History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 203 Zhao Zhi as a Guard

Just as he finished complaining, Wei Yi returned, grumbling about the weather: "Look how soaked I am, just a few steps from where I got out of the car."

Lu Luo asked, "Didn't you say you were going to stay in the palace for a few more days when you left home? Why did you rush back in the rain?"

Wei Yi was even angrier: "The Prince of Rencheng has given me another order!" Then, he told him about meeting Yuan Cheng at noon, and how Yuan Cheng wanted Zhao Zhi to be his bodyguard.

Wei Mao brought his father clean clothes and listened to his mother and father talk about the matter.

Given the immense power of the Prince of Rencheng, it's not surprising that he knew Zhao Zhi was skilled in martial arts. What puzzled Lu Luo was: "I've heard that most of the vagrants who attach themselves to the Prince of Rencheng are chivalrous rogues or local bandits. How come so many of his retainers couldn't protect him?"

Wei Yi gloated and speculated, "It seems he wasn't just assassinated in the trade area, so of course he wants as many guards as possible to be safe. On the bright side, this is an opportunity for Wei Yin's family, and I can't refuse on their behalf. Mao'er, after the rain subsides, go to the Pine Forest Villa and explain the pros and cons of this matter to your fellow disciples. If your master's wife is willing to take on this task, she should come with me to the Imperial City Gate to see Prince Rencheng tomorrow morning."

Wei Mao: "Even if your wife is willing to accept it, it won't work tomorrow morning."

"how?"

“If the Master’s family wants to buy a house, they will definitely be busy finding a broker and looking at houses after their fellow students finish their lectures.”

Lu Luo complained to her son, "Why didn't you say so sooner? It's not easy for poor families to save money. If they try to find brokers in the market, they'll be cheated nine out of ten times. Perfect timing, Mao'er, go find Manager Lu later and ask him to tell your teacher and his wife about reliable brokers in the south of the city. By the way, don't buy any vacant land outside Jin Yang Gate or Xuan Yang Gate, no matter how cheap it is."

"why?"

Wei Yi explained the reason to his son: "The imperial court has been repairing the canal and the waterway for transporting grain in that area. Jianchun Gate will be the final destination for unloading all the grain transport. At that time, there will be noise and commotion day and night. That's not all. A large area of ​​land outside Xuanyang Gate is set up to build a temple. If you live around there, and the temple is built and the area is expanded, ordinary people will be forced to sell their land at best, and some will be so unlucky that they won't even be able to escape!"

Wei Mao was furious: "Doesn't the government care?" He immediately understood: "Who dares to interfere with the temples that the emperor wants to build?"

"Shut up and go now."

When Wei Mao came out, the rain had lessened considerably. He was only wearing a large straw hat. He walked along the brick path and entered the Pine Forest Courtyard. His desire to see Wei Yao immediately surged like a surging tide. He quickened his pace and stopped slightly in front of the courtyard.

Wei Yao was sweeping water out of the yard. She smiled at him, her eyes and cheeks glistening with moisture. "You've come, and the rain has stopped."

"Yaoyao."

"Cough." Disappointed, Wei Yin stepped out of the room.

Wei Yao and Wei Mao, each feeling guilty, entered the house one after the other with their heads down. Wei Mao first talked about the broker and the purchase of the house, then explained the intentions of the Prince of Rencheng. "Teacher's wife, the force that dares to assassinate the Prince of Rencheng must be very powerful. You'd better think it over. If you accept the guard duty, even if you buy the house, Master and your fellow disciple Wei Yao should leave for the time being."

Wei Yin looked at his wife.

Wei Yao reluctantly took her mother's arm. She knew that her mother would definitely agree to protect the Prince of Rencheng because they had mutual interests. Her mother also wanted to use the Prince of Rencheng's power to find more support for her future career as a female official.

As expected, Zhao Zhi said decisively, "I'll take the guard position." She gently stroked her daughter's hand, looked at her husband, and said firmly, "Since joining the army, I have never met a worthy opponent. I've personally killed a thousand brave warriors, and I want to see which bastard is worthy to be my opponent, Zhao Zhi."

