On May 12, the 24th year of Wuwei, the princess's brother Cui Yang, the Minister of Household Affairs, died in Hepingfang. The incident happened——
"Yong Shi·Biography of King Ru"
Before I entered the hall, I heard a voice like thunder saying happily: "Sima, you don't know, I am lucky this time. That altar has been burning knives for sixty years. You can't think of it."
There would be such good wine in that country shop, so I didn't even want to drink it, so I brought it back specially. What about, if you invite me to have a nice meal, I'll treat you to a drink.'
Then a calm voice came and said: 'Old Jing, don't yell so much. His Highness will be here soon, and I'm afraid you will be blamed for not obeying the rules again.'
The thunderous voice said impatiently: 'I know, Your Highness will not blame me. This time I have brought something good.'
Then I heard Sima Xiong asked with a smile: 'What good thing can you have, isn't it that jar of good wine?'
The voice said proudly: 'You kid will never guess that His Highness will like it if I bring something like this.'
Li Zhi smiled slightly, coughed slightly, and walked into the hall. I followed him in. As soon as I entered the hall, I saw two men in military uniforms standing on one side, standing solemnly. Li Zhi walked up to the main seat and
These two men came forward to bow down and bow down. Just by looking at the respect and respect shown on their bodies, one could tell that these two men were Li Zhi's trusted generals.
I looked at the two of them carefully. One of them had long eyebrows, a white face and no beard. He was handsome but delicate, and his body was nearly eight feet tall, but he had the arms and waist of a wasp. He did not look huge at all. The other one was also eight feet tall and leopard
He has a ring of eyes, a rough appearance, and a tall figure, but he is as tall as a hill. After the two of them bowed respectfully and said hello, Li Zhi pointed at me and said: "This Jiang Sima is my king's right-hand man. You have met him before. I will treat you later."
He is like the king and must not be rude.'
The two men turned around and came over to salute me. I bowed and returned the salute, smiling and saying: 'Your Highness is serious. Zhe and the two generals are His Highness's subordinates, so I don't dare to treat them as a big gift.'
After the ceremony, I walked to the seat at the head of King Yong and sat down. The two of them stood with their hands solemnly waiting for King Yong to speak.
Li Zhi smiled and said: 'Everyone, please sit down. This is not a military camp, so there is no need to be so polite. Grandson, are you safe on your journey?'
The general with long eyebrows and phoenix eyes stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the journey was smooth, but there were too many carriages and horses, so it was unavoidable to walk slowly. This is the gift list sent by the envoy from Nanchu." He handed over a gift list.
Li Zhi flipped through this book and handed it to me casually, saying, "I don't have any research on these calligraphy and paintings, so you can take a look."
I flipped through it casually and said calmly: "There are not many truly top-notch ones, but they are pretty good. These books are not what I pay attention to, but those books. Although Nanchu will definitely leave some important classics, I don't think they should."
There will be too many missing, and there is a high probability that there will be something missing. Please ask Your Highness to send the catalog to Hanyuan another day. I will check carefully to see if there are any precious books missing.'
Li Zhi nodded and said: "I have written to my father to sort out these books. My father has issued an order to the Hanlin Academy to let them handle the matter. Grand Tutor Chu Ping is a serious and knowledgeable person, so he will definitely handle these books."
This is a major event for future generations, and he will not slack off.'
I smiled and said: 'I also trust Taifu Chu, but I only glanced at some books that day, so I asked Your Highness to allow me to borrow a few volumes.'
Li Zhi smiled slightly and said: 'You can make the decision yourself. Jing Chi, I heard you yelling outside just now. Did you bring something to me? What is it?'
Jing Chi quickly stood up and said: 'Your Highness, I will bring something like this, Your Highness will definitely like it.' After saying that, he took out an album from his arms and handed it over.
Li Zhi opened it and took a look. He was suddenly shocked. He kept turning page after page. It was not until he finished reading that he exclaimed: "What a complete geographical map of mountains and rivers. Jing Chi, where did you get it? Who drew it?"
.'
I was curious, so I stretched out my hand, and Li Zhi handed me the brochure. I opened it and saw that it was full of exquisitely drawn maps. The drawings of obstacles, mountains, rivers and flows were very detailed. I had seen them before.
I have seen military maps of Nanchu, but it is rare to see such detailed maps.
