The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 572

Duke's Mansion, inner study.

Zhu Xiu and Pan Mei were drinking tea and playing chess.

"General!" Pan Mei chuckled, "Stack your artillery across the river and attack Huanglong!"

Zhu Xiu filed her nails, glanced at the chessboard, and casually took a step forward with the horse hidden in the ribs, just in time to step on Pan Mei's rear cannon.

"Uh~" Pan Bearded was dumbfounded. Zhu Xiu's hidden horse was hiding behind the soldiers and the riverside cart. He hadn't paid much attention to it just now. Suddenly, he rushed out and directly destroyed the cross-river artillery formation that he had finally put up.

"Being dazzled, you will regret every move you make," Pan Mei muttered depressedly, reaching out to get back the cannon that had been stepped on.

"Five hundred dollars." Zhu Xiu filed her nails and said calmly.

Pan Mei said angrily: "Three hundred."

Zhu Xiu pouted and nodded.

Pan Mei put the cannon back in place angrily.

A game of chess always cost money. Halfway through the game, he had regretted three moves and spent [-] money. If he could win, he would still make a net profit of [-] money.

"No regrets when you make a move, no regrets when you make a move." Pan Mei muttered, reminding herself that she could no longer regret the move, otherwise even if she won, she would have to pay back.

In the end, Pan Mei regretted four moves and spent [-] coins to win, but she had to pay Zhu Xiu [-] coins instead.

Of course, the fussy bearded Pan would not give money readily. He was shouting about keeping accounts, and he was still holding a tea cup and kept sighing, "It's a good thing to lose, a good thing to lose~~~"

After returning to Beijing from Huazhou last year, with the help of Zhu Xiu, Pan Mei married the daughter of Wei Bin, a doctor in the Ministry of official affairs.

Wei Bin was not a high-ranking official, but he was honest and very talented. The Wei girl came from a scholarly family. She was of average appearance, gentle in temperament, and managed the household well.

After much picking and choosing, the Wei family best met Pan Mei's requirements for choosing a wife.

Although Pan Dabeard was a martial artist with no literary skills, as a senior general of the Forbidden Army, commander of the Tiger Wing Army and the commander of the Guards and Horse Army, he spread the word that he wanted to choose a wife for marriage, and the people who came to talk to him as matchmakers were very powerful. Growth team.

When Wei Bin heard about this, he also inquired about Pan Mei. Except that she was a little older, she was impeccable in other aspects, and she was a perfect match for the daughter in his family who was about to be married.

Wei Bin was a scholar, so he couldn't save his face to find a matchmaker, like other families, waiting in long lines to arrange marriage. While hesitating, Zhu Xiu came to the door and offered to be a matchmaker for the two families.

Under Zhu Xiu's arrangement, Pan Mei met the girl from the Wei family, and they fell in love with her at first sight.

The two families hit it off and chose an auspicious day to get married, with Zhu Xiu officiating in person.

One month after their marriage, the new wife became pregnant and gave birth to her eldest son. Pan Mei came to Zhu Xiu to discuss the matter and named the Pan family boy Pan Weide.

Since having a family, Pan's beard has gained weight at a speed visible to the naked eye, and his general belly is growing day by day.

Zhu Xiu glanced at him with disgust: "I said it's time for you to lose weight."

Pan Mei laughed and patted her belly: "Don't worry, we won't delay our expedition to Youzhou!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said, "When did I say that I would let you go on an expedition with me?"

Pan Mei spat out a mouthful of tea and widened her eyes: "What do you mean? You want me to stay in Kaifeng?"

Zhu Xiu nodded.

"I won't do it!" Pan Mei put down the tea cup with a bang, "It has been so many years, and I have finally waited for the opportunity to fight the Khitans. I have to go no matter what!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "There will be many opportunities to interact with the Khitans in the future, and this time is not the least of them. You have a more important mission than the Northern Expedition to Youyan!"

Pan Mei muttered dissatisfiedly: "You want to trick me again"

Zhu Xiu said seriously: "I want you to stay in Kaifeng and hold the Tiger Wing Army firmly in your hands. These more than 2 soldiers and horses are the guarantee for us to settle down in the end!"

Pan Mei frowned: "What exactly do you want to do?"

Just as Zhu Xiu was about to speak, Ma Qing knocked on the door: "My lord, there is a letter from Manager Zhang from Baikou Village."

