The world of film and television begins from childhood

The situation in the Marquis Zhongjing's Mansion was more complicated than he had imagined, and it was beyond his memory.

He felt strange in his heart, but he soon stopped thinking about it. No matter what the situation was in this marquisate, he would be good to whoever treated him well in the future. As for this adopted father, the worst that could happen was that he would just pretend he didn't exist. Anyway, in such a marquisate, there would be no need to worry about retirement issues in the future.

However, his previous contact with Zhou Yexiong made him realize that Zhou Yexiong's injuries were serious. Although Zhou Yexiong tried his best to conceal it, he still couldn't hide it in front of a national doctor like Zhou Chen. The stray arrow must have hit Zhou Yexiong's vital position, otherwise this tough guy would not have returned to Beijing so easily.

Before Zhou Chen returned to his own courtyard, he was called over by the maid sent by Zhou Xu.

As soon as he came in, he saw his mother, Zhou Xu, reading a Taoist scripture.

Everyone in the Marquis's Mansion knew that the mistress of the house had a simple temperament. She liked to eat vegetarian food, chant Buddhist scriptures, and study Taoist classics. She believed in both Taoism and Buddhism.

When Zhou Xu saw Zhou Chen, a smile immediately appeared on her face. She waved at Zhou Chen and asked him to sit down next to her.

"Your father called you over. What did he say to you?"

"Nothing, just praising me for passing the exam and bringing honor to the Marquisate, and asking some other questions..."

Zhou Xu suddenly said to Zhou Chen with a serious expression: "Remember, if he asks you to do something you don't want to do, don't agree to it. Come to me and I will help you."

"what?"

Zhou Chen was confused. What did this mean? It didn't sound like a normal conversation between mother and son.

But when you see Zhou Xu's serious expression, you know that things are not simple.

"Why, mother?"

Zhou Xu looked sad and sighed quietly, "Your father is a man who always puts the interests of the family first. Everything else is unimportant in his eyes. You will understand it later."

Zhou Chen frowned slightly, thinking about Zhou Yexiong's return from injury this time, and then listening to his mother's words, he was thoughtful. He was afraid that this father would soon ask him to do something he might not want to do, so his mother gave him a vaccination in advance.

"I understand, mother. I will listen to you."

Zhou Xu's heart trembled, and she couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke Zhou Chen's cheek, her eyes full of pity and love.

"Chen'er, your elder brother has been ruined by him. I can't change that, but I hope you can be well and live happily forever, without carrying so much burden."

When she thought of the Marquis Zhongjing Mansion and Zhou Yexiong, she felt sad. Others envied her for being the eldest lady of the Marquis Mansion, but if she had a choice, she didn't want to be the eldest lady of the Marquis Mansion at all. Even if she lived an ordinary and dull life, she would be freer and happier than living in the cage of the Marquis Mansion.

But she no longer had the opportunity to choose. She had tried but failed with her eldest son Zhou Tong, so she didn't want her younger son to repeat the same mistake.

Zhou Chen sensed Zhou Xu's emotions and reached out to hold his mother's hand.

"Mom, I will never let you down. No one can force me to do something I don't want to do."

Her son's firm and confident tone made Zhou Xu even more sad, because she knew how powerful her husband was. No one could oppose what he decided. She was the most obvious example. If possible, she would not stay in her own yard all day, cultivating herself and her mind.

In the evening, Zhou Tong suddenly came to Zhou Chen's yard with wine.

"Sanlang, come and have a few drinks with me."

Zhou Chen sat down with Zhou Tong and found that Zhou Tong had a frown on his face and looked bitter, as if something had happened that made him uncomfortable and depressed.

Ever since the owner of the Marquis' Mansion, Zhou Yexiong, returned, he found that the relatives around him had become strange, his mother Zhou Xu, and now his brother Zhou Tong as well.

Although Zhou Tong used to have a stern face and was serious, it is different now. Today, Zhou Tong feels more bitter and heavy.

Zhou Chen accompanied Zhou Tong to drink. During the drinking, Zhou Tong wanted to speak several times, but in the end he didn't say anything. In the end, when he was drunk, it was his sister-in-law Cui who brought people to carry him back.

The weirdness of Zhou Xu and Zhou Tong made Zhou Chen understand a lot, and he probably knew why they were like that.

"The clan!"

Zhou Chen didn't have to wait long. On the day before New Year's Day, Zhou Yexiong asked him to come over again.

