It's a bleak late autumn day, the air-conditioning is as sharp as a knife, and it's as cold as a bone.
The colder the weather, the earlier people will go to bed. The softness of the quilt is the best harbor to protect them from wind and rain.
The huge Longtai City was completely dark and there was no sound. Even the stray dogs and cats that used to be in the corners were now hiding somewhere.
There are only dead branches and leaves scattered all over the sky, blown by the cold wind.
A deep mansion.
The red lacquer door and the bronze animal lock are extremely majestic.
Red lanterns were hung high on the pillars on both sides of the palace gate, swaying left and right in the wind, and the faint light swayed.
Even so, it could not conceal the respect of this great mansion at all.
The large nanmu plaque, illuminated by red lanterns, reflected two big Chinese characters: Kongfu.
It turns out that this place was the residence of Kong Hechen, the great dynasty of the Jin Dynasty.
The area of Kong Mansion is not very large.
But in the dark night, you can still vaguely see the exquisite luxury.
The attic, pavilions and corridors are well-proportioned and have everything you need.
There was just no light, and it seemed that like all the people in Kyoto, the Kong Mansion also fell into a deep sleep.
But for some reason, in a house in the last courtyard, there were still lights flickering and voices could be heard faintly.
"Father, that Xiao Yuanche bullied others too much."
There was a charcoal fire in the house early. Dahonglu's home was different from ordinary people's homes in that they had used this heating device early.
It's just that because the sky is still far from freezing, the charcoal fire only drives away some of the coldness, but it is not very strong.
A handsome-looking young man, dressed in brown clothes, said angrily with a hint of ruthlessness that was completely different from his handsome face.
He is Kong Xiyan, the eldest son of Dahonglu Kong Hechen.
This morning, I was still a young minister of Honglu Temple. But now I am an ordinary commoner, a commoner.
Directly in front of him, Kong Hechen was sitting there, seemingly furious at his son's aggression and unmoved. His face looked like an old monk in trance, and he even closed his eyes slightly without even raising his eyelids.
Seeing that his father seemed unmoved, Kong Xiyan became even more angry and said: "My father is looking at him like this. Is that a thief who is so wanton and wanton in the court?"
There was a hint of questioning in this voice.
Kong Hechen slowly opened his eyes, looked at his eldest son, and said word by word: "You remember, he was Sikong, the most powerful minister the emperor relied on at that time! He is not the thief you keep saying!"
Kong Xiyan seemed to be quite dissatisfied and said: "Sikong in the dynasty? He is just bullying the emperor and harming the country! Just because of his family affairs, he has to dismiss many capable officials..."
When Kong Hechen heard this, he could no longer suppress his anger and shouted sternly: "That's enough! Shut up!"
With a sound of "Pa-", he slapped the table next to him with one hand, pointed at Kong Xiyan with one hand and said: "Can you be an official? Are you worthy of mentioning the word shame? Do you know how to write the word shame? You are
Young Minister of Honglu Temple, I am more interested in promoting you. I thought you could take sole responsibility for my father, but you are so unworthy! The Two Immortals Sect can cause such harm today. As Young Minister of Honglu Temple, you really have nothing to do.
do you know?"
Kong Xiyan was startled and could only say in a low voice: "I know a little bit... I thought I could use them to... restrain Xiao Yuanche somewhat..."
Kong Hechen said coldly: "Constraints? What's the result? Liangxianwu is still there, but you, the young minister, have lost your official title! Have you ever thought about whether you took advantage of others, or were used by others?"
When Kong Xiyan heard this, he was so stunned that he couldn't speak. After a while, he said: "It's just that I heard that my father was still following Xiao Yuanche's words in the court. Why don't you just argue according to reason? I will remonstrate with you, Your Majesty!"
"You bastard! Why don't you understand! Why didn't I try my best? What's your remonstrance? Today's court was just a show between the Holy Emperor and Xiao Yuanche, and all the joints were planned by them? What's your remonstrance again?
What do you think? Do you really want me to hit the imperial steps and bleed for five steps? Use your brain when you speak!"
