Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 220 I’m giving you a favor!

Yecheng.

On the street, there were a few children jogging along the road, holding candied fruits in their hands and humming nursery rhymes happily.

"Bei Youliang, holding the king's sword, raising the big flag, correcting the government~~"

The carriage slowly passed through the street, and the sound of nursery rhymes slowly rang out around and entered the carriage.

The carriage suddenly stopped.

Zu Ting stretched out his wrinkled face and looked at the noisy children.

Zu Ting looked at the driver and said, "Help me down!"

The driver did not dare to delay, jumped off the carriage and helped Zu Ting down.

Zu Ting limped out of the car, grimacing in pain. His buttocks were almost broken. He Shikai secretly gave orders to the soldiers who were carrying out the execution, and they almost beat Zu Ting to the point of paralysis.

He could no longer keep his position as Zhongshu, and now he had to be sent to the border to serve as an official.

Zu Ting staggered and took a few steps to the front of the children. He stretched out his hand to stop them and then smiled gently.

But this guy was not good-looking to begin with, and with that smile, he looked even more eerie. Some little kids were so scared that they burst into tears.

"Don't cry! Don't cry!"

"You sang very well just now, I am here to reward you!"

He took out some money from his sleeves and asked the driver to share it with the children. The children were no longer afraid and hurried to thank him.

Zu Ting grinned, and his smile was quite strange.

"You guys sang this nursery rhyme pretty well, but it doesn't sound very pleasing to my ears."

"How about I correct you a few things?"

"it is good!"

"You should sing like this: There is a king in the west, benevolent and brave, holding up the great banner, rectifying the government."

"Is it a lot smoother?"

"Come on, give them some more money. If you sing like this, someone will give you money."

Zu Ting divided the money and quickly got on the carriage with the driver. Then, he disappeared on the road. The children hid the money on their bodies, not daring to let others know. They ran towards their homes, still singing loudly:
"There is a king in the west, benevolent and virtuous"

The coachman drove the carriage, listening to Zu Ting's humming, and did not dare to ask about the situation. He took Zu Ting back home.

Zu Ting's home was also a well-known entertainment destination in Yecheng. The courtyard covered a large area, and there were many servants in the house, making it quite lively.

Zu Ting limped to the study and then lay flat on the ground.

His servant hurriedly applied medicine to him, his eyes full of surprise, "Master, His Majesty clearly loves you very much, why would he punish you?"

"Oh, favor?"

"I'm not into men, how can he pamper me?"

Zu Ting said unhappily, "Although I have only been with him for a short time, I have done a lot for him in the past few months and have never done anything wrong. It is only because He Shikai often speaks ill of me in his ears that he refuses to reward me, and now he wants to drive me away."

"I have the ambition to be a prime minister, but he doesn't have the heart of an emperor."

The servant thought that this was a rather disrespectful remark and did not dare to continue.

Zu Ting suddenly said, "He spends all day drinking and having fun, and treats state affairs as a joke. Liu Taozi will kill him sooner or later."

The servant was so frightened that his hands trembled, and Zu Ting cried out in pain.

"I didn't say I would kill you, what are you afraid of?"

The servant turned pale and whispered, "Master, this kind of thing cannot be said openly."

"What are you afraid of? Are we the only family in the world?"

"I asked him to comfort Queen Wenxuan, but he took her over. I asked him to separate Huluxian and Liu Taozi, but he tried to frame Huluxian!"

"In the end, this sin is mine?"

Zu Ting was indignant, "He will be defeated sooner or later. I have to find a wise leader to realize my ambition of ruling the world!"

The servant whispered, "Are we going to the west?"

"Go west? They'll want you too! There are so many military leaders over there, and warriors have the final say. Where can I find a place to stand?"

"What about Tounan?"

“There is even less in the south.”

Zu Ting blinked, "There is a man who is my master. If the two of us join forces, we can accomplish great things!"

He suddenly grabbed the servant's hand and said, "First, take the elders in your family and secretly leave Yecheng, and wait for me in Sizhou!"

"Then you, the master of the house."

"If you want to join a wise leader, can you go empty-handed?"

"I have to prepare a generous gift for him!"

"You go and do it!"

"only!!"

The servant left in a hurry.

Zu Ting narrowed his eyes and tapped lightly on the bed in front of him with his fingers. A moment later, his sinister laughter was heard from the inner room.

