The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 37 I don’t want to eat chicken tonight

In the early morning, the sky was just bright, and the mist was steaming on the Zhangshui River.

Shi Kuangwei was sleeping in a small black-topped boat. The boat hit the river bank under the slap of the river water, and the hull shook. Shi Kuangwei woke up yawning.

".Well?"

His first reaction was to look towards the north bank, but the wide river was filled with mist, but there was no sign of a Khitan warship.

He slept on the river bank for seven days. From morning to night, he could see the Khitan warships swaying in the water when he opened his eyes. Why did he suddenly disappear today?
Could it be that the Khitan warships haven't sailed out of the north shore dock yet?
"Quick! Quickly paddle the flying boat and go over to see what's going on in the Khitan camp!"

Skuangwei quickly realized what was happening, roared anxiously, and led a team of crossbowmen in three flying boats to quickly approach the north bank through the water mist.

The pier on the north shore had long been deserted, and the three warships were missing. There were only dozens of small boats moored near the pier, which seemed to have been abandoned by the Khitan people.

In the distance, on the riverbank high ground, in the direction of the Khitan camp, everything was quiet. There was no sound of war drums or soldiers performing martial arts in the past.

When the flying boat docked, Shi Kuangwei led a few people ashore and cautiously went to the Khitan camp, while the rest stayed on the shore.

