Zhao Zhaokai looked at the dilapidated house in front of him and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. It was hard to imagine that this would be the place where the son of the prime minister lived. Zhang Julu had three sons. The first two sons went to the border army to serve as soldiers, and the third son Zhang Bianguan
But he moved out of the Zhang Mansion a long time ago. Zhang Julu had all the power in the government, but he did not choose a way out for his son in the court.
Instead, he allowed his son to live a life inferior to ordinary people in Tai'an City. This was not because he did not care about his son, but on the contrary, it was to protect him.
Zhang Julu, who accompanies a king like a tiger, knows very well the nature of the Liyang royal family. Once Xu Xiao dies of old age, he will definitely be the next one to be burned down. In order to save his son from disaster, Zhang Julu had no choice but to let himself go early.
Li Yang's son broke away from the Zhang family in the hope that Li Yang would let his son go when he stabbed him.
It's a pity that Zhang Julu underestimated the emperor's ruthlessness in the end and ended up killing the nine tribes. None of the three sons were spared. Only one daughter-in-law and the youngest daughter Zhang Gaoxia escaped, which is sad. But now that Zhao Kai has come to Tai'an City
, then nothing can be done to make the loyal minister die in vain.
Zhang Gaoxia went over and knocked on the door. The person who opened the door was a young woman in her early twenties. When she saw Zhao Kai and Zhang Gaoxia, she was a little confused. She didn't recognize these two extraordinary men and women.
It seems that Zhang Bianguan kept a very deep secret from his wife, and did not even tell him about his sister. Perhaps this was also to protect her.
After explaining the purpose of their visit, the two of them found out that Zhang Bianguan went out early every day and didn't come back until he was drunk. In the eyes of the neighbors, he looked like he could not hold up the wall.
Only Zhao Kai knew that Zhang Bianguan knew everything, but he had no way to change it.
After entering this small house, Zhang Gaoxia and her sister-in-law were busy cooking together, while Zhao Kai was waiting aside.
I waited until the evening to see a young man staggering back to the door. He was obviously closed, but his appearance was indeed a bit ugly, with an unshaven beard and a listless look. Even a trafficker and a lackey would probably scold him if he saw it.
The previous sentence is useless.
The young man was obviously taken aback when he saw Zhang Gaoxia, and was about to reprimand him, but was stopped directly by Zhao Kai, who said first:
"Zhang Bianguan, do you plan to stay like this for the rest of your life?"
Zhang Bianguan was about to get angry, but he turned to look at Zhang Gaoxia, and then at the calm young man in front of him. As if something suddenly occurred to him, he suddenly sobered up a lot and stopped walking unsteadily.
Seeing his expression, Zhao Kai had obviously guessed his identity. He couldn't help but think highly of this young man. He was indeed Zhang Julu's son, he was indeed smart.
Zhao Kai said:
"I came here today for no other reason than to ask you, do you really want to live a life of being looked down upon by others?"
After Zhang Bianguan heard Zhao Kai's words, he was silent for a long time, and it took him a long time to say:
"I don't care what other people think."
Zhao Kai pointed to the young woman beside him and said:
"What about her? You don't care what she thinks, do you? Do you really plan to repay the suffering she suffered for you in the next life? Zhang Bianguan, are you still a man?"
Zhang Bianguan said stiffly:
"This is my business and has nothing to do with you"
Even Zhang Gaoxia couldn't stand listening to this tone, and she was about to beat him up immediately. Although it was her brother, this was not the first time she had done this. She also didn't understand that her brother was obviously one of the brothers and sisters in the family.
Why do the smartest people keep falling for themselves?
Zhao Kai said:
"If one day they put a knife to your wife's neck, I wonder if you will regret your mediocrity and inaction in the first half of your life.
Since you can take life and death lightly, why are you afraid of fighting?"
Zhao Kai's words seemed to hit Zhang Bianguan's heart. At this time, he was no longer drunk as before, but said with hazy eyes:
"I know everything you said, but what can I do? In front of the imperial power, we are just ants trying to survive. Even people like my father can't hide, let alone me!"
At this time, Zhao Kai could clearly feel the inner turmoil of the young man in front of him. He could see some things more clearly than Zhang Julu.
Zhao Kai then said firmly:
"As long as I am here, the court's sword cannot fall!"
In the whole world, Zhao Kai is the only one who has the ability and willingness to block the Liyang royal family's sword.
Zhao Kai's words ignited a hope that Zhang Bianguan had not had in twenty years. He said in a trembling voice:
"Your Highness, is what you say true?"
Over the years, he didn't care about living a poor life, nor did he mind the cynicism from his neighbors. The only person who felt guilty was the person beside him who had always been there for him.
Zhao Kai said calmly:
"Of course, as long as I am here, no one can touch your Zhang family, not even the current emperor! I, Zhao Kai, said this!"
Only then did Mrs. Zhang Bianguan realize that the identity of the young man in front of her was actually the most popular prince in Tai'an City today. It was like a dream that a man as high as the clouds condescended to come to this dilapidated house of hers.
At this time, the young woman seemed to have thought of something, and hurriedly helped her husband to kneel down and salute.
Zhao Kai did not stop them this time, but said calmly:
"Zhang Bianguan, I know you are a smart man with real talents and knowledge. I am asking you now, are you willing to come and help me? By helping me, I am also helping you!"
How could Zhang Bianguan miss such an opportunity at this time? He bowed directly to Zhao Kai three times and said:
"The ordinary people are willing to work hard for His Highness, even if they die at the border!"
Zhao Kai waved his hand, and a gentle force directly lifted the two of them up.
Zhao Kai said:
"There are too many people paying attention to me in Tai'an City. It's not appropriate for people to know that you are mine. After some time, I will find a way to arrange for you to enter the officialdom. Just climb up. If there are other arrangements, I will send someone
I told you."
Zhao Kai said these things without hesitation in front of Zhang Gaoxia. In fact, some of them were also told to Zhang Julu. Now that Zhao Kai is in the open, some things have to be done by others. After all, there are many informants in the capital.
There are too many. It is best to have someone operating in the dark.
After arranging things, the four of them had dinner in this poor little courtyard. Zhao Kai was not the kind of person who was accustomed to fine food and clothing. Even if it was a homely meal, Zhao Kai ate it with gusto.
Ever since he ate the noodles cooked by Miss Hehe, Zhao Kai felt that there was something else in the world that was unpalatable.
After several people had dinner, Zhao Kai and Zhang Gaoxia said goodbye and left.
While walking on the road, Zhang Gaoxia said sadly:
"Do you think the emperor really plans to take action against my father? My father has worked hard for the court over the years. After all these years, there is not even a single valuable thing in the house. Even the food he eats is not much better than that of ordinary people. It is not even a little expensive.
I can’t even bear to drink the wine.”
In Zhang Gaoxia's view, Zhang Julu is the best official in the world. He never takes bribes and bends the law, and his life is not even as good as that of a seventh-grade official.
Zhao Kai patted her shoulder gently and said:
"Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one dares to take action! There's no one in this world whose sword I can't stop!"
Zhang Gaoxia was still worried and said:
"But, in this case, won't you completely break with the emperor? He is your father?"
Zhao Kai also smiled freely and said:
"Hahaha, it doesn't matter, then I'll just be an unfilial son!"