After a period of busy work, the construction of Jinding's government office is about to be completed. The ritual mandala for summoning rituals, the jade pillars in the caves for refining ritual objects, and the stove and Huachi for burning elixirs can be said to be a must-have.
Everything.
After all, Dongshengdu is the capital of the Huaxu Kingdom. Not only is it a collection of rare treasures from the country, but even spiritual materials and medicines produced in other countries can be found here.
Zhao Shu also handed over the first batch of talisman soldiers to Anyang Hou and asked him to bring them into the palace for the king to see. Zhao Shu didn't know the details, but Anyang Hou was quite satisfied after he came back.
"The king has a decree for you to work hard to build talisman soldiers." Marquis Anyang came to Jinding Division and said to everyone: "The required spiritual materials and equipment will be sent, and the king plans to open Yingzhou Island in Pengxuan Lake as a
This cave is where everyone from Jinding Division refines their Qi and cultivates their body and soul."
"Yingzhou Island? That's the place where various houses hold Yingzhou meetings, practice martial arts and discuss laws. It's a blessed place for immortals no less than Difei Mountain." Someone said in surprise immediately.
"That's right." Marquis Anyang said with a smile: "The Lord of the Kingdom also knows that it takes a lot of effort for you to sacrifice magic objects and refine elixirs. The city is crowded with people, and the mansions are not suitable for your cultivation. Yingzhou Island and Pengxuan Lake are both forbidden gardens.
, there is no one to disturb us on weekdays. If you want to go, just show the command from the department. There will be guards waiting by the lake, and boats will dock."
Zhao Shu also understood below that the king was using the Jinding Division to recruit a group of monks loyal to the imperial court, using the immortal family's blessed land, elixirs, spells, and job appointments as temptations to seize the scattered temples.
They all gathered under the lord of the country.
And even if they are born in Chongxuan Hall, not all of them may be from a noble family like Liang Shuo, who is rich in natural resources, spiritual elixirs, and magic weapons. There is also no shortage of high-ranking and humble family backgrounds like Zheng Siyuan. Jin Dingsi is
The intention of giving these people a way out is obvious and undisguised.
Yingzhou Island in Pengxuan Lake is said to be the place where the immortal family ascended to heaven. It is full of pure air and even immortal spirits appear. The Yingzhou Meeting held every twelve years in Huaxu Kingdom takes advantage of the time when the pure air on the island is the most prosperous.
At that time, outstanding disciples from various monasteries were invited to come, fight with each other, discuss the Tao, and understand the fate of immortality. All the monks from the monasteries who could set foot on it were all elites.
The last Yingzhou Conference happened to be after the Five Kingdoms wiped out their troops at Shouyang Mountain. After careful calculation, the next Yingzhou Conference will be next year. But this time, the leader of the country actually allowed everyone from Jindingsi to go to Yingzhou Island to repair. This temptation is irresistible.
It's not big.
As soon as Marquis Anyang said this, even the few monks sent by Chongxuan Pavilion showed expressions of unexpected surprise on their faces.
However, the Jinding Division does not care for idlers. Along with the rewards, there was also a list of various talismans, magic weapons, elixirs, and spells, requiring the Jinding Division to create them as soon as possible. Zhao Shu quickly ordered them according to the duties of each department, and he
I'm about to do something big.
"My nephew, please don't worry." Anyang Hou stopped Zhao Shu and asked, "Did you forget something?"
Zhao Shu was stunned in place, thinking for a long time and couldn't think of anything he had forgotten.
Anyang Hou sighed slightly: "Luo Xixian is getting married soon, won't you go and congratulate him?"
"I, I really forgot." Zhao Shu looked up at the sky with a complicated expression: "But now that I have parted ways with Luo Xixian, they are having a grand wedding, so I better not disturb them."
Marquis Anyang patted Zhao Mi on the shoulder: "My nephew, now you are not only the talisman of Huaiying Hall. As the deacon of Jinding Division, you can't just think about the grudges in the past."
