After the wanton hustle and bustle, the luxurious bedroom fell into silence again.
Coral held up her floor-length skirt and walked towards the side hall alone. He bypassed a brocade screen and stretched out his delicate hand to explore the large bathtub. The hot water that had been boiled still retained a trace of residual warmth. Although it was a bit cool, at least it was not as cold as the body.
Coral has always loved to be clean, but today she was all messy... Taking off her gown, Coral first picked up a wooden ladle and scooped up a ladle of warm water to clear her face and hair. She didn't call the maid standing outside the palace for help. She was really embarrassed.
However, it is really difficult to clean the dirt on the body, especially on the hair. Black hair cannot dissolve the dirt when soaked in water, and even becomes pulpy when wet. Coral had no choice but to clean and straighten it out bit by bit with her jade fingers, which was quite time-consuming...
After putting on a clean ocher gauze, Coral let out a sigh of relief, and the air was filled with the fragrance of heather. Sitting on the soft floor of the bathing hall, looking at the beautiful and fair face in the bronze mirror, the beauty couldn't help but sigh. Although her face has returned to its usual tranquility and tranquility, her heart is still turbulent... She used to think that she was a decisive woman. At least after experiencing the incident in Xianyang, she has never been more than ten years old. I haven't been as undecided as I have been in the past few days.
Coral couldn't help but glance at the bed.
The king actually let her make the decision and gave her the power of life and death. It was so... so cunning.
Perhaps from the beginning, the cunning king never thought of killing Sima Cuo. Because it would be a pity to kill a qualified meat ticket in vain.
But, by the time she realized this, it was too late.
Perhaps, I shouldn't have confided those 'embarrassing' past events to the cunning guy, but the words have already been spoken, and... I have been 'deceived' in vain.
If he talks about killing Sima Cuo now, then he will definitely die.
Coral suddenly felt a burst of sadness for the other party. The disciple of the Mohist giant and the Qin State's You Geng would one day become a bargaining chip for others to please women...
Coral's entanglement did not affect Zhao Yong who was sleeping soundly in his bed at all.
To Zhao Yong, Sima Cuo's life and death was indeed a trivial matter worth mentioning. He had already ordered people to find out Sima Cuo's background.
Anyway, Luo Coral was still a virgin when she entered the palace... Mentally cheating? Just kidding, Zhao Yong was the one who was mentally cheated on, okay? In terms of status and bloodline, Sima Cuo really only gave Zhao Yongti shoes.
As Luo Coral said, the two have only exchanged letters over the years. However, in this era, with transportation so inconvenient, the words to express love are relatively euphemistic. Moreover, according to what Coral said, she only communicated through The correspondence with the other party is just to achieve some purpose.
Even though the two had some connection when they were young, they were only so old at that time.
In this era, every capable man keeps wives and concubines in order to produce heirs. It is even more absurd to say that Sima Cuo has such an identity, and Sima Cuo has already married his wife. Even if he has a little nostalgia for Luo Coral, it is just a man's obsession. If you want to say that Sima Cuo is an infatuated person, Zhao Yong does not believe it.
In this regard, Zhao Yong, a person who has experienced it, sees it much more clearly than Luo Hualou.
Zhao Yong indeed had no intention of killing Sima Cuo. He originally planned to use this meat ticket to exchange money and land from Qin.
But now that he had promised it to a beautiful woman, it didn't matter to him. If you want to kill, just kill. If you don’t kill, let Qin give you grain in exchange...
…
…
Handan Dabeicheng, Pang Mansion, Common People's District.
On the first day after Pang Nuan returned to the capital, although he had already paid tribute to his grandfather Pang Gong, he spent the next two days either in the standing camp or in the palace.
Until today, it was his first return home. Pang Nuan returned from the military camp and rode a horse instead of a carriage.
The lights in Pang's mansion were brightly lit at this time, and the servants were still busy arranging sacrificial objects. Although the Pang family was in decline in the past, it has to be said that it was still a large family. Clan sacrifices and rituals were the most important things for the nobles in this era.
On both sides of the outer hall of the Pang Mansion, three or five elders of the Pang family were sitting on their knees. It was rare for Pang Gong to sit in the outer hall in person to greet the heroes of the Pang family.
Kneeling next to Pang Gong was a graceful and beautiful woman. She was Pang Nuan's mother, Zhao Ying.
Pang Nuan became famous in the first battle, and once again spread Pang's reputation to all the countries in China. At the tender age of seventeen, he achieved the title of a great doctor, and became the commander-in-chief of a country's ace army. Such achievements are unprecedented. .
Pang Nuan hurried to the outer hall, first saluted his grandfather Pang Gong respectfully and said: "Nuan, please say hello to my grandfather." Then he turned to Zhao Ying: "Nuan, please say hello to my mother." Finally, he bowed to the left and right elders. .
