Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Looking back now, students are really ignorant. If I had known your identity at that time, I would not have dared to follow your example and accept your second line."
Zhang Ziqian said: "The tower at the end of the west bank is like a pen, writing articles from the sky. Who else but Brother Hu can write such a wonderful article?"
Hu Xiaotian chuckled and said: "The two crossings at the head of the South Bridge are like shuttles, weaving the beautiful scenery across the river. Was this couplet written by Mr. Zhang?"
Zhang Ziqian smiled and shook his head: "I don't have that talent."
Hu Xiaotian said meaningfully: "Could it be Marshal Li?"
The two looked at each other, each understanding that the other already knew their identity and purpose, and then laughed at the same time.
Zhang Ziqian still did not take the initiative to expose this matter, and said tactfully: "The commander-in-chief also liked this couplet very much. He even wrote one himself and gave it to Mr. Hu, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue." In fact, he was telling Hu Xiaotian, you
Boy, stop pretending, we all know your origins clearly, and you are still making up your mind here. If it weren't for you, if it weren't for the in-law relationship between the two families, I would put down my arrogance and come to you to pay homage to you?
Hu Xiaotian knew that there was no need to hide his identity now. He stood up and bowed deeply to Zhang Ziqian: "Don't blame me, Master Zhang. Xiaotian has some reasons for hiding his identity."
Zhang Ziqian quickly stepped forward to hold his arm and said, "Brother Hu, why are you doing this?"
There was Brother Hu on the left and Brother Hu on the right, which made Hu Xiaotian's scalp numb. If it was because of Li Tianheng's relationship, he should call Zhang Ziqian the same generation. He said respectfully: "Master Zhang, please don't call me that. According to the seniority,
, you are my teacher." According to his age, calling him grandpa is enough.
Zhang Ziqian smiled and said: "I never mind these frivolous titles. My dear, you just said that you have difficulties, can you tell me?"
Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Mr. Zhang, to be honest, I am naughty by nature. I caused trouble in the capital and made people angry. My father was very angry about me, so he sent me here. His intention was to let me
Qingyun gave me a lot of hard work, letting me know the hardships of the world, and letting me understand the hardships of an official career. Before I came, my father specifically told me not to reveal my life background easily."
Zhang Ziqian stroked his beard and sighed: "What a pity for parents in the world. Your father really has good intentions. He is worried that after others know your identity, he will take care of you everywhere, but it will not have the effect of tempering you."
Hu Xiaotian said: "That's what I mean. Although Xiaotian has a bit of a naughty temperament, I still have some self-respect in my heart. Now that I'm here, I want to do something. I don't have to rely on anyone, just rely on my own abilities.
He glanced at Zhang Ziqian and said: "It's just that I didn't expect that Marshal Li would have known about it since I came to Qingyun." He knew in his heart that Zhang Ziqian pretending to be a fisherman and waiting to cross the Tongji River was definitely in advance.
arrange.
Zhang Ziqian said: "It is always good for young people to have some ambitions. It is not better than us old guys. When you are my age, you will never ride in a car if you can ride in a sedan. You will never ride a horse if you can ride in a car. If you can be helped by others, you will be too lazy to do it yourself."
The energy saved is yours. The time is also yours." He looked at Hu Xiaotian with a smile: "It's good to be young, you can afford it, but my old bones can't afford it anymore."
Hu Xiaotian heard something in Zhang Ziqian's words. He was clearly saying that he didn't know how to use relationships and that he was so strong, but in fact it was a waste of time. Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed in his heart. He was afraid that he didn't know that he came here not for training at all, but because his father wanted him to
Staying away from the political storm in the capital is also an escape route for the Hu family. Hu Xiaotian said: "Master Zhang's words were like an enlightenment, which made Xiaotian enlightened."
Zhang Ziqian smiled and said: "You are a smart young man, you don't need me to say anything more." He paused and then said: "These local officials in Qingyun have caused you a lot of trouble, haven't they?"
Hu Xiaotian smiled and said nothing. He could handle Qingyun's affairs by himself and did not want Zhang Ziqian to help.
Zhang Ziqian added: "His Royal Highness the King of Zhou has traveled to Xizhou for a period of time before, and I was fortunate enough to meet him. I heard that His Highness has made a great wish to visit the famous mountains and rivers of Dakang to pray for His Majesty."
Hu Xiaotian said: "It's really commendable to be filial."
Zhang Ziqian said: "I think you two are very compatible."
Hu Xiaotian knew that Zhang Ziqian was probing him again, so he smiled and said: "This is also the first time I have met him. I think he is not coming here for me, but for Miss Xiyan from Huancai Pavilion."
.”
Zhang Ziqian couldn't help but smile when he heard what Hu Xiaotian said. Long Yefang's fascination with Xiyan was seen by almost everyone. He asked seemingly casually: "You have a close friendship with that girl Xiyan. It seems that you know each other."
It’s been quite some time.”
Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed in his heart. Zhang Ziqian was definitely an old cunning guy. His real intention was to test the relationship between himself and Xi Yan. This was understandable. After all, he was Li Tianheng's confidant, so his starting point was naturally towards the Li family.
For Hu Xiaotian, this was a great opportunity. He created a tangled and embarrassed expression. In Zhang Ziqian's opinion, this guy had something up his sleeve, and Hu Xiaotian wanted to give him this impression. He did not get a master's degree in psychology for nothing.
, Hu Xiaotian’s eyes flickered, his eyelashes drooped, he didn’t dare to look at Zhang Ziqian when he spoke: “I’m not familiar with Miss Xiyan!”
