Longevity begins with a dog

Chapter 210 Xu Chong's Pointing at a Deer as a Horse

On the same day, an announcement was issued from the Taiping Palace.

The general meaning is that Ji Qing's lifespan is not long. In order to better inherit the will of Taiping, heroes from all walks of life are invited to nominate someone who can take on the great responsibility. After one month, they will participate in the public competition, and the winner will take over the position of Taoist master.

In just half a day, the news spread throughout Taiping Township and spread outward through various channels.

The ones who are most interested in this are the two remaining ancient clans, the Zheng and Lin families.

Zheng's house boat.

Zheng Wu, who has already become the foreign deacon, is waiting silently.

Not long after, Zheng Tong, the head of the side branch, walked in.

"The head of the house has already ordered."

Zheng Tong's face was extremely solemn, "If my Zheng family really can't win the position of the next Daoist master, I will definitely not let the Lin family take it. For this reason, I will spare no effort at all costs."

"This……"

Zheng Wu was stunned, a little confused.

He is waiting here, waiting for who will be asked by Dimai to participate in the competition.

He never expected that he would wait for such an order against the Lin family without leaving any room for it.

"If that's the case, wouldn't the Taoist position definitely fall into the hands of the Fang family?"

Zheng Wu thought about it and said, "But what kind of conflict did the Lin family have with the Dimai?"

"It has nothing to do with the Lin family, it's the Fang family's problem."

Zheng Tong shook his head, and said in a shy voice, "The Fang family's direct line...has been wiped out by Dou Tianyuan."

"what?!"

Zheng Wu was shocked all over, and exclaimed in horror.

The Fang family was destroyed?

That is an ancient family with a long heritage like the Zheng family, how could it be said that if it is destroyed, it will be destroyed?
Don't believe it, he didn't even think about it.

Taking ten thousand steps back, even if the ancient clans were to be exterminated, it could only be due to the cooperation of the other two ancient clans, or...

"Have the imperial court found the location of the Spring and Autumn Tomb?"

Zheng Fei was a little dazed, "I've heard from Dimai that the Fang family's Spring and Autumn Tomb is extremely hidden. Even if the three families exchange children, those who go to the Spring and Autumn Tomb must deceive their perceptions to enter..."

"It's not the court, it's Dou Tianyuan."

Zheng Tong shook his head.

"what?!"

Zheng Wuteng stood up abruptly, "How strong is Dou Tianyuan?!"

"I can't believe it either, but this is what the Patriarch himself said."

Zheng Tong sighed, "Before the Fang family was destroyed, it was Fang Shuyue, the head of the Fang family, who sent the news to the side branches, not only pointing out Dou Tianyuan, but also causing the side branches to flee... My Zheng family just caught a group of Fang families. side branch."

Hearing this, Zheng Wu no longer had any reason to question how ugly his complexion was.

"The huge Fang family will be gone if they say nothing. The imperial court is making a big move."

Zheng Wu opened his mouth with difficulty, and said worriedly, "Is it a bit..." to confront the Lin family at this time

"A little impulsive, right?"

Zheng Tong shook his head, "The Patriarch has already explained this point."

"It has been nearly four months since the Fang family was destroyed, and the court has not made any further moves. Dou Tianyuan has also stayed in the capital."

"The head of the family guessed that the Fang family should have accidentally exposed the location of the Spring and Autumn Tomb, which gave Dou Tianyuan a chance."

"As for our Zheng family and the Lin family, even if the court wants to do something, it is impossible to start."

"So there's no need to worry about that."

so...

Zheng Wu couldn't help heaving a sigh of relief.

"Don't be too optimistic, this is not a good thing."

Zheng Tong spoke suddenly, with a heavy tone.

"It's not a good thing..."

Zheng Wu was startled, and asked, "Why did the master say such a thing?"

"The three ancient clans, why can they live in peace so far?"

Zheng Tong asked a question, and then answered by himself: "Because it is the three ancient clans, not the two ancient clans."

"Three ancient clans, four caves."

"The extra Baicao Garden, together with Taiping Dao, will be controlled by the three ancient clans in turn."

"And no matter which one controls Taipingdao, during this period of time, the other two will form a faint tendency to unite."

