The chirping of insects fades away, and the stars shine softly.
The dark night is quiet, like spring water without waves. However, Liu Xiaomu's reminder is like a sudden wind, blowing countless small waves in Yang Chaoxi's heart.
At that moment, Yang Zhaoxi told Liu Xiaomu the important details about his encounter with Huang Shuo in Tongyuan Canal a few days ago and the conversation between the two.
Liu Xiaomu nodded slightly: "Since Gongsun Xuantong sent Huang Shuo to take the lead in Tongyuan Canal, he must have other plans, so there is no need to worry too much about his safety. I just don't know if Gongsun Xuantong told you that he was in Taiwei Palace back then.
Who else is participating in Fuqi?"
Yang Chaoxi recalled the details before going down the mountain. His voice was a bit dry: "In addition to Gongsun Temple, there were also Wang Jin, the envoy of Taiwei Palace, Taizhu Hongzhiye, and Yuchi Yuan, the leader of Hongdao Temple. Yuchi Temple was a decent man.
, can be ruled out. If there is a plan, it must be Wang Jin and Hong Zhiye."
"If Taiwei Palace knew that the 'Rushui Sword' was in Ningbi Pond, but instead made an attack in the east and west, and joined hands with the Henan Prefecture to recruit civilians to dredge the water and canals in the city, I'm afraid it would not only be to gather the Jianghu rangers and attract the attention of all parties.
Simple, it seems to be paralyzing other forces, and even misleading Shengting." Liu Xiaomu followed Yang Chaoxi's thoughts and threw out a possibility.
"That's true. During the few days when I pretended to be a civilian and went to Tongyuan Canal to investigate the news, I confirmed from many people that the dredging of the river had started five years ago. The Luo, Yi, Gu, and Tongsi Rivers, as well as
Ji Canal, Yun Canal, Weiwang Pond, Jiayou Pond and other canals and swamps have all been swept. Only Ningbi Pond and the swamp in the Imperial City Forbidden Garden seem to have remained intact. However, when the Jianghu rangers gathered at Tongyuan Canal, it turned out that
It happened only this year. I wonder what Taiwei Palace is planning." Yang Chaoxi was also confused, and felt that this matter was not only strange, but also inexplicable.
Liu Xiaomu smiled lightly and said: "Taiwei Palace and Henan Prefecture joined forces to develop water conservancy in Luoyang. This is a conspiracy that benefits the country and the people, so it is easier to 'bully'. But Shendu Garden where Ningbi Pond is located, and Jiuzhou
Shangyang Palace Garden, where the pond is located, is an important royal area, so it is naturally difficult to arrange dredging.
I think there is another possibility, that is, they wanted to dredge the peripheral waters and canals first, and then submit a memorial requesting permission to dredge the Ningbi Pond and other royal ponds, then everything would seem logical."
Yang Chaoxi raised her eyebrows slightly: "If it is true as my aunt said, these people in the public sect are really scheming and sophisticated! They actually set up such a big game for a so-called magic weapon!"
"It's all just speculation. You people in the public sect of the human race are the best at 'killing two birds with one stone' and 'killing both sides', or you may have other plans, we don't know yet."
Liu Xiaomu stood up from the waist stool and stretched out charmingly.
"Auntie, I am only interested in the 'Rushui Sword'. As for the fight between life and death among human beings, I leave it to him. Little Taoist, tomorrow night I will sneak into Shendu Garden and go down to the Ningbi Pond to find out. Do you want to join us?"
Going?"
"Aunt Xiaomu's business is my business, so I'll go with you naturally!" Yang Zhaoxi felt a little warm in her heart.
After chatting for half a night, many of the fogs in my heart gradually dissipated, revealing the outline of the truth. With Liu Xiaomu's help, if I continue to investigate many things, I will have more confidence and confidence.
"Ha! Then tomorrow night is about to end, let's meet at the northeast corner of Chunhe Square..." Liu Xiaomu chuckled, and his figure gradually faded, and quickly disappeared into the darkness, as if he had never appeared before. Only a faint body fragrance,
It lingers in the room and evokes a sense of lasting melancholy in someone's heart.