Wei Mao had already come up with a nickname for his teacher's wife in his mind... The Number One Flute Player in Luoyang!
After finishing her business, Wei Yao escorted Wei Mao to the courtyard gate.

"I can't see you off tomorrow morning." He was afraid that seeing her off again would arouse suspicion from his family and brother. "However, I'm going to the Gold Market north of Qianqiu Gate tomorrow morning, and I can 'conveniently' pick you up... and Master at noon."

“Wei Mao”.

"Go ahead." Wei Mao's heart pounded. She had finally stopped calling him "fellow disciple Mao"!

Wei Yao: "There's a long road ahead, and I hope to take advantage of our prime years to pursue our dreams."

"Hmm." "Did you even understand what I said?!"

"Answer me first: when we were copying the stone scriptures in the south of the city, did you keep your word? Did I misunderstand you? Did you tell me to listen to you from now on? Did that sentence represent your feelings... and mine?"

Wei Yao let out a soft "hmm" like a mosquito.

First love is like the first cup of wine in life. Wei Mao returned to his mansion in a drunken stupor. When his elder brother came to find him, he realized that he had forgotten to reply to his father about the "guard" matter.

The next day.

Wei Yi had to leave for the palace early, at half past 3 AM. Zhao Zhi, carrying arrows and a bow, rode alongside him. Wei Yi could only enter the palace through the side gate. He first led Zhao Zhi to the central Changhe Gate to wait for the Prince of Rencheng's carriage procession. After the two sides met, Wei Yi did not participate in the rest.

Prince Rencheng looked Zhao Zhi up and down, quite satisfied: "Haha, black sesame seeds."

Zhao Zhi didn't know what to say, so she didn't say anything.

Prince Rencheng awkwardly turned his carriage around, and Zhao Zhi followed beside it. All the civil and military officials had to get off their carriages at the Zhiche Gate and walk into the palace. Prince Rencheng, being of high status, did not have to wait in line. As soon as he entered the palace, the carriages and warriors all had to retreat to the outside of the Changhe Gate.

Only then did Chief Secretary Li Xuanmao explain her mission to Zhao Zhi in detail.

"As soon as the Minister enters the palace, you will ride along on horseback to the Zhiche Gate, just like today. When the Minister leaves the palace, he will have a eunuch come to the Changhe Gate in advance to tell you to wait for the guards. Then you will drive the carriage back to the place you just left to pick up the Minister."

Zhao Zhi: "Am I not a bodyguard for Prince Rencheng? Who is the Minister of Works?"

Li Xuanmao...

“Wang is a title of nobility. The official position of the Prince of Rencheng in the court was Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.”

"it is good."

Li Xuanmao was speechless for a moment, feeling as if he had a new master, as if he were reporting matters to the other party. "The Minister likes to investigate the people's conditions, so we must be even more vigilant at that time. It is easy to dodge a knife in the open, but it is hard to guard against a hidden weapon or arrow! Of course, I hope everything goes smoothly, but in case of danger, the safety of the Prince must be the top priority."

"it is good."

A surge of anger rose from Li Xuanmao's chest to his stomach. Hmph, he didn't want to say anything more!

Seeing that the other party had nothing to say, Zhao Zhi circled the carriage twice, checking the vehicle and then the horses. Then she observed the buildings from a distance and from a height, and then watched the carriages, horses and pedestrians coming and going on the street.

Li Xuanmao's anger subsided somewhat. He thought to himself, "This woman, though clumsy with words, is quite cautious." Half an hour later, seeing Zhao Zhi frowning, Li Xuanmao couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Did you notice something?"

Zhao Zhi shook her head. She was just thinking that Yao'er must be in the palace now. Were there any palace students who were making things difficult for her daughter today?

Li Xuanmao pretended to stroke his beard, pinching his upper and lower lips with his thumb and forefinger. He would be a dog if he took the initiative to talk to Zhao Zhi again!

Now let's talk about Wei Yao.

Today, Wei Yao was on guard and had Lady Liang lead the way, so she arrived at Qianqiu Gate earlier than yesterday. However, while she arrived early, Lady Liang and two maids arrived late.

Vagrants: refers to people who have no fixed residence and are unwilling to be registered in the state or county.



(End of this chapter)