Zhang Ziqian chuckled and said, "I can see it." There were no three hundred taels of silver in this place, and the description became darker and darker. Zhang Ziqian secretly thought to himself that this boy was notorious in the capital, and it was previously reported that he openly molested women from good families in broad daylight.
Now there is a prostitute from Huancai Pavilion who has traveled across the mountains and rivers from Xiezhou to look for him. Isn’t he familiar? How strange! With Zhang Ziqian’s shrewdness, he will inevitably fall into Hu Xiaotian’s trap.
Hu Xiaotian said: "After I finish working for a while, I will go to Xizhou in person to pay my respects to Uncle Li."
Zhang Ziqian said: "The commander-in-chief is also thinking about you."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Sir Zhang, I hope you don't mention Xi Yan's matter to the Marshal. I'm worried that he will misunderstand." He knew that Zhang Ziqian's purpose in coming to Qingyun was most likely for Li Tianheng to inspect him, and of course he would not
In order to keep it secret, he deliberately pretended to be nervous in order to paralyze Zhang Ziqian. The more this happened, the more Zhang Ziqian would suspect that there was an affair between him and Xi Yan.
Zhang Ziqian stroked his beard and sighed: "Xiaotian, there are some things I don't know whether to say or not."
Hu Xiaotian nodded and said, "My lord, I only care about teaching."
Zhang Ziqian said: "As an official of the imperial court, you need to be careful in your words and deeds. There are some things you should not do, and some people should be kept at a distance." Zhang Ziqian affirmed Hu Xiaotian's talent. Last night's charity auction allowed him to see Hu Xiaotian's wit, but
Zhang Ziqian still criticized Hu Xiaotian's association with the promiscuous women in Huancai Pavilion. He was most afraid that this boy had talent but no virtue.
Hu Xiaotian said: "I understand!"
Zhang Ziqian did not continue to struggle with this matter, and changed the topic: "Actually, there is nothing to do here in Qingyun. Why don't you go back to Xizhou with me."
Hu Xiaotian was shocked. Why did Zhang Ziqian want me to go back with him in such a hurry? Could it be that Li Tianheng couldn't wait any longer? Seeing that I was so good, he was afraid that another woman would abduct me, so he wanted to force me to marry his daughter.
?Hu Xiaotian said: "Master Zhang has also seen it. I really can't let go of Qingyun's affairs."
Zhang Ziqian smiled slightly and did not force it. From this sentence, Hu Xiaotian's attitude was already tested. The boy seemed unwilling to see Li Tianheng.
Zhang Ziqian said: "I will return to Xizhou tomorrow. Since you are busy with official duties and can't get away, you should put your official duties first. By the way, do you have anything else you need me to convey?"
Hu Xiaotian said: "Master Zhang, I have something to do and I would like your help."
"explain!"
Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice and said: "Actually, His Royal Highness the King of Zhou did not come here to flatter me, but came specifically to welcome the Sharjah delegation."
Zhang Ziqian was startled when he heard this: "Sharjah Mission?"
Hu Xiaotian nodded, guessing from Zhang Ziqian's expression that he didn't know about it. He couldn't help but be a little surprised that Zhang Ziqian didn't know about such a big thing as the Sharjah delegation coming to Dakang and passing through Xichuan.
Hu Xiaotian continued: "I received news that the horse thieves from Tianlang Mountain are likely to ambush the mission on the road from Qingyun to Honggu County."
Zhang Ziqian's expression became extremely solemn. If the Sharjah mission was ambushed midway, it might provoke a war between the two countries. He knew the ferocity and toughness of the Sharjah people.
Hu Xiaotian said: "Master Zhang, this matter is not trivial. If anything happens to King Zhou and the Sharjah envoy, not to mention the loss of the hair on my head, even Marshal Li will be in trouble."
Zhang Ziqian frowned and said thoughtfully: "What do you want to do?"
Hu Xiaotian said: "The first step is to strike first. Instead of waiting for the horse thieves from Tianlang Mountain to attack the mission, it is better for us to eliminate the danger in time."
Zhang Ziqian said: "You mean to destroy the lair of the horse bandits in Tianlang Mountain?"
Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said to himself that although Zhang Ziqian had some knowledge, he seemed to have a bad mind when it came to facing the enemy in battle. The government had suppressed bandits so many times before, but failed every time. He wanted to destroy Tianlang.
The mountain bandit's lair is not easy to find.
Zhang Ziqian said: "What should we do?"
Hu Xiaotian said: "The horse bandits have been entrenched in Tianlang Mountain for many years. The government has sent troops to kill them many times, but so far there has been little effect. What do you think is the reason?"
Zhang Ziqian said: "Could it be said that someone within the government tipped off the Ma bandits?"
Hu Xiaotian snapped his fingers and said: "Ran Ye!"
Zhang Ziqian said angrily: "If you find out which one it is, I will write to the commander-in-chief and cut him into pieces with a thousand knives to relieve the hatred in my heart."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Maybe it's not one. I don't have definite evidence at hand now, but the matter at hand is imminent. If we want to protect the safety of His Royal Highness King Zhou and the envoy, it seems that we can no longer hesitate."
Zhang Ziqian said: "What do you want?"
Hu Xiaotian lowered his voice and said: "Now that things have happened, we don't have much time left. Instead of letting them cooperate internally and externally, we should cut off their contact first."
Zhang Ziqian asked: "What do you mean?"
Hu Xiaotian said: "I would rather kill a thousand by mistake than let one go!"
Please give me your monthly pass. There are only three days until the end of the month. What are you waiting for? (To be continued...)
