There are records in Zhou Li: Search in spring, seedlings in summer, hunt in autumn, and hunt in winter. According to the old tradition, at the beginning of winter every year, the royal family would have a huge hunt. On this day, the emperor would inspect the three armies at the hunting ground and reward all the officials.
At the entrance of South Lake, a man dressed in white climbed down from a towering banyan tree and staggered along the lake. With a 'dong' sound, the wine bottle hooked by his fingers fell into the river and rippled away with the undulating water waves.
Zuo Qing cautiously approached the man in white clothes and at the same time leaned him toward the shore.
"Is it ridiculous?" Xilou suddenly asked.
"You mean Dong Shou?"
"Winter hunting has existed since ancient times, but the late emperor couldn't bear to kill animals, so he abandoned it. Even though the number of livestock in Rong State had reached an unprecedented peak, he still refused to restart it. He only ordered people to symbolically release a few animals every winter.
Hares and pheasants were provided for the princes to experience hunting. However, when the late emperor left, he not only did not follow the rules, but hunted them wildly in various places. From once every three years to once a year, whoever hunted more prey was promoted to a higher rank.
Happy!" Xilou smiled bitterly, "This Emperor Rong really thinks what others dare not think, and does what ordinary people cannot do. He steals other people's queens, kills loyal ministers, indulges in treachery, indulges in sex, wine and meat, and does not care about the court.
Regardless of the disputes, it is really...how to put it, unprecedented and unprecedented!"
The country will perish!
Zuo Qing sighed, Rong Guo has been like this for a long time, but who can stop it? Every loyal minister who remonstrates will not have his head missing in the end, but a criminal minister like Mo Fei who flatters the country and secretly collaborates with the enemy.
Got reused!
"Are you still willing to go with us?"
Xilou suddenly turned around and said every word: "Of course I want to go!"
"That's best. But you still have to calm down. We have more important things to do. At present, we have not shaken the foundation of the three provinces and six ministries. We must calm down!" He was worried, since the first time he met
When he arrived at Xilou, he knew that one day, Xilou would pick up the sword and kill all his enemies.
Xilou laughed in a low voice: "If I was impulsive, I would have come here five years ago. Why would I need to ally with you again?"
He felt a little relieved: "In this case, you must be careful and don't show off your flaws."
Xilou waved his hand and left unsteadily.
Zuo Qing was about to leave when he suddenly stopped and shouted: "Come out!"
A thin figure walked out from under the wall in the distance, getting closer and closer under the moonlight. Her face was looming under the swarms of banyan trees.
"You?" Zuo Qing's expression softened slightly, but he was still vigilant.
Su Yanchu didn't dare to take a step closer: "The moon is dark and the wind is high, why are you here alone looking at the lake and sighing?"
"I am not alone."
Su Yan scratched her shiny forehead: "You are indeed not alone now. Well... Listening to your sigh just now, you don't want to go hunting?" She clenched her fists and said, "You are the deputy commander.
Don’t be lazy when it comes to things!”
Zuo Qing was surprisingly calm, with only one pair of eyes observing her: "I didn't say I couldn't go, on the contrary, I wanted to kill someone."
"Kill?!" Su Yan was so frightened that he trembled: "You have no power, who are you going to kill? Are you kidding! It's...it's getting late, I'm going back to sleep!"
Zuo Qing rushed up and pushed her into the corner with almost all his strength: "You should have read in the book how to kill with a borrowed knife."
Su Yan couldn't pretend any longer. He grabbed his arm with both hands and looked at him with an aggrieved look: "You should go dig a dark room or something to discuss secret matters. Why bother coming to Nanhu? So don't blame me for this. You yourself
It’s just no brainer!”
"Did you hear everything?"
"That drunkard made so much noise. I've been drinking in the pavilion. It's hard not to want to hear it!"
"Are you going to pretend that nothing happened today, or are you going to make this public?"
Su Yan suddenly became serious and looked at him: "Although you and I are not brothers, we have gone through life and death. How can you look at me like this? Even if I, Su Yan, sometimes take advantage of me, I will not harm my friends.
righteous!"
Zuo Qing nodded with some emotion and released her.
