Tiger Guards

Chapter 93: Morality is lacking
In the northern part of Wenxi, amidst the smoke from cooking.

Zhao Yan took a look around and Zhao Lian followed him back to the house.

As soon as he sat down, Zhao Jian and Zhao Yuan brought in the food: "Grandfather Zhong."

"Ah."

Zhao Yan responded and said, "You two should go and have your meal too."

"Well, grandson, take your leave."

Zhao Jian opened his mouth to answer, but Zhao Yuan was tongue-tied, so he just bowed deeply and retreated together.

After they were far away, Zhao Yan said to Zhao Lian, who was fiddling with the bowls and dishes, "After all, Aji is more like Boyue."

Zhao Lian sat down, picked up his chopsticks and ate some corn rice: "Zhongfu still doesn't like Wen Gu?"

Because the ancestor of the Zhao family had studied the Book of Changes, several generations of the family selected the four most outstanding people from the close branch and gave them the character sequence "Yuan Heng Li Zhen".

Zhao Lian was not selected. As the eldest son of a small branch of the clan, he was given the courtesy name Boyue.

After migrating to Hedong, they followed the local customs and used the popular characters in the vicinity of Anyi to choose the courtesy names for their next generation.

"In peaceful times, I am like a guard dog. In troubled times like these, I can live peacefully in seclusion in the mountains."

Zhao Yan picked up his chopsticks and asked, "If Bo Yue were Wen Gu, what would he do if he knew that A Ji had made such a great contribution?"

"Gather your companions, take the young and strong men from the neighborhood, and head to Anyi overnight."

Zhao Lian answered without hesitation, and then explained, "My nephew's family has quite a few people, most of whom are children. I have so many concerns right now that it's difficult for me to go."

"You're getting old."

Zhao Yan commented as he picked up his bowl and ate, his graying beard trembling slightly as he chewed. He couldn't help but say, "I don't understand. Aji gets along well with his fellow soldiers in the camp and is well-liked by everyone. Looking at the warriors around him, there are many who would be willing to die for him. How could he not be at peace at home and be banished into the mountains?"

Zhao Lian lowered his head and said nothing. Seeing him like this, Zhao Yan said, "Since Bo Yue refuses to speak, I won't ask. But if you can't even take care of your own family affairs, how can you serve your country?"

"Father Zhong?"

Zhao Lian looked up with his eyes lighting up and a look of anticipation on his face. He already had a premonition about this, but he just didn't dare to confirm it.

Zhao Yan glanced at him and said, "You are dependent on the Pei family for survival, so it is inevitable that you will be biased towards your wife when handling household affairs. If you enter the government and receive favors from others, how will you cope if Aji is involved in the future? I and Aji are enough for the court. You and Wen Gu should stay at home and not set foot there."

Hearing this, Zhao Lian was stunned.

Looking at Zhao Lian, Zhao Yan said, "You have lost your ambition. Entering the government with Wen Gu will only drag down Aji. Although Aji is a little willful, he has integrity and is not comparable to ordinary people."

"Zhongfu, no matter how bad my nephew is, he will not bring trouble to Aji."

Zhao Lian made up his mind and expressed his feelings: "If I become a burden to Aji, I will resign. It will only lead to death."

"Humph, I'm afraid you won't commit suicide now."

Zhao Yan was in no mood to eat and put down his bowl and chopsticks. "If it were the Bo Yue of the past, even if he didn't deserve this position, why would he defend himself and beg for mercy from me? You are like this, and so is Wen Gu. You are already vulgar and unfit for such a big responsibility."

Looking at the distraught Zhao Lian, Zhao Yan consoled him, saying, "The officials of the court have endured life and death hardships, and common sense can no longer be applied to them. Staying in Xixiang, enjoying a comfortable life without the burden of ordinary affairs, is perhaps a joy in life. My Zhao family has lived up to the Han Dynasty and deserves no more deaths."

After a pause, he continued, "My predictions are correct. Yang Biao will soon send an envoy to recruit you. If you still respect me as your old man, and are willing to listen to my advice, you can decline the offer. Getting involved in court disputes will be difficult for you and Aji, so don't make it difficult for me."

"There are some things I can't explain to you."

Zhao Yan sighed and felt worried. Zhao Ji's achievements were too brilliant. In comparison, the people of Hedong lost face and the ministers and officials of the court looked like waste.

At such times, it is even more important to hold on to the Tiger Guards and hold on to the military power firmly, so that the merits can be gradually converted into qualifications and influence.

In the past, official positions were based on the duties of the position.

The current imperial court values influence.

He calmed down and continued, "Originally, I was stationed in Beijiang, intending to gather the powerful and righteous men of Fenbei before marching south to support the emperor. I was worried that Aji would be targeted by the old thief, so I hurried with my troops. Even I am so cautious, how can you have the courage to underestimate the officials of the court?"

After all, they haven't seen each other for almost 30 years, and I can no longer look at this cousin with the same understanding as I did back then.

