In the handsome tent, Fan Zhijing's face was solemn, and he said to Tai Buhua in a firm tone: "The appointed date is approaching, and the matter of Zhao'an will never be postponed any longer, and we have to prepare early." ”

The dim candle flame wiped out the rich night, and a trace of bitterness appeared on Tai Buhua's face that had experienced the vicissitudes of life, and after a long time of muttering, he got up and brought a jar of spirits, which was also the only jar of wine that appeared in the barracks since Tai Buhua led the troops.

Tai Buhua moved very slowly, and after pouring two bowls of wine, he said regretfully: "Fan participates in politics, you don't want to come here again after today." ”

"Marshal Du, what do you mean by this? Could it be that you are cringe? Fan Zhijing waved his sleeves, stood up suddenly, and asked urgently.

Tai Buhua admired this junior's loyalty to the court and his courage to stand up to the powerful, and seeing him was like seeing himself who was not afraid of life and death in the Daming Palace. But no matter how tough and powerful the seedlings are, they must be carefully cared for behind them in order to grow up vigorously and become a towering tree that can shelter from the wind and rain.

Back then, he had no scruples in the court, but he dared to hold accountable all the injustices in the world with his enthusiasm, which seemed chic, but looking back, if there were no real virtuous ministers and friends behind him, he would have died without a place to be buried.

He has reached this age, Mo said that he has embarked on a career for decades, even life and death have long been left behind, but Fan Zhijing is different, and the generals who follow him and serve the country loyally are also different. Now they are still immature after all, after all, the real power core of the entire Great Yuan is represented by Dazhi Timuer, and fighting with such a behemoth, they will be ruthlessly devoured by it once they surface, and end up with no bones left.

Therefore, Tai Buhua is unwilling and can't bear to see such a rising star fall into the quagmire of his own struggle with these powerful people so early, and the Fang Guozhen and others in front of him can bear their own responsibility, and they should not be allowed to take such a big risk.

Tai Buhua stood up and said with relief: "My Tai Buhua's back is very hard, and a big Si Nong is not enough to make me timid. ”

Fan Zhijing slowly sat back in place, exhaled a breath of turbidity after calming down, and apologized, "I lost my temper just now." ”

Tai Buhua smiled, signaled that it was okay, and then turned his back and said, "You have helped a lot in solving the matter of Haikou this time, and you have worked hard." If you can eradicate this evil in one fell swoop, I will tell the court the credit for your deeds. ”

Fan Zhijing hurriedly explained: "Marshal Du, I ......"

Tai Buhua smiled and patted him on the shoulder, interrupting the words he wanted to express his heart, "I know that you are not a person who is greedy for power, and it should be your duty to serve the country with enthusiasm and loyalty, but now that the discipline is chaotic, the court is full of people who form a party, and it is difficult for even my recital to reach the sky." In this situation, the edge is exposed, but I will not be as lucky as I was back then, I think you should understand the truth that it is too rigid and easy to break. ”

Fan Zhijing was stunned, it was hard to believe that these words came from Tai Buhua's mouth, and he stammered a little for a while, "Can ...... Great, sir, you ......."

Tai Buhua suddenly laughed, "The hardships I have endured over the years and the anger I have suffered, I think you have heard of it." ”

Needless to say, Tai Buhua's character and integrity, hearing this, Fan Zhijing immediately respectfully replied, "Marshal Du's style and bones are well known to the world, and he is really a model for my generation." ”

But Tai Buhua didn't look smug after hearing this, his tough momentum weakened instantly, and he sighed with a sense of loneliness and sadness, "After me, can you see which Zhengchen has walked out of Dadu alive?" The important ministers of the court are still degraded at every turn, not to mention the local officials, it is good to be able to take off their official clothes and save the lives of the family after disobeying the powerful. ”

Fan Zhijing knew that Tai Buhua was persuading himself, and said in a deep voice: "I'm not afraid." ”

"You're not afraid, but I'm afraid." Tai Buhua suddenly spit out such a sentence with an expressionless face.

Fan Zhijing froze in place, at a loss, he couldn't believe that he actually heard the word "afraid" from the mouth of this iron-blooded handsome!

Tai Buhua seemed to have guessed his expression, returned to his place and sat down with a smile, explaining: "I'm not afraid of them, I'm afraid of you who stand on my side. ”

Fan Zhijing hesitated for a moment, and said, "I don't regret following Marshal Du, and I believe that others are the same." ”

"I have been an official for 27 years since I entered the court in the first year of Zhizhi, and I have experienced all kinds of winds and waves. But you are different, you are in the prime of life, shouldering the expectations of this family, I don't want you to be drowned in the torrent of power struggle before you can stand out in this troubled world. In addition to your participation in politics, there are also many soldiers in the army who are dedicated to serving the country, and if you choose to believe me, you are tying the expectations of the second half of your life to my shoulders. I can take risks alone and go against the trend, but I can't take you with me, I'm afraid that you will lose your future and even your lives......" Tai Buhua said, picking up the wine bowl and drinking it all.

So that's the case, the essence in Fan Zhijing's eyes suddenly dimmed, and he asked with a wry smile: "Marshal Du, if you put aside your many concerns, how sure are you that Fang Guozhen and his gang will be defeated in one fell swoop?" ”

"I'm 100% sure if I'm drinking right now, but right now, our odds of winning are only 20% at most." Tai Buhua replied as he refilled the bowl.

Fan Zhijing said helplessly: "I didn't expect Marshal Du to have such a high evaluation of Dasi Nong......"

Tai Buhua handed him the wine bowl, motioned for him to drink, and then said slowly: "It's not him who is powerful, but the power and power he represents behind him." Can Fan participate in politics without being confused by it, and can he ensure that others are also unmoved by power? On the other hand, on our side, we have to face the oppression and temptation of power, and we also have to bear the charge of disobeying the order, even if we succeed, we will still face the exclusion and ridicule of others in the future, so even if I am obsessed, I don't want you to accompany me to take such a big risk. ”

Fan Zhijing naturally knew how tempting the conditions were to reach the understanding of Timuer, and only after smiling bitterly did he take the wine bowl and drink it, and could only use the taste of strong wine in his throat to relieve his depressed mood at this time.

"I have thought carefully about the plan many times these days, and if I want to solve the sea disaster completely, I can't bypass the imperial court and the Dazhi Ti Yi in any way. Instead of fighting with him openly and secretly, it is better to find a way to gain his support. Between drinks, Tai Buhua gradually revealed all the plans in his heart.

Fan Zhijing was a little worried, "But you ......"