Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 228
The Weihe River is some distance away from the core area of ​​Liyuan Forbidden Garden, but it is not particularly far.It was probably the distance from outside the North Third Ring Road in Xi'an to the south bank of the Wei River in Fang Chongyong's previous life.

Although the five thousand palace maids were many, and the three hundred courtiers were also many, they were spread out in bits and pieces. After they ran away, it was common for not to see a single person within sight.

When Fang Youde led a group of Longwu Army elite soldiers to the Zhongwei Bridge on horseback, he happened to see a Jinwu guard taking several palace ladies to a boat parked next to the bridge pier!Someone has already gotten in.

"You guys, stop and don't move!"

As soon as Fang Youde raised his hand, the dozens of Longwu Army cavalry behind him took out their bows and stringed their arrows, aiming their arrows at the frightened palace maids.

"General Fang, please slow down!"

Several Jinwu guards guarding the bridge hurriedly stepped forward to salute the other party. They were so frightened that they wanted to resist but did not dare to resist.

"What's going on? Why did you take away the palace maid? Whose order was it?"

As soon as they met, Fang Youde asked in a face-to-face manner.

"General Fang, please help us!"

Almost at the same time, there were people kneeling on the ground in front of Fang Youde, including palace maids and soldiers of the Jinwu Guard.

"General Fang, although we are all soldiers of the Jinwu Guards, we can't afford a wife with a salary of five kilograms a month.

Even if the official land is divided, there will not be enough manpower to cultivate it, and we will not be able to inherit the family business at home.

Naturally, there is no shortage of beautiful wives and concubines around you, but what can we do?If you miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to find it again in the future.

Please help us, General Fang. "

A member of the Jinwu Guards saluted Fang Youde with his hands crossed and said.

On the surface, Jinwuwei seems to be a very popular profession, but that's all according to old history.Compared with other Nanya Imperial Guards, the Jinwu Guards have been on duty for a long time and are almost impossible to rotate unless they retire.Many of them are no longer able to support themselves.

In fact, in the history of Fang Chongyong's previous life, the Nanya Forbidden Army generally had a "second job" during the Tianbao period, and that was the basis for their support.The profession of Jin Wuwei and his ilk can only be regarded as part-time.

Among these people, there are many who do business, blacksmiths, and errands, and they have no fighting ability at all.This is also an important reason why after the Anshi Rebellion broke out, Ji Ge found that Changan had no available soldiers.

Although we haven't reached that stage yet, the trend is already obvious.

Many soldiers of Youjinwu Guard are counting on getting a palace maid back to be their wife.Not only do these palace ladies generally have great looks, they also save them a lot of money in betrothal gifts.If these Jinwu guards forcefully find a home in Chang'an's wedding market, they Qiu Ba will never find anyone of the same quality as this group of palace maids.

Even those a few grades lower are hard to find!
It wasn't until this moment that Fang Youde realized that Fang Chongyong had a sharp gaze and penetrated deeply into the bottom, and he knew exactly what those Qiu Ba at the bottom were planning.

Whether these Qiuba people are brave or not depends entirely on what temptations they will encounter.Things that the higher-ups don't care about can often make these people take risks!
It is a capital crime to release a palace maid secretly, but this threat is completely worthless compared to the temptation of seeking a wife!For these Qiuba, even if they are found out, it will take some time, but tonight they can hold a beautiful girl and feel good.

Bad consequences are delayed, but attractive benefits can be realized immediately!

How to choose? Do I need to say more?

Although Fang Youde couldn't agree with this, he understood it very well.

"Everyone who comes is tied up and taken away!"

Fang Youde waved his hand, and the Longwu soldiers behind him immediately tied up the Jinwu guards guarding the bridge, and also tied up the palace ladies who had already boarded the ship and were about to escape.

"Take a few of them to guard the bridge. I'll go look elsewhere."

Fang Youde said to Sige, a Longwu Army man beside him.

He turned around and said to the tightly tied palace maids and Jinwu guards: "Someone will plead for mercy in front of the saint, but whether it succeeds or not depends on your luck."

"I'm afraid the same story will happen at Dongwei Bridge."

Fang Youde murmured to himself.

