Dawn of the Empire

chapter 24

Chapter 5 After Zhao Xingde thanked Chao Buzhi, he was as happy as if all his viscera had been smeared with nectar. Talking to him, he still looked at the road back to Bianliang from a distance, his heart was ups and downs, and his face was smiling silly.Seeing his expression, Kang Deyi thought that he was so famous today under the attention of all the people, so it was inevitable that he would be a little cocky. He intended to make friends with Zhao Xingde, but he didn't think it was disobedient, so he took the initiative to chat with him and said, "Brother Zhao, I don't know how to learn to be like this Exquisite 'shooting' art?"

Zhao Xingde just came back to his senses after listening to him, and was about to answer, suddenly a pretty maidservant with a red hairpin and a skirt came up to him, saw his face clearly, took a picture of him, and just put a blue pine flower The sweat towel was presented to Zhao Xingde, he laughed before saying anything, his eyes flowed, and he lowered his head and said in a low voice: "My servant congratulates Mr. Zhao on promoting the great power of the Song Dynasty. This is a gift from the master of this slave to Mr. Zhao."

"Reward?" Kang Deyi frowned, and together with Zhao Xingde followed the maidservant's gaze, it was the outing party that was entangled with Li Ruoxu's kite just now, and was about to return, and dozens of guards on horseback shot out The banner of the royal family was worn, and some ladies and ladies raised the curtains and looked towards this side. They didn't know which nobleman gave this scarf, so Zhao Xingde had to take it and said with a smile: "It's disrespectful, thank you Owner."

After Kang Deyi watched the maid leave, he said with a smile: "The princesses of the Song Dynasty are very strict, and they are all gentle and virtuous. Compared with the unruly and fierce princesses of the Xia Kingdom and the Liao Kingdom, they are not the same. Brother Zhao is very lucky." He joked lightly, but Zhao Xingde hurriedly said: "Xingde is nothing more than a lowly Confucian, the imperial majesty, Brother Kang don't want to use it as a joke."

The two chatted for a while, and Kang Deyi asked Zhao Xingde where he learned the art of archery. Zhao Xingde just explained: "The art of archery is one of the six arts. I have practiced it every day since I started school at the age of seven. Hand familiar."

"Really?" Kang Deyi's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked again: "Is there no master who teaches 'shooting' arrows?"

Zhao Xingde shook his head, and said in a deep voice: "I have never been to a teacher, I followed the knack of 'shooting' arrows of the ancient god archers Gan Ying, Fei Wei, and Ji Chang described in "Lie Zi", and figured it out while practicing. Yes." The Kant descendant was very interested and asked: "I learned the art of 'shooting' arrows from other scholars, is it true?"

Zhao Xingde nodded, and said with a smile: "It's true, it's been a long time, but it's just familiarity." Kang Deyi nodded and smiled: "If you study like this, you can be a true bachelor. Getting to know Brother Zhao is not in vain for me to play with two jumping clowns. At this time, scholars from Taixue gathered around one after another, and Kang Deyi made an appointment with Zhao Xingde to meet again, and exchanged name cards with Zhao Xingde, with his name written on the front of the name card, and the address of his home on the back.

As soon as he said goodbye to Kang Deyi, Zhao Xingde was held back by Deng Su and Zhang Bing. Deng Su said in a loud voice: "Today, Yuan Zhi will show the prestige of my great Song scholars. Let's go to Huixian Tower. If you don't get drunk today, you won't return!" Zhao Xingde was held by him The two caught hold of each other, seeing that Li Rui and other classmates and friends were all around, so they had to go to the new gate surrounded by many restaurants with everyone. Along the way, Zhao Xingde asked, "Why don't you see Brother Shaoyang?" Deng Su shook his head and laughed: "Don't say it, don't say it." Zhang Bing said in a low voice: "I went at the invitation of Zhao Yanzhi. The Qingxinger wine in this store is the best. Yuanzhi should drink more." Turning his head to ask the clerk in the store : "Five jugs of green apricot wine first."

The clerk nodded and wrote it down, and said with a smile: "This shop also has newly brewed cherry burnt, do you want to try it?"

Zhang Bing waved his hand and said, "Naturally, if you don't get drunk today, you won't return home!"

When everyone came to Huixian Building, students from Taixue High School who had traveled up and down had already booked private rooms, litchi paste, candied crispy plums and other various snacks, royal peaches, plums, golden apricots, Lingo and other seasonal fresh fruits. The table was full, and the singer maids with silk and bamboo orchestras in their arms sat next to more than [-] imperial students.Seeing that Zhao Xingde seemed a bit cautious, Deng Su smiled and said, "Chen Shaoyang didn't come to Huazhangzhai Gathering today for some reason, so there must be a punishment, so as to serve as an example to others."

"Oh?" Zhang Bing's eyes moved slightly, as if he had guessed Deng Su's attention, and continued with a smile: "How to punish lightly?" How about inviting me to accompany you? It can be regarded as a husband’s debt and a wife’s repayment.” After speaking, he laughed triumphantly, and poured a glass of fine wine into his belly with a raised hand.

