The prince drove out of the west part of the city, then turned eastward and entered slowly, without any sign of anxiety.
Guo Ziyi, Ge Shuyao, Xiao Jing and others, because it was inconvenient to meet the angel Liu Zhongyi, walked together. After walking out of Youyemen, they each looked for their carriages and horses to disperse.
But it is said that Liu Zhongyi, the eunuch who served the saint, learned about the "Rushui Sword" in Luocheng at the private banquet of the Yuan family in Yingchuan last time. He rushed back to Chang'an at night and reported to the saint in detail what he had heard.
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Then, just as Yuan Zai expected, the next day, a rumor began to spread wildly among the government and the public: His Royal Highness traveled east to the divine capital, used his power to suppress people, and failed to seize the "Sword Like Water". So he pretended to use the "Sword Like Water"
As a bonus, he wanted to use the "Shendu Martial Arts Conference" to recruit knights with strong martial arts skills as guests; at the same time, he cut off some green forest tycoons who were not convinced by the king to scare the crowd. There were even alarmists who speculated on the prince's move.
, intending to cultivate his wings. When the time comes, he will kill the king and his father to replace him!
Fortunately, the saint was wise and knew that the prince had always been cautious and cautious, and was by no means a domineering person. So he immediately ordered Liu Zhongyi to grind a pen, spread out the silk paper, and write an edict in handwriting. He then ordered Liu Zhongyi to go to Luoyang to deliver the edict and asked him to
Li Changyuan was found and another oral message was delivered to him.
Poor Liu Zhongyi returned to Chang'an less than half a day ago. He didn't even bother to go back to his house, so he boarded the oil truck and headed back to Luoyang, the capital of China. He drove his horse so fast all the way, crossing rivers and mountains, that he almost broke his legs.
We rushed to Xiangluyi again.
It happened that it rained heavily, and it continued for half a day, making the official road muddy. Liu Zhongyi had to rest for the night at Xianglu Post, and it was not until dawn that he hitched up his carriage again and hurried to Ziwei City, Luoyang.
At this time, the sky was bright and clear, and the heat was getting higher. However, it was already approaching the end of the day, and it was already so hot that his mouth was dry and his back was sweating profusely. He stood alone outside the Chongguang Gate, waving his sleeves to fan the wind and wiping away the hot sweat.
Chongguang Gate is also a gate. On the left and right watchtowers, the guards holding bows and swords stood motionless like sculptures, turning a deaf ear to Liu Bingzhong's arrival.
"Bah, bah, bah! Bah, bah, bah..."
Just when Liu Bingzhong almost fainted from the heat, he heard the sound of shoes hitting stone bricks. It came from the west, from far to near, and the sound was sweet. When he turned around to look, he saw five horses with pure white fur.
The tall horse was leading the chariot from afar, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief:
Anyone who dares to drive a car within the forbidden courtyard of the imperial city must be a relative of the emperor; and anyone who dares to ride on a five-horse chariot must at least be a prince of the Li family. These five Huihe horses are all white, with almost no mottled colors.
At first glance, it was the Prince's favorite "Biao Xue Cong". Therefore, the person in the car was Prince Li Shi, whom he had been waiting for for a long time.
When he thought of this, Liu Bingzhong hurriedly adjusted his clothes, lowered his hands to the west, and stood respectfully, not daring to make any unnecessary movements.
When the car stopped and Prince Li Shi got out of the car, he rushed forward, saluted gracefully and said: "Your Highness, may you be blessed with peace and prosperity! It's been very hot recently. I sincerely hope that Your Highness will take care of your health and not work too hard."
"Ahem! I understand."
Prince Li Shi replied calmly, "Eunuch Liu suddenly came to Luoyang. He must not have come to ask for help, right? Father, if you have any edicts, I will announce them here so that Eunuch Liu can find a cool and comfortable place."
Go somewhere to relieve the heat after the rain."
