Tiger Guards

Chapter 591 Planning for the Nation and the Family
In mid-June, despite the sweltering heat of Jinyang, Zhao Ji still found the climate pleasant.

As long as you lie around lazily all day, what does it matter if the weather is a little hot?
As usual, Zhao Ji processed various military documents early in the morning when the weather was still relatively cool.

During lunch break, I would lie in the pavilion by the pond, watching the waterwheels in the distance drawing water, and the fresh, cool Jin River would flow into the Grand Marshal's residence through bamboo irrigation canals.

Part of the water was used for domestic purposes, while the rest was channeled through bamboo tubes to the pavilion where Zhao Ji was located.

Outside the pavilion, the sun shines brightly under a clear sky, while inside the pavilion, the temperature is cool. Looking out from the pavilion, one sees a hazy curtain of beads and water.

Zhao Ji lay on his back, having intentionally arranged for Zhen Mi and Lü Qi to accompany him today.

There was no shyness or hesitation; it all just happened.

Zhao Ji felt a bit like threading a needle... He didn't have high expectations, but he managed to thread it with a little effort.

After establishing a closer relationship, the sense of unfamiliarity between them disappears.

Perhaps it was because Lü Bu withdrew from the court that Lü Qi became more cheerful and no longer afraid of Zhen Mi. She also lost her previous inferiority complex in front of a noblewoman like Zhen Mi.

In the pavilion by the flowing water, she would occasionally get up to bring Zhao Ji the accumulated official documents and archives.

Jinyang had already digitized its official documents; a single stack of documents would be enough for Zhao Ji to read for a long time.

Zhen Mi, on the other hand, obediently prepared ink and served Zhao Ji by making some notes.

Zhao Ji wouldn't show any obvious affection for either of them.

Now that things have come to this point, we must restrain our likes and dislikes.

What you like and dislike can lead to some bad things.

Lü Qi and Zhen Mi were also immersed in this peaceful and comfortable new life, but Zhao Ji was always on edge, paying close attention to the changes in the court and Hebei.

A series of crisp footsteps approached, and Madam Du, holding an umbrella and wearing clogs, entered the pavilion: "Husband, urgent message from the West Pavilion."

Zhao Ji reached out and took the paper she handed him. He glanced at it and immediately lost all interest: "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to see the strategist tonight."

But Du said, "Lord Zhao is concerned about the restoration of the court. Since the General entered Luozhong, Lord Zhao has suddenly fallen ill... Perhaps it is a trick."

The "Lord Zhao" she mentioned was none other than the 90-year-old strategist Zhao Qi.

"What kind of trick could there be?"

Zhao Ji said helplessly, turning to look at the water curtain and beaded screen in the pavilion: "The strategist can't accept such a drastic change in the situation, but he wouldn't go so far as to plot against me."

During the persecution of the Party, Zhao Qi's entire family was killed, but he and his nephew Zhao Jian escaped.

What significance did it have for Zhao Qi whether his own branch of the Zhao clan usurped the Han throne or not?
Besides, what I did wasn't usurpation, it was blatant robbery!
This period of rest and recuperation to avoid the summer heat is actually a process of adaptation for officials at all levels, and a crucial moment to rebuild consensus.

Zhao Qi's illness was both unexpected and understandable to Zhao Ji.

Du could no longer offer any advice. She had been selected to enter the palace as a young girl, and during the Luodu coup, she had heard and witnessed too much treachery.

She immediately took her leave. As the only female official by Zhao Ji's side, she managed all the maids and servants. Although she did not have the title of concubine or secondary wife, she held great power over the personnel of the inner chambers.

Without hesitation, Du immediately went to convey Zhao Ji's order.

That night, at the former strategist's residence.

Zhao Jian led Zhao Ji inside. In the side hall of the back garden, Zhao Qi lay on a sickbed, thin as a skeleton.

Zhao Ji could tell that he still had some vitality, but his current poor complexion was most likely due to a bad mood and hunger from fasting.

"military adviser?"

Zhao Qi was weak, and upon hearing this, he raised his eyebrows and opened his eyes to look at Zhao Ji: "Why has the Grand Marshal come?" "I heard that the strategist was unwell, so I came to visit him."

Zhao Ji stepped forward and sat on the low stool that Zhao Jian had brought.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi sighed, "The court is now devoid of virtue, and the emperor is inactive. It is clear that he is cold-hearted and not a benevolent ruler."

