Chapter 15: Ancient and Modern

The stars are sparse and the moon is hidden, and the night is like ink and drunk. 【Reading.com】

When Xiao Mo left the Xiao Mansion, Tiane had completely darkened.

Xiao Mo didn't know why Zhang Yansheng would entertain him at this time.

According to common sense, Xiao Mo has only been back in Beijing for two days, tired for many years, and it is when he needs to rest and reunite with his family, and he doesn't want anyone to disturb him, this is human nature, everyone understands. Therefore, there would not be anyone who bothered Xiao Mo at such a time, otherwise it would be very likely that he would be bored.

And Zhang Yansheng has always been cautious and careful, and he is good at understanding people's hearts, and it is impossible to do such a thankless thing.

Thinking about it this way, the reason why Zhang Yansheng invited Xiao Mo to the banquet had to be investigated.

However, no matter what Zhang Yansheng's purpose was, Xiao Mo was still very moved by this sudden banquet from the bottom of his heart.

Without him, when he was talking to the Xiao family just now, the embarrassing atmosphere that permeated everywhere made Xiao Mo very uncomfortable, and he was also very bad at dealing with this kind of situation.

Therefore, Zhang Yansheng's post just gave Xiao Mo a reason to "escape".

When Xiao Mo came to the mansion, when Xiao Mo was still thinking about how to eliminate the knot in the heart of the Xiao family, especially his grandmother Liu, Deng Shangquan was already ready, came to Xiao Mo's side, and asked, "Young Master, are you going to take a sedan chair or a carriage this way?" ”

Xiao Mo hesitated for a moment and said, "Let's take the carriage." ”

The land of the capital, after more than 100 years of operation in the Chu Dynasty, has long been quite large-scale, all the roads are paved with stone slabs, it looks quite neat, but it is just "looking neat", plus the manufacturing process of the carriage is not complete at this time, and the carriage is fast, but it is still a little bumpy.

But compared with the carriage, Xiao Mo doesn't like the sedan chair, and the covering on all sides makes people feel depressed, the shaky rhythm and squeaky sound make Xiao Mo want to sleep as soon as he sits in.

Especially after the end of the Shangyuan War, perhaps because of the overdraft of his physical and mental vitality, Xiao Mo became more and more easily tired, so every time he took a sedan chair, his brain became dizzy.

It's okay to meet and talk to Zhang Yansheng, you must keep a clear mind.

When he was helped into the carriage by Deng Shangquan, Xiao Mo sighed secretly in his heart, if it weren't for his current status and high popularity, he would rather walk, although the carriage would not make Xiao Mo sleepy, but the pain of bumps was also uncomfortable.

After Xiao Mo's carriage was seated, Deng Shangquan also sat next to the groom, as Xiao Mo's long-term entourage, he was clear about Xiao Mo's physical condition, turned his head and said: "Young master, Ming'er, I will ask a doctor from the Tai Hospital to help you explore the pulse again, your body has not been quite right these days, although I looked for a doctor before returning to Beijing, but those doctors have limited ability after all, and then let the doctors check it is good to rest assured, there is no big mistake in being careful." ”

Xiao Mo nodded and said, "It should just be an overdraft, but it's good to check it again...... Don't make a noise when you go to ask for a doctor, otherwise it will be a lot of trouble for others to know. ”

Because he didn't want his family to worry, and he didn't want to show his weakness in front of outsiders, Xiao Mo kept his physical condition a secret, except for Deng Shangquan, few people knew.

"Got it."

When Deng Shangquan responded, he saw Xiao Mo holding his left shoulder again, and his eyes couldn't help but be worried.

When presiding over the battle of Shangyuan City, Xiao Mo's arm had been wounded by an arrow, although it was not serious and had long been healed, but it was always a little sour and numb from time to time. Considering Xiao Mo's exhaustion and fatigue when he went to Yuancheng, and considering that Xiao Mo has been weak and sick since he was a child, although this situation is reasonable, it is also worrying.

