Pirate Song

Zhao Fang's meeting with Gao Huaiyuan this time can be said to be a completely private meeting, so he did not meet Gao Huaiyuan formally in the government office, but invited Gao Huaiyuan to his mansion.

And Gao Huaiyuan is also grateful to Zhao Fang. He didn't quite understand Zhao Fang when he killed Captain Zhou before the battle. Now that he is an official, he really understands why Zhao Fang expelled him from the army. He knew that Zhao Fang was really thinking of him, and he was secretly protecting him. In addition, because Zhao Fang led the army to fight against gold, and made many military exploits, compared with ordinary civil servants, he was quite a general. In terms of preparations, he has considerable foresight and insight, so Gao Huaiyuan can be said to be very respectful to Zhao Fang.

This time when Gao Huaiyuan came here, he took out a lot of good things as gifts to Zhao Fang without hesitation, and rushed to Zhao Fang's mansion in Ezhou to sign up for a visit, and presented the gift list to the official family of Zhao Fang's mansion.

Zhao Fang's mansion, as a senior official on Jingxi Road, is also a famous mansion in Ezhou City. It covers a large area and is relatively luxurious. This is inseparable from the atmosphere of officials in the Song Dynasty. For Zhao Fang's mansion When Gao Huaiyuan first came to this world, he would definitely feel disgusted, but when he looks at it now, he can already objectively look at the luxury of an official from another angle.

After all, as a court official, it is really unreasonable to live in a small courtyard. What's more, in terms of Zhao Fang's contribution to the Southern Song court, no matter how much honor and enjoyment he is given, it is not too much. During the battle, Zhao Fang led the army to firmly guard the Jingxiang gate for the Southern Song Dynasty, causing the Jin army to encounter bloodshed on this front, and also ensured that the Southern Song Dynasty could continue to be peaceful, so Zhao Fang lived in a more luxurious place. It didn't arouse Gao Huaiyuan's resentment.

The news of Gao Huaiyuan's arrival quickly spread to Zhao Fang's ears, and he sent someone to invite Gao Huaiyuan to see him in the garden of the inner mansion, so Gao Huaiyuan arranged his entourage to wait in the gatehouse, and entered Zhao Fang alone with the servants of Zhao's mansion. In the mansion, through the halls and alleys came to the back garden.

From a distance, he saw a pale old man in casual clothes, holding a pair of scissors in the garden, pruning flower branches. Gao Huaiyuan had very good eyesight, and at a glance, he could tell that this person was Zhao Fang, the current Jingxi Road production ambassador. , So hurriedly followed the servant into the garden.

"My lord, Daye County Wei Gao Huaiyuan brought it here!" After the servant stood still, he reported to Zhao Fang who was concentrating on pruning a bonsai.

"Little Gao Huaiyuan sees Mr. Zhao!" Gao Huaiyuan also immediately bowed and signed up.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Fang supported his knees, stood up in front of the old firethorn bonsai with difficulty, put down the scissors in his hands, patted the dirt on his hands, turned around and looked at Gao Huaiyuan.

After seeing Zhao Fang's face, Gao Huaiyuan couldn't help but feel secretly worried, because when he saw Zhao Fang this time, compared with when he saw Zhao Fang two years ago, he looked much older, and the wrinkles on his face were also more serious. A little more, even the originally gray hair turned into silvery white, and his complexion looked a little unhealthy, as if he had aged a lot.

But after thinking about it carefully, Gao Huaiyuan is not too surprised, because at this time Zhao Fang was nearly 90 years old, and he personally commanded soldiers and horses to fight against gold in front of the army. It is not easy to persist to this point. Therefore, Gao Huaiyuan's admiration for Zhao Fang increased even more. Seeing that Zhao Fang was walking unsteadily, he quickly stepped forward two steps, and together with the servant, he supported Zhao Fang.

"My lord, go slowly, let's sit down and rest for a while!" The servant couldn't help persuading.

"Hehe! I'm old! It seems impossible for people to disobey old age!" Zhao Fang walked slowly towards the stone bench beside him, and at the same time looked up at Gao Huaiyuan, who was supporting him, with a look of approval in his eyes.