"Once the ancient clan in control of Taiping Dao tries to dominate one family, it will be jointly resisted by the other two families."

"So, although there are differences in strength among the three ancient clans, they have never really broken the balance."

"until now……"

Zheng Tong's face was extremely solemn, "The Fang family is destroyed, and the Zheng and Lin families are bound to have some fierce competition."

This principle is easy to understand.

Without the three pillars, whether it is the Zheng family or the Lin family, whoever controls Taiping Road and Baicao Garden will completely destroy the balance that was once destroyed.

No matter how good the relationship was in the past, at this time there will be no trust between each other.

"I understand."

Zheng Wu let out a breath of foul air slowly, and asked, "What should I do?"

"For the competition in Taiping Township, the Patriarch guessed that the Lin family would send a descendant, so our Zheng family will also send a descendant."

Zheng Tong replied, "You and I have a task to prepare for the other hand."

"The other hand is ready?"

Zheng Wu's expression became serious.

"If my direct lineage of the Zheng family can win the position of Taoist master, it would be great, but the master said that this hope is not high, and what is more likely to happen is that both Zheng and Lin's families will suffer."

Zheng Tong said, and gave Zheng Wu a meaningful look, "If this is the case, who will get it in the end?"

"This……"

Zheng Wu thought for a while, his eyes shot out suddenly: "The Hua family or the Nan family!"

"exactly."

Zheng Tong nodded, "The Xie family fell to the court, the Fang family was wiped out, only two of the three major ancient families remained, and only four of the six major families remained."

"With the Zheng family and Lin family being excluded, the most likely is the Huanan two families, which have relatively richer resources, just like our side branches."

"It's a pity that the three families of Huananxie are small forces that can't get on the stage. They can be wiped out with a wave of hands. They have never been taken seriously by the three ancient clans."

"At least, the Lin family has no friendship with these two families."

"In comparison, our Zheng family has such a maverick guy who has maintained a good relationship with the Huanan family."

As he said that, Zheng Tong laughed, "Many clansmen have ridiculed you for being depraved, and I was also very puzzled, but now it seems that you are doing the right thing."

"It's just an unintentional move..."

Zheng Wu scratched his head in embarrassment, "I can't say that I have close contacts with Huanan's two families, but I was in charge of the affairs of Taiping Dao in neighboring provinces, and we have cooperated closely because of the 'Taipinghou' matter. That's all."

"Don't underestimate this."

Zheng Tong shook his head, "With this, our Zheng family can win over the Huanan two families more smoothly... And at this time, if we are one step ahead of the Lin family, we will never fall behind again."

"It's not too late, I'm going to contact Huanan's second family right now."

Zheng Wu looked serious, turned and walked out.

almost the same time.

The boat of the Lin family in another sea area also excluded the children of the side branch, and started contacting the two families of Huanan.

It's just a pity that the Lin family doesn't have a ready-made contact method, and it needs to pass through the Taiping Daotang on land.

As Zheng Tong said, a slow step is a slow step.

It's a pity that whether it's Zheng Tong or the head of the Zheng family's direct lineage, they are all wrong.

The so-called competition is just a trick to invite the king into the urn.

As early as the beginning, the path of the Taoist master has been determined.

It was determined by a powerful existence that they were unable to contend with.

……

……

Daqing capital.

Flowers are sprinkled all over the city, red carpets are spread out for hundreds of miles, gongs and drums are sung to the sky, and juggling and opera are all over the streets.

All those with a business nature, whether they are merchants or peddlers, will be subsidized by the royal family, and they will be open for free for one day with normal supplies.

The people in Beijing enthusiastically participated in it, and shared the celebration with the whole city with doubts and bewilderment.

In fact, as early as half a month ago, on the second day of the Great Court Assembly, there was an edict that was widely distributed throughout the world, paving the way for today's king ceremony.

But even today, people still can't believe it when they actually witnessed the ceremony.

It is really this newly crowned prince, so honorable.

It's fine to have a king with a different surname, although it's the first time, but you can't guarantee that the family has made any outstanding contributions, and it's hard to reward them without being crowned king.

Can the Regent?

What do you mean?
As soon as you get a king, you can override the cabinet?

No, not just the cabinet.

