National color raw owl

The boat traveled for several days, and at noon that day, it finally approached a wharf on the Huijiang River. Looking south from the boat, he vaguely saw a gray shadow in the distance. Chu Huan knew that it was the Weiling Prefecture City. I have heard about it a long time ago, but the one I remember the most is a dedicated official who once lived in this city. ≥ top ≥ point ≥ small ≥ say,.

Fang Xi!

Chu Huan escaped from the Tiangong Tunnel and followed Feng Yuanpo and Chi Liandian, but learned something about the wolf soldiers' westward march from Feng Yuanpo's mouth.

He remembered clearly that there was another counselor next to Feng Hanxiao, named Fang Xi, who followed the wolf soldiers to the west, and later entered the household department because of meritorious service, and even sat in the position of household servant. Take care of your life.

It's just that he remembered even more that a few years ago, there was a bloody case in Weiling Mansion, and the victim was Fang Xi, the servant of the household department who had retired.

Feng Hanxiao was killed, Lin Qingyuan was dead, and Fang Xi was killed for several important people who went west that year. Obviously, the murder in Weiling Mansion did not happen by chance, and it must have a great relationship with the murder of Feng Hanxiao and others.

The ship stopped at the pier, and Chu Huan discovered that there was also a military depot at this pier, with Jinling soldiers stationed there.

Zhang Jian got off the boat first, Chu Huan and the others waited for half a day, but when Zhang Jian returned, he said to Ximen Yi: "Master Ximen, in half a day's journey, we will be able to reach Weiling Prefecture, we will escort you When you get here, other brothers will escort you there. There is a carriage here, but it is very simple, and you will be wronged for a while."

Zhang Jian didn't lie. A horse-drawn carriage indeed arrived at the pier military station, which was very simple. In addition, a team of soldiers was specially arranged to escort it.

Ximen Yi didn't take it seriously, and got into the carriage, so Chu Huan and the others could only follow on foot.

Fortunately, the distance between Weiling Mansion City and the pier is not too far. In less than two hours, they were already outside the city gate. The mottled walls of Weiling Mansion were bathed in sunlight, looking old and solemn.

There were already people waiting outside the city, obviously someone had reported to Xu Chang in advance.

"I am a ceremonial officer under King Ren." The person who came smiled kindly, but anyone could see that it was just a polite smile: "King Ren knew that the envoy was coming, so he wanted to summon him immediately, but something happened. There is something urgent to do, so I can't meet you now, so I ordered the officials to take you to the post house first, and meet your envoy immediately after the matter is finished."

This man didn't talk much, and after he finished speaking, he led the way into the city.

Chu Huan had heard that Weiling Mansion City had always been prosperous and lively, but after entering the city, he found that the whole city seemed very deserted. Wherever he passed, although the shops were open, there were not many pedestrians on the street. Occasionally, someone walked by, but they were in a hurry, as if someone was chasing after them. They turned several streets in a row, and it was the same. Moreover, the guys in the shop were all listless, even if someone walked by the door, But he didn't even lift his eyelids.

Ma Zheng and the others were also puzzled.

In fact, they can also see that regardless of Tongzhou, even Shuoquan City in the northwest is obviously not as majestic and magnificent as the Weiling Mansion City. The Weiling Mansion City has high walls and is ancient. .

Among the accompanying guards, some people also knew that Weiling Mansion City is known as one of the four famous cities in the world, and it is the most prosperous city in the central part of the empire. People in the distance were unexpected, and the level of excitement was not even comparable to that of a county town in the northwest, let alone the prosperity of Shuoquan in the northwest.

Although there was turmoil in Jinling before, Shuoquan was once occupied by Xiliang people. Although Shuoquan today has not recovered to its most prosperous period, it is still bustling and lively, not as lifeless as Weiling Fucheng , lifeless.

Logically speaking, the shops and stalls in the city should be full of hawkers, but wherever they passed, there was not a single shop that was hawked, and many mansions they passed were closed with closed doors, and there was a dead silence.

Chu Huan even felt that he had entered an empty city. On the streets, he saw more soldiers than pedestrians. Every time he walked a certain distance, he saw a group of patrolling soldiers with guns and knives walking past coldly.

The officer of ceremonies brought the group to the post house in Weiling Mansion. Like many cities, Weiling Mansion also has a post house for officials to come and go, but when you enter the house, you know that the post house has not been inhabited for a long time. , the stone path in the courtyard was covered with dust, and moss even climbed on many walls, the ceremony officer said with a smile: "Everyone, there have been no people living here for a while, and I didn't know you were here beforehand, so I couldn't clean it thoroughly. You are wronged. But don’t worry, we have sent someone to clean out a courtyard, which is very clean and has everything you need, so you should not be embarrassed if you live in it.”

Ximen Yi just nodded slightly, and said: "It's time to work. It doesn't matter whether the accommodation is good or bad, but I just hope that King Ren can receive him as soon as possible, the big thing matters!"

"Don't worry." The ceremonial officer smiled and said, "King Ren will definitely summon you immediately when he has nothing in hand. Yes, we have arranged servants. If you need anything, just tell them. Everyone in this post, everyone You can send them around at will, just ask for anything you need, you don’t have to be polite.”

Ximen Yi cupped his hands, but the ceremonial officer didn't say much, took his leave and left.