Yang Chaoxi stood at the edge of the couch, unable to calm down for a moment. He simply walked around and went through what he had seen, heard and thought about when he came down the mountain.
I vaguely feel that the truth is not something that can be obtained by deliberately searching for it, but that many people and things have been piled higher and higher, and they are in danger. Just wait for a sudden collapse at a certain moment, and the truth will be naked and presented in front of everyone.
It seemed that Liu Xiaomu had concerns about the tiger monster just now and had not agreed to help. Yang Zhaoxi had to find the "Kui Talisman" from the baggage, bared his teeth, and tapped his teeth three times. A weak vibration came from
The talismans spread out and spread into the distant night sky.
After a long time, a rough guttural voice sounded in the room: "Little Taoist priest, there are no evil spirits, what do you want me to do? Is this just to entertain me!"
Yang Zhaoxi looked around blankly. Apart from the starlight and darkness, he couldn't see even a ghost. Suddenly he understood the problem and couldn't help but laugh. He quickly made a hand and chanted a mantra:
Sanqing Taoist, the pure air flows fragrantly, the disciples are pious, and want to open the gate of heaven. The three eyes are clear, illuminating my body, distinguishing ghosts and peeking at gods, as fast as the law and order!
As soon as the eyes of heaven opened, Zhong Jiudao's tall and ugly black figure suddenly appeared in front of his eyes:
The leopard has a ringed head and eyes, an iron face and beard, and a charred face... The huge head is less than a foot away from me, staring at me with an evil expression.
Yang Zhaoxi was startled and retreated subconsciously. "Boom!" His knees hit the edge of the wooden couch and his body fell on the couch: "Zhong, senior Zhong, don't be surprised! Xiaodao has no choice but to ask you something.
!”
Zhong Jiudao then calmed down his anger and said impatiently: "Say it quickly! Speak it quickly! Don't miss the chance to catch the ghost!"
"Senior Zhong! Since you can take away the tiger demon's incarnation, do you have a magic method to subdue the tiger demon's true body?" Yang Chaoxi said sincerely.
"I, Zhong, specialize in catching ghosts, but the tiger demon is a living creature. What can I do?" Zhong Jiudao had an impetuous look on his face.
"But Senior accepted one of its incarnations. If it comes to seek revenge and anger us and other members of the Taoist sect, wouldn't we also die in vain?" Yang Chaoxi said anxiously.
"If this is the case... the cause and effect is caused by me, there is indeed something wrong... Anyway! I, Zhong, promised to take action and drive away the tiger demon." Zhong Jiudao raised his thick beard, "It's just
From now on, if there are no ghosts, don't call me again! Otherwise, Zhong will capture your soul and go back to do business!"
Yang Zhaoxi was trembling, and bowed his hands: "Xiao Dao, I would like to thank you, Senior Zhong!" When he looked up again, Zhong Jiudao's figure had disappeared, and he probably went to catch ghosts elsewhere.
In Taiwei Palace, in a courtyard next to Xuanyuan Temple, there is a huge ancient ginkgo tree with towering branches and leaves. The lush branches and countless fan-shaped leaves cover the entire courtyard under the shade of the tree, and many birds are chirping in it.
In the main hall of the courtyard, the aloes of incense lingering in the Boshan furnace make people's troubles disappear. The envoys of Taiwei Palace, Wang Jin, and Henan Yin Xiaojing, are sitting at the top respectively as guest and host, sipping spring tea unhurriedly.
Chen Wanglu, Shaoyin of Henan Prefecture, Tan Lingde, captain of Zhiguo School in Luocheng Xingying, Zen Master Lingzhen, Taizhu Hongzhiye and others are sitting at the bottom. Shi Xiaoren, the master of Jingyun Temple, Lin Yunbo, the master of Longxing Temple, and Qu Bing, the master of Tongxuan Temple
Yu, Huang Linquan, the leader of Futang Temple, and four other people did not have seats. They all stood near the lower head and listened respectfully.
Wang Jin, the envoy of Taiwei Palace, said in a painful voice: "Everyone, it has been four years since I, in the spring of the fifth year of the Dali Dynasty, made a report to Heaven to listen to the wishes of the people, and worked hard with Duke Yin Xiao of Henan to promote the dredging of the river. During this time,
He dredged nearly a hundred miles of canals, making water transportation smooth, and the people were prosperous. All the officials and people in the city praised him.