Kong Hechen was furious. Looking at his eldest son, he felt a little sad.
Kong Xiyan had no choice but to lower his head, with an unconvinced look in his eyes.
Kong Hechen said after a long while: "Today's Jin Dynasty is no longer the unified dynasty it was in the past. In troubled times, who has mastered the swords and weapons and who has the right to speak. If you have a body of nine feet, what will be the result of a head-on confrontation with the light of swords and shadows?
It’s not that you don’t know! What about the Taiwei? How about the Great Sinong? Which one is not a high-ranking person? What can they do if they add your father and me?"
The three people asked him how, and then Kong Xiyan lowered his head and became speechless.
"In my Kong family, you are the only one who can live up to expectations, but compared to the most unworthy Xiao family, you are nothing! Don't say any more, as long as the Holy One understands in his heart, you will come back sooner or later!"
Kong Hechen said helplessly.
"What my father means is that I am only temporary now...will I still be able to do it in the future?..."
Kong Xiyan looked surprised.
Kong Hechen shook his head with some chilling feeling and said: "I thought you were not resentful of Xiao Yuanche's troubles for your father in the court. It turned out that you were afraid that your official career would end..."
Kong Xiyan's thoughts were revealed, and he couldn't help but blush on his face. Just when he was about to speak, Kong Hechen waved his hand and said, "Go ahead... I want to have some peace and quiet as a father!"
Kong Xiyan licked his lips, then saluted, turned around and walked towards the door.
Kong Hechen's voice came from behind, with a strong warning tone: "Struggles for power have been bloody since ancient times. No matter if you quit your job, with your mind, if you get involved in such a struggle, you will be dead sooner or later."
Life! Now it’s a blessing in disguise!”
Kong Hechen's voice suddenly became much louder: "Remember, no matter when, where, or what the situation is, it's not a big deal if you, Kong Xiyan, lose your head, so don't bring any trouble to the Kong family!"
Kong Xiyan paused, his face turned away from his father and his face was already as cold as ice, and he said coldly: "My child, please remember your father's teachings..."
After that, he strode out.
After Kong Xiyan had left for a long time, Kong Hechen said calmly to the shadow: "Come out!"
In the shadow, stood a person, dressed in black, who seemed to blend into the shadow, with no trace of his face visible.
"Ghost-faced man..."
"They are not our people...since Xu Shao...the subordinates have not taken any action..." the person in the shadow whispered.
Kong Hechen nodded and said: "Restrain our people. I expect something big has happened in Longtai recently. I have given you a strict order. None of our people are allowed to participate! Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed!"
The black shadow seemed to have fisted at Kong Hechen.
Kong Hechen seemed to have remembered something again, and whispered: "Look at Dian Xiyan for me. If he makes any move, report to me quickly!"
After saying that, he waved his hand. It seemed that no one had ever been in the shadow...
The oil lamp in the room was still on, and Kong Hechen had already picked out the wick several times, but he had no intention of going back to the couch to rest.
Seems to be waiting for something.
Suddenly there were footsteps in front of the door, and an old voice rang out: "Master... General Chariot and Cavalry wants to see you."
Kong Hechen's eyes narrowed slightly, and he secretly thought that the person who was supposed to come has finally arrived. He said calmly: "Invite him in."
After a while, footsteps sounded in front of the door.
A person walked slowly in the darkness from far to near.
Arriving in front of the house, under the oil lamp, I could clearly see the figure and appearance of the visitor.
He is more than seven feet tall, has a strong body, and has a long neck with a small head. He presses it on his neck like that, as if the wind can blow his head off.
As for the leopard's eyes, it has a wide mouth and grinning cheeks. The steel beard under the chin is black and white.
When he met Kong Hechen, Fang Yi cupped his hands and said, "Dong Siyu came to visit at night and disturbed Lord Kong's rest."
It turned out that this person was the father of Queen Dong, the chariot general of the Jin Dynasty - the abbot Dong Si.
