Zhao Shui looked at the handwritten letter sent by General Wei and had mixed feelings in his heart. He was not the kind of person who loved power, but he couldn't bear the fruits of his hard work to be violated and wasted by others.
As General Wei said in his letter, Zhao Shui participated a lot in the preparation process of Wu Kui Army, from the use of talisman soldiers and talisman armor to the deduction of various tactics and battle formations, especially the various methods of dealing with enemy monks and warlocks.
, Zhao Mi can be seen almost everywhere.
Some of the generals in the Wu Kui Army had contacts with Zhao Shu as early as in Xingluo County, so it is not too much for General Wei to say that the Wu Kui Army was formed by his and Zhao Shu's joint efforts.
General Wei knew better than others how much effort and energy Zhao Shui had expended on Wukui Army and Jianjia Pass. He was worried that he would not be able to part with the fruits of his hard work and would insist on holding on to Jianjia Pass, or even support his own troops, so he sent someone to deliver this letter.
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As if to confirm what General Wei said, the day after the letter was received, the imperial court sent someone to convey the emperor's will:
"Jiuli was ferocious, invading the country and the people, and the southern land was evil and wreaked havoc. Fortunately, Zhao Shu, the Marquis of Zhenming, set up altars and flying talismans to control the plague, and guarded the borders to appease the people far and near. His achievements were outstanding, and he was specially ordered to do so.
Return to court in triumph, be given titles and receive rewards."
After hearing the emperor's edict, there was no joy on Zhao Mi's face. The official who delivered the edict said repeatedly: "Marquis Zhenming, I have heard something. Your majesty plans to let you move into the position of county lord and increase the number of counties."
Qianhu. I wonder if there are more rewards!"
"Does Your Majesty want me to return to the court immediately?" Zhao Shu asked: "But now the side affairs are undecided, and there are still many complicated official affairs in Jianjia Pass. I'm afraid I need capable hands to hand them over."
"Don't worry, Marquis Zhenming, Your Majesty has already made arrangements." The official who delivered the order smiled and said, "The Gaoping bus has arrived at Jianjia Pass. He is already guarding this place, so Marquis Zhenming can rest assured."
Zhao Shu raised his eyebrows and said nothing. After a while, Gao Pinggong led a large number of soldiers and horses to the outside of the mansion in a mighty manner. They were full of pomp and imposing momentum.
"Marquis Zhenming, I haven't seen you for a while." Gao Pinggong smiled and stepped forward to hold his hands. He looked like a simple and fat man, but he was actually wearing iron armor under his robes for adequate defense. There were military generals and monks on both sides as guards.
, came with bad intentions.
Zhao Shu led several military chiefs to the main hall to greet them. He never expected that Yang Tai'an, the son of Duke Gao Ping, would come with his father. He did not hide his pride at all and said openly:
"Hmph! No matter who you are, you still have to return Jianjia Pass to us obediently?"
Zhao Mi sat upright and said nothing, while Gao Pinggong feigned anger and yelled: "Don't make nonsense! Last time I asked you to go to Dantu County to assist Marquis Zhenming, didn't you make too many jokes?"
Yang Tai'an rolled his eyes without any manners. Before Zhao Shu could say anything, Ding Muqiu barged into the main hall without warning, raised his finger and scolded: "It's you again, you dandy! You think you didn't teach me enough last time, so you came here specially today.
You’re going to get whipped, right?”
"Crazy bitch!" Yang Tai'an was so frightened that he hid behind his father, his face turned pale and his teeth chattered: "Are you going to cause trouble?"
"How outrageous!" Gao Pinggong's guards stepped forward and with an order, dozens of private soldiers in full body armor poured into the main hall.
Seeing this situation, Ding Muqiu didn't panic at all. She pulled off the purple silk ribbon from her waist and smiled brightly: "Okay! If you have the ability, come together. I'm afraid you won't be able to become aunts?"
Gao Pinggong's face was gloomy and ugly, and he turned to Zhao Shu and said: "Hou Zhenming, you were ordered by the king to restrain the monks in Guanshi. Is this what you did? We are here to hand over military affairs. How can we be offended like this?"