Su Yan rubbed his arms in pain and sneered: "You judge a gentleman with a villain's heart, but not everyone is the same as you!"
Zuo Qing walked past her indifferently, not even saying a word to her.
Su Yan suddenly became angry and chased after him and asked: "What do you mean? I'm very curious. Ever since I came to the academy, you have always ignored me. How did I provoke you? I was in the tavern before.
At that time, did I fucking meet a ghost? Let me tell you, I, Su Yan, have a lot of friends, including you!" As soon as the last sentence came out, the person in front of me had completely disappeared, not even a little bit of room left.
None were left behind.
Su Yan kicked the moon gate and went back angrily.
In three days, he would set off for the hunting ground. Su Yan arranged his homework and explained a few words, but was made dizzy by everyone's complaints.
The students protested one after another, Your Majesty is so unkind! We students are the flowers of the future, the seedlings that need to be cultivated and trained. We have to train and train! Su Yan also felt that His Majesty was a bit unkind this time, and he felt embarrassed for him.
It’s here! So he thought about bringing some game back for them, and then he told everyone to shut up.
The next day, just when Su Yan got up from the bed and rubbed his sleepy eyes, he heard a burst of shouting outside. When he went out to take a look, he saw people from Wan Chao Fang coming in and out. They moved in a sandalwood table and moved out.
A damaged corner of the office desk, sometimes a lantern, sometimes a beauty repair, and sometimes a floor tile...
Su Yan closed the door, took a deep breath and opened it again, only then could he believe what was happening in front of him.
It turns out that the West Tower still remembers the Buddha, and he secretly showed his courtesy. But his behavior last night was a bit... Su Yan hurriedly gave up the idea, and then thought, maybe he just didn't see anyone else, that's all.
It must be!
If she went to tell Fo Zhen at this time, she would definitely be at a loss. What's more, this was their young couple's business. Why would she get involved? But if Fo Zhen still remembered him, she wouldn't have gone to add some love to Xilou in time.
Wasn't Xilou's hard work in vain? Wasn't their marriage ruined? Wasn't he indirectly the chief culprit who beat the couple?
Su Yan stamped his foot and gritted his teeth, determined to fan himself no matter what, to fan the fire of love!
Just as he was about to fan himself, a huge body suddenly blocked the door. Before Su Yan's front feet could even touch the ground, he was hit by the sudden impact and his feet slipped. His body tilted and he fell right into the arms of that body.
The warm hands slid over her shoulders and landed on her waist, barely holding her steady.
A pleasant voice came from above the head: "I can't bear to give such a big gift so early in the morning."
Su Yan hurriedly pushed him away, stepped back a few steps, raised his unwashed face, and smiled awkwardly, "You may have gone to the wrong door, but that's right. You have not been to Lanshan Courtyard for a long time. Once upon a time
Now I live in Guluan Pavilion, and Chaoyun Pavilion is Fozhen's new residence." She glanced at the busy servants, and then said, "They say lovers will eventually get married, and you are childhood sweethearts.
, a match made in heaven, how could we not be destined for each other. I have always said to Amo, you and Fo Zhen are not worthy of anyone else, only you are the best match. It was just a misunderstanding before, and once the misunderstanding is eliminated, we still have to rebuild the old relationship.
Look, I was right!"
Xilou waited patiently for him to finish speaking, and then explained: "You misunderstood again. Today I sent these people to renovate Lanshan Academy just as a routine matter."
Renovation of various major courtyards, in addition to the Lanshan Courtyard, there is also the Fence Pavilion. After completion, there will be the Zen Jingyuan and Yewu Garden, and finally the Four Halls. However, I also had some selfish motives, and the equipment I replaced for the Lanshan Courtyard was the latest.
Okay, I also added a few other toys, which are also rare."
Su Yan clicked his tongue twice, "You still said no, I think you are a grown man and you are embarrassed to say it, right? It's a special case and you came to watch it in person, and you said it wasn't for Buddha. It seems that I have to call her over to talk to you.
Confront me and see if you let go."
As he spoke, he excitedly started to go to the opposite side, but was pulled back by the person behind him, and the door was closed at the same time.
His breath was on her forehead, itching and smelling very good.
