Zhao Xiao held the scroll in his hand, and the fire was blazing on the side, and the scorching fire reflected half of Zhao Xiao's face red.

"What are you looking at?" The stone fire came from outside, and he glanced down at the fire.

"General Wei's new book of war." Zhao Xiao said.

Shi Huoguang nervously asked, "What do you think of this kind of book?" Is it possible to serve in the army? ”

Zhao Xiao shook his head lightly, and sketched a few strokes in the book: "The book tells how the monks and the soldiers of the army battle together to resist the enemy, according to the use of different techniques, the level of cultivation, each has different responsibilities and arrangements. ”

"I didn't understand." Shi Huoguang sat opposite Zhao Xiao, picked up the pu fan and fanned the stove to blow the fire.

"In the past, the monks accompanied the army to help, but in fact, they did not belong to the army, and when they arrived on the battlefield, the soldiers of the two sides fought, and the monks of the enemy and us each opened their own fighting methods, and they were not subordinate to each other." Zhao Xiao said: "General Wei felt that such an arrangement would be greatly detrimental to the war, and if the monks failed in the fighting method, the morale of the army would often be unsustainable, and vice versa.

He believes that monks can be directly included in the army, those who are good at swordsmanship can be used as trap warriors, those who are good at using Dansan Fu Shui to stay in the camp to rescue, those who are proficient in summoning can act as scouts, and those who can use the qi of the four elephants and five elements are those who are in charge of fighting and fighting. ”

"According to the short and long, each performs its own duties, which was the same before?" Shi Huoguang looked confused.

Zhao Xiao said: "It's still different, General Wei is currently preparing for the establishment of a new army. In the future, the monks in the new army will no longer be transferred from various halls and dismissed after the battle is over, but will be stationed in the army permanently. ”

Shi Huoguang said: "But the monks study the arts, not for the sake of battlefield killing. ”

"That's what I used to think." Zhao Xiao put down the scroll: "But Hua Xu Guo set up the pavilion, didn't he just want the monks of the pavilion to show their strengths?" And the battlefield is not all killing and attacking, for example, the Jin Ding priest made talismans and art objects, which are also used on the battlefield, we just didn't take risks personally. ”

Shi Huoguang nodded secretly: "That's fine, you don't have to go to the battlefield in person." ”

Zhao Xiao was silent for a moment and asked, "Old Shi, how was my father's cultivation back then?" ”

Shi Huoguang was stunned for a moment, bowed his head and replied: "He, like Luo Xixian, also cultivates the "Canglang Washing Chapter", but his cultivation is far inferior to you now. ”

"Were there many people in Huaiying Hall who joined the army and served the country like my father?" Zhao Xiao asked.

Shi Huoguang's expression seemed to fall into memory: "They ...... They all went to the army with your father, and few of them came back. ”

Zhao Huang asked: "Father is very sought after in Huaiying Pavilion?" ”

Shi Huoguang nodded and said: "At that time, the country was in crisis, and people were not as intrigued as they are now. ”

Zhao Xiao's expression is subtle, and he and his father have very different temperaments. I just don't understand, since my father is so respected and loved, why does my mother want to remarry?

Sighing wordlessly, Zhao Xiao put away the scroll, and Shi Huoguang said, "You go to rest first, I'll just come and watch the fire." ”

Zhao Xiao nodded, and then frowned: "Those guys in Chongxuan Pavilion are also getting more and more lazy, and they have left the Jinding Division every night in the past few days, which is really not a good job!" ”

Shi Huoguang said: "People open the furnace and alchemy in the division during the day, which is also regarded as performing official duties. They were born in Chongxuanguan and are accustomed to cultivating in blessed lands, probably because they don't like the restraint of the government office. ”

Zhao Xiao was displeased, and said bluntly: "Don't these guys know that the imperial court urgently needs to eliminate miasma and dispel plague pills recently? I think it's the life of Chongxuanguan that is too good, and I really want them to work, all kinds of perfunctory! ”

Shi Huoguang advised, "Now that you know that they are like this, you don't need to be too demanding. ”

Zhao Xiao left sulkingly, and was just about to return to the West Courtyard, when he happened to see Zheng Siyuan smelling of alcohol, leaning against the courtyard wall and gasping.