Pan Mei asked suspiciously: "Baikou Village? Are you buying land to build a village on the outskirts of the city again?"

Zhu Xiu smiled, did not answer him, and said outside the house: "Bring it in."

Ma Qing pushed the door open, glanced at Pan Mei and said nothing.

"Bring it here." Zhu Xiu stretched out his hand.

Ma Qing took out a letter from his arms and presented it with both hands.

Zhu Xiu opened the paint in front of Pan Mei, took out the letter paper, unfolded it and looked at it carefully.

"Go and reply to Manager Zhang and let me know when you have determined the time." Zhu Xiudao.

Ma Qing responded, bowed and stepped back.

The study door closed, and Zhu Xiu handed the letter to Pan Mei: "Take a look."

"What are you doing? It's so mysterious." Pan Mei muttered, took the letter and glanced at it a few times. She suddenly opened her eyes wide, sat up straight, and looked at Zhu Xiu in disbelief.

Zhu Xiu smiled, picked up the tea cup and took a sip: "Look carefully."

Pan Mei swallowed and read the letter from beginning to end twice.

"How dare you send someone to monitor the inner palace?"

Pan Mei's voice was trembling as she spoke, seemingly shocked that Zhu Xiu dared to do such a thing.

Zhu Xiu sighed: "Big changes are coming, so I am prepared for a rainy day and make plans in advance."

Pan Mei put down the letter tremblingly and stammered: "You are so bold that you even sent people to keep an eye on the imperial concubine. What exactly do you want to do?"

Zhu Xiu stuffed the letter paper back into the envelope and destroyed it later.

"Old Pan, remember I told you before that the changes in the world are not over yet. Now, it is the last and most critical big change!"

Zhu Xiu's eyes were shining and he felt intimidating.

Pan Mei trembled all over, and tremblingly said: "You mean, His Majesty is seriously ill, I'm afraid. I'm afraid."

There was sadness deep in Zhu Xiu's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a scorching light.

“Your Majesty’s condition is much more serious than it appears.

This time, His Majesty insists on marching personally. No one can guarantee whether there will be any accidents during the march.

Once His Majesty makes a mistake, it will shake the foundation of the country. We must be fully prepared! "Zhu Xiu said in a deep tone.

Pan Mei said anxiously: "Then you advise His Majesty to give up his personal expedition and stay in Kaifeng to recuperate. Which one of Zhang Yongde, you or Zhao Kuangyin can lead the expedition?"

Zhu Xiu was silent for a while and said with a wry smile: "The Northern Expedition to Khitan is your Majesty's lifelong wish. No one can persuade you."

Pan Mei was so anxious that she couldn't sit still. She stood up and walked around in front of Zhu Xiu, muttering to herself:
"If something unexpected happens to Your Majesty, the throne will be passed on to the eldest son of the Emperor. However, the eldest son of the Emperor is young and cannot govern personally. Your Majesty should arrange for ministers to take care of your affairs.
By the way, there is also the imperial concubine, she is the adoptive mother of the emperor's eldest son, she may become the queen mother and temporarily take charge of the government."

Pan Mei stopped and slapped her hands: "When the time comes, we must ensure the safety of the emperor's eldest son, the stability of Kaifeng, and the smooth handover of the throne!"

Zhu Xiu raised her head slightly and looked at him with a calm expression, but said nothing.

Looking at each other, Pan Mei instantly saw something strange in Zhu Xiu's eyes.

Pan Mei's eyes gradually widened, she understood something, and pointed at Zhu Xiu tremblingly: "You tell me honestly, you kid, do you think about it?"

Pan Mei could never say those two words.

Zhu Xiu said indifferently: "Rebellion? Hehe, not at all. I just want to ask you, if the eldest son of the emperor ascends the throne and the lord of the country doubts, how can this world be peaceful?
Since ancient times, if the auxiliary ministers are powerful, they will be tabooed by the imperial power; if the imperial power is strong, the auxiliary ministers will definitely be eliminated. In short, a life-and-death struggle will be inevitable in the future.

The Great Zhou Dynasty only enjoyed the kingdom for ten years. What can make the people of the world return to their hearts is not the banner of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but the hard work and hard work of the two generations of kings, the late emperor and the current emperor, in administering the government for the people.

