Seeing the maids in the hall starting to serve tea, Li Yuan smiled softly and said that if he couldn't explain it just now, he wouldn't even give him a cup of tea. This week, the boss is really jealous!
After talking just now, he was indeed a little thirsty and anxious. Li Yuan gently picked up the tea cup and stared at the thick-colored tea in the cup for a while. He was a little curious, why did the color of it look a bit like miso? I took a sip and almost spit it out! It's a little spicy in the mouth, and there's also the salty taste of coarse salt. What the hell?
Li Yuan tried hard to hold the tea in his mouth. In order not to make a fool of himself, he had to swallow it reluctantly. Then I suddenly remembered that there was indeed nothing wrong with it. The tea in this era was made by crushing tea leaves and adding onion, ginger, and garlic to cook and season it. There were even some that added candied mutton fat. It was indeed tea.
The fragrant drinking method of later generations did not become popular until at least the Ming Dynasty... (Note: Before the Ming Dynasty, there were three main ways to cook tea: "porridge tea method", "tea soup" and "mocha method". The method is extremely complicated and sophisticated, and is mostly popular among the upper class of society; after the Ming Dynasty, due to Zhu Yuanzhang's order prohibiting the production of high-end tea cakes, the loose tea method of directly baking tea leaves, adding water to brew tea, and gradually became popular.)
Seeing that Li Yuan's face was red and he could not speak for a long time, Zhou Zong glanced at him and quickly raised his hand and said: "Li Yuhou is not used to drinking tea? Look at my brain, Li Yuhou was born in the army, so he is good at drinking! Come, bring me the best autumn wine in the house!"
Li Yuan waved his hand and said, "There's no need for drinks! I've already eaten too much at the banquet just now. If it's convenient, just give me a cup of tea!"
Zhou Zong's eyes moved upward for a while, and he said thoughtfully: "Clear tea! Haha, this is strange, I have never seen anyone who likes to drink clear tea! Okay, just follow Yu Hou's words and serve clear tea!"
The maid quickly followed the instructions and gave Li Yuan another cup of steaming tea. This time, there was no seasoning, but the tea leaves were still crushed according to the rules, making Li Yuan spit out tea foam after taking one sip. It was so funny. .
While sipping tea, Zhou Zong asked tentatively: "I wonder what Marquis Yu thinks of the current court?"
Li Yuan chewed the broken tea leaves in his mouth and said with a calm smile: "I am a military general, and I still don't know much about the affairs of the court. I'm afraid that if I tell you, I will make the boss laugh."
"Here at my place, Yu Hou can speak freely without any scruples!"
"Okay, I'll tell you then!" Li Yuan didn't care. Now that Zhou Zong had shown good intentions to him, why not? After thinking about it for a while, he talked eloquently: "I come from the army. I can only talk about the war.”
"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, our Tang Dynasty has been determined to unify the world and has launched several foreign conquests, but the results are not satisfactory! When we attacked and destroyed the Fujian Kingdom, we were already victorious, but due to Chen Jue's greed for merit and false edicts, it was delayed. The fighter planes caused our army to get trapped in Fujian. In the end, not only did we lose Fujian, but Wu Yue also reaped the benefits! The Tang treasury was also empty as a result. It was really more painful than the gain, which is heartbreaking!"
How could Zhou Zong not know about this? At that time, Chen Jue's rebellious move caused an uproar in the government and the public. After that, the army suffered repeated defeats. Thinking of this, he could only wave his hands and sigh: "Alas!"
Li Yuan put down the tea cup and continued: "What is even more distressing for me is that at that time, there was great chaos in the Central Plains. The Khitans were going south, the Jin Kingdom was overthrown, and the people were displaced. If the Tang Dynasty could mobilize the entire country's troops, we would be able to regain Chang'an in one fell swoop. Great things can be expected in Luoyang! It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It's a pity that at that time, our court was already trapped under the city of Fuzhou, and Wu Yue sent troops to cause trouble. We were helpless, and finally let Liu Zhiyuan from Hedong take advantage!"
