Chapter 2 The Birth of Evil
Eight years ago, Na Lanxue was only six months pregnant and gave birth to a son for Li Mu. When he was born, he was thin and not breathing. He thought the son was born prematurely. The weak Na Lanxue was unwilling to die. She tried all kinds of methods but could not save the son. After being sad for several hours, she arranged for someone to bury him after Li Mu's persuasion.
The four servants wrapped the dead fetus, found a hillside, piled the wood, and were about to light it on fire. A strong wind blew, the leaves rustled, and six dark lights flew in the night sky. It circled and frightened the servants, making their legs weak. They thought it was an evil ghost seeking life, so they trembled and knelt on the ground. They knelt for a long time, but the colored light did not dissipate, and the light became brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire hillside. When the four servants were in despair, six rays of colorful light suddenly gathered together. The light flashed and fell into the mouth of the boy. The boy came to life with a "Wow" sound.
Hearing the baby's cry, the servant still didn't dare to stand up. He cried for a long time. The cry was too harsh. Seeing that nothing happened, these people plucked up the courage to step forward to check and saw the baby. After crying out loud, he hugged the boy in panic and ran back to the house quickly.
Nalan Xue cried with joy when she saw her son come back to life. She asked her nurse to hold her son to her and looked at her for most of the night. However, soon after she took the son home, she foamed at the mouth and turned pale. Qing, he called several doctors overnight to stabilize his weak breathing. However, after that, the disease continued to recur frequently, and the cause could not be found. Every time, he was almost on the verge of death. For this, Li Mu found famous doctors and doctors from all over the world. He even called onmyojis and fortune tellers, but nothing could be done. He happened to meet a wandering Taoist passing by. After observing the boy, he was puzzled and said doubtfully: "There is no such person in the world, and there is no such boy in General Li's life!" ”
Li Mu heard what Taoist Yunyou said and believed it. He thought the son was unknown and named him Li Zhan. Due to years of fighting, Li Zhang's life was in danger and he could die at any time, so his concern for Li Zhang became indifferent. Even if he suddenly heard the news of Wu Zhan's death, he would have been prepared in his heart, and even He had forgotten that he had this son.
Nalan Xue no longer followed Li Mu in the war and stayed in Handan. She never gave up. She searched for famous doctors from all over the world and used many prescriptions and folk remedies to support Li Zhang's survival. Li Mu generously donated his money. The salary he received was used to reward the soldiers and buy weapons and war horses. However, his family was poor. Na Lanxue spent many years of savings on treating his son and sold all his jewelry.
Li Mu occasionally went home and saw Li Zhang twice. The first time was when Li Zhang was five years old. He saw Li Zhang standing up straight in the courtyard holding a stone bench, angry. Said: "After my general, I should give birth to such a useless person, I am really ashamed of my ancestors!" After hearing this, Na Lan Xue secretly shed tears.
The second time, when Li Zhang was seven years old, she asked about Li Zhang's study status. Nalan Xuexi said happily: "Zhang'er is very smart and has a photographic memory!" Li Mu was delighted and went to see him. Li Zhang thought to himself, "If I can't practice martial arts, it would be better to be a military advisor and strategize." So he took the exam on Wu Zhi's "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. Li Zhang was word-for-word and answered fluently. Li Mu was delighted and asked: " Don't memorize it by rote and talk about it on paper!"
But he didn't expect Li Zhan to say in a young voice: "Haier thinks that the failure of the Battle of Changping is not due to Zhao Kuo. If Bai Qi goes to fight for Zhao, he will definitely do it. Defeated!”
After hearing this, Li Mu said "Oh". Unexpectedly, the seven-year-old child had his own opinion and asked with a smile: "Then where do you think the failure lies?"
Li Zhan said: "Zhao Kuo did not When the Qin soldiers advanced rashly, they attacked far away. Although they showed weakness, their morale was bound to be weakened. The Zhao army took advantage of the victory to pursue it with all their strength. This was not wrong. However, Bai Qi actually used 5,000 cavalry to divide the 400,000-strong army into two places, trapping the Zhao army. It was supposed to be a move of mud oxen into the sea, but it succeeded. Moreover, Changping was so close to Handan, but the food and grass were cut off. The main force of the Zhao army was without food for more than 40 days. This shows that Zhao State lost psychologically and was afraid of the Qin army. If the soldiers dare not fight, how can they win? "
Li Mu always believed that Zhao Kuo had improper tactics in the battle of Changping and defended the Huns by himself. He regretted that he did not have the opportunity to command that battle. He heard what Li Zhang said. , said angrily: "That's nonsense. When did our Zhao army soldiers fear the Qin army? If it weren't for Zhao Kuo's improper command, how could he ruin our Zhao army of 400,000 people? How can you absolve a sinner of responsibility!" Na Lanxue quickly winked at Li barrier.
