When he walked out of Chengguo Mansion, Zhuang Xun looked confused as to whether he should stay or not.
"Stay, don't worry, I'll stay too."
Li Rusi's words still lingered in her ears.
If you are unsure about something, go home and ask your wife.
Thinking back to how Si Qin Mi blamed herself, she would be very sad if she made the wrong choice again.
Think about it carefully first, and you can't put all the responsibility on Si Qinmi.
With this idea in mind, Zhuang Xun, who was not interested in crossing the road, wandered aimlessly on the street.
After the rebellion of King Xihe, there were fewer refugees, and most people sought advantages and avoided disadvantages.
Walking on the slightly empty streets, I felt lonely and wanted to go home and enjoy the warm embrace of my wife.
Walking through the tailor shop, thinking that Si Qinmi had agreed to buy clothes for herself, she touched her money bag. One tael of silver was not enough, or it was enough, but Zhuang Xun wanted to buy something better.
"Should I go or not? Should I stay?" I started thinking about whether to stay or not.
In terms of intelligence, he believed that Mrs. Jiang would not lie to him. Emotionally, he felt that Li Rusi was doing it for her own good, which was really confusing.
"Sir, do you want to tell your fortune?" He has an immortal spirit, a long white beard, and a Taoist robe. He looks like a god.
Unconsciously walking to the fortune-telling stall, he had the urge to toss a coin, but was stopped by the fortune-telling Taoist priest.
If it were in the past, Zhuang Xun would definitely not be able to tell fortunes. Just kidding, what could he do with this money?
But after accepting the setting of the King of Wheels coming back from the dead, fortune telling no longer feels like it was a money trick with words as before.
"How many per hanging?" Zhuang Xun was moved and stopped. His heart was still in confusion, and he didn't have a definite number.
"Five pennies per post." The old Taoist priest smiled kindly, and Zhuang Xun felt a little fond of him.
Five coins was not much, so Zhuang Xun was moved, so he thought it would be charity.
"Then let me ask the master to tell the fortune." Zhuang Xun stood in front of his booth.
The old Taoist fortune teller took out several copper plates and lined them up in a row.
"What does the donor want to calculate?"
The old Taoist smiled and held the copper coins in his palm.
"The future." Zhuang Wen wanted to ask whether he should stay or stay, but he felt that it would not be good to be too direct.
"A gentleman works hard all day long and is vigilant at night. There is no fault." The old Taoist said to Zhuang Xun after reading the hexagram.
"It's the Qian hexagram. The benefactor has a bright future, like a virtuous gentleman. The benefactor is like a rising dragon. As long as he restrains himself and returns to courtesy, there will be no fault."
Looking at the hexagram, the old Taoist continued to compliment.
"Is that so?" He said it very vaguely, but Zhuang Xun had a vague answer.
It’s not that you, the donor, have routines like bloody disasters, but you can still trust him to a certain extent.
"I see that the benefactor has strong luck and is in Jinyun. He is about to achieve success and be promoted to an official position. Why are you worried about your future and destiny? Is it because you are not satisfied with your official position?" The old Taoist asked with some doubts.
"No, the Taoist priest is also very powerful. It can be seen that I am about to be awarded an official, but for me, there are other paths to choose, so I am hesitant." Zhuang Xun said hesitantly.
"Other countries are recruiting donors, or the donors have other ambitions." The old man smiled and stroked his beard.
"Recruit from other countries. We can't last long in the Yu Kingdom. Now I'm hesitating whether to give up the official title and seek self-protection, or hold the official title to realize my ideal and repay my defeat." Zhuang Xun said with a tangled face.
At present, the start of the Yu State has been perfect. Jiedu is the right envoy, and he is in charge of military power. If the operation is good, he can directly start fighting for hegemony.
But the prerequisite is to give time to operate, even if it is a year, to promote, arrange, suppress, and complete the control of personnel.
As Youguo conquered many passes, everything became the moon in the water and the fish in the dream, visible but hard to touch.
"It depends on the donor's ambition?" Facing Zhuang Xun's vague inquiry, Lao Dao pointed to the essence of the problem.
