The wild paths are only grass-colored, with fallen flowers brushing people's clothes.
Ten miles west of Luoyang City, there are two mountains with gates and a stream of water. Birds are singing in the mountains in spring, and wild ducks are swimming happily on the water, creating a scene of vitality.
This mountain is called Xianglu Mountain. It is said that Empress Zetian often led her guards to go hunting here. Once she encountered a sacred deer, which brought down magical powers, causing the fragrance to stretch for miles. So the mountain was renamed Xianglu Mountain. The original name
The name of the mountain is "Xianglu Mountain", but no one uses it anymore.
This water is naturally Luoshui. It starts from Jianyu Ridge in Huazhou in the west, passes through Weishan Mountain and Xiong'er Mountain in the middle, and crosses Luoyang in the east. It is an important river connecting Luoyang to Chang'an. Business travelers come in every day, boats go back and forth, and sails and oars meet.
...indescribable excitement and prosperity.
The mountains of Xianglu Mountain are gentle and the foothills are flat and broad. When the Luo River flows through the valley here, the river surface suddenly opens up and the speed of the water slows down. Therefore, many officials and people, merchants, monks, and knights-errants who have traveled thousands of miles to Luoyang flow there.
If they can't make it to the city in time, they will rest on the shore.
Over time, many restaurants, taverns, wine shops, and brothels appeared on both sides of Xianglu Mountain and Luoshui River to provide food, accommodation, and refreshment for those who rested. Farmers with quick minds even picked out corn, beans, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
They came here to sell. Relying on the mountains and rivers, gradually, hundreds of craftsmen began to work around the area, forging iron and selling horses, erecting beams and building houses. Each family settled down and formed a sizable village.
Travelers who come and go call it "Xianglu Village".
The territory of Xianglu Village is not large, but it embraces hundreds of rivers. Han people, Uighurs, Sogdians, Daqi people, Tianzhu people... and even Tubo people can often be seen. The sails on the Luo River compete with each other, and hundreds of boats compete with each other.
There are huge painted boats and small boats, passing by along the river, one after another.
On this day, the water birds were circling and the Luo River was rippling. A beautiful woman stood on the bow of the boat. She had a hairpin on her temples and a purple skirt. Just looking at her temperament, she looked like a fairy.
When the long boat got closer, I could clearly see that the woman had bright eyes and good eyesight, her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows were not traceable, and her cheeks were not pink but delicate. Many boatmen sitting on the shore couldn't help but lose their minds when they saw her.
The woman seemed to be coming out of Luoyang, and the long boat was sailing upstream. There was no wind in the mountains, and there was no oar on the boat. There were only six straight ropes extending from the bow to both banks.
Looking along the tow rope, I saw six thick trackers, pulling the tow on both sides of Luoshui. The trackers were wearing linen half-arm shirts on their upper bodies, their arm muscles were knotted, and their lower legs were nailed to the bank, and they were marching forward step by step.
.
The woman took a boat and headed west along the Luoshui River, crossing the entire Xianglu Village, but then turned the boat around and turned back east, which is puzzling.
Only this time, the woman abandoned the boat and landed on the shore, and found a teahouse to sit down. The six trackers tied up the boat and stood calmly behind the woman like servants, expressionless, as if
Wood carving.
The woman took a sip of tea and still stared at the ships plying on the Luo River: "Luo Changqing, has Tianji Protector arrived in Chang'an successfully?"
Just as Luo Changqing was about to raise his hands to make a flame, he suddenly felt a pain in the Xiaohai point on his right elbow. Half of his arm suddenly felt sore and numb, and he could no longer lift it up. And of course he couldn't do the "Holy Fire Ceremony" either.
When Luo Changqing came to his senses, the woman had put the white jade flute back into her colorful sleeves, and then she suddenly remembered: The few people coming here are really stepping on the spot, and the identity of the Zoroastrian must not be exposed. If he salutes rashly, someone with an intention will see him.
, you will definitely see through their intentions at a glance. Some of the arrangements in the religion will inevitably be exposed.
At this thought, Luo Changqing couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat: "Holy aunt, forgive me! I was so impatient that I forgot the holy aunt's previous instructions... I deserve to die!"
The woman was Liu Xiaomu. She still turned her back to the six people and looked at Luo Shui: "Luo Changqing, you just do what you do, how dare you wander around in the world? Do you think I can't notice it? This time, your head will be placed in the
If this happens again next time, the five of them will be responsible for collecting your body."
Luo Changqing half-knelt on the ground, then recalled the first question asked by Liu Xiaomu, and answered honestly with his fists clasped: "I understand! The guardian of Tianji moved the body the day before yesterday, and received a flying letter this morning. Not only did he pay an audience
I went to Master Zhuozheng of Sabao Mansion in Chang'an, and all matters have been arranged. I'm afraid that at this time, the saint's boat has already set off."
