Almost an hour after the news from the mirror was sent to Chang'an, several riders rushed into Zhou's house.
"Urgent report from Northern Xinjiang!"
The knight on horseback looked anxious, "Is Alang here?"
"Here!" The steward came out and said, "Come with me."
Zhou Qin walks the birds in the yard.
"Alang," the steward said, "There is someone coming from northern Xinjiang. Please report urgently."
"Aning?" Zhou Qin frowned, "Call me."
The messenger came in and saluted, "Alang, Princess Ningcheng went to Northern Xinjiang, and Liao Jin followed her."
Zhou Qin was carrying the bird cage, and the birds were chirping inside, feeling contented.
Suddenly, the bird folded its wings and became silent.
Zhou Qin threw it casually, and the bird cage flew over and happened to be hung on the hook.
"Zitai has become the lord of Northern Xinjiang! Chang'an is going crazy!"
Zhou Qin thought for a while and said, "Dalang must have got the news. He is in Zhongshu, but it is difficult to talk at the moment. By the way, is the batch of food prepared for Zitai last time ready?"
The steward said: "It's still a little worse."
"Send him away immediately, the sooner the better!"
"yes."
"Let our people keep an eye on the palace."
"yes."
"Tightening the security at home, all the chess pieces found in the past have been cleared away, leaving no one behind!"
"yes!"
The Zhou family has moved.
In the afternoon, the Zhou family's guards went out everywhere and arrested more than 20 people.
"Kill them all!"
Zhou Qin is drinking tea.
He casually said to Yang Songcheng who was sitting opposite: "The house is big and there are a lot of snakes and rats. We have to clean it up every once in a while, which is very troublesome."
There are people from the Yang family here.
It is normal for aristocratic families to place people everywhere. Even their allies, the Chunyu family and the Yang family, have planted many secret agents.
This has nothing to do with friend or foe, it is just an instinct.
Yang Songcheng took a sip of tea and said, "I came to Zhou's house many years ago, and it was also in this room. At that time, you were still young and high-spirited.
Time is like water, fleeting and never coming back, you are old."
"I don't need to worry, I'm still eighteen." Zhou Qin smiled, "Look at you, your hair is much grayer."
"People in the Tang Dynasty looked down on the Southern Zhou emperor and said he was weak, but he was forced by his officials to say what he said. It is really stupid to share the world with the scholar-bureaucrats."
Yang Songcheng said sarcastically: "But isn't this the case in the Tang Dynasty? The emperor and the aristocratic families share the same world, but they just don't say it. Over the years, the five surnames of the family have always stood firm. Why?"
He clenched his fists, "It's because we are united as one that we can make the emperor bow his head."
When the Tang Dynasty was founded, Emperor Gaozu also thought about monopolizing power, but he only gave it a try. The secret counterattack forced him to bow his head, and then abdicated and became the Supreme Emperor.
Yang Songcheng shook his head, "Times have changed. At that time, the Wang family was the first to break away from the five surnames in the family, followed by the Zhou family. Have you ever thought about what the emperor might be like if the five surnames in the family still stay together?"
"So, the prince is naturally in Yang's possession?" Zhou Qin sneered.
Yang Songcheng said sincerely: "The five surnames of the family are one body. How has the Yang family ever left anyone behind in so many years?"
"That's right! The family is getting stronger, but the five surnames are getting weaker." Zhou Qin felt that Yang Songcheng was really not a good lobbyist, "Tell me your purpose! In fact, I know it even if you don't tell me, but you want to persuade the Zhou family to alienate Yang Xuan?"
Everyone is born in the year of the Weasel. Who will go to the Three Treasures Hall if nothing happens?
Wouldn't it be delicious to catch a chicken?
Moreover, as the leader of the aristocratic family, Yang Songcheng would not pay a visit to the rebellious Zhou family if there was no important matter?
Yang Songcheng looked calm and said indifferently: "When Zhou's daughter married Yang Xuan, I didn't take it seriously. I felt that no matter what, the daughter of my family should not marry someone from the mountains."