After recuperating in the Marquis' Mansion for a few days, Zhou Yexiong's condition had recovered a lot and he looked much more energetic. However, after careful observation, Zhou Chen still found that he was much weaker. This showed that Zhou Yexiong had injured the root of his body, most likely his internal organs.

"Father."

Zhou Yexiong was very satisfied as he looked at Zhou Chen, who was becoming taller and stronger.

"In the blink of an eye, Sanlang, you have grown up. I heard from Wang Heng that you were very capable in dealing with the pirates. You also have superb swordsmanship and often practice gun skills. Very good, you are my good son Zhou Yexiong, and you have inherited the bravery of our Zhongjinghou lineage."

"Father is so complimentary."

"Before, you would be nervous and scared when you saw me, but when I came back this time, I found that you have changed a lot. I am very relieved. You have finally grown up and become a man who can stand on your own. This is very good, very good."

Zhou Yexiong's tone was full of relief and praise, and he looked like a very happy father.

Suddenly, his tone became extremely lost and sad again.

"Sanlang, you may not know that your father was injured this time and will never be able to go to the battlefield again, nor can he protect you from the wind and rain. I was very worried at first, but seeing the growth of you and Dalang, I am not worried anymore. Perhaps it is God's will. This mansion will eventually rely on you and Dalang."

Zhou Chen didn't say anything. He heard the hidden meaning in Zhou Yexiong's words. Everything he said now was just a prelude, and he should get to the point next.

"Sanlang, I want you to use your title to join the army at the border and take over the power of the Marquisate in the army."

Zhou Chen was surprised and not surprised, because he had guessed this possibility, but when he heard it from Zhou Yexiong, he still felt a little puzzled.

"Why? Big brother is the future heir to the throne, shouldn't he take over?"

Zhou Yexiong said with a serious face: "If your eldest brother chooses to be a military commander, I will definitely give him everything, but he is a civil official now. You should understand the difference between civil and military officials in our dynasty. If the Zhou family wants to have greater power in the court and want to pass on its legacy for a longer time, it cannot only have military commanders, but also civil officials, and your eldest brother is the best candidate."

"Nobles are prestigious, but now the world is dominated by scholars and officials. We cannot change this trend, so we can only go with the flow and join in."

"Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, there have been countless nobles, but now, most of the nobles' mansions have fallen into decline, leaving only the title but no power. This is the case with the Duke's Mansion, let alone our Marquis' Mansion. That's why I let you study and take the imperial examinations since you were young."

"You and Dalang have done very well, and I am proud of you. But when I say transfer to a civilian position, it does not mean that you have to give up the path of a military commander. Civil service is just an attempt, and military commanders are the foundation of our nobles. You have passed the imperial examination, so your future may not be worse than Dalang's. If everything goes well, I will definitely support you to continue taking the imperial examination, because you have more advantages than your brother."

"But now things have changed. I'm injured and can't stay in the army any longer. I've retired. Over time, the reputation of our mansion in the army will decline sharply, so I have to choose someone to enter the army, and that person can only be you."

Zhou Chen frowned slightly: "Why can it only be me? Third uncle has been in the army for many years and has more advantages than me. Second brother is older than me. Even if it is fifth uncle, he is also a better choice. Why does it have to be me?"

Zhou Yexiong's eyes widened. "Why? Do you even need to ask why? We are the direct descendants of the Marquisate. Although the third and fifth brothers also have the surname Zhou, they are only collateral descendants. How can they be compared with us? Erlang is even more of a bastard. What qualifications does he have to be compared with you and Dalang? You and Dalang are my only direct descendants. You are the future of the Marquisate, and you are brothers. Only you can trust and support each other. No one else can be trusted."

Zhou Chen said in a deep voice: "Third uncle is father's brother, fifth uncle is also father's brother, and second brother is father's biological son. Can't we trust them all?"

"of course."

Zhou Yexiong answered without hesitation.

"I inherited the title at the age of nineteen. It was through my own hard work and sacrifice that the Zhongjing Marquisate did not decline. Over the years, I have seen too many vicious people. For the sake of titles, interests, and future, even relatives will betray. I understand human nature better than you. Bastards are always bastards, and collateral branches are always collateral branches. They will never agree with us."

