The private courtyard is simple and not big, but it is extremely clean and tidy. The ground is not very flat. There is a jujube tree planted in the corner. There is a deep well beside the wall, which is covered by a manhole cover. Under the eaves, there are rows of bundles of firewood. Leaning against the earth wall. Several free-range chickens were pecking in the yard, lingering in the sound of "clucking" and the faint smell of chicken feces, Zhong Mo taught his two children.
In the past half month, although he still had to go to the city to set up a stall from time to time, Zhong Mo's life had become much better, and at least he had some peace of mind. The host's surname is Zhang. Although the couple is indispensable for their philistine shrewdness, they are still relatively kind-hearted, especially the woman, who is typically sharp-tongued and has a soft heart.
Old man Zhang is over 40 years old. He earns money to support his family by killing animals in a butcher shop. He wakes up early every day and works hard every day. With this job, I can sometimes get some meat and eat meat for my family.
The family moved from Hedong. The eldest son was originally a captain of the Tokyo Forbidden Army. He died in the battle against Du Chongwei that year. As soon as the eldest son died, the strongest pillar of the family was broken, and for the remaining family, old and young, it was like a thunderbolt.
At that time, the imperial court was financially strapped, and the pensions for the soldiers who died in the war, which were not much, were swallowed up. The only good thing is that Liu Chengyou, who was still the king of Zhou at the time, learned about a similar situation and directly punished the military officials responsible for the pension distribution. Only then did the Zhang family get the ten cents of money that their eldest son had sacrificed his life for.
In the spring of the third year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, Liu Chengyou ordered the Privy Council and the Sansi Yamen to reset the salary and pension of the imperial officers and soldiers. Thinking of the soldiers who died and were injured in the war for the country in the early days of the Republic of China, Liu Chengyou specifically ordered the Privy Council to check the old military records and double the original pension for the soldiers who were killed and injured in the early days. .
Liu Chengyou's move not only made the military morale happy, but also benefited families like the Zhang family, giving these people a little more trust in the emperor and the court. When listening to old man Zhang talking about this, Zhong Mo felt something else in his heart. Compared with the emperor of the Northern Han Dynasty, the pleasure-loving emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty was more than a round older, but the gap in ability and talent was too great. Great disparity.
Old Man Zhang's family has two children, a son and a daughter. The son is only ten years old and the daughter is not yet nine years old, but they have already begun to help with the housework. Zhong Mo had been an official in the Southern Tang Dynasty for many years, but it was also a long time since he had taught and educated people. He picked up his craft again and started teaching, but he also enjoyed it a little.
Zhang's mother made two simple sand trays to use as paper, and folded wattle sticks to make pens. It was simple and durable. This was a method that Zhong Modu had not thought of.
"The sky and the earth are dark and yellow, the primitive universe..."
What Zhong Mo taught was Thousand-Character Classics. During this period, he had already taught two hundred characters.
"That's it for today!" After listening to the two little guys reciting a passage, Zhong Mo nodded with great satisfaction. A poor family loves learning, and that's all.
"Thank you sir!" Upon seeing this, the two of them bowed politely.
As the sky gradually dimmed, Zhong Mo returned to his room and noticed at the door that the brother and sister carefully put away the "pen and paper". Then help, chop wood, fetch water, light a fire...
The sound of "bang bang bang" banging on the door disturbed the tranquility of the courtyard. The kitchen was filled with smoke and the aroma of rice was already emanating. Hearing the unusual noise, Zhong Mo walked out and looked at the two men who almost broke in. He is dressed in black with floral tucks, a picture of a dog embroidered on his arm, a knife on his waist, and a sharp gaze.
The child who opened the door was frightened by the two of them. The two of them had no scruples. They scanned the scene in the court and looked directly at Zhong Mo, who was dressed in simple and neat clothes: "Are you Zhong Mo?"
"Exactly! I wonder where the two officers came from?" Zhong Mo recognized that they were not officers from Kaifeng Mansion and couldn't help but ask.
Although Wude Si is famous, he has not yet reached the stage of ostentation. Therefore, Zhong Mo could not recognize the two Wude soldiers based on their clothes alone.
He glanced at Zhong Mo and saw that he looked poor, and said directly: "Yes, that's good! Come with us!"
"What can I ask?" Zhong Mo asked.
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, just come with us!"
Feeling helpless, Zhong Mo could only simply pack up, say hello to Zhang's mother, and follow him.
...