"Don't you understand yet?"
"Understand...understand what?" Su Yan looked at him nervously.
"Are you jealous of me? Or do you really don't understand?"
Su Yan was speechless and could only push him away with all his strength.
"I have made it clear what I need to say, and you should also understand what I want to say to you."
Su Yan's young heart trembled violently, and his old face suddenly turned red.
"You, you want to be with me... are you crazy?!" Su Yan tried his best to let go of his hand, fled to the corner and picked up the door latch, "After all, I am Fo Zhen's friend, and we are also colleagues.
It hurts my feelings to trap me in injustice like this. There is no grass anywhere in the world, so you might as well hang yourself on another tree."
Xilou crossed his arms and grinned cheekily: "But I just like your tree."
"You're not afraid of falling to death! Fo Zhen loves you deeply, can you bear to make her sad?"
"Rumors only stop with the wise. I don't think you are like those people who follow wind and rain."
"Then don't look for me! I understand your affection, but I really can't accept it."
His face became darker little by little, but he still smiled like a sunshine, as if this smile was his trademark.
"One day you will understand. Well, it's time for me to leave. There are a lot of things waiting for me! Also, there will be hunting in a few days. You better be prepared and don't panic." He said calmly.
Feng Qing even chatted and laughed, patted her face, and strode away in the cold wind.
Su Yan slapped himself in the face... He wasn't having an erotic dream!
It is said that good fortune never comes singly. Su Yan rarely took a shortcut from the woods to Shuyou Hall. Before he went out, he heard the conversation between two people coming from the lake outside the woods. Su Yan immediately squatted down and peeped between the trees.
In the past, it was discovered that it was Changsun Xi and Ran Ying.
These two girls are colluding, and there will definitely be no good discussions... Su Yan suddenly had an idea, Zhang Sun Xi failed to assassinate him last time, so he is not planning to cause trouble again, right?
Changsun Xi was walking by the lake, while Ran Ying beside him was shrinking and seemed very scared.
"Do you know how important I am to you?"
"Know."
"Then do you know who I hate the most?"
"Su...Su Yan."
"Then why did you betray me so many times? Don't think that I don't know that you and she got very close when we were collecting herbs in the back mountain. We talked, laughed, and whispered to each other all the way, and we were very intimate."
Ran Ying suddenly raised his head, with a panicked look on his face, "It must be someone else's fault. I have never had second thoughts about you. Didn't I help you in the gambling house a few days ago?"
Changsun Xi tore off the branch and said through gritted teeth: "I don't remember the past, but from now on you must remember it for me. Your family's current growth is only dependent on my Changsun family. Although your aunt is now the queen,
But in the palace, the old and the new are changing. Your aunt, Lao Zhuhuang, will fall out of favor sooner or later, and your father is old-fashioned and does not know how to deal with. He has made countless enemies in the court. The former glory may be destroyed in an instant! I can let the business of my eldest grandson's family completely penetrate into your Ran's family.
From then on, the two families formed an alliance, with one official and one merchant, dominating the six countries! From then on, no one in the Zhao court dared to go against your father, and even the King of Zhao would always favor your aunt because of my eldest grandson's family.
.The benefit of all this is just that I want you to help me deal with Su Yan. This business is not a loss."
Su Yan, who was hiding in the dark, was already dumbfounded, and her view of Changsun Xi opened a new page. As for Ran Ying, she suddenly remembered the Zhao Guofengyun that her master had talked about when they were chatting with her a few years ago.
Thinking back to that time, I was just a naughty kid who didn't know the heights of the world. I didn't know about the shocking case that happened in Zhao State, let alone judge the right and wrong cause and effect like those common people. I only knew that the winter solstice that year was very cold, and Rong Guo
It snowed heavily for several days. At that time, the housekeeper said: "This snow came just in time. Even God felt that the Xuan family was pitiful, the Ran family was innocent, and King Zhao was cold-blooded." At that time, Su Yan always complained to Yan Zhen about the housekeeper all day long.
Sad for spring and sad for autumn, even the birds in the yard were affected. Later, the master talked about it again, and Su Yan spent the entire afternoon collecting all the unofficial history books on the market, some of which were true and some of which were false, and reorganized them according to the master's version.