Seemingly speaking what was on Zhou Zong's mind, the old man responded excitedly: "What Li Yuhou said is exactly right! If His Majesty hadn't trusted Chen Jue's party at that time, Fujian would have been pacified long ago, and he might still have some remaining strength. Send troops to the Central Plains! Alas! Heaven will not help me, the Tang Dynasty!"
Li Yuan shook his head disapprovingly, and then said seriously: "Everything is man-made, how can you blame heaven! For example, what happened in the Min country, it can be seen that there are no good generals outside, there are treacherous ministers inside, and the emperor is unaware! If this continues, the country will be destroyed. Trouble is not far away!"
There was panic on Zhou Zong's face, and he quickly looked out the door, then waved his hand and said: "Li Yuhou, be careful! If Song Qiqiu, Chen Jue and others hadn't colluded with each other to occupy the imperial court, how could our imperial court be like this? Your Majesty, your Majesty is also helpless !”
Having said that, Zhou Zong didn't know what the emperor had done. He couldn't help but think of the Chen Jue incident. He thought the emperor would be furious and kill these villains, but in the end, Chen Jue, Feng Yanlu and others were just sentenced to exile. , but Han Xizai and others who were outspoken were criticized.
Li Yuan pondered for a moment, and then said bluntly: "Your Majesty is the emperor, so naturally I dare not speculate on the holy will! Song Qiqiu and Chen Jue's party only knew how to fight for power and gain and bring trouble to the court! For example, Chen Jue was in charge of the Privy Council but he didn't know Soldier! Zha Wenyu is known as a famous general, but he was captured by the small country of Wu and Yue! One day when the army of the Northern Kingdom goes south, if our Tang Dynasty is still dominated by these incompetent people, the country will surely fall and there will be no recovery! "
Zhou Zong was so frightened by the threat of national subjugation that he did not jump up on the spot, but he could not help but asked in a low voice with curiosity: "The army of the Northern Kingdom is going south? Where did Li Yuhou get the news? Don't make random guesses! That Zhou Guo Wei once sent The emperor's words were very friendly. Moreover, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, we have never had any disputes with the Central Plains. How could there be a war?"
Li Yuan replied without hesitation: "Now that Guo Wei has just founded the country, there are still some rebellions in the country, so of course there is no time for him to take care of it. But I heard that before Guo Wei became emperor, all the young and old in his family were killed by the Han lord Liu Chengyou. He has an heir. And he has an adopted son at his knees, named Chai Rong. This man is both civilized and military, and he aspires to unify the world. If he ascends the throne and proclaims himself emperor one day, he will definitely march south with great force!"
"Chai Rong?" Zhou Zong's house had merchants from the North coming and going from time to time, and he was indeed somewhat impressed by this name. He then mused: "I have heard of this man. He is considered outstanding among the adopted sons of Guo Wei, and he is also quite popular among the people. Guo Wei has ascended to the throne and has concubines in the harem. If he gives birth to a son, Chai Rongke may not be able to inherit the throne!"
"I can't say more about the relationship here! After all, Guo Wei is nearly fifty, and he must have hidden problems after years of fighting. As for whether Chai Rong can succeed, I predict that it will be less than five years, Mr. Zhou can wait and see!"
Li Yuan thought silently in his heart, saying that five years was too much. Three years later, the ruthless man Chai Rong came to the throne. When the slogan "It takes ten years to develop the world, ten years to feed the people, and ten years to bring peace" came out, I'm afraid it was not for him. Scared you to death...
Zhou Zong still looked noncommittal and said suspiciously: "Let's put aside whether Chai Rong can succeed to the throne. Even if he becomes the emperor, he may not go south, right? All the countries in the world stand side by side, why do we send troops to the Tang Dynasty alone?"
Alas, the monarchs and ministers of the Southern Tang Dynasty were indeed too comfortable. In the second year after Chai Rong ascended the throne, your Yangzhou was gone...
But some words are still difficult to explain clearly. Li Yuan explained patiently: "Of course we, the Tang Dynasty, are not the only target. Sir, you might as well think about the current situation of the Zhou Kingdom. Since the loss of the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun, the Khitan Tiger Wolf has Sitting in a big position, the Zhou Kingdom has not long been established, so I will not dare to provoke it easily. As the saying goes, it is easy first and then difficult. If you can't go north, you must go south! Those who border the Zhou Kingdom are none other than Shu, Nanping and our Tang Dynasty.