Zhao Miao replied: "I understand."
"Luo Xixian's wedding day will be in a few days. I will take you there with me then," said Marquis Anyang.
Zhao Shu shook his head: "It doesn't have to be like this. Luo Xixian and I met at the Huaiying Pavilion. As the deacon of Jindingsi, we seem to be strangers. Anyway, there are some nobles and nobles in the Huaiying Pavilion who are going to give gifts to celebrate. I will follow everyone.
Just go together and the teacher will come."
Marquis Anyang thought for a moment: "That's fine."
…
Weddings of high-ranking families have complicated etiquette. On the wedding day, the carriages and horses that marry the daughters of the Xin family drive around the city accompanied by noisy music. It is very festive.
When Zhao Shu arrived at the Luo family's residence, he saw lights and colorful decorations, flowers and brocades, and a constant flow of cars and horses outside the residence. Many ministers from the DPRK and China arrived with invitations, and all kinds of congratulatory gifts were wrapped under the red cloth of auspiciousness.
It was sent to the door of the house like a tide.
"You're finally here." Zhang Duanjing was seen walking slowly, holding a red-gilt invitation in his hand, and asked: "Everyone is waiting for you, why are you so late?"
Zhao Miao took a look and saw that the students who came to attend the wedding banquet were all the rich and wealthy children who lived in Dongshengdu, while those in Jindingsi had no time to leave. He took out a wooden box and said, "I am preparing a gift.
"
Zhang Duanjing took the wooden box, put it together with the gifts from the Huaiying Hall, covered it with a red cloth, and then led everyone to Luofu. The steward took the invitation and immediately welcomed the Huaiying Hall people inside. Before they could sit down, Da Sima himself
Come in person.
"Mr. Zhang is here at Quanzi's wedding banquet. Luo is extremely honored!"
Da Sima is a tall, round-waisted man with a dark face and long beard. His appearance is a bit rugged, with a ferocious scar extending from his eyebrows to his cheeks. Even though he is wearing a brocade robe and jade belt, he does not look like a high-ranking official, but rather a dignified man.
A warrior on the battlefield.
Zhang Duanjing returned the courtesy and said: "The Great Sima has three heroes, Luo Xixian has made great contributions to the country, and the Huaiying Hall is honored. I should come to congratulate you."
"Mr. Zhang's words are so kind!" Da Sima said with joy: "Quuzi was very naughty when he was young, but he restrained himself greatly after receiving education at Huaiying Hall. He is able to achieve what he is today, thanks to Gong Zhang's guidance.
"
"I don't dare take it seriously." Zhang Duanjing said calmly.
Da Sima touched his big belly, looked at the people behind Zhang Duanjing, and asked: "These must be the contemporary heroes of the Huaiying Hall, right? I wonder if Zhao Shui is among them?"
Zhao Shu stood where he was. He did not expect that Da Sima would mention him. Under the gaze of everyone around him, he stepped forward and bowed his hands in salute: "Junior Zhao Shu, I would like to pay my respects to Da Sima."
"Are you Zhao Mi? When Luo Xixian came home a few years ago, he often mentioned you." The Chief looked Zhao Mi up and down, stroked his beard, nodded and said, "Well, you have a good figure. Are you still training at Huaiying Hall now?"
Zhao Shu was a little puzzled, but he still replied: "This junior is currently employed in the Jinding Division."
"Jin Ding Si?" Grand Sima thought thoughtfully, and then asked: "Do you intend to serve in the army?"
Da Sima's words were straight to the point, without any euphemism, forcing Zhao Shu to react a little bit: "This... junior is not good at martial arts, and it will be a drag if he joins the army."
"You don't know martial arts?" Da Sima raised his hand and grabbed Zhao Shu's arm. Zhao Shu felt that the opponent's five fingers were like iron hoops, and there were bursts of strong force, which made his muscles and bones go numb.
