Han Shizu

Chapter 1834
The Rongguo Mansion under the night is still so majestic and solemn, the gilded plaque hanging high is awe-inspiring, and the four guards with knives stand tall and erect on their posts, with cold eyes without any emotion.

Zhao Kuangyi got off his horse, stopped to look up at the magnificent gate of the Rongguo Mansion, and then started to walk into the mansion.For Zhao Kuangyi, the guards naturally did not dare to stop him, and the porter's servant even graciously led the way and served him. This is the most powerful person in the Zhao family at present.

In the mansion, upon learning that Zhao Kuangyi came to the door, Zhao Kuangyin's fourth son, Zhao Defang, quickly greeted him. Seeing Zhao Kuangyi with a serious face, he hurriedly saluted, "I've seen my third uncle!"

Zhao Kuangyin had four sons in total, but only Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang grew up.Zhao Dezhao has long been an official, and now serves as magistrate in Xiangzhou, Jinghu North Road.

Zhao Defang, who is now 27 years old, lives in Beijing, takes care of her father, and works as a Lang Guan in the Ministry of Rites. Because Zhao Kuangyin is old and his health is getting weaker, Zhao Defang is actually in charge of all the big and small things in the Rongguo Palace.

Zhao Defang was well-known in Beijing, with an upright and gentle personality, a handsome gentleman, and a handsome appearance. There were rumors in Beijing that Emperor Liu liked Zhao Defang very much, and he once intended to use him to honor the seventh princess Liu Hui, just because he had a long-standing marriage partner.Although the rumors were not credible, they had a great publicity effect on Zhao Defang's reputation.

In the official history, Zhao Defang died at the age of 22 at a young age. There are many profound meanings hidden in a "sleep sickness".Now, looking at his extraordinary appearance and radiant eyes, it is obvious that some conjectures are not conjectures.

However, in the era of the Great Han Dynasty, the relationship between the brothers, uncles and nephews of the Zhao family has always been harmonious. Zhao Kuangyi has always cared for the two nephews born to Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao Dezhao's post in Xiangzhou was arranged by him personally after listening to his opinions. .

"Yeah!" He responded to Zhao Defang, the seriousness in his expression disappeared a lot, and Zhao Kuangyi asked, "Where's the second brother?"

"Father is in the tea room!" Zhao Defang replied, with a hint of worry on his handsome face, he begged Zhao Kuangyi, "Please ask my third uncle to help persuade him, old man!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi frowned slightly, and cast a puzzled look at Zhao Defang.

It is said to be a tea room, but there is no tea fragrance. On the contrary, the air is filled with a strong smell of alcohol.When Zhao Kuangyi stepped into the room, he was stimulated by the strong smell and showed discomfort, but what surprised Zhao Kuangyi even more was Zhao Kuangyin's current state.

Zhao Kuangyin, who just passed his 59th birthday, is already very old. His hair is more than half white, his face is covered with gully-like wrinkles, and he is extremely thin. His hands are almost skinny.

Sitting in the banquet hall, his face was full of wine, the wine glass was in his hand, and there was some meat on the food table. He ate greasy food. When he saw Zhao Kuangyi, he was stunned for a while before he recognized him. He greeted him with bewildered eyes. : "Kuang Yi is here! Come, have two glasses of wine with me!"

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's alcoholic behavior, Zhao Kuangyi strode forward, snatched his wine glass, and said agitatedly, "Second Brother, why did you drink again? It's still so much!"

Looking up at Zhao Kuangyi, noticing his concerned expression, Zhao Kuangyin smiled, wiped his brocade robe casually with his hands wet with wine, and said: "Eat wine to your heart's content! Don't overdo it, why don't you eat too much?" Come and have fun? These are imperial wines, fine wines over 30 years old, where can ordinary people drink them, come, I'll fill you up!"

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's casual appearance, Zhao Kuangyi was puzzled and annoyed at the same time, he said in puzzlement: "You are old and sick, already sick to this point, why don't you care about it at all, and ruin your body like this?"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin glanced at Zhao Kuangyi again, he knew in his heart that what his younger brother really cares about now is probably not his own body, but the adverse effects that this frail body may bring to him.

"Sit!" Reaching out his hand to Zhao Kuangyi, Zhao Kuangyin asked the maid to pour another glass of wine, took a sip, and said calmly, "I always love wine, but in the past few years, I have been too restrained and aggrieved. Now that I am getting old and dying, I don’t have much time left, if I don’t enjoy it happily, I’m afraid I will end up regretting it. If I wait for my descendants to pay homage and serve wine after death, it will be too boring.”

"Second brother!" Seeing what Zhao Kuangyin said, Zhao Kuangyi couldn't help calling out.

Zhao Kuangyin lowered his eyelids slightly, and said quietly: "Besides, these wines are all given by His Majesty."

These words extinguished the emotions surging in Zhao Kuangyi's head. After staying for a while, he slowly sat down and looked at Zhao Kuangyin who was still drinking there, his serious face was full of doubts.

Zhao Kuangyin is not allowed to drink alcohol, especially not to overeat, and the greasy meat hair is even more taboo.Emperor Liu knew about this, but in the past few months, Emperor Liu rewarded good wine and rotten meat at regular intervals, and even sent the palace servants to "spot check" from time to time to ask Zhao Kuangyin whether he ate well and drank well. good
The intention behind this, the implication, should be called explicit, it really makes people feel chilled to the bone.After pondering for a long time, Zhao Kuangyi said to Zhao Kuangyin solemnly: "Second Brother, why is Your Majesty?"