"How does this happen?" Zhao Xingde asked anxiously knowing that the relationship between Chen Dong and Li Shishi was extraordinary. "Why not?" Deng Su smiled, stretched out his hand to hold Zhao Xingde down, told the restaurant staff to come in, and took a card of Chen Dong's name and told him to invite his teacher.After the man left, Zhang Bing said: "If Chen Shaoyang doesn't come, Yuan Zhi will let the teacher get drunk and rest." Everyone laughed again, but Zhao Xingde secretly yelled, how to explain to Chen Shaoyang.

When Li Shishi appeared at the door with his pipa in his arms, all the noise in the venue fell silent.I saw her with her hair in a bun casually, wearing a light green skirt, not wearing a gorgeous dress of gold and silver, her face was lightly powdered, her eyes were as clear as autumn water, she looked at They walked around the circle, and immediately found that Chen Dong was not present, showing a disappointed and sad expression. Although he hadn't spoken yet, even Deng Su and Zhang Bing, who were so cheeky, felt quite embarrassed.Since the prostitute had already arrived, there was no reason for her to leave without being ordered. She first took a picture of everyone present, and finally her eyes fell on Zhao Xingde, who had her head bowed. Beside him, staring down his head, he said in a low voice: "Master, I was summoned by all the officials, what kind of music do you want to hear?"

Just now, Deng Su and Zhang Bing called Li Shishi with the spirit of drinking. Seeing her pitiful appearance at this moment, they were worried that they would offend Chen Dong if they teased her too much. They didn't speak, but another scholar, Mo Qi, shouted : "We, the son of the Imperial College, naturally have to listen to today's 'shallow wine and people share'." After finishing speaking, he laughed triumphantly, Deng Su's face darkened, and he scolded: "Mo Qi, you drank too much " But Mo Yu said loudly: "You can't do the lyrics today, but Miss Shi Shi can't sing?" He changed the subject and said, "What kind of Huakui lady is just a whore, what else is there to sing a song, you wait I'm afraid of Chen Dong, but I'm not, could it be that he and Shishi have an affair?"

Zhang Bing didn't expect things to turn out like this, so he stood up and wanted to persuade him again, Zhao Xingde also frowned, seeing that Li Shishi's lips were trembling slightly, and there were tears in his eyes, although she was a prostitute, she was not an official prostitute, because He is excellent in 'color' and art, and has always had the freedom to choose his guests. He has met gentle and considerate benefactors, and has never been humiliated face to face. If he hadn't seen Chen Dong's famous post today, he would definitely not come out to offer it rashly. Sing.

The "Shallow Wine and People Together" I wrote today is actually a poem, and the next few lines are "hugging by the nephrite lamp. Looking back and hugging, it is always sympathetic, painful. Gently push the man. Gradually hear the trembling , slightly frightened and flushed. Trying and changing, there is no gap at all, this time the flavor is crazy, moving, arms are folded, lips are touched, tongues are touched." If Li Shishi is caught like this today Molesting, even if he is a good person in the future, if he follows Chen Dong, it may be difficult to hold his head up in front of his classmates and colleagues.

Then Mo Qi persisted, and declared that he would report Chen Dong as a Confucian scholar for having an affair with a prostitute. Master Li was helpless, and when he was about to submit, Zhao Xingde said: "Since you are celebrating your virtue today, it just happens to be a good one." This is a new poem, so I ask Miss Shishi to sing it lightly." Although the imperial court banned Ci Fu, the law did not allow it, and even the suave and suave officials occasionally had excellent works, and the scholars gathered in private, He even wrote poems and lyrics to show his unruly style. Everyone applauded Zhao Xingde for his talent.

Zhao Xingde then silently sang a song "Pu Suanzi" by later generations. After Li Shishi took the pen and ink and looked at it carefully, a trace of gratitude flashed in his eyes, he gently plucked the silk strings, his throat voice was melodious, and he sang softly To: "It's not that I love wind and dust, but I seem to be mistaken by the front. When the flowers fall and bloom, they always rely on the Eastern monarch. If you go, you have to go, and how do you live? If you get mountain flowers 'inserted' all over your head, don't ask where the slaves will go. "

Li Shishi sang the hesitation and helplessness of the prostitute so vividly, with a melancholy and sad taste in her charm.Zhao Xingde secretly praised in his heart, such a good song must be sung by a beautiful woman, he raised his hand and poured a glass of dirty wine into his throat.After this song, everyone cheered in unison, Li Shishi also stood up and thanked all the scholars, but Na Mo Qi still insisted on asking her to sing the erotic song, Deng Su frowned, and was about to reprimand him, But Zhao Xingde said again: "Miss Shishi's singing voice is really the aftertaste of three days. I still have a few game songs from ordinary times, and I will sing them one by one." Paper and pen, will remember the seven or eight good poems of later generations on the book and paper, and let Li Shishi sing them one by one.