"It's strange that you don't practice martial arts with your body?" Da Sima let go.
"This junior has no talent for martial arts." Zhao Shu replied.
"Bullshit!" Da Sima said in a rough tone: "You have long hands and legs, and a straight back, which is good material for practicing martial arts. What kind of nonsense is saying that you have no talent?"
Zhao Shu was speechless for a moment. When his teacher took his pulse, he determined that his hands and feet were not coordinated and that learning martial arts and sword practice would injure his muscles and bones, so he asked Zhao Shu to focus on martial arts. Why does it sound like he is still some kind of martial arts wizard when listening to Da Sima's words now?
"The great Sima is too honored, and the younger generation dare not live up to it." Zhao Shu bowed and said.
"What's wrong?" Da Sima was about to lose his temper. The butler behind him whispered a few words. He responded casually, and then handed over to Zhang Duanjing: "Mr. Zhang, please rest for a while. There are many guests in the house. I'm afraid I won't entertain you well. Please
Forgive me."
"Excuse me, Grand Sima." Zhang Duanjing replied calmly.
After Da Sima left, everyone in the Huaiying Hall sat down at the table. Someone whispered: "I finally understand where Luo Xixian's bad temper comes from."
"I didn't expect that Da Sima is also an impatient person."
"Don't be deceived. Da Sima is very important in the court, and he is not a stupid person."
"That's right, Luo Xixian is straightforward, unlike some people who have a lot of twists and turns in their stomachs and think about currying favor with Chongxuan Hall all day long."
Zhao Shu had no expression on his face when he heard everyone's discussion. He knew that some of his actions in Xingluo County not only dissatisfied Luo Xixian, but also disgusted some people in Huaiying Hall. It was more likely that because he became the deacon of Jinding Division, he caused trouble
Others are jealous, thinking that I have soared to the sky by virtue of my status as the first student.
But how should Zhao Shu explain? He thought about it over and over, but felt that he had nothing to say. Even though Zhao Shu had always been known for his eloquence, he now did not want to open his mouth to argue.
Even if you win, so what? The other party will not sincerely admire you because of this, and he will probably be even more jealous and disgusted with you deep down in his heart.
After gaining experience in Xingluo County and being taught by Marquis Anyang, Zhao Shui now looks back and realizes that his popularity in the Huaiying Hall is not good, and he is even a bit withdrawn and arrogant. Although he has made friends like Luo Xixian, but
In the eyes of others, it seems that he is bent on climbing the dragon and clinging to the phoenix.
"Teacher, do I really have no martial arts talent?" Zhao Shu asked quietly, putting aside his careless thoughts.
Zhang Duanjing turned a blind eye to the noise of silk and bamboo in the courtyard and said: "Luo Xixian dared to face the edge and fight bloody battles on the battlefield. Do you have the courage?"
Zhao Shu lowered his head and said, "It seems not."
"If you have such a temperament, what's the point of having strong muscles and bones?" Zhang Duanjing said calmly.
"That's not right." Lingxiao's voice sounded in Zhao Mi's mind: "Zhang Duanjing looked at him. The courage and bravery of fighting for his life on the battlefield have nothing to do with the talent of the muscles and bones. Let's ask the ordinary soldiers on the battlefield, and what
How many of them are born with martial arts skills and are the generals’ sons?”
Zhao Mian was silent for a moment, and Lingxiao added: "Don't talk about it from far away, just talk about Wang Miao Shou and Boss Wu you have met before. These two people are from humble backgrounds. Although they have some martial arts skills, they are very powerful.
Is it really just about martial arts?"
"No, they all have a spirit of courage and courage, which they have honed over a lifetime of fighting. Others cannot learn it." Zhao Shu replied in his heart.
"Since it is a talent, it must be used before it can be displayed." Lingxiao said: "If those who practice martial arts do not compete in the killing field, it is empty talk. I remember you said that Luo Xixian used to be sent to various places by Zhang Duanjing to kill him.
