Han Shizu

Chapter 548: Zhong Mo Becomes Qin Hui

The folk courtyard is simple and not big, but it is very clean and tidy. The ground is uneven. There is a jujube tree planted in the corner, and there is a deep well by the wall, which is covered by a well cover. Under the eaves, there is a row of bundled firewood. Leaning against the dirt wall.A few free-range chickens were pecking in the yard, lingering in the sound of "clucking" and the faint smell of chicken excrement, Zhong Mo taught the two children.

In the past two weeks, although he still went to the city from time to time to support the stalls, Zhong Mo's life was much easier, at least his stomach was somewhat protected.The owner's surname is Zhang. Although the couple cannot do without the philistine shrewdness of the petty bourgeoisie, they are kind-hearted, especially the woman, who has a typical knife-mouthed tofu heart.

The old man Zhang is over [-] years old. He earns money by killing animals in a meat shop to support his family.Relying on this job, I can sometimes beg for some meat for the family and start eating meat.

The family moved here from Hedong. The eldest son was originally the captain of the Tokyo Imperial Army. He was killed in battle against Du Chongwei.When the eldest son died, the thickest pillar of the family was broken, and to the rest of the family, old and young, it was like a thunderbolt.

At that time, the imperial court was in financial difficulties, and the pensions for the soldiers who died in the war were not much at all, and they were swallowed up.The only good thing is that Liu Chengyou, who was still the king of Zhou at that time, learned of a similar situation and directly punished the military officials in charge of distributing pensions, the Zhang family.

In the spring of the third year of Qianyou, Liu Chengyou ordered the Privy Council and the two yamen of the Three Divisions to redefine the salaries and pensions of the officers and soldiers of the forbidden army. Thinking of the soldiers who died and injured for the country in the early days of the country, he specially ordered the Privy Council to check the old military records. .

Liu Chengyou's move not only made the army happy, but also benefited families like the Zhang family, and made these people trust the emperor and the court.When listening to the old man Zhang talk about these things, Zhong Mo felt something different in his heart. Compared with the emperor of the Northern Han Dynasty, the Southern Tang monarch who indulged in pleasure was much older, but the gap in ability and ability was too great. Great disparity.

The old man Zhang has two children, a son and a daughter. The son is only ten years old, and the daughter is not yet nine years old, but they have already started to help with housework.Zhong Mo has been an official in the Southern Tang Dynasty for many years, but it was also a long time. He never taught and educated people, but he picked up his craft again and started teaching, but he also enjoyed it a little bit.

Mother Zhang made two simple sand trays for paper, and folded Vitex thorns for pens. Simple and durable, this is a method that Zhong Mo did not even think of.

"Heaven and earth are mysterious and yellow, and the universe is prehistoric"

What Zhong Mo taught was the Thousand-Character Classic. During this period of time, he has already taught two hundred characters.

"Let's stop here today!" After listening to the two little guys recite a passage, Zhong Mo nodded in satisfaction. A poor family likes to study, but that's all.

"Thank you sir!" Seeing this, the two saluted respectfully.

As the sky gradually dimmed, Zhong Mo returned to his room and noticed at the door that the brother and sister had carefully put away the "paper and pen".Then help, chopping wood, fetching water, lighting a fire.
The sound of "bang bang bang" on the door disturbed the tranquility of the courtyard, the kitchen was already filled with smoke, and the aroma of rice was already coming out.Hearing the unusual movement, Zhong Mo walked out and looked at the two men who almost barged in.He was dressed in black with flower gussets, with dog pictures embroidered on his arms, a knife pinned to his waist, and sharp eyes.

The boy who opened the door was frightened by the two of them.The two had no scruples, scanning the scene in the court, and directly pointed at Zhong Mo, who was dressed plainly and neatly: "Are you Zhong Mo?"

"Exactly! I don't know where the two officials came from?" Zhong Mo recognized that they were not officials from Kaifeng Mansion, so he couldn't help asking.

Although Wu Desi is well-known, he has not yet reached the point of ostentatiously passing through the market, so Zhong Mo has not been able to recognize the two martial arts soldiers just by their clothes.

Sweeping Zhong Mo's eyes, seeing his poor appearance, he said directly: "Yes! Come with us!"

"What do you dare to ask?" Zhong Mo asked.

"Don't ask if you shouldn't, just follow us!"

Feeling very helpless, Zhong Mo could only simply clean up, greeted Zhang's mother, and followed.