At this time, Jing Chi said proudly: "The general was ordered to guard against the Chu army in Jingxiang. He had to patrol all checkpoints. A few days ago, he captured a young scholar and found these albums from him. I originally wanted to see this man."
He was killed as a spy, but after the Xuan Can Army asked about it, they said that this man was not a spy, but Xu Jun, a descendant of Xu Heng, and a rare talent, so they forcibly kept him in the army. This man is really brave.
, finally found a way out, but actually refused to take up an official position and insisted on leaving. Later, I became angry and said that if he made trouble again, I would kill him as a spy. Only then did he become honest. I originally wanted to bring him here this time.
, but Xuan Canjun asked me to ask His Highness for instructions first. This is a letter from Xuan Canjun.' He handed over another letter.
After Li Zhi opened the letter and read it, he glanced at me and said, 'What do Sui Yun think?'
I smiled and said: 'This man is indeed a talented person, but there are wars going on now. If he stays among the people, he will be in trouble. Your Highness might as well send him to Mr. Ziyou. Anyway, I see there is no map of Youzhou here, so let him concentrate on surveying and mapping.
Not bad.'
Li Zhi smiled and said: "Okay, I will write a letter to Chang Qing later, announcing that he will join the army. His name is Xuan Song. Although he is taciturn, he is proficient in military affairs and is a man who values wealth and justice. Do you remember that the former Shu Kingdom gave birth to Yang Yang?"
Can you?'
I thought for a while and said: 'I know this person. He once came to His Highness's camp as an envoy from the Kingdom of Shu.'
Li Zhi didn't ask me how I knew, but just said: "This man is a tough guy. After the fall of Shu, he actually threw himself into the water and left a suicide note saying that eight hundred warriors died in Tian Heng. How could there be no martyrs in Shu?"
After his death, his wife and children almost died of cold and starvation. Later, he wrote a letter to Xuan Song in accordance with his last wishes. Xuan Song had had a few conversations with Yang Can and said that he was willing to do his best for him. Finally, Chang Qing
He actually sent someone to give all his savings to the Yang family. After hearing this, the king respected him very much. Not long after he joined the king, the king saw that he kept his promise and kept his word, so he made him a soldier.
Jing Chi was reckless, so he sent Xuan Song to join the army. It seems that Xuan Song is indeed worthy of reuse. Unfortunately, he has to rely on him to manage military affairs, so he cannot be transferred to Chang'an.'
I smiled and said: "Military affairs are important, and General Jing is now in Chang'an to protect His Highness. If there is no trustworthy person to entrust military affairs to His Highness, His Highness cannot rest assured. But this Xu Jun, since he is the son of Xu Heng, should be good at it."
Your Highness should make good use of people who are geographical experts.'
At this time, Jing Chi asked in surprise: "Um, who is this Xu Heng? Why did he declare to join the army and talk about it as if the general should recognize him?"
I smiled slightly, knowing that this general was just what he looked like, a rough man, and said calmly: "This man was a famous geographer in the previous dynasty. He liked to travel all over the world and wrote many travel notes. Scholars like to read his travel notes and never go out."
Then you can know the customs and customs of the world. Even the generals should take a look. If you know more, it will be beneficial even for marching and fighting.'
Jing Chi immediately showed a troubled look and said: "Although I know a few words, I can't read those complicated books, and there are so many things to do, how can I have time to read?"
Li Zhi suddenly looked solemn and said: "Jing Chi, you just don't seek progress. Although you are brave in battle, you can only be a general. If you want to be independent in the future, you have to study more. Now that you have come to Chang'an, I will temporarily
I won't use you for anything, just be obedient and read more books. This is a military order.'
Jing Chi, who wanted to complain, immediately stopped, with a look of remorse on his face. I couldn't help but smile and said: "Your Highness, I'm afraid I have to work hard for the two generals these days, so why not just leave this matter to me, I promise."
Please satisfy His Highness.'
Li Zhi said: 'This is a good thing, Jing Chi, why don't you come forward and pay homage to me.'
Seeing the majestic look on King Yong's face, Jing Chi had to step forward to greet him, but his expression was full of distress. King Yong and I looked at each other and smiled. This Jing Chi has a rebellious temper and is difficult to control. If I give him orders, he will definitely not do it.
He will be obedient, and now I can use this method to order him in a legitimate manner. If he is disobedient, I only need to punish him to copy a few more pages, and I can make him obey orders.
I glanced at Changsun Ji. His expression was indifferent, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. It seemed that he was very smart and must be a good helper. My plan should be implemented smoothly. I showed a trace of joy from the bottom of my heart.
