ATPnovel Chapter 124 Zhao Dezhao's Wine
Chapter 124 Zhao Dezhao's Wine
Chapter 124 Zhao Dezhao's Wine
Upon hearing these words, Shi Shouxin and the other generals felt no resentment whatsoever, and instead breathed a sigh of relief.
During the previous imperial examination on classical texts, they already knew that if Zhao Kuangyin were truly interested in them, given his prestige, it wouldn't be difficult for him to do so.
Therefore, when Zhao Kuangyin uttered the words, "How can my brothers decide this matter themselves?", they originally thought that today would surely be a trap, a "feast for the wounded" where "once the birds are gone, the bow is put away."
But as it turns out, they didn't follow the wrong person.
Zhao Kuangyin did not betray the trust they had placed in him, who had shared life and death with him.
Thinking of this, Shi Shouxin and the other generals, though feeling regretful, still knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your great kindness!"
Zhao Kuangyin also breathed a sigh of relief, raised his hand to signal everyone to stand up, and personally filled everyone's wine cup: "My lords, there is no need for formalities. Come, let us drink this cup together."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The generals raised their wine cups and drank them down in one gulp.
However, the nectar in the cup, though sweet and mellow, could not mask the complex emotions in my heart.
I feel fortunate, grateful, but also a little lost about the future and a sense of sadness.
Half a lifetime spent on the battlefield, possessing unparalleled martial arts skills, yet in the end, one must lay down one's armor and return to the countryside, forever ending the days of clashing swords and galloping across battlefields.
After the banquet ended, Shi Shouxin, Gao Huaide, and other generals untied their military tallies from their waists, handed them to the eunuchs, and then walked out of the palace feeling relaxed but also full of melancholy.
A cold wind swept through the streets and alleys, blowing up the hems of their court robes. The group walked side by side, their expressions forlorn. They looked at each other and saw the same bitterness in each other's eyes.
Murong Yanzhao sighed softly, then suddenly said, "Your Majesty's actions are understandable."
Shi Shouxin and the others looked at him with surprise.
"As Your Majesty said, although the Great Song Dynasty seems to be stable at present, the number of armored soldiers in the Imperial Guard is only about 100,000, the regional military governors still control their own territories, obey orders but not summons, and the surrounding countries are eyeing us covetously."
After saying this, Murong Yanzhao smiled bitterly: "To repel external aggression, we must first pacify internal strife. If we want to unify the world, we must ensure that our rear is secure."
"What you say makes sense, brother."
Shi Shouxin and the other generals suddenly realized what was happening, forcing a smile but unable to hide their dejection: "So be it. It is already a great mercy from His Majesty that we can save our lives and ensure that our descendants can live in peace."
"It's time for us old bones to take a break. Let's go find a place to drink and listen to music, and relax properly. From now on, these are probably the only leisurely days we'll have left," Gao Huaide said with a hearty laugh.
"Haha, isn't it better to have a more relaxed life?"
"That being said, will you be able to adapt easily after suddenly leaving the military?"
"Oh, why bring this up? It spoils the fun! Let's go, let's drink and listen to some music!"
The group helped each other up, laughing all the way as they went.
Before long, a peculiar scene appeared on the streets of Kaifeng.
A dozen or so gray-haired veterans, dressed in court attire, sang arm in arm, their steps faltering as they walked further and further away. Their song was mournful, yet carried a hint of nonchalance: "With tears of sorrow, heroes bid farewell to the imperial family. In those days, when we wielded golden spears and iron horses, we were nothing but a chaotic slaughter."
"I've gathered a knife, today I lay it down; I came into this world naked and I'll leave it without a care in the world, so don't say that planting beans will yield melons—"
The singing drifted along the way, attracting passersby to stop and watch, but no one dared to approach and disturb it.
But just as they reached a quiet street, a melodious and mournful piano tune, accompanied by clear lyrics, entered their ears, causing them to involuntarily stop in their tracks.
"In my drunken stupor, I pick up my sword by lamplight; in my dreams, I hear bugles echoing through the camps. Eight hundred miles of roasted meat are distributed among my troops; fifty strings of music resound beyond the Great Wall; autumn brings the review of troops on the battlefield."
"My horse gallops swiftly like the wind, my bowstring twangs like thunder. I have accomplished the affairs of the king and the world, winning fame both before and after my death. Alas, my hair has turned white!"
"...
'
The group listened intently, and for a moment they were stunned.
