Zhao Shu held the scroll in his hand, and a fire was blazing beside him. The scorching light made half of Zhao Shu's face turn red.
"What are you looking at?" Shi Huoguang came from outside and looked down at the fire.
"General Wei's newly compiled military book." Zhao Shu said.
Shi Huoguang asked nervously: "Why do you read this kind of book? Is it possible that you want to serve in the army?"
Zhao Shu shook his head slightly and drew a few strokes on the book: "The book tells how monks defend the enemy together with the soldiers in the military formation. They use different techniques and have different responsibilities according to their level of cultivation."
"I don't understand." Shi Huoguang sat opposite Zhao Shu, picked up the cattail leaf fan and fanned the furnace cauldron to stir up the fire.
"In the past, the monks accompanied the army to help, but they were not actually part of the military team. When they arrived on the battlefield, the soldiers from the two sides were fighting. The enemy and our monks were fighting each other, and they were not subordinate to each other." Zhao Shu said: "General Wei felt that such an arrangement would be detrimental to the war.
This is very disadvantageous. If the monks fail in the battle, the morale of the army will often be unsustainable, and vice versa.
He believes that monks can be directly included in the army, those who are good at swordsmanship can be used as warriors, and can use the elixir and talisman water to stay in the camp for rescue. Those who are proficient in summoning can serve as scouts. As for those who can use the energy of the four images and five elements, then
It's about blowing the wind and getting angry, specializing in attacking battles."
"Each one performs his own duties according to his shortcomings and lengths. Was it like this before?" Shi Huoguang looked confused.
Zhao Shu said: "It is still different. General Wei is currently preparing to build a new army. In the future, the monks in the new army will no longer be dispatched from various monasteries every time they go to war and be dismissed as soon as the war is over. Instead, they will be permanently stationed in the army."
middle."
Shi Huoguang said: "But monks study spells not for the purpose of killing on the battlefield."
"I thought so before." Zhao Shu put down the book: "But when Huaxu Kingdom established the Guanshi, wasn't the original intention to hope that the monks in the Guanshi could show their talents? And the battlefield is not all about killing and attacking, such as the Jinding priests
The magic weapons and talisman-making artifacts also need to be used on the battlefield, but we just didn’t take the risk ourselves.”
Shi Huoguang nodded secretly: "That's good, so you don't have to go to the battlefield in person."
Zhao Shu was silent for a moment and asked: "Old Shi, how was my father's cultivation back then?"
Shi Huoguang was stunned for a moment, lowered his head and replied: "Like Luo Xixian, he also practiced "Cang Lang Xi Feng Chapter", but his cultivation level is far inferior to that of you now."
"Were there many people in Huaiying Hall who joined the army to serve the country like my father?" Zhao Shu asked.
Shi Huoguang's expression seemed to be lost in memories: "They... all went to the army with your father, and few of them can come back."
Zhao Shu asked: "Father is very popular in Huaiying Pavilion?"
Shi Huoguang nodded and said: "At that time, the country was in crisis, and people were not as intrigued as they are now. Your father made friends with heroes and did not hesitate to deal with difficulties. Everyone respected him."
Zhao Mi's expression was subtle. He and his father had very different temperaments. He just didn't understand why his mother had to remarry since his father was so respected and loved by others.
With a speechless sigh, Zhao Shu put away the scroll, and Shi Huoguang said, "You go and have a rest first, and I'll just watch the fire."
Zhao Shu nodded, then frowned and said: "Those guys in Chongxuan Hall are becoming more and more lazy. They leave Jindingsi every night these days. They are really not doing their job properly!"
Shi Huoguang said: "When people make alchemy in the office during the day, it can be considered as performing official duties. They come from Chongxuan Hall and are used to Qingxiu in a blessed land. They probably don't like the restrictions of the government office."
Zhao Miao was dissatisfied and said bluntly: "Don't these guys know that the court is in urgent need of miasma removal powder and plague prevention pills recently? I think the life of Chongxuan Hall is too good. If they really want them to work, they will do everything perfunctorily.
