Liang Xiao did not have a high admiration for Chen Ping, but he also did not think that Chen Ping's heir was because Taoism advocated conspiracy. In fact, this is nothing more than a very deceptive statement, and the real reason why the increasingly centralized imperial power cannot tolerate the existence of military merit groups.

Of course, Confucianism, who has the right to write history, but has to be ashamed of His Holiness, can only say this.

Chen Zhang is nearly forty years old, and his youth was the process of the military merit group from its peak to decline. On the one hand, he will be nostalgic for his former power, and on the other hand, he will also have a sadness of being powerless. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have had an affair with a maid in the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion and marry her as his wife.

Chen Zhang's mood is a portrayal of countless children of the military merit group. It seems that there is only one last way left in front of them, that is, the path of the Chen family: to marry the royal family, become a relative, and use the imperial power to maintain their own interests. In fact, this is equivalent to a surrender with a raised hand.

One of the purposes of the implementation of the Huang Lao Way in the early Han Dynasty was that the imperial power and the military merit group were at peace with each other, and the well water did not interfere with the river water. If today's son does not want to do nothing, but wants to make great achievements, the military merit group will be tragic. The older generation of founding heroes have passed away one after another, and the remaining young people can only cry out in vain.

However, the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse, and although these down-and-out nobles are declining, their overall strength is still not to be underestimated. The Son of Heaven can only suppress them at the moment, not giving them the opportunity to become an official and a knight, but he cannot forcibly deprive them. After another one or two decades, when the imperial power of the Son of Heaven is stable, they will not be so comfortable. The most famous one was to deprive more than 100 people of their titles in one fell swoop on the grounds that the sorrel was not sufficient.

Chen Zhang doesn't have a knighthood, but his feelings shouldn't be much different. Historically, he has been seeking to restore the country, but he has never succeeded, even when the Wei family was in full swing.

Liang Xiao looked at Chen Zhang. Thinking about those records in history, I suddenly had an indescribable strange feeling.

"Junhou, what's wrong with you?" Chen Zhang was furious by Liang Xiao's heart, and asked worriedly. He felt that Liang Xiao's eyes were wrong, like he was looking at a dead person. He asked himself that he had given Liang Xiao enough face, and it should be enough to redeem the mistakes of the slaves. Why does Liang Xiao still look at him like this?

"Oh, nothing." Liang Xiao retracted his thoughts, raised his glass, and blocked it in front of him to hide his gaffe. The two drank a glass of wine, and Liang Xiao asked again: "Chen Jun is also a famous person in Chang'an, hasn't he been to Changmen Garden?" ”

Chen Zhang smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I'm a celebrity, I can't do anything, I can't do martial arts. I am not confused when I am near, and I am still a small official of a thousand stones, and I don't know when I will be able to get through it, and I am qualified to go to the assembly of Changmen Garden. Even Master Dong also submitted a letter to recommend himself, and went to Wei Qihou's mansion to give lectures a few times before receiving the invitation. ”

Liang Xiao's heart moved. He talked a lot with Liu Ling yesterday, but most of them were about water control, and he didn't bother to ask Dou Ying.

"Wei Qihou's door is also difficult to enter?"

"It's better." Chen Zhang crooked his mouth. "Although Wei Qihou is beautiful. After all, if you are old, if the door is difficult to enter. I'm afraid no one wants to go. ”

Liang Xiao smiled. It turned out that Dou Ying was so miserable that he didn't even take Chen Zhang in his eyes.

The two talked for a long time, Wei Shao'er prepared a banquet, Liang Xiao and Chen Zhangdong talked about it, and finally in front of Chen Zhang's husband and wife, they determined the news of accepting apprentices on behalf of the teacher. Only then did he leave the Chen Mansion.

Wei Shao'er was grateful, personally sent out the door, and instructed Huo Qu to serve more around Liang Xiao when he was sick, so he said goodbye. Back at home, Chen Zhang looked at the broken door. A long sigh. Wei Shao'er was uneasy in her heart, and hurriedly said, "I have already invited someone to repair it, and it will be repaired soon." ”

Chen waved his hand. "Forget it, it's those dogs who don't have eyes, and they actually offended this upstart. Fortunately, it was his junior brother who went to the disease, and he didn't cause any trouble. He was killed from the sea of corpses and blood, but if he moved, he couldn't stop it without a few lives. Child, I think he is very fond of going to the sick, you can tell him to be smart, don't let go of this opportunity. ”

Seeing that Chen Zhang's tone was gentle and not as vicious as usual, Wei Shao'er's heart was wide and he agreed repeatedly.

Chen Zhang thought for a while, and then said: "It's better like this, you pack some luggage for the sick and let him live in the Liang Mansion." ”

"Why?" Wei Shao'er was puzzled. After she and Chen Zhang got married, they never gave birth, only Huo Quzhi had such a child. Let him leave her and live in Liang's house, she was reluctant.