"Dalang, pass on the letter. When you inherit the title in the future, you will inherit my power in the army and fully support your elder brother. You will support each other and move forward together. You will definitely make the Zhongjing Marquisate even more glorious and last for a hundred years."

Zhou Chen suddenly asked, "Why can't I take the path of a civil servant? My elder brother will inherit the power in the army. He is the future Marquis of Zhongjing, and he will definitely be more convincing. If I don't inherit the title, I will take the path of a civil servant in the future, and I will definitely be smoother than my elder brother."

"presumptuous!"

Zhou Yexiong slammed the table and angrily scolded: "Da Lang is the eldest son, the future marquis. He has been studying for so many years and now he has finally entered the Hanlin Academy. He has a bright future. You actually want him to give up this hard-earned civil servant position and join the army to become a military commander?"

"What about me? Haven't I studied literature since childhood? Now I am already the top scholar in the provincial examination. As long as I don't make any big mistakes in the spring examination, I will definitely be on the list of top scholars. Should I give up my future and join the army on the border?"

In fact, Zhou Chen was not opposed to joining the army. He even felt that being in the army was more comfortable than being a civil servant in the capital, where there was no intrigue and scheming.

But he just doesn't like it. I should decide which path I want to take by myself, instead of being forced to do it by others.

So what about the Zhongjing Marquis Mansion? He had only traveled here for a few months. Apart from being very close to his mother, he had no feelings for other people. Why should he sacrifice himself?

Zhou Ye roared angrily: "Okay, it seems that you have really grown up. Now you dare to question me. I tell you, this is your responsibility. You were born in the Marquis' Mansion. Your life belongs to the Marquis' Mansion and your family. The Marquis' Mansion has given you a life of luxury and wealth. You must devote yourself to the Marquis' Mansion and you should listen to me."

"Da Lang will take over my position in the future and become the master of the Marquis' Mansion. You must listen to him. Not only you, but also Er Lang, Si Lang, and Wu Lang. All of you must fully support Da Lang. All interests should be based on him first. Do you understand?"

Zhou Chen understood, really understood.

"So when you asked me to give up the imperial examination and join the army, it wasn't really for my sake, but for my brother's sake, right?"

"How can I not be thinking about you? You think the officialdom and the court are too simple. Do you think that as long as you pass the imperial examination, your future career will be bright? The path of a civil servant is much more difficult than you think. I let you join the army. With the support of the Marquis' Mansion, you will definitely be promoted quickly. Isn't this faster and better than just spending time as a civil servant?"

Zhou Yexiong's face was stern: "I know you are dissatisfied, but even if you are dissatisfied, you must execute it. I am your father, and everything you have is given by me. Moreover, as long as you fully support Dalang, he will not treat you unfairly when he inherits the title in the future, just like how I treated your third uncle, fifth uncle, and aunt. Did I treat them unfairly? The rich life they have now is all because of my help?"

"Don't be unbalanced. This is the family. If one person succeeds, the whole family will prosper. The prerequisite is that there must be that one person, and your eldest brother is that person. Your responsibility is to contribute to the prosperity of the family. Only when the family mansion becomes stronger and bigger can you benefit from it."

Zhou Chen asked expressionlessly: "What if one day I surpass my eldest brother and become the most successful person in the Zhou family, and become a duke or a prime minister?"

Zhou Yexiong, who was full of anger just now, was stunned when he heard this and did not answer for a long time.

After a long while, he spoke again in a hoarse voice: "If there really comes a day like that, you will no longer be the third son of the Marquisate, and you can start your own family, and run it however you want. But now, in the Marquisate of Zhongjing, the position of the eldest son and the Marquis must not be shaken. Until that day comes, you must fully support your eldest brother and never compete with him."

This answer surprised Zhou Chen a little. He thought Zhou Yexiong would say it was impossible, but he didn't expect his answer to be like this.

He also understood that Zhou Yexiong put the interests of the family and the Marquisate first, and anyone in the Marquisate had to work hard for the Zhou Marquisate;

Zhou Yexiong is also a staunch supporter of the system of primogeniture. He believes that all brothers below the eldest son should serve him and firmly support his interests.

Judging from the long-term inheritance of the clan and the Marquisate, his decision seems to make sense. As long as the family is united, they will surely grow and develop.

The clan leader and the eldest son are the vested interests, and they definitely think that this is fine and correct.

But the question is, will other people think the same way? In a family, no matter how wise and powerful the patriarch is, it is impossible to convince everyone. Besides, who says that the eldest son and the patriarch must be wise? What if he is a fool?