It was the armies of the Zhou Dynasty that conquered the north and south and were invincible, establishing high prestige in the minds of the people.

To put it bluntly, once His Majesty dies, the central court falls into internal strife, and the young master is unable to convince the public, the power of the vassal towns in the world will rise again, and the disintegration is not far away. "

Zhu Xiu stood up and faced Pan Mei: "Do you want to watch the world fall into chaos again?"

Pan Mei's face changed, and she gritted her teeth and said, "So you want to abolish the Young Master Zili and replace him?"

Zhu Xiu said sincerely: "Xun'er is too young and cannot bear the weight of the country. People in the world are at peace and do not want to return to the chaotic and strife-ridden situation.

Only by reuniting a powerful central court can we intimidate the small forces in all directions and stabilize the country. "

Pan Mei clenched her fists tightly: "With your power today, the young lord ascends the throne, and you must be the assistant minister. You can definitely assist the young lord to stabilize the court. When the young lord becomes an adult, you will hand over the power and make a good story about a famous minister. Isn't it good?"

Zhu Xiu shook his head: "A virtuous man like Huo Guang can only end up anonymously after death, as long as he becomes a powerful minister, no matter whether he is loyal or not, he will be feared by the royal family.

I have a master-student friendship with Xun'er, I don't have the heart to harm him, and I don't want to wait until he grows up, the master-student will turn his back on him, and let my family end up in a miserable end. "

Pan Mei said angrily: "When Cao Cao was in power, he only dared to be King Wen of Zhou. You are even more ruthless than Cao Cao, and you are not even willing to pretend!"

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Cao Cao didn't have the title of Son of Heaven back then, what else was he like the Son of Heaven? The great Han has been passed down for more than four hundred years, how can it be easily erased from the hearts of the people?
If Huo Guang knew that after his death, the Huo family would still rebel under all kinds of pressure and eventually be exterminated, do you think he would give it a go and carry out Wang Mang's incident in advance? "

Pan Mei blushed and wanted to refute but couldn't.

"So, instead of continuing to fight in the future, it is better to cut off the source of the dispute now." Zhu Xiu sighed.

Pan Mei gritted her teeth and struggled for a long time: "If His Majesty is fine and the dragon body can recover, what will happen to you?"

Zhu Xiu said calmly: "That is naturally the best. I have said that as long as your Majesty is in power, I am willing to be your minister forever!"

Pan Mei stared at him for a long time and whispered: "How will you treat the descendants of the Chai family?"

Zhu Xiu solemnly said: "The descendants of the Chai family will always enjoy wealth and honor, and they will live together with the country! If I take the initiative to do something to harm the descendants of the Chai family, it will be hard for my Zhu family to end well!"

Pan Mei took a deep breath, "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to stay in Kaifeng, pay close attention to the court, and follow my orders in everything. In critical moments, mobilize troops and horses to control the whole city!"

Pan Mei's face trembled: "Aren't you afraid that I will reveal secrets?" Zhu Xiu smiled, "Old Pan, you and I have known each other for the longest time. If I don't even trust you, who can I trust?
Everyone knows the relationship between you and me. If I fall, what do you think will happen to you? "

Pan Mei said angrily: "Are you threatening me?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said, "I'm just telling the truth. Although it doesn't sound right, it's the truth!"

Pan Mei scolded: "If you get involved with you, I will be bad luck for eight lifetimes!"

Zhu Xiu laughed loudly: "You bastard never speaks the right words, so don't tell me with a straight face in the future, it's the greatest honor in your life to get involved with me!"

Pan Mei sighed and glared at him angrily: "Let's go, I have to go back and calm down and take care of myself."

Waving her hands, Pan Meili opened the door and strode away.

After a while, there was a slight noise around the inner study room, and more than [-] secret guards lurking around retreated.

Ma Qing and Bi Zhenhai, who were dressed in military armor, walked into the house and saluted Zhu Xiu.

"Okay, it's okay, you go down and have a rest." Zhu Xiu said calmly.

The two looked at each other, bowed and left.

The creaking door closed, and the light in the study room was slightly dim.

Zhu Xiu sat alone in the rocking chair, closed her eyes and meditated, rocking back and forth gently.

He was not worried that the arrangement just now would make Ma Qing and Bi Zhenhai think that he was too cold-blooded and ruthless.