That big case.
It was in the fifteenth year of Wei Sheng. In the late spring of that year, Xuanyuan Sheng was ordered to take command and led a total of 100,000 imperial guardsmen to attack Lin State. Unexpectedly, more than half of the weapons were damaged in the process. Lin Army took this opportunity to fight back. In just a few days, there were many casualties.
Countless. But the letter Xuan Yuansheng sent back to Zhao said it was a great victory.
Finally, Lin's army attacked the border city. If Rong Guo had not sent troops to assist, the city would have been destroyed.
False reporting of military intelligence, corruption and bribery.
Xuan Yuansheng was imprisoned because of this, and his wife's sword shop was sealed and investigated. As expected, a large number of inferior weapons were found and dealt with, and more than a hundred people in the Xuan family were all implicated.
According to the laws of the State of Zhao, you cannot be executed without conclusive evidence. If you are convicted, you will have to be executed later in the year. A situation like the Xuan family must be treated more carefully, and it will take more than half a year to deal with it. But when
After Mo Fei and his subordinates arrived, he hastily concluded the case in less than half a month and sentenced his entire family to death. He also implicated the Ran family, who had close ties with the Xuan family.
The Ran family had been officials for generations and were both literary and military. However, Ran Songshan's generation focused on military strategy, so they were particularly close to Xuan Yuansheng. After the incident, although they relied on their family's power in the court to protect themselves,
From then on, Ran Songshan lost the opportunity to climb up. Even if he sent his sister into the harem, even if the sister became the queen, it still could not change King Zhao's distrust of him. In the next five years, Ran Songshan has been
He stayed at the official title of General Youcheng. Although he was in charge of the city's security, he never reached the center of power. After a short promotion, his eldest son committed a crime and was taken advantage of by traitors, which indirectly caused him to lose his official position. The queen also lost his official position because of this.
He begged for mercy on behalf of his nephew and was ignored for a long time. Today, the Ran family has less and less say in the court. Relying on his sister who is still the queen and the dyeing shop business that accounts for half of Kyoto, they barely gain a little respect from their colleagues.
Now that I think about it, it is understandable that Ran Songshan would send his beloved daughter to Rong Guo Qishan Academy. The first is to stay away from right and wrong, and the second is to allow Ran Ying to get to know more powerful people and protect herself.
After that major case, the Xuan family completely disappeared from the Six Kingdoms, and the weapon catalog that collected all the world's weapons in one volume also disappeared without a trace.
Thinking about the past, and the countless powerful relationships among them, I suddenly realized that if I were Ran Ying, facing the temptation thrown by Changsun Xi, I would really be shaken. After all, the strength of the Ran family is deteriorating, and there is no guarantee that one day King Zhao will drink and pass out.
The queen was killed at the instigation of the concubine. Although the Ran family held important business in Kyoto, it was difficult to continue without the support of the king's relatives.
Therefore, what Ran Ying did before was indeed excusable. Now that she is hesitant, it is not only not hateful but also pitiful. But no matter what the reason is, once someone else is involved, she really cannot be let go just because of some pitiful things.
Make the wrong move.
Su Yan pushed aside the branches and walked through the gaps between the trees towards the lake. Flowers and leaves fell down along the way, making a squeaking sound. The two people at the other end turned around in unison. When they found out it was Su Yan, their faces turned pale with fright.
Turning into dust on the wall, he was about to flee, but Su Yan raised his voice to stop him.
"What a coincidence. I was passing by and heard someone talking, so I came over to see who was so bored sunbathing by the lake. Oh, it turned out to be you two. Are you thinking of jumping into the river or do you think you are too fair and want to tan?"
Ran Ying panicked and almost fell into the lake. She looked at the water behind her and did not dare to move.
"Mr. Su, I..."
"What are you afraid of? I didn't do anything to you." Su Yan put on a compassionate smile.
Changsun Xi gave a cold cry and glanced at her, "You heard me."
Su Yan picked up a multi-faceted and angular stone from the ground and threw it towards the lake. There were three sounds of water in a row, and the green lake rippled.
