Chapter 285 Hot Spring

Chapter 285 Hot Spring

Chapter 285 Hot Spring
In the hot spring pool to the north of Guangcheng Palace, beautiful big white fish are swimming and playing happily in the mist.

In the building next to the hot spring, Shao Xun lay on a chair, quietly enjoying Song Yi's performance.

Jing, who lived in the prince's villa, also came. She was well versed in music and was good at singing. It was really a pleasure to hear her singing with her melodious and clear voice like an oriole.

After the song was finished, she knelt down beside Shao Xun and poured tea for him.

Jing was extremely beautiful. After she finished singing the song, her breathing became rapid, and her breasts rose and fell, trembling constantly.

As he leaned sideways to pour the tea, his breathing sounded quite seductive.

Shao Xun didn't even bother to lift his eyelids.

He knew that this woman was interested in him and wanted to become his concubine, even if she was an unofficial maid like Song Yi.

The world is in chaos, even the princess in the capital has been kidnapped, and there is no way to seek justice. How can a woman like Jing protect herself?
Liu Yu and Wang of Sima Yue's shogunate ignored Wang Yan's corpse and fought to marry Jing. Could it be that the generals and officers under Shao Xun were all good people? How could it be possible?

Not to mention times of chaos, even in times of peace, such childless women are very likely to be wiped out.

Since it was destined to be eaten up, it would be better to be eaten up by the strongest person. On this point, Jing thought very clearly, not to mention that she and Princess Lu of Fanyang had lived next door to each other for half a year and had a very good relationship.

But Shao Xun was too lazy to spend the energy to actively tease her, even though he would definitely succeed if he did.

Perhaps, if Jing is willing to "take action on his own", there is still some possibility.

After drinking a bowl of tea, he stood up under Jing's disappointed gaze, sat down in the side hall in the west, and waited quietly.

After a while, Yang Jiongzhi and Yang Man arrived together, and Shao Xun personally went to the door to greet them.

After the three of them sat down opposite each other, Yang Jiongzhi looked at the Hu bed under his buttocks in surprise and said, "Is this the Hu bed from the time of Emperor Ling of Han?"

"Mr. Yang is indeed well-informed and has a good memory." Shao Xun praised: "Zu Yan often mentioned the family tradition of the Yang family. All the descendants of the family relied on Mr. Yang's teachings. Now I believe it."

With Yang Jiongzhi by his side, the title of "Mr. Yang" flew away from Yang Man's head. Shao Xun could not call him "Little Sheep" or "Old Sheep" - at that time, there was already the old + surname method, but it was not common - he could only call him by his courtesy name.

Yang Jiongzhi stroked his beard lightly and smiled, then observed Shao Xun carefully.

There is nothing else important; the thing that impressed him most was youth.

Yes, youth is an extremely huge advantage and even an important factor in determining success or failure.

Is Liu Yuanhai capable? Yes, but he is almost sixty years old.

Does General Gou Dao have any ability? Yes, but he is almost sixty years old.

Not to mention Sima Yuanchao, he will not live long.

The end of your life means you have no time to release your burdens, no time to settle internal affairs, and no time to establish systems...

Chen Hou was only twenty-three years old and had plenty of time to do these things, so he was closer to success than these people.

Shao Xun was also observing Yang Jiongzhi, the leader of the new round of investment in Taiyang Yang Group, a senior member of the board of directors, and one of the major shareholders.

Judging from his facial features, he is a middle-aged man who still has some of the handsomeness of his youth. He is calm and speaks slowly. He seems to think before speaking, and will not say anything if he is not sure. He is rather cautious.

Compared with Yang Jiongzhi, Wang Yan has only so much.

Wang Yan said things he was sure of, and also said things he was unsure of. At worst, he would deny what he said and would just lie. "(Wang Yan) was good at speaking. If he felt uneasy about something, he would change it. He was called a liar at that time."

"Uncle, you must have seen the scenery of various places during your travels. I haven't been to Yuzhou for a long time. I wonder what it looks like now?" Seeing that the room was a little quiet, Yang Man brought up the topic and led the conversation in the direction they wanted.