While His Majesty was still alive, Regent?

Is this the crowning of the king, or the usurpation of the throne?
With this thought in mind, the people spent a very anxious half a month.

Fortunately, not only has the past half month been calm, but today, a city-wide celebration was held along with the ceremony.

Those high-ranking officials and dignitaries also appeared in front of people with smiles on their faces.

Gradually, the people let go of their minds and immersed themselves in it.

As today's protagonist, Xu Chong did not stay in the palace to share the banquet with the royal officials after the ceremony, but appeared on the busy street with the empress dowager Jiang Shengjun.

"Jun'er has never seen such a cheerful scene."

Jiang Shengjun's eyes widened, and he kept scanning these new things.

"Today you are not the princess, nor the princess, but a gentleman."

Xu Chong smiled and said: "No one here will know you, you can do whatever you want."

"Really?"

Jiang Shengjun's eyes sparkled.

Xu Chong didn't speak, but casually took a candied haws from a straw target passing by, and handed it to Jiang Shengjun.

On the surface, the candied haws in Daqing are no different from those in another world, except that there is a layer of dust-blocking film missing, so it is difficult to guarantee the cleanliness.

But Jiang Shengjun is a warrior, so he doesn't need to care about this.

"The method of making this thing was handed down from the imperial palace, but because of its low cost, after being sought after by the common people, the royal family didn't favor it very much, and it gradually disappeared in the imperial palace. You probably haven't tried it yet."

Xu Chong raised his chin, "Try it, it's very sweet."

"Uh-huh."

Jiang Shengjun took the candied haws, and without doubting Xu Chong's words, he bit off the whole one.

then……

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah--"

Jiang Shengjun's small face was wrinkled into a ball, and before he could chew, he gulped saliva. It took him a while to get used to it, and he said angrily, "You are lying! You are so sour!"

"This is the first thing I've taught you, something you've learned but don't understand."

Xu Chong suppressed a smirk, and said righteously: "Don't easily believe what anyone says, because it is likely to be a lie."

"lie?"

Jiang Shengjun pursed his mouth a little aggrieved, "But I obviously believe in you..."

"Trust is not wrong, but trust must be built on the basis of understanding."

Xu Chong continued, "You haven't seen candied haws before, you will be curious, eager, and greedy, but what if the candied haws are not sour, but poisonous? What will happen to you?"

"Will... die?"

Jiang Shengjun looked at the candied haws in his hand, and immediately felt even more disgusted.

"on the contrary."

Xu Chong said again, "If you have seen and tasted it, you will know what it tastes like, and you will be able to tell that I am lying, so you may think that I may have other purposes."

"Then, you will pay attention to the expressions, movements, and possible eye contact between me and the vendor just now."

"If I really wanted to poison you, I must have arranged for that merchant to appear just now."

"Even if he doesn't know my real identity, he should know that I am the one who gave him orders."

"In this way, there will be subtle differences in body movements, expressions and eyes."

Xu Chong followed good advice, disassembled the truth into the most simple and easy-to-understand form, and gave the correct approach.

In fact, these things are included in the teaching inside the royal family, but Xu Chong understands better than anyone else that if he wants to apply what he has learned, there is still a step of learning and knowing.

Learning, understanding, and application are the complete process.

However, the teaching of the royal family lacks the link of practice, so applying what you have learned is just empty talk in many aspects.

At Jiang Shengjun's age, he still had a lot of time to slowly figure out these truths, just like Jiang Xinghe and Emperor Yongtai had walked before.

But unfortunately, the important task of supervising the country erased this period of growth.

As for why Jiang Shengjun should supervise the country...

There is a high probability that Emperor Yongtai will go out of bounds, and he might die out of bounds someday.

Neither Lou Youzhi, who had only ten years of life left, nor Zhang Shunyi, who had already been assigned the position of chief assistant, did not want Daqing to have a situation where the emperor ignored the government and the ministers took care of everything.

In this way, Jiang Shengjun must grow up quickly.

Fortunately, although Jiang Shengjun was young, he was a first-class precocious, and soon understood the meaning of Xu Chong's actions.

"Your Majesty, thank the Regent for your teaching."

Jiang Shengjun earnestly made a disciple salute.