Su Yan clapped his hands and said, "Look at this lake, a mere stone can cause such a big commotion, just like this academy."
Ran Ying glanced at Changsun Xi, seeking advice. Changsun Xi winked at her, and then glanced at Su Yan's back. Ran Ying understood, and stretched out her hand to try on Su Yan's back, but was delayed.
He didn't dare to take action. Changsun Xi became impatient and tapped Ran Ying's neck and made a fist gesture.
Su Yan looked away from the scene on the lake and sneered, "I was born ordinary. I thought I would live an ordinary life. Unexpectedly, I stepped into the academy and got acquainted with Fo Zha, Zuo Qing, Xilou and other powerful people like you. I thought
I don't offend others unless they offend me, and live a low-key life, which is what I did. It's just that I was too naive. When I stepped into this place as deep as the sea, I couldn't be alone. In fact, people can only learn one principle in this life.
, learn to be calm in a floating world, and learn to reflect on yourself in a troubled world."
"Su Yan, don't forget your identity. You dare to speak to us in this tone. You are really impatient!" Ran Ying finally burst out.
Changsun Xi laughed secretly.
The last thing Su Yan saw was a face full of pain. She knew that Ran Ying was not bad, at least he didn't know right from wrong, but he was restricted by Changsun Xi and had to be bad.
Changsun Xi patted Su Yan on the shoulder, shook his head and sighed: "Mr. Su, you overestimate yourself. Who do you think you are? A member of a royal family or a powerful family? In Ruoshui, you are just a powerless person. You
Do you think I can't do anything to you with my cousin's support? Huh, that's ridiculous! I advise you to leave as soon as possible, my cousin is not something someone like you can climb up to, so stop dreaming!"
Su Yan really admired her for being so confident, "What Miss Changsun said is that General Yan is so high up there, how can he be so high up!" Changsun Xi was a little surprised by her attitude. Unexpectedly, Su Yan changed the topic and said, "But, General Yan is so high up there!"
Even though the general was so high and mighty, he didn't look down one inch on us ordinary people. Instead, he scorned those people who were intrigues and intrigues. So, Miss Changsun has misunderstood. If you don't believe me, ask your cousin and ask him who he is.
The one he fawns over is the same me he fawns over.”
"My cousin is fawning over you?!" Changsun Xi was shocked, but he didn't believe it. "Su Yan, are you crazy? How could my cousin fawn over you? I think you turned into a phoenix for the sake of a sparrow, so shamelessly stick to it!"
Su Yan shook his head, truly sympathetic to her assumptions.
In the alleys of Ruoshui Street, gentle and ethereal chanting could be heard, vaguely present or absent, echoing in the cold wind after dark.
Chang Sun Xi was wearing a cloak and was waiting at the entrance of the alley with his maid. There were about a dozen guards hidden in a nearby hiding place. They looked like normal pedestrians, but if you look closely, you can see that their official boots were exposed under the corners of their robes and hung on their belts.
Blades and pairs of sharp eyes patrolled around Changsun Xi.
As the night gets darker, there are fewer and fewer pedestrians.
Changsun Xi impatiently pushed away the water bag handed over by the maid, turned around and walked into the tavern.
There were very few guests on the second floor, and a few drunkards were leaning against the window, crying and laughing. The candlelight illuminated the night, making it a bit drowsy.
The young man came up to us and asked very attentively: "Miss Changsun, please take a seat in the private room!"
Changsun Xi followed the young man into a private room facing east. The private room was divided into two rooms by a screen. There was a lacquer table on each side with incense placed inside and outside. The young man closed the door lightly, and the room suddenly became dark.
It's a lot darker.
Changsun Xi lifted the candlestick on the case and brought it to the screen. He vaguely saw a tiny shadow, and suddenly a low and hoarse voice came from inside: "I haven't seen Miss Changsun for a long time. Why are you suddenly in the mood to come to me for a drink?"
Changsun Xi hurriedly stabilized the hand holding the candlestick, but was still burned by the falling wax oil on the back of his hand.
"Why didn't you follow my instructions and wait in the back alley? Why did you go to the tavern so blatantly? Aren't you afraid of attracting attention?"