However, since this spring, there have been some young people who have been spreading rumors and falsely accusing me of what we have been doing for the past four years just to ask for a "water sword"! They even attached this sword into a peerless magic weapon that condenses energy, and they are not ashamed to say that this
The sword will be born this year! People from all walks of life in the rivers, lakes and forests, from three religions and nine streams, heard the news and came, and ants gathered in the far canals in an attempt to seize the sword.
Now, the Prime Minister of the Zhongyuan Dynasty and the envoys of the Du Shui Supervisor are all aware of this matter and have sent edicts to accuse them. Therefore, I invite you all to come here to discuss a perfect strategy: not only can the majesty of our official gate be maintained, but also
It can deter people with ulterior motives."
Yin Xiaojing from Henan is over sixty years old, with luxuriant hair, a childlike face, and eyes that are as bright as those of her youth:
"Every word of what the Duke of Qi said was sincere. The two of us were deprived of the king's salary, worried about the king's affairs, and received some gossip, which is what we should have done. However, the rumors became so rampant that three people actually became a tiger! Fortunately, Yuan Xiang was responsible for this matter.
Hold on. If the saint knows about it, Long Yan will definitely be furious! By then, we will lose all our achievements in trivial matters, such as dredging rivers and other things that benefit the city-state."
"We will do whatever the royal envoy says." Shaoyin Chen Wanglu had just experienced the pain of losing his daughter. He only had the word "revenge" in his heart. He really had no interest in these official rhetoric.
"Since these young people are stirring up trouble and causing trouble, all those who listen to their instigators can be regarded as accomplices. Just capture them all and kill them!" Tan Lingde, wearing a military uniform, said with murderous intent.
"Your Majesty agrees with Colonel Tan's opinion! These knights and warriors come and roar when the wind is raining. It can be seen that they are all greedy and cruel people. Your Majesty makes a bold suggestion and asks Colonel Tan to mobilize two infantry and archery teams and Hengdao Team.
Recruit troops, surround them and annihilate them! Those who are willing to surrender on the spot will be given a lighter sentence. Anyone who resists stubbornly will be killed on the spot." Hong Taizhu said in agreement with a righteous look on his face.
Wang Jin nodded slightly and looked at the four temple masters who were standing silently: "Oh? Hong Zhiye, the day before yesterday I asked you to invite the Taoist temple masters from each Taoist sect. Why did only four people come? Or did you contradict the Taoist masters of each temple with your words?"
Hong Taizhu looked troubled, stood up and cupped his hands and said: "We have all come to visit! However, the masters of each temple are either in seclusion or claiming to be ill. It's hard for the lower officials to tie them up one by one, right?"
After Hong Taizhu finished speaking, everyone in the hall smiled.
Wang Jin also smiled and waved his hands and said: "Sit down and talk. Forget it! Nowadays, there are mostly idle clouds and wild cranes in Luoyang Taoist Gate. Don't pay attention to them. But the four Taoist priests who came in person today are all people who understand the general situation and take the overall situation into consideration. They don't know what to do with me.
What’s your insight into what you just said? You might as well say whatever you want.”
Shi Xiaoren, the master of Jingyun Temple, had been waiting for this sentence for a long time, and he stepped forward and said with emotion: "The royal envoy, Mr. Xiao, is a person who loves the people like a son, and forgets his own interests. He is so noble and noble in his clothes and food.
Xiaoxiao’s disciples criticize! I think it’s my duty to eradicate evil!”
Lin Yunbo, the leader of Longxing Temple, rolled his eyes and said with a flattering smile: "It would be great if we could surround them and annihilate them! However, Jianghu rangers each have their own martial arts skills. If they arouse the enemy's resentment, they will inevitably suffer damage when recruiting soldiers.
In ancient times, Yan Zi said, "Two peaches kill three soldiers." Why not first throw a sweet bait to induce them to kill each other, and finally invite Colonel Tan to send troops to punish them all for the crime of "gathering a crowd to plot rebellion", wouldn't it save worry and effort?"
After listening to this, everyone had different expressions for a while.