said: "To be honest with Mr. Zhu, I was mentally prepared before, but I didn't expect that when I look at it today, there are so many mediocre people! It's shocking!~"

Zhu Xiu comforted him: "For many years of war, the world has been suffering from chaos. The number of scholars has dropped sharply. Among the short ones, there are taller ones. Some people who are a little proficient in literature and calligraphy can become officials. This phenomenon can be seen in all parts of the Central Plains and the Southern Dynasties. Not surprising.”

Wang Pu shook his head and said: "It is imperative to reorganize the imperial examination system! We must not only rebuild the imperial examination system, but also vigorously develop official education, encourage private education, and revive the world's cultural heritage as soon as possible."

Zhu Xiushen felt the same way: "We have a long way to go!"

Wang Pu looked at Zhu Xiu eagerly, as if he had met a like-minded confidant, and whispered: "If there is a chance, Wang would like to discuss issues such as imperial examinations, official studies, and official selection with Duke Zhu County!"

Zhu Xiu also said: "I also want to ask Mr. Wang for advice. I will take a break tomorrow. How about asking Mr. Wang to sit at the tea house in Jingdezhen?"

Wang Pu chuckled and said, "That's exactly what I meant!"

The two chief and deputy examiners smiled knowingly.

After Wang Pu became prime minister, his focus has been on the imperial examination, official education, and official selection, but he suffered from the fact that few people in the court could discuss it with him.

Zhu Xiu wanted to find an opportunity to communicate in depth with Wang Pu and take the initiative to close the relationship.

Fan Zhi, who was sitting on the other side, also came over and whispered: "How about Fan come and join in the fun?"

The two said in unison: "Welcome!"

Fan Zhi grinned and said coyly: "I just don't know, how much does it cost to go to the tea house?"

Zhu Xiu chuckled and said: "No need to worry about Mr. Fan, I'm here to do it!"

"Hey, you're welcome to Fan!" Fan Zhi cupped his hands under the table.

Zhu Xiu laughed dumbly. Fan Zhi became prime minister, but his life was still so embarrassing.

Firstly, it is due to his personality, he is willing to be poor and even enjoys it.

Secondly, I also lack some financial management acumen, and I don’t know how to spend my salary.

Chai Rong glanced down, and saw Zhu Xiu, Wang Pu, and Fan Zhi whispering to each other, with Zhu Xiu in the middle, and the two prime ministers, one on the left and one on the right.

The three guys seemed to be joking about something, which made Chai Rong frown.

"Ahem~" Chai Rong couldn't help coughing twice, reminding the three of them to pay attention to the rules in the examination room.

As an invigilator, what kind of behavior is there to talk about everything?
Chai Rong gave Zhu Xiu a funny and helpless look. It must be that this kid couldn't sit still, and he was hooking up with each other, leading two honest people, Wang Pu and Fan Zhi.

The three of them heard a cough coming from the throne behind them. Zhu Xiu glanced back, shrunk his neck, and held up his hands with a smile.

The three of them smiled at each other, and quickly sat upright, returning to seriousness.

Chai Rong was relieved to see Zhu Xiu and the two prime ministers getting along harmoniously.

Wang Pu and Fan Zhi were the two chief ministers left to him by the late emperor to assist him in governing the country.

And Zhu Xiu is the generation of talents he wants to cultivate personally, representing the future.

Chai Rong closed the memorial and was about to rest for a while. Suddenly, he felt a palpitation in his heart and a feeling of fullness in his heart!
Chai Rong's face changed slightly. He covered his heart and tightened it tightly. Veins protruded on his neck and forehead, and cold sweat even dripped from his temples.

Great pain came from his chest, Chai Rong gritted his teeth and remained silent.

After about thirty breaths, the pain gradually disappeared. Chai Rong took a deep breath again and again, only to feel a cold sweat all over his body.

He glanced around calmly, but fortunately no one noticed anything strange about the emperor.

Chai Rong's expression returned to calm, but his heart was full of shock and uneasiness.

This is the second time a similar situation has happened.

The scary thing is that even he himself doesn't know what's going on with his body.

It seems that we need to consult an imperial doctor as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)