The leader of the Shu Kingdom is mediocre and weak, but he can resist for a while due to natural dangers; Nanping is a small land, and defeat will be a matter of time sooner or later, needless to say; and we, the Tang Dynasty, occupy the Yangtze and Huaihe River, the country is rich and the people are prosperous, how can the Zhou Kingdom let it go? Pass? There are many powerful cavalry generals in the northern country. In an instant, they can flatten Huainan and drink from the Yangtze River! "
Zhou Zong said sternly and unceremoniously: "Even if the Zhou Kingdom goes south, our dynasty still has generals and soldiers who can fight! Why should we be afraid of him?"
Li Yuan secretly admired him. If it was true as the history books said, Zhou Zong was an unswervingly loyal minister from beginning to end, otherwise he would not have given his two daughters to Empress Li...
Thinking of his daughter, Li Yuan clapped his hands inexplicably excitedly and said: "Well, what a spirit! Sir, you are indeed a loyal minister who followed the late emperor! Our Tang Dynasty naturally has good generals, such as Liu Renzhan and Liu Dushi, but the person in charge is Chen I think those sycophants who bully the weak and fear the strong, how can they be useful no matter how many good generals they have? If the Northern Army sweeps down, what do you think Chen Jue and the others will do?"
"You mean, they will commit treason and surrender?!"
Li Yuan thought of the faces of Chen Jue's people and said with contempt: "It's not a big deal to surrender. After all, these people's families are still in the Tang Dynasty. Even if they want to surrender, they don't dare to do it. Zhou Guo doesn't like them either. !”
"Don't forget, Sir, these people are the best at understanding the Holy Heart. Your Majesty is fond of martial arts, so they will definitely take the lead in the battle! Chen Jue likes to be the military supervisor the most! As long as he doesn't die, it doesn't matter even if he is defeated, as above During the incident in Fujian, Chen Jue deceived the emperor and corrected the imperial edict, but his majesty only gave him a light sentence and was demoted. Soon he was reinstated. Therefore, in their eyes, even if the army was defeated and the territory was lost, as long as he lived, it would not matter. His majesty would not Heavy penalties.”
Zhou Zong was already gasping for snot, and shouted: "You are harming the country! The traitor is harming the country!"
Seeing Zhou Zong's indignant look, Li Yuan couldn't bear it. He wanted to tell this old man who was nearly seventy years old but still loyal that in a few years the Southern Tang Dynasty would face the defeat of ceding territory and paying compensation, but he still tentatively Revealed: "There is no need to be angry, sir! Xu has said before that our Tang Dynasty has natural dangers on the Yangtze River. Even if the Zhou soldiers march south, they will not be able to cross it. The country will not be overturned. At most, the fourteen states of Huainan will no longer be needed." .”
"Ahem! Huainan is the land where the late emperor lurked. It is rich and prosperous. It is the foundation of our Tang Dynasty. How can we give it to others!" (Note: Li Min, the founding emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty, was originally from Xuzhou. He was adopted by Wu Taizu Yang Xingmi in Haozhou when he was young. Later, he was adopted by Wu Taizu Yang Xingmi. Transferred to the powerful minister Xu Wen to be raised)
Li Yuan wisely held back, cupped his hands and said, "This is natural! It is said that you can predict the enemy first. It would be best if Huainan can be defended by good soldiers and generals!"
The topic was really heavy, and there was silence in the room for a long time, both of them thinking in their own states of mind.
For a moment, Zhou Zong seemed to relax a little, his face full of admiration: "I heard what Li Yuhou said today, I am sweating profusely, and I feel like I am sitting on pins and needles thinking about it! As Yuhou said, be prepared for danger in times of peace, so that our Tang Dynasty can be worry-free ! Please Li Yuhou to pay my respects to me!"
Li Yuan quickly waved his hand and refused: "Please get up, Mr. Zhou! Don't give such a big gift again! It seems that I have a good relationship with Mr. Zhou. I bought the Zhou family's house in Jinling City and chatted with you today. I am already satisfied. Got it!"
Zhou Zong suddenly said again: "I dare to ask about Li Yuhou's family affairs. Did he marry a wife and have children?"