"Did I lose my revenge?" Zhuang Xun looked around at the street. There were sparse crowds of people, mixed with some people in ragged clothes.
"I hope that the people under the rule will be clothed all year round, well fed, and will not suffer from displacement." With more people encouraging him, Zhuang Xun no longer felt ashamed when he said this.
It can not only earn merit, but also satisfy the compassion of his time travellers. This is his response to everyone.
"What an incredible ambition, donor." The old Taoist's eyes widened, because he judged that Zhuang Xun's words were true. If Zhuang Xun really thought that, it would be extraordinary.
This kind of ambition may seem futile to modern people, just to have enough food to eat, but as everyone knows, people have enough food to eat only in recent decades.
"I think it's normal. It's nothing special. Shouldn't officials take it as their duty to benefit the people? If the people don't have enough to eat, how can we benefit one place?" Zhuang Xun felt that he had constrained himself by the minimum requirements. That’s modern thinking.
"Most of them take it as their own duty to make money. It is the blessing of the people of Yu State that the donors can think so." The old Taoist priest knows the Yu State too well. When you talk about the people with these guys who are eating a vegetarian meal, they ask you what does it do to them when the people are full. The good thing is that they are not emperors, so they have no control over the lives of so many people.
"Maybe, I want to change this situation, but now I feel that I can't stay in the Yu Kingdom." In the last dynasty, it is unrealistic to find dedicated officials. We can expect that the base will be large, and there will be one or two special cases. As a special case, if you want to realize this ambition, you cannot have one or two honest officials.
"Is it because of the political enemies? I can't stand their persecution. According to the hexagram, there is no danger, as long as the donor is careful." The old Taoist didn't want to see such a good man give up on the Yu State. He had feelings for the Yu State.
"No, I'm afraid of fighting with political opponents. Even if I'm an official, I still have to conflict with my superiors when I go home to farm. Let alone being an official. It would be nice to defeat them, but if the entire external environment is gone, these fights will disappear. It makes sense." Zhuang Xun said cryptically.
After all, the old Taoist is not someone like Li Rusi who saved his life, so there is no need to tell him too much.
"Is that so?" The old Taoist understood and smiled at Zhuang Xun's hesitation.
"Why is Taoist Master laughing?" Zhuang Xun didn't know why.
"The donor is worried that the breach of Chengdie Pass will destroy the Yu Kingdom, right?" The old Taoist said directly what Zhuang Xun was thinking.
"Taoist Priest, how could you..." You know, did I leak anything?
Zhuang Xun looked at the old Taoist in surprise. Whether it was divination or speaking skills, being able to know this showed that the old Taoist's ability was really great.
"Lao Tao understands the benefactor's worries, but the Yu Kingdom will not be destroyed for the time being. The benefactor can stay and display his ambitions." Lao Tao did not use ambiguous words anymore, but gave an affirmative reply.
"Taoist Priest, can I ask why?" Zhuang Xun lacked a reason to convince himself. Li Rusi asked himself to believe her, but did not give a reason. He could only believe emotionally.
"The old Taoist doesn't know about war or politics. The old Taoist only knows about the destiny of the country. The Chengduiguan Pass was broken, but the national destiny of the Yu Dynasty is still stable, which shows that the impact is not very big." The impact of the emperor's suicide has not been great.
"The destiny of the country?" Can something as illusory as this be used as evidence?
"The national destiny is more real than anything else. The rising national destiny envelopes the imperial capital like colorful clouds. The declining national destiny is like rainy dark clouds. Now the national destiny of the Yu Dynasty is like white cumulus clouds, extremely stable."
Looking back, after the longevity banquet, the country returned to normal operation without major conflicts. It also suppressed the rebellion of King Xihe and frightened all the princes who were ready to make a move.
"The destiny of the Yu State is stable?" Zhuang Xun didn't believe it, but seeing the old Taoist's solemn appearance, it was hard to say directly. He thought that the Yu State looked like it was in ruins, and it was only natural disasters and man-made disasters.
"The bad is bad, the decadent is decadent, but it cannot be destroyed for the time being. This is the current situation of the Yu State." When the leader that maintains the national destiny of the Yu State is gone, then maybe a natural disaster is really coming.