After Zhao Fang sat down, his subordinates put on a thick fur coat to protect him from the cold. Zhao Fang gasped slightly, coughed a few more times, and then smiled at Gao Huaiyuan who was standing: "Huaiyuan, are you still complaining about the fact that the old man expelled you from the army?"

Gao Huaiyuan looked at the old Zhao Fang, and couldn't help feeling worried, and hurriedly bowed and replied, "How dare you, you little one! Although Huaiyuan is a reckless man, he also knows how much the lord cared for his subordinates back then, and he never meant to blame the lord , In the past two years, the little one has been grateful to the adults all the time, and it is Huaiyuan's blessing to see the adults again today, how dare you complain a little!"

"Hehe! It seems that you have matured a lot in the past two years!" Zhao Fang raised his hand and took a sip of hot tea, waved his followers to retreat, and waved to Gao Huaiyuan: "Since Huaiyuan, you don't hate me , then this old man has a rare half-day free today, so you can accompany me around this garden!"

Gao Huaiyuan was flattered and stepped forward to hold Zhao Fang's arm, and helped him stand up. To Zhao Fang, an old man, he respected him like his own father, and Zhao Fang seemed to be very relieved of him. Gao Huaiyuan was a little surprised that he was treated so amiably.

Gao Huaiyuan walked Zhao Fang by the arm in the garden, Zhao Fang said to Gao Huaiyuan: "If it wasn't because someone in the court wanted to put you to death, the old man would never have let you leave the army easily. For this reason, Meng Zong Zheng has written many letters to the old man, insisting that what you did is not wrong. The old man has always been concerned about this matter, but this time when he came back to Ezhou and heard about you, the old man can feel at ease! "

"It was Huaiyuan who was reckless back then and didn't know how to advance or retreat, which led to his impeachment. This matter is absolutely no fault of Mr. Zhao and you. Mr. Zhao did this for the sake of my subordinates. Huaiyuan has always been grateful!" Gao Huaiyuan heard Zhao Fang mention this again. matter, he quickly answered politely.

Zhao Fang nodded approvingly and said: "If you can see this, the old man will feel relieved. The old man also knows that you are young, not to mention your martial arts skills, but you do have the ability to control the army. You are a general. The old man has always Firstly, it's a pity that I couldn't keep you in the army, so I feel deeply sorry that a talented general like you couldn't get more tempered before the army!

Although the old man is a civil servant, he has led the army to fight against gold in the area of ​​Jingxi Road for these years, and he also knows the truth that a thousand troops are easy to win, but a general is hard to find. Generals are rare. After coming back this time, I was very pleased to hear that you were promoted to Daye County Captain by the imperial court!

Although the county lieutenant is not a person who leads troops in the army, he is considered a local military post, and he has not buried talents like you. Moreover, the old man also heard that since you took office at the beginning of the year, you have vigorously rectified the local security in Daye County, organized You have joined the Bow and Arrow Club, suppressed bandits and suppressed robbers and done a lot of good things for the people of Daye County, which shows that you are not an ordinary person, the old man is quite optimistic about you!

What you are doing now is also what the old man wanted to do before. We Song people are too weak and not good at swordsmanship. You can follow the method of the northern frontier states in the early years and form a bow and arrow club to train the strong people in the countryside. For us It is a rare good thing for the Song Dynasty to strengthen the local defense force. This time, the fact that you led the village to destroy the lake bandits is a good proof!

In time, if your approach can be promoted in the surrounding states and counties of the Song Dynasty, it will have a great effect on strengthening the power of the Song Dynasty to defend against the enemy. This is the most gratifying thing for me!

It’s just that this old man is not very satisfied with you. You’ve only been an official for so long at such a young age, and you’ve learned from those officials that you’ve brought so many gifts to this old man. Fortunately, it’s you. Otherwise, old man I really won't let you into my mansion today!