"If you want to learn archery when you are sick, of course, it is best to follow Liang Xiao. Moreover, he lives in the Liang family, you and I also have a reason to visit the Liang family often, and we are familiar with it, and in the future, I will ask Liang Xiao to say it in front of His Majesty, maybe I can still be an official, and the conditions at home will be better. You say, don't you? ”

When Wei Shao'er heard this, he felt reasonable, and nodded again and again. She called Huo Quai, and told Chen Zhang's suggestion that Huo Qubing did not suspect him, and he couldn't ask for it. Wei Shao'er immediately packed some luggage for him, and personally sent him to Liang's house with Chen Zhang.

――

Liang Xiao didn't go home directly, he went to Wei Qihou's mansion.

Dou Ying was studying at home, and he was very surprised to see Liang Xiao visiting. "Why didn't you go to Ganquan Palace to restore your life?"

"Your Majesty has an edict to let me rest at home for two days." Liang Xiao squeezed his eyes and patted his knees again. "It just so happened that my leg disease had another attack and I couldn't walk, so I was happy to stay in Chang'an for two days."

Dou Ying glanced at Liang Xiao and couldn't help laughing. He welcomed Liang Xiao to the hall and said earnestly: "Bo Ming, it's okay to have some tempers, but it should be done in moderation. It's been too long, I'm afraid it's not a good thing. ”

Liang Xiao said half-jokingly: "Is this Wei Qihou's reading experience?" ”

Dou Ying laughed and pushed the brochure on the case aside. "That's not in the book, that's my experience. At that time, he was in a mood and studied in seclusion in Lantian, but ......" He sighed and didn't say any more.

Liang Xiao knew it and didn't mention it again. "I heard that Master Dong has been coming to you more frequently recently?"

"Well, Your Majesty went to Ganquan Palace, and there are few errands in the palace, and he often comes to me to go around. He reads a lot, and I have to ask him about some academic matters. ”

"The mouth of the big river should be sparse and not blocked, is it his suggestion?"

Dou Ying raised his head and looked at Liang Xiao in surprise. "What's wrong with you, your leg disease has recurred, and you can't recuperate at home. But he came to find trouble with Master Dong. ”

Liang Xiao frowned, and his words changed. "Wei Qihou, you and Master Dong discussed knowledge, have you ever thought about why the Son of Heaven admired the induction of heaven and man on the one hand, built a lot of construction in Ganquan Palace, and abandoned Master Dong in Chang'an on the other?"

Dou Ying was silent. From the moment I saw Liang Xiao. He guessed Liang Xiao's intention. Why didn't the Son of Heaven let Liang Xiao go to Ganquan Palace immediately to restore his life, I'm afraid he just didn't want him to speak. Liang Xiao came to him, which also showed that it was impossible for him to shut up.

"What are you going to do?"

"I hope that Master Dong will peep into the garden for another three years and come up with a way to crack the induction of heaven and man. Otherwise, I'll never finish with him. ”

Dou Ying crooked her mouth, with a bit of banter. "Why are you not done with him?"

Liang Xiao squinted his eyes, a little unstingy, and a little murderous, which made Dou Ying's heart tighten. Inexplicably, I felt a little uneasy. "Doesn't he like to talk about disasters and ask for rain? I said that the flood that caused the river to burst was caused by him begging for rain. ”

Dou Ying was shocked. "You're fooling around, who will believe you?"

"I'm messing around, but the big water in Shandong will be difficult to calm down for a long time, once it provokes a civil uprising. The court will need a scapegoat. ”

Dou Ying gasped and glared at Liang Xiao. Didn't speak for a long time. He could say that Liang Xiao was joking, but if Liang Xiao wasn't joking, then Dong Zhongshu would be in big trouble. In an instant, one word came to him: self-inflicted.

"Bo Ming, you can't do that." Dou Ying came back to his senses and said in a loud voice: "Although Dong Zhongshu is a little pedantic. But he is a seed of reading, and his protégés are all over the world, if you falsely accuse him, you will provoke the anger of the public. ”

"His bullshit theory that should be sparse and not blocked has already provoked the anger of the public." Liang Xiao snorted: "Marquis Wei has lived in Chang'an for a long time. I can't hear the wails of the people of Shandong. When I returned from Jiangnan, I saw their tragic situation. Doctor Han and Cao Junhou are also vivid, and they will report to the Son of Heaven soon. I remind him now that I am giving him a chance to correct himself. He should have thanked me. ”

Dou Ying listened, frowning. He stood up, turned back and forth twice, and stood still in front of Liang Xiao again. "In this matter, I will go and say to Dong Zhongshu, you must not be impulsive. He has studied painstakingly for decades before he has developed such a knowledge of celestial and human induction, and it is indeed not easy to slap himself in a short period of time. You give him some time. ”

"I can give him time, but I'm afraid that others won't give him time." Liang Xiao smiled. "Since Wei Qihou intercedes, I will allow him for a few days. However, just because I don't trouble him doesn't mean that others won't trouble him. You let him do whatever he wants. ”

"I know, I know."

