"Today, I invited everyone to gather together because we Zhao have not been together like this for a long time. I want to see what is happening to our outstanding descendants of the Zhao family. Let's raise a glass together. ”

Dozens of people below raised the wine glasses in their hands, and said together: "Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Majesty is blessed." ”

Among these dozens of people, there is an inconspicuous guy, which is Zhao Weiji.

Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin has five brothers, in addition to the eldest brother and the fifth brother who died early, there are three others. These three people are the second Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, the third Taizong Zhao Guangyi, and the fourth Zhao Tingmei. All three have already branched out. Now there are dozens of people in the second and third generations of the Zhao royal family sitting in the hall. No one will pay attention to Zhao Weiji. Zhao Weiji basically didn't know these guys, but he still had a hypocritical smile on his face and coped with it.

At this time, a person from the next seat came over and said to Zhao Weiji: "Guoxiang is also here?" Guoxiang has been terrible lately, and the father and emperor of the tea you made are very fond of it, when will you send me someday? ”

Zhao Weiji didn't know the person in front of him, but he heard him call his father the emperor, and it was estimated that he was Zhao Guangyi's son. Counting the seniority, he is still his uncle, but he doesn't know which son of Zhao Guangyi this person is. So I had to bite the bullet and ask, "I don't know who you are?" ”

"Look at my surname, I forgot Guoxiang, you suffered from soul loss, and you can't remember the people and things before. I am the third uncle of your third uncle, Zhao Dechang. Zhao Dechang said.

The name Zhao Dechang may not be too famous, but this person has another name, Zhao Heng. He is the Song Zhenzong of the Later Dynasty. Zhao Weiji didn't expect that the person standing in front of him at this moment was actually Emperor Zhenzong. Speaking of which, this Emperor Zhenzong is two years younger than him.

"Uncle?" Zhao Weiji tried to scream.

"Don't you still know me, Guoxiang." Hearing Zhao Weiji call him, Zhao Dechang replied happily.

"Uncle Hui, in fact, I still can't remember you, but I just felt a little vague impression and tried to call."

"It's okay, take your time. You can agree to what I just said. When Zhao Dechang heard that Zhao Weiji didn't really think of himself, he didn't care, and still asked for good tea.

"No problem, uncle, I'll ask someone to bring it to you another day."

"I want good tea, remember good tea."

"Okay, good tea is no problem."

After greeting Zhao Dechang for a few more words, people around him came up to say hello. In short, it was in the middle of this group of princes and grandsons for a while, and then a eunuch came over and whispered to Zhao Weiji: "Your Majesty, please go to the imperial garden to meet." Then Zhao Weiji said goodbye to this group of princes and grandsons, and went to the imperial garden with the box prepared in advance.

……

When Zhao Weiji walked to the Imperial Garden, Zhao Guangyi was already waiting there. Seeing this, Zhao Weiji immediately stepped forward and saluted: "The minister is late, I hope that Your Majesty will forgive me." ”

Zhao Guangyi raised his hand and let Zhao Weijiping behind him and said, "Do you know what I am looking for you to do?" ”

Seeing this, Zhao Weiji was not ready to play dumb riddles with Zhao Guangyi, so he said: "The minister has something to offer to Your Majesty." ”

"Oh? What is it? ”

Zhao Weiji opened the box he brought, took out the cotton clothes inside and said, "This thing is a new type of cotton jacket made of a plant called cotton introduced by the minister from the Western Regions. Not only warm, but also low cost, can be mass-produced. ”

When Zhao Guangyi saw this thing, his eyes couldn't help but light up. This era was due to the fact that cotton was not yet widespread. People are more likely to wear warm clothing in winter in animal skins or wool filling. However, animal husbandry in the Central Plains was not well developed. More often than not, imports from northern nomads have to be relied upon. It is really difficult to popularize it in the Central Plains. If this thing can be popularized, it will not only solve the difficulties of the people in the northern part of the Central Plains to survive the winter. What's more, the military use of this object is more practical. If the soldiers on the northern border were equipped with cotton clothes, their combat effectiveness in winter would be raised to a higher level. The northern border of the Great Song Dynasty was often harassed by the Liao State in winter, and it was miserable. If the combat effectiveness of the soldiers in the north is improved in winter, it will be of great help to fight against the Khitan.