Yecheng, inside the imperial palace.

Gao Zhan had a stern face, and his expression was gloomy to the extreme.

There were many fine wines in front of him, but Gao Zhan couldn't eat any of them and had no appetite at all. This was indeed rare.

Gao Guiyan, the King of Pingqin, was sitting nearby, a tall and strong man.

After assisting Gao Zhan to ascend the throne, Gao Guiyan's power reached a level that no one could match. Even Duan Shao and others were powerless to compete with him. He vaguely felt like the number one minister under the emperor, just like the former Prince of Changguang Gao Zhan, and the even earlier Prince of Changshan Gao Yan.

He must have drunk a lot of wine these days. His belly was bulging, he was much fatter than before, and his face was ruddy.

He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry."

"Liu Taozi will not rebel."

"When he tried to rescue Gao Yu, we could tell that he had no intention of rebelling."

"The ministers are indulging him and are reporting to the emperor to vouch for him because he has no intention of rebelling. If he were to rebel, he would be an enemy of the whole country, and everyone in the court who is related to him would be the first to stand up and attack him."

After listening to Gao Guiyan's words, Gao Zhan took a sip of wine.

He said slowly: "Some people say that when Liu Taozi was born, he was wrapped in black clothes. His whole body was as black as ink, and it did not fade for three days."

"The prophecy of the dead tall man in black clothes came from him."

"There is even a children's song in the city that says: There is a good man in the north, holding the king's sword, raising the big flag, and rectifying the government."

"Liu Taozi is definitely planning a rebellion."

"But all the ministers and generals in the court do not agree with my use of troops."

Gao Zhan spoke in a muffled voice, took another sip of wine, felt unhappy, and took several sips in succession.

Gao Guiyan shook his head in disdain, "This is all Wei Xiaokuan's trick!"

"Wei Xiaokuan likes to use this kind of trick the most. He is eager for Your Majesty to send troops to attack Liu Taozi, and the harder the better."

"How can your majesty believe this?"

"Your Majesty, the most important thing now is to defeat the Pseudo-Zhou. We will defeat the Pseudo-Zhou first, so that Your Majesty will have military merits. Then we can continue Gao Yu's policies and improve the national strength. Five years later, I am willing to capture the Jade Disk for Your Majesty and create a foundation for a prosperous era!!"

Gao Guiyan was full of energy and spirit. For a moment, he did not look like a drunkard, but a wise king. He said seriously, "Your Majesty can use Liu Taozi. I have met him before, and he has no intention of rebelling. With Gao Yu governing the interior and Liu Taozi governing the exterior, the world will be well governed."

Gao Zhan didn't say anything, but just continued to drink. He didn't know how much he drank, but Gao Zhan began to feel a little shaky.

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter whether or not to rebel. What matters is whether or not to rebel."

Gao Guiyan's face changed and he didn't dare to speak.

Gao Zhan realized that he had made a mistake and laughed, "After all, he is an outsider, not a member of our family, how can I trust him so easily?"

Gao Guiyan's complexion had just improved a little, and he poured him more wine. The two continued to drink, and Gao Zhan asked, "Just because he saved Gao Yu, you all think he won't rebel?"

"Your Majesty, if he wanted to rebel, he would not act like this. How could a rebel use money and food to settle the people? He is not close to the local big families, and has no dealings with the nobles. There are more people inside and outside the court who want to kill him than the pseudo-Zhou. A real rebel should win over all parties and use money and food to recruit soldiers. How could he use it to settle the refugees and set up a school? Even if these refugees train for another ten years, can they beat the fully armed knights? Can those petty officials give him advice after another ten years of training?"

Gao Guiyan shook his head, "Your Majesty, please don't worry too much."

Gao Zhan stopped talking and the two continued to drink.

Soon, both of them had almost finished all the wine on the table.

Gao Zhan also changed the topic, and the two chatted happily. Gao Zhan promised: "After some time, I will let you lead the prime minister!"

After eating for a while, Gao Zhan suddenly said, "I have one more thing to ask you."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Do I have a concubine named Sima?"

"Ah, it seems that there is no reason for your Majesty to ask such a question?" Gao Zhan said, looking at the beautiful woman dancing beside him, "Then it's okay."

"Go call Xu Zhicai over. It's time for me to take my medicine."