Kong Hechen hurriedly stood up and returned the greeting, smiled lightly and said: "General Dong, what are you talking about? Please sit down, please sit down!"
Dong Si sat down, and Kong Hechen poured a cup of tea for him, and then he said: "General Dong is here to visit, what can you say?"
Dong Si took a sip of tea and said, "Not for anyone else, but for the sake of today's court. That Xiao Yuanche has so arrogantly divided the power of Honglu Temple from you. Dong is very angry!"
Kong Hechen looked as usual and said calmly: "Oh? Since General Dong said this, why didn't he speak uprightly in the court? You are a cavalry general, and you have a different weight in the army than others!"
Dong Si originally wanted to use this incident to show that he was on the same side as Kong Hechen and others, but he never thought that Kong Hechen did not seem to appreciate it.
Then he paused and said: "Master Kong, I also have something to hide! Why don't I want to speak for you and Manchao Qingliu? However, after all, I have a special status, so I can only silently complain for Master Kong.
"
Kong Hechen laughed and said: "In this case, Kong will also thank General Dong!"
Dong Si could only wave his hand.
The atmosphere was slightly awkward.
The two drank tea for a while, and Kong Hechen said: "It's getting late. General Dong, why don't you get straight to the point? Now that we're done talking, I can take a nap..." After saying that, he stretched his waist, and it seemed that he really
It's sleepiness that's coming.
When Dong Si saw that Kong Hechen had made his words clear, he also smiled lightly and said: "I came to see Lord Kong today. I have a great fortune to tell Lord Kong."
Kong Hechen raised his eyebrows and said: "Oh? Rich? Selling private salt? Or privately minting coins?...Kong is not interested at all."
Dong Si had some embarrassment on his face and could only wave his hands and said: "Master Kong is pure and elegant. How can Master Kong be involved in these dirty things? I have a major event here that is related to the country. If it comes to pass, let alone great wealth.
It’s not impossible to be crowned king and prime minister!”
Kong Hechen said calmly: "Oh? There is such a thing about great wealth? General Dong, why don't you tell Kong in detail!"
Dong Si gritted his teeth and said as if he was willing to fight for it: "I have been bullied by the Xiao family for a long time. I have long wanted to kill the Xiao thief, but I am suffering from the Xiao family's lust and power and I can't do anything about it!"
When Kong Hechen heard what he said, his eyes shone brightly, but his words were unhurried and unhurried: "General Dong, please continue..."
Dong Si saw that Kong Hechen seemed to be interested, so he struck while the iron was hot: "Yesterday before the dynasty, the queen sent me a letter. In her words, she even said that Xiao Yuanche was arrogant and domineering, and did not take the Holy Emperor into consideration at all. His wolfish ambitions were clearly exposed.
Ah! The world has been miserable for a long time!"
The anger in Kong Hechen's eyes grew thicker, and he said sadly: "What Xiao Yuanche did was indeed not done by this minister! Hateful, hateful!"
Dong Si was overjoyed and saw that Kong Hechen was really showing his true feelings, so he added: "To be honest, although Dong is not talented, he already has the sword in his hand to kill thieves given by the emperor. He even contacted the central court to ask Dajin
Conscience, civility, and military affairs, now all they have to do is raise their arms!"
The sharp light in Kong Hechen's eyebrows became heavier, and his blood suddenly surged. He was about to speak, but suddenly he secretly said, "Wait a minute...Kong Hechen, Kong Hechen, are you not as strong-willed as you were when you were young? Then Xiao Yuan"
Che's forces, both in the DPRK and in the army, are all intricately linked. Many great heroes in those years perished. How do you compare with them?
What's more, is this Dong Si really dedicated to the Holy Emperor and the Jin Dynasty?
As for selfish desires? How is he different from Xiao Yuanche?
Thinking of this, Kong Hechen tried his best to restrain himself and said: "Are you interested in the people of the Jin Dynasty? I wonder who the general Dong is talking about?"
Dong Si was startled and seemed to be in a dilemma.
