Rebirth of a Star General

There is more and more evidence about Xu Xiang in the battle of Mingshui.

It's not just the battle of Mingshui. The charges brought up are all kinds of crimes, everything, selling officials, appointing private people, deceiving the king, accepting bribes...

The change in the emperor's attitude made Xu Dang smell the bad wind, and the court and the upper and lower levels were immersed in a tense atmosphere. People who originally thought that Xu Jingfu would be rescued soon, now realize that this is not a simple matter, or that it is impossible at all.

In Shi Jinbo's mansion, the servant stopped the people who wanted to come in, and said with a smile: "Please come back, sirs, the fourth son is not in the mansion."

"Where did Chu Zilan go!" One person was anxious and angry, and asked in a low voice, "If we don't let us see Fourth Young Master Chu, Master Xiang will run out of time!"

The little servant just said with a bitter face: "The adults asked Xiao, and Xiao did not know, it has been a long time since the fourth son returned to the house."

Seeing that after asking for a long time, I couldn't ask anything useful, so the person who came had to leave in anger. After the group left, the servant closed the door, returned to the yard, knocked on the door of the study, and walked in.

Chu Zhao was sitting at the desk reading a book.

"Fourth Young Master, all the people who came here have been sent back." The servant said.

Of course Chu Zhao was in Shi Jinbo's mansion. In fact, he had never left the mansion these days, so no one saw him.

"well done."

"But Fourth Young Master..." The little servant hesitated for a while, but still asked, "You really don't want to think of a way?"

Chu Zhao raised his head and looked at him, the servant's face turned pale, and after a while, he heard the person in front of him say, "Go out."

The little servant stepped out in relief.

Chu Zhao's eyes fell on the table again. The Duan inkstone on the table was given to him by Xu Jingfu. Since Xu Jingfu was imprisoned, people have been trying to find him from time to time to help Xu Jingfu get out. After all, Xu Jingfu treats him like his own son. He will be Xu Jingfu's son-in-law soon. force.

Chu Zhao's eyes became distant.

Chu Zhao still remembered the first time he saw Xu Jingfu.

At that time, he was not very old, and it was the time when he was bullied by Madam Chu and his three brothers. He is very good-looking, but Chu Linfeng likes to take him to social events very much, and he looks extremely dignified, but every time he comes back from social events, there are countless more severe tortures waiting for him.

Chu Linfeng couldn't see what happened in the backyard. Even if I saw it, I just said a few words, it is impossible for him and Mrs. Chu to be separated.

One winter day, Chu Linfeng had another entertainment with his colleagues, thinking about taking him with him. This time, it was a guest at Xu Xiangfu's mansion, and Chu Linfeng specially ordered Mrs. Chu to choose a good dress for Chu Zhao, so that the Chu family must not lose face.

Since she was a guest at Xu Xiang's mansion, Madam Chu didn't dare to neglect her, and even though she was reluctant, she still prepared gorgeous clothes for him.

Chu Linfeng was quite satisfied.

But Chu Zhao had a hard time walking.

Just because I don't know if it was Mrs. Chu or one of his brothers, he actually drove a few nails into the bottom of his boots. At first, he couldn't feel it. As people walked, the nails were gradually stepped on and drilled into the boots. into his feet.

But at that time, Chu Zhao had already arrived at the Xu residence with Chu Linfeng.

It is very rude to take off his boots in public, but Chu Linfeng is extraordinarily good-faced, and he does not give him a chance to speak at all, just like showing off a beautiful vase, a beautiful decoration, pulling him to everyone and saying: "This is mine The third son, Chu Zhao."

Chu Zhao had to endure the pain and spoke with Chu Linfeng with a pale face.

By the end, he almost couldn't stand it anymore.

At the banquet, Chu Linfeng drank a few more glasses, and his colleagues talked proudly, and finally stopped paying attention to Chu Zhao for the time being. Chu Zhao wanted to find a secluded corner to take off his boots and pull out the nails. But in the huge Xu residence, he didn't know the way, and when he turned around, he bumped into someone.

An older scribe in a gown looked down at him.