There are rules for marriage among aristocratic families, and most of them are settled internally, that is, the five surnames of the family intermarry with each other. Those with the next highest rank intermarry with the powerful.
"At first, I thought that this son could only be a governor at best. Today, I must admit that I underestimated him. This son is like a fish in water in Northern Xinjiang. After several ups and downs, he actually took charge of Northern Xinjiang. Did you know that after I learned the news?
What’s your mood?”
Yang Songcheng paused with his teacup on the table, "I almost threw the teacup away, hahahaha!"
The head of an aristocratic family, who was known for being immovable, was so shocked by the news that he almost dropped his tea cup, and it made people laugh when it spread.
Yang Songcheng smiled happily and gasped for a while: "I'm just asking this once, disconnect! Is it okay?"
He stared at Zhou Qin, "This is the overall situation! You know who is behind me."
The emperor, the Chunyu family... and a large number of aristocratic families, powerful and powerful people.
"Yang Xuan's suppression of powerful powerful people in northern Xinjiang has aroused dissatisfaction among powerful powerful people from all over the country. He is digging his own grave. Do you want to be buried with him, Mr. Zhou?"
Yang Songcheng's voice became stern.
"Your voice is too loud. It reminds me of a chamberlain in the palace."
Zhou Qin looked at Yang Songcheng, "Once the Zhou family disobeys, will the Yang family join forces with other aristocratic families to suppress it?"
Yang Songcheng smiled.
This is the default.
Zhou Qin leaned forward and stared at him.
"Back then, I conspired with Emperor Wu to join forces to weaken the family. I admit that at that time, I was very ambitious and wanted to replace the Yang family with the Zhou family.
After all, they are all members of aristocratic families, standing at the top of the world, but when they look up, oh ho! There is also a Yang family standing there.
Why? Why should Mr. Zhou bow his head?"
Yang Songcheng said: "The leading geese must first know the direction and be able to lead the geese to find their homeland. They must also take them back in the coming year. Why has the Yang family been unfailing for thousands of years? It is this ability to judge the situation and judge the situation.
Unparalleled in the world!"
Zhou Qin laughed and said, "Look, the advantage of being the leader is this. Once you think about who to deal with, you can use the sign of a group of geese to put pressure. If you don't obey, you will suppress it. If you obey, you will have to suppress it. It's refreshing.
ah!"
Yang Songcheng sneered, "How dare you disobey?"
This time he came with great momentum and the hatred of Yang Xuan from the emperor, aristocratic families, and the powerful.
Who dares to do it?
Zhou Qin said contemptuously: "Get out!"
The smile froze for a moment, Yang Songcheng stood up and said gracefully: "Farewell."
Yang Songcheng left Zhou's house and said to the counselor beside him: "As I expected, Zhou Qin refuses to break off his relationship with Yang Xuan."
The counselor smiled and said: "Isn't this what the state leader expects?"
Yang Songcheng smiled slightly, "Zhou Qin has been dormant for many years, seemingly doing nothing, but I know that he has been suppressing the forces in the clan that oppose Zhou Zun.
I have always wanted to look for opportunities to provoke internal strife in the Zhou family, but Zhou Qin was very strict and couldn't find any opportunities.
This time, the opportunity has come. Tell them that it’s time to take action. If I want to see the Zhou family in chaos, it’s best to fall apart!”
The counselor bowed and said, "The father of the country has far-reaching plans."
…
Not long after Yang Songcheng left, the second husband of the Zhou family, Zhou Zun's younger brother Zhou Hu, came.
Before Zhou Hu was born, his mother dreamed of a fierce tiger in her arms, so he was named Zhou Hu.
Because his eldest brother Zhou Zun is here, Zhou Qin is a bit tolerant of Zhou Hu. He has been allowed to play and study since he was a child, so he can be said to be carefree.
But what I didn't expect was that this Erlangjun had a temper that refused to learn. He only liked to have fun, and the Zhou family was not short of fun.
But this Erlangjun likes to call friends and enjoy peace and prosperity.
