It should be said that there was indeed a lot of smiles in Xiaotang's mansion in Xiaojiaji. Xiaotang, who had returned to his hometown, held a banquet and hosted a banquet for everyone to drink with.
Attending the banquet were Yan Qing, Xu Guanzhong, and Shi Jin who returned to the Xiao family together with Xiao Tang; and his close brothers Bian Xiang, Xiao Yi, Yang Lin, Shan Shiqi, Fu Xiang, Shi Yong, Xue Yong, and Duan Jingzhu who stayed in Hebei Province.
, Chang Shun, nine people; there are also six people including Lu Junyi, a member of the Daming Prefecture, Wang Jin, the training coach of Xiaojiajixiang Yongtuan, Zhou Tong and his adopted son and disciple Yue Fei, Niu Gao, etc.
There are also left-behind generals Guan Suo, Zhou Jin, Wang Ding and Xingwu Paoze who have a close relationship with Xiao Tang, as well as the family members of Yue, Wang, Tang and Zhang who moved from Qilin Village. Even the two prison guards of Daming Prefecture
After hearing the news about Xiao Tang's return to his hometown, the brothers Cai Fu at the festival level and Cai Qing at the junior prison level also came to visit with congratulatory gifts. As for the unpleasantness they had with Shi Wengong at the Xiaojiaji school, they were forgotten for a while.
Afterwards, everyone was chatting, laughing and chatting, drinking and drinking, and everyone was enjoying themselves.
Xiao Tang and Lu Junyi, after pushing cups and changing cups, went straight to Zhou Tong and sat down, saying: "Seeing that the master is still healthy, the disciple feels at ease."
"In addition to teaching Fei'er and the others civil and martial arts, I don't have any other chores to do as a teacher. I naturally live a leisurely and happy life in the market town on weekdays."
Zhou Tong laughed and said: "My disciple is on an envoy to the Liao Kingdom and is passing through Daming Mansion. Since Liang Zhongshu, the left-behind prime minister, was your superior officer at that time, he must pay a visit to you. You must not lose your etiquette."
Xiao Tang nodded and said, "It doesn't matter. Envoy Zheng Yunzhong and Deputy Envoy Tong Guan will lead the envoy to Daming Mansion in half a month. It won't be too late for Liang Zhongshu's disciples to pay a visit tomorrow."
Hearing Xiao Tang mention Tong Guan's name, Zhou Tong's face suddenly seemed to be covered with a layer of gloom. He snorted softly and said: "Tong Guan... Hehe, if you say that you have some ability to lead troops, you are too domineering.
He acted too eagerly for quick success."
Zhou Tong stared at Xiao Tang again and told him: "Please remember, my disciple, that Tong Guan looks heroic and rough, and is very good at making friends with talented soldiers, but in fact he has a sweet temperament and is very deep in the city. You are still young, so when you get along with that Tong Guan
Be extremely careful.”
Xiao Tang nodded in agreement. From his actual contact with Tong Guan, official historical records and Xiaozhong's experience, he could roughly understand Tong Guan's character. As a powerful traitor with military power, from the eunuchs in the harem,
Tong Guan, who has been trained through hard work, and Gao Qiu, who was born as a rogue, are definitely two different people. Gao Qiu rose to power by wholeheartedly currying favor with Song Huizong. In addition to catering to the holy will, Gao Qiu used many methods to exclude dissidents in his struggle for power.
Make a trick.
But Tong Guan was completely different. Not only was he tall and burly, but he was also full of "masculinity", which made many people think that Tong Guan was a bold and powerful handsome man when they first met him. Xiao Tang asked himself, if he was not familiar with the synthesis of history about him
Comments, and Tong Guan Lian Jin's foolish moves before and after the Liao Dynasty, the aura of Tong Guan's gestures, even more impressive than when Xiao Tang first met Souchong Jinglue Xianggong.