Chu Zhao was stunned, and recognized at a glance that this was the protagonist of today's banquet, and Chu Linfeng couldn't wait to curry favor with Xu Xiang Xu Jingfu. It's just that he followed Chu Linfeng all the time, and Chu Linfeng didn't even talk to Xu Jingfu, so he might not know him.

"I'm... the fourth son of Shi Jinbo's house." Chu Zhao said cautiously, "I... I'm lost."

Xu Jingfu just smiled and looked at him, his eyes paused slightly, and suddenly asked, "What's wrong with your leg?"

Chu Zhao subconsciously hid his feet behind him.

Xu Jingfu looked around, called for someone to come, and said, "Take the fourth son of Chu back to the room."

Chu Zhao waved his hand hastily: "No need, I..."

"Your leg, you will be lame if you go further." Xu Jingfu shook his head and smiled, "I have asked your father to tell you, don't worry."

Chu Zhao was carried into the room by the servants of the Xu residence. Not only that, but they also took off his boots. As soon as the boots were taken off, everyone present gasped. The nail almost sank into the sole of his foot, and the blood that flowed out stuck to the white socks, which made him feel miserable just by looking at it.

Xu Xiang frowned and said, "Call the doctor in the house over."

There was a doctor in the Xu residence who was skilled in medicine. After being called over, he took out the nails from Chu Zhao's feet and said, "Young Master, you are too patient. It hurts if the nails don't go in, what the hell is going on? Have you endured without saying a word until now? Ouch, after you go back, don’t go to the ground for a few days, and take a good rest.”

Chu Zhao pursed his lips and did not speak. Although he was the fourth son of the Chu family, he lived like a servant. He had to work every day, so how could he not be able to rest on the ground.

Xu Jingfu waved his hand and told them all to go down.

He got up and walked to the other end, asking casually, "What's your name?"

"Chu Zhao, the word Zilan." He replied restrained and cautious.

"Good name." Xu Jingfu smiled and put a pair of brand-new boots in front of him. "This was originally intended by my wife to give to my students. Your boots can't be worn. This pair should be able to be worn."

Chu Zhao hugged the boots in his arms. Xu Shi was in front of the stove which was very hot, and the cloth boots were baked warmly. He said, "Thank you, Mr. Xu."

Xu Jingfu looked at him. The clothes that Mrs. Chu gave him were indeed gorgeous and delicate. They were only from the cold winter and the twelfth lunar month. There was no lint in the thin brocade clothes. It looked good, but it was not practical. He walked outside for a while, his face was pale and his hands and feet were cold.

"There are three older brothers in your house?" Xu Jingfu asked with a smile.

Chu Zhao's body froze slightly: "Exactly."

Xu Jingfu looked at him thoughtfully: "I never saw your father bring them out."

Chu Linfeng had a good face, and always felt that he was the most beautiful man in the Wei Dynasty, but his three direct sons were born like a mother, and his appearance was plain. He was afraid that others would laugh at him behind his back, so he only brought Chu Zhao to socialize with his colleagues. Chu Zhao lowered his head and did not speak.

Xu Jingfu asked, "Have you read books?"

"I read a little," he replied softly.

"Oh?" Xu Jingfu was slightly surprised. Probably thinking that Mrs. Chu would let an outsider like Chu Linfeng read a book. Chu Zhao thought for a while, and said in a low voice, "I learned a little from my mother before, but after returning to the mansion, I secretly hid some books in the house."

Xu Jingfu has always loved talents. Looking at the exceptionally beautiful child in front of him, he smiled and said, "In this case, you can come to me to study in the future."

Chu Zhao was startled, raised his head subconsciously, and pursed his lips: "I..."

"I have a lot of students, but they are all old, and I haven't been accepted for many years," the scribe's face was gentle, like a loving elder, "I'm old, I don't know how many years I can teach you, If you are willing to learn from me, just call me a teacher."

teacher……

Teacher, preaching and getting rid of confusion, but unfortunately, in the past few years, no one has taught him what to do and why he should do it, and the person in front of him is the prime minister of the Great Wei Quan who is full of power.

He buried his head, ignoring the wound he had just bandaged, went down to the ground, respectfully kowtowed to Xu Jingfu, and called out, "Teacher."