Liu Xiaomu nodded slightly and said smoothly: "Since it's Feishu, is Yuge still there?"
Luo Changqing clasped his fists again and replied: "I will keep him in a building in Xianglu Village. In addition, most of the eighteen missionaries have already lived in various places in the village. By then, they only need to be called Zhuozhen, and they can be sent to them at any time.
Then we can come out for reinforcements.”
A smile finally appeared on Liu Xiaomu's lips: "You did a good job. However, if you were Wang Jin or Xiao Jing, and you knew that we, the Zoroastrian Cult, wanted to welcome the saint at Xianglu Village ten miles away, how would you arrange your troops?
?”
Luo Changqing was stunned for a moment, then thought for a moment and then said: "I should invite more experts, recruit ships, and surround the saint on all sides to stop the saint. If any of our brothers in the sect dare to resist, we will kill them without mercy."
Liu Xiaomu sneered: "Sure enough, 'a scholar does not know how to fight'. If you follow what you said, wouldn't we, the Zoroastrian Cult, be trapped in a cocoon this time?"
"I'm humble and stupid, please give it to Holy Aunt!" Luo Changqing said with a bitter smile. Even if he was mediocre in martial arts, he would not be afraid of killing in front of the battle. Only when he led thousands of people into battle, how to approach and how to retreat,
How to feint, how to outflank...all kinds of military strategies, I really don't know anything about them.
When Liu Xiaomu saw him clasping his fists and saluting again, he cleared his throat and said: "If I were Xiao Jing or Wang Jin, I would only send a small team of people to Xianglu Mountain to confuse and contain the Zoroastrian believers gathered here. In order to call the Zoroastrian followers
I thought that by setting up a battle here, they were ready to fight at any time.
In fact, most of the combat force was sent upstream along the Luo River. Fortunately, taking advantage of the favorable location, he ambush me at the entrance of a certain gorge, intercepted my Zoroastrian saint, and then manipulated me at will. In this way, Zoroastrian saint
The followers of the religion waited in Xianglu Village for three days and three nights, but they could not wait for the saint to show up."
"How can Xiao Jing be so cunning and cunning! If we can't kill these dog officials, then..." After Luo Changqing heard this, he said angrily. The other five people were also furious when they heard this.
"Ha! This is just an ordinary method of 'laying suspicions, making noises in the east and attacking in the west'. You can arrange them with a little use of your brain. The real Xiao Jing and Wang Jin are a hundred times more cunning than this!"
Liu Xiaomu chuckled, interrupting the anger of the six people, and then explained in detail,
"As far as I know, when the saint boarded the boat in Chang'an, Yuan Zai secretly sent a heroic army to follow her all the way. Henan Yin Xiaojing's side had already invited Yuan's Mulan Guards and Yu's Black Fish
The guards, the Cui family's Shanling Guards, as well as the troops gathered in the camp in Luocheng, several Taoist priests, and several temple warrior monks, want to disguise themselves as "jianghu rangers" and come to seek revenge on my Zoroastrian religion.
As for Wang Jin, the envoy of Taiwei Palace, although the "Hu Ben Guards" were disabled by us, we can't figure out what back-ups he has prepared, and they still cannot be underestimated. In addition, a group of troops sent by Weibo Town have sneaked in
Whether we will take the opportunity to invade the city or not is a matter of uncertainty. Therefore, our Zoroastrian religion is surrounded by powerful enemies this time, and whether we can break the situation depends on your performance."
"All humble servants are willing to listen to the Holy Aunt's orders, go through fire and water, and never refuse!" The six people clasped their fists, suppressing the anger and excitement in their throats, and whispered in unison.
"Everything needs an opportunity, and soldiers never tire of deceit! Zoroastrianism is revitalized, so this is the battle! The local people are protecting the Dharma. You will recruit twenty people who are excellent in Qinggong among the teachings to act as scouts. Starting from Xianglu Village, they will ambush along the road fifty miles to the west.
, spy on the enemy’s information and provide support to each other. Whether it is the Saintess’s fleet or the enemy’s traces, they must be reported back in time to prepare for my decision at any time.” Liu Xiaomu’s eyebrows were condensed, showing an aura of power without anger.
"Magu (yes)!" One of the six people immediately walked out and clasped his fists in response. When Liu Xiaomu nodded, the man threw down the cowhide he had put on his shoulders when he was stretching, and left straight away.
