Under the sky

Chapter 245

The first person to notice Xie Yunjin was Potu Xiaoji.He likes to play chess. He heard that a young master appeared in the city, and he couldn't help but feel a little bit excited about his skills. He also heard that this man can play against three people at the same time, and he can also play chess with one hand and big chess with the other, which is even more amazing.Potu may be the best chess player in the entire Nebu Batu, but his accomplishments in big chess are mediocre.

Out of curiosity, Potu Xiaoji changed into casual clothes and mingled with the crowd to watch chess. After watching only one game, he realized that although this young man was smart, he was still young and his chess skills were enough to intimidate ordinary people. He was bound to lose when he met a national player. I don't know if he was arrogant. , still underestimated the chess skills.

"This man has been to the priest's court." The priest who followed him happened to be the priest who refused Xie Yunjin's exam. "He also got an open and sealed letter of recommendation."

"Oh?" Potu Xiaoji was even more curious, "He wants to enter the priest's courtyard?"

Potu didn't get in line. The priest who followed Potu wanted to drive away the crowd and let Potu go up and teach this ignorant young man a lesson, but Potu, who had a kind-hearted personality, refused: "Come back another day."

He found out that the child was from a southern tribe and that his father worked as a guard at Prince Hugen's palace and had only come to Batu this year.Potu wanted to give this young man a chance, but he didn't want to overstep his bounds. Although he was only a minor priest, he was a highly trusted staff member of Gulthas. He had a low class but high prestige. He knew that power should not be abused, especially in Gulthas. You need to be more careful when wielding authority in front of others.He told Gulthas about this. He knew that Gulthas was particularly interested in smart young people, and it was best to make Gulthas show mercy.

"You want to give him this chance?" Gulthas was also curious about this young man, "Let me see if he is really that smart."

Gursas asked his companion Xili Dege Xiaoji to play chess with Botu with Xie Yunjin. He didn't want to see Xie Yunjin's chess skills. Being good at chess didn't mean he was capable. It just meant he knew how to play chess. I want to see how Xie Yunjin copes with difficulties.

It goes without saying that Potu's chess skills were higher than Xie Yunjin's. In order to let Gulthas pay attention to this young man, he gave in a little and focused on the defensive. This was also in line with his gentle character. Even if he was sure of victory, he would not kill everyone, but try to let everyone go. The opponent loses face.

But Xie Yunjin showed a skill that Gulthas admired in front of two people who were better than him in chess. It was to judge the overall situation and the battle situation, to gain opportunities from the overall situation while being at a disadvantage, and to use the advantages gained. influence the overall situation.

The most admirable thing is the cunning move when the defeat is already determined.If you can't win in the game, just win outside the game. That's fine. The goal justifies the means.He saw that this child wanted to lure him out, but how could the noble Gulthas be at his mercy as he wished?So he left.

"Write a letter of recommendation for him and let him enter the Priesthood. This is his purpose." Gulthas told Potu, "But don't be too hasty. Let's first see if this kid can get a recommendation by his own ability. If If not, just wait until two days before the exam to give him a letter of recommendation.”

“Only when the person in need reaches out for help when he is in desperate situation will he be sincerely grateful.”

This is his habit. Gulthas has always had an insight into human nature, although fate does not always go according to his plan.Many years later, when he misses a crucial chess piece again because of this habit, he will think of Xie Yunjin's past incident.If he had walked out of the room to see Xie Yunjin and allowed Xie Yunjin to enter the priest's courtyard openly, perhaps the history of the entire Sha sect and Guan Nei would have been rewritten.

But history is like this. Things that have happened can be easily judged as right or wrong, but things that have not happened are unpredictable because there are too many differences. They may become better or worse.

The kid finally got what he wanted.Gao Leqi told Potu that he lost the chess game and owed a favor, and asked Potu's little priest to write a letter of recommendation. Potu wrote a letter after reporting it to Gursas. He also hoped that the child could be admitted to the priest's college.

When Xie Yunjin didn't know why, he attracted the attention of Gursasi and Potu Xiaoji. He performed well enough and was so good that Gursas was willing to summon him, so he was standing here.

Xie Yunjin didn't know the many reasons at this time, nor did he expect that he would be one against two that day.

"From now on, you can come to me after class every day." Gursasi said, "It will be more convenient to move to the priest's courtyard."

Every word of the kind old man was an order, and there was no room for refutation.

Xie Yunjin was flattered: "Yes." He held his uneasy hand tightly. Moving to the priest's courtyard would undoubtedly get rid of Master Jin, but would Master Jin let him go so easily?

