In a quiet courtyard of the ancestral home in Jinzhou City, Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, heard that the arrow hit by his ancestor Dashou was suspected to be a dirty arrow commonly used by Tatars, and he couldn't help but feel panic.
He looked at Zu Dashou with concern in his eyes, and even his voice trembled slightly when he spoke: "Uncle, how could this happen?"
Wu Sanguixuan even remembered that when he was having a banquet with Zhang Cheng in Ningyuan, he had heard him talk about the raid in Chang'an Mountain. It seemed that he had been hit by a dirty arrow from a thief, but he was lucky enough to meet a local miracle doctor and saved his life.
He didn't have time to think before he said: "Uncle, don't worry, Sangui suddenly remembered a person who can cure the sores of this dirty arrow."
Before Zu Dashou could react, Uncle Zhong next to him asked with surprise: "Uncle, is this true?"
As Uncle Zhong spoke, he quickly stepped forward, grabbed Wu Sangui's sleeve, and said hurriedly: "Quick, hurry up...send someone to call him over and treat the old commander's arrow sores."
"I want to invite you!" Zu Dashou, who was lying on the bed, said in a deep voice.
I heard Zu Dashou's slightly weak voice continue: "Uncle Chang, where do you think this person is now? Is he close or far from here?"
After all, it was a major matter related to his life and death. Zu Dashou did not dare to be confused. He first corrected the mistake in Uncle Zhong's words. Although it was just a word difference, the meaning of the words was "a slight difference, a thousand miles away". "Yes.
At this time, Zu Dashou was more concerned about this doctor. Where was he? Is he far or near from him?
In fact, it doesn't matter whether you use "call", "please", or "tie". It's just a change in name. The most important thing is whether you can find him and how close he is to you.
Zu Dashou still believes in his own strength. As long as he has this person and can find him, no matter he is in Liaodong or somewhere else, he can invite him to his home to heal his arrow sores. .
However, if the doctor is far away from him, even if he really invites him to his home, Zu Dashou is afraid that he will not be able to wait for that day.
When Wu Sangui saw that his uncle was also concerned, he immediately said: "Uncle, when my eldest uncle was in Ningyuan, he heard from Zhang Chengyan that he was also shot with dirty arrows by thieves in Xuanfu. Fortunately, a local gentleman with superb medical skills allowed him to stay. Get life.”
He continued: "Commander Zhang of the Xuan Mansion is stationed by the Xiaoling River, not far from my nephew's station. I will return to the camp and go to Zhang Cheng's station in person to inquire about the matter in detail. I must ask for a miracle doctor to come. Please don't be anxious, uncle, and just wait for the good news."
Zu Dashou couldn't help but look a little disappointed when he heard this. He knew his situation well. If he went to Xuan Mansion to ask for help, he would have to go back and forth hundreds of miles, and the road was not clean. How could he come quickly?
But I heard Uncle Zhong, an old servant on the side, say: "It's so good...very good...such a person...General Zhang of the Xuan Mansion...I must take him with me. Uncle, go quickly, don't delay any more."
Not only Zu Dashou became more confident after hearing this, but Wu Sangui was also full of confidence. He immediately said: "Uncle, please wait a moment. My nephew will go to the Xuanfu military camp. We must invite this miracle doctor."
"slow!"
Although Zu Dashou's voice was soft, it was extremely majestic. Wu Sangui immediately stopped where he was and turned to look at him. I wonder what instructions he had?
"Gui'er, no matter how things go when you go this time, you must remember one thing."
When Wu Sangui heard the sound, he immediately stopped and replied: "My nephew has written it all down. Zhang Cheng and my nephew have some friendship. I think this trip will go very smoothly. Please be at ease, uncle."
Zu Dashou nodded, then waved for Wu Sangui to come over. When he came closer, he whispered softly: "Guier, that Zhang Cheng is about the same age as you, and his foundation is not as deep as yours, but he can The Xuanfu overpowered a group of veteran generals to become the commander-in-chief of a town, which is indeed an extraordinary talent."
He stopped at this point, took a breath, and then continued: "I won't say whether your trip went smoothly, but there is one thing you need to remember. You must have a good relationship with Zhang Cheng."
Zu Dashou looked at Wu Sangui, his eyes full of expectation, and continued: "Don't bully Zhang Cheng. Although he is a few years younger than you, he has the unfailing favor of the saints and the favor of my soldiers." , and what’s even more rare is that he is deeply loved by the soldiers and horses of Xuanzhen.
I think that his future achievements will not only be in Xuanfu. You must remember to make good friends with him and make him a powerful foreign aid. You must not make enemies with him and only add a strong enemy outside. "
Wu Sangui thought for a moment after hearing this, and then replied calmly: "My nephew knows, please don't worry, uncle."