The old man wants to warn you that although we are officials, we cannot exploit the common people. Money is something outside of us. You must not use power for personal gain. It is a disaster for the village. A gentleman loves money in a proper way. Let the old man know that he will never indulge you in favoritism!At that time, you will be punished for the crime of greed for ink, and your head will be taken! "

When he said the next few words, Zhao Fang suddenly stopped, stood up straight, turned around and stared into Gao Huaiyuan's eyes and said sharply.

Gao Huaiyuan is sweating!Where did this come from!This time he had good intentions and wanted to express his gratitude to Zhao Fang, so he gave Zhao Fang a lot of good things without hesitation, but he was misunderstood by him to use his power to collect money and bribed him !Isn't this the same as lifting a rock and shooting yourself in the foot?Sweating!

"My lord seems to have misunderstood Huaiyuan! Although Huaiyuan is not talented, he hasn't read much about how to be a human being, and Huaiyuan also knows the truth that an official should do things for the people of one side, and he will never fish for the people!

Although I gave you some small gifts today, please rest assured, Huaiyuan will never bribe you in the slightest, in order to get promotion and wealth from you!This is just Huaiyuan's gratitude to the adults for protecting me, it's just a little bit of my heart!And I can guarantee with the head of the item that among the gifts brought today, none of the copper coins was obtained from the people of Daye County!I hope my lord will be aware of this point, if there is even a little bit of disaster in the village and the fish and meat people, my lord can immediately take this head of my lord! "

Zhao Fang stared into Gao Huaiyuan's eyes, Gao Huaiyuan stood still and looked back at Zhao Fang without evasion, neither humble nor overbearing, the two of them did not speak for a long time, after a long time Zhao Fang suddenly laughed, and then coughed again , Gao Huaiyuan hurried forward to support Zhao Fang, and gently brushed his back.

Zhao Fang put one hand on Gao Huaiyuan's arm, gasped for a while and calmed down, and said, "Very good boy! Your eyes tell me that you are not lying. I believe what you say. I accept these things. Yes! I have been an official for decades, and this is the first time I have seen an official like you with such clear eyes, very good! You are worthy of being someone that Meng Zongzheng values!"

Gao Huaiyuan also smiled: "Lord Zhao just accept it with confidence, Huaiyuan dare not lie to Master Zhao! It's just that you should put your body first, and it's best to rest as much as possible, especially drink less alcohol. It seems The little one sent the wine to the adult by mistake! Can the adult please return the wine that the little one sent this time and take it back?"

"Don't think about it, you still want to take it back after entering my house, don't even think about it! I have heard of the wine you sent in Xiangyang, isn't the god drunk? I have long wanted to drink a few glasses! Now you want There is no way to go back!" Zhao Fang scolded immediately with a smile.

The two looked at each other and laughed.

The two of them walked for a while and Zhao Fang felt a little tired, so he found a gazebo in the garden to sit down and rest. How is the battle going now?" Gao Huaiyuan pretended to be ignorant and asked Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fang shook his head and said: "I came back this time to receive an order. In the past two years, the lieutenant officers and soldiers dared to use their lives to achieve great victories. Because of this, the old man was promoted to the post of Taizhong Doctor and Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Punishment. In the past few months The war has calmed down, Meng Zongzheng's army has captured Tangzhou, and the Jin army has been unable to attack Xiangyang and other places, so the old man finally found some time to come back and relax!

During this period of time, the Mongolian army went south again, and the Kingdom of Jin was busy coping with the invasion of the Mongolian army, so it was temporarily unable to invade the south. Mu Huali of the army defeated the Jin army again in Huanglinggang, Shandong. The whole country of Jin was very nervous, but the Mongolian army has always only attacked and plundered, and then retreated. I think the Jin army will continue to commit crimes in the south after the next year. I am afraid that the old man Still can't rest for long! General Zhao Fang told Gao Huaiyuan the general situation before him.

Gao Huaiyuan sighed slightly and said: "Jin Guo has already had a knife on his neck but he doesn't know how to die. It seems that Jin Guo may be on the verge of exhaustion. Your Excellency still puts your body first. In front of the army, there are Master Meng and General Hu. , General Liu and the others are here, there must be no problem! My lord said that this time you will be the Minister of the Ministry of Power and Punishment, so is it possible that you will be transferred to Beijing as an official?"