On May 12th, outside the Mingde Gate of Chang'an, it was getting late and the city gate was about to close. A middle-aged man dressed as a businessman walked in. Although it was early summer, this man was wearing a bamboo hat and his face was bright.
He could not see clearly under the shadow of the bamboo hat. The guard guarding the gate glanced at the man suspiciously, but did not stop him. It was not an emergency and there was no need to conduct a strict investigation. The man seemed to be familiar with the streets of Chang'an, turning here and there.
, it took about half an hour to walk to Hepingfang in the southwest corner of Chang'an. The lowest-class poor people live here. Unlike other poverty-stricken areas, here at night, except for idle hooligans, almost everyone
There are no people in sight. Both sides of the alley are the residences of the poor. From time to time, laughter and noise can be heard from the cracks in some doors. These are small underground casinos where people gather for gambling and the residences of some prostitutes. Here, shrouded in darkness
There is also a kind of abnormal prosperity down there.
The man walked through the dark alley, and the dim lights on both sides dragged his figure for a long time. The long-abandoned courtyard in front of him was his destination. He gently opened the courtyard door and walked in.
The room was brightly lit, and as soon as the man walked up the steps, two people appeared from the dark corner next to the house. One of them looked at the man's appearance after taking off his bamboo hat through the lantern in front, and then quietly withdrew.
Entering the room, the man immediately saw Cui Yang sitting under the dim light. He stepped forward and saluted: 'Master Cui, how about you not coming here?'
Cui Yang returned the courtesy and said: "You are still called An Tai. Leader Huo is now famous all over the world. It is really gratifying and congratulatory."
The man smiled arrogantly and said lightly: "This is the last transaction between you and me. I hope we start well and end well. This is the place to pick up the goods." As he said that, he took out a wax pill. Cui Yang smiled slightly, handed over a box and said:
'In it is your balance. After today, you and I have nothing to do with each other, but His Highness said that if Leader Huo is willing, we can keep in touch.'
Huo Jicheng opened the wooden box, saw the gold beads inside, and said with a smile: "His Royal Highness is wise, these gold beads are safer, otherwise if you stop paying the banknote, wouldn't my hard work be in vain? Mr. Cui, every other time
I will send someone to see you in half a month. If anything happens, please tell the messenger." After saying that, Huo Jicheng turned around and went out. Cui Yang smiled coldly and said to himself: "His Royal Highness has started to eradicate the Jinxiu Alliance. I hope you can survive.
Let's talk about it tonight.'
Not long after, a man in black came in and reported: 'Sir, just when we were about to take action, we found someone approaching Huo Jicheng, so we had to stop temporarily.'
Cui Yang frowned and said, 'Who is he? Can you see clearly?'
The man in black said: 'I don't know who they are, they are all dressed as poor people, but before Huo Jicheng came out, they occupied some important terrain. You know, we have to wait until Huo Jicheng comes in before we can lay out the layout. Unexpectedly, he brought people here.
, he obviously came into the city alone.'
Cui Yang sighed and said: 'That's all, let's go back first and report it to Prince Ming to deal with it separately. Anyway, since we didn't take action, we still have a chance to lure him into an ambush.'
At this moment, a short scream suddenly came from outside. The man in black looked stern and whispered: "There is a sneak attack, please be careful." After saying that, he was about to go out. At this time, the door opened silently.
A masked man in black clothes walked in. The man was not tall and his eyes were as ice-like as snow.
The man in black stopped Cui Yang and said coldly: 'Who are you? How dare you attack us? Do you know our identities?'
The man glanced at him and flashed. The man in black immediately counterattacked. The two of them fought a few moves in this small space. The man in black felt his hands were tied up, but the man was able to move freely. With just a few moves, the man struck out.
The palm of his hand slapped the man in black on the chest, and the man in black screamed: "Great Soul Searching Hand." Before the voice dissipated, his figure had already fallen. In fact, the man in black's martial arts was not very bad, it was just this
The narrow room made it difficult for him to perform, and if the opponent he faced attacked in such a narrow space, I am afraid that even the three great masters would not be able to match him. The man quietly walked up to the man in black and gently tore off his
The black scarf on his face showed his appearance clearly, and then he glanced at Cui Yang. Cui Yang screamed and shrank to the corner, and said tremblingly: "Strong man, spare my life, I will give you a big thank you."
