Chapter 95 Passing on the Torch
When Su Chuo came to his hometown this time, in addition to visiting He Basheng to express his condolences, he also had another thing to do, which was to invite Li Taitong to Chang'an to visit Zhou Huida, an important minister and servant of the court who was also seriously ill.
Li Tai was startled when he heard Su Chuo's invitation. He really had no friendship with Zhou Huida and had never even met. He couldn't understand why Su Chuo invited him to go with him.
But everyone comes and talks, and it’s always embarrassing if you don’t go.
Li Tai's travels now are not as casual as before.
After He Basheng entered the village, the elite troops stationed in the imperial court gradually withdrew, and even now they all remain in Shangyuan Village. Coupled with Li Tai's own strong men, he could easily pull out a team of fifty people, each equipped with bows and swords, and even a few pairs of light armor.
"I was also disturbed by the wild leaps and bounds. I was timid before leaving, which made Su Shangshu laugh."
When Su Chuo heard what Li Tai said, he was a little embarrassed for a moment. After a moment, he said: "The national destiny is difficult and the countryside has not yet been able to govern. Therefore, Daxingtai is also hungry for talents and hopes that young gentlemen like Li Lang will devote their lives to their duties." thing."
I was ready, even planning to set fire to his heart in his backyard!
Hearing what Su Chuo said, Li Tai felt a surge of expectation in his heart. When it comes to the appointment and dismissal of official positions, Su Chuo's right to speak in front of Yuwentai is even higher than that of the Beizhen Yuan followers. This has been made quite obvious.
The group of people set out on the road in great force. When they reached the northern foot of Lishan Mountain, Li Tai found that the number of drivers entering the mountain to enjoy the scenery was obviously much larger than when they passed by before.
It seems that the club run by the Heba brothers has begun to bear fruit, attracting all the powerful children living in Chang'an. Although Li Tai had no interests involved, he was quite happy to see this scene.
He wanted to go into the mountain to check it out, but he thought that Su Chuo, who was traveling with him, would obviously not like such sensual and extravagant pleasures. In order to avoid unnecessary complications, he could only give up temporarily.
He planned to inspect the property with Yu Wenhu and the others after a while to see if the hole dug for Zhao Gui was beautiful.
Zhou Huida's mansion is located in the east of Chang'an City. Not far from the curved alley into the city, you can see the tall Yimen.
Today's Chang'an City seems cramped and messy, but Zhou Huida's mansion is still spacious and majestic, showing his transcendent status in the Western Wei Dynasty.
Zhou Huida was neither a powerful person in Beizhen nor a famous family in Hebei. He was not even a high-ranking official in Luoyang who followed Emperor Xiaowu when he moved westward, but his resume was equally rich.
As early as the end of the Northern Wei Dynasty, King Xiao Baoyu of Qi entered the pass to quell the chaos, and Zhou Huida became his aide. After He Bayue entered the Guan to quell the rebellion and captured Xiao Baoyu, he retained Zhou Huida as his staff, and later served under Yuwentai Mansion, where he contributed a lot to the communication between the Kansai forces and the Luoyang court at that time.
Up to now, Zhou Huida's official position is Shangshu Youpu She, and he is a high-ranking official in the Western Wei Dynasty. There was no shortage of people who were recommended to the court by his disciples. Even Su Chuo was valued and reused by Yu Wentai only after Zhou Huida recommended him.
Because there were too many visitors, when Li Tai and others arrived, there were still many visitors who were not allowed in from early morning to morning. But in the end, Su Chuo had a great reputation, and not long after the name card was handed in, Zhou Huida's son led a group of servants to greet them, and made a brief clearing to welcome them into the mansion.
"Aye's illness has become more serious recently. He wakes up and faints. When he wakes up, he can have simple conversations, but when he is unconscious, he can't even recognize his close relatives..."
Zhou Huida's son, Zhou Ti, looked haggard and sad. He first invited the two of them to sit down in the hall, and then went to the hospital in person to check on his father's condition.
The two waited in the hall for half an hour before Zhou Ti hurried back and invited them in to visit.
The smell of Chinese medicine in the room was strong, and it was filled with a rotten smell that even spices could not cover up. Although Li Tai had little experience of illness and death, smelling this smell, he felt that Zhou Huida would die soon.
"Mr. Wen'an, I'm late, please forgive me!"
Su Chuo bent down and walked into the curtain, and whispered before walking in. Immediately, a series of whispers and conversations could be heard in the tent.
Li Tai stood outside the curtain and waited for a moment, then he heard Su Chuo raise his voice and say: "In the past, the Duke often sighed that there were not many people in Guanxi, and the king's ups and downs lacked good talents. Now I will introduce you to a famous young man. , His style is impressive, I hope it can clear the eyes and ears of the public! "
Although Su Chuo didn't call him by his name, Li Tai guessed that he was probably talking about him, so he leaned down and got into the curtains. He looked up and saw an old man with an old appearance and dull eyes and ears sitting on the couch. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Young Master Li Boshan has met Mr. Wen An."
"W-Whose son is this? He is indeed very energetic and impressive!"
Zhou Huida's mouth trembled and he looked at Li Tai and said.
Su Chuo introduced Li Tai's family background in a low voice. Zhou Huida's slightly distracted old eyes couldn't help but stare a little longer. He raised his finger and pointed at Li Tai and said: "It turns out he is a young man from a famous family. The young man from your family came to visit with his relatives the day before yesterday. The appearance is still impressive, but the handsomeness is much worse. Although I am old, I still like to see young talents, why don't I come with Kong Huai? "
"Boshan only went to the West for justice last year. During this period, he and the pro-party had not yet reconciled and lived together, which made Wen An laugh."