The difference from the situation here is that the Dongwei Bridge ferry is larger and the bridge deck is wider, and Pei Min is watching over there personally.In the palace, there are many palace ladies from the Pei family, and many of them are concubines or women from small families.

As a member of the same race, it is perfectly normal for Pei Min to "put his hands up" in this matter.

Just as Fang Youde was preparing to go to Dongwei Bridge, he suddenly saw flames shooting into the sky to the southwest!

"Did you get lost?"

Fang Youde looked at the thick smoke in the distance and muttered to himself.The buildings in the Liyuan are far apart, so there is no problem of burning them all.However, since there are so many trees in the Forbidden Garden, we should not be careless.

"Keep an eye on them, and I'll take someone over there to put out the fire."

Fang Youde pointed to the Jinwu guards and palace maids who were tied up with five flowers and said, then he led a large group of people and ran towards the place where the fire was.

……

At the Dongwei Bridge Ferry, Zhang Guangsheng led ten soldiers of the Zuo Jinwu Guards to directly confront Pei Min and his subordinates of the You Jinwu Guards, and the situation was tense.Behind Pei Min, there was a group of palace maids. One of them, wearing a palace maid's white gauze dress, was standing next to him.

This girl's name is Pei Xiu, and she is Pei Min's biological daughter.Pei Min's reason for participating in this matter was actually more solid than Fang Youde expected. He just wanted to save his daughter and fulfill the family's request.

So, why didn't Pei Min entrust an official to let his daughter be "shot"?

Because he did not want his daughter to be a slave, he wanted to change his name and surname so that the daughter he loved so much could be adopted into his name as a "niece" to clear his identity.

In addition, the family's entrustment is also an important reason. Otherwise, Pei Min would not mind using other channels to resolve the matter.

These commissions came not only from the Pei family, but also from other official families.These people all hope that their daughters in the palace can escape from suffering.Because the pressure was too great, Pei Min had no way to escape from this situation.

Unlike the simple interpersonal relationships between Fang Youde and his son, the social relationships in the Pei Min family are extremely complex.

They came from Hedong, settled in Guanzhong, had royal concubines in their families, and were also connected in the military and political circles.Pei Min had no way to shirk such a request.In line with the principle that saving one person is saving, and saving a group of people is saving, Pei Min, who has a generous nature, easily agreed to other people's requests.

Everything was going smoothly, but who would have thought that Zuo Jinwuwei would come out and get in the way!
"General Pei, you can't do it by guarding and stealing. Stop it."

Fang Chongyong, who was standing behind Zhang Guangsheng, originally didn't want to come forward. Seeing that Pei Min seemed to have no intention of letting go, he had no choice but to go out and negotiate with the other party.

"Fang Yushi, I heard that you are also a dragon and a phoenix among people. Don't you know that the palace is a huge prison?
If we sisters cannot escape from the sea of ​​suffering today, it would be better to die quickly.

Could it be that you really don't understand what kind of game "Strive for Romance Arrow" is? "

Before Pei Min could speak, his daughter Pei Xiu stood up first.

Fang Zhongyong was silent when he heard this.After knowing the huge disparity between the number of palace ladies and the number of courtiers, Fang Chongyong understood the unspoken rules.Of course, there are also smart people like Pei Xiu among the palace ladies.

She also knew what Fang Chongyong knew, or even knew more.

The so-called "Frozen Arrow" game is the Palace Maid Battle Royale.If you don't grab the arrow, you have to kill someone who does, and you have to prevent yourself from being killed by others who didn't grab it. The evil of human nature will bloom like a flower.

Will there be humility?
nonexistent.

This is a life-and-death game.

The social backgrounds of palace ladies are not all the same, so palace ladies from official families will naturally not participate in these "dirty games".They don't want to be like wild dogs, "grabbing bones" from others in the mud pit.

Those who can fight for their father will naturally fight for his father in the first place!

"You know me?"

Fang Chongyong asked curiously.

"Hmph, who is the favored minister beside the saint? Who doesn't know the maid on duty beside the saint?"

Pei Xiu snorted coldly, her words full of sarcasm.

At this moment, a raging fire broke out in the southwest!

"They did take action after all."

Pei Min murmured to himself, not knowing who the "they" in his mouth were.

