Datang: Starting from a fortune-telling stall, Wu Zetian was suddenly abducted

Chapter 218
After more than ten days of running around, we finally arrived at Liu Sanshan’s hometown, Liaocheng.

This location is on the easternmost side of the Tang Dynasty, bordering Goryeo.

And now it is the depth of winter, extremely cold.

Yuan Shouwei, who was a bit reluctant, was forcing himself to endure it. He was really afraid that he would have to hit him with a stick while peeing.

Although the cold and heat did not invade him, it was so cold that he felt that the heat in his body was dissipating rapidly.

He looked at the empty official road and then looked at the sun setting in the west.

Calculating the time, Liu Sanshan's hometown is still east of Liaodong City, and there is no way he can make it in time today.

There happened to be a post station in front of him, so he decided to stay here today, and then rush to Liu Sanshan's home tomorrow.

After entering the inn, he first rested for a while in the arranged room to relieve his fatigue.

Seeing that it was completely dark, I went to the lobby of the inn, ordered some food and drinks, and started drinking by myself.

When he was half drunk, the words of two people at the table next to him caught his attention.

One of the two had a long face, the other a round face, and they looked like they were from the government.

They were drinking and chatting.

Long Face said:

"Oh, this damn place is too cold. It's really no place for people."

"If there is a chance, I still have to use some money to move to the vicinity of Youzhou."

The round face said with deep emotion:
"That's right. Not only is it cold, but there are also natural and man-made disasters, which also caught up with the hail, and a lot of food was destroyed in the ground."

"I'm afraid the people are not far from going hungry."

After hearing this, the long face lowered his voice and said:
"I heard that the hail was caused by the demon dragon that locked the Dragon Well."

"Logically speaking, it shouldn't be the case. Didn't Muming Mansion (the county magistrate) just sacrifice a boy and a girl some time ago?"

"Why is this demonic dragon so crazy? Could it be that the offerings are not enough?"

After hearing this, the round-faced man first shushed at the long face, and then looked around.

I saw that there were basically no guests in the lobby except Yuan Shouwei who was eating and drinking.

Then he whispered:
"Sanlang spoke quietly, it's better not to publicize this matter."

The long face was obviously drunk. He burped and filled himself another glass of wine and said:

"Yes, I know."

"You said it's not easy for Mu Ming Mansion. We have hired many experts before and after."

"Taoist priests, monks, and Mr. Hu San have all been invited, but they still can't destroy this demonic dragon."

The round-faced man asked curiously:
"Didn't the Ming Mansion report this demonic dragon matter to the imperial court?"

The long-faced man took a mouthful of vegetables and said:

"Why not? The imperial court has sent several groups of Taoist masters here."

"It's an evil thing to say. As soon as the master comes, the demonic dragon immediately disappears. As soon as the master leaves, it makes waves, either wind or hail. Anyway, it won't let the common people calm down."

The round-faced man said curiously again:
"Lock the Dragon Well, lock the Dragon Well, since it's locked up. Those experts can go down and look for it."

"If it is afraid of the master and hides it, then just seal the well again."

The long face hiccupped and said:
"You don't know something. I heard that Suolongjing is connected to the Yalu River. When the master comes to seal it, the demon dragon hides in the Yalu River. As soon as the master leaves, the demon dragon turns back."

"It's useless for you to seal it. You can seal the well, but you can't seal the demonic dragon's magic power. The demonic dragon will still make trouble and demand boys and girls as tribute."

"It almost drove Mu Ming Mansion crazy."

The round-faced man said with deep approval:
"This Mu Ming Mansion is a good official. He sent his daughters as tributes to pray for the safety of the people."

"The common people feel their benevolence and righteousness, so they voluntarily draw lots to provide their children to the demon dragon on a regular basis."

The long face let out a long sigh:
"What a good official? He can't even protect his own children, how can he keep the people safe?"

"I would say he is pedantic." "To be honest with Zhang Lang, I am planning to leave here just because of the child. I cannot bear to feed my child to the demon dragon."

The round face turned pale with shock, looked left and right again, and quickly interrupted what the long face had to say,

"Sanlang, you drank too much."

"Let's go, let's go upstairs to rest, there are still many official documents to be delivered tomorrow."

After saying that, he put on a long and confused face and returned to the guest room at the back.

Yuan Shouwei was left alone in the lobby, meditating.
What is the origin of this demonic dragon that causes such harm to the people?

And with so many experts coming, they couldn't clean it up.

Now that he has met him, he must not stand by and watch.

He decided that after delivering Liu Sanshan's remains tomorrow, he would go to the county to visit Li Sisheng and ask about the demon dragon in detail.

Silent all night.

On the second day, after Yuan Shouwei inquired about Liujiatun, Liu Sanshan's hometown, he passed through Liaodong County and rushed eastward.

Along the way, I saw many crops staggered by hailstones. Many farmers braved the cold to save crops. This should be the fault of the demonic dragon.

Yuan Shouwei's idea of ​​​​getting rid of the demon dragon became more firm.

At noon, he followed the path pointed by others and arrived at a village.

Just look at the three-foot-high earthen wall outside the village, and there is a moat outside. But because of the cold weather, the water in the moat was covered by thick ice.

There is also a suspension bridge under the Tucheng entrance for people to enter and exit. At the entrance, there are two young students who are bending down and stamping their feet to resist the cold, talking and laughing.

This should be Liujiatun.

Yuan Shouwei walked over, and when he reached the suspension bridge, he said to the two young disciples:

"You two gentlemen, may I ask if this is Liujiatun?"

Although Yuan Shouwei was not wearing a Taoist robe, his handsome appearance and outstanding temperament were there.

The two young men knew at a glance that he was no ordinary person, and they quickly replied:
"Hi sir, our place is Liujiatun."

"Are you looking for someone or just passing by?"

Yuan Shouwei looked at the two of them and said:

"Looking for someone. Does Liu Dashan's family live here?"

After listening to Yuan Shouwei's questions, the two young men showed strange expressions and asked warily:

"Are you from the government?"

"Liu Dalang has been captured by you."

"There are only orphans and widowers left in the family. Are you still looking for trouble?"

There was already a hint of rudeness in his tone.

What?Liu Dalang was arrested by the government?Isn't he a county official? Yuan Shouwei suppressed the doubts in his heart and said:

"You two have misunderstood. I am Liu Sanshan's colleague in the army. I will send him home this time to lay him to rest."

After saying that, he took out the porcelain ashes altar from behind for the two of them to check.

Both of them were shocked when they heard this. One of the young men, who was dark, opened his eyes wide, looked at the porcelain altar of ashes in Yuan Shouwei's hand and stammered:
"What did you say?"

"Are these Sanshan's ashes? Isn't he doing well in the Western Region? Why did he suddenly disappear?"

Another thick young man frowned and said:

"Where did you come from, a fool, to dare to curse the Dashan family like this?"

"Don't you think his family's affairs are troublesome enough?"

(End of this chapter)