Potu respectfully reported: "Jin Yunjin hopes to be a flame."

"Flame?" Gulthas asked, and Hillidegg next to him showed a surprised expression.

"Yes." Xie Yunyan said, "I want to spread light into the pass."

"The fire will be extinguished by the ice." Gulthas said, "Do you think the blind people in the pass will listen to the teachings?"

"I will bring useful information."

Gulthas nodded: "It depends on your performance."

Xie Yunjin was overjoyed when he heard that Gul Sa Si wanted to agree, "Excuse me, Sa Si, when can I enter the customs?"

"That's something you'll do later." Gulthas said, "You still have to learn the knowledge within the customs."

Xie Yunjin, who was too familiar with the knowledge in the pass, replied: "It's too late. Honorable Gulthas, your idea is not correct."

Hillidege scolded: "Jin Yunjin, pay attention to the tone of your words."

Although he rarely interacts with people, Xie Yunjin has studied at the Priest College for a year and has gradually learned how to talk to people. If he wants to return to the pass, he must convince Gursasi that he has the ability to become a flame.

Xie Yunjin said: "I'm telling the truth. Sa Si, when entering the pass, young people are more useful than old people, and children are more useful than young people. The secret of the Holy Road cannot be kept forever. They will think that the flames sent will definitely He is an older person with strong faith.”

"No one would be suspicious of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy. This is not someone sent from outside the customs. He is too young. Being young is conducive to learning martial arts, and it is easier to fabricate his identity. He can even enter Batu, a large city in the customs. He has time to study , promotion, and even becoming a high-level person, it will be easier for the light of the Sa God to shine into the customs, just like it was the light of the Sa God that shined throughout the darkness more than a hundred years ago."

"There is no Batu in the pass, so it is called the Nine Families." Gursasi nodded, "What you said makes sense, but it's not that I haven't thought about it. It has only been a few years since the Holy Road was opened. We must first establish the foundation. Young people, children , and women, that is something that will happen later. In any case, it has nothing to do with you now. From tomorrow on, you will be my companion, and Hillidger will teach you what to do."

Xie Yunjin thought over and over in his heart that this was a good opportunity to get rid of Jin Fuzi, but he was worried about what Jin Fuzi would do in anger.

After returning home, Master Jin took off his shoes and changed his clothes as usual.Master Jin has taken care of him in this way since he was sensible, and he became more and more attentive as he went on.He watched the white-haired old servant fold his clothes neatly and place them beside the bed. As dusk approached, he squinted and lit a small oil lamp.

Xie Yunjin could not be cruel to Jin Fuzi. Even though there were conflicts and anger again and again, even if the other party's methods were too fierce, he never left Jin Fuzi.

How long can Mrs. Jin live?Five years?ten years? 20 years?He hoped that Jin Fuzi would die before he returned to the pass, or die soon after leaving, otherwise he would search for himself crazily.

"Gulthas wants me to be his companion." Xie Yunjin said carefully, "I will go to the priest's residence in two days."

Jin Fuzi was cleaning. Hearing this, he stopped and looked at Xie Yunjin. Xie Yunjin could see his slightly distorted face under the candlelight.

"Are you moving to the Priesthood?"

"Gulsasi appreciates children very much." Xie Yunjin stepped forward and took Jin Fuzi's hand, trying not to anger him. "Didn't Dad say that your child wants to be a high official or a big shot? Isn't this an opportunity now?"

Xie Yunjin said: "Dad is old and my child is capable, so I can be filial to you."

"No need!" Jin Fuzi growled, then realized that he had lost his temper and changed his words, "It is the father's responsibility to take care of Yun'er. The father takes care of the child, and the child does not need to pay back."

"Can you refuse Gursasi?" Master Jin asked eagerly, "If you can't refuse, we will leave Nabu Batu. Yun'er, after all, we are from Guan Nei, and sooner or later we have to return to Guan Nei. Maybe... the master will send someone Came to find you."

Xie Yunjin suppressed his anger after repeating his words over and over again: "Didn't dad say that he wanted me to be a high official or a noble? I also want to have my own power and wealth."

Suddenly, Master Jin made a silence gesture and rushed to the door.There was a knock on the door.Xie Yunjin was stunned. It was so late. Who would come to him? Could it be Prince Tucker and Gao Leqi?These two people would come occasionally to play chess and inquire about the affairs of the Priesthood.

Master Jin opened the door. Standing outside the door was a famous young man, but it was his employer Luskale.

Luce was the first person to make Xie Yunjin feel disgusted. Relying on his noble status, he was even more arrogant than Prince Tucker in Batu. He not only raped slaves, but also shot slaves with bows and arrows for fun. Prince Hu Gen There is nothing you can do about this son.