At this time, Zhao Ying looked at Pang Nuan with relief and nodded towards him. Her husband died in the war in her early years. With her status, she did not even have the possibility of remarrying. Having stayed alone in the empty house for many years, she pinned all her care on Pang Nuan. She did not hope that Pang Nuan could make much contribution, she only hoped that he would be safe. good.
But as the only legitimate son of the Pang family, how could it be possible not to serve the country? Whenever Pang Nuan goes to the battlefield, she, a mother, prays silently at home. Now seeing Pang Nuan return safely is her greatest wish.
Pang Gong stood up, with tears of excitement in his eyes, and patted Pang Nuan on the shoulder with one arm: "Okay, okay! You are worthy of being a descendant of my Pang family, and you have not let me down..."
For many years, he, Ponzi, has been aggrieved for too long. In the past, the frustrating scene of the three of them being a traitor and taking the lead was still before their eyes.
The danger of annihilation of the clan, the death of one's own children in battle, the pain of a broken arm! Pang Gong has been burdened with too much these years. But, after all, "God will not let me down, Pang." Pang Gong shouted in his heart.
"grandfather……"
Pang Gong waved his hand and said: "Come with me to worship the ancestors of the Pang family!"
... Pang's sacrificial rituals are not as complex as those of the royal family, but after the round of rituals, it was late at night.
After worshiping the ancestors, Pang Nuan said goodbye to Zhao Ying and followed his grandfather back to the inner room.
He Guanzi was sitting alone on the couch at this time, carefully playing with the black and white stones on the chessboard. Seeing Pang's ancestors and grandsons coming, he stood up leisurely and greeted them with greetings.
He Guanzi smiled and said to Pang Nuan: "The reputation of Nuan has now spread all over the world. Your moon phase sneak attack technique is really bold."
"Sir, you are exaggerating. It's just a coincidence that a blind cat encountered a dead mouse. If the king had not commanded him properly, Nuan's plan would have been impossible to implement." Pang Nuan bowed and bowed.
"A blind cat meets a dead mouse?" He Guanzi chewed on these words.
"That's what the king narrated." Pang Nuan said truthfully.
"Hahaha...what a wonderful person."
Pang Gong said: "However, a night attack is indeed a dangerous move. If Lou Fan hadn't decided to withdraw at that time, the soldiers on guard in Lou Fan would not have a strong will to fight. It's hard to know who will win or lose."
But He Guanzi shook his head and said: "No, no, this is because we followed the trend and took advantage of the situation. Lou Fan's army first wanted to retreat, and then Zhao's army attacked at night."
Pang Nuan nodded and said: "As Mr. said, the king once told Nuan that in battle, one must follow the trend. If it weren't for King Lin Hu's laziness and the victory against Lou Fan's army that day, the king would not have agreed to the night attack strategy. of."
"Oh? I didn't expect that the king would have such knowledge at such a young age!" Pang Gong couldn't help but sigh.
He Guanzi said playfully: "Everything the king does reveals shocking secrets. Especially this stirrup can be said to be a world-changing thing. The saddle and two small steps can make an inexperienced person He is an equestrian who rides and shoots with ease. I really admire him."
Pang's grandparents also nodded.
In the subsequent conversation between several people, Pang Nuan told the latest appointments of the courtiers made by Zhao Yong, the superior of the dynasty.
In fact, Pang Gong and He Guanzi already knew about the appointments of the ruling class. Although the affairs of the dynasty during the day had not been promulgated, they were generally hidden from the ears of the nobles. They more or less had their own methods for this position. Besides, the affairs of public dynasty ceremonies are never confidential.
"Why did the king summon you to march today?" Pang Gong suddenly asked calmly.
Zhao Yong led his elite soldiers to surround Lord Anping's residence in a mighty manner. The news spread in the common area in an instant.
Pang Gong could vaguely guess that it was because of the Hufu incident. After all, the elders of the Zhao family at the court meeting openly opposed the new law of riding and shooting in Hufu.
But he still wanted to find out more about this. After all, Pang is now considered a staunch supporter of the new law, and politically speaking, he is already in an opposing position to the conservative faction of the Zhao family. If you can't figure out the other party's attitude, you can't tell when you will be violently attacked by the other party.
Pang Nuan had been guarding Zhao Yong at that time, and he knew this very well. Besides, there was nothing to hide about this matter, so I told everything.
"Is there such a thing?" Pang Gong asked in surprise.
A political crisis was settled by Zhao Yong's few words?
But then he nodded to himself and said: "The new nobles of the Wai family, the Great Sima Feiyi and the Lord of Wu'an Su Qin all supported the new law. The prime minister did not express his position and chose to acquiesce. Most of the military generals seconded it. Even the Li family and the Niu family now also The old fellows seem to be very different from each other. No wonder..."
