Great Sui Storyteller

The first day of September in the 12th year of Daye.

Hundreds of officials welcome the court.

Early in the morning, in the cold autumn morning when the residual heat was exhausted, the officials waited until the palace gates were opened, handed the stoves in their hands to the servants who followed, and began to file into the palace to have an audience with the early court.

The ninth day of September, the Double Ninth Day, is approaching. As the yang energy is at its peak in a year, His Majesty intends to organize it grandly, but for some reason, he did not let the national teacher to do it, but handed it over to the Ministry of Rites.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites have been busy with this matter for the past few days.

Seeing that the ninth day of September is getting closer and closer, today is the day to submit the charter.

It belongs to the Great Dynasty and cannot be delayed.

However, Cui Zhongfang, who was then Minister of Rites, was not there, so Chen Haishu, the Minister of Rites who accompanied him, proposed to do it.

When he reached the square outside the palace gate, Chen Haishu had already taken out the neatly transcribed memorabilia, waiting for His Majesty's arrival.

After waiting for about a stick of incense, finally, Huang Xizi's old and hoarse voice came from the hall:
"Hundreds of officials have an audience!!!"

With a sound of "creak", the door of the hall opened, Chen Haishu took a deep breath, prayed in his heart that the memorial could be passed smoothly, and followed the civil and military officials into the hall step by step.

"Kowtow to Your Majesty."

The ministers responded, and Yang Guang, who was wearing the crown of heaven, pressed his hands routinely:

"All the gentlemen are flat."

After finishing speaking, Huang Xizi picked up the message:

"I have something to play~"

There are two parts to this sentence.

"Something to play" is part of it.

After saying this, the officials discussed what to do with it.And after the processing is over, and then shout out the phrase "retire without incident", the morning court is considered to be over.

And Chen Haishu was waiting for these words. After hearing Huang Xizi's voice, he moved a step, came to the main hall, and bowed to see him:

"Chen Haishu, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, has something to play."

"Oh, just right, I'm still looking for you."

There is no so-called "literary" discourse in the market. The discourse of the monarch and his ministers is very straightforward. After seeing Chen Haishu, Yang Guang, who was sitting on the dragon chair, asked:
"Chen Aiqing, how are the preparations for the memorial ceremony for the Double Ninth Festival? It's almost the end of the day."

"Return to Your Majesty, the preparations have been completed, and all the master of ceremonies procedures are here, please take a look at your Majesty."

As he spoke, he presented the memorial with both hands.

Two servants came over with a tray, and after Chen Haishu put the memorabilia on the tray, they turned around and came to Yang Guang's side.

Huang Xizi personally presented the memorial to Yang Guang.

Yang Guang opened it and looked at the kung fu that could last for dozens of breaths, and nodded:

"Well, yes. Let's do it like this. For money, just transfer it directly from the household department."

After finishing speaking, Chen Haishu heaved a sigh of relief, and silently retreated back to the queue.

There was even a hint of joy on his face.

For the Double Ninth Festival, what he was waiting for was His Majesty's words.

With this sentence, it is equivalent to having an endorsement, and the manpower and material resources required by the priest have the possibility of operation.

If it can be operated, there will be more to say here.

So, he turned his head cryptically.

I saw several colleagues showing satisfied expressions.

If the national teacher does not participate, then this fat job will fall on the heads of himself and others.

Although I can't go home for the holidays, but if I can add some fat, it's okay.

only……

How long will His Majesty stay in Jiangdu?
It's not just Chen Haishu, the sky is getting cold these days, but His Majesty has not said anything about returning to Luoyang.

It's been a few months since I left Luoyang, and I've had enough fun... Shouldn't it be time to go back?
And at this moment, whatever comes to mind.

Suddenly, Li Yuantong, Minister of the Ministry of War who followed him to the south of the Yangtze River, took a step forward:
"Your Majesty, I have something to announce."

"Say."

"According to the usual practice in previous years, after the Double Ninth Festival, it is the day for soldiers to take turns to rest. And this time, the [-] troops defending Jiangdu are all elite veterans, and half of them are on winter turns. According to previous years, the military pay and rewards are relatively low. It was dispatched one after another after the Chongyang Festival, led by the soldiers. But now the household department has not issued it, and the officers and soldiers in the army have been waiting, and the reason is also very vague, I dare you, Your Majesty, please make the decision to arrange this matter!"

"You don't have to blame Lin Shilang for this."

After Li Yuantong finished speaking, Yang Guang waved his hand:
"I ordered this matter."

"……His Majesty?"

Li Yuantong looked a little stunned, but his expression was a bit artificial.

It looked very strange and unnatural.

"There will be no rotation this year. Now that there are wars between the north and the south, the combat power of these elite soldiers and veterans is indispensable. It will be very troublesome to call up again after the rotation."

Yang Guang's tone was relaxed and flat:

"There will be no rest. You tell the soldiers that the rewards and rest will be paid next year when the war is over."

