Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province in later generations. It borders Dian Lake to the south and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It has a long history and is known as the Spring City. During the Dali Kingdom, Kunming was called Shanchan City. It was one of the eight prefectures of the Dali Kingdom. Its size is second only to the capital. Dali City is known as the Eastern Capital of Dali and is also the political and economic center of eastern Yunnan.
The Tianlong Temple where Relic Kong became a monk is located in the southeast of Shanchan Prefecture. It is one of the oldest temples in the city. Tianlong Temple is not big. Compared with famous temples in the Central Plains such as Baima Temple, Daxiangguo Temple, Shaolin Temple, etc., it is at least smaller. Two thirds.
According to the plan, I left the accompanying sixty people and the ten overly ostentatious royal horses in a Yi village called Cannes in the west of the Stone Forest. Cannes is a small village with only nearly a hundred households. The leaders Xiaodan and Hong The relationship with the Great Wizard Yuan is very close. It is a promise.
Putting on the horses of the Wuhe Village Miao people, I, Yuan Ji, Fang Ling and other twenty people arrived at Changting, three miles away from Shanchan City. Tian Xiuyan and Hong Sheng, who were leading the way, both came to my side. Zhu Reinsheng said: "Young Master, straight ahead is Shanchan Mansion. About a mile to the left is Changshui Village. Changshui Village is the last place to stay when entering Shanchan. It is also the place where you meet people."
"Well. Let's go to Changshui Village first."
Although Changshui Village is not big, it is very lively. The daily flow of people far exceeds the number of local villagers. Most of the villagers are Yi. In a large wine shop in the north of the village, I met Yao Zhaohui and Ye Dongsheng, who had arrived earlier.
"I've met the young master."
"Well, there's no need to be polite outside."
Yuan Ji said: "Chaohui. I got a few vouchers for entering the city."
"Sir, my subordinate is incompetent. I only got four."
I looked at the four vouchers and said, "That's all. Without further ado, my husband, Xiu Yan, and Yao Chaohui will enter the city. The rest of us will wait where we are."
Fang Ling saw that I didn't take her with me and said anxiously: "Brother, I want to go too."
"Ling'er, these vouchers are for men's identities. Just wait here to avoid any complications. I estimate that I can return before the city gate is closed in the evening at most."
Although he was not happy, Fang Ling did not insist. He just whispered: "Brother, be careful."
"Don't worry, Ling'er. No one here knows me. I'll be fine."
I said it calmly, but actually I was feeling uneasy in my heart. When I left Lin'an, I thought there wouldn't be too many risks on this trip. But the closer I got to the destination, the more nervous I became. The same happened to the other dozen people. Although My face is still calm. Although everyone is highly skilled in martial arts, deep down like me, they are always in a state of tension. Especially Shen Mo and other people who know my identity. I know that they are not nervous about themselves, but about me. This emperor.
This emotion had already been expressed after we crossed the Huangni River. When we left, Tian Xiuyan said to me: "Young master, eldest brother Hong Sheng is quite familiar with Shanchan Mansion. He talked about it for a while. Find a way to sneak into the city by yourself."
When leaving Wuhe Village, Great Wizard Hongyuan once said to his only son Hong Sheng that he would protect the young master to the death. Otherwise, he would not go back.
I thought about it and said, "Okay. Safety first. Shen Mo. You are in charge here. Be careful."
"Yes, young master."
Wearing masks, Yuan Ji and others left Changshui Village on foot and headed straight for Shanchan City.