It's okay for the children of aristocratic families to like these, but Zhou Hu is the brother of the family leader after all, and the entire Zhou clan is watching!
Is it a shame?
"Aye!"
With a smiling face and a smooth look, Zhou Qin would have felt that this son was not his son if he had not known how ruthless his son was in private.
"What are you doing here?" Zhou Qin was drinking tea, thinking about the changes Yang Xuan's incident had brought to the Zhou family.
"Aye." Zhou Hu poured himself a cup of tea. After sitting down, he said, "I heard that Zitai became the lord of Northern Xinjiang?"
"Um!"
"Hey!" Zhou Hu sighed: "The emperor will be furious, and Zitai is quite unkind to powerful people in northern Xinjiang. Things are not going well!"
"Are you worried that Mr. Zhou will be implicated?"
"Aren't you worried about Aye and Big Brother?" Zhou Hu smiled and said, "I don't care about anything anyway!"
"You are the most slick and ruthless in your actions. You can't be the only one responsible for this, right? Who else?"
"There are also some... old people."
"What about them?"
Seeing his father's unkind expression, Zhou Hu said with a smile: "Go and block brother."
…
In the front yard, Zhou Zun, who had just left the Yamen, hurriedly wanted to find his old father to discuss the Northern Xinjiang incident.
But as soon as he entered the house, he was stopped by a group of clan elders.
The leaders, Zhou Ting and Zhou Zhu, are the elders of the Zhou family and have the same seniority as Zhou Qin.
Zhou Ting is Zhou Qin's cousin. He once blocked a knife for his father and is known as the most brave person in the Zhou family. As time goes by, the bravery back then has long disappeared and turned into conservative.
Zhou Zhu was quite good at studying at that time, but for the Zhou family, he gave up his official career and stayed at home to act as a think tank.
This is a sacrifice, so the Zhou family has been very kind to his children and grandchildren over the years, and this is a reward.
"Third uncle, seventh uncle."
Zhou Ting moves three, Zhou Zhu moves seven.
Zhou Ting said breathlessly: "I heard that boy from Northern Xinjiang wants to rebel? Dalang, the Zhou family can survive for many years not by rebellion, but by knowing what's right!"
Zhou Zhu said: "Yes! The eldest brother conspired with Emperor Wu to replace the Yang family. After the incident was revealed, he was forced to hibernate at home. The Zhou family cannot do this again. If it happens again, I am worried that the emperor and the Yang family will make up their minds to deal with the Zhou family. Do it!"
Zhou Qin had just come back, and his mind was filled with the details of the discussion with his father. At this moment, he was so surprised that he was stunned.
Shouldn't it be him who decides on such matters?
The clan elder takes action, behind this...
Zhou Zun said: "I will discuss this matter with Aye."
This is the owner's business.
Zhou Zuo sneered, "Da Lang, these matters are related to the prosperity and survival of my Zhou family, why can't we discuss it?"
"yes!"
The group of clan elders all started making noises.
This group of people was not easy to deal with. Taking advantage of their seniority, they began to besiege Zhou Zun.
"It's not over?"
Someone was shouting and cursing.
"Alang is here."
Zhou Qin came with a cane. When he saw this group of clan elders besieging Zhou Zun, he cursed: "A bunch of old dogs, stop it!"
When the conspiracy between him and Emperor Wu was leaked, external pressure increased greatly, and the Zhou family even prepared to sacrifice him in exchange for the safety of the entire clan.
Later, Zhou Qin used various means to calm down the incident, but from then on, he had almost no contact with the clan elders.
Zhou Zhu turned around and said, "Brother, you are here at the right time. Yang Xuan has caused big trouble, which is tantamount to treason. It is only proper for Zhou to get rid of it quickly."
"Clear what?"
Zhou Qin came over and said, "We are all quite free. Are we here to inquire about news? They all have a tacit understanding. As soon as they heard the news, they gathered together spontaneously. They were all very angry. When they gathered together, they wanted to find trouble."
In three paragraphs, the hypocritical masks of these clan elders were pulled off.