"His Majesty!?"

Li Yuantong was dumbfounded.

Not posting anymore?
Endless?
If you don’t say it, you don’t post it, if you say it, you don’t stop it?
Let’s not talk about the amount of reward, everyone has worked hard for two years, and it’s finally a day when they can rest and go home to reunite with their wives and children... How can I say that it’s not endless?
Go on and on, let me tell you in advance, so that other soldiers who are still in office can be sent over!

Most of these soldiers are from the north, and their fighting strength is not bad.That's why they were mobilized to defend Jiangdu this time, but now the salary is not paid, and there is no holiday...

This... isn't there going to be a problem! ?

He subconsciously wanted to fight for it again, but the moment he was about to speak, Huang Xizi's voice sounded:
"If you have something to play, you will retreat if there is nothing."

"..."

Li Yuantong, who was stared at by Huang Xizi, shuddered subconsciously.

After thinking about it, he could only bow his head and return to the team.

Then a whisper was heard:
"I told you a long time ago."

Turning his head, he saw Lin Shengwen, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance who followed him this time, was looking at him.

Li Yuantong was silent.

His eyes dimmed.

Regarding the payment matter, he had already made psychological preparations in advance.

Regardless of the words just now that put Lin Shengwen on the shelf, it was actually agreed by the two of them in advance.

Because the Ministry of Households did not allocate payment, it was His Majesty's intention.

He knew it a few days ago.

Your Majesty... wants to move the capital to Danyang.

The money needed is countless, not to mention Jiangdu, even Luoyang has to cooperate with the relocation of the capital.

The money of the household department is very tight, and it is impossible to pay the salary.

But if Li Yuantong didn't mention this matter, and didn't mention Lin Shengwen's name, then it is very likely that Lin Shengwen will be regarded as a "scapegoat" by His Majesty and blamed.

This matter will eventually come to an end.

And what Li Yuantong originally meant was...the salary can be left aside for the time being, this round of rest must be on the agenda, right?
Not to mention those soldiers, even he wanted to go back to Luoyang.

The autumn and winter in the south of the Yangtze River are wet and cold, and every morning when he wakes up, his body is very stiff.

So I plan to retreat to advance, first let the soldiers rest in rotation, and then find Luoyang to transport the luggage, and return to Luoyang for the new year...

But now it's fine if His Majesty doesn't pay you, and you won't even let people go?

This……

What a reason! ?

Li Yuantong's heart was suddenly crushed by a stone...but at this moment, Yang Guang suddenly let out a "Huh?"

Looking towards the door.

Li Yuantong turned his head instinctively, and saw Li Shilang, who was dressed in white, put on the snow-white fox fur again, and appeared waiting at the entrance of the main hall.

If you don't come in, just stand at the door.

But for some reason... even if all the courtiers couldn't see his face clearly, they could feel the uneasiness in it.

At this time, Li Shilang's indisputable voice sounded:

"My lord, please greet your majesty. Please send the chief supervisor out to see you."

"...?"

Yang Guang was taken aback for a moment, Huang Xizi took a look at Yang Guang, then stepped out without a sound, and when he landed, he had already reached the entrance of the hall.

Under the gaze of the officials, Li Shilang whispered a few words to Huang Xizi who was bending over.

Suddenly, a heavy sense of oppression permeated the entire hall.

In a flash.

But Huang Xizi flashed his figure and returned to Yang Guang's side.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Feeling the thrill in their hearts that had not dissipated, everyone instinctively looked at No. [-] Under Heaven who was whispering to the emperor.

Want to hear what he has to say.

But how can they hear the whispers of No. [-] Under Heaven?

If you can't hear clearly, then you can only observe His Majesty's expression.

I saw His Majesty's expression suddenly changed from doubt to dullness, and then a touch of disbelief was born from the dullness, and finally, this hint of disbelief turned into anger!
Drink and ask:

"When did the news come! Who sent the news!?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

No one answered, including Master Huqiu who was standing at the door and didn't come in. They were all silent.

Everyone didn't know what happened...until he let out a shout, Yang Guang, who seemed to have been drained of energy, asked:

"What the hell does this happen!?"

Everyone knew who he was asking.

And as expected, after hesitating, the mysterious Li Shilang stepped into the main hall, came to the front and rear of the imperial court step by step, and said:

"Report to Your Majesty, the news that Baiqisi has just delivered."

The voice is calm, no anger can be heard.

But who knows that Yang Guang directly smashed the jade cup for drinking tea:

"Impossible! Zhang Xutuo has [-] soldiers and horses! Wagang is retreating steadily! How could he die in a prominent attack!?"

wow...

Chaotang was fried in an instant.

Your majesty... what did your majesty just say?
Who……

Who is dead! ?

Zhang Xutuo... is dead! ?

how can that be! ?
……

Daye 12 years early September autumn.