Ding Muqiu rushed to say: "You guys are just sitting there and enjoying the fruits of your labor. You have ruined all the military affairs in the border towns! If it hadn't been for the rectification by Marquis Zhenming, the barbarians from the Jiuli Kingdom would have broken into the pass to burn, kill and loot! How could it be tolerated?
Do you have to show off here?"
Gao Pinggong glanced at her and continued to say to Zhao Shu: "Hou Zhenming, if you have any dissatisfaction, you might as well say it directly. Why do you need to let a woman speak for you? Or are you planning to resist the decree and support yourself at Jianjia Pass?"
Zhao Shu did not ask Ding Muqiu to come, but he would not shirk his responsibility at this moment and waved to her: "You go down first, we are discussing something."
"They are obviously jealous of your outstanding achievements and are using all means to force you away!" Ding Muqiu said reluctantly: "Are you going to hand over the Jianjia Pass that you have worked so hard to manage properly?"
"That's enough!" Zhao Shu shouted and said: "Jianjia Pass is a border town of the country, not my private property, Zhao Shu, please step back first!"
Ding Muqiu was extremely reluctant, flicking her purple silk ribbon, sweeping out a deep ravine on the ground, and then turned around and left.
"Make Gao Pinggong laugh." Zhao Shu took the initiative to lighten the atmosphere.
"What the hell." Gao Pinggong sneered secretly, thinking that Zhao Shu was more or less aware of current affairs and was easier to get along with than those guys who had become immortals.
"Gao Pinggong is here in person, so he should receive the wind and wash away the dust." Zhao Shu said to the military officers beside him: "There will be a grand banquet tonight, and you will be entertained!"
The military officer bowed his head and said yes. When Gao Pinggong saw this, he immediately motioned to Yang Tai'an beside him: "Why don't you quickly apologize to Marquis Zhenming? I should have asked you to apologize for the incident in Dantu County. If Marquis Zhenming hadn't been open-minded, you
Ten lives are not enough to compensate!"
When Yang Tai'an heard this, he could only reluctantly bow to Zhao Shu. Zhao Shu stepped forward to help him up, even saying he didn't dare, showing a harmonious appearance.
After exchanging a few words of greetings, Zhao Shu sent someone to settle down Gao Pinggong and his party, while he returned to the palace and began to pack his things.
"I don't understand. You managed to keep everything in order at Jianjia Pass, and now you have to hand it over to this father and son?"
Zhao Shu was giving orders when he saw Ding Muqiu climbing over the courtyard wall and asked.
At this time, Jiang Ru also rushed over and asked the others to leave, complaining: "Fellow Daoist Ding, there are some things that should not be said directly in public."
"No! I have to say it!" Ding Muqiu put her hands on her hips and said indignantly: "I just can't stand this kind of twists and turns and secretiveness. Marquis Zhenming tried his best to resist Jiuli Barbarian. Not only we know it, but there are also people inside and outside Jianjia Pass.
People praise.
It's good now, the war has just ended, and a lot of funeral arrangements haven't been sorted out yet, and these guys who are worse than pigs and dogs are eager to grab the territory? Why? I don't accept it!"
Jiang Ru glanced at Zhao Mi and saw that he had a pensive look on his face without much resistance. She could only sigh: "Nowadays, the military, political and civil affairs of several counties in the south have just improved slightly. If Gao Pinggong is in charge again, I'm afraid...
…”
"Okay." Zhao Shu interrupted the two of them: "Who will guard Jianjia Pass is not something Gao Pinggong can decide alone. You can go and pack your things."
Zhao Shu returned to the house alone and found himself in darkness. At this time, he felt no relief from the burden.
"You can't give up this career?" Lingxiao appeared, floating in the air, with a cold expression.
"If I say it doesn't matter, that would be a lie." Zhao Shu lay down on the couch: "Even if there is a mediocre person, as long as he acts according to the existing rules, I can safely hand over Jianjia Pass to him, but this is the one. Gao Pinggong. In order to clean up the mess he left, General Wei and I spent a lot of effort, and all the soldiers worked together, and we were really unwilling to let go."
