One

The person Xu Zhihe was most worried about after returning to Shengzhou with his wife and concubine was Song Qiqiu, since the last time he said goodbye, it has been more than half a year, and what he said has been circling in Xu Zhihe's mind, and he couldn't wait to let Zhou Zong invite Song Qiqiu a few days after he came back.

There is a lake in the backyard of the mansion, and there is a small pavilion in the middle of the lake, where Xu Zhihe, Zhou Zong and others usually like to drink and discuss. Zhou Zong went out in the afternoon, and after dark, Zhou Zong led Song Qiqiu to arrive, and Xu Zhihe prepared wine and food in the small pavilion in advance. When Xu Zhihe and Song Qiqiu walked into the pavilion and sat down, Zhou Zong asked people to remove the pedal connecting the pavilion, and everyone else left, so that no one could hear what they were saying, and Zhou Zong was careful.

"It's been more than half a year since I said goodbye last time, and I miss Mr. very much, I was still worried about whether Mr. is willing to appreciate his face, and I am very happy to see Mr., and I always feel that talking to Mr. can benefit me a lot and open my eyes." Xu Zhihe bowed his hand and said.

"The adult has won the award, and it is Song's honor to be invited by the adult. I haven't seen him for more than half a year, and the adults are happy to come to the door, which is gratifying! Song Qiqiu also bowed his hand and said.

"Oh, which three joys?" Xu Zhihe asked.

Song Qiqiu replied slowly, "This joy is to congratulate the Lord on his victory and his first contribution; These two joys are congratulations to the adult on his ascension, and the adult became a thorn at such a young age, which is rare throughout the ages; Of course, these three joys are congratulations to the adults for marrying a beauty! ”

"Hahaha, although Mr. is idle, he is very well informed!"

"As I said before, adults are extraordinary people, and not only Song is paying attention to his words and deeds, but also many people in Shengzhou."

Xu Zhihe took a sip of wine after hearing this, and suddenly asked, "Oh...... Last time Mr. said that I was not a thing in the pool, and today he said that I am an extraordinary person, and I am curious, Mr. is a casual joke to make me happy? Or is it something else? ”

"My lord," Song Qiqiu said solemnly, "I can't hide it, Song Mou concluded at the first sight that you are not an idle person, the adult has a noble face, and he has the air of a prince." ”

"But there's nothing special about me!"

"The adults have been in Shengzhou for three years, with outstanding political achievements and won the hearts of the people, the so-called authorities are confused, the bystanders are clear, the adults have the city government, the thinking is meticulous, and the people are concerned, this is the favorable conditions for the adults to achieve great things in the future!"

"Accomplishing great things? What can I accomplish? I am just a magistrate under the protection of my adoptive father, doing my best for the well-being of the local people, fulfilling my duties as a courtier, and keeping a city safe. ”

"Hehehe...... Adults say this wrongly, adults don't be presumptuous, do you really want to live under the protection of Lord Xu Wen for the rest of your life? Do you really just want to live your life as the adopted son of the Xu family? Do you really not want to make your own career? Song Qiqiu's words went to Xu Zhihe's heart and hit the hidden feelings in his heart. An orphan swallows his anger and sends people to live under the fence, how he hopes to have a world of his own! How I hope that in the near future, he Xu Zhihe will no longer be labeled as just an adopted son of Xu Wen! Xu Zhihe pondered for a moment and asked in a tentative tone:

"What does the gentleman think I can do?"

"My lord, since the Yellow Nest, there have been many heroes in all directions, and the world has been in turmoil for a long time, including Zhu Wen, Li Keyong, Yang Xingmi, etc., all of whom are heroes who have emerged in troubled times. Now that the Tang Dynasty is dead, the world is a chaotic world, Zhu Youzhen, Li Maozhen, Wang Jian, Li Cunqiao, Qian Miao, etc., these are also rising heroes, and they have all fought a world with their own skills. The so-called troubled times produce heroes, heroes create current affairs, since the Qin, but where there will be a large number of heroes and heroes in troubled times, and now in troubled times, adults don't want to follow the trend of history, grab a piece of territory in this troubled times, and seek their own world? Song Qiqiu's impassioned words made Xu Zhihe deafening, his blood boiled, his heart beat faster, his body was congested, and the whole person was excited. But Xu Zhihe was born with a city government, he pretended to be calm and calm, his face was calm, and he asked calmly:

"Why is the gentleman telling me this? Do you really think I have that ability? ”

"My lord, I said before, you are destined to take your noble appearance, if you start to work from now on, in the near future, Song believes that your lord will definitely create a great cause." After listening to Song Qiqiu's words, Xu Zhihe took another sip of wine and said:

"Talking to him always opens my eyes and opens my eyes. Mr. Botong ancient and modern, with Zhang Yi and Su Qin's talents, I admire. “

"Hahaha, the adult praised it falsely, Song usually likes to read books, how can he have such a talent as you say, I dare not be ashamed!"

"Why don't you live in the house from now on, I still have a lot to ask him!"

Song Qiqiu knew that his words had moved Xu Zhihe, but he still said: "Thank you for your kindness, Song is used to living in a grass house, as long as adults don't think that I am shallow and reckless, I am deeply honored." ”

"I'm sure I'll bother Mr. again in the future, I hope he doesn't think I'm a troublemaker." Xu Zhihe said.

"Where, where is it, Song can get to know adults, which is also a blessing in life."

After that, the two toasted each other and chatted until late at night, and Xu Zhihe sent someone to send Song Qiqiu back.

Two

The next day, Xu Zhihe told Zhou Zong about the conversation with Song Qiqiu last night, and Zhou Zong said to Xu Zhihe after hearing it: "I think Song Qiqiu is a really learned person, although I can't see what his character is, but there is one thing I agree with......

"Which point?" Without waiting for Zhou Zong to finish speaking, Xu Zhihe interjected.

"If there is a big chaos today, the virtuous and talented will get it, and now Zhu Youzhen and Li Cunmiao are facing off in the Central Plains, and it is not yet known who will kill the deer, Wu Yue, Chu and Shu have all been essentially self-reliant. I've been with you for several years, and I know that you have big ambitions, haven't you really thought about adapting to the times at all? Zhou Zong looked at Xu Zhihe, his eyes full of encouragement.

If Song Qiqiu's words made Xu Zhihe both excited and apprehensive, then Zhou Zong's words made Xu Zhihe both happy and calm, because Zhou Zong's words must be sincere, and he would not tell lies to himself. If he really decides to make a career, then Zhou Zong must be his right-hand man.

"So what do you think we should do?" Xu Zhihe used the word "we" instead of "I", and then looked at Zhou Zong. Zhou Zong heard it very clearly, he also looked at Xu Zhihe, his eyes were full of gratitude, he knew the meaning of this "we", and he solemnly told Xu Zhihe:

"We should look for Song Qiqiu again, since he took the initiative to tell you those words, it means that he has a good heart, I feel that he intends to assist you."

"Well, I think so too, but I can't go to him again today, I can't make him feel that we can't wait, he can't hold his breath, it's not a business to get on the pole, you have to hang his appetite first. Well, you can invite him again in three days. ”

In the evening, Xu Zhihe paced alone in the backyard of the mansion after finishing his business, and walked to the lake, remembering the conversation with Song Qiqiu last night, Xu Zhihe sighed with emotion. Oh, yes! Now there are many heroes, they are all heroes of this era, and they are all realizing their ambitions. I, Xu Zhihe, also have ambitions, I don't want to be an adopted son for the rest of my life, and I don't want to spend my whole life like this. The world has been in turmoil, there is no morality at all, whoever has the ability to grab it is whoever, I want to prove to the world that the adopted son will also get ahead one day. At this moment, Song Qiqiu's words lingered in his ears again, "Don't adults want to follow the trend of history, grab a piece of territory in this troubled world, and seek their own world?" Thinking of this, Xu Zhihe took a deep breath and calmed down, and then clenched his fists and secretly made up his mind. From now on, I, Xu Zhihe, want to seek my own world.

Three

Three days passed quickly, and in the evening Zhou Zong invited Song Qiqiu. Xu Zhihe still entertained him in the small pavilion in the middle of the lake, just like last time, after he and Song Qiqiu entered the small pavilion, Xu Zhihe ordered someone to take the pedal away, he felt that it was safe.