"You're out drinking?" Zhao Xiao stepped forward and asked, "Didn't you say you wanted to go home before?" How did it get like this? ”

Although there is a quiet room in the Jinding Division, after all, it belongs to the imperial court, and if the monks whose homes are in Dongshengdu, they will naturally go back to their respective homes at night. However, Zheng Siyuan doesn't go home much, maybe with his background, he won't be welcomed when he returns home.

"The old man in the family was happy and was poured a few glasses of wine." Zheng Siyuan replied.

Zhao Huang reminded: "If you don't want to use alcohol to diffuse the medicinal power of the outer pill, it is best not to drink too much. "Sumai Dan Heart Formula" pays attention to the smooth flow of qi, and excessive drinking is easy to let the true qi escape from the acupuncture points and self-damage cultivation. ”

"I—I remember." Zheng Siyuan was ashamed.

"I should have some hangover and sobering medicine there, come with me." Zhao Xiao took Zheng Siyuan to the room and found the medicine to be dispersed into warm water. Zheng Siyuan took medicine to regulate pranayama, and it took a while for his face to soothe.

"Thank you, Deacon Zhao." Zheng Siyuan got up to thank him, and Zhao Xiao sat down to read a book, and answered casually.

However, Zheng Siyuan stayed in the room and didn't leave, Zhao Xiao noticed it, looked up and asked, "What's the matter?" ”

"I have something to tell Deacon Zhao." Zheng Siyuan hesitated: "My eldest brother...... That is, Zheng Tunan, who wants to see Deacon Zhao. ”

Zhao Xiao's face was expressionless: "What does he want to do when he wants to see me?" ”

"He said that he had offended Deacon Zhao several times before, and he felt deeply guilty, and planned to invite Deacon Zhao to a banquet and apologize in public." Zheng Siyuan said.

Zhao Xiao snorted coldly: "He? Zheng Tunan? Want to apologize to me? ”

Zheng Siyuan lowered his head and didn't dare to respond, Zhao Xiao put away his temper: "I'll just say it directly, I don't believe in you, the eldest brother." When he came to the school before, he even bullied you in public, this kind of person has a perverse temperament and does not know how to restrain, you respect him, but indulge him, which is not beneficial to you and him. ”

"I ...... I see. Zheng Siyuan replied.

Zhao Xiao put down his pen and asked: "It is unlikely that this kind of person will take the initiative to admit his mistakes, either because he has suffered a major accident, a drastic change in temperament, or he is forced by the situation. Did the old man in your family ask him to do this? ”

was found out of the truth, Zheng Siyuan raised his head and replied: "That's right, the eldest brother did not pass the examination and was punished by the elders in the family." So he planned to set up a banquet to entertain Deacon Zhao, hoping to be able to ......"

"Jinding Division is busy with official business, and there are no idlers, let alone useless people." Zhao Xiao interrupted: "At the beginning, the subjects of the school examination were clear, and it is no wonder that others can not do it. ”

Zheng Siyuan said: "The eldest brother does not have to come to Jinding Division, the elders in the family heard that the imperial court is preparing to build a new army, and Deacon Zhao has frequent contacts with General Wei, if he can, he hopes to let the eldest brother get an errand in the new army." ”

Zhao Xiao was speechless for a while, thought about it carefully, and wondered if he had heard it wrong.