"That's true. We haven't reached the last straw yet. I don't know if Youguo can do it." Zhuang Xun nodded. At present, the people can still tolerate it. After all, it is a good year and they can barely survive.
"The defeat of Chengdie Pass did not affect the fate of the country, which means that the You Kingdom cannot destroy the Yu Kingdom." The old Taoist persuaded.
"There is no danger to defend the plains east of Hedong. The Youguo army has marched straight in." Zhuang Xun has heard this sentence countless times, and now it is his turn to say it.
"Donors, the old way is just to analyze based on what you have learned. If you listen, you will believe it. If you don't listen, you will not believe it. But for the donor, you should choose carefully, follow your heart, be vigilant every day, and with the virtue of the donor, no matter where you are. The country will be respected." The old man straightened his face and said seriously.
"I understand, thank you Taoist Priest." Zhuang Xun smiled. The other person was just a metaphysic. He pinned the answer to the question on metaphysics, and he was stunned.
He took out a five-cent coin and put it on the table. Zhuang Xun thanked him and said, "Thank you, Taoist Priest, for your prediction. Thank you."
"You're welcome, I hope it can help Jiedu clear up his doubts." The old Taoist accepted the copper plate.
Zhuang Xun turned around and walked away. After taking two steps, he realized that the other party's address to him was wrong. He turned around and saw that there was any Gua stall there, but the place where the old Taoist was was empty.
Have you met a god?
"Are you serious at night?" Zhuang Xun thought about these words and walked towards home.
Two people in a row said they would stay, and Zhuang Xun made a decision.
The old divination expert was in the attic nearby. He was now wearing purple clothes and purple robes, and he had returned to the state master's attire.
"A unicorn among men, well fed and under control, is really an incredible vision." Feeling about Zhuang Xun's ambition, Ge Tan stroked his beard.
"Let the old Taoist help you again. I hope you can make the right decision." There is no luck that is so magical. I just know that the Chengyu Allied Forces have not been dispatched yet, and I know what General Li Pingyuan of Chengguo is planning.
Turning into a wisp of blue smoke and flying towards the palace, this was his privilege as the national advisor of Yu State, and it was also the power given to him by King Yu.
"Is the Imperial Master here?" It was obvious that King Yu was a little happy.
He was looking at the chrysanthemums growing on Shoushan Jade. There was no sunlight, just candlelight, but the chrysanthemums were still in full bloom.
"Your Majesty is in a good mood. He was not affected by the attack on Chengdie Pass. The chrysanthemums are blooming well." Ge Tan said with a chuckle.
"The Forbidden Army has not suffered any losses, nor has the Chengguo Army suffered any losses. It should be General Li's plan." King Yu also received the news yesterday. Normally, it would take several days for the news to be delivered quickly or by birds of prey. Obviously, Jiang Xiancuo and King Yu both Used abnormal methods.
"It's such a bold decision to give up Chengdie Pass. Isn't General Li famous for his stable style of play?" Ge Tan said with emotion.
He didn't believe it when he heard that Chengdie Pass had been captured at first. He had already known that Li Pingyuan was no longer in Yindu and should have arrived at the front line long ago. How could such a steady veteran command allow Chengdie Pass to be breached? , and the forbidden army of Yu State also rushed to help.
"The Cheng Kingdom does not have the "unity" of our Yu Kingdom. The voices of the warring faction and the peace faction have always been there. If we cannot seek a quick victory, General Li will probably have a hard time explaining to the country." King Yu saw clearly. He has always seen it clearly, but he just has no ability to change it.
"No wonder we can only use dangerous tactics. This way, we can expel the Youguo people from the land of Xihe as soon as possible." Ge Tan understood. Every family has its own scriptures that are difficult to recite. Chengguo seems to be stable, and the government is clearer than Yuguo. Some, but King Cheng was obsessed with practicing Taoism and ignored political affairs. If he wanted to achieve something, he had to compromise with the entire bureaucracy.
"The people of Youguo have left, and the people of Chengguo may not be able to leave." King Yu sneered, looking at the jade stone on Shoushan Mountain with his hands behind his back.