But now Xiao Tang knew that all of Tong Guan's seemingly free and generous actions had a strong purpose: he was generous and generous, just to open up relationships with the concubines, Taoist priests, and eunuchs around Zhao Ji; he promoted and appreciated the suppressed old practitioners
The purpose of Lu Xianggong was to control the power of the Western Army; after he and Cai Jing had a serious conflict over the matter of worshiping Kaifu Yi and the Third Division, Tong Guan chose to fully support Cai Jing when he returned to Beijing to worship the Prime Minister, because he had a vicious vision.
He knew that Cai Jing would definitely regain the favor of Song Huizong; Tong Guan adopted the orphan of the fallen soldier as his adopted son, making his subordinates think that he was considerate of his subordinates and worthy of their service, so he was willing to fulfill his ambition of becoming a eunuch and becoming a king...
.
If you really talk about the city government's scheming, Gao Qiu, who just went to please Zhao Ji, would probably be beaten in all directions by Tong Guan, the concubine. Xiao Tang also knew that Tong Guan's expression of goodwill to him was definitely not to admire him for his role in the world. 's name.
However, after listening to his mentor's warning words to him, Xiao Tang asked Zhou Tong: "Master also had dealings with that Tong Guan back then?"
"I am just a mere teacher in the imperial boxing hall of the capital. How can Tong Guan, a high-ranking official, take me seriously? When Tong Guan led his army to attack Jishi Army, Taozhou and other places, he probably wouldn't I will remember that I am the number one person in the army."
Zhou Tong smiled miserably and drank the wine in one gulp. This old man with a bumpy career seemed to be a little drunk, and he suddenly took Xiao Tang's hand.
Xiao Tang's palm was suddenly clenched tightly by Zhou Tong. This elder and master who was admired by all the heroes in the green forest rivers and lakes was old and helpless. The elder who placed all his thoughts on the next generation sighed with regret. , and said: "I am devoted to martial arts as a teacher, and I am too lazy to engage in intrigues with others, but I also know that those who work hard will govern others, and those who work hard will govern others. How can I compete with the traitors in the court if I only show the courage of an ordinary man? My All my long-cherished wishes...are pinned on you disciples.
You have been in the officialdom for a long time. First, you had to stay behind and be promoted by your husband, and then you were appreciated by the officials and rose rapidly in the court. As a teacher, you also know that I don’t need to worry about your affairs in the court, but... I am most worried about you. Yes, it’s my adopted son Fei’er..."
Xiao Tang knew the relationship between Zhou Tong and Yue Fei, and could better understand why Zhou Tong had such concerns. By getting along with Yue Fei, Xiao Tang not only understood why Yue Fei became a well-known hero in later generations when he grew up, but also understood Why did he become a tragic hero again?
Zhou Tong, who knows his son better than his father, and who loves Yue Fei as his father and son, certainly understands the character of his adopted son. When Xiao Tang was about to comfort Zhou Tong, he suddenly heard a "bang!" and when Xiao Tang followed the sound, he saw Shi Jin. As drunk as a lazy man lying on the ground, Niu Gao was drinking heavily from a bowl and was drinking with Bian Xiang, Shan Shiqi and others.
"Today is a happy day for brother Xiao Tang to come back. Let's have fun drinking! If you want to drink happily, just come and drink!" Niu Gao's tongue was already a little knotted, but he still shouted loudly.
The group of tycoons rushed to greet them. Among them, Xiao Wanggui stole some wine from somewhere and his face was red from drinking. Niu Gao and others, who were drunk, started making noises. Wang Gui's father, Wang Yuanwai, saw this with a tigerish face. He caught his naughty child like an eagle catching a chicken. Xiao Tang and Zhou Tong looked on and couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh.
"Why don't you see Junior Brother Yue Fei?" Amidst the commotion, Xiao Tang suddenly realized that the Junior Brother for whom his mentor had placed high hopes was not there, so he asked Zhou Tong.
Zhou Tong's expression froze, and he breathed a long sigh of relief: "Based on his temperament, I can guess where he is."