"The imperial court is preparing to build a new army to recruit the invading enemy, not to let a group of wine bags and rice bags take advantage." Zhao Xiao's words were angry: "Should I praise your Zheng family for being well-informed? It's about the new army, don't go to General Wei, and actually come to me directly? ”

Zheng Siyuan was panicked and speechless. Zhao Xiao was about to refuse, but then he thought of Xie Weijue, so he said:

"That's it, I think you are also subject to family kinship, and it is not good to refuse your elders. I won't embarrass you, but I won't directly agree to help, if Zheng Tunan wants to set up a banquet to apologize, I will naturally go. Just answer truthfully. ”

……

The weather gradually cooled, and Zhao Huang still focused on the affairs of the Jinding Division, rarely seeing outsiders, until Zheng Siyuan told him that Zheng Tunan was going to set up a banquet to entertain him in the manor outside Dongshengdu.

Originally, Zhao Huang was still troublesome, but later he took advantage of Anyang Hou to come to Sizhong to inspect, and the two talked about this matter, and the other party nodded and said: "I still have to go, let's not talk about whether Zheng Tunan can get an official and a half-position in the new army, Jiujiang Zheng is the fourth surname of the Chongxuanguan Immortal Family after all, and it is not a bad thing to contact them more." It would be even better if it could be done a little. ”

"Uncle Shi doesn't think that the Jiujiang Zheng clan is looking for another way out?" Zhao Xiao asked.

An Yanghou replied: "But if the head of the family is wise enough, it is impossible for him to stare at a road and let himself have no room for turn. Everyone is in the same court, and it has not yet reached the point of tearing their faces.

It's just that Liang Guoshi and Yongjia Liang have monopoly power in the Chongxuan Pavilion, and the other three families will inevitably have to find another way out and seek a higher position for themselves and their family children. Zheng Tunan is not suitable for Jin Dingsi, but if he really goes to the New Army to be a small colonel, it is not impossible. ”

"I don't count if I say that." Zhao Xiao said.

An Yanghou said with a smile: "The nephew doesn't have to worry, the success of the new army almost depends on your ability to do things in the Jinding Division." Otherwise, it's also powerless. ”

Zhao Huang asked: "What is the intention of the imperial court to prepare for the establishment of a new army at this time?" ”

"The nephew should know that Liang Guoshi has a distant clan brother named Liang Bao, who is now the hussar general of Huaxu State, responsible for guarding the Flood Pass and resisting the soldiers and horses of the Xiong State." An Yanghou said: "This person is in charge of nearly thirty percent of the soldiers and horses of Huaxu State, and there are many generals and soldiers who have experienced the Great War of the Five Kingdoms. Moreover, the location of the flood rejection pass is critical, located in the upper reaches of the three rivers, and it can go directly to Dongshengdu down the river. It can be said that half of the lifeblood of my Huaxu Kingdom is in the hands of Liang Bao. ”

Zhao Xiao said: "I have also heard, it is said that Liang Bao was already a fierce general during the Great War of the Five Kingdoms, but he was assassinated by a monk of the Xiong Kingdom, and he was seriously injured. ”

"So the nephew should understand why the lord of the country must prepare for a new army." An Yanghou said: "Actually, I should thank my nephew for this matter." ”

"Why did Uncle Shi say this?" Zhao Xiao was puzzled.

Anyang Hou sighed: "The lord of the country has always intended to build a new army to balance Liang Leopard. But in the past, it was always hindered by Liang Guoshi's advice, and his reason was not easy to refute - since the Shouyang Army, the army has been abolished and greatly reorganized, and there is really no need to build a new army. And because of the Tianlu Army and Chiyundu, the aftermath of the turmoil in the country is undecided, which is almost a naked threat.