"Is this really as good as you say?" Zhao Guangyi took the cotton coat in his hand and asked after looking at it repeatedly.

"Your Majesty can find someone to put it on and go to the ice cellar to try it."

Zhao Guangyi called a eunuch and asked him to put on this cotton robe, and then went to the ice cellar. After about a stick of incense, the eunuch returned to the Imperial Garden.

"How does it feel?" Zhao Guangyi asked the eunuch.

"Back to Your Majesty, it feels good. After putting on this cotton coat, it was not so cold after entering the ice cellar. The eunuch replied.

Zhao Guangyi was also very happy to get an affirmative answer, and then said to Zhao Weiji: "It is worthy of being the descendants of Taizu and Dezhao, it is really excellent." ”

Hearing Zhao Guangyi say this, Zhao Weiji suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty praises falsely." The minister also intends to present to His Majesty the new tea making method and all the industries related to cotton. ”

Hearing Zhao Weiji say this, Zhao Guangyi couldn't help but squint his eyes, glanced at Zhao Weiji, and then said, "You seem to be very afraid of me?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, it's not fear, it's respect." In fact, at this time, Zhao Weiji's entire back shirt was already soaked with sweat.

"If you're not afraid, why are you giving these things to me?"

"New tea, cotton is auspicious. It should belong to the hands of the Son of Heaven in order to benefit the people. Although the minister is a royal family, he should not enjoy the blessings brought by auspiciousness. ”

"You've said all the good things, and I can't accept it, right? That's fine, I won't take your property in its entirety, after all, it's not good for my grandfather to talk about his grandson's inheritance. What's more, isn't there something from the Chai family girl in this? Can you call the shots for her? ”

"I can't."

"So I'm going to do this, you tell me how to make new tea. But the tea shop outside you is still open, and I don't disclose the method. Yours is still yours. As for the cotton cloth, I represent the imperial court as a shareholder. The imperial court accounts for 10% of the annual benefits, but when the imperial court needs to purchase related products, you can only sell them at cost price, you see. ”

"Your Majesty's Dragon Will Heavenly Judgment." Zhao Weiji saw that Zhao Guangyi was quite kind, and his heart suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

"You have also made a lot of contributions in this matter. Tell me, what reward do you want? ”

"Please allow your majesty to allow the minister to serve in the army, the minister wants to go to the northern border to train himself." Zhao Weiji said what he wanted.

It turned out that since a conversation with Kou Zhun, Zhao Weiji was also completely aware of the dilemma brought about by his identity as the grandson of Taizu. No matter what he does, as long as he makes a little movement, he will be noticed by Zhao Guangyi. Unless you really keep a low profile for a lifetime, but this is too sorry for the identity of the traversal.

But the problem is in front of Zhao Weiji again, since he is not ready to keep a low profile. If you want to make a career, how do you do it? First of all, the civilian job was denied by him. If you want to work as a civil servant, the identity of the royal family will not be a help, but an obstacle. Throughout Chinese history, outside the early Qing Dynasty, it was difficult for the royal relatives of the side branches in the peaceful and prosperous era to get out of the way. Moreover, Zhao Weiji was not very familiar with the Confucian classics, and he was directly denied through his career as a clerical worker.

Then the only way left is military merit. Although Song Taizu and Song Taizong both had actions to suppress military generals, due to the existence of the Liao State in the north, they still needed military generals. And Zhao Weiji, who has a certain understanding of history, knew that before the alliance of the Yuanyuan, the Liao and Song dynasties had to fight. What's more, the identity of his royal family is helpful on the road from Rong, and compared with military generals, the royal family is more trustworthy. What's more, judging from Zhao Weiji's observation of Zhao Guangyi and the records of historical books, Zhao Guangyi still has some stubbornness. Zhao Weiji is sure that Zhao Guangyi thinks that even if he enters the army, he will not be able to make any waves. So he dared to conclude that Zhao Guangyi would let him go to the army.