Li Tai also knew something about his relatives in Kansai. Hearing this, he guessed that Zhou Huida was talking about a young man named Li Licheng, who was a descendant of Li Chong, but he had not had time to meet him yet.
"Good, good son!"
Zhou Huida didn't seem to hear Li Tai's answer clearly, nodded and responded vaguely, and then started talking quietly with Su Chuo.
After a while, he looked back at Li Tai and looked at it carefully. The serious look in his eyes made Li Tai feel a little embarrassed.
After another long while, Zhou Huida suddenly waved and called: "Alang, come here!"
"I'm here, I'm here, Aye, tell me."
After hearing this, Zhou Ti, who had been standing sideways by the couch, quickly leaned down and answered softly.
Zhou Huida put her arms around her son's neck and whispered for a moment, but his son's expression gradually became awkward and he just answered incoherently.
"Go quickly, go quickly, don't miss my girl's good match!"
After whispering, Zhou Huida nodded to Li Tai with a smile on his face, and then pushed his son a few times. When he saw that he just didn't move, he suddenly became angry and even waved his arms and slapped him: "Don't let things go wrong. If we don't reach an agreement, Don’t come back to see me!”
Zhou Ti had a bitter and embarrassed look on his face. He first smiled apologetically at Su Chuo and Li Tai, and then said helplessly: "Ah, my sister married into the Prince's family in Jibei last summer. I don't need you to worry about her anymore."
"Nonsense, really nonsense! My daughter came to see me this morning, and she is still in the pavilion."
After Zhou Huida heard this, he became even more angry. He patted his son and scolded him: "Don't you hope that your sister will enter a famous family? I have seen this boy before. He is handsome and impressive. Su Lingchuo also said that he is very talented... Although my family has a good family, So it is not honorable, but there is something to be proud of at this time. He is a young man walking alone, and no one may know about it. It is time for him to be honored in the hall and shine on my court!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone in Weiwei looked a little embarrassed. Su Chuo quickly stood up and signaled Li Tai and him to withdraw temporarily, leaving Zhou Ti to comfort his grumpy old father.
"Mr. Wen'an appreciates handsome young men and never changes his ways even when he is old. This is not a deliberate act of disrespect. Don't worry about it, Li Lang."
After arriving at the outer hall, Su Chuo said to Li Tai.
"Boshan is also honored to be rewarded by a wise man."
Although Li Tai was a little embarrassed, he was still a little pleased in his heart. Who doesn't like to be admired and coveted?
After a while, Zhou Ti walked out of the inner room in small steps and apologized to Li Tai again with a look of shame on his face. His father had suddenly fallen ill just now, and what he said was really rash, and he was relying on his position to force a marriage into a well-known family. It would inevitably hurt the public if it was spread.
Li Tai had no idea of self-defense as a noble family, and he repeatedly expressed that he didn't mind before he finally revealed the matter.
But after this episode happened, it was always a bit awkward to stay in the room as a guest afterwards. So the two of them stood up to say goodbye and left Zhou Huida's mansion.
It was already getting late, so Su Chuo took Li Tai to stay at his mansion in Beijing for a night.
Li Tai didn't know if it was his own misunderstanding. After leaving Zhou Huida's mansion, he always felt that Su Chuo's eyes were a little strange when he looked at him, and he couldn't help but murmur in his heart, are you also greedy for me?
Fortunately, Su Chuo didn't say any nonsense, went into the residence, had a simple meal, and introduced his nephew to meet him. The martial arts Su family is also a large family in Guanzhong, with a prosperous population. The only regret is that Li Tai could not meet Yuwen Hu's son-in-law Su Wei, who was still in his infancy and had not been weaned.
After dinner, Su Chuo looked at Li Tai and said: "Guanxi has been in trouble for a long time. Although the humanities and politics are inferior to those in Dongzhou, for a husband who is determined to rise up, this hometown is also a fertile ground for making achievements.
I was just a village farmer in Kansai, but fortunately I was recommended by Duke Wen'an, rewarded by Daxingtai, and appointed as a dramatist. I often felt ashamed, but I tried my best to do it. I also often reflect on myself who will succeed me, and I dare not be greedy and block the path to excellence.
Li Lang, although you are a new visitor to Dongzhou, you are still a native of the country. Observing the strict organization of your village, we can see that there are classic methods for managing affairs and people. I want to promote my talents in the Tao, but I am afraid of disturbing my Qingzhi..."
When Li Tai heard this, he finally understood that Su Chuo specially invited him to visit Zhou Huida in order to conduct an ideological education in action.
He hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Boshan dare not boast and be arrogant. Since he has been appreciated by the minister, he can only show off his meager ability and donate his little efforts to prove this! The prosperity of Tao is to go first and succeed, and the beauty of scholars is to pass on the fire with salary. , receive this fire, burn my body, and pass it on to the latter. Although the body is not great, the Tao is not alone!"
When Su Chuo heard this, he couldn't help but clapped his hands and cheered, and then said: "Li Lang is talented and talented, I have seen it before. I have selfish motives and want to bring you to the court, write a biography for Duke Wen'an, and become a famous story. , please don’t say goodbye, Li Lang!”
"Boshan is obligated!"
Li Tai quickly said that writing a biography of Zhou Huida could also accumulate some connections. Not to mention Zhou Huida's own connections accumulated in the Western Wei Dynasty, the old man sat up in shock when he was dying and asked him to recognize his son-in-law, which also made him agree with his vision from the bottom of his heart.