The lyrics were poignant, the music melodious; every word and phrase conveyed the heroism and desolation of the soldiers on the battlefield. The singer's eyes welled with tears, and he couldn't help but shout, "Where's the wine! Bring me the wine! I want to drink myself into oblivion!!"
"The wine has already been prepared."
With a creak as the door opened, Zhao Dezhao stood smiling at the doorway, carrying a large jar of fine wine. He addressed the crowd, saying, "Good music deserves good wine. Uncles, would you like to join your nephew for a drink?"
Shi Shouxin and the others were all taken aback and subconsciously took a step back.
Then they realized what was happening, each coughing lightly to cover their embarrassment, while their gazes intentionally or unintentionally swept towards the courtyard behind Zhao Dezhao.
The courtyard gate was open, and in the stone pavilion inside, a woman of unparalleled beauty sat playing the zither. Dressed in white, her features were gentle and her expression serene, captivating all who looked away.
It was Zhou Ehuang.
Seeing that Zhao Dezhao didn't seem to be faking it, Shi Shouxin was the first to come to his senses. He immediately burst into hearty laughter and stepped into the courtyard: "With the Crown Princess of Southern Tang playing the zither for us and the Martial King of the Great Song pouring wine for us, how many people in the world can receive such treatment?"
"Indeed, indeed! We have long heard that Zhou Ehuang's zither music from Jiangnan is unparalleled in the world. To be able to hear it today is truly our blessing, hahaha!"
The other generals, no longer having any reservations, followed Zhao Dezhao and stepped into the courtyard.
This courtyard was found by Zhao Dezhao on a whim. It was located in a secluded place and rarely visited by people. Although there were no luxurious decorations in the courtyard, it had been carefully maintained. The plants were lush and the stone paths were secluded, making it quiet and elegant.
Zhao Dezhao smiled and led them to their seats, personally filling their wine glasses.
Zhou Ehuang sat quietly beside Zhao Dezhao, her slender fingers lightly plucking the strings of her zither. Her red lips parted slightly, and another poignant and fitting poem flowed from her lips: "In my prime, I commanded ten thousand men under my banners, my brocade-clad cavalry crossing the river at the dawn. Yan soldiers swept away the silver barbarians at night, Han arrows flew towards Liaodong's maiden aunt at dawn."
Looking back on the past, I sigh at my present state; the spring breeze cannot dye my white beard. Yet, I exchanged my ten-thousand-word strategy for pacifying the barbarians for a book on planting trees in the east.
"————"
The lingering sound of the zither was captivating, but Shi Shouxin and the others had lost their carefree demeanor from the street earlier. They were all drinking silently, their bitterness growing stronger between their brows.
The music of the zither is captivating.
They spent most of their lives on the battlefield, where the clash of swords and the galloping of horses had become ingrained habits.
Now that he has been stripped of his military power, his military strategies and tactics are no longer of use, and he can only live a quiet retirement. The loneliness and resentment in his heart are hard to express.
At a time when heroes are down on their luck, Zhou Ehuang's poignant lyrics pierce their hearts, amplifying their bitterness many times over.
"I'd like to raise a toast to all my uncles!"
Seeing their sullen expressions, Zhao Dezhao raised his wine glass and asked softly, "Uncles, what are your plans for the future?"
Upon hearing this, Shi Shouxin sighed softly: "What other plans could I possibly have? It's nothing more than going home, tending to my land, drinking wine, listening to music, and living out the rest of my life in peace."
The other generals also drank their wine in silence, but the resentment in their eyes was hard to hide.
Zhao Dezhao refilled everyone's cups, then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "Uncles, if you don't have a plan yet, I have a favor to ask."
Shi Shouxin and the others exchanged glances, then looked up at Zhao Dezhao. Gao Huaide spoke first, saying, "Your Highness, please speak frankly. We are deeply grateful for His Majesty's favor and Your Highness's concern. We will not refuse to do what we can."
Zhao Dezhao smiled and uttered a sentence that was like a thunderbolt, startling everyone: "A few days ago, I suggested to my father that we establish a military academy, build a military strategy academy, and recruit talented generals from all over the country."
"However, since the martial arts department is newly established, it is still lacking a few generals who are proficient in military strategy and have been on the battlefield to serve as martial arts instructors and impart military tactics and battlefield experience."
"After much thought, I believe there is no one in the world more suitable than my uncles."
"Would you gentlemen be willing to help me?"
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