Sure enough, Zhao Guangyi thought for a moment after hearing Zhao Weiji's request and said: "Since you have the heart to contribute to the country, I will not stop me as a grandfather, don't you already have the title of General Zuo Xiaowei, and you will be like that." You go directly to the state to take office. You'll definitely learn a lot by following the history of the Daishu Thorn. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Then Zhao Weiji retired.

After seeing Zhao Weiji leave, Cheng An, the eunuch next to Zhao Guangyi, spoke: "Why doesn't Your Majesty not only not want to settle the property of the county prince, but also let him go to Daizhou?" ”

"Didn't I say it just now, grandpa doesn't look good at talking about his grandson's industry, the key is that part of the industry is still part of the Chai family, Taizu's legacy treats the descendants of the Chai family well, how can I move the Chai family's industry." What's more, I don't expect this kid to make bigger waves, although he has some business skills, but where is it so easy to mix in the army. After a few years of polishing in Daizhou, he may come back in disgrace. At that time, the edges and corners will be worn off, and he probably won't want to toss. ”

Hearing Zhao Guangyi's explanation, Cheng An stopped talking.

The day after returning home, Zhao Weiji invited Chai Yu and told Chai Yu everything after seeing Zhao Guangyi, so that she could rest assured. At the same time, he also entrusted all the properties in Bianjing after he paid Daizhou to Chai Yu and asked her to help take care of it.

After hearing everything Zhao Weiji said, Chai Yu was both happy and sad. The good news is that there is no problem with the industry, the conditions proposed by Zhao Guangyi are not too harsh, and the money is still to be made. The sad thing is that Zhao Weiji is about to go to the battlefield. After a few months of getting along, Chai Yu has already fallen a little bit in love with this stinky boy full of ideas. When I think that this young man who is not yet nineteen years old will have to go to the border and even go to the battlefield, I always have an indescribable sadness in my heart.

After entrusting Chai Yu, Zhao Weiji ordered his family to start packing up. At this time, Zhao Xin came over and said to him, "Young Master, I will go to Daizhou with you." I was originally from a military background, and I am familiar with the army, so I will definitely be helpful to the young master. ”

"Okay, then you can come along."

Zhao Xin said again: "Take that Li Er with you." In the past few months, through roasting tea, I have observed that this Li Ergen bone is wonderful, which is a good material for martial arts, and I took him to the army to hone it, plus I personally taught him martial arts. It will definitely help the young master in the future. ”

"Okay, as you say, take him with you."

Three days later, Zhao Weiji and his entourage were ready to set off, and Ruxiang and Li Xiaohua, who saw them off, were already crying. And Chai Yu next to him also looked very sad. Zhao Weiji, who was already preparing to leave, couldn't help it anymore when he saw Chai Yu's appearance, he said: "It's not so dangerous to go to Daizhou, don't worry." I'll marry you when I get back." It turns out that Zhao Weiji has also fallen in love with this somewhat arrogant chick.

"Who's going to marry you?" Hearing Zhao Weiji say that he wanted to marry her, Chai Yu immediately made a big red face. But although he said that he would not marry, he still took out a very delicate talisman from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Weiji.

"It turns out that my wife also asked for an amulet for me, I must cherish it, it must be very spiritual." Saying that, Zhao Weiji hung the talisman around his neck and put it away closely.

"Who is your wife, this is just me going to the temple to offer incense to pray for my mother's blessing, don't get me wrong."

"My wife asked for it for me, I know." Saying that, Zhao Weiji also took out the talisman and kissed it. Then he rode away.

Of course, Zhao Weiji, who was still on the road, didn't know that his destination Daizhou would actually produce a huge whirlpool. And he is at the center of this vortex.

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