!”
Shi Huoguang advised: "Since we know that they are like this, there is no need to be too harsh."
Zhao Shu left in a sulky mood and was about to return to the west courtyard when he saw Zheng Siyuan, smelling of alcohol, holding on to the courtyard wall and panting.
"Did you go out for a drink?" Zhao Shu stepped forward and asked, "Didn't you say you wanted to go home before? How did you end up like this?"
Although Jindingsi has a quiet room, it belongs to the imperial government office after all. If the monk's home is in Dongshengdu, he will naturally go to his own home at night. However, Zheng Siyuan doesn't go home very often. Maybe because of his background, he doesn't even return home.
Be well-liked.
"The old man at home was happy and was given a few glasses of wine." Zheng Siyuan replied.
Zhao Shu reminded: "If you don't want to use alcohol to diffuse the power of the external elixir, it's best not to drink too much. "Sumai Danxin Jue" emphasizes the smooth flow of qi. Drinking too much can easily cause the true qi to escape from the acupuncture points, which will damage your cultivation.
.”
"I, I remember." Zheng Siyuan was ashamed.
"I should have some anti-alcohol and soothing medicine powder there, follow me." Zhao Shui brought Zheng Siyuan to the room, found the medicine powder and put it into warm water. Zheng Siyuan took the medicine to regulate his breathing, and after a while his face turned pale.
Relax.
"Thank you, Deacon Zhao." Zheng Siyuan stood up to express his thanks, and Zhao Shu, who was reading a book at the desk, responded casually.
However, Zheng Siyuan stayed in the room and did not leave. Zhao Shu noticed it, raised his head and asked, "What else can you do?"
"I have something to tell Deacon Zhao." Zheng Siyuan hesitated: "My eldest brother...that is Zheng Tunan, wants to see Deacon Zhao."
Zhao Miao's face was expressionless: "What does he want to see me for?"
"He said that he had offended Deacon Zhao several times before and felt deeply guilty. He planned to hold a banquet to invite Deacon Zhao and apologize in public." Zheng Siyuan said.
Zhao Shu snorted coldly: "He? Zheng Tunan? Want to apologize to me?"
Zheng Siyuan lowered his head and did not dare to answer. Zhao Shu put away his temper: "Let me tell you straight, I don't believe you as a big brother. When you came to take the exam before, he even bullied you in public. This kind of person has a perverse temperament and doesn't know how to restrain himself.
, you show some respect to him, but on the contrary, you indulge him greatly, which is not beneficial to you or him."
"I... understand." Zheng Siyuan replied.
Zhao Shu put down his pen and asked: "It is unlikely that this kind of person will take the initiative to admit his mistakes. Either he suffered a major accident, his temperament changed drastically, or he was forced by the situation. Did the elderly in your family ask him to do this?"
When the truth was exposed, Zheng Siyuan raised his head and replied: "Yes, my eldest brother failed the school entrance examination and was punished by the elders in the family. So I planned to hold a banquet for Deacon Zhao. I hope that I can..."
"Jinding Company is busy with business affairs and leaves no idle people, let alone useless people." Zhao Shu interrupted: "At the beginning, the subjects of the examination were clearly defined. If you can't do it, you can't blame others."
Zheng Siyuan said: "The eldest brother does not necessarily have to come to Jindingsi. The elders in the family have heard that the imperial court is preparing to build a new army. Deacon Zhao has frequent contacts with General Wei. If possible, he hopes that the eldest brother will find a job in the new army."
Zhao Shu was speechless for a moment. He thought about it carefully and wondered if he had heard wrongly.
"The purpose of the imperial court's preparation of the new army is to conquer the invading enemies, not to allow a group of wine and rice sacks to reap benefits." Zhao Shu said angrily: "Should I praise you elders of the Zheng family for being well-informed? If it concerns the new army, don't go to General Wei.
, actually came directly to me?"