"Go back quickly to escort me. Afterwards, I will naturally apologize to the saint."

Pei Min bowed deeply to Fang Chongyong, crossed his hands and saluted.Obviously, he was very determined to let these maids go, and he was mentally prepared to be punished.Of course, Pei Min was running errands for a bunch of bureaucrats in Chang'an City. It was inevitable that Brother Ji would punish him, but the possibility of killing him was very slim.

"The saint has already gone to Lingyan Pavilion and does not need an escort."

Fang Chongyong shook his head and sighed.

After Brother Ji left, he asked Gao Lishi to find Fang Chongyong and leave a handwriting asking him to clean up the mess in Liyuan Forbidden Garden.For him, this can be regarded as a "small test" before going out to recruit the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army.

So where is Lingyan Pavilion?
Go straight south from the Liyuan Forbidden Garden, pass through the West Inner Garden where the Longwu Army is stationed, and then enter the Taiji Hall from the Xuanwu Gate, just around there. Fang Chongyong has never been to any specific place.

In other words, Brother Ji was tired of watching the excitement in the Liyuan Forbidden Garden, and now he had gone to the Tai Chi Hall to rest, and did not stay in the Liyuan where the palace ladies were wandering around.

Ever since he was tricked last time by King Shou, um, the current Crown Prince Li Chan, Brother Ji has become a real dog and never puts himself in danger.What if there is an assassin among these palace ladies?

Although this possibility is small, it cannot be completely ruled out.

How could Brother Ji be so stupid as to wait for an accident to happen in the palace of Liyuan!
"I'll compete with you. If you win, you take these people away and leave them at your disposal. If you lose, just pretend you haven't seen us today. How about that?"

Pei Min suddenly took a step forward, came to Fang Chongyong, spoke to him in a deep voice, and blocked Pei Xiu behind him.

Pei Min has at least dozens of Jinwu Guardsmen under his command, many more than Zhang Guangsheng's.And I think these people are Pei Min's cronies, his own people who have been placed in Youjinwu Guard for many years.

If you fight hard, you will be at a disadvantage.

"Father! Don't act out of anger!"

Pei Xiu was anxious. Why should he be polite to Fang Chongyong at this time?

"You step back."

Pei Min scolded in a low voice.

"Brother, Pei Min was given the title of Sword Saint by a saint. You will suffer a loss in a duel with him."

Zhang Guangsheng came over and spoke in Fang Chongyong's ear.

"I'll compete with you, just one move."

Fang Zhongyong held his hand on the handle of the Swift Wind Phantom Knife, nodded slightly and said.

Zhang Guangsheng and others had no choice but to step back ten steps to make room.Pei Xiu, the palace maids and Jin Wu's guards also took ten steps back.

"Can I trust you, Fang Yushi?"

Pei Min took a step forward to face Fang Chongyong, and then asked in a low voice.

"of course."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

"Okay, let's wait and see."

Pei Min took a step back and placed his hand on the hilt of the sword on his waist.

The two drew their swords almost at the same time. There was a flash of sword light, and there was a gap in Fang Chongyong's sleeve. Pei Min's sword was cut in half by the Phantom Blade, and the broken sword was inserted into the soil on the ground.

"Yu Shi Fang won."

Pei Min casually threw the sword to the ground, and the other party Zhongyong crossed his hands and saluted, and said meaningfully.

"Assigned."

Fang Zhongyong nodded with understanding and said.

"You can take him away. I will go back to the Jinwu Guard Yamen and wait for my death. Let the people from Zuo Jinwu Guard take over the Dongwei Bridge."

Pei Min walked to Pei Xiu, looked at Pei Xiu who looked in disbelief, shook his head gently, and didn't say a word.

……

The northeast corner of Taiji Palace in Chang'an City is where Lingyan Pavilion is located. At this moment, Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty is resting here.

Lingyan Pavilion is divided into three floors: the innermost layer is painted with the ministers of the prime ministers and ministers who have the highest merit; the middle layer is painted with the ministers of the princes with the highest merit; the outermost layer is painted with other meritorious officials.

Entering the hall from the main entrance (north gate) of Lingyan Pavilion, the first thing you see is a set of murals: portraits of 24 heroes written by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin and written by Chu Suiliang.