Have you ever had this kind of experience in getting rid of evil spirits?"
"That's what happened in Chengyang County, and it failed." Zhao Shu said.
"Not necessarily. The evil has been eliminated. It's just not perfect." Lingxiao said bluntly: "But who can guarantee that everything will be perfect? Since your experience is shallow, you shouldn't be too demanding. Without experience and practice, how can you accumulate? No chance.
How can you have the courage to kill? Zhang Duanjing’s statement is full of sophistry!”
"Don't say that, the teacher may be doing it for my own good," Zhao Shuyan said.
"Pedantry." Lingxiao's tone was slightly unpleasant: "Zhang Duanjing's behavior is equivalent to imprisoning you. If you are good, then it is good. This is how ordinary people keep livestock in captivity."
"But haven't I walked out of Huaiying Hall now?" Zhao Shu said: "I am now the deacon of Jinding Division. If it were before, the teacher would not trust me to take responsibility."
"Is there any difference between Zhang Duanjing and Marquis Anyang colluding?" Lingxiao said, "I have a subtle hunch that Zhang Duanjing may have a huge conspiracy."
Zhao Shu said: "A huge plot? It's just to overthrow Chongxuan Hall and Liang Guoshi. Not only the teacher, but also the leader of the country probably thinks so too."
"I'm afraid there are more." Lingxiao said: "It's a pity that in my current situation, I can't understand the Qi and deduce it."
Zhao Shu remained silent. Ling Xiao was a Taoist immortal. Even if there was only a little bit of true spirit left, he would often have this mysterious premonition, and he would predict it every time. Zhao Shu used this to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, which was very effective.
, I can’t help but wonder what the teacher is thinking.
At dusk, the wedding banquet reached its most lively moment. After various ceremonies, the daughter-in-law brought from the Xin family walked in. Witnessed by relatives of the two families, nobles, and fellow teachers, Luo Xixian and Xin Shunying tied the knot.
Join us and worship heaven and earth together.
Standing in the crowd, Zhao Shu felt that everything around him seemed to have nothing to do with him. He let all the joy and bustle flow through his body and mind like running water, leaving no trace behind.
After the wedding ceremony, there was a grand banquet, and the groom's official toasted to his elders and colleagues one by one. Arriving in front of everyone in the Huaiying Hall, Luo Xixian first bowed deeply to Zhang Duanjing:
"First of all, Luo Xixian is very grateful for the advice he has received over the past few years!"
Zhang Duanjing stood up and returned the greeting: "I hope you will stay upright and upright in the future and be brave and diligent."
Luo Xixian took the drink from the servant, raised his head and drank it, then looked at the people in Huaiying Hall, and when he raised his eyes, he saw Zhao Shu.
Luo Xixian took a deep breath and said: "Zhao Shu, I heard that you have become the deacon of Jinding Division?"
"Yes." Zhao Shu stood up and replied.
"Now I envy you." Luo Xixian said: "The king of the country has newly established a government office, and you didn't waste any effort, and you were promoted from the clerk of the office to the first deacon. If your official career is prosperous, maybe I will be able to do it again in the future."
It’s up to you to support me.”
Zhao Shu held the wine glass in his hand, without any joy in his heart. He faked a smile on his face and said, "I don't dare take it. I'm just borrowing magic spells to make a living. Mr. Luo's rise to the top is just around the corner. Everyone in Huaiying Hall is proud of you."
Luo Xixian smiled: "That's fine, I wish you all a bright future!"
After saying this, Zhao Shu raised his head and drank. When he lowered his head again, Luo Xixian had moved to the next table to toast. His heart felt relieved and he felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Zhao Shu understood that he would no longer have any friendship with Luo Xixian in the future. Instead of angrily quarreling with each other before, perhaps saying goodbye with a drink today would be the best ending for the two of them.