――

Liang Xiao talked with Dou Yingchang, and had dinner at Dou's house before going home.

As soon as he entered the door, Huo Qubing greeted him and said affectionately: "Senior brother, you are back." ”

Liang Xiao was surprised. "Why are you here? Something? ”

Huo Quzhi scratched his head embarrassedly, and was about to answer, when Liu Ling walked out of the inner courtyard. "You have limited time at home, so in order to let him practice archery as soon as possible, from today onwards, he will live at home."

Although Liang Xiao was puzzled, he didn't ask again. He came to Huo Quai's room, looked around, and saw that Liu Ling had arranged it properly, not only was the room clean and all kinds of utensils were new, but also arranged for a teenager to accompany Huo Quai, so he was relieved.

Liang Xiao sat down on the edge of the bed and called Huo Qubing to him. "Tell me, whose idea was this?"

Huo Quzhi blinked. "It shouldn't be my mother. However, I also hope to be closer to my brother. ”

"If you get sick, you will be safe. When you get here, you'll learn not only archery, but also other things. You are very talented, even if you don't learn, you are better than the average person. However, if you want to become a real celebrity, you still have to learn a little more. When the foundation is solid, we will be able to fly higher and go farther in the future. Do you understand? ”

Huo Quzhi didn't seem to understand, and he didn't quite understand Liang Xiao's words.

"Okay, you can rest first, and you can practice by yourself at night, not too late. Tomorrow morning, I will come and call you. ”

"Thank you, brother." Huo Qu bowed and saluted and sent Liang Xiao out. It wasn't until Liang Xiao entered the inner courtyard that he withdrew his gaze, closed the door, looked at the various utensils in the room, and exhaled softly. He took out the bamboo bow used by Liang Xiao and practiced the open bow style in the room.

Liang Xiao returned to the backyard, sat in the old lady's room for a while, and gossiped for a while, and then returned to his house. Liu Ling had finished washing up and was coaxing the child, Liang Yu was also sitting on the side talking, and when he saw Liang Xiao coming in, Liang Yu stood up.

"Brother."

"Sit down for a while." Liang Xiao waved his hand and signaled Liang Yu not to leave in a hurry. Liang Yu glanced at Liu Ling with some embarrassment. Liu Ling smiled: "Let you sit, you can sit, watch what I do, as if I want to drive you away." ”

Liang Yu also smiled. "Brother just came back, I don't want to disturb you."

"Look at what you said, am I in such a hurry?" Liu Ling blushed and reached out to gently twist Liang Yu's cheek. Liang Yu lowered his head embarrassedly, covered his mouth and laughed twice. Liang Xiao was a little speechless, and changed the topic and said, "Wen Ji, I originally wanted to go to you tomorrow, but since you are here, I will talk to you by the way." ”

"What's the matter?"

"Mei Gao sent an envoy to Xiqiang and brought back a lot of books, I told him and asked him to borrow me a copy. In addition, Yan An also collected a lot of information in South Vietnam, and I would like to copy a copy of it. It's a big task, and when I think about it, I'm afraid only you can do it. During this time, you may have to work hard. ”

Liang Yu's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "There is such a good thing, even if my brother doesn't let me do it, I also ask to do it, I don't leave home, but I can know the world, what a wonderful thing." ”

"One more thing." Liang Xiao sat down, was silent for a long time, turned his head to Liu Ling and said, "I want Wen Ji to teach Huo to study, what do you think?" ”

Liu Ling had expected it and was not surprised at all. With Wen Ji's knowledge, it must be enough to teach him to read and write. I'm afraid that Huo Qu's illness will be too noisy, and it will disturb Wen Ji's tranquility. ”

Liang Yu said: "No, I like Huo Qu's illness." When I see him, I think of when I was a child. ”

"Otherwise, let them go to Maoling. Bring peace with you. She and the little rich of the Tu family are already six years old, and it is time to enlighten. Let Wen Ji be a teacher, teach them to read first, and then find a suitable gentleman, who has a foundation and is easier to get started. ”

Liang Xiao frowned. "Isn't it too early?"

"It's not early." Liu Ling said: "I started to read and write when I was three years old. Ping An is a bit like when I was a child, very clever, but her temperament is more wild, and she has been led by her mother, and she is a little spoiled, if she doesn't adjust it in time, no one will be able to control her in the future. ”

"My daughter-in-law?" Liang Xiao was confused. In his impression, Xiao Ping'an has always been an obedient and pleasing little girl, can he have anything to do with Ye? "I don't see it."

"That's what she's most brilliant about." Liu Ling couldn't help but laugh. "Don't you think she's a little too well-behaved in front of you? With a father like you and a mother like the moon, should she be such a well-behaved child? If you don't believe me, you might as well ask Wen Ji and see what your girl has done. ”――

(To be continued.) )