Zhang Xutuo was defeated by Wagang Li Mi, and died of exhaustion. The news that he was still holding a weapon when he died, standing still, spread all over the world.Many generals and soldiers who once served under Zhang Xutuo wailed and mourned like a river.

Yang Guangda felt sorry for him. After leaving the court, he suddenly contracted a cold and fell ill.

Although the posthumous posthumous titles of Dr. Jin Ziguanglu and Xingyang County Sheriff, as the news spread and spread, everyone in the world knew about Zhang Xutuo's defeat.For a time, generals who raised troops against the Sui Dynasty appeared in many places, like a cow's hair.

But immediately, on the day before the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of September, a worse news came to the palace again from Baiqisi before everyone had time to digest the news of Zhang Xutuo's defeat.

"Yang Qinghe, the prefect of Xingyang, was defeated by Wagang with [-] Li Mi, who was armed with a strange light-emitting object that could open mountains and crack rocks. After a day and night of fierce fighting, the city of Xingyang was broken, and Yang Qinghe, the prefect, was beheaded by Wagang. Xingyang city... was broken. "

As soon as this news came out, the entire city of Jiangdu was boiling.

Xingyang, the largest granary in the Central Plains...

That's it! ?

The news spread throughout Jiangdu City for a whole day.

The common people don't say that people are in panic, but the number of people who came out to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival on the street has decreased by more than half in an instant.

In such days, the people are the most helpless.

Want to celebrate, but dare not celebrate.

I don't know what to do, so I can only stay at home honestly, hoping that the moody emperor will not make any mess.

But no matter what, time still does not depend on anything, running around day and night like a river.

The ninth of September.

Double Ninth Day.

Climb high and look far.

At noon, the emperor, who had no intention of making arrangements, reluctantly led all the civil and military officials to worship on the high platform built outside Jiangdu City, and then returned to the palace.

Looked very depressed.

But at the same time, for some people, this Double Ninth Festival is extraordinarily different.

……

Xingyang North.

At the foot of Beiman Mountain.

On the edge of the Yellow River.

The middle-aged Taoist Jingming looked at the surging water of the Yellow River, and chanted slowly:
""Shangshu·Yugong" contains: Yingpi is both a stasis. It means a place where water gathers. In ancient times, the water in the Taihang Mountains went south to Jiyuan, which was called Jishui. When Xia Yu controlled the water, Jishui was introduced from Wen County to the Yellow River. The overflow is Xing, and it gathers to form a lake, which is called Xingze. Because of this, it is the land of the Yellow River Church in Beimang, and in terms of Fengshui, it is the place where Yin merges with Yang and gathers, so it is called "Yang."

"..."

Wang Bodang on the side was speechless, but his eyes were full of vigilance.

And Li Mi stood beside Taoist Jingming, also looked at the rushing river, nodded:

"The national teacher is really knowledgeable."

"Ah……"

Taoist Jingming laughed lightly, and continued:

"Speaking of which, Pindao would like to congratulate Duke Wei."

"……Oh?"

Li Mi was a little surprised:

"Where does the joy come from? The fact that Xingyang City was able to break down was due to the skill of the national teacher's attack that day, so why is there such joy?"

Quietly changing a more respectful title, Li Mi asked puzzled.

But after asking, I saw the smile on Taoist Jingming's face even bigger:

"Of course, congratulations to Mr. Wei for being on the list of world masters."

"..."

"..."

Not to mention Li Mi, even Wang Bodang was a little speechless.

I feel that the... national teacher in front of me has lost his mind.

Master list?
Although Qian Jike once every three years on the ninth day of the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, he will recompile the list of masters in the world and recruit the world.

The people who may be on the list are all strong people who have realized the Tao.

Is Li Mi a cultivator?

Yes.

But his cultivation talent is very average, and he is very reluctant to enter the free state.

Even Li Mi himself has to admit this.

But at this moment, the second highest Jiangzhen Lingzun in the world suddenly told himself that you are going to enter the list of masters in the world who can only be enlightened...

"National teacher don't want to entertain me, my talent is mediocre, how can I get on this list of masters?"

Hearing Li Mi's words, Taoist Jingming smiled slightly:
"Just in the evening."

"..."

"..."

Looking at the surprised eyes of the two, the Taoist faced the surging Yellow River and said to himself:
"Tianji has its own number. Three months ago, Pindao found Qianjike and gave him a list. He then told him that on the day of Double Ninth Festival, the day when the yang dissipates and the yin returns, Li Mi in Wagang Village will return to Xingyang. On the other side, climbed to enlightenment. Ranked ninth in the world master list. That's all. If Wei Gong doesn't believe it, just wait and see..."

At some point, Taoist's eyes have turned into a galaxy as vast as a starry sky. The stars in the galaxy are uncertain, as if they are deducing or divination.

But the voice did not change at all, full of confidence in Zhizhu's grasp:

"The destiny cannot be violated."