The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

The conversation seemed like a casual chat, but in fact there was not a single word of nonsense.

Old Master Yang is obviously closer to Qian Jie among the three. Although the Qian and Yang families are both aristocratic families, he does this to show his affection.

But in fact, there is also the intention to warn Zhang Pingan.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have left Zhang Pingan out until the last before greeting them even though he knew their identities.

What this means is that even if you are a second-rank official in Beijing, you may not be able to get along well in Xi'an. To survive in officialdom, family background is more important.

In front of the Yang family, a wealthy and powerful family, a second-rank official in the capital is not someone who deserves to be kowtowed to.

Zhang Pingan smiled noncommittally in his heart and didn't care. Just as he had just thought, the best strategy was to use courtesy first and then force. For the time being, everyone just had to maintain face and be polite and considerate so as not to make any mistakes.

We don’t have to make friends, but at least we don’t want to make enemies.

If he holds a higher position in the court one day and these people need him, their attitude towards him will naturally be different from what it is now.

He had long realized that being angry was useless and that improving one's self-worth was the right thing to do.

However, Zhang Ping'an's calm performance made Mr. Yang look at him with a higher opinion, and his attitude towards him softened a lot later on.

It is no longer that kind of false intimacy.

He also admired the emperor's vision in employing people, and secretly sighed that the Yang family had chosen the right side, which allowed the family to continue to prosper.

Thinking of this, Mr. Yang was willing to help them.

Lifting the teacup casually, he asked, "I heard you're heading to the Guazhou military camp and are in need of a few guides familiar with the northwest and the areas beyond the Great Wall. Although I've lived in Mount Zhongnan for a long time and haven't been involved in worldly affairs, I do know some talented individuals who specialize in this field. If you need any recommendations, I can help you find them."

It would be too unprofitable to accept this favor, so Zhang Pingan politely declined it directly.

Old Master Yang stroked his long beard and smiled. He didn't insist, but said slowly and meaningfully, "A guide is a small matter, but the Guazhou military camp is not so easy to get to. Otherwise, it wouldn't have become such a big concern for Your Majesty. Now I have to send several of your capable men here."

This is meant to be a reminder.

The three of them are smart people, so they naturally understand.

Qian Jie came straight to the point and asked modestly, "Old man, we came to the northwest this time with a military order. I hope you can give us some advice!"

"Haha, it's not really advice, we're just chatting casually about family matters," Grandpa Yang waved his hand.

He looks like a hermit living in seclusion from the world.

"I'm sure you all know about Wei Chengfeng's background and family history. He's a descendant of the Wei family's side branch and an orphan adopted by the Wei family. In the previous dynasty, he was a bit like an invisible man, not very conspicuous in the court. Later, after the main force of the Wei family army was annihilated in the battle with the Tatars, this man began to rise to prominence. He once relied on only 3,000 scattered soldiers to resist the elite Tatars of over 10,000 people. His ability is evident!

Later, after the Daxia border army was completely defeated and reduced to a loose sand, he was the one who quickly gathered these remnants, laying the foundation for the present-day Guazhou Iron Cavalry. His army was not only composed of Han Chinese, but also included many mixed Hu people and foreigners. Based on their individual strengths, each squad was able to maximize its advantages in battle. Honestly, it is not easy to have such a broad mind and courage. For this reason, I admire him very much.

"Senior Yang, I heard that Wei Chengfeng is an extremely skilled martial artist and is surrounded by many experts. He has never married in his life. He is not lustful or a drunkard, and he does not love money or power. He seems to have no desires. Does this man really have no weaknesses?" Zhao Renzhi asked.

In fact, I don’t really believe these rumors. It is impossible for a person to be without weaknesses, otherwise why would he hold on to military power?

Old Master Yang glanced at Zhao Renzhi, but smiled without saying anything. He picked up the teacup, blew gently on the tea foam, and took a sip.

He had a sharp eye and was very good at judging people. After just one look, he concluded that Zhao Renzhi was a treacherous villain. Such a person would definitely have a chance to succeed in troubled times, but he might not be able to go far in a peaceful and prosperous era.

Zhang Ping'an listened quietly to what they said for a while without interrupting. What Zhao Renzhi said was also the part that he once thought was difficult to deal with.

However, since Mr. Yang has extended this olive branch, he must have some useful information for them.

So, after pondering for a moment, he made two additional points and said in a deep voice, "I've seen this portrait of Wei Chengfeng in the Privy Council. He has the air of a scholar, the type of Confucian general. I believe that in addition to leading troops, he has also read a lot of books. As far as I know, although he has never married or had children in his life, he has adopted many sons. And most importantly, he is now in his fifties. At this age, even if his health is good, he won't be able to carry on for many more years. He will have to choose a successor, otherwise there will be no successor. Would it be a better place to intervene?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Yang looked up, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Your idea is correct. It sounds feasible. However, Wei Chengfeng's thirteen adopted sons are not ordinary people. They are always loyal to him and will never go west if he tells them to. A strategy of sowing discord may work in other places, but it won't work in the Guazhou military camp."

"Oh? Then water can't get into the Guazhou military camp?" Qian Jie frowned.

"That may not be the case," Mr. Yang raised his eyebrows and stopped keeping the secret.

He pointed out a clear path for the others, "One of my followers has reported that the Guazhou military camp is harboring the only surviving member of the Wei family. I don't know if this news is true, and I don't have any evidence at the moment. However, if the news is true, then Wei Chengfeng is committing a serious crime by harboring and protecting a serious criminal of the imperial court."

"What? Didn't all the Wei family members die? There are still survivors?" Zhao Renzhi was shocked after hearing this.

You have to know that at that time, the Wei army was completely wiped out, which led to the Tatars tearing open a gap in the border line, which indirectly led to the situation of war everywhere later.

Even if the Wei family members did not die on the battlefield, the court would punish them for failing to lead troops effectively, and they would not be able to escape death.

Although the new dynasty has been established, someone must take responsibility and bear the price for such a terrible battle. Even if it is Zhou Ziming, he will not leave the Wei family bloodline.

If Wei Chengfeng really harbored and protected the Wei family, that would indeed be a powerful handle, and the possibility of peace talks would be much higher at that time.

"Haha, I've told you that I don't have any evidence here, otherwise I would have reported it to the court. If you're interested, you can find it yourselves," Old Master Yang said calmly, looking at them with a kind face.

But it undoubtedly succeeded in creating ripples in the hearts of several people.