Zheng Siyuan was frightened and speechless. Zhao Shu was about to refuse, but then he thought of Jie Youjue, so he said:
"Well, I guess you are also restricted by family ties and cannot refuse your elders. I won't embarrass you, but I won't directly agree to help. If Zheng Tunan wants to hold a banquet to apologize, I will naturally go. You just answer truthfully."
…
As the weather gradually turned colder, Zhao Shu still focused on various affairs of Jindingsi and rarely saw outsiders, until Zheng Siyuan informed him that Zheng Tunan was going to host a banquet for him at a manor outside Dongshengdu.
At first, Zhao Shu thought it was troublesome, but later he took advantage of Anyang Marquis to come to inspect the company. The two talked about it, and the other party nodded and said, "I still want to go. Let's not talk about whether Zheng Tunan can get an official position in the new army."
After all, the Jiujiang Zheng family is one of the four surnames of the Immortal Family of Chongxuan Pavilion. It is not a bad thing in itself to keep in touch with them more. If you can make some achievements, that would be even better."
"Uncle Shi, does it mean that the Jiujiang Zheng family is looking for another way out?" Zhao Shu asked.
Marquis Anyang replied: "As for any big family, if the head of the family is wise enough, it is impossible for him to keep his eyes on one road and leave himself with no room for change. We are all in the court together, and we have not yet reached the point of breaking out.
It's just that Liang Guoshi and the Yongjia Liang family have exclusive power in the Chongxuan Hall. The other three families have to find other ways to seek higher positions for themselves and their family members. Zheng Tunan is not suitable for Jindingsi, but if he really goes to Xinxuan
It’s not a bad idea if the army becomes a small school.”
"What I said doesn't count." Zhao Shuyan said.
Marquis Anyang said with a smile: "You don't have to worry, nephew. The successful preparation of the new army depends almost entirely on your ability to do things in Jindingsi. Otherwise, you will be powerless."
Zhao Shu asked: "Does the imperial court have any intention of building a new army at this time?"
"My nephew should know that Liang Guoshi has a distant clan brother named Liang Bao, who is now the hussar general of Huaxu Kingdom and is responsible for guarding Juhong Pass to resist the troops of Xiong Kingdom." Marquis Anyang said: "This man is in charge of nearly 30% of Huaxu Kingdom.
There are many soldiers and horses under his command who have experienced the wars of the Five Kingdoms. Moreover, the Juhong Pass is in a critical position. It is located in the upper reaches of Sanchuan River, and can go directly to Dongsheng Capital along the river. It can be said that half of the lifeblood of our Huaxu Kingdom can be controlled.
In the hands of Liang Bao."
Zhao Shuyan said: "I have heard something. It is said that Liang Bao was already a fierce general during the Five Kingdoms War. However, he was assassinated by a monk from the Xiong Kingdom and was severely injured. He relied on Liang Guoshi for his rescue. Therefore, he was loyal to the Guoshi.
two."
"So my nephew should understand why the king must prepare a new army." Anyang Hou said: "In fact, I should thank my nephew for this."
"Why did Uncle Shi say this?" Zhao Shu was puzzled.
The Marquis of Anyang sighed: "The king has always intended to build a new army to check Liang Bao. But in the past, it was always hindered by Liang Guoshi's advice, and his reasons were not easy to refute - since Shouyang wiped out troops, the country has abolished various departments.
The army should be greatly reorganized. There is really no need to build new military brigade. Moreover, because of the affairs of Tianlu Army and Chiyundu, the aftermath in the country has been unsettled. This is almost a naked threat.
However, the nephew sacrificed the talisman soldiers, which greatly improved the situation. Especially after the battle of Xingluo County, the army generals used talisman soldiers to kill the bandits, and the monks from various families accompanied the army to help, which greatly contributed to the suppression of bandits.
However, Liang Shuo persisted in his old ways and was defeated in a hurry, which made it even more difficult for Liang Guoshi to argue."
