xymnovel Chapter 7 Let's go kill Zhao Kuangyin!
Chapter 7 Let's go kill Zhao Kuangyin!
"My lord, Han Tong just sent you an invitation. His daughter is getting married tomorrow, and he would like to invite you to attend."
Inside the Zhao residence, Zhao Pu placed the invitation on Zhao Kuangyin's table. Seeing that the Zhao family was having a meal, he naturally added a chair and sat down to eat with them. The old lady even kindly served him a piece of meat.
"Han Tong's daughter is getting married? Tomorrow? So soon?" Zhao Kuangyin asked in surprise.
Zhao Guangyi was also curious: "Who is she marrying? We haven't heard a word about it. How come the wedding is tomorrow and the invitations are only being sent today? No matter how uncouth Han Tong is, he shouldn't be so ignorant of basic etiquette."
"Ling'er is getting married? Why so suddenly?" Zhao Kuangyin's sister, Zhao Kuangyi, suddenly interjected.
"You know him?" Zhao Kuangyin was very surprised.
"How do you know Han Tong's daughter?"
Zhao Kuangyi took off a rabbit doll hanging from his waist and said, "When my husband died, she came to pay her respects and gave me this. She made it herself, and I liked it very much. That's how we got to know each other."
Many noble ladies in the capital had dolls she gifted them, and because they were indeed very well made, quite a few people recognized her.
Zhao Kuangyin picked up the doll and stroked it, then laughed, "It's truly lifelike, and feels very comfortable to touch. To make a doll this well, the girl must have a very thoughtful heart and skillful hands. Which gentleman is so fortunate?"
Zhao Kuangyi picked up the invitation: "Wang Jun? Wang Jun...who is this?"
"Wang Jun?" Zhao Kuangyin snatched the invitation again and started reading it. His previously relaxed and joking expression turned serious.
"Brother, do you know this Wang Jun?"
"Hmm, that should be them. I see. This Han Dengyan is really willing to give up something, Second Brother."
"Um?"
"Call Zhengyuan over after we finish eating."
"I'll go now." Zhao Kuangyi put down his chopsticks and left.
"It's not too late to go after you finish eating."
"No, I'm full." With that, Zhao Kuangyi shoveled the rice out of his bowl and walked away.
Seeing this, Zhao Pu asked curiously, "Who is this Wang Jun? Why have I never heard of him before?"
"He's an extraordinary person." Zhao Kuangyin recounted his observations from the previous day to Zhao Pu.
Zhao Pu frowned: "Half an hour to weave hemp into silk? No wonder Han Dengyan was in such a hurry. He married Han Dengyan's daughter, even if she was just an illegitimate daughter... This stuff will probably be exclusively for the Imperial Guard in the future."
But Fu, who had been eating at the table, smiled and said, "Even if he is Han Tong's son-in-law, it's nothing. My sister is about to lead the concubines and ladies of the palace to worship the First Silkworm Xiling Clan and personally pick mulberry leaves. Even if she has any special skills in weaving, she should first present them to the palace. If she is truly a remarkable person, I will have my sister detained in the palace and not sent back."
Zhao Kuangyin was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, sister-in-law, for your kind words."
"Brother, you're too kind. We're all family. My father wrote to us yesterday, saying that if anything unsettling happens in the capital, we sisters should consult with you on everything."
My sister often tells me that the stability of the borders and the peace of the capital depend entirely on pillars like my elder brother guarding the army. Ultimately, the stability of this Great Zhou dynasty depends on the mutual support and cooperation of our own people to ensure our peace of mind.
As he spoke, Fu stood up and picked up a large, succulent piece of meat from the plate and placed it in his bowl.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin gave a wry smile, glanced at Zhao Kuangmei who was enjoying his meal, and then simply placed the large piece of meat into Zhao Kuangmei's bowl.
"Come on, Third Brother, you're growing up, eat more, don't be as thin as your Second Brother."
"Thank you, brother." Zhao Kuangmei ate the large piece of meat in just a few bites.
........................
After all, Han Tong was the Grand Commandant of the court, and his rank in court was even higher than Zhao Kuangyin's. No matter how hastily the marriage of his daughter was arranged, it should still be a grand affair, and all the prominent people in Kaifeng should come to offer their congratulations.
Aside from being a bit rushed, the marriage is fine in other aspects, but it's a little strange. It looks like a son-in-law marrying into the wife's family, but it's not clearly defined, and it doesn't seem like it is.
However, marrying into the family was a common practice during the Five Dynasties period. Emperor Taizu Guo Wei himself was a typical son-in-law of the Chai family. In fact, it was precisely because he married into the family that people couldn't help but have wild thoughts.