He looked at Kong Hechen with scorching eyes, smiling slightly but not smiling at all.
Kong Hechen looked at him and said calmly: "Since General Dong doesn't believe me, please come back..."
Dong Si hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Master Kong is wrong! After all, the matter is very important..."
He thought about it for a while, and then he said resolutely: "If you are going to accomplish something big, why should you stick to trivial details! Come on! Come on! Come on! What's the harm in letting Mr. Kong take a look? At the worst, we'll be at the Xancai Market tomorrow!"
What he said was quite righteous.
After saying that, he gently took out a piece of white silk from his sleeve and slowly unfolded it on Kong Hechen's desk.
Kong Hechen glanced at it briefly at first, but was instantly attracted by the names listed above. He picked it up and read it carefully several times with the help of an oil lamp.
Then he handed the white silk back to Dong Si and said, "He is here!"
Dong Si said with some pride: "That's natural. Your Majesty will discuss the matter with him face to face!"
Kong Hechen suddenly said calmly: "The list on this square white silk was probably transcribed by General Dong..."
Dong Si did not deny it and said: "Indeed, the handwritten alliances of these people are all in the sharp sword given to me by the Holy One... After all, it was given by the Holy One himself and cannot be touched lightly."
Kong Hechen nodded, and suddenly raised his hands to Dong Si and said: "But Kong, dare to ask General Dong, with these people, do you really think you can make Xiao Yuanche the head?"
Dong Si seemed confident and said: "Which of these people is not an important minister? This is true whether in the court or in the local area! Now as long as Mr. Kong joins again and leads Qingliu to raise his arms, why worry about the failure of great things?"
Kong Hechen sighed secretly, Dong Si, Dong Si! If you had come up with such a list three or five years ago, I would have tried it even at the risk of my life. But things are different now, and Xiao Yuanche is no longer the same person.
The Xiao Yuanche and the Jin Dynasty of that year are no longer the Jin Dynasty of those days!
It's too late! It's too late!
Seeing Dong Si's complacent look, Kong Hechen thought to himself that even if he really said what he wanted to say, he would not take it seriously, so he could only say lightly: "But, what if there is only one Xiao Yuanche? Could it be that Jun has forgotten Wang Xi back then?
What? After his death, what happened to his minions? They looted the capital, ruined the people, and wiped out the emperor's majesty! They were nothing more than Wang Xizhi! They are gone, and now Xiao Yuanche, how is he better than Wang Xi?"
Before Dong Si could speak, Kong Hechen said again: "Not to mention Xiao Yuanche, how does the one in the north compare to Xiao Yuanche? And how about the one in Shaliang? They are just like the same thing!"
Kong Hechen secretly thought to himself, you should also be included as the head of the dynasty and the general of chariot and cavalry, Dong Si. How can you not be too ambitious?
However, he did not intend to offend Dong Si, so he kept his words in a humane tone.
"This..." Dong Si was speechless for a moment, then suddenly waved his hand and said: "Master Kong, you must be overly worried! This time is different from the past. I have already said that I have a sharp sword given by the emperor in my hand...
..I am following the order of the Emperor..."
Kong Hechen glanced at him and asked: "May I ask, where does the Emperor's sword point? And where is it?"
Dong Si's expression changed dramatically, and he could only hesitantly say: "This matter is of great importance. Only if Mr. Kong agrees to work with us can I tell the truth!"
When Kong Hechen heard this, he was not angry. Gu Zuojie said: "General Dong, it's a long night, this tea is good... It's always good to drink more to refresh yourself!"
After that, he stopped talking and drank tea in silence.
Dong Si had no choice but to drink tea for a while. Seeing that Kong Hechen still didn't express anything, he had to stand up and cup his hands and said: "Since Mr. Kong has made a decision, Dong will not force others to make things difficult for him! However, Dong always knew that Mr. Kong was
A loyal minister of the Jin Dynasty, his heart is devoted to the Holy One, and the sky is clear! He will definitely not tell others what happened today, don’t you think so?"