Although he was confident of persuading Pan Mei to support him, he wanted to be on the safe side and be careful not to make a big mistake, and he could not put himself in danger.

At this point, there was no room for any mistakes, and he would never allow any accidents to occur.

As a superior person, it is not a bad thing to dominate the power and make yourself appear cruel.

~~~
A few days later, the waterway of the Bianhe River next to the Yuxian Temple in Waiguo City, Kaifeng.

This is a newly built garden. Water from the Bian River flows into it, and the river channel is dug to form a small island around the river. Many trees and flowers are planted on the island.

In summer, it becomes a good place for the people of Kaifeng to enjoy the cool and have fun. Tour boats shuttle back and forth in the artificial river and enjoy the forests and flower gardens along the coast.

It's not yet the beginning of spring, the temperature is humid and cold, and the small islands surrounding the river are also very deserted.

A painting boat sails slowly from the Bianhe River to the Chahe River, and circles the deserted island covered in winter snow.

In the boat room, Fan Zhi, Wang Pu, Tao Gu, Wei Renpu, Wang Zhu and other important court officials gathered together.

"I'm telling you, Mr. Zhao Guo, it's such a cold day. It's hard to go anywhere, but I want to come here to take a boat ride around the island. It's deserted and deserted, and there's no one around. Ah sneeze~"

Fan Zhi, wearing a thick cloak, sat by the window and looked at the shore. The island was covered with snow and bare trees were scattered among them, creating a lonely atmosphere.

Zhu Xiu made tea for everyone, and said with a smile: "Fan Xianggong should pay attention to his body, you are the only one who covers up the most tightly here, and you are the only one who screams cold all the way."

Holding the hot tea, Fan Zhi sighed, "As a minister of Zaifu, he seems to be a high-ranking official, but he is actually working hard, like walking on thin ice! Look at Wang Wenbo, how many years older than me, and he fell down after only a few years of hard work. Something wrong."

Wang Pu, Wang Wenbo, has been seriously ill for a month, and I heard that his family is already preparing for his funeral.

Wang Pu and Wei Renpu were playing chess. Hearing this, he raised his head and sighed: "Brother Wen Bo's fortune was a bit bad. He didn't really make a fortune until he met the late emperor. He wasted many years in vain."

The crowd groaned.

The king looked like a little transparent person, sitting in a corner of the cabin silently.

He is the youngest among them all except Zhu Xiu. Because he worked with Chai Rong in Chanzhou and was admired by Chai Rong, he has served as the prefect of Kaifeng since last year and became a high official in the imperial court.

Wang Zhu's qualifications are shallow, and it would be impossible for him to rise to a high position without Chai Rong's trust.

Fortunately, he has outstanding abilities and has managed Kaifeng Mansion in an orderly manner, and has not made any big mistakes so far.

But there were still many people in the court who had prejudices against him, and Fan Zhi was one of them.

Ever since Wang Zhu entered Beijing, Fan Zhi had disliked him.

If Zhu Xiu hadn't invited him this time, Fan Zhi would never have appeared in Wang Zhu's presence.

Zhu Xiu made tea, and Tao Gu was like a diligent boy, responsible for distributing the tea.

Wei Renpu smiled and said: "Wencai, why did you invite everyone here?"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "There is no special purpose. I just want to take a rest today and want to enjoy it with you."

Fan Zhi leaned against the window and said with a smile: "It's a good place to visit this island in the hot summer. The island is covered with green trees, but in winter it's really not much to see."

Fan Zhi glanced out the window casually, and suddenly, not far away, he saw another painting boat moored on the shore.

"Hey~ In this weather, other than us, there are other people coming to cruise?" Fan Zhi felt very strange.

Tao Gu also looked from another window, "Look, there is another couple embracing at the bow of the boat. It is said that the Jade Immortal Temple is very effective in seeking marriage, and young men and women have left many love stories here."

"Where is it? I'll come and have a look too."

Wang Pu and Wei Renpu got up and walked to the window, even Wang Zhu put down his books and came over.

A group of the most prominent high-ranking officials of the day were lying by the window of the cabin, looking at the young lovers on another cruise ship not far away.

The two men were wearing white fur robes and hoods, and their appearance could not be seen clearly.

