Zhang Xijun lives in a small courtyard in the village.
This small courtyard was originally the residence of an old man from the Wang clan in Wangjia Village. However, the old man passed away a few years ago because he was too old and weak to survive the winter, so the courtyard became empty.
Although no one lives there, the courtyard is still well maintained. After Zhang Xijun and Li You came to Wangjia Village, Wang Rong had people tidy up and arranged them here.
The furniture in the yard is all ready, it just needs to be cleaned and wiped if it is dusty. As for the quilts and fire pits, Wang Rong has also made arrangements, so these are not a problem.
At first, Zhang Xijun and Li You lived in this courtyard. Later, didn't Li You accept an apprentice for Wang Jinwu? Not long after Wang Jinwu took Li You in, he took Li You to live with him, so this place became Zhang Xijun's residence alone.
In Wangjiacun, Zhang Xijun is a complete outsider, and he is different from Li You. Li You is only a half-grown child and is Li Hu's only son. Now that he has become Wang Jinwu's apprentice, he has become half a member of Wangjia Village.
Zhang Xijun is a sensible person, and he knows very well Zhu Shenzui's purpose of placing him here. Moreover, Zhu Shenzui left not long after arriving in Wangjia Village. Except for people who regularly sent him some grain, rice and firewood, ordinary villagers in Wangjia Village never took the initiative to communicate with Zhang Xijun, and always maintained a nonchalant attitude. distance.
Of course, because of Zhu Shenzui's instructions, the people in Wangjia Village did not restrict Zhang Xijun's actions in the village. As long as Zhang Xijun did not leave the village, there would be no problem. Even when Zhang Xijun walked around the village on weekdays, he even asked people to inquire about things, and what to talk to people, there was no deliberate restriction on these. In this case, Zhang Xijun still had a considerable degree of freedom.
However, Zhang Xijun rarely wanders around the village. His life is very regular. He goes to bed early and gets up early. After getting up early in the morning, he will walk around the neighborhood and return to the yard for breakfast when it is almost time.
After breakfast, Zhang Xijun would read in the room. In the afternoon, he would go out for a walk and then go back to make dinner.
After dinner, Zhang Xijun will continue to read for a while. After dark, he will go to bed early, and then another day will come.
This kind of life routine is very ordinary. As time goes by, everyone in the village knows his habit and gradually becomes familiar with it.
It's the same today, the afternoon sun is very bright, winter is about to pass, and there is gradually a taste of spring in the air.
In the room, Zhang Xijun was half lying on the bed, with a pot of tea on the bed in front of him and a book in his hand.
This is a volume of "Book of Wei". "Book of Wei" was one of the Twenty-Four Histories in later generations, but there is no such statement now. After all, the Ming Dynasty is still alive and kicking.
However, as a historical book, "Book of Wei" has always been an important chapter in the history books of the past dynasties. However, compared with "Historical Records", "Han Shu", "Book of the Later Han Dynasty", "Three Kingdoms", "Old Tang Book", etc. "Book of Wei" is not read by many people, and it is not highly respected.
This is mainly because the "Book of Wei" is slightly different from other history books. For historical reasons, the "Book of Wei" is the first history book to record the historical events of foreign races in the official history of the past dynasties, and the content of "Book of Wei" has been praised or criticized historically. First, there are praisers and critics, and both sides have completely different views. Therefore, among scholars, not many people really study "Book of Wei".
He looked at the volume in his hand attentively. The content of this volume is the biography of Gao Yun, a famous minister of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Gao Yun was also called Gao Linggong. General Du Chao served as a disciple of Zhonglang, and his legendary life was gradually created step by step.
Gao Yun experienced five dynasties, traveled to three provinces, was both civil and military, held a very popular position, and yet died a good death. This person's experience is particularly rare in history. Reading the description of Gao Yun's experience in the book, Zhang Xijun couldn't help but feel angry and full of admiration for a real man.
While he was looking at it, there was a faint knock on the door. Zhang Xijun looked away from the book. He got off the kang and pushed out the door. When he reached the courtyard gate, he didn't ask who was outside. He went straight forward and opened the door.
"Master Zhang!"
"Sixth Master!"
"Haha, happy New Year."
"Happy New Year to you, Mr. Liu."
Zhang Xijun originally thought he was from the village. After all, he had lived in Wangjia Village for some time, and the village would send people to give him things from time to time. This has become a habit. But he didn't expect that when he opened the door today, he would see Zhu Shenzui, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, which surprised him.
But he was surprised and relieved. After all, it was Zhu Shenzui's arrangement for him to live in Wangjiacun. When he begged Zhu Shenzui to take him away from Yangtou Mountain, it was Zhu Shenzui who took refuge with him. I originally thought that Zhu Shenzui would have some arrangements for him after he came down the mountain, but who would have thought that he would stay in Wangjiacun for so long.
Zhu Shenzui smiled and handed over the New Year's gift in his hand. This New Year's gift was one of the New Year's gifts he brought from Pingyang City. Since it was always inappropriate to come to Zhang Xijun empty-handed, and the first month had not passed yet, this method was the best. Nothing but appropriate.
After thanking him and receiving the New Year gift with both hands, Zhang Xijun quickly invited Zhu Shenzui into the room to talk.
Zhu Shenzui nodded with a smile and followed Zhang Xijun into the courtyard. The two of them went to the main room one after the other.
After entering the house, Zhang Xijun felt ashamed and said to Zhu Shenzui that he lived alone now and didn't do much to clean up the house. Moreover, it was cold now. If Zhu Shenzui didn't mind it, they would sit together on the kang with a fire burning in the room. It's warmer over there, let's have a cup of tea.