Zhou Yexiong is very tough and can suppress everything with his own abilities, but that doesn't mean everyone can do what he does.

Zhou Yexiong is a man who is extremely radical and only cares about expanding his family's mansion.

In any case, Zhou Chen could not agree with Zhou Yexiong's idea. Even if he became the eldest son, he would still not agree with it. What's more, he was not the eldest son, and he did not have a self-sacrificing personality.

"I……"

Zhou Chen was about to speak when the door was suddenly pushed open and Zhou Xu walked in with an angry look on her face.

Zhou Yexiong said coldly: "What are you doing here?"

Zhou Xu replied rudely, "I'm here for my son. You've taught Dalang to be like that. Are you going to persecute my Sanlang now?"

Zhou Yexiong said angrily: "I am his father, would I hurt him?"

"Do you think I would believe you? Back then..."

"shut up."

Zhou Yexiong angrily threw the teacup on the table to the ground. The loud noise made the servants outside rush over.

"roll!"

The door was opened again and the servants ran away in fear.

Facing Zhou Yexiong's fury, Zhou Xu was not afraid at all and said coldly: "I used to think that Dalang was the eldest son and you valued him very much, so you taught him according to the standards of the clan leader and the marquis. But when I realized that it was wrong, it was too late. You are too domineering. You want the child to follow your plan, but you will hit him if there is anything wrong. How many times have you beaten Dalang? You don't even remember it, right?"

"I did it for his own good. If a son is not well-educated, it is the fault of his father. Everything I did was for his own good."

"I think you are doing this for yourself. You are willing to sacrifice everything for the Zhou Marquisate, but that doesn't mean others will do the same as you. Sanlang's future is up to him to decide."

Zhou Yexiong shouted angrily: "I am his father, he must listen to what I say."

"Our dynasty governs the world with filial piety, but we don't want everyone to be filial. Dalang and I have no choice, but Sanlang, I want him to choose for himself."

Zhou Xu's tone was firm. Thinking of everything she had experienced in the twenty years since she joined the Marquis' Mansion, she didn't want Zhou Chen to become a victim of the Marquis' Mansion, because she knew very well that her husband would do anything for the Zhou Marquis' Mansion.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 1108 Zhou Chen proposes marriage, palace banquet

"mother."

When Zhou Yexiong and Zhou Xu were about to have a conflict or quarrel, Zhou Chen suddenly spoke and held Zhou Xu's hand.

"Saburo."

Although Zhou Chen came here through time travel, he inherited everything and they had been living together for several months. So when Zhou Xu turned around and saw Zhou Chen's eyes, she knew that Zhou Chen had made a decision, and her heart trembled.

Zhou Chen said seriously: "Mom, I have decided to join the army."

Zhou Xu urged anxiously, "Sanlang, the border is different from the capital. You grew up in Tokyo, and you won't be able to stand going to the border. Don't worry. If you don't want to go, mother will let you stay even if she risks her life."

"Mom, don't worry. I'm not as weak as you think. In fact, compared to playing chess, calligraphy, painting, reciting poems, and studying for the imperial examinations, I yearn for the thrilling and exciting military battlefield."

"So, this choice was my own decision, not because of my father."

"But you are only sixteen years old. I am really worried about you going to the border alone."

In fact, Zhou Xu herself knew that it was impossible to convince Zhou Yexiong. Now that Zhou Chen had given in, it would be even more difficult to change the situation. But what she was most worried about was Zhou Chen's safety. She did not expect Zhou Chen to achieve great things, but only hoped that Zhou Chen could be safe.

Zhou Yexiong said in a deep voice: "I'm not asking him to be a soldier. Someone will take care of him and nothing will happen to him."

Zhou Xu retorted: "What can you guarantee? You are injured yourself, how can you guarantee that Sanlang is fine?"

Zhou Yexiong's face flushed: "It was an accident, an accident."

Being hit by stray arrows on the battlefield is actually a very normal thing, but being proud by nature, he feels ashamed and cannot accept that his military career ends in this way.

"Father, I can go to the frontier and I am willing to help my eldest brother, but I have one condition."

Zhou Chen has already made the decision, so naturally he will not refuse. Now he needs to fight for his own interests.

Zhou Yexiong said in a deep voice: "As long as your request is not excessive, I can agree to it."