Liu Bingzhong laughed a few times, then took out a yellow brocade envelope from his sleeve, and respectfully presented it to Prince Li Shi: "Here is the sage's handwriting. I don't dare to read it and open it. Your Highness can open it and read it yourself."
Prince Li Shi glanced at the frightened Liu Zhongyi, immediately took the envelope, peeled off the paint, pulled out a piece of folded silk paper, looked at it carefully, and only said a few words:
Shi'er, I have learned everything about Luoyang. How can a piece of ordinary iron endanger the country? Rumors in the world are exaggerated and cannot be believed. However, since ancient times, people's words are terrible, and rumors are even worse. I hope you can get this handwriting.
, will return to Chang'an soon. Looking forward to it!
After reading it, Prince Li Shi's face remained as usual, he put away the yellow paper, smiled to the left and right and said, "Eunuch Liu has worked so hard, why don't you reward him soon?"
A guard of the East Palace understood immediately, took out a five-tael gold collar from his waist, forced it into Liu Zhongyi's hand and said: "Eunuch Liu is tired from traveling, so he quickly went to a teahouse and souphouse to cool off the heat."
Liu Zhongyi knew that it was the prince's intention to see off his guests, so he did not dare to stay for a while. He hurriedly thanked him for his kindness, took the gold collar, turned around and ran away quickly, heading to Duanmen.
Prince Li Shi's smile suddenly faded, and he ordered to the East Palace Guards: "Send two people to follow secretly to see where Mr. Liu wants to go for leisure. The others will prepare carriages and horses, and we will leave the city together at the latest by You hour.
Rush back to Chang'an."
After that, he got on the chariot again.
The guard who was driving the car took the reins of the horse, and the five white horses immediately understood, and the twenty iron hooves started to flip again, pulling the chariot, and entered the Chongguang Gate without any hindrance.
In front of the main hall of the East Palace, Prince Li Shi and Li Changyuan got off the chariot one after another, and climbed up the steps one behind the other, without saying a word.
Su Wei had already come forward to greet him and opened the palace door; then the palace maid moved after hearing the sound and took out two silver pots and two glazed cups from the ice mirror. After the two of them sat down respectively, they held them in plain hands.
He picked up the silver pot and poured the chilled ice drink into the glass cup. It was all amber wine.
Prince Li Shi drank the drink in one gulp, waved his arms a few times, and pushed back the palace maids and guards. Then he put his hands on his knees, leaned forward and said: "Master, the Holy Order really asked me to rush back to Chang'an. But today
In the Yaoguang Palace, Prince Xiping is actually right. If I cannot take charge of the 'Shendu Martial Arts Conference', then Yuan Zai will definitely try his best to go there.
Firstly, it is for Xiangshan Temple and a platform for Shimen; secondly, it is to send people to seize the 'Rushui Sword'. At that time, the King of Xiping County will recruit soldiers, and Master Xiao's Wuhou has not laid out good guards. How can he dare to compete with the Prime Minister of the dynasty?
Private soldiers guarding the hospital to fight against each other? Why not just let him do whatever he wants and be lawless?!"
Li Changyuan persuaded: "I understand that the saint has worked hard, just not to put His Highness in danger. As for the rumors about the government and the public, how can the Saint be gullible? However, due to the fierce public sentiment, he had to make a gesture and summon His Highness.
Return to the capital to calm the undercurrent in the capital. There is nothing to say to Xiaoxiao who does not know the truth but prefers to gossip. And these are the misunderstandings and grievances that His Highness, as the prince, should share and bear.
"
Prince Li Shi gritted his teeth and said, "Those treacherous villains are just playing tricks of power. Why did my father ignore the truth and detain me back to Chang'an? Doesn't it make those villains more ambitious?"
Li Changyuan smiled bitterly and said: "The so-called truth is sometimes not important both inside and outside the court. The saint wants the world to be stable and to cause less trouble. All the princes in the court also have their own thoughts and are united in fighting against differences. Both truth and rumors can become sharp weapons in their hands.