When he arrived at Wude Si, Zhong Mo was told that the emperor wanted to summon him. The original peaceful state of mind was suddenly destroyed. Zhong Mo arrived in Tokyo and lived a miserable life for nearly two months. It was obviously impossible to say that he was really willing to do this.
After settling down, I considered how to make a comeback and get out of the predicament, but I never made a decision. Now, with the sudden summons from Emperor Han, his mood became hot unconsciously. He had a hunch that this was a good opportunity for him and he must seize it.
This was not the first time for Zhong Mo to visit Chongzheng Hall. The last time he was sent as an envoy was before the war between the Han and Tang Dynasties. Now, as a civilian captive, he bowed down before the Han Emperor.
Liu Chengyou was still so aloof, holding a wude in his hand about Zhong Mo's situation during these days. His eyes were full of scrutiny, he looked at him and asked: "Zhong Mo, have you ever been used to living in Tokyo?" ?”
"Your Majesty, even though I have some porridge and side dishes, I am contented to be hidden in the busy city!" Zhong Mo looked calm, neither humble nor arrogant.
After hearing his answer, Liu Chengyou said: "Shilang Zhong, you are quite like a wise man!"
"Your Majesty, I am just a humble servant now. I dare not be called a minister!" Zhong Mo buried his head.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but laugh: "Li Jing has not dismissed you from your official position. You are still the envoy of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and you are just living in Kaifeng!"
Zhong Mo immediately said: "When small people come from the north, they become Han people!"
"The honor of a scholar-bureaucrat, a high-ranking official and a generous salary, wanders to Tokyo, has no food and clothing, is impoverished, and makes a living by writing essays. Don't you think it is an insult to being polite?" Liu Chengyou said.
"Your Majesty, I have been studying all year round and pride myself on my profound knowledge. However, after my experience in the market, I realized that my vision in the past was narrow. Poems and books govern politics, but mere talk harms the country. As Mencius said, it is hard on one's mind, straining one's muscles and bones, and starving one's body. Through personal experience and personal experience, I realized that it was just an affectation in the past..." Zhong Mo said.
"It seems that Mr. Zhong has had a lot of good experiences these days!" Liu Chengyou chuckled and said, "How do you feel about hiding in the market?"
Zhong Mo responded eloquently: "Firstly, the common people feel that His Majesty the Emperor is kind and good at governing the people; secondly, they feel that the laws and disciplines of the court are strict and measured; thirdly, they feel that the people in Tokyo are kind and honest, and their livelihood is not easy... .”
After hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou looked at Zhong Mo a few more times, sighed leisurely, and said, "Shilang Zhong, you have a lot more fireworks than before, but I feel very comfortable looking at you. If I take you as an official , Mu Shou will be a good minister!"
"Your Majesty has given too much praise, and the common people dare not take it!" Finally, Zhong Mo was moved.
"I wonder, Mr. Zhong, what do you think of the current situation in the world?" Liu Chengyou asked again, somewhat abruptly.
After hearing the question, Zhong Mo thought carefully for a while, raised his eyes and glanced at the emperor carefully, raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the common people thought that after the Huainan War, the Han Dynasty took all the land north of the Yangtze River, and the national power increased greatly. With your Majesty's advice, With wise strategies, good governance and military use, given time, we will be able to unify the world and rebuild the world!"
"Thank you for your good words!" Liu Chengyou seemed very happy. He looked at Zhong Mo and said, "Your family is all in Jinling, but now they are far apart. You must miss your family very much!"
Zhong Mo's face showed a little emotion, he sighed and said, "How can anyone not miss his family?"
Nodding, Liu Chengyou seemed very satisfied with Zhong Mo's attitude and said, "I plan to let you go back to Jinling and reunite with your family!"
Zhong Mo was a little dazed, with confusion in his eyes. According to his guess, if the Han Emperor wanted to use him, he would probably give him a position in Tokyo as a consultant on "Tang affairs".
Therefore, Zhong Mo was very surprised when he heard that Emperor Han wanted to return him to Jinling. Obviously aware of his doubts, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "You don't have to have doubts in your mind. I will let you go back to Jinling just to let you bring a letter to Li Jing."
"In addition, if you can continue to serve as an official in the Tang court, wouldn't you be able to better serve the Han Dynasty?" Liu Chengyou said with a somewhat erratic voice.
After saying this, Zhong Mo reacted completely and prostrated himself without hesitation: "I am willing to serve your Majesty!"
When Liu Chengyou used Zhong Mo, he intended to use him as Qin Hui. Of course, if he could follow it, there would be another kind of narrative in the Qing Shi Dan Book after the Great Unification...
