If I hadn't been practicing martial arts for more than a year, I don't think I would have been able to complete this long-distance climb.
"Brother, wake up,"
I said in a daze: "Well, Ling'er, why didn't you call me?"
Fang Ling said with a smile: "I called you in the morning, but you slept so hard that you didn't wake up even after calling three times. My husband told you to sleep a little longer, but you didn't know that you would sleep until the evening."
"Hey," I smiled, "Maybe I'm too tired."
"Well, that's what sir said, brother, let's eat, everyone is waiting for you,"
"Okay, get up and eat,"
Duan Donglou and Yao Chaohui had left Wuhe Village at noon. One went west to Dali Tianlong Temple, and the other went south to Guangnan West Road. The others basically returned to normal after a good night's rest.
In the early morning of the next day, we said goodbye to the great wizard Hong Yuan, Hong Sheng and others, followed the original route through Miao District, and rode eastward.
Hong Yuan watched us leave and said: "Hong Sheng, you immediately notify the leader Baza and the other three wizards to come to discuss matters. In addition, strengthen the defense of the village, expand our guard team, organize the young people in the village, and prepare to expand the village. , I will set off to see the great wizard Jiang Yang the day after tomorrow. I have an important matter to discuss with him. Maybe, maybe the good days of us Miao people are coming. Three hundred years later, the saint finally appeared, and he is... ,,,”
Hong Sheng asked: "Dad, what else?"
Hong Yuan smiled: "Hong Sheng, this saint is a great nobleman of our Miao family. The guardian is really impressive. The saint he chose is actually the current..."
"Dad, what's wrong with you today? You always half-speak when you speak."
"Haha, Hong Sheng, there is still half of it. You will naturally know it in the future,"
Generally speaking, the same journey will always feel faster when returning than when going there. Of course, the distance between the two points will not change, maybe it is just because people's moods are different.
A few days later, we entered the boundary of Jinghu South Road (Hunan) and headed northeast along the official road. We reached Zhenxi Village, the gateway to Tianjing Miao Village in western Hunan. After arriving here, the road was much better, even though it was still a mountainous area. , but can already gallop on a horse.
When we came to the fork in the road where Tian Xiuyan proposed to go through the Miao District, Yuan Ji, who was obviously relaxed, smiled and said: "Sir, we are back here again,"
"Yes, I remember that we can reach Zhenxi Village in two days' walk,"
"Sir, that's right. This road goes straight up to Zhenxi Village," Tian Xiuyan invited, "come and have a rest there in two days."
"Okay, I just have something to do with Tian Jingtou. By the way, Xiu Yan, what do you want to do after you follow us to Lin'an?"
"Young Master, follow your instructions when it comes to repairing your face."
Fang Ling said: "Brother, there is plenty of time on the road. Let's hurry up."
"Ling'er wants to eat fish in sour soup again,"
"Well, brother still understands me,"
"Okay, let's go," I patted Feiyan gently and said, "Come on,"
At noon two days later, we arrived at Zhenxi Village. As soon as we entered Zhenxi Village, we saw Tian Jing greeting us in front of the village. Ten days after we left, Tian Jing asked Tian Fang and Tian Hong to take turns waiting outside the village every day. , Tian Fang, who was waiting at the entrance of the village, saw our cavalry coming from a distance, and immediately asked someone to notify Tian Jing.
"Tian Jing has met the young master,"
"You don't need to be polite, old gentleman,"
"Yes, sir," Tian Jing took us directly to Jieyi Building.
Fang Ling sat down and said, "Mr. Tian, let's serve us pickled fish. I haven't had a good meal along the way. This time I can finally have a big meal."
"No problem, Miss Fang, later, Tian Fang, hurry up and make arrangements,"
Ever since I left Wuhe Miao Village, I have been traveling all the way. Three meals a day are very simple. How can I have the opportunity to eat a big meal? What’s more, the Miao Family Fish in Sour Soup is so appetizing. Just hearing the name has already whetted everyone’s appetite. Hanged up.
After having had enough wine and food, I privately ordered Tian Jing to ask the two thousand warriors in the Miao Village in western Hunan to stop going to the Guangnan Military Region after preparations were completed. Instead, they turned to the Wuhe Village on the east bank of the Huangni River to garrison and form the Wuhe Army. The Miao independent military region is under the unified command of the great wizard Hong Yuan. Naturally, Tian Jing has heard of Hong Yuan. He is the great wizard of the Miao nationality who is as famous as Jiang Yang. Tian Jing has no objection to this. I will give you the relevant details. Hetian Jing also communicated one by one and finally determined that the Wuhe Miao Army would be stationed at the foot of Beidan Mountain north of Wuhe Village in the form of a garrison.
After resting for one night in Zhenxi Village, our group set off eastward in the early morning. The day after leaving Xiangxi, I received a coded letter from Wen Tianxiang and Lu Xiufu through Longya, knowing that in the past month or so, Everything in the court was normal, so I felt at ease.
Along the official road, across Hunan, is the boundary of Jiangxi Province. Forty-nine days after leaving Lin'an, we came to Xinzhou Prefecture (today's Shangrao, Jiangxi Province) at the junction of Jiangxi Province and Liangzhexi Road. Xinzhou is located in the northeast of Jiangxi Province It borders Quzhou City of Zhejiang Province to the east, Chizhou City of Anhui Province to the north, and borders Nanping City of Fujian Province across the Wuyi Mountains to the south. It has a superior geographical location of "toothing Fujian, controlling Anhui, bordering Huaihe, and facing Zhejiang". It has enjoyed the reputation of "Henan and Fujian" since ancient times. It has the reputation of "the first gateway of China" and "the thoroughfare of four provinces".