More than an hour later, Shi Kuangwei and his men returned safely, his dark face full of excitement: "The Khitans have indeed retreated, not a single one is left! Haha~~ Hurry! Return to Cangzhou City and report the news to General Chai!"

~~~
The second floor of the east gate tower was originally a main meeting hall, but now it has become a dojo where Zhu Xiu meditates during the day. No one except his servant Ma San is allowed to enter.

In front of the incense table, Zhu Xiu was lying on a straw mat, using a futon as a pillow. She crossed her legs and hugged her belly with both hands. Her open clothes revealed her white, round belly.

In the basket next to it, there was a pile of broken chicken bones.

Ma San ran upstairs, holding a pot of hot tea and a towel on his shoulders.

"Little official, wipe your mouth and drink some tea to relieve your tiredness."

Zhu Xiu burped and smelled of chicken, stretched out her hand and moaned: "San, give me a hand."

Ma San didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he quickly helped him up.

Taking a towel to wipe the oily stars on her face, Zhu Xiu took a few sips of tea and let out a long sigh of relief:
"Three, Master, I seem to be full."

Ma San looked at the pile of chicken bones speechlessly. He squatted there for most of the night, and then a fat chicken came from the Tianxiong army's main camp, and he was almost caught by a few big and round cooks.

Wash and peel it early in the morning, stew it beautifully for two hours, until the bones and flesh are separated, tender and soft, then take it out of the pot, and take it upstairs after a lot of work in secret.

I never thought that I would be wiped out by a petty official in just one meal.

Originally, he planned that this fat chicken would be enough for a small official to eat for two days.

Ma San didn't want to eat it himself. The official rewarded his favorite chicken butt generously and forced him to eat a chicken thigh. Ma San didn't dare to eat any more. Once he remembered his status as a servant, Ma San didn't dare to eat it. , Second, the stomach is not up to date, and eating too much meat is a bad thing.

What Ma San was helpless about was that the young official was greedy and ate up almost the entire fat chicken. Ma San was afraid that he would burst his belly.

Seeing the little official devouring his food with ferocious faces, Ma San was filled with emotion.

In this world where people who want to eat can't get the bones to gnaw on, even a capable master's apprentice like Xiao Guanren often doesn't have enough to eat. When there is meat to eat, he is like a starving ghost reincarnated.
Zhu Xiu's body twitched and burped continuously, and the smell of meat came out of her mouth.

Ma San quickly stroked his back, dumbfounded and said, "Young officials should be more restrained in the future."

Zhu Xiu grinned, her chest and abdomen contracted, and a puff of flatulence pushed up her throat. She croaked like a toad, hiccupping until she rolled her eyes.

Shi Kuangwei's signature broken gong voice came from the tower, followed by the cheers of the Tianxiong Army soldiers.

Zhu Xiu waved his hand: "Go down and have a look."

Then he pointed to the chicken bones in the basket and said, "Clean them up and don't expose any mistakes."

Ma San said "Hey" and hurriedly picked up the bamboo basket and took it downstairs to dump it.

Downstairs, Chai Rong and Fu Jinzhan came after receiving the news, and Shi Kuangwei was vividly recounting what he had seen and heard about the empty Khitan camp on the north bank.

"Retreat! The Khitan people of dog days have finally gotten out of Hebei!"

Lao Shi jumped on a broken tossing cart, danced excitedly, and shouted louder than the gong.

Pan Mei laughed wildly and rushed to the top of the city, gnashing her teeth and beating the drum bare-chested. The dull drum sound accompanied by cheers spread throughout Cangzhou City.

Zhao Pu lay stretched out on a gray wooden cart, looking at the blue sky, with a silly smile like a fool on his dirty face covered with dirt.

The officers and soldiers of the Tianxiong Army, the soldiers of the Hexi Army, and the brothers of the Henghai Army cheered thunderously. Some hugged their heads and cried, and some knelt down and clasped their hands together and wept silently to comfort their relatives and friends who died in the war.

Even Zhang Yongde, who had always been serious about his words and expressions, squeezed out a smile on his stern face. He took off his helmet and fell to the ground, his smile full of exhaustion.

Chai Rong clenched his fists tightly, his throat kept sliding, and there seemed to be a long-blocked feeling in his chest that was about to roar out.

Yeluwu wanted to withdraw his troops, which proved that Zhu Xiu's previous inferences were all confirmed!
Next, we have to wait for news from Zhenzhou!

What happened to Yelu Deguang, the tiger who could stop children from crying at night in the north?
Fu Jinzhan's almond-shaped eyes were red. She had been trapped in Cangzhou for more than half a year. Her father, brother, and relatives were not around, and her closest maid, Xiao Yuan, was also buried outside the city. She led the Cangzhou soldiers and civilians alone, fighting to the death again and again on the city wall. He took up the responsibility of Cangzhou's safety.

It wasn't until Chai Rong arrived that the burden on her shoulders was finally relieved.

Fu Jinzhan's eyes flickered and he looked up at the man beside him.

The resolute face that was sharpened by a knife and axe, seemed to be smiling, stunned, happy, and in a trance. Many emotions surged up and were complicated and intertwined.

The only thing that hasn't changed is that his towering figure still stands like a pine tree.

Chai Rong had a clear understanding, turned around and met Fu Jinzhan's sparkling eyes.

Fu Jinzhan clasped his fists like a man and said: "Congratulations, Brother Shi. Since we were stationed in Cangzhou, the Khitans have never invaded the city. Among all the states in Hebei, only the Tianxiong Army under Brother Shi has achieved such brilliant results. The imperial court will definitely reward you and grant you a great title." Juebei is just around the corner!”