Zhao Qi turned his head to look at Zhao Ji: "However, even if the emperor is immoral, he has not offended the people. If the Grand Marshal raises an army to denounce him, it will be difficult to convince the heroes of the world."

It is suitable for sending troops to fight, but not for a large-scale war.

Zhao Ji understood what the other party meant, which was also something that had been troubling Zhao Ji.

Liu Xie is a slippery little rascal. He won't cause trouble if he doesn't take personal control of the government, so any military action against him actually lacks sufficient justice.

The current lack of timely and effective rewards makes it more suitable for creating friction and tantrums than for a full-scale war.

Unless there is some personal blood feud or something else that incites public anger, a large army can be mobilized to launch a campaign.

Seeing that Zhao Ji did not refute or argue, Zhao Qi felt gratified and smiled slightly: "I don't know where to begin advising the Grand Marshal, but it's rare that the Grand Marshal would listen to my idle words."

"No, the strategist's words are about governing the country, which resonate deeply with me."

Zhao Ji also stated: "This is also the reason why I disbanded the army. Avoiding the summer heat and relieving the homesickness of the officers and soldiers are only half the reason. The other half is that the emperor is innocent. If we rashly raise an army to attack, not only will the world be convinced, but even my own officers and soldiers will find it difficult to be convinced."

At this moment, Zhao Ji even wished that Liu Xie would listen to slander and steal away his nominal fiancée.

However, all the factions in the court will certainly try their best to make Liu Xie a good person.

His fiancée would certainly be well protected and sent to his jurisdiction to avoid any accidents that might trigger his revenge.

Cao Cao was able to withstand the pressure and slaughter his way through Xuzhou by offering sacrifices to his father; if he didn't offer something in return, why should he attack the innocent emperor?
Lü Bu did not want to bear the blame and accusations of unfair rewards, so he chose to retire while he was still at the peak of his career.

Now Liu Bei is taking the blame... Theoretically speaking, if I were to launch a campaign against someone, it would be against Liu Bei, so what does it have to do with the emperor?
Given Liu Bei's personality, it was impossible for him to abandon the emperor and the court and retreat directly to Xuzhou.

Once you've experienced the comforts of ruling the country, very few people can resist.

Lü Bu is an exception. The Luodu coup that Lü Bu participated in shattered the sanctity of the imperial family. If things weren't going well, Lü Bu could decisively withdraw without caring about sunk costs.

But Liu Bei, after fighting for so many years, how could he possibly give up the opportunity to take control of the government?
Seeing that Zhao Ji could still maintain his composure and relatively objective understanding, Zhao Qi couldn't help but smile with satisfaction: "The Grand Marshal is the same age as the Emperor. Give the Emperor some time, and what is meant for the Grand Marshal will be taken away by no one. At first, I thought the General would perish in Xuchang, so the Grand Marshal could raise a large army to punish the traitors and cleanse the court of corrupt officials. The current situation is truly regrettable, but the Emperor is quite arrogant."

As he spoke, Zhao Qi couldn't help but cough twice, and then continued, "There's no need for the Grand Marshal to do anything; the Emperor will unite with all sides to attack him from both sides. If he is defeated, his prestige will be diminished. Moreover, the Emperor is inherently reserved and arrogant, and stubborn and conceited. If he is defeated, he will become even more impatient, and that will be the opportunity."

Zhao Qi, an old and shrewd man, told Zhao Ji about his understanding of the emperor, and then said, "I am seriously ill and longing for my hometown. I earnestly request the Grand Marshal to allow me to return to my hometown and be buried in the ancestral tomb."

"Thank you for your guidance, strategist."

After bowing, Zhao Ji turned to look at Zhao Jian: "Whatever the strategist wishes to do, please grant it. I will dispatch a squad of warriors to accompany you. If you are not capable enough, you may send this squad of warriors."

"Thank you for your kindness, Grand Marshal."

Zhao Jian bowed deeply to express his gratitude, and Zhao Ji, without lingering, bid farewell to Zhao Qi.

This farewell may be the last time we meet in this life.

Zhao Qi was weak, but he nodded with difficulty and watched Zhao Ji leave.

After the last guards on duty outside the gate had left, Zhao Qi let out a long sigh.

A family's social standing is not only determined by its official rank, but also by its reputation.

In any case, his branch of the Zhao family did not want to get involved in deeper political intrigues.

(End of this chapter)