"Sir," Xu Zhihe said straight to the point this time, "The words of the last time have been hovering in my ears, and Mr. has a deep view of the current form, and Xu admires it." ”

"My lord has won the award, I'm just talking about things, I can't miss the opportunity, and I won't come again!"

"I wonder how Mr. thinks I should seize the opportunity?"

Hearing this, Song Qiqiu felt that Xu Zhihe was already moved, and he concluded that Xu Zhihe was persuaded by himself, so he took a sip of tea and said:

"My lord, the so-called one who wins the hearts of the people wins the world, this has been the truth since ancient times. Therefore, adults must first win people's hearts, and the gold and silver cups are not as good as the reputation of the people! ”

"What Mr. said is reasonable," Xu Zhihe nodded, "but I don't know how to win people's hearts?" ”

"Adults should recruit virtuous and virtuous corporals, respect scholars, value agriculture and mulberry, light money and charity, rectify military discipline, and reuse and promote talented and virtuous people in the army. Of course, you yourself should also be honest and self-disciplined. ”

"I agree with what Mr. said, but I'm afraid of ...... if that's the case," Xu Zhihe said hesitantly.

"What is there to hide?" Song Qiqiu was a little hesitant when he saw Xu Zhihe.

"Sir also knows that I am the adopted son of Lord Xu Wen, and my adoptive father is very kind to me and regards me as his own son, and now he trusts me and pays attention to me. Although he has not been by my side for the past few years, almost everything that happens here is under his control, and now he is in power in the court, if he knows that I have a plan, I am afraid it will not be good for me! ”

"What the adults said is that Zhang Liang gave Han Gaozu the twelve-character motto of 'building high walls, digging deep pits, accumulating grain, and slowly becoming kings', which achieved the foundation of the Han family for 400 years. Song is not talented and cannot be compared with Zhang Liang, but he also wants to send a few words to adults. ”

"What words?" Xu Zhihe asked.

"No haste, be patient, keep quiet, loose on the outside and tight on the inside, and gather people." Song Qiqiu said softly and forcefully. After listening to this, Xu Zhihe muttered to himself, and then said:

"Mr. is really a master, and he is really Zhang Liangye in the world."

"Haha...... Adults are killing me again. My lord, your adoptive father is now in power, but you think, after all, he has six sons, even if your adoptive father likes you very much and trusts you very much, how many chances will you have to inherit his power in the future? Who does not give power to his own son? ”

Xu Zhihe nodded, thinking that Song Qiqiu was right, he was an adopted son after all.

"So your adoptive father is a double-edged sword in front of you, if you use it well, it can help you, and if you don't use it well, it can destroy you. At the moment, your strength naturally cannot be compared with him, so now you still have to rely on him and use his strength to push you forward. But your intentions must not be too obvious, otherwise once you make him feel that you have great ambitions, it will threaten his power in the future, which will definitely be detrimental to you. ”

"Sir's words were like an initiation, and I was stunned." Xu Zhihe said happily.

"I'm just laying out the truth to adults, and everything has to be done by adults!"

"If he can fulfill his heart's wish one day, he will definitely make great contributions. Since Mr. is willing to tell me this, compared to Mr. for reasons to help me, it is better to live in my house from today onwards, Mr. is high-spirited and bright, and he is used to simplicity, but I am not a magnificent hall here, so Mr. does not have to refuse! Xu Zhihe persuaded Song Qiqiu with some compliments, and he paused for a moment and said:

"It's better to be respectful than to obey your fate, that's fine, and you don't have to send someone to find me every time." The two of them talked for a long time while pushing the cup and changing the lamp, and it didn't disperse until late at night.

In the following days, Xu Zhihe was busy with government affairs during the day, and whenever he was free at night, he would find Song Qiqiu to discuss matters in the pavilion, and every time Xu Zhihe would order someone to remove the pedal connecting the pavilion. There are only two of them in the middle of the lake, discussing the general trend of the world, ancient and modern heroes, and planning grand causes. Song Qiqiu became the enlightener and guide of Xu Zhihe's plan to determine the world.