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The place where Zhang Yansheng invited Xiao Mo to the banquet was called "Gui Wanxuan", and the capital was quite famous.

When Xiao Mo came to the front of "Gui Wanxuan", Zhang Yansheng was already waiting there.

After Xiao Mo stepped out of the carriage, Zhang Yansheng greeted Xiao Mo and said with a smile: "Zirou, I didn't expect you to really come, when I got the reply, I thought I had heard it wrong, I thought you would only be thinking about being idle and lazy during this time, and you wouldn't socialize with others." ”

While speaking, Zhang Yansheng was not polite, took Xiao Mo's arm, and walked to the top floor of "Gui Wanxuan".

Xiao Mo also smiled and said, "It turns out that you said that you were going to invite me, but it was just a polite remark, and you didn't want me to come." ”

Between breaths, I smelled the smell of wine on Zhang Yansheng's body, and it seemed that he had drunk a lot, and then looked at the "Gui Wanxuan", except for Xiao Mo and Zhang Yansheng, there were no other diners, who should have been chartered by Zhang Yansheng, so he asked again: "In addition to banqueting me, who else did you invite?" ”

Zhang Yansheng shook his head and said, "Apart from you, where are there other guests." ”

While talking, the two came to the top floor of "Gui Wanxuan", Xiao Mo looked up and saw that there was no one else.

In the window position, there is a pot of wine, seven side dishes, and two pairs of dishes and chopsticks, which is exactly the position that Zhang Yansheng has booked.

After Xiao Mo sat down, Zhang Yansheng raised his glass and laughed at himself: "Tonight, I poured myself a drink, and I felt that there was only one person, so I couldn't help but be lonely, so I wanted to find three or two acquaintances to accompany me, but when I raised my glass and looked around, I found that it was difficult to find a confidant. After thinking about it, I only thought of you. So although I know that you don't want to socialize with people these days, I still have the cheekiness to find someone to send you a post, which is just a glimmer of expectation, but I didn't expect you to really come. ”

Xiao Mo also raised his glass and said with a smile: "Zijia looks at it like this, it really flatters me. ”

Seeing that Xiao Mo faintly had the meaning of prevarication, Zhang Yansheng was not annoyed, but just sighed and said: "In the eyes of the world, I am the grandson of the prime minister of the dynasty, not Zhang Yansheng, but Zi Rouyan, Zhang Yansheng is first Zhang Yansheng, and then the grandson of the prime minister of the dynasty, just this point, Zirou, you are already my confidant." ”

Seeing that Zhang Yan was sincere, Xiao Mo did not deny it anymore. In fact, after getting acquainted with Zhang Yansheng, Xiao Mo would indeed involuntarily treat Zhang Qian and Zhang Yansheng separately - this is not because of the habits of later generations, but in Xiao Mo's view, although Zhang Qian is powerful and profound, his essence is just a politician who makes profits for himself, and everything he does and thinks is therefore traceable. But what is the essence of Zhang Yansheng? Xiao Mo couldn't see it clearly, but he faintly felt that this Zhang Yansheng was much more dangerous than Zhang Qian, but when he looked into the depths, he couldn't say it clearly, as if it was just an illusion.

While talking, the two of them touched their wine glasses lightly, Xiao Mo just took a sip lightly, but Zhang Yansheng drank it, Xiao seemed to be lonely, and seemed to be bored, Xiao Mo looked at it, but did not ask.

After putting down the wine glass, Xiao Mo asked: "Zijia has only been back for two days, why didn't he reunite with his family in the Prime Minister's Mansion, but went here alone to drink?" ”

Zhang Yansheng smiled bitterly: "Without him, I was kicked out by my grandfather." ”

"Kicked out?" Xiao Mo was surprised at first, but in an instant, he understood and asked, "Because you want to be released as an official?" ”

Zhang Yansheng was silent, just nodded, and couldn't stop drinking.