Chai Rong was a little stunned when she called her "Brother", and hurriedly returned the courtesy: "Ms. Fu, you are too complimentary! The stability of Cangzhou today is mainly due to Mrs. Fu's hard work in the past. To be reported to the officials and the court, a certain I must take credit for Madam Fu!"

Fu Jinzhan smiled, his beautiful face showing a bit of playfulness: "I dare to ask, brother, how will the government and the court reward me? Make me a military governor? Or give me a high-ranking official in Kaifeng with a generous salary?"

"This." Chai Rong was stunned for a moment, then realized it and smiled bitterly.

No matter how great Fu Jinzhan's contribution was, the court would not give her any reward. At most, the Fu family would be given some gold, silver, and silk.

So she is destined to be a hero behind the scenes.

Chai Rong said sincerely: "Cangzhou soldiers and civilians, Chai, and the Tianxiong Army will all remember Madam Fu's achievements."

Fu Jinzhan's beautiful eyes were smiling and he said leisurely: "I heard that the year before last, the leader of the pseudo-Fujian Kingdom, Wang Yanzheng, sent someone to give Uncle Guo a jade chi sword. Uncle Guo regarded it as a treasure and often played with it. It is said that this jade chi sword is full of jade. , glowing at night, gorgeous and mysterious, it is a rare treasure in this world. If my brother is really grateful, how about borrowing the treasure from Uncle Guo for me and playing with it for a few months before returning it? "

"This" Chai Rong was speechless again, he forced himself to hold his hand and said: "The Jade Chi Sword is my father's beloved thing. Even I rarely touch it, I'm afraid."

"If it doesn't work, forget it! I just said it casually, brother, don't take it seriously!" Fu Jinzhan chuckled, seeming not to care.

Chai Rong sighed, Guo Wei was rarely interested in playthings, and the Jade Chi Sword was an exception.

Chai Rong was frightened if he really asked for it, even if it was just for borrowing.

Fu Jinzhan is considerate and will not make things difficult for him.

Chai Rong opened his mouth to say something, but Fu Jinzhan bowed his head and walked away on his own.

A team of fast horses rushed in from the east gate. They were a few scouts who were out to inquire about news, and several bodyguards wearing black shunshui mountain armor.

The leader, Yu Hou, was the one who came to convey the order that day. "General Chai." When the pro-soldier Yu saw Chai Rong, he jumped off his horse, clasped his fists in greeting, and forced an awkward smile on his face.

Chai Rong smiled lightly, not having the same experience as him, and cupped his hands and said: "Angel has been working hard all the way, but has the official issued an order?"

As Chai Rong said, he was about to bow down, but Marquis Yu hurriedly stopped him, and said with a sneer, "There is no need for a big gift, the last general just conveys the official's oral order, and there is no official edict."

Chai Rong didn't force himself, he stood up and respectfully listened.

The pro-soldier Yu Hou cleared his throat and said: "The official order: Chai Rong, the commander of Tianxiong's army, is ordered to stay in Cangzhou and strictly prevent the Khitans from Zhuo County from crossing the Zhang River to the south! Chai Rong will temporarily control the Henghai navy, and the rest of the troops will be waiting. Dispatch of the Privy Council.”

"Your Majesty Chai Rong accepts the order!"

Fu Jinzhan, Shi Kuangwei and others had strange expressions on their faces. They did not expect that the third order was for Chai Rong to continue to lead the Tianxiong Army to garrison Cangzhou.

He had previously urged the Tianxiong Army to rush to Zhaozhou, but he never mentioned it, and it seemed that he did not hold Chai Rong accountable for his disobedience.

Chai Rong said: "I dare to ask the angel, is there any movement of Khitan people in Zhenzhou?"

The pro-soldier Yu Hou looked at the people behind Chai Rong and smiled bitterly in a low voice: "Three days ago, Emperor Yelu Deguang of the Liao Dynasty died of illness. The Empress Dowager Shulu Ping of the Liao Kingdom and the emperor's brother Yelu Li Hu secretly led the army to retreat northward from Ding. Zhou returned to Zhuoxian.

The officials received a secret report and called all the ministers to discuss it. Uncle Li Ye proposed to take advantage of the Khitan people's national funeral and send troops to pursue them, which was unanimously approved by all the ministers."

Chai Rong frowned and glanced at him, and the pro-junior Yu Hou said: "Guo Shuai, Feng Dao and other ministers strongly opposed it. Guo Shuai said that the morale of the Liao army has not declined. Although Shu Luping is a female, she should not be underestimated. The Khitan people must Be prepared”

Chai Rong sighed: "Tell me, who led the troops in pursuit, and how many soldiers and horses were lost?"

"The commander of the Feilong Army, Houzan, led his troops in pursuit and encountered an ambush in Dingzhou City. The commander of the left wing of the Feilong Army died in the battle, and the commander of the right wing was captured. A total of more than [-] troops and horses were lost."

Chai Rong shook his head and said nothing. The Feilong Army was one of the official armies. Their soldiers, weapons, supplies, and salaries were the best in the Forbidden Army. However, they did not have a qualified general to command the army.

It is ridiculous that an official like Hou Zan, who came from a cruel official background, was entrusted with important responsibilities by the government just because of his service to the dragon.

"And then what?"

The pro-soldier Yu Hou added: "Then the officials realized that what Guo Shuai and other ministers said was true, so they ordered the troops to stop and let the Khitan army leave Taizhou. At the same time, they urgently ordered the troops that had been transferred to Zhaozhou to return to their original positions.

