Zhao Xiong pretended to be surprised and said, "How did General Yuan know that This King has the responsibility to submit secret memorials? And why did This King say bad things about you? This King has heard that you, Yuan Tingshan, are in a bad situation. Not only did you not get any benefits from your father-in-law, recently even some of the trusted aides that you managed to win over have gone to Ji Province's Deputy General Han Fang. Even Jiedushi Cai has closed his door to you, not to mention Military Commissioner Han. Today, you came to This King's mansion and waited for an entire afternoon. Shouldn't you be waiting for timely help? Why are you adding fuel to the fire? Are you tired of being a general and want to be a prisoner to try something new? "
Listening to the King of Han's sarcasm, Yuan Tingshan's expression did not change. He maintained a respectful posture of cupping his fist and bowing. With a sincere tone, he said, "This time, I came to visit with ten thousand taels of gold and ten chests of calligraphy and paintings..."
Listening to this young man who was privately scolded as a mad dog by some officials, Zhao Xiong became absent-minded for a moment. For some reason, he thought of a scene. It was a scene that he had never seen with his own eyes, but he had heard of it many times.
Many years ago, there was a young general who was similar to this, begging to give gifts to people in the Ministry of War of Li Yang.
Zhao Xiong raised his head to look at the gorgeous sky filled with burning clouds and said to himself, "It's a pity it's not raining."
Yuan Tingshan raised his head to look at the obviously absent-minded King of Han. He lowered his head and quietly bit his lips.
Of the two fathers-in-law, Great General Gu Jiantang had clearly stated that he would not lend a helping hand to the rotten situation in Ji Province. As for the Li family's Yanbao, they had also vaguely revealed that the nearly ten thousand private cavalry of the Li family was the last of the family's assets. They would not be given to him, the son-in-law, to be squandered. Even if the ten thousand private cavalry were to fight, they would only fight in Ji Province. If permitted, they would even move to the north of Gangnam-do. They would definitely not let Yuan Tingshan bring them to the border of Ji Province to fight to the death with Beimang. As a result, the Ji Prefecture General's Residence, which was originally flourishing with each passing day, was now plagued by both internal and external problems. However, Yuan Tingshan didn't care about these things. He could even take a step back in his official career and give up his position as Ji Province's General. However, Yuan Tingshan was extremely wary of one person. That was the young Emperor sitting on the dragon throne in Great Peace City. Yuan Tingshan was afraid that he would become a useless general in the eyes of this ambitious Emperor. Once this fatal impression was formed in the Emperor's mind, it would be meaningless even if Yuan Tingshan won a hundred battles. Therefore, Yuan Tingshan came to beg the King of Han Zhao Xiong, begging him to impeach him in the secret memorial. Only in this way could the young emperor feel that the entire Ji Province, from top to bottom, was rejecting Yuan Tingshan, like a lonely official in the imperial court. Only then would he have the chance to rise again.
"Gold? This King's surname is Zhao. Does he lack such things? Antique calligraphy and paintings? This King has personally touched more things in his life than you, Yuan Tingshan, have seen. "
Zhao Xiong patted Yuan Tingshan's shoulder. "Therefore, Yuan Tingshan, in the future, when you have a meteoric rise, don't forget who it was that helped you when you were at the end of your rope."
Yuan Tingshan's left hand tightly gripped the back of his right hand, his veins bulging. "I swear I will never forget!"
Zhao Xiong bent down slightly and said softly in Yuan Tingshan's ear, "In reality, no matter if you are a General in Ji Province or going to Guangling Province to lead troops to quell a rebellion, in someone's heart, you are not worthy of his trust. Only when your father-in-law is dead will you have the chance to rise up. These words are This King's return gift to you. "
Yuan Tingshan's body trembled.
Zhao Xiong seemed to be slightly tired. He waved his hand and said, "You can go. This King won't send you off."
Yuan Tingshan continued to bend his back and took a few steps back before turning and leaving.
Zhao Xiong looked at that back and said with a smile, "You're looking down on my third brother too much. Yes, you're also looking down on me, Zhao Xiong. Fine, I'll help you this time. "
— —
Jiangnan Yangzhou had a scenic spot called the Scattered Flower Terrace. The mountain was not high, but there were no mountains within a hundred miles, making it stand out. It was said that in the Dafeng Dynasty, there was an enlightened monk who preached here, causing fairies to scatter flowers and rocks to nod their heads.
In the twilight, the famous people of Gangnam-do gathered their friends and gathered at the Scattered Flower Terrace to admire the moonlight. Everyone brought their own cushions, wine, tea, chopsticks, incense burners, rice, and other things. They lined up on the peak of the mountain.
Tonight, there were nine hundred people on the mountain. Under the guidance of a famous person, they stood up and loudly recited, "My generation's writings are as high as the white snow." Close to a thousand people sang the famous poem, "A Journey to Jiangnan." For a moment, the sound was like thunder and the wine flowed like a spring.
Late at night, the pure white moonlight shone on the Scattered Flower Terrace.
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