After that, he seemed to be reminding something: "Master Kong loves Zi Xiyan, he is really a young and talented person. My dog and his dog have many walks. I often tell my dog to ask Xiyan for advice!"
As he spoke, he looked at Kong Hechen with deep meaning.
Kong Hechen's pupils shrank, and he suddenly stood up and shouted: "Dong Si! You and I will do our own thing. I won't help you, and I won't harm you. Why do you say such despicable words!"
When Dong Si heard this, he smiled lightly and said: "Master Kong, don't get angry! It's a very important matter, and I'm well prepared... If Master Kong can do it, I believe that the friendship between Xiyan and my dog will be even stronger.
of!"
After saying that, he cupped his hands and said: "In this case, Dong will not disturb Mr. Kong's rest! Dong will retire!"
After saying that, he turned around and left.
Fang walked to the door, and Kong Hechen said in a calm voice with some solemnity: "General Dong, if you succeed, Kong will speak for General Dong, and the Qingliu faction will also play the harp and sheng for General Dong!"
Dong Si then turned around with a little more excitement in his expression, bowed his head towards Kong Hechen and said, "In this case, Dong Si has thanked Master Kong first!"
After Dong Si left.
Kong Hechen stood in front of the door in a daze.
The autumn wind is biting and the sky is full of dead leaves.
The cold wind was as sharp as a knife, making him unable to open his eyes.
Kong Hechen looked at the crowds of desolate people, and suddenly murmured to himself: "Let's make chaos! Let's make chaos!... The more chaotic the better! The more chaotic they are, the more things I plan can be done."
A fatal blow!"
In front of my eyes, murderous intent suddenly appeared, and there was the sound of cranes and wind.
Suddenly he shouted towards the courtyard: "Uncle, prepare the sedan chair, Chengtian Temple..."
............
Time flies, the tail of late autumn is getting further and further away, and January has passed in the blink of an eye.
It's early winter.
In the sky of Longtai, the sun has never been seen for some time, the sky is hazy, and the cold wind is as cold as a knife.
There is also a mist that hangs in the air and never fades away.
This winter has been colder earlier than in previous years.
Early this morning, the door of the unattractive backyard opened a crack, and Du Heng's huge body flashed out, holding a big broom in his hand.
Walking to the street at the door, looking at the damp bluestone street, I couldn't find a withered maple leaf.
He then raised his head and looked at the ancient maple trees on both sides.
The tree trunks and branches were bare, with no trace of leaves anywhere.
A cold wind filled the air, flowing down the alley and into the end.
Du Heng had no choice but to tug at the collar of his clothes and cursed: "This cold and cold weather..."
Then he picked up the big broom, quickly ran into the backyard of the bad hall, bolted the door, and rushed into his room as if to escape. Even so, he was still shivering from the cold.
Perhaps it was because of the cold weather that it took a long time after the hall opened before a few people came in to make purchases.
Su Ling was wearing a thick winter coat and a mink fur collar around her neck. She looked quite warm.
This mink fur collar was given to him by Guo Baiyi to pay for medicine.
It has been a long time since Su Ling was injured, and Su Ling's body has recovered.
Apart from the obvious wound on the left chest, there were no other worries.
During these days, Su Ling lay in bed every day, with meals prepared by Du Heng and delivered to him by Wang Jun.
Sometimes Xiao Jingshu would come and help decoct the medicine and watch Su Ling take it.
Su Ling was also a doctor himself. After drinking Ding Yan's medicine for a few days, he wrote a prescription and took the medicine to treat his own illness.
It's just that the knife seemed to hurt the heart and lungs, and he would cough a few times if he took in too much air-conditioning.
It's been getting colder these days. The hall is already cold and humid, and the air-conditioning is even worse. He coughs a lot more frequently.
He even felt that the red-coded slut had infected him...
Xiao Jingshu watched him finish the medicine and then chatted with him. Su Ling was also bored, so he told her some fresh stories or jokes from a famous cross talk club in later generations, which made Xiao Jingshu laugh out loud.