Zu Dashou nodded with some difficulty, and then said: "Gui'er, I'm afraid my uncle won't be able to survive this. Looking at everyone in the generation of my nephew, you are the only one who can be made good.
I have tried my best to cultivate you over the years, and now you have been appreciated by Governor Hong and have taken you under my sect. However, the relationships in the capital must also be maintained with all my strength, and remember not to be slack or negligent in the slightest. "
"Don't worry, uncle, my nephew will keep all of today's teachings in mind, and he won't dare to neglect them in the slightest."
Wu Sangui was deeply moved after hearing what his uncle Zu had said about his birthday. He hurriedly expressed his position and then advised: "Uncle, Liaodong cannot live without our ancestors for a day, but our ancestors' family cannot live without our uncle for a day. I hope that uncle will have a good life and recover, nephew." I will definitely invite the miraculous doctor to cure my uncle's arrow sore."
When Zu Dashou heard what Wu Sangui said, he felt a little comforted in his heart. He sighed that his love for him was not in vain. Thinking of this, he said to Wu Sangui: "Most of my old bones have been buried in the earth." Inside, no big deal.
The only ones you can't let go of are your aunt and your mother. As for these incompetent boys under your knees, it seems that you can't expect anything from them. However, my uncle has high expectations for you, Guier. "
When Zu Dashou said this, his eyes suddenly brightened up. He then said to Wu Sangui: "I have compiled a letter and sent it to Governor Hong to recommend you as the commander-in-chief of Liaodong. With your military exploits in this battle with the slaves, plus With the help of some money, this matter is a foregone conclusion and there will be no more changes."
When he said this, he changed the topic and continued: "It is not easy for my ancestral family to be what it is today in Liaodong. This is the hard work of several generations of ancestors. Now my ancestral Wu family is not only a family friend, but also a close relative. What's more, Really one.”
There was an extremely complicated expression in Zu Dashou's eyes. He looked at Wu Sangui and continued: "Uncle, my uncle has asked Dacheng, Dabi, and Dalue to support you and help you preside over Liaodong from now on." military."
Wu Sangui was so smart, how could he not understand the meaning of Zu Dashou's words, as if he was explaining the funeral arrangements, which made him feel sad.
But Zu Dashou's words not only entrusted the entire Liaodong generals to him, but also contained a hint of threat. You Wu Sangui can preside over the military affairs of Liaodong, but you must not do anything detrimental to the ancestors' family.
Although there are no particularly outstanding figures among the brothers Dacheng, Dabi, and Dale of the ancestor family, as well as the descendants and nephews, but they are not good at taking charge of the overall situation, does it mean that they cannot move you, Wu Sangui?
The meaning of Zu Dashou's words is already very obvious. The Zu family is willing to support Wu Sangui to succeed Zu Dashou, take charge of all affairs of Liaodong generals, and become the new master of Liaodong.
However, there is a prerequisite implicit in this, which is to give priority to ensuring all the interests of the ancestor family in Liaodong without allowing any damage. Only in this way can the Zu and Wu families join forces and continue to control the military in Liaodong.
Wu Sangui naturally understood the meaning of Zu Dashou's words clearly, but he had no room for change and could only accept it silently.
Although Wu Sangui is now praised as the leader of the Liaodong military circle, which implies that Zu Dashou is second, in fact, all this is caused by Zu Dashou himself controlling the situation behind the scenes.
Zu Dashou spent his entire life in the military. After the defeat at Dalinghe, he began to plan for the future of his family. Seeing that there were no outstanding talents among his descendants, he set his sights on his nephew Wu Sangui. On the body.
Since then, Zu Dashou has focused on cultivating Wu Sangui and deliberately tempering his will, which can be regarded as a test for him. In fact, he has already drafted Wu Sangui as his successor in his heart.
In fact, this tradition exists among the warlords at the end of each dynasty. In their later years, each generation of old warlord leaders will look for a reliable successor for themselves, so that the vested interests of their family can be passed down smoothly.
The only difference is that those forces have already taken shape and only respect the central dynasty on the surface, while secretly the warlord forces that have completely separated from the control of the central dynasty will most likely choose their successors among their own sons.
Of course, there is no lack of selecting outstanding people among nephews and nephews as their heirs to serve as guardians of the interests of the entire family.
Just like Zu Dashou, although it can be regarded as a warlord force, it is at the forefront of the war. On one side is a powerful enemy, and on the other side is the orthodox dynasty that holds moral principles.
Although he is already similar to a prince, he is caught between the two powers. It is still extremely difficult for him to survive. If he wants to fight against the Manchu cavalry, he cannot do without the money and food support of the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, no matter who succeeds as the commander-in-chief of Liaodong and becomes the leader of the next generation of generals in Liaodong, he must be recognized by the Ming Dynasty.