In this way, everyone knew Zhao Xingde's intention of defending, and soon after, Deng Su, Zhang Bing and others also wrote their usual good lyrics, and asked the singers to sing them one by one.But Mo Qi was intimidated by Zhao Xingde, and he didn't dare to offend the crowd, so he had to silence the drums and listen to the music with everyone.Li Shishi took the time to thank Zhao Xingde in a low voice.Zhao Xingde smiled and said in a low voice: "The so-called 'sister-in-law is difficult for uncle to help', I think Brother Shaoyang will not blame him." Li Shishi glanced at him, covered his mouth and chuckled, at the moment other singers are singing lyrics, She put down her pipa and poured wine for Zhao Xingde.

Not long after, all kinds of delicacies from Huixian Tower came up like a stream of water, and the room of the Imperial Academy's eunuchs and scholars was intertwined with wine, orchestral songs were played continuously, and it was extremely lively.A box next door is quiet and elegant, the third prince with a face like a crown jade, Jing Wang Zhao Qi is sitting in the middle, the upper left is Hong Lu Shaoqing Wang Heng in ordinary Confucian clothes, the lower is Bai Maoxin, the young military supervisor, and the upper right is Bai Maoxin. The head is Wanyan Zongbi, the envoy of the Jurchen Kingdom, and Wanyan Xiyin, the deputy envoy at the bottom right.Several singers with beautiful looks and refined manners sat quietly beside the banquet and poured wine.

"Your envoy admires the heart of the Celestial Dynasty, and he knows it alone. It is of great importance to make an alliance to attack the Liao Dynasty, and it needs a long-term plan." Zhao Qi considered his words.The Jurchen claimed to be a vassal state, but in the roster of the Honglu Temple, the Northeast vassals only had Goryeo and did not see the Jurchen country name. Presumably it was just an excuse to swindle more barbarians who gave back money and food under the pretext of claiming an alliance to resist the Liao If it wasn't for the fact that the Wanyan tribe hadn't paid [-] pearls and a thousand taels of gold, and had walked away from Prime Minister Cai's family, Zhao Qi wouldn't have bothered to see them.

"The Khitan is cruel and tyrannical, oppressing our family, please show mercy to the Lord." Wan Yanxi Yin Bingdao, Zhao Qi nodded impatiently, and Wang Heng replied on his behalf: "Military affairs are not trivial, and naturally they cannot be settled overnight. Yes, but well, His Royal Highness King Jing and Prime Minister Cai pity you for being in a bitterly cold place and being bullied by foreigners, and authorize you to buy armor, iron, gunpowder and crossbows from the military supervisor with gold, and send them on the roads of Shandong. Purchase grain and grass, and go to sea after being inspected by the Shipping Department of Banqiao City, Mizhou." There was an irrefutable meaning in his words, and the Jurchen envoy had no choice but to claim that he was right.

"The details, you can discuss with Master Bai." After Zhao Qi finished his last sentence, he stood up and left the table with Wang Heng. To replace the crown prince, he must constantly improve his reputation among scholars.As the most beloved third prince of the official family, his 'showing' his face has already given these two barbarians a great deal of face.

Wanyan Zongbi and Wanyan Xiyinliu sat in the Accord, both happy and worried. The worry was that the Song Dynasty refused to form an alliance with the Jurchen Kingdom to attack the Liao Dynasty, and the joy was that the Song Dynasty finally agreed to trade with the Jurchen Kingdom by sea, and the Wanyan tribe occupied it. The inedible gold that was mined secretly from gold water and gold mines can be continuously exchanged for money, food and armaments from then on, which can free more men from the work of 'shooting' hunting and farming, and 'practice' practice More elite soldiers.And this so-called "many" is just more than ten thousand soldiers, far from being able to compare with the hundreds of thousands of troops of Liao, Song and Xia, the great powers of the world.

The young military supervisor Bai Maoxin's expression couldn't be seen, and after King Jing left, he ignored others and only cared about making fun of the singer.Wanyan Xiyin thought to himself, the high official of the Central Plains really could hold his breath, he followed the expert's instructions, and before speaking, he 'felt' out the 300 taels of Jiaozi gold ticket, respectfully presented it to Bai Shaojian, and said with a smile: " A little special product from the barbarian land, please accept it with a smile."

Seeing that he followed the rules, Bai Maoxin secretly praised the child as a teacher, and calmly took over Jiaozi who was known as "Huitong Tianxia". He glanced at him, but was really surprised. 300 taels of gold seemed really worth it. The master of hard work said with a smile on his face: "I am ashamed to accept it, but I am disrespectful. Since it is the order of King Jing and Cai Xiang, the military equipment that the third prince Wanyan needs, I will do my best to select the best for use."

Wanyan Xiyin is one of the few Jurchen people who has read Chinese poems and books, and immediately exchanged glasses with Bai Maoxin. When the wine was hot, the two wished to call each other brothers, but Wanyan Zongbi was left aside and accompanied him cup by cup Two people drink.After getting acquainted with each other, Bai Maoxin said vaguely: "The Liao people are good at riding and shooting, and the city is tall. They restrain riding and shooting. When attacking a city, the most powerful thing is firearms." Wanyan Zongbi's eyes lit up, and he personally brought the wine glass to Bai Maoxin In front of him, after asking him to drink it, he said: "My family has been invaded by the Khitan people, and I ask you to help me."