After entering the twelfth lunar month, the weather became increasingly colder. The north wind carried snowflakes, causing the temperature in Tokyo to drop below freezing. This caused significantly fewer pedestrians on the street than before, and also reduced the hotel's business by half. more than.
Seeing the weather like this, Sun Tu did not go out anymore, but stayed at home with Ya'er to talk and practice calligraphy. At this time, Ya'er was wearing a slim-fitting sports down jacket that Sun Tu took out from Warehouse No. 2. She looked particularly youthful and energetic, but her little mouth was still pouted high, not because of such a new piece of clothing. Clothes felt happy. The reason was that she was being forced by her third brother to copy the content at the end of "The Analects of Confucius".
When Sun Tu had written a whole page full of characters in neat regular script, he looked up and saw Ya'er's small mouth big enough to hang an oil bottle. He laughed, took out a chocolate from his sleeve and unwrapped it. Then he put it to her mouth: "Ya'er, why are you so unhappy?"
Ya'er ate the chocolate in one bite, and said vaguely: "Third brother, why do you always ask me to learn to write? I can actually recognize a lot of words, which is enough."
"You, I am doing this for your own good. In the future, you will understand that knowledge can help you enjoy your life." Sun Tu stroked her hair lovingly and explained softly. Just when he was about to say more truth, there was a knock on the door outside. Sun Tu was stunned for a moment, and then he showed a smile of understanding: "Ya'er, it seems that you have to stay alone today." I'm home." After saying that, he put down his pen, opened the door and walked out.
The person who called the door was, as he expected, a servant of the Tong Mansion. When he saw him, he even raised his hands and saluted: "Master Sun, I have been asked by my master to ask you to come to the house for a brief talk."
Sun Tu nodded in agreement and went back to give Ya'er a few words before going out. Then he discovered that the other party actually sent a carriage to pick him up this time. Obviously Tong Guan's attitude towards him was different from before. Regarding this arrangement, Sun Tu did not refuse, so he boarded the rather luxurious-looking carriage and let others take him forward.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the side door of Tong Mansion. Sun Tu lifted the curtain and looked out, only to find that there were several carriages parked there. Obviously, he was not the only one Tong Guan invited today. This was true. It means you should treat it like a confidant.
After entering Tong's Mansion, Sun Tu was led to a living room by his servants. At this time, there were several people sitting inside. They were sipping tea and talking to Tong Guan, who was sitting at the top. Arriving in front of the hall, Sun Tu bowed his hands and bowed politely: "I've met Tong Shuai when I'm here, Sun Tu."
Tong Guan, who was talking to several guests, laughed out loud when he heard the sound, and then waved to Sun Tu: "Sun Sanlang is here, come in quickly. I am talking to these officials about you, this time But it's a big credit for making someone vent his anger."
Several other people in the hall also looked over. Sun Tu followed the instructions and walked in. He found that although the door of the hall was wide open, it was warm and warm. It was a completely different world from the outside. However, there was no brazier inside, so there was obviously a heater hidden underground or in the wall. Only a prominent figure in the court like Tong Guan would spend huge sums of money to build such a warm hall.
He quickly collected his attention and saluted the guests with cupped fists. After sizing him up a few times, those guests also showed appreciative smiles. After he sat down, Tong Guan just introduced the people present. They were Liu Jing and Fang Xu, the two principals of the Privy Council, Feng Nianyao, the Minister of War, and Wang Fangnian, the principal of the Third Squadron. The last one was the old man. Fang Qian whom I met.
No matter whether these people have high or low official positions, just looking at Tong Guan's attitude towards them, it can be seen that they are all Tong Guan's confidants. Sun Tu naturally did not dare to slack off at this time and hurriedly met them one by one again.
After going through the red tape, they all got to know each other, and Tong Guan smiled and said: "Sun Tu, you really helped someone get out of his mouth this time, and you actually came up with such a clever plan to deal with Zhang Bingcang."
"Yes, Sanlang. When you promised Tong Shuai that you would get rid of Zhang Bingcang before the year, I still didn't believe it. I didn't expect that your methods were so clever. It had just entered the twelfth lunar month, and he had no choice but to take the initiative to resign. And this time His reputation has been ruined, and I'm afraid he will have no chance to stand out in the future." Fang Qian also praised him.
After the others praised him for a while, Sun Tucai said humbly: "Tong Shuai is so complimentary. I just used some unseemly means. I really don't deserve your praise."
"What can't be put on the table? In my opinion, as long as it can achieve the goal, it is a good means. What's more, when Zhang Bingcang and the others attacked Liu Fangju, were they just and aboveboard? Wasn't it a conspiracy? You were just tit for tat. , it makes people feel more happy!" Tong Guan shook his head and expressed his position.