"Well, let's go, try something else."

Xu Chong took the candied haws skewer that was missing a piece from Jiang Shengjun's hand, and conveniently stuffed it with the children who were running and jumping by.

"Huh? Anything else?"

Jiang Shengjun was a little unhappy, for fear of being Xu Chongken again.

"Don't worry, I've been in the capital for so long, and I haven't tasted much food here, so I can't fool you if I try to."

Xu Chong said with a smile, "Let's taste it all today."

This time, Jiang Shengjun observed Xu Chong very carefully, and nodded after a while: "Okay."

Afterwards, Xu Chong took Jian Guo's empress dowager and wandered through the streets and alleys of the capital.

All kinds of snacks and snacks, all kinds of juggling and dancing, truly experienced the joy of a celebration.

When it was time to return to the palace, the two passed by a shop and heard the sound of fierce bargaining.

"You are a small deer with a big skeleton. You don't have much meat at first glance. You dare to ask for so much money. Do you want to have a conscience?"

"Hey, you can't say that. It's a bit small, but it's a hook-tailed deer unique to Selangor. It has less meat and is firmer, and the taste is even more delicious. It's far from a pasture outside the city. Those big grass deer can compare, you can spend more money with me, and you can sell more if you kill them."

"Hook tail is hook tail, but if diners can't recognize it, how can I sell it? No, you can lower it a bit."

"I really can't, otherwise, next time..."

The two of you come and go, all kinds of pulling.

Originally, it was nothing. Venison was one of the most important meats for Qing people. Jiang Shengjun knew it a long time ago. Although she had never seen it, she still ate a lot of it.

But by coincidence, the tethered deer turned its head and wailed at Jiang Shengjun a series of times.

YoYo--

"..."

Jiang Shengjun stopped, with a look of indignation.

Xu Chong sighed.

To be honest, this kind of pity for animals is extremely ridiculous and childish in the context of the feudal world.

Because no one will understand, and no one will accept the theory of ecological balance.

Here, many creatures who are not protected by the law have only the way of natural selection and the law of the jungle.

But because of this background, even if Jiang Shengjun's kindness is not right, at least it should not be despised.

"While protecting one existence, it destroys the interests of other existences, such as your own.

Xu Chong said something, and walked towards the two people who were arguing.

Jiang Shengjun didn't understand, but he obediently followed behind.

"Master, how do you sell this?"

Xu Chong asked.

"Huh? Young Master, you have good eyesight!"

The old man who sold the deer was overjoyed, so he wanted to open his mouth to sell and boast.

"Is 50 taels enough?"

Xu Chong directly took out a large silver ingot.

"..."

The deer seller was stunned, and so was the owner of the butcher shop.

The range they bargained for just now is in the range of 12 taels to 14 taels.

50 taels is already four times the price.

"Enough is enough."

The deer seller swallowed his saliva, his eyes were like copper bells, and he stared at the silver ingot: "This is the first time the old man has seen such a generous one. You must like eating hook-tailed deer very much, right?"

"deer?"

Xu Chong raised his eyebrows, "I thought it was a horse. If it was a deer, then I wouldn't buy it."

With that said, the silver is about to be recycled.

"Hey hey!"

The deer meat seller was in pain, and he quickly said without thinking: "It's the old man's mouth, this is a horse, it's a horse."

As he spoke, he gave the butcher shop owner a wild wink.

As for the meaning, it goes without saying.

The butcher shop owner responded instantly and began to chime in, "Yes, yes, yes, this is a pony, how could it be a deer? Old man Hu, you are so confused."

Without saying anything, Xu Chong handed over the money, took the rope that tied the deer from the deer seller, and left with Jiang Shengjun.

Behind us came the spoils and mocking conversation.

After walking a long distance, Jiang Shengjun couldn't help but said: "Jun'er understands, you saved it and damaged your own money, but...but Jun'er has seen a horse..."

"so what?"

Xu Chong stopped, turned around to look at Jiang Shengjun, and pointed to the deer: "Do you think it is a deer?"

"probably……"

Jiang Shengjun was a little uncertain, "It's in the album, it looks very similar to it."

"Ha ha."