In the third year of Emperor Xianzong of Mongolia (1253), Kublai Khan went to Yunnan. The Mongolian army captured the capital of Dali effortlessly and occupied the entire territory of Dali in 1254. After Kublai Khan entered the city, he ordered Yao Shu to split silk into a flag. The killings were stopped, and orders were given to all streets. As a result, the army and the people were stabilized. Duan Xingzhi, the last ruler of Dali, fled to Shanchan. He was captured alive and sent to the northern Mongolian court. Then he surrendered. The Mongolian Khan Mengge at the time took Kublai Khan's advice. He used barbarians to control barbarians, implemented a soft policy, granted gold talismans, and ordered Duan Xingzhi to return to the country. He also appointed him as the hereditary general manager of Dali and continued to lead the original ministries. Many former Dali officials were also granted titles and became chieftains of various places in Yunnan. In 1260, Duan Xingzhi once again He went north for pilgrimage and died on the way. Mongolia sent envoys to offer sacrifices. He was given the posthumous title of "Xiangyi Tianding Xianwang". The following year, Kublai Khan ordered Duan Xingzhi's second brother Duan Shi to succeed him as the general manager of Dali. Duan Shi also treated Mongolia like his brother. Special loyalty. He was deeply appreciated by Kublai Khan. He "showed him the utmost kindness" and "showed the kindness of equal treatment".
Among the three Duan Xingzhi brothers, only the third, Duan Heng, insisted on refusing to surrender. He disappeared when Dali City was destroyed. According to the data analysis in Xianwen Pavilion, except for Song Lizong and Duan Heng's personal bodyguard Duan Donglou .No one knows anymore that the master in charge of Tianlong Temple, the great monk Jianxing, was the third prince Duan back then.
When entering the city, the soldiers guarding the city gate just casually looked at our identity documents and let us pass. Ancient identity documents did not have photos, so they were often unrecognizable.
Yao Chaohui, who has conducted a detailed investigation of Shanchan City, said: "My lord, most of the soldiers guarding Shanchan City are soldiers from the original Dali Kingdom. There are about 10,000 soldiers. The only soldiers from Mongolia in the city are Qian Fu Chang Ge Yue and his subordinates. A thousand mixed Mongolian and Han soldiers. A few months ago, after the Mongolian army defeated the Sariwei rebellion, most of them returned to Dali City and the central Sichuan area on the border with our country."
"Well, Chaohui. Have you heard about the whereabouts of Shariwei?"
"Master, I don't know."
Tian Xiuyan said as he walked: "Compared to three years ago, Shanchan City is much more depressed."
"Wars are always like this. Only by unifying the world can we have the conditions for the people to live a good life, and can all places be on the road to prosperity."
Kunming during this period could not be compared with Hangzhou at that time. Judging from the layout and scale of the city, even without the Mongolian invasion ten years ago and the Sariwei rebellion last year, Shanchan Mansion was only a small and medium-sized one in the Song Dynasty. City.
Yao Chaohui was familiar with the road. Even though he had only been here once, he acted like a local. He led us through small paths and shortcuts. Soon we arrived at Tianlong Temple in the southeast.
Da Yin was hiding in the city. The Mongols and Duan Shi must not have thought that Duan Heng was right under their noses.
When the Zhike monk from Tianlong Temple saw Yao Chaohui coming, he quickly clasped his hands and said, "The donor has come to see the master in charge of our temple again."
"Exactly. Please tell me, Master."
Zhike Monk was called Master by Yao Chaohui. It seemed to be quite useful. He hurriedly welcomed the four of us into the temple.
After a while, the monk Zhike came out and said: "Almsgiver Yao, please."
Turn left from the corridor next to the main hall of Tianlong Temple. We saw Master Jianxing in a monk's house at the back, which is also the name of the relic. It's just that no one in the temple knew the name of the relic.
Seeing Yao Chaohui coming again, the relic sitting in front of a Buddha statue showed no expression. He still closed his eyes slightly and said: "Donor Yao, we have nothing to talk about. Please go back."
"Master, I'm not looking for you this time. It's my young master who is looking for you."
"Your young master." Shelikong then raised his head.
"I'm looking for you." I whispered to Yuan Ji and others. "You guys, please step aside. I will have a private conversation with the master."
"Yes, young master."
"The relic is empty. Oh, no. I should call you Duan Heng."
"Who are you?" Shelikong suddenly revealed his eyes and shouted in a low voice.