Gao Huaiyuan was very puzzled by the imperial court's promotion of Zhao Fang to the post of Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment. He felt that at this time, it would be unwise to transfer a town official like Zhao Fang away. It is easy to control the situation around Jingxi Road, so I am very worried about this matter.

"You don't have to worry too much about this. Although the imperial court promoted the old man to be the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, it is only a vain job. The old man is still the envoy of Jingxi Road, and he will not be an official in Beijing in the short term! It's just that the old man's health is afraid. It won't last long! The old man is not too worried about the other people in Jin Kingdom, but he is a little worried about Pu San Anzhen, the deputy commander of the Jin Army. You must know that Pu San Anzhen is a famous general of Jin Kingdom, and his The Huamao army is even more elite of the Jin army, once the servants are scattered and Anzhen goes south, it is estimated that there are not many people who can defeat him in General Song! This is what the old man is worried about!" Zhao Fang shook his head and said to Gao Huaiyuan.

A thought suddenly flashed in Gao Huaiyuan's mind, he really wanted to go back to the army and fight against this famous general in the last years of the Jin Dynasty, but he immediately dismissed the idea, he remembered a record about Pu San Anzhen, Consoling Zhao Fang, he said: "Your Excellency Zhao, don't worry about this. The Kingdom of Jin is no longer what it used to be. The reason why they invaded the south was not because of their military strength. Just increase their strategic depth!

However, the current king of the Kingdom of Jin is incompetent and incompetent, but he never thought that this would only lead to the demise of the Kingdom of Jin. If he had been able to show his favor to our Great Song Dynasty and our country after the defeat of the Kaixi Northern Expedition in the early days , if we try our best to deal with the Mongol army, the Kingdom of Jin still has a glimmer of life, but unfortunately, not only did he not see this, but instead the soldiers came to attack our country. also!

Moreover, he also appointed treacherous people, famous generals like Pu San Anzhen, if he wanted to make a difference, it would be extremely difficult!Maybe one day, a person like Pu San Anzhen will be killed by the benefactor!Mr. Zhao need not worry too much about the Jin army going south, as long as our army strictly guards the Jianghuai natural moat, the Jin army will have nothing to do with us! "

Zhao Fang looked at Gao Huaiyuan in amazement, and after looking at him for a long time, he said, "I never thought that at such a young age, you can see current events so clearly, and you can even see such things. This old man really despises you." Yes! The old man regrets it even more now. You should not have been allowed to leave the army and return to the locality! If you have experienced more in the army, one day, you will become a general in command of the army! I will I ask you! Do you want to return to the army as a general now? If you want, I can ask the imperial court to transfer you to the Ezhou Dutong Division as a general. I don’t know what you want?"

Gao Huaiyuan's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, his heart was broken, he still talked too much!Although he is only a county lieutenant now, he does not have a big official position, but he is very carefree. If he enters the capital as a general, it sounds a little more prestigious, but in essence he has lost his freedom, and there is no such thing as the present. Leisurely, and the status of generals in the Southern Song Dynasty is not much higher than that in the Northern Song Dynasty. You are needed when you are fighting, but you are simply inferior among officials when you are not fighting. Will it!

It's not that he is greedy for life and afraid of death, but that he is inevitably subject to many restrictions in the army, and it is inconvenient for him to do many things. What's more, it doesn't make much sense to start a war with the Jin army now. He should learn from him two years ago in the army He has already learned it before, although he dare not say that he is very proficient, but for the current military system in the Southern Song Dynasty, he does not think that he can make a difference in the army.

"This... Huaiyuan, thank you for your kindness! I will not hide anything from you. Although I am only a county lieutenant now, I have no intention of changing my job to become a lieutenant general in the army. Many things in Daye County have just begun. It has not achieved results yet, and I want to continue to promote the bow and arrow club and the joint defense of the village, so Huaiyuan thinks it is better to stay in Daye County for the time being!" Gao Huaiyuan immediately rejected Zhao Fang's proposal politely.

After Zhao Fang listened, a look of disappointment appeared on his face.