He was brought back by Xu Jingfu's carriage, along with the servants of the Xu family, a thick cotton-padded coat, and new boots on his feet.

When Chu Linfeng learned about this after sobering up, he was also shocked, and quickly apologized to Xu Jingfu, but Xu Jingfu said that he didn't need to take it to heart. After Chu Linfeng returned to the mansion, it was the first time that he had a real quarrel with Madam Chu about Chu Zhao. The sound of their arguing fell in Chu Zhao's ears outside the courtyard window.

"That's Xu Xiang! Zilan will be Xu Xiang's student in the future. Don't you understand what Xu Xiang is doing? Don't bully Zilan in the future!"

"Who bullied him? If I really bullied him, how could I let him become Xu Xiang's disciple. After all, it's all your favoritism, otherwise why would it be him, not my child!"

"Who made them not live up to their expectations? Xu Xiang just likes Zilan, you have to do it yourself, don't be ashamed!"

The quarrel filled his ears. Chu Zhao looked down at the cloth boots on his feet. The boots fit well and the soles were very soft. It seemed that even the pain of the nails piercing the flesh was touched by the softness. Clean and tidy.

After that, he became Xu Jingfu's student.

Xu Jingfu treated him very well, and he was unwilling to give up this opportunity to study hard. Everyone said that he was talented and promising at a young age, but he had to spend many nights reading at night before he could be casually "humbly" in front of others.

The teacher-student friendship is unprecedented.

The light from the oil lamp on the table cast a shadow on the wall, and he watched for a while, then stood up.

"Come on."

The servant entered the door and said, "What is the fourth son's order?"

"Prepare the horse," he looked forward, "to the prince's mansion."

...

In the empty bedroom, Emperor Wen Xuan leaned against the slump, lowered his head and drank the boiled ginseng soup in the woman's hand.

Since the case of Xu Jingfu came out, the emperor was extremely angry, and his health was getting worse day by day. He was already old, but he used to be leisurely every day, but he couldn't see it. Things changed in the middle, and things piled up at him, but in just ten days, he seemed to be old-fashioned. pregnancy.

After drinking a bowl of ginseng soup, Concubine Lan asked her maid to pick up the empty bowl and said softly, "Your Majesty, get better soon."

"What's the use of getting better," Wenxuan said with a wry smile, "I'm afraid that the outside world can't wait to see me soon..."

A finger pressed against his lips, blocking what he was going to say next. Concubine Lan shook her head in disapproval: "Your Majesty, this is not something you can say casually."

Emperor Wenxuan looked at the woman in front of her. Although she said so, her expression was still gentle. She was not panicked and furious like other palace concubines, nor was she reprimanded like Empress Zhang. Concubine Lan Gui is not the most beautiful one in the entire harem, but he has doted on the woman in front of him for so many years, just because, in front of Concubine Lan Gui, he can be himself.

rather than being a king.

Emperor Wenxuan thought that he might be the only one who thought being an emperor was tiring.

After he fell ill, Queen Zhang came only once. Emperor Wenxuan knew that Empress Zhang's maiden family was very close to Xu Jingfu. Now that Xu Jingfu had an accident, Empress Zhang's maiden family did not dare to openly plead for Xu Jingfu, and the harem was not allowed to do politics, so she should be very busy these days.

Emperor Wenxuan didn't have the heart to take care of these things, and turned one eye away, just because he could feel that his time might be running out.

It's strange, before the Xu Jingfu incident, he still thought that he was still energetic and could live longer than his parents, but as soon as the Xu Jingfu case came out, he understood that he was really old, and he might not be able to live if he was too old. to next winter.

So in his view, there is another important thing.

"Since I ascended the throne, Xu Jingfu has been a good assistant for many years," he said slowly: "I treated him tolerantly, knowing that although he was selfish, he did not pursue it, but now, he has betrayed my trust. He even cooperated with the enemy. Treason..."

"Xiao Zhongwu is dead. Over the years, I have listened to Xu Jingfu's words, but there are not many generals available to the Great Wei. He Rufei, the Feihong general, is still a fake. Virtue, if I hand this position into his hands," Emperor Wenxuan smiled bitterly, "he's not as good as me. Although I'm indecisive, in the end I'm still a benevolent person, what does he... have!"