Zhao Shu heard this and said: "The Fu soldiers may not be of much use in suppressing bandits in Xingluo County. The main reason is that General Wei uses his troops like a god. I read General Wei's military book a few days ago, and I deeply feel that no matter how good the weapons and armor are,
, it also depends on how the soldiers use it."
Anyang Marquis said: "There is only a new army, but if the soldiers and armor are supplied, and the food, grass and military supplies are controlled by others, the new army will be of little use. My nephew should understand by now how important the Jinding Division is, right? With the talisman created by my nephew,
Soldiers, the king of the country can justifiably establish the Jinding Division, and the preparation of the new army is also a matter of course."
Zhao Shu did not expect that he would actually be involved in the overt and covert fighting in the court, and the cause was his own unintentional act.
"The Zheng family of Jiujiang obviously understands this. The elderly in the family are worried and only Zheng Siyuan comes to Jindingsi, hoping to insert Zheng Tunan into the new army to pave the way for the future of the family." Anyang Hou said: "
If Liang Guoshi one day ascends to immortality and leaves behind such a big business as Chongxuan Hall, and there are no reliable descendants to take over, then the four surnames of the immortal family are destined to separate."
Zhao Shu asked again: "Is it possible that Uncle Shi is very optimistic about the Zheng family in Jiujiang?"
"No, in my opinion, the Jiujiang Zheng family is about to die. If they don't have the names of the four immortal surnames, they are just fish and meat in the eyes of tigers and wolves." Anyang Hou smiled and said: "The interesting thing about this is that the Jiujiang Zheng family can
With this status, I am still under the protection of Liang Guoshi and Chongxuan Hall, but they just want to escape from Liang Guoshi's control."
"They are seeking their own destruction." Zhao Shu said, "Could it be that Liang Guoshi just sat back and watched this happen?"
Marquis Anyang said: "That's why I said, you might as well interact more with the Jiujiang Zheng family. This is also a way to divide the four surnames of the Immortal family. If Liang Guoshi allows things to happen, the Jiujiang Zheng family will not learn the lesson, but will not restrain themselves.
.If Liang Guoshi acts vigorously and resolutely and launches a large-scale attack on the Zheng family, what will the other two families think? I guess they will have to think more carefully about their own situation."
"I'm afraid Liang Guoshi hasn't reached the point where everyone has betrayed his relatives, right?" Zhao Shu said, "Isn't there still Liang Bao at the border?"
"A dike of a thousand miles was destroyed by an ant nest." Anyang Houyan said: "Of course Liang Guoshi's powerful position will not be shaken just because of a banquet between you and the Zheng family. But compared to confronting each other face to face, no one can say what is wrong with this kind of contact.
, on the contrary, it is more useful.”
Speaking of confronting him, Zhao Shui understood that Marquis Anyang was talking about his attempt to dissuade Liang Tao from surrendering in Xingluo County.
After the chat, Zhao Shu had an idea. After a little preparation, he also brought Zheng Siyuan and He Dangguan with him to the banquet.
It's not that he was afraid of the Zheng family in Jiujiang, but going to the banquet alone seemed a bit lacking in momentum. Even if he didn't care, Zheng family would have some ideas.
During his time in Dongshengdu, Zhao Shui finally understood that people are as separated as a chasm, and only by considering things from their own perspective can we get along harmoniously.
Moreover, Zhao Shu planned to take the opportunity to inquire about Jie Youjue's affairs and bring He Dangguan with him, so as to involve the person involved in the matter. It would be convenient to explain any reasons.
Before leaving, Zhao Shu took care of some trivial matters, and Jing Shi happened to come and handed over a batch of charms to repel snakes and insects.
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, fellow Taoist." Zhao Shu turned around and handed the talisman to Shi Huoguang: "These batches of talismans are together with the Miasma Remover Powder and the Plague-Avoiding Pill. Remember to enter them in the book. I will go to Zheng's Manor for the banquet first. I guess tonight
I won’t come back.”
Jing Shi looked at Zhao Shu's leaving figure from the side, with a sharper look in his cold eyes.