The last time Yao Chaohui came to Tianlong Temple, he only said that he was entrusted by someone to come to see Master Relic Kong. He did not mention the real name of Relic Kong.
I smiled and sat down on a futon opposite Duan Heng. I handed Duan Heng a letter and said: "Duan Heng. I am Zhao Fu, the current emperor of the Song Dynasty."
"Ah." Duan Heng was shocked. He stared at me carefully. He took the letter involuntarily and was stunned on the spot.
"Duan Heng. You asked Duan Donglou to bring this letter to the late Emperor Lizong back then. That's right."
"That's right."
"The late Emperor was unable to keep his promise for some reason. He passed away the year before last. Today I am here in person."
Duan Heng confirmed my identity when he saw this letter: "It's been more than ten years. I didn't expect the Emperor of the Song Dynasty to come in person. This poor monk is so polite."
I said bluntly: "Duan Heng. I will not talk to monks like Relic Kong and Jian Xing. When I come here this time, I will only talk to Duan Heng, the third prince of Dali Kingdom. Do you understand?"
Duan Heng's heart was ups and downs. His already numb heart seemed to be reviving with my arrival. He hadn't heard the name "Duan Heng" for more than ten years. In addition, he felt the danger of my presence. Later he said: "Duan Heng of Dali met His Majesty the Emperor of the Song Dynasty."
"Okay, Duan Heng. It's not easy for me to come here. Not to mention the thousands of miles from Lin'an. Just the fact that this is the territory of the Mongols is enough to show my sincerity."
"That's right. Duan believes in the Emperor's sincerity."
"Well. Then I will briefly and comprehensively explain the purpose of coming here in person. Duan Heng. The current situation is very simple and clear. There must be a life and death battle between Song and Mongolia. Although Dali has been ruled by Mongolia for ten years However, it is not impenetrable. Otherwise, Duan Donglou would not be able to mobilize more than 100,000 people to rise up in a few years. After I ascend the throne, I will work hard to govern and vow to regain the mountains and rivers of the past. Your land in Dali is also one that I want to regain. I can promise you to send troops to Dali to drive out the Mongols. If Duan Heng you are willing to cooperate, then after that, I will agree to separate Dali City as an autonomous prefecture for your Bai people. But I want to take back the entire Dali. of."
"Autonomous prefecture. What does it mean?"
"The so-called autonomous prefecture is the place where your Bai people are autonomous. You will be the leader. The court will not send other officials. The autonomous prefecture can enjoy a high degree of self-management rights. It is a relatively independent state capital under the unification of our dynasty."
Duan Heng was unwilling to accept that only Dali City was autonomous. He said: "Your Majesty, it depends on your wishes. Even if Mongolia is defeated in the future, our country, Dali, will no longer exist."
"Dali Kingdom. Duan Heng. Do you think this country still exists now? Duan Donglou. That is to say, the Sariwei uprising was your last attempt, Duan Heng. After the failure, do you think there is still a chance? Not to mention the Mongols. Even the strength of your second brother Duan Shi is not something you can compete with."
"this......"
"Duan Heng, what I said is right. After I defeated the Mongols, in the land of our Chinese people, including your Bai people, there was only one emperor, only one court, and only one political power. The autonomous prefecture I was talking about was Under the leadership of this sole political power, the state capital has full autonomy. We can discuss the details of its power distribution in the future. Duan Heng, just think about it."
The light in the room was extremely dim. Only the two candles in front of the Buddha statue shone faintly. Duan Heng's face turned green and red for a while. When illuminated by the candlelight, it actually looked a bit ferocious and weird.
I continued: "Duan Heng, you make your own choice as to how you want to go in the future. If you agree, then I will give you a high-five; if you don't agree, it doesn't matter. Just pretend that I have never been here. Regardless of whether I am here or not." Regardless of who wins or loses in Mongolia, I will keep your identity a secret. You can safely be your master in charge of Tianlong Temple. Okay, I won’t say more. I’ll give you a quarter of an hour to think about it.”