Because Han Tong only had one son, Han Wei, who was born disabled and nicknamed "Han Tuo Tuo" (Han the Camel), and was neither good at literature nor martial arts, it was obvious to everyone that he was a fool who was destined to be unable to inherit the family business. At this time, he took in a son-in-law who would be raised as an heir.
This Wang Jun is someone most people don't know. At least it's certain that he's not one of Han Tong's trusted lieutenants. It's quite puzzling.
Wang Jun was in a daze the whole time. It was her first time getting married, so she just let others do as they pleased. The newly tailored bright red dress seemed to fit her well at first glance, but that was only at first glance.
His emotions were in turmoil, so much so that even though it was a major life event, he didn't seem to have a smile on his face. On the wedding day, he wore a large red flower on his chest, looking like a mannequin, and had to stand at the door and force a smile.
"Grand Commandant Zhao of the Palace Guard, along with his brother Kuangyi, come to congratulate Mr. Wang Jun and present him with a pair of mandarin duck jade pillows, wishing Mr. Wang and his wife a harmonious and long-lasting marriage."
Suddenly, the emcee's shout startled all the guests present.
Zhao Kuangyin came in person?
Moreover, they clearly stated that the gift was for Wang Jun, and that they were only giving it out of respect for the groom.
For a moment, everyone was whispering among themselves, trying to find out: Who exactly is this Wang Jun?
Han Tong, the Grand Commandant, is in such a hurry to marry off his daughter, and Zhao, the Grand Commandant, is also giving him face by coming in person. What's going on? Is this person someone who specializes in climbing the social ladder?
"Hahahaha, Brother Han, Brother Wang, congratulations! Brother Wang, you got married way too hastily, there wasn't enough time to prepare any decent gifts. Here's a pair of pillows for you, please don't find them offensive."
Zhao Kuangyin laughed heartily and greeted the two of them in a very familiar manner.
Wang Jun didn't know how he and Zhao Kuangyin had become brothers after only one meeting. Although he had warned himself many times, he still couldn't help but feel excited when he saw Zhao Kuangyin leading Zhao Kuangyi over in person, and he quickly stepped forward to reply.
Han Tong saw this and, though slightly displeased, couldn't very well show a bad attitude towards Zhao Kuangyin, who kept calling him "elder brother" on such an occasion. So he could only laugh and invite him into the main hall to keep him company.
"Zhao Kuangyin has come in person?"
Inside the inner courtyard, Han Wei, who had been busy with something and who didn't know what she was doing, was stunned when she heard the singing and drinking, and then she was overjoyed.
"This is divine intervention!"
As he spoke, he immediately put down what he was doing, limped away, found some trusted servants and guards at home, and rummaged through his room to find a box. When he opened it, he found it full of swords, spears, clubs, armor, bows and crossbows.
"Brothers, Zhao Kuangyin is a wolf in sheep's clothing and will surely rebel. When they are drunk, you will all rush out with me and hack Zhao Kuangyin to death. I will reward you handsomely."
"This...this...Young Master, today is your sister's wedding day, and Grand Commandant Zhao is a guest here to offer his congratulations. How can there be bloodshed? In broad daylight, how will you explain this afterwards?"
"What is there to confess? What is there to confess? Brothers, Zhao Kuangyin has always harbored rebellious intentions and his wolfish ambitions are known to all. My father has long wanted to eliminate this traitor for the country, but he was unable to do so due to the constraints of the court."
Today, his solo entry into the mansion presents a golden opportunity! Once accomplished, the Grand Commandant will surely bestow a great reward; you are all meritorious officials who helped establish the dynasty!
"If anyone dares to hesitate or back down, thus ruining the Grand Commandant's grand plan, I will execute him now, and his entire family will be implicated afterwards."
"Young master, is this truly the Grand Commandant's intention?"
"Of course it's Father's will. What else could it be? How could I possibly make such a big decision on my own?"
Upon hearing this, the crowd was skeptical but also found it difficult to verify, so they seemed to have no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.
The group took their weapons and were about to head to the front yard when they suddenly saw a boy, who looked to be at most eleven or twelve years old, blocking their way.
"Are you Wang Jun's son?" Han Wei asked, frowning.
"What are you doing here? Get out of the way at once, don't delay us from doing our important business."
On the other side, Wang Jun, the groom who had been greeting the unfamiliar guests, suddenly glanced around and found that Han Wei, the bride's brother, was not present. After asking around, no one knew where he had gone or what he was doing, and his heart skipped a beat.
Upon further searching, she discovered that Wang Lu was also not among the guests. She heard that he had disappeared along with Han Wei, and only then did she feel slightly relieved and reassured, continuing to smile and toast the group of strangers.
Zhao Kuangyin asked him some tips on hemp cloth and raw silk, and he answered them all without reservation. Han Tong was slightly displeased, but he ignored him.