Zu Ting was wearing luxurious clothes and standing at the door. The servants behind him were busy making preparations.

Some people were sweeping the floor, some were watering the plants, and some were carrying prostitutes into the mansion in horse-drawn carriages.

Zu Ting looked around, his face red from the cold. He exhaled into his hands from time to time, and rubbed his face hard, making his face even redder.

After a long time, the sound of chanting Buddhist scriptures suddenly came from afar.

As soon as the sound of chanting was heard, every household along the road quickly closed their doors and dared not go out.

Then he saw a large group of monks, chanting scriptures, walking towards here on foot. Zu Ting hurriedly walked forward with a smile.

He walked through the monks, came to the front of the carriage, and bowed deeply to it.

"Zu Ting pays respect to Minister Gao!!"

The carriage suddenly stopped, and a fat, big-eared man wearing a monk's robe got off the carriage and walked quickly to Zu Ting. This man looked similar to Zu Ting, with a decent appearance and a little beard. He looked very gentle, with the generosity of a Buddhist.

He hurriedly helped Zu Ting up and said, "Zu Jun, why are you so distant? In the past, we often got together to discuss world affairs, study Buddhist scriptures, and discuss yin and yang. Why are you being so polite now?"

Zu Ting stood up and said with a wry smile: "I was dismissed from my post, but you are now serving as the Minister of the Court, accompanying His Majesty. How can I dare to treat you as I did before?"

Minister Gao laughed loudly, shook his head and said, "You and I have always been close, and this is not a matter of state, so you can just be like you were in the past."

Zu Ting then helped the other person walk towards him, and the monks followed them and entered the hall.

The servants had already prepared fine wine and delicious food.

Zu Ting invited the other person to take the seat and he sat next to him.

This minister was called Gao Yuanhai.

He is the great-grandson of Emperor Shenwu.

This person is obsessed with Buddhist scriptures and is a very pure Buddhist. When he was in Yecheng, he fully supported Gao Zhan, so he is now promoted to the position of Shizhong and follows the emperor around.

Zu Ting ordered his servants to bring more delicacies, and then invited the prostitutes. Gao Yuanhai was overjoyed and let the two women sit on his lap, while he ate and drank and chatted with them.

More musicians came to play, and the atmosphere became better and better.

At this moment, Gao Yuanhai's expression changed. He frowned and looked at Zu Ting.

"Ancestor, you are becoming more respectful to me in your words, but your actions are becoming more and more rude."

Zu Ting was horrified, "Minister, I wonder how I have neglected you?"

Gao Yuanhai asked unhappily, "You always called the famous musicians in Yecheng to serve me every time I came here. Why can't I see any of them today? I don't even recognize any of the musicians playing the instruments or singing!"

Zu Ting hurriedly apologized and called the servant over. The two of them talked loudly about something. After a long time, Zu Ting came back and sat next to Gao Yuanhai.

His expression was complicated, his head was lowered, and his pitiful appearance was really heartbreaking.

"Mr. Gao, this is all my fault. Next time, I will definitely invite them all over."

"Ancestor, you have always been the most playful, and nothing like this has ever happened to you before. What's going on now? Can't you bring the person here now?"

Hearing Gao Yuanhai's question, Zu Ting smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Gao, I sent someone to invite them long ago and have made preparations for the banquet."

"Who knew that a noble in the court held banquets for several days in a row, not allowing them to go out, and kept them all by himself. My people couldn't even get in the door."

Gao Yuanhai was furious, "Which one?"

The anger on his face disappeared, and he asked in a low voice: "Isn't it in the palace?"

"No."

"Pengcheng Palace?"

"No."

Gao Yuanhai's anger returned to his face again, and he immediately raised his head, "Which bastard dares to be so arrogant?! Is it his turn to host a banquet and enjoy himself alone?!"

Zu Ting looked around and whispered, "It's that great king."

"Your Majesty? There are many kings in Yecheng. Who dares to claim to be the king?"

Zu Ting said again: "Gao Renying. Gao Renying, the King of Ping Qin."

Gao Yuanhai suddenly realized, "Oh, it's Gao Guiyan."

He sneered and said, "This fellow has always been fickle and indulged himself in drinking. Your Majesty originally wanted me to take charge of the Secretariat, but this fellow actually instigated Your Majesty, saying that my talent and virtue were not worthy of me. In the end, I only ended up as a minister!"