Hurting others invisibly, while protecting yourself. When His Highness reaches a great position one day, you will realize how difficult it is to be an emperor."
Prince Li Shi was silent for a long time, and then he seemed to have figured it out, but he was still worried and said: "Master, after I left, the layout you have spent in Luoyang City these days can really achieve great success as originally expected."
Is it better?"
Li Changyuan raised his eyes slightly, cupped his hands and said seriously: "Your Highness, there is a way for everything to work. Although we in the Taoist sect cannot control everything, we can take advantage of the convenience and follow the trend. No matter how the parties are doing, we can't control everything.
When we compete at the 'Shendu Martial Arts Tournament', Pindao will definitely bring the 'Water Sword' back to Chang'an and deliver it to His Highness."
Seeing that he was confident, Prince Li Shi finally felt relieved and said, "I will ask Master Changyuan to take more care of the follow-up matters in Luoyang! I will prepare fragrant tea and delicious food in Zhanshi Mansion, Chang'an, and wait for Master Changyuan's triumphant return!"
Li Changyuan bowed solemnly, then left the hall and went straight to the south.
The shade of locust trees is like a canopy, and the willows are like smoke.
However, Yang Chaoxi and Xiaoman were walking towards Daodefang. All along the way they could hear the chirping of orioles and the chirping of flying swallows. Even the neighing of horses and people along the road was particularly pleasant.
Xiaoman seemed to be even more shy than last night. He wanted to shake Yang Zhaoxi's hand several times, but he grabbed it back to his side. He had no choice but to obey, following each other like a shadow. There was an indescribable sweetness between his brows and his heart.
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After walking for an unknown amount of time, the two of them entered the Daodefang. As far as they could see, they were surrounded by firewood households. The common people running back and forth were all in ragged brown clothes, covered with patches, and most of their faces looked dull and sad.
color.
There are even naked people leaning under the tree holding a broken porcelain bowl, sipping the chaotic gruel like swallowing jelly. The open chest is skinny and the ribs are clearly defined;
There is only a layer of yellow-brown old skin covering it, shaped like a skull.
Not only did Yang Zhaoxi feel pity in his heart, but even Xiaoman was startled, his eyebrows furrowed with compassion and worry. Neither of them had known before that such a group of people were still alive in this prosperous and prosperous city of God.
A destitute person who is not like a human being or a ghost like a ghost!
Thinking about it this way, even if Wang Sou and Li Yu didn't receive help, their lives were pretty good. At least they didn't want the refugees in front of them to have no food to eat and no fixed place to live. Even the Beggar Gang didn't take them in. I didn't want them.
I don’t know when I fell asleep and never got up again.
With heavy hearts, the two of them walked along the winding roads and twists and turns, and finally came across Wang Sou's house and courtyard that had been renovated long ago.
Yang Zhaoxi went up and knocked on the door, but after waiting for a long time, no one answered.
"Isn't it possible that he died of illness in his room? If so, why are there no brothers from the Beggar Gang to take care of the funeral arrangements? There are no white flags in front of the door and no canopy in the courtyard. Is there any change?"
Yang Chaoxi was thinking this. Xiaoman had already taken off a silver hairpin and unlocked the courtyard door.
With heavy hearts, the two of them walked along the winding roads and twists and turns, and finally came across Wang Sou's house and courtyard that had been renovated long ago.
Yang Zhaoxi went up and knocked on the door, but after waiting for a long time, no one answered.
"Isn't it possible that he died of illness in his room? If so, why are there no brothers from the Beggar Gang to take care of the funeral arrangements? There are no white flags in front of the door and no canopy in the courtyard. Is there any change?"
Yang Chaoxi was thinking this. Xiaoman had already taken off a silver hairpin and unlocked the courtyard door.