What is he doing here?
Luce pushed away Master Jin and walked directly into the house, followed by four guards. They all said congratulations when they saw Master Jin.Luce took a box from a guard and threw it on the table. He looked at Xie Yunjin and said, "I heard that Gulthas asked you to serve as a pen servant? The royal father said that the relatives of those who serve God cannot be neglected, so he sent me Sending you a congratulatory gift." Then he turned to Master Jin and said, "Chief Guard Jin, your son has made a difference, it's great."

Both his words and expression were strange. Xie Yunjin was uncertain, and Master Jin was also guessing. He only said: "Thank you to God Sa for your protection, and also to the blessing of Prince and Kale."

Luskale turned to Xie Yunyan and said, "You are welcome to come to the palace to meet with father often in the future. We will receive you with the courtesy of receiving a noble." After saying this, he turned and left without waiting for Master Jin to refuse.

Xie Yunjin opened the box sent by Luce. Inside was a delicate gold necklace, probably not more than four or five pounds, and a red agate bead bracelet. "Let's get out of here." Jin Fuzi immediately packed his luggage.

"I'm not leaving!" Xie Yunyan said, "Why are you running away?"

"This is a struggle between the palace and the priesthood. You will only be used. You are still young and don't know how dangerous it is." Jin Fuzi said.

Xie Yunjin said: "I have Gulsas as my backer, so they don't dare to hurt us."

"My child, it's not that easy..." Master Jin looked at Xie Yunjin with a face full of pity, "Let's go!" Master Jin grabbed Xie Yunjin's wrist with his right hand and couldn't get rid of it like an iron hoop. He held a torch in his left hand and pushed it away. If you open the door, you must escape at night.Xie Yunjin touched the ground with his feet and refused to leave. Master Jin shouted: "Yun'er, be obedient!"

Xie Yunjin shouted: "Dad, I'm going to scream!"

He was about to shout, but when he saw Master Jin's face full of murderous intent, he immediately fell silent for fear of being disadvantageous to him.Jin Fuzi forced him to leave the house. His mind was racing, thinking about how to get rid of Jin Fuzi. When he reached the alleyway past the chess stall, Jin Fuzi suddenly stopped.Xie Yunjin was puzzled, Master Jin gritted his teeth, stamped his feet, and pulled him back.

"Son of a bitch, fuck! Hu Gen sent people to spy on us!" Jin Fuzi's anger was written on his face. "Fortunately, I was alert and they haven't noticed it yet."

He angrily threw the baggage on the ground, and with a "pop" sound, several red agate beads popped out, apparently falling apart.He held Xie Yunjin's shoulders and said, "Don't worry, dad will definitely rescue you."

Xie Yunjin smiled noncommittally: "I will come back to see dad often."

He quickly understood what was going on. The nobles were afraid of Gulthas and needed spies in the Priesthood. This was why Gao Leqi helped him. They monitored Jin Fuzi in order to use Jin Fuzi to threaten themselves when necessary.

Xie Yunjin realized another thing. One person's intelligence may not necessarily lead to success. Sometimes it is not one's own intelligence that makes others submit, but another person's intelligence that makes one succeed.He thought he could get a chance to enter the Priesthood by playing chess, but in fact, it was through him that Gao Leqi got his own people lurking in the Priesthood.

But Gao Leqi didn't expect that he could become Gulsasi's assistant pen, right?Now that there is an opportunity to get close to Gulthas, the other party will definitely not let it go easily.If he told Gulthas about this, they would kill Master Jin in retaliation. Of course they would not do it openly, but with the power of Prince Hugen and Prince Tucker, it would not be difficult to kill a captain of the guard.

Even the stupidest people have their own selfish motives and calculations.Master Jin couldn't live without Nabu Batu, because Xie Yunjin was useful to the nobles.

■

"Did you receive many gifts?" Hillidegg Xiaoji was sorting out the paperwork.He has dark brown eyes and shoulder-length chestnut hair. Although he is only 23 years old, he has a stable personality and does things neatly.He was admitted to the Priesthood at the age of ten, spent five years becoming a minor priest, and then served as the clerk of the Kongxiao Grand Priest. Three years later, he became the assistant penman of Gursasi.

He is about to be promoted to the position of Deacon Xiaoji of the Department of Prisons.The Prison Department is a department similar to the Prison Hall in Guan, mainly controlled by the nobles. The deacons and priests supervise whether the prisons comply with the doctrine and correct the nobles for fraud.There is also a Discipline Department in the Priest's Court to supervise the priests. The scope of supervision is limited to behavior that violates the doctrine. General criminals are still under the jurisdiction of the nobles.