The praises highly summarized the achievements, character and talents of the heroes. There were originally 24 people, and Kong Yingda was added later, making a total of 25 people.

However, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, the portraits of Lingyan Pavilion were repainted in two batches. The first batch included one person, Li Ji, and the second batch included seven people including Wei Zheng and Gao Shilian, but there were no new additions.Now he is still the 25th hero of Lingyan Pavilion.

Ji Ge has been in power for decades and has not added anyone new to it.

At this moment, Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty was quietly observing the murals of 25 heroes on the wall in a daze, and outsiders had no idea what he was thinking.

"Sage, the palace in Liyuan Forbidden Garden is in trouble. It seems that someone is deliberately setting fire to it."

Gao Lishi came quietly behind Brother Ji, crossed his hands and saluted.

"Whose person is it?"

Brother Ji asked with a sigh.

"Back to Saint, we haven't found anything yet. The person who set the fire committed suicide. She was the palace maid who participated in this event."

Gao Lishi replied calmly.

"I think the masterminds behind this are my unscrupulous sons."

Li Longji shook his head in disappointment and said.

Gao Lishi didn't answer, and he didn't know what to say, because this in itself was a flaw deliberately sold by Ji Ge.Then as expected, someone was fooled and wanted to fish in troubled waters.

"By the way, are any courtiers injured this time?"

Brother Ji asked pretending not to care.

"No, but they all look pretty miserable."

Gao Lishi suppressed his laughter and continued:

"Fang Quanzhong reported that some of the Jinwu guards wanted to release the palace maids secretly, but he caught them. Now they are all imprisoned in the Longwu Army's prison. Let the saint make a decision."

"Well, let's lock him up for now. We'll talk about how to deal with him later. If there's anything else, you can finish it in one go."

Li Longji waved his hand and said nonchalantly.

"Fang Guozhong asked for an audience outside Lingyan Pavilion. He said that there was something important and he wanted to see the saint alone."

Gao Lishi whispered.

"Him? Shouldn't he be putting out the fire in the palace in the opera garden now?"

Brother Ji felt a little strange. He had ordered Fang Chongyong to be fully responsible for the finishing work of Liyuan Forbidden Garden. Why didn't this person stay at the place where the fire broke out?
"That's all, let's talk about it after you bring the people in."

Brother Ji was slightly disappointed. Fang Chongyong actually failed to carry out his orders properly, and his priorities were all wrong.

After a while, Fang Chongyong was brought in.

"Sage, Pei Min, the lieutenant general of Youjinwu Guard, attempted to release the palace maid privately, but was caught by the ministers. He came here to report to the saint."

Fang Zhongyong crossed his hands and saluted.

"Well, I understand, please step back."

Brother Ji waved his hand casually, seemingly not surprised at all and not planning to do anything.

"Saint, this matter..."

"I acquiesce in this matter, so please don't interfere."

Li Longji emphasized that he did not explain much as to why he acquiesced to this.

"Sage, I would like to ask, what is the saint's plan to do with the palace ladies who did not grab the romantic arrow this time? Does he plan to let them return to the forbidden garden of the imperial city?"

Fang Chongyong asked bravely.

"Do you know where the water in Liyuan Forbidden Garden is?"

Li Longji asked with a gloomy face.

"Back to the saint, I haven't had time to see it yet, but I just felt that the matter of Youjin Wuwei was more urgent, so I came to Lingyan Pavilion to report it first."

Fang Zhongyong crossed his hands and saluted.

"Hmph, the palace I used to live in has been compromised. These maids want to assassinate me. What do you think I will do with these remaining maids?"

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong suddenly understood. He finally understood why Pei Min was not panicked at all when he was caught. He also understood what the "Liyuan Shooting Concubine" was about!
"Sage, I have an unkind request, so I must tell it. Please don't blame the saint."

Fang Chongyong suddenly knelt on the ground, crossed his hands and saluted Li Longji.

"Get out of here, I don't want to hear you plead for those palace ladies."

Brother Ji impatiently scolded and asked Gao Lishi to drive Fang Chongyong out of Lingyan Pavilion.

(End of this chapter)