Yang Jiongzhi pondered for a while and said, "When I passed Yingchuan, I visited some scholars. Then I went to the capital and met some old friends. I was filled with emotion."

Having said that, he glanced at Shao Xun.

Although he heard a lot of news in Taishan County, it was always passed around and might not be accurate. This time, he traveled all the way and investigated in person, only to find that the reputation of "Shao Taibai" was even greater than he had imagined.

After Sima Yue fell ill, Wang Yan's prestige had slightly surpassed Sima Yue. The reason why Wang Yan was able to maneuver and play political games was all due to the support of Shao Xun who was hiding behind him.

This person is really interesting.

If he had brazenly launched a coup and engaged in a battle with Sima Yue in Luoyang city when the Huns were forced to retreat last year, Sima Yue's failure would have been inevitable, but tens of thousands of people in Luoyang would have died, and the imperial guards would have suffered casualties and fled in panic.

Things have come to this point. Wang Yan will not support him. In fact, few people will support him. No one from the local area will send money or food to the capital, and they may even send troops to attack, just like the war among the kings back then.

In the end, the ones who will be grinning from ear to ear will be the Huns.

Faced with the huge temptation, this young man in his twenties withdrew without any regrets. He even released the emperor from his imprisonment, and his loyal appearance of "returning power to the emperor" made many people like him.

Looking back on the past, Shao Xun had welcomed the late emperor, expelled Zhang Fang, defended Luoyang, and fought fiercely with Wang Mi, Ji Sang, Shi Le, Liu Cong and others...

From the perspective of right and wrong, you can't find any fault with him.

He is the most loyal minister in the world and he deserves the title of "Quanzhong".

As for things like seizing other people's land and houses, indulging in beauty, and being domineering and arrogant, they are not worth mentioning in the face of major issues.

"The Xun family is now very close to the emperor. The Zhongshu Jian Xun Zu, Xun Taizhang, Shangshu Ling Xun Fan, Xun Taijian, Zhonghu Jun Xun Song, Xun Jingyou, Si Tu Zhu Bu Xun Kai, Xun Daoming, etc., are mostly ministers. The Xun family is a wealthy family in Yingchuan, and the court and the public pay attention to them. They can lead many people." Yang Jiongzhi said: "I heard that a batch of military equipment was robbed by Chen Hou in the early years. Maybe we should think about how to deal with the Xun family."

When Shao Xun heard this, he was unsure whether Yang Jiongzhi was acting as a lobbyist, persuading him to reconcile with the Xun family, or instigating him to kill and uproot the Xun family?
It should not be the latter, which is too horrifying. Back then, Zhang Fang harassed the Hongnong Yang family, exploited them in every way, killed many of them, and played with many of their wives and daughters, completely ruining their reputation.

The Xun family has a greater influence than the Yang family. If we uproot them...

However, Yang Jiongzhi also reminded himself: If he wants to take over Yingchuan, the Xun family is an obstacle he cannot avoid, and he should think carefully about what to do.

Moreover, the power of the Xun family is slowly expanding. Not only do they have people who are loyal to the emperor, but they also have people working in Sima Yue's government. Even Sima Rui has people from the Xun family as his staff, so their potential power is huge.

But then the question arises, why did the Xun family never send anyone to work under him? Did they look down on him, or did they still hold a grudge against him for Xun Sui's death? Or maybe both?
He didn't want to play dumb with Yang Jiongzhi anymore, so he asked directly, "What does Lord Yang think of the general situation in the world?"

This time Yang Jiongzhi was silent for a long time. After sighing, he said, "The Jin Dynasty will be in decline, and it is beyond human power to save it. Perhaps, the story of the late Han Dynasty will repeat itself, and eventually there will be three kingdoms."

Stories from the end of the Han Dynasty? The Three Kingdoms? Shao Xun sneered, you really think highly of the Li family of Cheng Han.

But he could also understand that Yang Jiongzhi was an old-fashioned person after all. He liked to pick out sentences and even more so to look for things that happened in the past from piles of old papers in order to reflect the reality.

Moreover, for Shao Xun, Yang Jiongzhi's recognition was not without benefits. At least he admitted that the north was in chaos and would not be loyal to the Jin Dynasty stubbornly, so there was an opportunity.