"Dragon protector Sunri, you lead eighteen missionaries and more than fifty people, prepare weapons, shields, wine, food and rations one day in advance, and walk upstream along the Luo River. Whenever there is a narrow valley entrance, you will occupy the dangerous place.
Give them a chance to set up an ambush. If you encounter any of the people I just mentioned, kill them with all your strength without leaving any further trouble." Liu Xiaomu's voice was crisp, with murderous intent in his beautiful eyes.
"Magu!" After hearing this, the other person followed the order and left.
"Sacred Fire Protector, you will return to the city today and lead more than fifty people to start preparing bows, arrows, crossbows, kerosene and other supplies. When the eighteen missionaries lead their troops to set up camp in various mountain passes, you will set up camp at the corresponding mountain top...
…”
"Magu!"
"Chishui Dharma protector, you have forty people with excellent water qualities among your teachings. They arrived at Lingshan Col in the upper reaches of Luoshui River half a day in advance and laid down themselves among the water plants..."
"Magu!"
"Defender Jianmu, after you return to the city, bring with you forty strong men and plenty of axes, chisels, and saws to accompany the Dharma Protector on the sun. In high and dangerous places on the peaks, prepare huge rocks and rolling logs..."
"Magu!"
"Dragon Protector Xuantu, write a secret letter about the layout of this room and send it back to Chang'an in a flying letter so that Master Zhuan Zheng will know about it in case of any unexpected events."
The "Xuan Tu Dharma Protector" was Luo Changqing. After hearing the order, he immediately clasped his fists in salute and turned around to leave.
In an instant, everything was assigned. Only Liu Xiaomu was left in the teahouse.
The river breeze blew by, and she swallowed the last mouthful of warm tea soup. She suddenly felt slightly lighter, and her whole body felt refreshed and comfortable. Then Yun Danfeng said lightly: "The tea is very good! It's better than what you used to sell in the village.
Brew, I don’t know how much stronger it is!”
"Hahaha! Little sister, I haven't seen you for a long time, and I miss you so much! God is wise, so we, brother and sister, are reunited in this small tea shop outside Luoyang City. Come, come, come! Have a few more cups of tea, count three
I'm here to treat you!" Suddenly I saw a big man emerging from the hut of the tea shop with a big smile on his face.
The person who came had a shaggy beard and looked unruly in his dejection. He grabbed the hare by the ears with one hand and bit it heartily. It was Liu Xiaomu's third brother Liu Dingchen. The hare was not dead yet, and its four legs were beating around, splattering the blood on its body.
It's everywhere.
Liu Xiaomu ignored his gossip and said to himself: "Liu Dingchen, you are not hanging out in Luoyang City, why do you come here to harm living creatures in the mountains and fields on the outskirts of the city? If daddy still sends you to capture me, you can do it now and call me quickly.
I will defeat you, but there are still things to be busy with."
"Hey! It's not like those nosy monks and Taoists in the city are too difficult to deal with. Third brother, I can't go to a prostitute. These bald donkeys and cow-nosed old men dare to slander me! What do you mean by 'goblins casting magic spells?
Picking up the wound Tianhe'
"Bah! Third brother, even if I want to take supplements, I should find a girl from a good family. These bald donkeys and bull-nosed guys are really not good at academics and have no common sense at all..." Liu Dingchen seemed to have been greatly humiliated and kept chattering.
Liu Xiaomu's face gradually turned ugly: "Liu Dingchen, do you want to fight or not? Are you trying to slow down the war with me again? As soon as I entered this teahouse, I knew you were hiding inside. If you had tipped off the news at that time, my father should also
Are you here?"
Liu Dingchen then put away his laziness, looked at Liu Xiaomu and said: "Little sister, you are only half right. The third brother is indeed here to find you, but he is following the orders of his mother to protect you secretly.
.Otherwise, do you think you have been out for so long and my mother has so many red fox guards that they really can’t catch you?"
Liu Xiaomu's eyes were gloomy, and he slowly pulled out the white jade flute from his sleeve: "I didn't listen to enough of "The Music of Breaking the Formation" last time. How about I give you the song "General's Order" this time?"
Liu Dingchen spread his hands, knowing that he helped his father capture her back to the Liu Mansion last time, and she still holds a grudge against him. It was useless to talk, so he turned around and got into the hut again.
Liu Xiaomu was stunned for a moment, then no longer hesitated. With a move of his jade hand, four small green jade pendants with cattail patterns were shot out in four directions, and they returned to his jade hand obediently.
The invisible sound barrier dissipated instantly. The hustle and bustle of Xianglu Village instantly drowned out this ordinary tea shop.
Looking at the bench where Liu Xiaomu was sitting just now, it was already empty. Just like the empty tea cup on the tea table.