Volume 1 The Wind Rises Chapter 20 Zhang Qiong's Pure Thoughts
“Brother!”
Seeing the person coming, Zhang Qiong called out in surprise, looking at the ground with a guilty look on his face: "Why are you here?"
Zhang Qiong's brother was named Zhang Jin.
The two are eight years apart.
They were originally from Daming Prefecture, and their father was a general under Du Chongwei, the governor of Chengde Army. He was killed by the Khitan when they marched into Youzhou.
This son inherited his father's business, and the position of Ya Jiang originally belonged to the eldest son Zhang Jin.
However, Zhang Jin knew that his younger brother Zhang Qiong was born with supernatural powers, skilled in archery and horse riding, and his martial arts were far superior to his own, so he gave this opportunity to Zhang Qiong.
Zhang Qiong was highly regarded by Wang Yin, the governor of Tianxiong Army, because of his righteousness and extraordinary martial arts.
Wang Yin was one of the few military governors under Guo Wei, but because he was dissatisfied with Guo Rong and did not want to see Guo Wei pass the throne to his adopted son Guo Rong, he was involved in the political struggle and was killed by Guo Wei.
Zhang Qiong was grateful for Wang Yin's kindness and could not help but complain a few words. He reported Wang Yin to someone and was beaten with a stick. He almost lost his life and was expelled from the army.
Zhang Jin spent all his family fortune to rescue Zhang Qiong from the brink of death .
After Guo Rong ascended the throne, he selected brave men from all over the world to form an imperial guard. Zhang Qiong was selected in Daming Prefecture and transferred to Kaifeng for training.
In order to take care of his younger brother, Zhang Jin decisively moved his family south to Kaifeng.
In Zhang Qiong's heart, Zhang Jin is like a father.
Zhang Jin was relieved to see that he was fine, but then he said sternly, "You've been reported to Kaifeng Prefecture, so how can I not come?"
Zhang Qiong shrank back and whispered, "I mean, how did you know that?"
Zhang Jin said angrily: "Ergou saw you being dragged by an old man on Longjin Bridge and reported to the police."
Zhang Qiong grumbled, "Minding my business..."
But under Zhang Jin's angry glare, he didn't say anything else.
Luo Youdu spoke in time and explained the situation.
Zhang Qiong immediately said: "Right, big brother. It's really not us who caused the trouble. It's obviously that old man... Never mind, let's not talk about it." He thought that the old man had a hard time too, so he was magnanimous and didn't discuss the right or wrong of it.
Compared with Zhang Qiong's simplicity, Zhang Jin is much more worldly-wise. He took Zhang Qiong's hand and thanked Luo Youdu.
Luo Youdu smiled generously and said, "It's okay! I'm just handling it impartially."
Zhang Qiong said carelessly, "Look, big brother, the official is a good official. He even said he would treat us to a meal of meat at Koufuzhai..." Speaking of eating meat, he immediately became excited and said, "The official doesn't mind having me, big brother, with him, right?"
Zhang Jin's expression changed slightly.
Luo Youdu originally thought that it was hopeless to win him over, so he immediately answered with a smile, "Of course it's fine. One more person to drink with means one more taste. Don't call me sir, sir. My surname is Luo and my name is Youdu. You can just call me Brother Luo or Youdu."
Zhang Qiong was shocked and asked, "But is it Luo Youdu who kicked Zhao Kuangyi's ass?"
Luo Youdu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "It's me."
Zhang Qiong was overjoyed: "Just for this, I have to have a good drink with Brother Luo."
Zhang Jin didn't know what to say when he saw this, so he shook his head and sighed.
Luo Youdu led the way, but he was curious and asked, "Brother Zhang, do you have a grudge against Zhao Kuangyi?"
Zhang Qiong shook his head and said, "No, I just don't like him. He got the military position based on his brother Du Yuhou's achievements, but he has no skills at all. He also said that he developed a set of formations based on Zhuge Wuhou's Eight Formations and Li Weigong's Six Flower Formations, and asked us to train. It's a mess, and it's a waste of time...Brother, why did you pull me in?"
He looked at Zhang Jin curiously.
Zhang Jin looked embarrassed.
Luo Youdu didn't say anything either.
Zhang Qiong seemed to have suffered a great deal of injustice, and said: "In war, we know the formations. But before the battle even starts, they keep changing. More than 20 changes, who the hell can remember them all?"
Luo Youdu laughed out loud when he heard this.
This is Zhao Kuangyi’s biggest problem.
Zhao Kuangyi had no self-awareness of his own abilities. Apart from military affairs, his abilities in emperorship, political strategy, and politics were all extraordinary. But he thought his military abilities were also extraordinary, which was a bit scary.
Luo Youdu seemed to understand why Zhao Kuangyin wanted to kill Zhang Qiong.
Zhang Qiong was a straightforward person who easily offended others. He looked down on Zhao Kuangyi, but the person Zhao Kuangyin cared about and respected the most was his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi.
When he arrived at Koufuzhai, Luo Youdu directly asked for a private room. With the intention of making good friends, he ordered a bunch of good meat without feeling sorry for the money.
Zhang Qiong couldn't stop swallowing just by hearing the name.
Zhang Jinze stood aside with a sad face, looking at Zhang Qiong with some uneasiness. Finally, he couldn't help it and found an excuse to call Zhang Qiong to the backyard of Koufuzhai.
Luo Youdu didn't care and let them go.
"Brother!" Zhang Qiong whispered, "They are kind enough to invite us to eat meat. It's not nice to do this."
Zhang Jin said sternly, "He is a military officer of the seventh rank. He has no plans. Why should he treat you and me like brothers and treat us to wine and meat?"
Zhang Qiong said: "What could be his plan? He just wants us to follow him!"
Zhang Jin said anxiously, "Since you knew this, why are you here?"
Zhang Qiong looked puzzled. "Why don't you come? Big brother, I know you're doing this for my own good. I'm not stupid. General Luo invited me to drink and eat meat, which means he thinks highly of me. Just for this reason, what's wrong with eating his meat and working for him? In this world, working for anyone doesn't count as selling your life. Why not be with someone you like and can drink and eat meat with?"
Zhang Jin was a little surprised. He looked at Zhang Qiong and asked in a deep voice, "Are you serious?"
Zhang Qiong thought about it and shook his head vigorously: "I don't know! Brother, you confused me, why think so much. No matter what, I joined the army today and can take care of the old man and give us justice, which is quite admirable. Such a person thinks highly of me, it is my honor. Just like what you said, brother, he has other purposes, and it is not up to me whether to do it in the end. If he wants me to die, I will definitely not go. But if he wants me to do something within my ability and I am willing to do it, why should I refuse?"
"Brother! I am not your brother who can do great things, but I think Luo Canjun can do great things."
Zhang Jin was silent for a while, then said with relief: "Maybe I, your brother, am too nosy. You are right. In this world, even the emperor cannot live long, let alone us common people. There is no peaceful way to live. We should just accept our fate. It is not necessarily a bad thing to meet a person like General Luo. Let's go, you and I, brothers, let's eat meat together. If there is anything, we can shoulder it together."
Zhang Qiong was overjoyed and said, "That's right. Why think so much? If you don't eat the meat, you will be struck by lightning."
Luo Youdu did not make any comment regarding their temporary separation. It was natural for Zhang Jin to be worried about his younger brother, so he remained as enthusiastic as ever.
Zhang Jin heaved a sigh of relief when he saw this, and he was very impressed. He thought to himself, "Maybe it's just like what the second brother said, this Luo Canjun can really do great things."