When he arrived at Wu Desi, Zhong Mo was informed that it was the emperor who wanted to summon him.The original peace of mind was suddenly destroyed. Since Zhong Mo arrived in Tokyo, he has lived a miserable life for nearly two months. It is obviously impossible for him to say that he is really willing to do so.

After settling down, I thought about how to recover and get out of the predicament, but I never made a decision.Now, with the sudden summoning of Emperor Han, his mood became hot unconsciously. He had a premonition that this was a good opportunity for him, and he had to seize it.

It was not the first time for Zhong Mo to go to the Chongzheng Hall. The last time he was sent as an envoy was before the Han-Tang war. Now, he is bowing down in front of the Han Emperor as a civilian captive.

Liu Chengyou was still so lofty, holding Wu Desi's information about Zhongmo's situation these days, his eyes were full of scrutiny, he looked at him, and asked: "Zhongmo, lived in Tokyo, have you ever gotten used to it?" ?”

"Returning to Your Majesty, although you have porridge and side dishes, you are hidden in the busy city, and you are at ease!" Zhong Mo looked calm, neither humble nor overbearing.

Hearing his answer, Liu Chengyou said: "Mr. Zhong is quite a gentleman!"

"Your Majesty, Xiaomin is now just a commoner, and he dare not be called a servant!" Zhong Mo lowered his head.

Liu Chengyou couldn't help laughing: "Li Jing, you haven't dismissed your official position yet. You are still an envoy of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and you only live in Kaifeng!"

Zhong Mo immediately said: "The little people who come from the north are the Han people!"

"The respected scholar-officials, high-ranking officials and generous salaries, drifted to Tokyo, had no food and clothing, were poor, and wrote for a living, didn't they feel insulted to gentlemen?" Liu Chengyou said.

"Returning to your majesty, I have been studying all the year round, and I claim to have a deep understanding of the purpose. However, with this experience in the market, I know that in the past, my vision was narrow. Poems and books governing politics are just talking about harming the country. As Mencius said, it is hard work, hard work, and starvation. Body and skin, you have to experience it yourself, and you will know later, it was just an affectation in the past," Zhong Mo said.

"It seems that Zhong Shilang has had a good experience these days!" Liu Chengyou said with a light smile, "How do you feel about being hidden in the market?"

Zhong Mo responded like a stream: "The common people feel firstly that His Majesty the Emperor's kindness and good governance, which benefit the people; secondly, that the court's laws and disciplines are strict and strict; thirdly, that the people in Tokyo are kind and honest, and their livelihood is not easy."

Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhong Mo again, sighed leisurely, and said: "Zhong Shilang, compared with before, you have added a lot of fireworks, but I look very comfortable. If you are an official , Mu Shou Fang will be a good minister!"

"Your Majesty's reputation is too high, and the common people don't dare to take it!" Finally, Zhong Mo was moved.

"I don't know Zhong Shilang, what do you think of the current situation in the world?" Liu Chengyou asked a little abruptly.

Hearing the question, Zhong Mo thought about it for a while, raised his eyes and glanced carefully at the emperor, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the common people thought that after the Huainan War, the big Han took all the land in the north of the river, and the national power rose greatly. With your majesty's With wise and strategic strategies, and with the use of military forces, in time, we will surely be able to dominate the world and recreate the universe!"

"Accept your auspicious words!" Liu Chengyou seemed very happy, looked at Zhong Mo, and said, "Your family is all in Jinling, and now it's two places away, so you really miss home!"

Zhong Mo's expression showed a little emotion, he sighed, and replied, "Is there anyone who doesn't miss his family?"

Nodding his head, Liu Chengyou seemed very satisfied with Zhong Mo's attitude, and said, "I plan to let you go back to Jinling and reunite with your family!"

Zhong Mo was a little dazed, his eyes full of puzzlement. According to his guess, if Emperor Han wanted to use him, he would probably give him a position in Tokyo as a consultant for "Tang Shi".

Therefore, Zhong Mo was very surprised to hear that Emperor Han wanted to release him back to Jinling.Obviously aware of his doubts, Liu Chengyou said lightly: "You don't have to have doubts in your heart, I let you go back to Jinling just to let you bring a letter to Li Jing."

"In addition, if you can continue to be an official in the Tang court, wouldn't you be better able to serve the great man?" Liu Chengyou said in a slightly erratic voice.

Having said this, Zhong Mo fully realized, and almost without hesitation, he prostrated himself: "I am willing to serve Your Majesty!"

Liu Chengyou used Zhong Mo, intending to use him as Qin Hui. Of course, if he can follow suit, after the great unification, it will be another kind of narrative on top of Qingshi Danshu.
(End of this chapter)