"What Tong Shuai said is that when you compete with others, you only need to win, and there is no distinction between high and low means, only effectiveness and ineffectiveness." Feng Nianyao agreed.
Wang Fangnian said: "Those officials with Jinshi background have always prided themselves on being noble and value their own reputation more than anything else. Now we are really relieved that the two sons of the Zhang family are so jealous. It's really true." It’s ridiculous, maybe this is what they call elegance.”
These words immediately caused laughter from several other people present. Obviously, none of the people present were born as Jinshi, and they had not been shunned because of their status differences before. Their hearts were already full of resentment.
Indeed, in the Song Dynasty, which valued literature over martial arts, it was very important for an official to have a Jinshi background, which directly affected his future future. These few people took refuge in Tong Guanmen precisely because they knew that their backgrounds were far inferior to others.
After laughing for a while, Tong Guan spoke again: "Sun Tu, this time you have made great contributions to someone, and someone will naturally reward you. Tell me, what reward do you want?"
"This...I don't ask for anything. The reason I took action this time was just to make up for my past mistakes. If I hadn't thought poorly before, Tong Shuai wouldn't have been criticized for the Liufangju incident. Now Tong Shuai can put the blame in the past, I am deeply grateful.”
"Haha, Sun Tu, it's really rare for you to take credit without being arrogant. But whether I lead troops or employ people, I always have clear rewards and punishments. This time you got rid of Zhang Bingcang, a thorn in my side. How can I not express my gratitude?" Tong Guan But he shook his head and then looked at Wang Fangnian: "Master Wang, what do you think of Sun Tu?"
Wang Fangnian touched his beard, considered his words and said: "Xiaoguan saw that Sun Sanlang was indeed extraordinary and heroic. He was a rare pillar of the country. How could such a person not be used by my court? The next time he tests the court, he He must be able to win high.”
"What you said is true, Sun Tu. Do you have anything you are good at, or how do you want to serve the country? Let me tell you." Tong Guan asked Sun Tudao again.
Now Sun Tu finally understood Tong Guan's true intention of calling him here this time. He wanted to reassure himself that he would definitely win the selection next year, and even let him choose his future assignment. This was really extremely shocking. A big boost.
This is the difference between people like Tong Guan and officials who always claim to be upright. Even if the latter admires someone, they will cover it up for the sake of their own reputation, and will never dare to promote their own people so blatantly. But Tong Guan and the others have no worries about this at all. As long as they are people he values, they will vigorously cultivate them. This is also one of the key reasons why the traitorous ministers in the DPRK can firmly control the government.
With such an opportunity in front of him, Sun Tu would not miss it. He immediately stood up and thanked him, and then said: "Actually, after I saw the army attacking the mountain in Yuncheng County, I had an idea to train an elite army for our Song Dynasty. The teacher is here, but I don’t know when this wish will come true.”
"Oh, are you so ambitious? You are going to do something for the court." Tong Guan said and glanced at Liu Jing again: "Mr. Liu, what do you think?"
"What the Taiwei said is that the subordinates believe that Sun Tu is indeed capable of commanding and training troops. As long as he has enough qualifications, it is okay to be appointed as a governor." Liu Jing nodded in agreement.
"But it's not easy to be appointed governor. You have to make more meritorious deeds." Tong Guan said meaningfully.
Sun Tu's heart changed and he said: "Tong Shuai, I actually think that letting Zhang Bingcang resign like this is too easy for him. He still has crimes to be exposed!" He was about to mention this matter just now, but Tong Guan changed the topic, and it was time to show off again.
"Is this true? What else have you discovered?" Tong Guan was immediately delighted when he heard this and asked quickly. It has never been a rule for him to follow the principle of showing mercy to others. When it comes to his enemies, he has always upheld the principle of not just crippling them if he can kill them.
Sun Tu immediately told the accusations he had about the Zhang family, and then said: "I originally thought I could capture Zhang Bingcang with this, but later I had a better entry point, so I used Zhang Dingjun first. Make a fuss."
Even before taking down Zhang Jian, Sun Tu had already detected many problems of the Zhang family through local snakes. This was also the key to his ability to use his hands and feet to deal with the Zhang family with conspiracy and calculation. So it was reasonable for him to say these words at this time.
Tong Guan and the others all showed sarcastic smiles: "On the surface, they are sanctimonious, but secretly they are men stealing women from prostitution. I'm talking about people like Zhang Bingcang. Well, this time someone will eliminate this scourge for the court and the people! Sun Tu, as long as If you can accomplish this, I will definitely reward you heavily!"
"Xie Tongshuai, I will definitely handle this matter beautifully and not give him any chance." Sun Tu immediately handed over his hand and promised.
Tong Guan's reaction aroused the envy of several officials present. It seemed that the young man in front of him would be able to stand out in the court in the near future.