If Zhao Yu or his other nephews and nephews were still alive, and if Zhao Ji was not so outstanding, Zhao Yan really would not want to say so much to Zhao Lian.

After a moment's silence, Zhao Yan continued, "When I see Aji, I will ask about the family's past. I cannot interfere with the right and wrong, but I will definitely ask for the truth. If Aji has been wronged, you and Wen Gu should deal with it as soon as possible to avoid embarrassment."

Having said this, Zhao Lian still kept his head down, refusing to tell the real source of the family conflict.

Seeing him like this, Zhao Yan concluded that the source was difficult to talk about.

He simply coughed twice and called out to the door, "Come in." Gao Chong, the commander of the tent, quickly stepped inside and bowed respectfully, "Mingsir."

"Get a bowl of porridge, take these out, and give the chicken soup to the wounded soldiers in the camp."

Zhao Yan pointed at the corn rice and chicken soup cooked in the middle of the night in front of him.

"Here."

Gao Chong agreed, turned around and called a few guards in, and took out the food that Zhao Jian and his brother had brought.

After Gao Chong left, Zhao Yan said, "I am about to move camp. Bo Yue should go back."

"Yes, my nephew is resigning."

Zhao Lian stood up, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and had no appetite to eat anymore. He bowed deeply.

Seeing that Zhao Yan didn't try to persuade him to stay, he took a few steps back to the door, turned around and walked out.

The sun had risen, and the golden sunlight shone on Zhao Lian. He squinted his eyes to observe the distance and saw Zhao Jian, Zhao Yuan and his son-in-law Pei Hu standing outside the low wall waiting.

The three of them all looked expectant. Zhao Lian said nothing and walked towards the door.

Ignoring his eldest son's question, his son-in-law Pei Hu held back his desire to ask. As he was about to leave Beixiang, a guard came trotting over, leading a horse: "Mr. Boyue, please stay!"

Zhao Lian turned around to look, then stopped and waited for the guard to approach. He then bowed and asked, "What's the matter?"

"The Duke of Zhao ordered me to give a horse to Duke Boyue for transportation. This horse was given to the Duke by Zhao Zhonglang."

The guard handed over the reins and whispered, "Lord Zhao also said that Zhao Zhonglang had killed many bandits in Jishan, and told Lord Boyue to be on guard. Lord Zhao has also sent a letter to the county, and the county will send county soldiers to garrison Xixiang."

"Got it. Thank Lord Zhao for me."

Zhao Lian bowed, he knew very well what the Jishan thieves were.

But when the two sons and son-in-law heard this, their faces suddenly changed, and then they forced themselves to remain calm.

There is really nothing to be afraid of when encountering Jishan bandits in broad daylight. It's just a matter of life for life.

But the Jishan bandits attack at night, which is hard to defend against. If you can't stop them, your whole family will die.

After sending the guards away, Zhao Lian climbed onto his horse, pulled out the whip from the saddle and took a look at it. His pent-up resentment mostly dissipated as he commented, "It's a good horse indeed."

Zhao Jian walked ahead, holding the reins, and turned back: "Father, what does great-grandfather mean?"

"He is dissatisfied with you two brothers."

Zhao Lian naturally wouldn't tell his son-in-law the reason directly, so he said, "Zhongfu said Aji killed the bandits up front. You two brothers are in your prime, but after hearing the news, you didn't go to Anyi to help Aji kill the bandits, but came here to serve an old man like him. It's really lacking in virtue."

The second son, Zhao Yuan, had no idea about his career and did not feel the power of this sentence.

Zhao Jian's expression froze, and he became distraught. "Father, did Great-Grandfather really say that?"

"Although Zhongfu didn't say so explicitly, I can feel it."

Zhao Lian paused, then asked, "Zhongfu hasn't moved camp yet. It's not too late for you to return and serve the army now. What do you think?"

Zhao Jian hesitated, thinking of his mother, wife, and children at home, and could only give up the thought: "Father, Aji has provoked the Jishan bandits, so I'd better stay at home and be on guard against them."

This is a bandit from Jishan. Pei Hu lowered his head and said nothing. He also has his mother, wife and children to take care of. It is impossible for him to help with the defense, let alone take his relatives and friends to defend.

His younger brother Pei Bao has already joined the army, and he cannot afford to be in danger again.

Zhao Lian caught a glimpse of the silent Pei Hu and didn't find it strange. He married his daughter to Pei Hu because he was steady.

In Beixiang, Zhao Yan waited for a long time, but when the two Zhao Jian brothers did not come back, his hope faded.

"I am too greedy. I am grateful for the blessing of our ancestors for having a son like Aji. How can I ask for more?"

He comforted himself, looking lonely and very disappointed.

He had already explained the route clearly, but still refused to come.

Since you are unwilling to come, we must block another way.

As long as he is alive, this road will be blocked and no one can get through.

(End of this chapter)