Xu Chong smiled, and was about to say something, when he suddenly saw a figure not far away, his heart moved, and he shouted: "Fu Yin Xiang? What a coincidence."

"Uh... my lord?!"

The figure turned around, and after seeing Xu Chong's face clearly, he was startled, trotted up to him, and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, see His Royal Highness the Regent."

As the governor of Dingtian Mansion of the third rank, Xiang Tianqing was qualified to enter the palace in the court meeting, so he could recognize Xu Chong at a glance.

As for the more ordinary Jiang Shengjun who was dressed beside him, he just ignored him.

"Don't be too polite."

Xu Chong waved his hands with a smile, and said: "The king and the empress dowager were arguing just now, and I happened to see Xiang Fu Yin giving out value, please come over and make a judgment."

Argue, Dauphine, judge.

These three words directly shocked Xiang Tianqing, and made him understand what kind of situation he was in. It would be wrong to say goodbye for a while, and it would be wrong not to say goodbye.

Fortunately...

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager is young, as long as she follows the Prince Regent's wishes, she should not be harshly criticized.

Thinking about it this way, Xiang Tianqing's panic calmed down a little, and he said: "This official is insignificant, so I have no right to comment on it, but since the prince thinks highly of it, this official dared to speak... I don't know what this argument is about?
"The crown princess said it was a deer, but the king thought it was a horse."

Xu Chong squinted his eyes, and raised the rope in his hand, "I don't know what Xiangfu Yin thinks?"

"..."

With a swish, Xiang Tianqing's cold sweat flowed down.

He thought it would be some great principle to govern the world, but he didn't expect it to be such a simple matter.

Is it simple?

From the surface of the problem, it is indeed simple.

Because it was a deer, and it was a hook-tailed deer that often appeared on the dining table of rich and powerful families.

What is not simple is what the regent said.

The regent can't tell if it's a deer or a horse?

is it possible?

So clearly the question was no longer whether the deer was a horse, but what the regent intended.

Thinking of this, Xiang Tianqing gritted his teeth and said, "Forgive me, Your Majesty, if you don't go far, this is a horse, not a deer."

"Is that so..."

Jiang Shengjun was at a loss.

This is different from what the book says.

Is there a typo in the book?
"It's work."

Xu Chong nodded expressionlessly.

Xiang Tianqing, as if he had been pardoned, pleaded guilty and left quickly.

His sweat-soaked back made him stand out from the crowd.

"Now I'll tell you."

Xu Chong knelt down and looked at Jiang Shengjun who was still in self-doubt, "What you see with your eyes may not be true."

"Because the truth will be concealed by power."

"Just like that Xiang Fu Yin just now."

"He succumbed to my power and could only go against his will and speak nonsense with his eyes open."

"If you come across and recognize this situation, what you need to do is stick to your mind."

"Just like it."

"You were right from the start."

Xu Chong put the rope into Jiang Shengjun's hands, "It's just a deer, no matter who says it's a horse, it will always be a deer... even if I said so."

Jiang Shengjun held the rope and tilted his head in thought.

After a long time, his eyes gradually brightened.

"Mother and concubine said, you are the reincarnation of the ancestor and came to save the world, so Jun'er must listen to you."

Jiang Shengjun suddenly opened his mouth and talked about something else.

"Ok?"

Xu Chong raised his eyebrows, "How do you say this?"

"Jun'er can feel that you have been doing Jun'er's best, including during the final exam."

Jiang Shengjun said to himself, "But Juner knows that you are not the reincarnation of the ancestor."

"This……"

Xu Chong thought for a while, then laughed and said, "I see, because you met another Patriarch in the Daqing Arsenal, right?"

"Ah? How do you know this!"

It seemed that a little secret had been exposed, and a trace of panic flashed in Jiang Shengjun's eyes.

"Because I am that old ancestor."

Xu Chong found it interesting, and blinked, "At that time, I also took two questions on Jun'er, Ming Yujin, Zhefengshou, remember?"

"You are……"

Jiang Shengjun opened his mouth wide, froze for a while, then frowned again, "If you are really the Patriarch, then who is the other Jiang Huan?"

"Ginger?!"

Xu Chong's pupils suddenly shrank into needlepoints.

(End of this chapter)