Xinzhou Prefecture is also called Shangrao because of its "rich mountains and rare mountains". It was first built in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Since ancient times, Xinzhou has been one of the fertile areas in the south of the Yangtze River. It has four distinct seasons and is surrounded by mountains and rivers. It has been known as "the most beautiful in China" in later generations. 's countryside".
Yuan Ji said: "Sir, twenty miles eastward is Xinzhou Prefecture in Jiangxi Province. Then go eastward through Xinzhou and you will reach Liangzhe West Road."
"Okay, it's getting late. Let's go to Xinzhou City to rest tonight."
"Yes, sir,"
I thought for a while and then said: "Sir, when we get here, we are not far from Lin'an. You arrange for Yun Zhongfei and Zhang Zijian to lead two hundred guards back first. You only need the people of Longya to guard them all around."
Yuan Ji nodded and said: "This is feasible,"
Fang Ling followed closely behind Wen Zhang and Shen Mo, and said as he walked: "Brother, come into the city quickly,"
Five miles away from Xinzhou Prefecture, there is a village called Miaowan. Miaowan is originally a small village, but because Miaowan Village is the only way to enter Xinzhou Prefecture, it is accessible from Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi and Jiangxi. Passengers and caravans from Lin'an have to pass through this place. If the time is wrong and the gate of Xinzhou City is closed, they will have to rest here. Moreover, the consumption here is much cheaper than in the city. Therefore, Miaowan Village has been popular since Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty. After crossing to the south and establishing the Southern Song Dynasty, it has been very lively with people coming and going.
Today's Miaowan Village is more lively than in the past, not because of the sudden increase in the number of people passing by, nor because of any activities in the village, but because dozens of government officials from Xinzhou City and the people of the village have been facing off for an entire afternoon.
"Hey, what's going on," said Fang Ling in front.
Yuan Ji said: "Wen Zhang, go and have a look."
We also walked to the side, reined in the reins, and watched and listened. Perhaps it was because I had seen too many such things in the media in later generations. After a while, I was able to guess the general situation.
Since last year, the imperial court has issued a series of policies to encourage economic development, and Xinzhou's economy has also shown an upward trend. Xinzhou's agriculture is very developed, and it is one of the origins of rice in the world. The rice produced in Xinzhou was very popular during the Song Dynasty. It is so famous that even a lot of the tribute rice in the palace comes from here.
Taking advantage of this advantage, the Xinzhou government planned to build a rice distribution center to attract grain merchants from all over the country. After discussion, the government planned to set the address in Miaowan Village outside the city, and establish it from the largest grain merchant in Xinzhou, Tongqu. The commercial bank took the lead in planning the establishment.
This was originally a good thing, but Li Zheng of Miaowan Village agreed to the relocation conditions proposed by the developer without consulting the villagers. Today happened to be the first day of the developer's construction work, but he was blocked by the villagers. He had no choice but to Next, the big shopkeeper of Tongqu Commercial Bank had no choice but to call the yamen servants, intending to force the villagers to move out in the name of the government. Unexpectedly, the villagers of Miaowan Village also refused to give in when facing the yamen servants. They actually held farm tools and other items and forcibly stopped them and insisted. They were not allowed to carry out construction, and from late afternoon to the end of the application time (5 pm), there was still no solution.
The villagers, represented by Mr. Wang from the private school, repeatedly negotiated with the thoroughfare merchants and the government officials. Mr. Wang was a failed scholar and knew a little bit about the laws of the Song Dynasty. After several arguments, he made the government officials speechless. Word.
To put it simply, this is a dispute caused by demolition, not much different from the Lin'an Dongkangfang incident.
Mr. Wang used his bare hands to argue in accordance with the law: "The land in our Miaowan Village is not entirely owned by the villagers. According to the laws of our court, the government should protect the private property of the people and cannot forcibly enter people's residences for any reason. If they encounter For new construction or renovation, the consent of the homeowner must be obtained before proceeding."
The big shopkeeper of Tongqu Trading Company seemed to have reached the limit of his patience and said angrily: "I have a public notice and approval document from the Xinzhou government. If you try to stop me again, don't blame our firm for being rude."
"Big shopkeeper, fellow government officials, Xinzhou Prefecture is also one of the government offices of our dynasty, and any approval cannot violate the laws of our dynasty. This is mentioned in the law, and Li Zheng of this village has disappeared a few days ago, even if His painting is real, but it can only represent him, and cannot represent all the villagers of Miaowan Village. If you want to force it, then I, the villagers of Miaowan Village, would rather die to defend our homeland," Mr. Wang turned around and said loudly , "Fellow folks, yes or no,"
"Better die than surrender, rather die than surrender,"
The villagers were clearly outnumbered, and this outcry further angered the thoroughfare trading company.
Seeing that the shopkeeper was obviously losing his temper, the head of the yamen team said: "Shopkeeper He, please don't act recklessly. We have been given repeated orders recently to act in accordance with the law. In my opinion, we should go back first and discuss with the adults before making a decision. Mr. Wang, you also advise the villagers not to act recklessly, otherwise you will also be punished by the law."
"Hmph, you usually eat and drink from me, but why is it like this at the critical moment?"
The head of the Yamen team cursed secretly, suppressing his dissatisfaction and said: "Shopkeeper He, you are in the limelight right now. If this matter is not handled well and the province finds out, let alone you and me, even your lord's black gauze hat will not be protected." ah,"
"Damn it," Shopkeeper He Da cursed angrily, turned around and left with the people from the business.
After the yamen servant left, I stepped forward and said, "May I ask why Mr. Wang got up?"
Seeing that I seemed to be a scholar, Mr. Wang said, "Sir, it's a long story. If you don't mind the simplicity of this village, why don't you go to the village and have three drinks?"