A group of people entered the tidied up courtyard, just as the etiquette official said, it had indeed been cleaned up, and there were two servants outside the courtyard on call at any time.

There are a few houses in the yard, enough for six people to live in.

Naturally, Ximen Yi lives in the main house, and Chu Huan and others also live in a house next to the main house. After tidying up, Ma Zheng immediately led someone to check the courtyard inside and out to make sure that nothing happened. , so rest assured.

"From now on, be careful whether you eat or drink." After gathering everyone together, Chu Huan said softly: "Especially the food they send must be checked first to make sure it is safe before entering. In addition, they take turns on duty at night. Sleeping, also beware, don't be negligent."

Ma Zheng asked softly, "Boss is worried that someone will harm us?"

"This is Xu Chang's territory. We don't know much about this person, so we have to guard against it." Chu Huan said softly: "People's hearts are unpredictable, so we must always be on guard."

Ximen Yi nodded and said: "What you said is very true." After a pause, he said softly: "Xu Chang didn't see us, so it's not a big deal, but he was looking for an excuse to let us hang out."

"I thought of that too." Chu Huan sneered and said, "Of course he already knows our reason for coming, and he presumably wants to deliberately leave us alone and kill our momentum."

Ximen Yi stroked his beard and smiled, and after Chu Huan signaled everyone to retreat, Ximen Yi said softly, "How do you feel after your majesty enters the city?"

"Sir, do you mean the street is deserted and lifeless?"

Ximen Yi nodded slightly, and Chu Huan smiled lightly: "Although Xu Chang has a lot of money and food, it seems that he has lost people's hearts after getting money and food."

"Oh?"

"I heard about that sword when I was on the boat. In order to make money, Xu Chang extorted violently in Jinling, especially the gentry and rich businessmen in Jinling, and exploited fiercely." Chu Huan said softly: "Xu Chang occupied Weiling Mansion, it seems that he is also Worried that the people will not be convinced, so there are guard sentries all over the city, and the master has also seen that there are so many soldiers patrolling the city, and the city is deserted, it is naturally related to this."

Ximen Yi nodded and smiled and said, "That's right. Although Xu Chang occupied the Jinling warehouse, extorted countless money and food, and has sufficient logistics, his actions are no different from those looting bandits, and they are unpopular. Today, Weiling Prefecture City It can still be peaceful, but he used force to frighten the common people and gentry, who were forced by Xu Chang's brutality, and dared not say a word, but this already shows that Xu Chang's foundation is not stable." After a pause, he smiled, and said: "If Xu Chang In the future, Chang won successive battles and fought fiercely, that's all right, but as long as he has a slight setback in the battle, as expected, there will inevitably be a fire in the backyard. Jinling is devoured by a fire."

"He wants to leave us alone, so we don't have to worry. Let's see what kind of tricks he is going to play." Chu Huan said with a smile: "Sir, you are tired from the long journey, eat something, and then rest earlier."

"Your Majesty also rested earlier."

As for Jinling, they did not dare to neglect the hospitality of Chu Huan and the others. For dinner, a whole table of wine and food was delivered, all of which were good wine and food. After the servants filled the table with food and wine, Chu Huan was cautious. After inspecting every dish, the drinks were naturally not spared. After making sure everything was safe, everyone started to eat without any hesitation.

Having enough food and wine, someone came to clean up. That night, there was nothing to say, Ma Zheng and others were divided into two shifts and took turns to be on duty.

The next day, no one came to bother them, but every meal was served in time. At dusk, Chu Huan and Ximen Yi were listening to the conversation, but they heard footsteps outside. Hearing a loud voice, he said with a smile: "Where is the envoy of King Chu? Xu Yute is here to pay a visit!"

Chu Huan and Ximen Yi looked at each other, but neither of them had heard the name "Xu Yu", but they had already got up, and when they arrived at the door, they saw these people standing in the courtyard, the courtesy officer was in front, and beside them was a The middle-aged man in brocade clothes and jade belt, 36 years old, with a Chinese character face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, is also imposing. He wears a few rings on his fingers, shining with gold, jewels and gemstones, which are extremely luxurious.

When the ceremony officer saw Ximen Yi coming out, he cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Lord Ximen, this is Duke Liang, I'm here to visit you." Turning to the middle-aged man, "Master, this is the envoy sent by the King of Chu in the Northwest." , Master Ximen Yi, Ximen!"

Ximen Yi looked at Xu Yu's eyes, Chu Huan stood behind Ximen Yi, his face did not change, but he was amused in his heart, it's fine for Xu Chang to call himself king, but he couldn't wait to confer the title of prince, suddenly Jumping out of such a Liang Guogong, Qin Guonan conquered hundreds of battles to pacify the world, established the country for [-] years, and only conferred two dukes of the state, but Xu Chang is lucky, he only occupies half of Jinling. male.

However, since this person was named Liang Guogong, he was only under the prince, so it can be seen that this person has an extraordinary status under Xu Chang's command, and his relationship with Xu Chang must be very close.

Ximen Yi had already cupped his hands at this time, Xu Yu had already walked forward, and said with a smile, "Is this Lord Ximen? Brother Wang is away on business and can't meet him, but he can't neglect the envoy. He is here to visit."

When Chu Huan heard him call Xu Chang "Brother Wang", and thought that his name was Xu Yu, who had the same surname as Xu Chang, Chu Huan immediately thought, could this Liang Guogong in front of him be Xu Chang's brother?