The last sentence is both disappointment and anger.

It would be great if Guang Shuo was the prince.

Then he might have handed the top spot to Guang Shuo early.

Although the emperor is mediocre, he is not particularly ignorant. He knows that his eldest son has no talent or virtue. After so many years, he refused to pass down the imperial edict because he was originally conflicted. On the one hand, he knew very well that it would be a disaster for Da Wei for Guangyan to take this position. On the other hand, Great Wei has never had a monarch abolish the elders and set up the younger ones. He did not seek meritorious deeds in his life, but he wanted no faults. He did not want to be the "first person", and was also afraid of taking on this responsibility. Endure and endure, and finally got things to the point where they are now irreversible.

"Lan'er," he looked at Concubine Lan Gui, "I regret not making a decision earlier."

And now, no matter what he does, it will set off a huge wave up and down the court, more blood will be shed, and more people will die. And Guangyan and Guangshuo, no matter who he prefers, are his sons, there is no doubt about that.

Lan Guifei held his hand gently and said only: "No matter what your majesty decides, the concubines understand your majesty's painstaking efforts."

Emperor Wenxuan looked at her: "In this palace, only you are my confidant."

...

When Concubine Lan Gui returned to Qinglan Palace, Guang Shuo was already waiting for her in the palace.

Seeing her come back, Guang Shuo stood up, "Mother concubine."

Concubine Lan Gui sat him down and asked, "Why are you free with me? Don't you go to Dali Temple?"

Now that Xu Xiang's case is up to now, if nothing else changes, it should be considered that the overall situation has been settled. The evidence in Xiao Huaijin’s hands was thrown out one by one. Officials who had been suppressed by Xu Dang in the past also hurriedly seized this opportunity, and the trees fell and scattered. This has been the case since ancient times.

Of course, Guangshuo's help is indispensable.

"My son has already been there today." Guang Shuo thought for a while, "These days, my son has contributed to Xu Xiang's case, but when he saw Dudu Xiao in the palace, he didn't show any sign of closeness. ."

He didn't understand whether Xiao Huaijin accepted his feelings or not.

Concubine Lan Gui smiled: "It's right that he ignores you."

"Mother's meaning is..."

"You care about Xu Jingfu's case originally because you care about court affairs as the Prince of Wei. If you get too close to him, you will be too deliberate."

"It's not that I don't know," Guang Shuo's eyes flashed with anxiety, "but the crown prince will definitely not let it go, the father is not in good health now, and the son heard that the imperial censor has already played on the father, and the prince will be established as soon as possible... ... Concubine, you know the character of the emperor," Guang Shuo laughed at himself, "if there is nothing else, the prince will definitely be the heir. With the mother and concubine, I am afraid that even the fifth brother will not survive."

"And..." His eyes were full of worry, "Right now, the Uto people's ambitions are unclear, and they may attack the Great Wei at any time. At that time, if the prince ascends the throne, does the mother-in-law think that the prince will make people fight against the Uto people? Even if it's to pull Xiao Huaijin down, he won't say a word 'war'."

Lan Guifei waited quietly for him to finish.

Guang Shuo looked at the woman: "Mother concubine thinks what the minister said is wrong?"

"You're right," Concubine Lan Gui smiled. "When I saw your father today, your father had already revealed that he was going to pass the imperial edict."

Guang Shuo's heart moved, and he asked excitedly, "What exactly..."

"Actually, it doesn't matter who your father decides to pass the throne to," Concubine Lan Gui said: "In this world, an imperial decree sometimes can't decide anything. Guangshuo, people's hearts are more important than power, and you have never been open and honest. Participating in court affairs and hiding behind the prince is your weakness and your strength."

"You are anxious now, I'm afraid Guangyan is more anxious than you, and there are those utuo people... Xiao Huaijin is willing to get close to you and support you, it's meaningless to say this now. If he doesn't have the heart to fight for power, he Sooner or later it will be yours."

Guang Shuo asked, "Because of the prince?"

"Yes." Concubine Lan Gui's eyes flashed with a trace of pity, "Guangyan is so tyrannical and ruthless, people like Xiao Huaijin will definitely not be driven by him."

"Da Wei, there is no one left."