Some of these troops had already arrived outside Zhaozhou City, and some were already on the way. Only Chai Shuai and Tianxiong's army stood still.As expected, General Chai had obtained the true biography of Guo Shuai. He had a unique vision and knew that the decisive battle in Zhenzhou would not be fought!If you have offended me before, please ask General Chai to forgive you. "

Chai Rong raised his hand and said a few polite words, not intending to embarrass him.

Looking at Wangcheng Tower, Chai Rong smiled bitterly in his heart. He had a unique vision. It was obvious that there was an expert here in Cangzhou to give guidance.

If Zhu Xiu hadn't tried his best to dissuade him and kept giving him confidence, he would have been foolish enough to lead the Tianxiong Army to Zhaozhou, and then received the order to repatriate him halfway.
Even Chai Rong found it a bit incredible. They were far away in Cangzhou, seven or eight hundred miles away from Zhenzhou, but they knew in advance that Liao Emperor Yelu Deguang would die of illness before the officials and court ministers living nearby in Zhaozhou. Only then can you make deployments calmly.

Chai Rong thought of Zhang Yongde's words in his mind. That young man who seemed out of place was actually a talented man who could be compared to Zifang and Kong Ming's living Wang Zuo!

From making black fire thunder to force the Khitan army back, to conclusively concluding more than a month in advance that Liao Emperor Yelu Deguang would be killed in Zhenzhou.

The boy showed so many magical things.

Chai Rong believed that no one was born a genius, so behind Zhu Xiu, there must be a true hermit master.

Before, Chai Rong only thought that Zhu Xiu was a talented person and wanted to recommend him to his father Guo Wei.

But now, Chai Rong suddenly felt a little reluctant to let go.

My father has Mr. Wei Renpu Wei who has endless plans to act as a think tank, but he is surrounded by warriors who are fighting on the battlefield. Talents that can be called resourceful men are rarely available.

A smile appeared on the corner of Chai Rong's mouth. It would be an interesting thing to keep that cheerful young man by his side.

"General Chai? General Chai?"

Marquis Yu, a close soldier, saw Chai Rong looking up at the tower in a daze, and couldn't help shouting softly.

When Chai Rong came back to his senses, his own soldier, Yu Hou, hurriedly saluted and said: "The last general has to rush to another place to deliver the order, so I'll take my leave first."

Chai Rong didn't stay with him either, so he said goodbye and left.

As soon as the guards and soldiers left, there was a noise from downstairs.

"Commander Zhu is down!"

"Shao Lang Zhu has not eaten for seven days, but his face is still glowing. Could it be that he is really one of the gods?"

Many soldiers looked at Zhu Xiu with strange expressions and talked about him.

With a smile on her face, Zhu Xiu saluted in all directions, flicked her sleeves, raised her head slightly, and walked calmly towards Chai Rong and Fu Jinzhan.

He didn't want to kowtow after everyone, so he waited until the guards and soldiers left before going downstairs.

In addition, he burped after eating, and it took him a while to calm down.

"I've met Ya Shuai and the eldest lady."

Fu Jinzhan looked up and down and said in surprise: "I haven't eaten for seven days. I haven't lost weight, but how much fatter have I gained?"

Zhu Xiu smiled calmly: "It's just some methods of fasting and keeping healthy, I'm just a kid, it's not worth mentioning."

Fu Jinzhan clicked his tongue in wonder.

Chai Rong smiled and said: "As you expected, Yelv Deguang died of illness three days ago! Last night, the Khitan army on the north bank of the Zhang River withdrew back to Zhuoxian overnight."

Zhu Xiu cupped his hands and said calmly: "Three days ago, the celestial phenomena had predicted it. At that time, Commander Ya was busy appeasing the people in the city, so he did not inform him."

Chai Rong looked at him, and slowly raised his hand: "Thanks to your help, XX and the Tianxiong Army were able to defend Cangzhou City, thank you!"

Zhu Xiu turned aside slightly and said with a smile: "It is my duty as a marching staff officer to advise Commander Ya."

Chai Rong nodded with a smile, the eyes of the two met, and there was a sense of sympathy for each other.

Fu Jinzhan touched Zhu Xiu's bald head and said with a sweet smile: "Tonight I will ask the kitchen to stew a whole old hen as a reward to give you a good meal! You are not allowed to leave until you finish eating!"

Zhu Xiu's eyes widened in horror, her nose seemed to smell something, her stomach was churning, and her throat kept sliding.

"No, no, no! I appreciate Madam's kindness! How dare Zhu Xiu keep it to herself when it's so delicious? Let's take it out for Ya Shuai and everyone else to enjoy!"

Fu Jinzhan said with a smile: "There is a banquet in the house tonight to celebrate. Everyone has something to eat, and I will reward you separately. You have made great contributions and you are the youngest, so it doesn't hurt to give you preferential treatment. Besides, you don't like eating chicken the most. ?"

When Zhu Xiu heard the word "eat chicken", he felt a sour and rotten gas rising from his stomach, opening his cardia and pouring into his esophagus, lingering in his throat for a long time.
"I don't like it. Hiccup - eating chicken - hiccup~"

Zhu Xiu cried sadly, hugging her belly, her upper body twitching, and started to burp again, and a stream of sour and rotten smell filled with chicken came out of her mouth.

Chai Rong's face trembled and he silently took three steps back. The deep admiration in his eyes gradually calmed down.

"It's better to send him to Yedu and let his father train him for a few years," Chai Rong thought silently.

Fu Jinzhan covered his nose and ran away, staring at him with disgust, shock and annoyance.

In the distance, Ma San watched Fu Jinzhan grabbing Zhu Xiu's ears, then turned to see several wild dogs fighting for chicken bones, and sighed quietly.

(End of this chapter)