As soon as he opened his mouth, he could feel the suppressed resentment in Zhao Kuangyi's tone, but Zhao Kuangyin looked very open, waved his hand to stop him, and said softly: "It's not unusual for your Majesty to be suspicious of a hero. Something? You still can't understand?"

"I just don't understand! Why did you target our Zhao family like this!" Zhao Kuangyi showed indignation, and still tried his best to restrain himself, looking very painful.

"There are so many meritorious officials, elders and long-term ministers. My Zhao family has always been law-abiding, never committed crimes, and has always been loyal and devoted to the country." Zhao Kuangyi picked up the wine glass and drank it all. Resentment and unwillingness.

"The 24 ministers of Qianyou, now there are only three or two people left, and naturally they will be missed by His Majesty at any time. This feeling of being missed by His Majesty is not easy!" Zhao Kuangyin said with a wry smile, "I am not as close to Your Majesty as Li Shaoyou is." , and not Yuan Cong like Xiang Xun, naturally it is even more sad!"

"You're already like this, why worry about it!" Zhao Kuangyi blurted out.

Seeing Zhao Kuangyi's righteous indignation, Zhao Kuangyin was a little surprised, his blurred drunken eyes sobered up a bit, looked at him, pondered for a while, and asked, "Kangyi, you are in a mood today, which is very different from your usual behavior!"

Zhao Kuangyi was stunned when he heard the words, and subconsciously glanced at the maid who was waiting beside him. He also realized that he had made a slip of the tongue, so he quickly took a deep breath, adjusted his mentality, gradually got rid of negative emotions, and regained his calm.

After thinking for a while, I replied: "I lost my temper, but now I'm up and down, there are so many disturbances at home and outside, I'm a little irritable!"

Zhao Kuangyin took another sip of his wine and asked, "Why are you staying in the house tonight?"

Originally, Zhao Kuangyi planned to discuss with his elder brother, but seeing his current situation, he calmed down, shook his head and said, "It's just that I haven't seen my second brother for a long time, and I heard that I'm not feeling well, so I came to visit him specially!"

Obviously insincere, Zhao Kuangyin chuckled and said, "It's about tax reform!"

Although Zhao Kuangyin lived in the public house, he knew everything about the internal and external affairs. Even if he didn't take the initiative to ask, there were some people who would take the initiative to disclose the information to him.

Hearing and asking, Zhao Kuangyi nodded silently.After pondering for a while, he said: "At present, the tax reform is advancing very slowly. There are many obstacles in various affairs. There are many objections from inside and outside the court. Li Fang can't coordinate and calm all parties. Seeing that the reform is lagging behind, I am determined to take this job on my own initiative. But His Majesty refuses! Today, I heard that His Majesty summoned Zhao Pu back to Beijing. Now, he has passed through Kaifeng and is coming to the west. He should be able to arrive in Beijing within three or two days."

Zhao Kuangyi didn't talk much, but revealed a lot of information. Zhao Kuangyin finally put down his wine glass, and after a moment of serious thinking, he said: "You are a little anxious!"

After Zhao Kuangyi heard the words, after another period of silence, he sighed and said, "I know that too, but if you don't take the initiative to fight for it, you will always just linger in place! No matter who is far away, from Zhao Pu to Song Qi, from Song Qi to Li Fang, now Your Majesty They would rather let Zhao Pu return to Beijing than give me a chance! Using me while suppressing me is really unacceptable!"

"Isn't this His Majesty's usual employment style?" Zhao Kuangyin said softly, "I still say the same thing, you need to be more patient!"

"Second brother, I will soon know my destiny!" Zhao Kuangyi said.

Hearing what Zhao Kuangyi said, Zhao Kuangyin was also silent for a long time, before he said tiredly: "When the tax reform is launched, people in the government are different, and the situation is turbulent. At this time, you should be cautious and treat it carefully. Too much action. Isn’t the lesson from the Ludoxon case not profound enough? Some things can’t be rushed!”

"I understand!" Zhao Kuangyi sighed, "It's just that I'm really unwilling!"

"Brothers like Dang Jin, Yang Guangyi, Wang Zhengzhong, and Liu Shouzhong, have you been looking for you recently?" Looking at Zhao Kuangyi, Zhao Kuangyin asked.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi nodded, "I've looked for it!"

"There are a lot of complaints!" Zhao Kuangyin sighed, thought for a while, and said to Zhao Kuangyi solemnly: "You give them a word for me, and let them take good care of it! Gradually withered, gradually gone, there are not many left, let them live well for the elderly, don't rashly participate in the affairs of the court, let alone try to confront the great government of the court.

Especially Dang Jin, let him pay attention to restraining his temper and enjoy his old age peacefully!Compared with the continuation of the bloodline and the blessings of the descendants, what are some things of money and silk from the farmland? "

Obviously, these words also meant to advise Zhao Kuangyi.At the same time, asking Zhao Kuangyi to lead the conversation also had a faint meaning of diverting political resources and entrusting the funeral.

Zhao Kuangyi thought for a while, and said solemnly: "Yes! I will bring the words to you!"

(End of this chapter)