"What benefits did Yang Songcheng promise? In other words, how did Yang Songcheng threaten you and make you wait in fear all day long!"
Zhou Qin sneered.
Zhou Ting said: "I don't need to be taboo about anything. It was said over there that Yang Xuan was tantamount to treason in northern Xinjiang. The emperor was furious, and the world's powerful people were against Yang Xuan. Together, this is a powerful force.
Is this true?"
The clan elders nodded.
"The purpose of these forces gathering together now is very simple, they want to get Yang Xuan. If the Zhou family does not secede with Yang Xuan, brother, the Zhou family will be overthrown!"
"Yes! Yang Xuan is so ambitious that the Zhou family must not stand side by side with him."
"Shut up!"
Zhou Qin drank up the noise and said, "You are quite smart. Why do you feel that a crisis is coming? But have you ever thought about it? Why are the Emperor and the Yang family putting pressure on the Zhou family at this time?"
He pointed outside, "At this moment, Zitai holds the army of Northern Xinjiang. If he is offended and he bares his teeth at Chang'an, who will stop him?"
"The Chang'an army has gathered, and there are countless famous generals!" Zhou Zhu said.
"What a bullshit army, what a bullshit famous general." Zhou Qin said disdainfully: "I have been to Northern Xinjiang and have seen Zitai leading an army to fight.
Compared with him, Chang'an's so-called famous generals were vulnerable.
As for the army, it is even more of a joke. When can watchdogs be called a powerful force?"
"The emperor wanted to touch the Zhou family for a while. To say the least, it was my fault back then.
But you also know that Zhou will either become Yang's dog, or he will have to resist.
I resisted and lost. I gave up and stayed dormant at home for many years.
Now that the emperor and the Yang family are taking action again, am I afraid? No!"
Zhou Qin thought of the emperor and couldn't help but smile scornfully, "The emperor and the Yang family didn't dare to openly attack the Zhou family. What were they afraid of? They were afraid of Zitai! At this time, the Zhou family took the initiative to cut ties with Zitai. It was a butcher's knife with both hands.
Present it, and then wait to be slaughtered by others. Do you understand?"
He looked at these clan elders and said disappointedly: "The Zhou family has been dormant these years. I thought I would allow you to wait and think more about the situation, but now it seems that your waiting is becoming more and more useless."
Zhou Zhu was annoyed, "Brother, the Tang Dynasty is stable. To rebel at this time is to seek death!"
"Who said he wanted to rebel?" Zhou Qin frowned. "Zitai swore that he would live up to the Tang Dynasty in his life. Anyone who said he was plotting rebellion must have ulterior motives."
"But the separation of Northern Xinjiang from Chang'an has become a fact."
"If we don't separate the northern border, we will wait for the emperor to clean it up?" Zhou Qin sneered, "Who is willing to be captured without mercy? Huang Chunhui refused to come out to speak until he saw it, which shows that he is well aware of the evil intentions of the planners behind this matter...mostly because of his intentions
Nongzi calm down and then clean up the northern border!"
"What about me, the Zhou family? Are we going to be tied together and die?"
"Who said the Zhou family will fall?" Zhou Qin's eyes were bright, "Crisis is also an opportunity. Zitai controls Northern Xinjiang, and as long as he does not rebel, he will be the first force in the Tang Dynasty.
Could Zhou take advantage of the opportunity of having such a son-in-law? Ah!
A bunch of idiots, if they don't rush to take advantage of this opportunity to expand the Zhou family, what are they waiting for? Waiting for food?"
Zhou Ting sighed, "Brother, that person just said that starting tomorrow, the outside world will start to suppress Zhou's business.
What did the aristocratic families rely on to dominate the Central Plains for many years? It was not just the land and population, but also business.
Suppress Zhou's business, cut off the source of Zhou's money, and then try to seize Zhou's land.
When the Zhou family is alone, it will collapse as soon as the wind blows without anyone taking action."
"Business?" Zhou Qin looked a little stunned.
"Yes, starting tomorrow."
Zhou Qin smiled and said, "I have been waiting for this day for too long!"