"Mr. Yang, can you please discuss the heroes of the world?" Shao Xun suddenly said with a sense of evil.

Yang Jiongzhi's hand, which was stroking his beard, paused.

"Second Uncle!" At this moment, a cheerful voice was heard outside the door. A moment later, Yang Xianrong walked in and exclaimed in surprise.

Yang Jiongzhi's hand trembled and he broke two strands of his beard, but he was unaware of it. He immediately stood up and looked at his niece, his eyes slightly red.

"When Luoyang was in danger, I fled to my hometown. I feel unworthy to be called 'Second Uncle'." Yang Jiongzhi sighed, "Luckily, my niece turned the danger into safety and is safe and sound. Otherwise, a hundred years later, I, the second uncle, would not know how to face my brother."

Yang Xianrong almost burst into tears when she heard this. She said, "Why do you say that, Uncle? I am so happy to see you."

After saying that, he glanced at Shao Xun and sat down beside him with confidence.

I haven't seen this evildoer for more than half a year. I was full of resentment, but when I was taking a bath in the hot spring just now, Princess Xiangcheng persuaded me and I felt much better. When I saw my second uncle, I thought of the past and my heart softened. I couldn't get angry anymore. Hmm? I can't be soft on him! When did this bastard provoke Sima Xiu? Why did that 38-year-old old woman speak for him?

When Yang Jiongzhi saw his niece sitting next to Shao Xun, he just sighed and was too lazy to say anything more.

The identity of niece is too embarrassing, unless the dynasty changes, it is impossible. But now that things have come to this, what else can he say?
Which of the man and woman in front of him would listen to him?
After that, they stopped talking about business and started chatting about small things.

Yang Manyao mentioned the incident in which Hu Wufu hung money on his stick, allowing shopkeepers to use the money to buy wine.

Yang Jiongzhi then talked about the news that Liu Yu had caught a carbuncle which he had just heard in Luoyang City.

Yang Xianrong said nonchalantly that the adopted son of Princess Fan Yang had come to fight for the family property.

Shao Xun felt ashamed after hearing this.

Yang Xianrong seemed unaware of his embarrassment, and described in vivid detail that Princess Liu of Nanyang, his twelve-year-old adopted son Sima Li, and more than 200 assistants, servants, and guards of the Nanyang prince's court were now living in Liuhuayuan on the northern edge of Guangchengze.

Shao Xun coughed helplessly.

He actually knew about this.

Lu Xun had already met with Liu and Sima Li, mother and son, and came back to say that Liu was a woman with a soft exterior but a strong interior, and she would probably not give up this time and was determined to win the title of King of Fanyang and the family property for her son - the Kingdom of Fanyang was in Wang Jun's territory and seemed out of reach, but in fact it could be transferred and was still very valuable.

Yang Jiongzhi and Yang Man pretended not to hear what was said. After talking about other things, they stood up and said goodbye.

Shao Xun and Yang Xianrong stood up to see him off.

"Why is Shao Qing standing at the door without saying a word?" After returning to the hall, Yang Xianrong knelt behind a small table and asked.

"I will go to Chen County in a few days. I am busy with many things and cannot spare the time. I have important things to do right now, so I will take my leave now." Shao Xun replied.

"Going to Chen County?" Yang Xianrong was a little surprised: "How long will it take?"

"Maybe he won't come back." Shao Xun said, "There are many troubles in Yuzhou, and the bandits are rampant. The Xiongnu are stationed on the river with ill intentions. I am a warrior, so I will naturally fight against the bandits."

"Is the conquest over?"

"Of course I will return to Chenjun, where my fiefdom is."

"As for Guangchengze, I - you've put in so much effort, and you're not going to come back to take a look?" When Yang Xianrong asked the last few words, the tone of her voice was a little wrong, as if she could not control her emotions.

"I have arranged it." Shao Xun sighed and said, "Fighting in all directions, dying on the battlefield. Perhaps this is the fate of a warrior."

"It's arranged... What have you arranged?" There was something wrong with Yang Xianrong's voice.