The taller man hugged the shorter woman in a very intimate manner.

The man kissed the woman gently on the cheek, causing all the big guys on the boat to say "Oh".

"I guess that woman must be extremely beautiful." Fan Zhi said with emotion.

Wang Pu stroked his beard: "What a talented and beautiful couple."

Tao Gu narrowed his eyes, and murmured as if reminiscing: "When Tao was young, he also went on a cruise on Taihu Lake with some beautiful women."

"How many are there?" Zhu Xiu suddenly figured out the key.

Everyone looked at Tao Gu with disdain, and Old Tao lowered his head in shame.

"It's nice to be young~" Wei Renpu sighed softly, which resonated widely among the bosses, and sighed one after another.

Fan Zhi glanced at Wang Zhu with growing disgust.

If he can become the governor of Kaifeng at the age of 30, a third-grade official, it will definitely be a romantic story.

How is it like now, as the Prime Minister, it is easy to want a beautiful woman, but it is a pity that I am powerless~~~
Suddenly, there seemed to be a lake wind blowing, and the hood that the woman was wearing was lifted back, revealing a white, elegant and beautiful face.

The big guys' eyes lit up, and Fan Zhi smiled and said, "Look, what Fan Mou expected is not bad."

Wang Pu's smile gradually froze, and he asked suspiciously: "Is it because my eyes are dazzled? Why does that woman look familiar?"

Everyone was stunned, because they also felt the same way.

Tao Gu muttered: "Why does it look like a noble concubine?"

Everyone turned pale with fright, squatted down quickly, but showed half of their faces, and lay down by the window to watch carefully.

Not far away, the woman on the boat panicked the moment the hood flew off, and the man beside him quickly helped her put the hood back on to cover her face.

The time was short, but it was enough for everyone to be sure that the woman was undoubtedly the noble concubine Fu Jinwan herself!

The man turned around and glanced at their boat in panic, and quickly embraced the woman into the cabin.

The painting boat sailed past the cruise ship and headed east of the roundabout along the current.

In the cabin, everyone looked at each other, everyone was silent, and the atmosphere was stagnant and heavy.

"Could it be a mistake?" Zhu Xiu rubbed her chin, puzzled.

Fan Zhi snorted heavily, "One person can see wrongly. Could it be that all six of us and twelve eyes saw wrongly?"

Everyone was silent.

Wang Pu, who had always been calm, was furious and shouted: "What a shame! It is a shame and a shame for our court! How dare she do such a scandalous act against human ethics while His Majesty is still here!"

Wei Renpu's face turned black, obviously extremely angry.

He was deeply favored by the late emperor and His Majesty for two generations. That Fu Jinwan did such a despicable thing really brought shame to the royal family!
Wang Zhu, who had been silent for a while, suddenly said solemnly: "Your Majesty must not let this matter be known."

Everyone looked at each other, no one said a word, even Fan Zhi nodded slightly.

Everyone knows that with His Majesty's current physical condition, he must not have too many emotional ups and downs, otherwise it will only aggravate the condition.

Tao Gu suddenly whispered: "Who can see who that man is?"

Everyone frowned and thought about it, Zhu Xiu coughed dryly, "I took a quick look and it seems to be the second son of the Zhao family, Zhao Kuangyi."

Seeing everyone looking at him, Zhu Xiu spread his hands and said, "You all know that I have had a quarrel with that kid for a long time. We have dealt with him several times, so I shouldn't be mistaken."

Wang Pu smiled wryly and said: "I heard that before the imperial concubine entered the palace, she almost entered into a marriage contract with Zhao Erlang. , too courageous."

Fan Zhi couldn't tolerate any sand in his eyes and said angrily: "As an important minister of the Prime Minister, we must not let these traitors corrupt Gangchang!"

Everyone nodded in unison, and Wang Pu said in a deep voice: "But at the same time, we must not let this matter affect your Majesty's reputation, otherwise, if the king humiliates and dies, what face do we have to stand above the court?"

Everyone nodded again, already considering Fu Jinwan and Zhao Kuangyi as public enemies threatening the country's stability.

Immediately, everyone was discussing how to depose Fu Jinwan and deal with Zhao Kuangyi without damaging His Majesty's face.

There was a heated discussion in the cabin, and there was quite an atmosphere of shared hatred and hatred.

Zhu Xiu laughed in her heart. Just because of this scandal, it will be difficult for the Zhao brothers to get high positions in the future.
(End of this chapter)