Li Zhang knelt on the ground tremblingly and whispered: "Father, calm down. The child is just expressing my thoughts. The matter has passed and there is no point in our arguing."
Li Mu listened to Li When Zhan said this, he became even more angry and said: "You are a ignorant kid who is ignorant and distorts the facts. You must remember that the Battle of Changping was a shame to the Zhao State. As a Zhao State person, you must always bear this in mind." Shame, how do you think our country, Zhao, lost in our hearts?”
Li Zhang said, "If you don't tell me, I'm afraid that if you say it, your father will be angry."
Li Mu pointed at Li Zhang and said, "Nie Zhan, you say it, you must make it clear!" After hearing this, Na Lan Xue said, Wiping tears aside.
Although Li Zhang was weak, he was disheartened when he heard the word "evil obstacle". He knew in his young heart that in his father's eyes, he would always be just an evil obstacle who never cared about him. He had enough courage and said: "Firstly, although Zhao's army is large, it is like a pile of scattered sand. The army is disorganized and lacks combat experience. If not for this, how could the 400,000-strong army break through? Secondly, Zhao has no far-sighted ministers and cannot see the problem." The key point is that we can't offer suggestions. We are arguing about war or peace. We are not fighting against the enemy, but fighting for power. How can such a country be undefeated? Thirdly, King Zhao could not see that the battle of Changping was between the two countries. In a life-and-death battle, Zhao Kuo thought it was possible to fight and make peace. He didn't even have food and grass ready, so he rushed Zhao Kuo to go out. Before the food and grass arrived, the troops and horses went ahead. How could they be undefeated? The whole country felt defeated in their hearts. But the responsibility was passed on to Zhao Kuo, who was brave and fearless and died in battle. It was extremely ridiculous. If Zhao Kuo had led the Qin army and Bai Qi had led the Zhao army, Bai Qi would definitely have failed. All countries can radiate light, but they are all buried in the six countries. This shows that there is no wise king in the six countries, and the real criminal in the Changping War is King Zhao!"
After hearing this, Li Mu drew his sword and stood straight. Pointing at Li Zhang's throat, he cursed angrily: "You are really not my son. You will be an unfaithful and unfilial bastard. I will get rid of you, this evil obstacle, today!" Na Lan Xue rushed to Li Zhang and said, Protecting Li Zhang, tears were streaming down his face, and he begged: "Zhang'er is ignorant, and it's not easy to support him as a concubine. I beg the general to forgive him and let Zhang'er go. This is the lifeblood of the Li family!"
< br>Li Mu saw Na Lan Xue begging for mercy, and his heart softened. He put away his sword and said coldly: "I, Li Mu, don't have such a son. This is a good son you raised!" From now on, even if Li Mu returns to the house, he doesn't want to See Li Zhang.
It was past midnight, and the shadows of the trees in the courtyard were scattered. Li Mu walked out of the study. He wanted to go to Mrs. Wang, but he saw that the oil lamp in the main room had been extinguished. Instead, he saw that the light in the side room was still on. In fact, Li Mu originally wanted to go to Na Lan Xue to sleep. , I asked for the luminous pearl by the way, but the luminous pearl had been sold and used to treat Li Zhang's illness. I was unhappy and changed my mind temporarily. I didn't tell Mrs. Wang. Now I was standing in the courtyard, but I didn't know where I was. I thought: "Although I have received many rewards over the years, I have never given her half a cent of copper to support their mother and son. It has also suffered her. Selling the luminous pearl to seek medical treatment was a last resort. I secretly blamed and felt ashamed. "Be a real man."
Just as he was about to walk to the wing, he saw that the lights were not turned off in Li Zhong's house. Thinking of the injury of the rebel, the punishment for him was a bit too severe. I don't know what the future holds. Whether he could fight on the battlefield again, he walked slowly towards Li Zhong's house.
As he approached the door, he heard the voice of children talking from inside the house, "What my father did today not only harmed my brother, but also increased Guo Kai's arrogance!" Li Mu stopped at Listen outside.
Li Zhong sighed: "It was my recklessness that killed my adoptive father!" "Guo Kai was jealous of talented people and spread rumors and slanders, and King Zhao favored traitors. If he doesn't get rid of Guo Kai today, there will be disaster in the future. , Brother is not reckless, but too hesitant." Upon hearing this, Li Mu knew that the child who spoke must be Li Zhang.