But the nephew sacrificed to make talisman soldiers, which greatly changed the situation. Especially after the battle of Xingluo County, the generals and soldiers in the army killed the thieves with Fu soldiers, and the monks of various families accompanied the army to help, which greatly contributed to the suppression of bandits. However, Liang Shuo held the old attitude, but he died in a hurry, which made Liang Guoshi even more difficult to refute. ”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiao said: "It may not be of much use for Fu soldiers to suppress bandits in Xingluo County, the main thing is that General Wei is like a god. A few days ago, I read General Wei's book on the compilation of soldiers, and I deeply felt that no matter how good the weapons and armor are, it also depends on how the people who use the soldiers play. ”

The Marquis of Anyang said: "With the new army alone, if the soldiers' armor supplies, food and grass and military needs are controlled by others, the new army is of no great use. The nephew should now understand how crucial the Jinding Division is, right? With the Fu soldiers created by his nephew, the lord of the country can justifiably set up the Jinding Division, and the preparation for the new army is also logical. ”

Zhao Xiao didn't expect that he would be involved in the open and secret battles above the court, and the cause was his unintentional move.

"The Jiujiang Zheng family obviously understands this, and the old people in the family are not worried that only Zheng Siyuan came to Jinding Division, hoping to insert Zheng Tunan into the new army to pave the way for the future of the family." Anyang Hou said: "In case Liang Guoshi soars to immortal one day, leaving such a big stall as Chongxuan Pavilion, and there is no reliable descendant to succeed him, the four surnames of the immortal family are destined to be separated." ”

Zhao Huang asked again: "Could it be that Uncle Fei is very optimistic about the Zheng family of Jiujiang?" ”

"No, in my opinion, the Zheng clan of Jiujiang is about to die, if they don't have the names of the four surnames of the immortal lineage, they are just fish and meat in the eyes of the tiger and wolf." An Yanghou said with a smile: "The interesting thing about this matter is that the Jiujiang Zheng clan can have this status at all, and they are still under the shadow of Liang Guoshi and Chongxuan Pavilion, but they just want to get out of the control of Liang Guoshi." ”

"They're bringing about their own destruction." Zhao Xiao said: "Could it be that Liang Guoshi sat back and watched such things happen? ”

An Yanghou said: "That's why I said, you might as well have more dealings with the Zheng family of Jiujiang, which is also a way to divide the four surnames of the immortal family." If Liang Guoshi allowed things to happen, the Hatojiang Zheng clan did not learn a lesson, but would not restrain himself. If Liang Guoshi is resolute and vigorously attacks the Zheng family, what will the other two think? I guess I have to think more about my situation. ”

"I'm afraid Liang Guoshi hasn't reached the point of betraying his relatives yet, right?" Zhao Xiao said: "Isn't there still Liang Leopard at the border? ”

"A thousand-mile embankment was destroyed in an anthill." Marquis Anyang said: "Liang Guoshi's powerful position, of course, will not be shaken because of a banquet between you and the Zheng family. But this kind of exchange, where no one can say anything wrong, is more useful than confronting each other. ”

Speaking of confrontation in person, Zhao Huang understood that Anyang Hou was talking about his original dissuasion of Liang Tao in Xingluo County.

After chatting, Zhao Xiao knew in his heart. After a little preparation, Zheng Siyuan and He Dangguan were also brought to the banquet.

It's not that he's afraid of the Hatojiang Zheng family, but when he goes to the banquet alone, it seems to be somewhat lacking. Even if he doesn't care about it, the Zheng family will have ideas.

During this period in Dongshengdu, Zhao Xiao understood that people's hearts were as far apart as a moat, and only by putting himself in his shoes could he get along well.

Moreover, Zhao Huang planned to take the opportunity to listen to the matter of Xie Weijue, and bring He Dangguan, even if he wanted the subject to participate in it, it was convenient to say what the truth was.

Before leaving, Zhao Xiao took care of some trivial affairs by the way, and happened to come to Jing Shi and handed over a batch of charms to repel snakes and insects.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work." Zhao Xiao turned his head and handed the talisman to Shi Huoguang: "This batch of talismans is together with the Miasma Removal and Plague Avoiding Pill, remember to enter it in the book." I'll go to the Zheng Manor for a banquet first, and I don't think I'll be back tonight. ”

On the side, Jing Shi looked at the back of Zhao Xiao's departure, and his cold eyes were a little sharper.