Shi Yanchao will inspect the city defense the day after tomorrow. This news is not easy to get. No ordinary person knows what he will do and when. Only people like Prime Minister Wang know it. As for how the Prime Minister knows the whereabouts of the generals so well, it is unknown.
It was just past the hour of You. If Shi Yanchao had gone home after work today, he would be at home now. Guo Shaodao said that he would go to the Hujie Army base the day after tomorrow, and time was very tight. If we can't find Shi Yanchao tomorrow, we will miss the opportunity, and there will be no room for buffer. I think we should go now, at least there will be a second chance.
Zuo You said: My lord, what you said is absolutely right.
This mansion has three courtyards, so Guo Shao asked Zuo You to wait in the living room of the outer courtyard. He went to the middle courtyard and asked Yu Lian to find some casual clothes to change into. He was in a hurry to take off his armor. He felt that although time was urgent, he still had to change his clothes. Thinking about Shi Yanchao's temper, he didn't think that he would think he was going to fight if he came to his house in armor, but wearing a robe would be more casual.
While helping, Yu Lian said: I asked Huang the blacksmith to go to Yuzhen Temple this morning to tell Jingniang that my husband was going to the war. You asked me to tell her.
Guo Shao said casually: When did I say
Yulian said: This morning I asked you whether you wanted to tell Jingniang, and you said "hmm". Does that mean you agree with me that you don't want to tell Jingniang
It's okay, I should tell her. Guo Shao didn't care about this.
Yulian asked again: When you visit a colleague, will you have dinner at his home
Guo Shao thought for a moment and said, "You guys eat by yourselves. If Shi Yanchao didn't keep me, I would have gone to a restaurant with Zuo You to eat and come back."
After packing up, Guo Shao came out and didn't see Zuo You. He asked Huang the blacksmith and he said he had gone out. Guo Shao slapped his forehead and said, "I don't know where Shi Yanchao lives. I can only wait. Zuo You wouldn't be so unreliable and go back without saying hello."
Huang the blacksmith said again: The woman named Jingniang is outside the door.
Guo Shao said: Why don't you invite her in? What is she doing standing outside? Huang the blacksmith said: She didn't say what she came for, nor did she say she wanted to see
Guo Shao reluctantly ordered him to go and invite Huang the blacksmith, and then he went out through the corner door. Unexpectedly, Jingniang followed Huang the blacksmith in a short while later, and Guo Shao, who was standing at the door of the living room waiting for Zuo You, happened to see her.
Jingniang's expression was still cold, without any sign of greeting or other formalities. Guo Shao touched the back of his head and gave a friendly smile.
Since the woman had no intention of talking, Guo Shao didn't know where to start. Suddenly, he felt that something was wrong with her. It wasn't because she was wearing a lapel cloth robe disguised as a man. Guo Shao soon understood that it was her breasts. Although they still looked bulging, they were not very high. Guo Shao had seen that in summer and autumn, people were wearing thin clothes. Under normal circumstances, her breasts would obviously push up her top.
He didn't think much about it and said casually: You don't feel uncomfortable either.
Unexpectedly, Jingniang understood immediately and her face turned red.
At this time, Guo Shao realized that he had said the wrong thing and was a little regretful, but he saw that Jingniang did not react at all. She did not come up to fight like she did last time. Guo Shao felt relieved and thought: Could it be that she has thought it through and is ready to accept her fate
At this time, Zuo You walked to the corner door, saw a woman there, and hurriedly retreated. Guo Shao saw him and hurriedly said to Jingniang: I have something important to do. You can go to the inner courtyard and call Yulian to make dinner for you. I'm sorry I can't entertain you in person today.
Jingniang suddenly said: What's the important thing? Isn't it just seeking fame and fortune
Guo Shao was stunned for a moment, then said bluntly: I really respect anyone who doesn't want to live a rich and luxurious life and likes to eat coarse food.
After saying that, he turned around and went out. He met Zuo You, who was carrying a basket. It was indeed a bit funny for a scholar in a long robe to carry such a basket. Zuo You said: We are not going to bribe Shi Yanchao, but it is not good to go empty-handed. I bought some cakes and fruits at the shop on the Kouzi. I have tasted the sweets of that shop and they are well made. Even if adults don't like it, children will definitely like it. We are visiting with some gifts, and our attitude is self-evident.
Mr. Zuo is very thoughtful. Guo Shao said. He didn't want to give Zuo You money. A few cakes and fruits were not worth much. He didn't know how much he would have to buy with the double portion of the reward from the government last time. Besides, Zuo You was Guo Shao's staff member. Guo Shao would give him a portion of his salary as a soldier he kept.
The two men then led their horses, one in front and one behind, to Shi Yanchao's mansion.
When they arrived at the mansion, they handed in their name cards. Luckily, Shi Yanchao was at home. Guo Shao and Zuo You were also able to enter through the corner gate next to the main gate. This was normal. Shi Yanchao was several levels higher than Guo Shao in rank, so they couldn't ask the Shi family to open the main gate to welcome their benefactor.
Shi Yanchao was indeed arrogant. He sat in the living room and waited. He didn't even stand up once, let alone come to the door to greet him. But Guo Shao didn't bother with him. At least he knew he was coming when he saw the name card, and he met him immediately without waiting. It can be seen that Shi Yanchao not only remembered the name, but also thought about what happened on the battlefield.