The relationship between Li Zhong and Li Zhang was harmonious. Every time Li Zhong came back, he would visit Li Zhang and bring some ancient books to Li Zhang, telling him about the situation on the battlefield and the situation in various countries.
Li Zhang knew about the outside world, mostly from what Li Zhong said. Li Zhang was weak. He would have to breathe for a long time after walking for a long time. He could only stay at home and read some books every day, and he had no energy to go out. Playing with children of his own age, his two sisters ignored him, a loser. Apart from his mother, Li Zhong was the closest person to him.
Li Zhong endured the pain and said: "If my adoptive father hadn't stopped me, I would definitely kill Zhao Cong tonight and then die to apologize!"
Li Zhong said: "Zhao Cong is nothing to be afraid of. Without Guo Kai, he would not dare to make trouble. Getting rid of Guo Kai is the key. If a sycophant minister can sit in the position of prime minister, the country will be destroyed. No matter how outstanding his father's military exploits are, he can't compete with Guo Kai's mouth. Li Mu is like a tiger returning to the mountain, his life is in danger."
When Li Mu heard this from outside, he became angry and smashed the door to the ground with his foot. He rushed into the house and shouted: "You are so bold and evil. You are guilty of deceiving me, I will kill you today!" He was about to slap the eight-year-old child Li Zhang on the head, who was sitting on the chair beside the bed. Li Zhong saw Li Mu slap Li Zhang next to him. If he hit him, He must have broken his brain, endured the pain, flew towards Li Mu, and hit Li Mu with a palm. This palm hit Li Zhong on the shoulder. There was only a "click" sound, and the bones shattered. Li Zhong endured the severe pain and shouted: "Father, calm down." , It’s my fault, my sworn brother is talented and smart, he will be a good talent in the future, please forgive me!” He hugged Li Mu’s waist with his other hand.
Seeing that Li Zhong had hit him accidentally and was hugged by him again, Li Mu said angrily: "Let me go, I will kill this evil beast. If I don't kill him today, he will be like Zhao Kuo and bring disaster to the country and the people!" Li Zhong refused to let go.
Li Zhong begged: "Father, just beat me to death and forgive my brother. It's all my fault and I deserve death!"
Li Zhan stood up slightly. , surprisingly calm, said: "Brother, let him beat me to death. Anyway, my life is not long. Instead of living and suffering, it is better to die early and be free. If it were not for the fear of my mother being sad, I would have died long ago. He is like this, my mother Even more sad."
Li Zhong shouted: "Stop and apologize to your adoptive father!"
Na Lan Xue rushed over after hearing the sound, hugged Li Zhang and cried bitterly. : "Hurry up and apologize to your father!" Mrs. Wang and some family members also rushed over to persuade her.
Li Zhang looked at his father with clear eyes and said: "In my father's heart, just like my name, he will always be an evildoer who cannot go to the battlefield. Why don't you take me to the battlefield and kill me? This is also called dying on the battlefield, no. I will fall for you..."
Nalan Xue covered Li Zhang's mouth and said, "Stop talking, kneel down!" Li Zhang knelt down.
After hearing this, Li Mu laughed wildly: "I, Li Mu, have such a rebellious son, God has been so kind to me!" Suddenly he pointed at Li Zhan and shouted: "You are not allowed to have the surname Li from now on, get out of here!" Get out of the house!"
Na Lanxue wiped away her tears, stood up silently, and said in a deep voice: "My family, my people were all killed by you, where did you let my son go?"
After hearing this, Li Mu opened his eyes and said: "It turns out that you have always hated me in your heart, and you didn't say it out until now."
Nalan Xue snorted coldly and said: "If I hated you, you would have been killed by me a long time ago. How could I have given birth to a child for you? In this country where the jungle preys on the strong, how can we, a small tribe, survive?" , to be destroyed by someone is not to be destroyed. My father asked me to learn your Chinese culture, and asked me to marry into a powerful country in order to survive. Before I got married, I was destroyed by your army. What is the meaning of my revenge? What does the country mean to me? Is it important that I am a woman? I just want to have a happy family and raise children for the rest of my life. It’s not that I hate you, it’s that you can’t let go of me, a foreigner.”
After hearing this, Li Mu said, Feeling deeply guilty, she saw Na Lan Xue picking up Li Zhang and walking out, saying, "Come back, where are you going?"
Na Lan Xue said, "Although I have nowhere to go, I can't I watched you beat Zhang'er to death. You didn't admit that he was your flesh and blood, but he was my flesh and blood. If I lived for a day, I would not let him die."
Li Zhang wiped his mother's tears. , said, "Mother!" With a "wow" sound, he spit out blood...
(End of this chapter)