"If the Queen feels that something is inappropriate, I will make arrangements immediately." Shao Xun said solemnly: "The Queen has been very kind to me, but I will obey her orders."

"You still remember that I've done you a favor?" Yang Xianrong raised her head and looked at Shao Xun with complicated eyes, and said, "You still remember to obey orders?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you standing so far away?"

"The Queen's intention..."

"Come and sit down." Yang Xianrong ordered.

"Your Majesty—I obey your order." Shao Xun walked over and carefully sat opposite Yang Xianrong, with his head lowered, looking extremely respectful.

Yang Xianrong was so angry that he gritted his teeth and said, "Sit next to me."

"Yes, sir." Shao Xun knelt beside Yang Xianrong like an emotionless robot.

"Sit closer."

"Yes."

Yang Xianrong took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and said, "Hold me."

After saying this, she seemed to be back in time to the time when firecrackers were set off on New Year's Day that year, and her face and ears turned blood red.

Shao Xun looked at him in surprise and stammered, "Your Majesty...Your Majesty..."

"Hold me." Yang Xianrong repeated, her voice trembling slightly.

"I am sorry to offend the Queen." Shao Xun apologized first, then stretched out his hand, hugged Yang Xianrong's tense body into his arms, and placed it on his legs.

Eyes facing each other.

Yang Xianrong originally wanted to "issue an edict", but when she met Shao Xun's gaze, for some reason, her courage disappeared in an instant.

She closed her eyes shyly.

Shao Xun lowered his head and bit his lower lip lightly.

Yang Xianrong trembled all over, buried her head in Shao Xun's arms, and said in a muffled voice: "I know you have always coveted me. You finally succeeded..."

"Yes, I finally succeeded..." Shao Xun gently stroked Yang Xianrong's back and said with emotion: "When the Queen was inspecting the Biyong Temple, I bowed my head and knelt on the ground. I secretly took a look at her and was shocked by her beauty."

"Everyone loves beauty. How could I not covet the Queen's beauty? But I was just a small duke at that time, and the Queen was a person from heaven. I felt that we were far apart, so I buried this thought deep in my heart."

"Marching and fighting are very hard. When you lie on ice and snow, or face the edge of a sharp blade, if you think about one or two things, your strength will suddenly return, as if you are helped by God, and you will be unstoppable."

"I killed Meng Chao outside Kaiyang Gate and scared off more than a thousand bandits. At that time, I thought that if I killed ten or a hundred Meng Chaos, I would be able to see the queen from afar."

Yang Xianrong turned her head and looked at Shao Xun, her eyes full of tears.

Shao Xun lowered his head again and kissed her. He stroked her gently from her back to her chest and continued, "When Sima Yi was captured in the palace, the queen fell to the ground. I wanted to help her up, but I was too ashamed to offend her."

"The queen became a general in the palace. Seeing the queen in danger, he was extremely anxious, but he didn't know what to do. He wanted to take the queen out of the palace and fly away."

"I gave you the chance to take it, but you didn't dare." Yang Xianrong said with a light sigh and a blush on her face. At the same time, she grabbed Shao Xun's hand to stop him from moving.

"The world is in turmoil. If I take the queen away, she will only suffer. How selfish I am." Shao Xun shook his head and said softly, "When I learned that the queen came to Liang County, I was overjoyed. I stood guard all night wearing a helmet and armor, and I didn't feel tired. I just knew that I could protect the queen and no one could hurt her anymore."

Yang Xianrong was so stunned by what she heard that she lost her strength for a moment and let Shao Xun's hand slip in.

The tender and smooth grasp made both of them tremble.

"You really want to die, capital crime..." Yang Xianrong's eyes were blurred, and she said in a trembling voice: "You have offended so many people."

"I have fought so hard for the past eight years that I am covered in wounds. I would rather sacrifice my life and the empire just for the chance to offend the queen." Shao Xun leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Life is long. I will continue to offend her until my children and grandchildren are around me and we are old and face each other."

"Carry me to the inner room." Yang Xianrong had become soft as mud, but she still exuded amazing beauty.

"The minister obeys the order."

(End of this chapter)