"The appointment of this person shows that the current ruler of Huaxu is not a strategist." Lingxiao asked: "I heard you said that during the Three Gongs Rebellion, the current ruler maneuvered around all parties and took advantage of the situation to ascend the throne?"
"good."
Lingxiao said bluntly: "He has no merit in the world, defrauds the country, and allows his clan members to be arrogant and extravagant. Even if there is no such thing as Liang Tao, he can still wait for his death."
When Zhao Shu heard this comment, he smiled helplessly: "I'm just not willing to accept it. No matter how I am promoted to a higher position or granted a new title, it is not enough for me to hand over Jianjia Pass to Duke Gao Ping."
Lingxiao reminded: "The power of merit can best blind the Taoist mind and make people mistakenly think that everything can be achieved."
Zhao Shu shook his head: "General Wei has sent a letter, indicating that he will still withdraw his troops and return to the court according to the will of the king. Without General Wei, how can I support the troops and respect myself? This thing is impossible to do in the first place. The king and Duke Gao Ping I’ve thought too much.”
"Those who have a strong desire for power will naturally use themselves to save others." Lingxiao said: "When you return to Dongsheng Capital, you will only gain a false reputation, and your cultivation will not be enough to change the status quo."
"I know." Zhao Shu was pacing back and forth distractedly, and happened to see a large box in the corner. After opening it, he found neatly arranged leather bags containing various bones, which were blue in color.
These bones were obtained by Zhao Shu after he dissected the bodies and examined them after killing the gang of wolf-headed monsters outside Dantu County. Afterwards, he kept some of the bones and planned to study them further when he had time.
Seeing these bones at this moment, Zhao Shu thought about it and quickly took out various utensils, elixirs and talismans, poured some bone marrow, and after carefully mixing for a while, he got a bottle of slightly turbid talisman water.
"What do you want to do?" Lingxiao asked.
"Until today, I can understand Wang Miao Shou's mood." Zhao Miao's expression was solemn.
"I understand." Lingxiao looked indifferent: "You must follow the example of Wang Miao Shou in Chengyang County, who conspired to kill Gao Pinggong and his son, and forced the king to send someone else to guard Jianjia Pass."
"I really didn't expect that I would do such a thing." Zhao Shu made up his mind and said with sharp eyes: "Let Gao Pinggong and his son enjoy their last peaceful life."
…
For several days, Marquis Zhenming held a banquet in honor of Gao Pinggong and his son. During the banquet, they drank and drank and celebrated.
After all the large and small affairs were handed over and everything was packed away, Zhao Shu led a group of monks from the temple and prepared to leave.
"Deacon Zhao, don't wait any longer!"
Near the city gate, Ding Muqiu's face was full of displeasure: "It's already three o'clock in the morning, and your farewell is so late. They clearly despise you!"
Zhao Shu took his time and sat in the tea shed outside the post house, drinking market tea. For some reason, he felt something different.
"Gao Pinggong is an elder, and he doesn't have the same level of cultivation as you and me, so it's not surprising to be a little slow." Zhao Shu waved his hand: "If fellow Daoist Ding is impatient, you can take the first step."
"Let's go!" Ding Muqiu did not use magic to fly into the air, but mounted a strong horse and galloped away like a man.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Ru smiled subtly and said sarcastically: "Marquis Zhenming, why don't you hurry up and chase Miss Ding back?"
"She is successful in cultivation and has been on the road for a long time. She is not some eldest lady who has been in the boudoir for a long time. There is no need for others to chase her." Zhao Shu shrugged his shoulders.
Everyone waited for another half an hour before Duke Gao Ping arrived surrounded by a group of private soldiers.
"Marquis Zhenming has been waiting for a long time." Gao Pinggong took out a silk handkerchief and wiped the sweat on his face: "As you get older, your mind will inevitably become drowsy."