More often, Xiao Jingshu would go to the front to help Du Heng and Wang Jun grab some medicine and pack some cold-flavored pills.
After going back and forth, my movements became quite proficient.
However, for some unknown reason, Guo Baiyi and Xiao Cangshu came to visit from time to time at first, and even Xiao Liu, the chief steward of the Xiao Mansion, came twice.
But these days, Guo Baiyi and Xiao Cangshu have not come, let alone Xiao Liu.
Even Xiao Jingshu seems to have not been here for some time.
Su Ling was confused in her heart, but it was a bit unrealistic to think that she was dressed in white and they would come every day.
Today, Su Ling woke up early, coughed on the couch for a while, then got out of bed, walked to the front room, checked the remaining medicinal materials, lit a charcoal stove, and placed it beside him.
Mix the raw materials of Lengxiang Pills and grind the medicinal powder.
A gust of cold wind blew through the open door of the front hall.
Go straight into the inner room.
"Cough cough cough..." Su Ling coughed again, and even though he breathed in the cold wind, his shoulders began to shake.
Su Ling stood up, coughing, took some charcoal, put it in the charcoal stove, and picked it a few more times.
He also felt that winter in Longtai came earlier and was colder than in Wanyang.
Wang Jun walked into the inner room and saw Su Lingke's shoulders shaking and holding a charcoal fire. He hurriedly came over, took it and said: "Master, the hall is not very busy. Just go back and lie down..."
..”
Su Ling coughed a few times, then stopped and said: "How can you lie down all the time... If you don't move, won't you be dead? I just saw that the stock of Lengxiang Pills is running out.
I'll grind some and sell them without delay..."
The business was uncertain, and the deal was announced very suddenly. At ten o'clock in the afternoon, more and more people came to the restaurant, and soon it was crowded. There were people buying cold scented pills, mostly because it was so cold this morning.
After a while, I came to see a doctor because I suffered from cold.
Su Ling didn't leave the front hall all afternoon, diagnosing pulses and prescribing prescriptions one after another.
It was not until dark that the last guest was sent away.
Su Ling was not very tired, so she stood up, tightened her mink fur collar, and stretched her limbs.
Du Heng had already gone to the kitchen to light a fire and cook.
Only Wang Jun was left in the bad hall to take care of things.
Seeing this, Su Ling picked up the broom and swept up the floor in the front hall of the bad hall.
Wang Jun hurriedly said: "Sir, I can do these things."
Su Ling smiled and said: "How can you be so squeamish... I have been consulting for a whole day today, and I feel much better than before!"
The two of them were talking to themselves, when suddenly a person walked softly in front of the half-closed door.
The man was about eight feet tall, standing there alone, with no carriage, horse or attendants, and the cold wind howling in the alley behind him.
The man glanced around the hall, then raised his foot to come in.
But Wang Jun stopped him and said, "Sir, the restaurant is closed today... Please come back tomorrow."
The man raised his sword eyebrows and said with a smile: "I don't want Lengxiang Pills. I came here at this hour just to meet the owner of this place..."
After saying that, he stretched out a finger, pointed at Su Ling and said, "It's you."
Su Ling noticed that the middle fingertips of his fingers were covered with calluses.
Wang Jun was stunned for a moment. He seemed to think that this person looked very familiar, but he couldn't remember it. He was just about to speak.
Su Ling slowly walked up to the man, smiled faintly at him, turned to Wang Jun and said, "Wang Jun, go to the kitchen to see if Du Heng's dinner is ready. I'm here!"
Wang Jun looked towards Su Ling and saw Su Ling calmly nodding towards him.
Wang Jun then looked at the visitor warily and turned away.
Su Ling smiled at the visitor and said, "It's not like I'm here to give medicine or see a doctor. Very few people just come to see me. Since you're here, please take a seat!"
The man nodded and walked in without any courtesy and sat on the chair.
Su Ling made tea, put it in front of him and said, "Try it...good tea, you've never tasted it before!"
The man glanced at the tea, didn't drink it, and suddenly stood up slowly.