Zhu Shenzui naturally wouldn't dislike it, nodded with a smile, took off his boots and got on the kang.
After sitting down on the kang, Zhang Xijun also made another pot of tea and placed the teapot in the small red stove on the kang table. There was a charcoal fire burning in it. When he saw the book beside him, Zhu Shenzui subconsciously took it over. , flipped through it and looked meaningfully at Zhang Xijun.
"A volume of Wei Shu, a pot of tea, and red sleeves to add fragrance, this day will be like a fairy."
"Master Liu, you are joking. I am just an ordinary person. How could I be so carefree? If it weren't for Master Liu, I would still be worrying about two meals a day, let alone this rare leisurely life." Zhang Xijun smiled bitterly. He shook his head and saw that the water in the pot had boiled. He raised his hand to take it out, fiddled with the charcoal inside with tweezers, and then made tea for Zhu Shenzui.
Although the tea is ordinary tea, Zhang Xijun's tea-making skills are good, and the flowing water is quite artistic.
After picking up the tea and taking a sip, Zhu Shenzui put down the tea cup and asked about Zhang Xijun's current situation, his words showing concern.
Zhang Xijun said that he lived a good life in Wangjiacun. He had dreamed of such a quiet life before, and the people in Wangjiacun treated him very well. His life was better and he had some rules. Is there anything better than this in the world? ?
Speaking of this, Zhang Xijun also joked with Zhu Shenzui, pointing at himself and laughing, saying that people have gained weight these days, and their complexions are much better than before.
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Shenzui couldn't help but become happy. Not to mention, Zhang Xijun's complexion is indeed good. When he was in Sheep Head Mountain, he had seen Zhang Xijun's desolate look. Now Zhang Xijun is fatter and paler, and he is wearing an ordinary robe. Convinced, it looks a bit more blessed.
Zhu Shenzui and Zhang Xijun were chatting in a nonchalant manner. While chatting, Zhu Shenzui carefully looked at Zhang Xijun's expression, but he couldn't see anything after looking at it for a long time. From the time he came here, except when Zhang Xijun opened the door and saw a flash of surprise on his face, he looked calm after that.
When talking, Zhang Xijun was neither hasty nor slow, chatting and laughing but neither arrogant nor humble. Such Zhang Xijun inevitably made Zhu Shenzui feel a little nervous. Can this person really be used?
But now that he's here, Zhu Shenzui thinks it's better to use it. At least Zhang Xijun is different from others. He is a person with some abilities, and judging from his original move of Yangtoushan taking refuge in him, Zhang Xijun is also a A person with determination and vision.
In this case, then no matter what, you have to use it, why don't you just leave it alone and not waste it? Furthermore, Zhu Shenzui is not a stingy person. He has always respected talents. He is not like some leaders who only like to hire stupid people who are worse than him. He feels that once he hires people who are smarter and more capable than him, he can Threats to one's own status.
Zhu Shenzui's grand plan has just begun. If even people like Zhang Xijun dare not use it at this time, how can Zhu Shenzui accomplish it?
"I came today to discuss something with Master Zhang." After another sip of tea, Zhu Shenzui said this.
Zhang Xijun raised his hand to lift the teapot and refilled the teapot for Zhu Shenzui. At the same time, he said: "Sixth Master, you don't have to be so polite, but if you have any orders, please just tell me."
This attitude satisfied Zhu Shenzui, and he asked with a smile: "Master Zhang, I think you should know my identity, right?"
Zhang Xijun nodded: "Not long after Master Six left, I learned about Master Six's identity. Although I thought Master Six was extraordinary before, I didn't expect that Master Six would actually be a member of the clan. This surprised me."
By placing Zhang Xijun in Wangjiacun, Zhu Shenzui had no real intention of hiding Zhang Xijun, including his own identity.
After all, Zhang Xijun is not an ordinary mud-legged person, and there are so many people in Wangjia Village. Unless Zhang Xijun is locked up in the house and prevented from contacting anyone, he will know something sooner or later.
Zhu Shenzui had already expected this. When he heard Zhang Xijun admit it frankly, he nodded slightly and continued: "I asked you to stay in Wangjiacun for so many days. Do you have any complaints in your heart?"
"I don't dare." Zhang Xijun handed over to Zhu Shenzui: "Of course I understand the meaning of Master Six's arrangement. Besides, my identity is not suitable for public appearances. I am really grateful to Master Six for being able to spend these leisurely days in Wangjiacun. "
Waving his hand, Zhu Shenzui said: "There is no need to say these words. You are a smart man. To be honest, I have really wronged you these days."
Zhang Xijun smiled and said nothing, and continued to sit and listen quietly to Zhu Shenzui's words.
Zhu Shenzui did not beat around the bush, and immediately told Zhang Xijun about the Liu family in general, and also talked about Kang Youfu's situation. After spending some time, Zhu Shenzhui asked Zhang Xijun directly that he now needed someone to be the second shopkeeper at the Pingyang Mansion Salt Shop.
Although the position of the second shopkeeper is not as good as that of Kang Youfu, it is still very important. I asked Zhang Xijun if he was willing to go.
Zhang Xijun did not agree as Zhu Shenzui imagined, nor did he sound thoughtful. He raised his eyes and looked at Zhu Shenzui meaningfully, and asked: "If your guess is correct, the affairs of the Liu family belong to the Sixth Master." Is it handiwork? The Kang family also made arrangements in advance for Mr. Liu?"