Li Yuan didn't think much and answered truthfully: "I have just turned twenty and haven't gotten married yet."
"I have a daughter on my knees. She is only fifteen years old. Although she is the daughter of a stepmother, her appearance and character are still good. Oh, I should have seen my house when Marquis Yu bought it in Jinling. Is Marquis Yu interested?"
Does this mean you want to marry Emperor Zhou E to me? ? Li Yuan's heart suddenly jumped. He never thought that what he wanted would come so quickly. He glared and said, "Sir, this..."
Seeing Li Yuan choke on his words, Zhou Zong smiled calmly: "It doesn't matter, Li Yuhou can just speak out! I also know that my little girl has a more delicate temperament, so it is normal for Yuhou to dislike her."
Li Yuan was very anxious. How could I refuse? I was so excited that I couldn't speak! He hurriedly explained: "No, Mr. Zhou! I am from the countryside, how dare you dislike me? Miss Zhou is generous, beautiful, and well-versed in family affairs. She is the most beautiful woman in the world. I really admire you! I am just afraid, just afraid of the young lady. Don’t want to marry me!”
Zhou Zong's eyes lit up, he smiled so much that his forehead became several horizontal folds, and he nodded repeatedly: "Hey! Li Yuhou is a young hero, good at both civil and military skills, and his appearance, conduct, talent and knowledge are among the best among men! If Yuhou can take a fancy to him, That’s my little daughter’s high achievement! Li Yuhou, don’t worry, since ancient times, marriages have been ordered by the parents. I will send a letter immediately, and when Yuhou comes back, we can discuss the marriage. How about it? "
Li Yuan was flattered and exclaimed: "So fast?!"
Zhou Zong hurriedly slapped his forehead and replied: "Well, I didn't think it through well! Yu Hou can discuss it with his parents first, and then reply to me soon..."
When mentioning his parents, Li Yuan was silent, and then replied sincerely: "I lost my parents when I was young. This time I went to Chuzhou to take my adoptive mother to Jinling to enjoy her happiness. I must be able to marry a high-ranking family like the Zhou family. She has no objection!”
Zhou Zong showed more admiration, stood up and took Li Yuan's arm, and said enthusiastically: "Li Yuhou has become famous, but he never forgets the kindness of raising him! Well, it is a blessing for my little girl to marry Yuhou! If it is convenient for your Majesty, when Yuhou returns to Beijing and passes by Yangzhou, I will open the gate of Dingfu to welcome you, and the two families will discuss this matter!"
At this time, he was overjoyed. When Li Yuan thought of Zhou Ehuang's beautiful figure, he smiled from ear to ear: "Then thank Mr. Zhou, oh no, thank you father-in-law for your love!" At this time, somehow in his mind, A fourteen-year-old boy emerged, with a confused look on his face. It’s funny to think about it...
This guy is very clever! While Zhou Zong couldn't help but curse, he was also quite happy. He held Li Yuan's hand and said: "Okay, okay! Then the matter is settled! I never thought that at my age, I could get such a virtuous son-in-law. This life is not in vain. This life is not in vain!"
Today's trip was just a spur of the moment, but I never thought I would get such a big harvest! Not only was he appreciated by Zhou Zong, the founding father of the country, but he also unexpectedly gained the Emperor Zhou E that he had longed for!
Li Yuan unconsciously began to have feelings for him, but when they met for the first time in the other courtyard that day, there was some friction at first, but later he asked Qiu'er to send some maids as gifts, so his impression of him must not be much different. ? Will she be willing to marry me?
Seeing that he had stayed in the left-behind residence for a long time, if he didn't go out, Luo Erhu would probably come in and kill him. Li Yuan cupped his hands with satisfaction and said: "The father-in-law and son-in-law will leave first. A group of soldiers are still waiting at the inn. I have to go back as soon as possible and pick up my mother in Chuzhou as soon as possible!"
Now that we will soon become a family, Zhou Zong nodded sensibly and said: "I wanted to keep you here to talk for a while, but in that case, I won't delay you any longer! My dear son-in-law, I will see you off personally!"
Li Yuan smiled and said, "Then I'll have to thank my father-in-law!"