"Mr. Gao Ping should take care of yourself, Huaxu State and your Majesty are relying on you to guard our side." Zhao Shu said.
"Do your best, do your best." Gao Pinggong had been entertained by Zhao Shu these days, and he gradually fell in love with this young man.
"Where is the young master? Why didn't you see him coming?" Zhao Shu looked around.
Gao Pinggong turned around and scolded Yang Tai'an for a few times, and then Yang Tai'an walked out of the crowd. His eye sockets were sunken and his cheeks were blue, as if he had some disease. When Zhao Shu saw a blood stain on the corner of his mouth, he couldn't help but smile with joy.
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"Young Master Yang's face..." Zhao Shu slapped his forehead repeatedly: "It's my fault. You came to Jianjiaguan after a long journey, and you shouldn't have been drinking and feasting for days. It just so happens that I have tea soup here to relieve hangovers and soothe the nerves, which can be regarded as before leaving.
I'll offer tea instead of wine to thank you both."
Zhao Miao was full of enthusiasm and handed two bowls of tea soup to Gao Pinggong and his son.
"Marquis Zhenming is a thoughtful person." Gao Pinggong and his son didn't care. They raised their heads and drank. They immediately felt that all the sleepiness in their bodies was gone and their spirits were lifted. They felt that it was ten times better than the elixir given by the monks at home.
"No matter what, I will have to trouble Duke Gao Ping with everything related to Jianjia." Zhao Shui bowed and bowed: "General Wei will be returning home soon, and then he will have to trouble Duke Gao Ping."
"Please relax, Marquis Zhenming." Duke Gao Ping said in a low voice as if to comfort the younger generation: "I will write to the king later to ensure that my nephew you are promoted to an official position. Maybe after a hundred years, I will be useless.
I still need to rely on you, my nephew!"
Zhao Shu bowed again to thank him and immediately climbed up to him: "Gong Gao Ping is so kind that my nephew will remember it for the rest of his life. He will definitely make a ring with grass as a reward!"
"Good, good, good!" Gao Pinggong praised repeatedly. Zhao Shu is a very sensible young man, so it is no wonder that he is favored by the king.
Watching Zhao Shu and others driving away, Gao Pingggong felt that he was unbearably thirsty and asked someone to bring him tea and drank a few sips. He turned around and saw his son Yang Tai'an scratching his head and scolded him: "What's the point of acting like this?"
Decency?"
Yang Tai'an did not dare to refute. Since yesterday, he had felt inexplicable itching on his body and the hair in his private parts had grown thickly, but he was too embarrassed to tell others about these things.
"It's time for you to learn how to do things, and don't always play around." Gao Pinggong said with his hands: "Zhao Shu sent someone to take over the official duties. I asked you to follow me to see how much you have learned?"
"In just a few days, those military officials are busy here and there, who can learn it?" Yang Tai'an endured his impatience, and then yawned again.
Gao Pinggong knew his son's abilities and thought that he couldn't spoil him like this all the time, but he saw that the corners of his mouth and between his teeth were full of blood.
"Why is there blood in your mouth?" Gao Pinggong asked quickly.
"No, it's nothing." Yang Tai'an wiped his mouth to cover up.
Duke Gaoping loved his son so much that he kept asking questions and wanted to take him to the doctor. Yang Tai'an couldn't resist, so he had to say: "Last night, the geisha had white flesh all over her body. When I got up, I couldn't help but bite her. I don't know why I hurt her."
.”
"You are also a married person, don't fool around with these women all day long." Gao Pinggong frowned: "These singing girls and dancers love to be attached to dragons and phoenixes. They will mess around and ask for all kinds of favors just for the sake of a moment of favor. Hurry up and get rid of them.
Send away!"
Yang Tai'an had no choice but to say yes, but he didn't dare to say that he almost bit the singing prostitute to death. Compared to the fine wine, he suddenly felt that the blood pouring out of his neck was more delicious.
Following his father's footsteps, Yang Tai'an couldn't help but look up at Gao Pinggong's oily and sweaty neck, and a fire seemed to be lit deep in his heart.