The voice let out a contemptuous laugh, "Young lady, noble people forget things. This tavern is under my uncle's name, and the shopkeeper was once my subordinate. You can eat and drink with confidence, I will never make you feel uncomfortable."
As he fell, the figure grew larger and larger, pushing open the screen to reveal a face that was extremely strange under the candlelight.
Changsun Xi put down the candlestick and sat down at the table, still dissatisfied as he spoke, "Second Young Master Ge, I still need to remind you that I am also the future head of the eldest son's family, Lord Mo's future daughter-in-law, and Lord Mo will still need my eldest grandson in many places in the future.
Family, you'd better discuss everything with me." He glanced at the gloomy face opposite the candlestick and smiled, "But when we meet today, it's for our common enemy, Su Yan."
Ge Yiyan couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, and his tone was full of disgust, "Su Yan, is she Zuo Qing's person?"
"Isn't that right? With Zuo Qing's support, she is running rampant in the academy and even I don't take her seriously. I think it's time to give her some color."
"It's you who hates her, but I only do it because of Zuo Qing. I have thousands of ways to make Zuo Qing uncomfortable, so why bother with a woman."
"Don't forget, when Zuo Qing took Su Yan to leave Chu State, and then personally took her into the academy, it shows that Su Yan is very important to him. Maybe the two of them have already had a secret love. Now it's you who will attack
His best opportunity, the pain it brought him must be still fresh in his memory. I helped you plan it. You have been serving as General Zuo for many years, but your appeal in the army cannot even compare with Yan Zhen, who has resigned.
, in terms of tactics and deceit, you are even more inferior to Zuo Qing, who is favored by Master Mo. Although you have fulfilled your duties, you rarely have the opportunity to make meritorious deeds. You are even more choked by Yan Zhen and those pedantic veterans. Although you are walking on thin ice, you are not able to breathe.
What you say to an adopted son carries weight. Think about it, how many grievances you have suffered from Lord Mo, and who is it all because of? Now you still have to wait and see what happens? But you don’t know when Zuo Qing will attack you.
"
The tea cup on the lacquered table was dusted off, water splashed everywhere, and an iron fist hit the table hard, "Who is Zuo Qing? He is just a dog picked up by my uncle! Just because he can bark and barks nicely.
That's all. In terms of loyalty and strength, how can he compare to me? But my uncle trusts him! You say it lightly, Su Yan alone can bring down Zuo Qing? Do you think I have been messing around in the past few years? That's because
Zuo Qing is too vigilant, I just can’t do anything!"
"So, now there is a golden opportunity. As long as you control Su Yan, you can control Zuo Qing."
He calmed down, and after hearing this, he was filled with hope, "Do you have a plan?"
"On the royal hunt, all the teachers in the academy will go. Unfortunately, as a student, I can't participate, but you can."
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "How to do it?"
"There were so many people at that time, no matter how powerful Zuo Qing was, it would be difficult for him to guard against the trap you secretly laid. After catching Su Yan, he led him to the foot of the back mountain peak, and at the same time asked Mr. Mo to go and wait. I think a few words can force him to
His fox tail appears."
But he hesitated, "Why do you have to hold Su Yan hostage?"
"Can you please move him?"
"Then why go to the back mountain?"
"This is also just in case. If the matter fails, it will not be spread out and let outsiders discover the conflict between you. It will not affect Mr. Mo and your identity. Secondly... that is a good place to kill people."
Ge Yiyan's face instantly turned ugly, and he felt vaguely uneasy, "What do you want to do?"
Changsun Xi didn't take it seriously, as if he was just doing something ordinary.
"Let's help each other and get what we need. How about you expose Zuo Qing and regain Lord Mo's trust, and I take Su Yan's life and remove the obstacles in front of me?"
Ge Yiyan thought for a moment and said with half belief and doubt: "The plan is feasible, but after killing Su Yan, how will you deal with the aftermath?"
Changsun Xi stood up, walked to the window, reached out to catch the falling leaves, and sneered, "Since it is a good place to kill people, it is naturally the best place to bury corpses!"
The night is deep, and a streak of blood-red is gradually fading on the horizon. Even if it is obscured by clouds and fog, it is still bright red.