Chu Dynasty, the so-called rule of the country, has always been a little too much, take the temple of those prime ministers as an example, the reason why they can occupy high positions is not because of how outstanding their abilities are, how dazzling their resumes are, but most of them are just because of their great prestige, high talent, deep qualifications, and can win the hearts of scholars, unlike later generations, if you want to enter the main center, you must have experience in governing places.

Therefore, if Zhang Yansheng wants to be released as an official, he will be opposed by Zhang Qian, which is inevitable.

In Zhang Qian's view, only by basing on the pivot is the right path for the official, and only by basing on the pivot can he continue to deepen the saint's family, stabilize his power, and increase his prestige and qualifications, that is, smooth sailing, and in the future, he can be rightfully replaced into the cabinet as the prime minister, maintaining the power and wealth of the Zhang family.

This is the path that Zhang Qian designed for Zhang Yansheng, and he has been working hard for it.

Thinking of this, Xiao Mo sighed and said: "I'm afraid that the Prime Minister will not let you be released as an official, and without his consent, Your Majesty will not agree to take care of the situation." It is good for Zijia to have the heart to do things for the people, but this time she was reckless, and she shouldn't have said her thoughts so early. ”

Zhang Yansheng nodded, stared at the wine glass, and muttered: "Yes, grandfather, he won't let me be released as an official, and now he just wants to use my merits and holy family to stabilize the status of the Prime Minister's Mansion, where will he really care about me?" ”

Zhang Yansheng's words can be described as a great disrespect to the elders, and for a while, Xiao Mo didn't know how to answer.

Without waiting for Xiao Mo to answer, Zhang Yansheng said slowly: "A lifetime of fighting for power and profit, intrigue, and having a powerful position in old age, but walking on thin ice, honest and fearful, a hundred years later, except for the name of the minister, there is nothing left...... I grew up with my grandfather, watching how he did things, learning how he did things, and I always tried to imitate him, how his path went, what the head of the road was, I already knew, but I didn't want to repeat his way of life......"

As he spoke, Zhang Yansheng clinked glasses with Xiao Mo again, Xiao Mo still took a sip, and Zhang Yansheng still drank it.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Mo said: "Life is not as expected, ten of the **, involuntarily, it is inevitable in this world." ”

Zhang Yansheng was also silent for a moment, suddenly changed the topic, and said: "This time to fight the grassland barbarians, Zirou, you went to Yuan City to defend against the enemy, and you are bent on fighting the war, I am afraid that I have not seen much and thought about it, but I have seen a lot and thought a lot when I led the troops behind the enemy. In the past, things like "changing children and eating" and "cutting and feeding children" were just boring descriptions in books for me, but during that time, they happened around me all the time, and all kinds of human tragedies were like hell, and words and words could not describe what happened. ”

Perhaps these words were held in his heart for too long, Zhang Yansheng changed his previous habits, and Xiao Mo kept pouring out in his ears.

"I'm not afraid of Zirou's jokes, I only say these words to you, when I led the army with you to fight against the grassland barbarians, my grandfather was very unhappy, that is, he was afraid that I would have an accident, and he complained that I was making an opinion, and even prepared to interrupt my tui with his own hands, and extrapolated that he fell off his horse and broke it, so he quit this errand, and I ran away."

Saying that, Zhang Yansheng laughed at himself and continued: "At that time, I didn't actually have any thoughts about the country and the people, I just thought, just let me do it once, so that when I am old and dying in the future, I have something worth remembering, and I have no regrets in my life." When I return to Beijing after the war, I will put away this appointment, and from then on accept my fate, no longer have any other thoughts, follow my grandfather's arrangement, enter the court, enter the cabinet, be an official and take power, and the power of my life will ensure the prosperity of the Zhang family for a hundred years. However, when I led the troops to fight in the north, I saw that kind of human tragedy, and I felt that I should do more practical things, instead of learning from my grandfather all my life, only knowing about court affairs and party disputes, and gradually becoming numb after I arrived, as if a person should be like this in his life. ”

Another glass of wine.