, The lower official is the younger brother of the prince, if there is a need for a strong man...' Before he finished speaking, the man had already walked away. Cui Yang was congratulating himself on escaping from death, but he only felt a sharp pain in his heart, and darkness enveloped him.
What's going on? Cui Yang thought hazily.
The man walked outside the door. Dozens of men dressed as poor people stood silently. Lying on the ground were twenty or thirty masked men in black clothes. The man did not make a sound. He just waved his hand and his figure disappeared into the night.
Huo Jicheng walked on the road full of joy. He was thinking about whether to spend the night at the famous flower house in Chang'an. While thinking about it, he lowered his head and walked quickly. After all, he was still on someone else's land. As he walked, Huo Jicheng suddenly stopped. He saw
There was a masked man in gray clothes standing in front of him, standing with his hands behind his back. His tall and slender body carried a strong murderous aura, and there was also a faint murderous aura in the dark alleys on both sides. Huo Jicheng did not look back. He could feel that there was someone standing behind him.
Without even thinking about it, Huo Jicheng's body had already risen into the air and rushed towards the dimly lit house. Just as he was rising up, there was a light sound from the bowstring, and Huo Jicheng's body sank, and the arrow grazed his
The scalp flew past, and Huo Jicheng had already landed on the roof of a house. He rolled to the side and ran away. The wind rang in his ears, and several men in black were already outflanking and chasing him. Huo Jicheng only felt the strong wind of the palm hitting his back.
He turned around and took out his palm. The man seemed to groan, but Huo Jicheng had to slow down. The swords of several other men in black were already close to his body. Both sides remained silent and started fighting in the darkness.
, Huo Jicheng only felt that all of these people had good martial arts, especially the one who was fighting against him. His martial arts was even more outstanding. He saw with his peripheral vision a man in Tsing Yi standing on the street. His appearance could not be seen, and he was holding a sword in his hand.
A stiff bow, but seeing the slender figure and extraordinary bearing, he knew that this person must be a leader. He probably disdained the siege, so he did not take action. Huo Jicheng was secretly glad in his heart and looked around, hoping to find a possibility of breaking out. However,
These people blocked all escape routes. Huo Jicheng fought hard while thinking of strategies.
Just when Huo Jicheng was in danger, a short figure suddenly emerged from the darkness. He threw two fiery red projectiles, and there were two loud thunderclaps, and then red smoke billowed. When Huo Jicheng saw the opportunity, he immediately went to the already promising
Rushing in the opposite direction, there were already voices all around. The masked men saw that something was not going well and quietly retreated while taking advantage of the red smoke.
Huo Jicheng panicked and ran away for a long time. Suddenly a figure appeared in front of him. The man waved. Huo Jicheng recognized the face of the man and was delighted. He quickly followed him. The man was outstanding in light skills and led Huo Jicheng around here and there.
After a while, they arrived at the back door of a house. The man opened the back door and turned around to signal. Huo Jicheng quickly followed in. It was a private house. Entering the inner room, Huo Jicheng sat tiredly on a chair and said gratefully: "Han
Brother, if you hadn't saved me, I would have died long ago.'
The man said regretfully: "Leader Huo, you are too careless. You can't think of it if the prince wants to kill people and silence them. If I hadn't been outside to help you, I'm afraid you would have been in trouble. Fortunately, I asked my subordinates to prepare smoke bombs, otherwise
There's nothing I can do to save you.'
Huo Jicheng said with a sad expression: 'I didn't expect them to cross the river and demolish the bridge so quickly. And I thought I could at least escape, and the prince couldn't blatantly surround me. I didn't expect that his people are so powerful in martial arts, and the royal family is really full of masters.'
The man sighed and said, "You have a good rest for an hour, and I will take you out of the city. There are some places on the Chang'an city wall that are not strictly guarded. You are outstanding in lightness skills, so you can go out. I'm afraid there will be people checking everywhere early tomorrow morning. If you don't leave tonight,
I'm afraid it's too late.'
Huo Jicheng showed a fierce look on his face and said coldly: 'Thank you, Brother Han, I won't let the prince have an easy time. I'm not that easy to bully.'
At the third watch, Huo Jicheng left Chang'an with the help of flying claws from an old city wall that was not well guarded. At the same time, in the cold garden of Prince Yong's Mansion, Xiao Shunzi, who had changed into a servant's attire, respectfully said to me
:'Sir, the hunting operation has been successful.'