"Your Majesty means so." Ge Tan smiled bitterly.
"It's not interesting. There is always a price to pay to drive away the Youguo people, either in Hebei or Hexi." King Yu had already accepted the result, but he felt a little unhappy.
"It's really abominable for people from the Cheng Kingdom to take advantage of the situation and rob them." Ge Tan said angrily, blowing his beard and staring. He also knew that he was just unhappy with King Yu.
"The people of Youguo want to subjugate the country, but the people of Chengguo just want to cut off their flesh, so they can still accept it." Some people sympathized, and King Yu's mentality became better.
"That's true. Chengguo people will not give up until they tear off a piece of flesh." Ge Tan's expression became helpless. The other party could not help unconditionally, not even if his lips were broken and his teeth were cold.
"Anyway, it will only be lost to those unworthy descendants a few years later, sooner or later." King Yu suddenly became indifferent when he mentioned his descendants.
"..." Ge Tan also fell silent.
"How come there is no one? The smarter ones imitate me in a decent way." King Yu felt like he hated iron for not being able to become steel, and he was more disappointed than anything else.
You also know that you are learning, and you also know that what you did is not a good thing, right?
Ge Tan stood aside, speechless, but King Yu had given up long ago and had persuaded him enough. He was no longer in the mood to persuade.
"Master, which prince do you think can inherit the throne?" King Yu was thinking about his death.
"I don't know." The old Taoist still wants to be a human being in his next life. These people have reached the Dabao because of my advice. In the next life, the old Taoist will go to the animal realm.
"I won't embarrass you anymore. It's too embarrassment for these crooked melons and split jujubes to choose." King Yu is also self-aware, and the imperial master does not dare to suggest that he understands.
"Master, you came to me to ask about the fall of Chengdie Pass, right?" King Yu got to the point. The master rarely came to him because the master didn't like him. He felt ashamed when he saw the master. To avoid embarrassment for both parties, there will be less contact.
"It's about Zhuang Xiaolian." The relationship between the Imperial Master and Prince Yu doesn't need to be too convoluted.
"It's a pity not to let him become the left minister of the household department, but he has been compensated by using the right minister of Jiedu. He is only twenty-three years old and already has a very high position." King Yu thought to himself that he regarded Zhuang Xun. He was promoted exceptionally, and of course Zhuang Xun also met his standards for talented and righteous people.
"Is it inappropriate for Your Majesty to push a child into a place where wolves, insects, tigers and leopards gather without protecting him?" Ge Tan asked.
"What do you mean, Imperial Master?" The emperor didn't understand.
"Zhuang Xiaolian came from a humble background and served as the right envoy of Jiedu in Hebei Province. He was a vicious robber on the road and the officials of Hebei Province were fierce. How can he survive as an ordinary person?" Ge Tan asked King Yu in return.
"Isn't he related to Mrs. Jiang from Chengguo? Are you still afraid of this?" King Yu smiled with deep meaning.
"How big is the connection? How much do you believe, Your Majesty? How will Mrs. Jiang affect the situation in Hebei Province?" Ge Tan asked three times in a row, leaving King Yu speechless.
"What do you want, Imperial Master?" King Yu has an advantage, that is, he is not stubborn and he changes quickly.
"His Majesty doesn't need it anyway. Let's send a few thousand forbidden troops to accompany him to Hebei Province to assist in the defense." Ge Tan said in a relaxed tone.
"How many thousand? My own son has never given so much. One thousand cannot be more." Prince Yu bargained subconsciously. Ge Tan was right. Zhuang Xun was not from a wealthy family, so it was really dangerous to take office alone.
Then he met Ge Tan's old but kind eyes. Before Ge Tan could speak, King Yu remembered what he had done over the years, and he sighed deeply when he remembered that he had asked Ge Tan to protect Dizhuang Xun again.
"Two thousand, he can't afford to support more people. Give him some silver rewards so that he can be more comfortable. Two thousand forbidden troops are enough for him to not be constrained by the big clans in Hebei Province." The emperor compromised.
"Then I would like to thank Your Majesty for Xiaolian." Ge Tan bowed his hands in salute without changing his expression.
"Two thousand, double the profit."