Xiao Mo felt that Zhang Yansheng was a little drunk, otherwise he wouldn't have talked so much. But I felt that Zhang Yansheng was not drunk, because Zhang Yansheng's eyes became brighter.

Xiao Mo didn't answer, but just filled Zhang Yansheng's wine glass with his own hands.

The wind was faintly whistling outside the window, and the two of them were still unconscious, just talking and listening.

"So, after returning to Beijing, I asked His Majesty to be released as an official, since I was a child, I am used to seeing all kinds of competing interests and intrigues, I don't want to participate in it anymore, I just want to do what I can, let the world be less miserable, and let myself be more down-to-earth, but my grandfather will not understand after all......"

If others hear Zhang Yansheng say this, I am afraid that most of them will scoff at it and think that Zhang Yansheng is making a show.

A child of a family who has no worries about food and clothing and lives a luxurious life, will have such a love for the people? Will you understand the suffering of the people?

But Zhang Yansheng is very serious in his words, and he is also very sincere. Thinking of Zhang Yansheng's words and deeds after the war, Xiao Mo couldn't help but believe a little.

Even, vaguely, Xiao Mo had already guessed the truth of Zhang Yansheng's psychological change.

Zhang Yansheng was born under a famous name, he had no worries about food and clothing, and he lived a life of whatever he wanted since he was a child, coupled with his intelligence, he was already famous in the world at a young age, it can be said that everything that the world pursues - fame, fortune, and power, Zhang Yansheng has already easily obtained all of them.

But to live in the world, people always need a goal. Zhang Qian's goal for Zhang Yansheng was to let Zhang Yansheng be like him, enter the court as an official, enter the cabinet as a minister, and compete with others for the rest of his life, so as to maintain the prosperity of the Prime Minister's Mansion for a hundred years.

But that was Zhang Qian's goal, not Zhang Yansheng's goal, and imposing his life goal on Zhang Yansheng made Zhang Yansheng resist.

If it is an ordinary child of a family, if he has no worries and no motivation in life, he has already been a lifelong life, after all, this attitude to life can be regarded as a kind of paralysis.

It's a pity that he is Zhang Yansheng, and his poetry and self-discipline since he was a child made him not choose this path at all.

Therefore, although Zhang Yansheng is talented and famous, in essence, he is just an empty shell, although he cannot be said to be like a corpse, but it is no longer appropriate to say that he is a marionette of Zhang Qian.

In this case, Zhang Yansheng is empty, and he will subconsciously look for his life goal, and he will face the grassland coalition with Xiao Mo at the beginning, but there is no reason for this.

Then, seeing the hell on earth that the barbarians swept by, Zhang Yansheng would feel that he should do something as long as he was not bad, and at the same time, he subconsciously looked for his life goal, so everything came naturally - and all this was in words, that is, a heart of love for the people and the people.

If this is the case, Xiao Mo should be ashamed, no matter what Zhang Yansheng's love for the people and the people is born of, it is always much more lofty than Xiao Mo's life goal.

However, all this is just Xiao Mo's speculation, although it is consciously reasonable, but it is always hard to believe that a child of a family like Zhang Yansheng will be so worried about the country and love the people, not to mention, who can guarantee that Zhang Yansheng's words and deeds to Xiao Mo at this moment will not be a joke?

Therefore, Xiao Mo only believed five points.

And the fundamental reason that made Xiao Mo suspicious was because of the various changes after Zhang Yansheng's war, which made Xiao Mo feel dangerous.

Worrying about the country and the people should not make people feel dangerous.

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P: The book is starting to enter a turning point, so to speak, it is entering the second half, so this period of time is a little slow, but after thinking about it these days, everything that should be considered has been taken into account, and it will slowly accelerate.