Guo Shao never mentioned that incident in his conversation, as if it had never happened, not even mentioning the battle of Xinkou. Apart from that, there was very little topic between the two of them. Guo Shao only said that he heard the news that he would be transferred to the Imperial Guard Division.
At this time, a maid brought tea, and Guo Shao suddenly had a funny scene in his mind: If Shi Yanchao got excited and caught the little girl at home to do that, how tragic it would be for him to have his strong body like a mountain pressed on a weak girl like a chicken.
Guo Shao continued to talk nonsense, and then said: I heard that General Shi will inspect the city defense the day after tomorrow. I wonder if I can accompany him.
He just asked this lightly, without saying why he wanted to go along. In fact, the reason was very simple: a copycat version of a fox taking advantage of the tiger's power.
Who told you that? Shi Yanchao suddenly asked.
Guo Shao was stunned. He didn't expect him to ask this question so directly. Moreover, Shi Yanchao was too powerful, his voice was like a bell, and his imposing posture was very stressful. Even if others felt that he was not a threat to them, they would inexplicably feel pressured as if they would be beaten by him at any time. Such a big man, known as the most powerful general in the Great Zhou Dynasty, was beaten by several people, so he felt very unfriendly.
Guo Shao had no choice but to answer truthfully: an official from the Privy Council. He only hoped that Shi Yanchao would stop asking which official it was because he had saved him on the battlefield.
Shi Yanchao snorted: "No one of the literati who are good at writing and talking is a good person."
Guo Shao responded without commenting, thinking that it was normal for Shi Yanchao to be unhappy, and no one wanted to be monitored behind the scenes. His impolite words were not directed at Guo Shaolai, Guo Shao reminded himself.
Zuo You, who was wearing a scholar's scarf, hat and robe, was also very calm. It seemed that Zuo You was immune to map cannons.
Shi Yanchao seemed to dislike everyone, at least that was the impression given to him. Guo Shao didn't even realize that he had offended him in any way, but he became very unhappy. He didn't even bother to hide his displeasure. He immediately threw the teacup on the table, spilling the tea all over the table, and shouted abruptly: "Show me away!"
Guo Shao said that for his own sake, he could be thick-skinned. He ignored Shi Yanchao's impoliteness and asked: What about the day after tomorrow
Shi Yanchao said: Come early in the morning and wait for me outside the Guards Office.
Yes, then I will take my leave. Guo Shao also imitated Zuo You's confused and indifferent look, completely ignoring other people's expressions, and pointed to the cakes that were not worth much money and said specifically, "It's just a small gift, not a respect."
Guo Shao and Zuo You quickly left the mansion together. They rode their horses one after the other and walked silently down the street.
Shi Yanchao seems unhappy. I wonder what will happen the day after tomorrow. Will he not give me face in front of the soldiers, and make me lose face, which will be counterproductive, Guo Shao pondered.
Zuo You sighed and answered the question irrelevantly: A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind, and a pile that stands high on the shore will be washed away by the current. It is indeed not easy for Shi Yanchao to be still alive and well.
Guo Shao thought for a moment and said: It seems that the emperor appreciates him very much. If a general can be appreciated by the emperor, who would he be afraid of offending
Qiu Zuoyou rode up and walked side by side with Guo Shao. He turned his head and whispered: I'm just wondering if the emperor thinks Shi Yanchao is too famous and wants to use him to check Li Chongjin in the Imperial Guard Division.
Guo Shao pondered for a moment, shook his head and said: The emperor's heart is sacred, how can a minister easily guess it
Zuo You whispered again: Shi Yanchao is really a pure warrior. I don't know about Li Chongjin. He didn't have any connections before and was too low-ranking. He didn't have the opportunity to see the world. But since the emperor has taken so much trouble to move him from the Palace Front Department to the Guard Department, and there are signs that he is eager to strengthen the Palace Front Department, I'm afraid Li Chongjin is not easy to deal with. With Shi Yanchao, how can he balance with Li Chongjin
Guo Shao did not answer. Although he had a high level of education in his previous life, he was still completely different from the ancient scholars. He had also been accustomed to the life of a warrior for several years during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, so he was generally unwilling to discuss things that were too far away.
Zuo You looked back mysteriously. This alley was in the market, and there were not many people. Even if the common people heard it, they probably wouldn't understand it. He continued in a low voice: The master was promoted to the Imperial Guard Division, and he was going to the Western Expedition. This is an opportunity. If I can make meritorious contributions, I can move up a level. If I have the opportunity to climb a few more steps in the future, I can reach a position that is almost equal to Li Chongjin and Shi Yanchao. At that time, I can replace Shi Yanchao to contain Li Chongjin, and I will definitely be relied on by the government.
Guo Shao thought: Don't you talk nonsense? I went to the Western Expedition to make merit and gain military capital. I am also waiting to marry the second sister of the Fu family. The merits of the Western Expedition may not be enough; but it doesn't matter. I already know that the court will attack Huainan. There are plenty of opportunities as long as the higher-ups are willing to give you.
If Guo Shao was not so anxious and full of fighting spirit, why would he bother asking around before the appointment letter came down