And this requires time and money to operate. Although neither the Zu family nor the Wu family are the main ones who are short of money, and they both have quite a lot of connections in Beijing, this is not difficult.
But Zu Dashou had his own ideas. He knew how powerful the Tatars were, and he had suffered many losses at their hands. Especially this time, he almost lost his life at the hands of slave thieves.
Therefore, Zu Dashou believed that the future leader of Liaodong generals must not be a mediocre talent!
Originally, he only regarded Wu Sangui as an alternative and deliberately cultivated him, but now that he was infected with the dirty arrows of slave thieves, and he didn't know how long he had left to live, he made his final decision.
Today, Zu Dashou was actually explaining the funeral arrangements. He first expressed his kindness to his nephew Wu Sangui, and then emphasized that he had ordered brothers such as Dacheng, Dabi, and Dalue of the Zu family to support him, which can be regarded as a combination of kindness and power.
Wu Sangui's heart was as bright as a mirror, and he could only see him choking with a sad expression: "Uncle, please don't talk like this. When Gui'er goes to the Xuanfu army to find the miracle doctor and comes, he will definitely be able to cure the arrow sores for my uncle.
In charge of Liaodong's military affairs, I still have to rely on my uncle. "
Zu Dashou just smiled softly when he heard this. He raised his hand with great difficulty, waved to Uncle Zhong next to him and said, "Call Da Bi to come in."
After a while, Liaodong deputy general Zu Dabi pushed in the door. Although this man was nicknamed "Zu Er Madman", he could not get crazy at all in front of his eldest brother Zu Dashou.
"Commander."
Zu Dabi cupped his fists and saluted politely.
But Zu Dashou didn't take it seriously. He waved his hand casually and said: "Everyone in the house is my own family, so it doesn't have to be like this."
He then added: "Da Bi, I'm afraid my brother may not be able to survive..."
"Brother, please don't say such depressing words. We haven't been through any big storms in recent years, so why is it that it won't work this time?"
Zu Dabi directly interrupted his brother's words, and he continued: "Brother, don't be anxious. I will go to the governor's residence to ask Governor Hong right now. If that doesn't work, I will go directly to the capital and capture the best doctor for him." Can cure this damn arrow sore."
Zu Dashou knew that he had deep brotherhood, so he did not blame him for being rude, but just waved his hand to signal Zu Dashou not to continue talking.
After Zu Dabi shut up, Zu Dashou said again: "I know my own body best. Now is not the time to talk about it."
He continued: "I have recommended Gui'er to Governor Hong to succeed Liu Zhaoji as the commander-in-chief of Liaodong Army. He happens to have military achievements in aiding Jin Dynasty, so there won't be any hindrance.
Da Bi, you brothers must serve me from now on. Everything about my ancestral family in Liaodong will be decided by Gui'er alone. As an elder, you must support Gui'er to secure the position of commander-in-chief of Liaodong. "
Zu Dashou looked at Zu Dabi who looked unhappy, and continued to persuade patiently: "Yesterday, I told you that my ancestral family and the Wu family are one in Liaodong. They both prosper and suffer. Do you still remember?"
"Brother, I remember it," Zu Dabi replied.
"Just remember."
Zu Dashou's face suddenly darkened and he said to him: "Since you know that our Zu and Wu families are one and the same, with the same origin, you should know that what I said today is for the eternal plan of the Zu and Wu families. Why are you still so unwilling?"
"Brother, Da Bi knew he was wrong." Seeing his brother angry, Zu Da Bi couldn't help but feel frightened.
Seeing him like this, Zu Dashou said warmly: "Since you know your mistake, you can understand my deep meaning, which comforts my heart. Although you are known as the 'Second Madman', you are actually a rough and subtle person. You are more thoughtful than Dacheng and Dalue, and I am the most at ease with you among them.
Now that I know your brother's feelings, you should share my worries. From now on, I must help Gui'er well, protect hundreds of thousands of lives in Liaodong, and protect the century-old foundation of my ancestral home, the Wu family. "
Zu Dabi replied: "Yes. Dabi knows, brother, please rest assured."
Zu Dashou felt satisfied when he saw that the expression on his face did not look fake, and then he said to Wu Sangui: "Gui'er, go ahead and talk to Zhang Cheng of the Xuan Mansion.
This son is also a hero-like figure. It is still unknown what his future will be. There is no need to offend him, but it is good to make friends with him. No matter what he does in the future, it is not a bad thing for me, Liaodong. "
"Guier knows."
Wu Sangui stood up and saluted, saying: "Uncle, please rest and recuperate. Gui'er will go to the Xuanfu army. Everything will be resolved after Gui'er comes back!"