Zu Ting quickly grabbed his hand and said, "Mr. Gao, please don't say anything more!"

"The king's reputation is now flourishing, and he has countless friends and relatives in the court and the country. He holds banquets in the palace every day to entertain his ministers and generals. Everyone obeys and obeys. I also heard that he promised his subordinates that anyone who is close to him will be promoted in the future."

"He! He thinks this Da Qi is his home!?!"

Gao Yuanhai stood up suddenly, his face ferocious and vicious.

The banquet suddenly became silent, and everyone looked at him in fear. Gao Yuanhai really didn't have the heart to play anymore. He pinched the beauties around him fiercely a few times, and then walked out quickly. Zu Ting hurriedly followed him, looking embarrassed, "Mr. Gao, please don't be angry. It's my fault. I didn't prepare it well. Please don't do it."

Gao Yuanhai ignored him and walked all the way to the door before looking at him. "It's okay. This is not your fault. I'm not interested. I'll come to your house for a banquet later."

After saying that, he simply got in the car and left.

Zu Ting looked anxiously at the receding carriage, then looked to his left and right, and the servant nodded.

Gao Yuanhai sat in the car, feeling sick. He hated being interrupted when he was having fun the most.

I haven’t had time to study Buddhism today, but I can do many things. Damn Gao Guiyan.

The carriage had just turned around the intersection.

"There is a king in the west, he is benevolent and brave, he raises the banner and corrects the government~~"

"There is a king in the west~~"

The sound of nursery rhymes came from not far away, and a group of children were having fun.

The next moment, Gao Yuanhai gave an order fiercely.

“The Imperial Palace!!”

"Go to the palace!!"

The carriage immediately changed direction and left the place at a very fast speed.

When the group of people disappeared on the road, Zu Ting slowly poked his head out from the alley not far away. He stared at the group of people going away and grinned.

"Let's go, the small gifts are ready, let's go find Lord Zheng and ask him for a name card! Take the big gift and leave!!"

"Your Majesty, King Ping Qin is too powerful! Most of the people in the court are his cronies!"

"He relied on your trust to win over the ministers everywhere, set up banquets every day, and countless important ministers came in and out of his house!"

Gao Yuanhai knelt in front of Gao Zhan and spoke eloquently.

Gao Zhan sat in the upper seat in dishevel, and his interest was interrupted.

He asked unhappily, "What on earth do you want to say?"

"Your Majesty, Gao Guiyan may be harmful to you! The late emperor used the prime minister to accomplish things, and so did you. Now, you want to appoint him as prime minister. Wouldn't this cause chaos?"

"There is a children's song in the city saying: There is a king in the west, he is kind and brave, he raises the big flag and corrects the government!"

"This is clearly a sign that Gao Guiyan is planning a rebellion!"

Gao Zhan was stunned, "No, the nursery rhyme is about Bei Youliang."

"Your Majesty, how did you know the nursery rhyme? I heard it with my own ears. I'm afraid that the nursery rhyme Your Majesty heard was also modified by someone!"

"Gao Guiyan's fiefdom is in the west, and his courtesy name is Renying, which is exactly what this nursery rhyme fulfilled!"

"Besides, after hearing the nursery rhyme, I also performed divination and found that the rebel was not at the border, but beside the Emperor Star! Perhaps it was Gao Guiyan, we must be on guard!"

Gao Zhan was a little surprised. He walked back and forth a few steps, "Have you really done divination?"

Gao Yuanhai held his head high and said, "It can't be wrong!"

Gao Zhan frowned and thought for a moment, "Someone, go get Zheng Daoqian over here!!"

Gao Yuanhai was stunned and blinked, "Your Majesty, you cannot divine twice for this matter."

"No problem! Just listen to what he says!"

"You should go out and have a rest first."

Gao Zhan sent someone to take Gao Yuanhai to rest. Standing in the other hall, Gao Yuanhai felt quite uneasy. He came in a hurry and divination was just his excuse.

If the result of Zheng Daoqian's divination is different from his own, would it lead to alienation between the emperor and his ministers?

What to do now?

Just when Gao Yuanhai was getting extremely anxious, the soldier brought him to Gao Zhan again.

"You weren't wrong!!"

"Jung Do-kyeon's divination is the same as yours!!"

(End of this chapter)