He Guanzi stroked his beard and smiled and said: "It's all due to the situation. Lord Anping is a smart man, and to resist the king at this time is undoubtedly to block the carriage with mantis arms. Looking at it today, everything the king has done has traces to follow. The policy of farming in the fields was very effective, and later the Northern Xinjiang personally conquered and exerted great power to drive out the Hu, reject the Qin, and unite with the Jin. The king's reputation in the country became more and more important. Today's method of subduing the Hu has become a success."
"Brother, welcome!" Pang Gong complimented.
Then he turned to face the door and said, "Come here."
The maid standing outside the door knocked on the door and came in.
"Go ahead and tell me to go to Xicheng tomorrow to sell some cloth and make a pair of Hu clothes for all the Pang men."
The little maid was stunned, not knowing what the master meant.
But he still bowed: "Here!"
"Go down."
After the maid retreated, He Guanzi smiled and said: "Friend, there is no need to be so frivolous. I think that although Lord Anping is subordinate to the king, there must be some elders in the clan who have different opinions." Although he said this, But I still gave Pang Gong a thumbs up in my heart. This old friend of mine had an unusually high political consciousness.
"Invincibility starts with sacrificing the ancestor"
Pang Gong asked lightly: "Oh?"
He also reacted after a moment: "In that case, I, Pang, will first implement the new laws of our Zhao country."
"Good meeting, my friend!" He Guanzi complimented.
"Hahahahaha." The old friend looked at each other and smiled.
Wait until the two elders finish talking.
Pang Nuan stood up and bowed solemnly to He Guanzi, saying, "Sir, Nuan has something that I don't understand, and I would like to ask for help, sir."
He Guanzi glanced at him curiously and replied: "You can say whatever you want."
Pang Nuan said sternly: "Nuan was at Lord Anping's residence today and listened to the king's words about the learning of saints. The king once made it clear to the clan, saying: 'The learning of saints and sages are all useless learning, learning that misleads the world.' Nuan was puzzled. Today I would like to ask for advice from Mr.
He Guanzi thought carefully for a moment and said seriously: "Is this really what the king said?"
"Nuan doesn't dare to lie." Pang Nuan replied truthfully.
He Guanzi nodded and said slowly: "In the past, Taigong once said, 'There is no better way to fight than one. One can go alone and come back alone.' I think the same is true for the so-called sages' learning, and any theory is the same. It is not perfect, or it will never be better than what it is now.
Of course, we can't just take a peek at everything. The king's intention may be to be vigilant. The learning of the sages of the past also has something to do. It emphasized the governance of the country and the good people, and it is also good to do this.
However, there is no way to strengthen the country and the people. Today's world is in chaos, rituals and music have collapsed, and feudal lords and nations are fighting endlessly. The learning of sages and sages in the past may be able to govern prosperous times, but there is no way to calm troubled times.
I believe that the true teachings of sages are not static, but change with the times. You need to be fickle and dare to change! Looking at today, the princes of all countries are striving to become stronger, and nothing remains the same? If the Zhao family remains unchanged, it will only destroy itself. "
The teacher's words couldn't help but make Pang Nuan fall into deep thinking.
He Guanzi stroked his beard and looked at the disciple who was meditating, and said, "Who do you think is a saint?"
Pang Nuan thought for a while and replied: "A saint is a master, knowledgeable in all matters, and knowledgeable in common affairs."
But He Guanzi shook his head.
"A saint is the best in human relations."
"Saint, the unforeseen call of the gods."
"He who hears the principles of heaven knows everything about things; preaches the way of heaven with his mouth and knows everything about his nature; teaches by his own example and becomes a king, and knows everything about all people. This is called a saint."
He Guanzi shook his head.
Pang Nuan couldn't help but fell into deep thought again. After a moment, he suddenly raised his head and said, "I don't know why Nuan is a saint, but I would like to ask, what should be the first priority for a saint to act?"
Seeing his disciple draw inferences, He Guanzi replied happily: "You should put people first."
Pang Nuan asked: "What is the priority for humanity?"
He Guanzi said: "The war is about to begin."
Pang Nuan wondered: "Why should we abandon the way of heaven and put the way of humanity first?"
He Guanzi said leisurely: "The sky is high and it is difficult to know. Blessings cannot be invited and misfortunes cannot be avoided. If you follow the way of heaven, you will only go against your own wishes in the end. On the contrary, the land behind is vast and deep, with many benefits and few threats, but , if you want to follow the human way as much as possible, you will only make yourself humiliated. It should be noted that the four seasons change and are not specific. In other words, it is impossible to imitate the four seasons. The three cannot establish education and establish beautiful customs, so the saints do not imitate them. they."
Pang Nuan was confused, but something had dawned on him.