Xie Yunjin nodded and helped him bundle the books: "Prince Hu Gen and Prince Tucker both sent gifts, as did Gao Leqi."

"Children of nobles are either bad guys or idiots." Hillidegg sneered, "No matter what, as their personal tithe to you, you can change to a big house closer to the priest's courtyard."

"My father is the captain of the guard of Luskale. It would be better to live closer to the palace." Xie Yunjin replied.It's not that Master Jin doesn't want to move, but that Master Jin knows that moving will only cause trouble. Prince Hu Gen will monitor him closely and use it to threaten Xie Yunjin.

"Whatever they ask, you answer truthfully." Seemingly anticipating Xie Yunjin's situation, Hillidege specifically gave instructions.

"You don't have to hide anything, can you say anything?" Xie Yunjin asked, "Including Sa Si's instructions?"

"You will know what you need to hide when the time comes." Hillidegg said, "If you don't know whether you should hide it, there is no need to hide it."

Xie Yunjin nodded: "I understand."

He understood not only what Hilidegg meant on the surface, but the Priest House also knew the plans of Arien Palace. Perhaps he was also a spy for the Priest House to find out about Arien Palace, or he was using false information to deal with Arien Palace. .His situation was so embarrassing, why did Gulthas still want to be his assistant pen?

No, perhaps it was because of this embarrassing status that Gulthas promoted himself in this way.You are both important and humble, and you are caught in the middle. This is called... taking advantage?
"You can ask me if you don't understand, but I don't think you need it." Hillidegg folded the last piece of clothing and put it away, "From now on, this will be your room, and you can come and play chess with me when you have time. "

"I'm no match for you." Xie Yunyan said, "Unless you cheat."

"It's only the past few years." Hilidegg said with a smile, "You are six years behind me. When you get older, I may not be your opponent. I have to take advantage of these few years to win a few more games against you."

Perhaps he should have said this to Gao Leqi, but later Xie Yunjin discovered that Gao Leqi was a person with short-term interests. He quickly forgot about playing chess, and playing the wooden flute became his next interest.When Xie Yunjin is free, he will invite Xie Yunjin to perform with him. Of course, he has other purposes.

But he and Hillidegg really played many games of Go. From giving away two pieces to one piece, that was all later.Hilidegg has always taken good care of him, both in his work as a penman and in the life of the priesthood.

After worshiping and praising God Sa every day, Xie Yunjin had to go to class and read the classics intensively.In order to become Huo Miaozi, he specially took the art of war course, which happened to be what he was good at.He didn't know how many games of chess he had played with his father. After school, he would go to the Holy Temple, where Gulthas worked and lived. Gulthas would sit behind the old old table, usually having finished reading the book from Asia. Reports from the Rien Palace and the Priesthood, as well as the "insect noise" from the chief priest Mengde.

The "insect noise" is not a serious report, but a rumor heard on the street.One of the eight chief priests will always be responsible for this work, sending people to the streets and alleys to listen to all kinds of news, even boring rumors, to judge whether they are of value.If the chief priest Meng De particularly wants to know something about a person, he can even figure out the color of that person's feces. This is a secret job. Xie Yunjin knows that there was a similar official office in the previous dynasty. It is not enough for the emperor to set up one. , there are three before and after to supervise the officials and the people, check and balance each other.

Gursasi will directly give instructions on the report. If detailed instructions or reprimands are needed, Xie Yunjin will be required to draft the content and do some chores on the way. Xie Yunjin learned from this elder who is known as the wisest among the five great Badu. to a lot.

One day two months later, a middle-aged man with a square head and a big face and a beard walked in. Wearing a priest's hat with a white background embroidered with red flames, he put his left hand on his chest and saluted respectfully: "God bless Sa, the chief priest Meng De See Gurthas the Wise.”

This person is the chief priest Meng De who is responsible for listening to the sounds of insects. Xie Yunjin often sees him. He is probably the person who is summoned by Gursas most often besides Potu Xiaoji.

There are four levels of Sa Si priests: Sa Si, chief priest, high priest, and small priest. Sa Si represents Sa God’s eye of fire and wisdom in observing the world. The sun is embroidered with gold thread on the priest’s hat. There are 88 chief priests, representing Sa God’s power. With four hands and four legs, it fulfills the will of the fire eye and embroiders the image of flames with red thread. This is light and fire.

The chief priest is not only a high-level manager, but whenever Sasi dies or abdicates, the 88 chief priests select the next Sasi from among all the people.As the name suggests, everyone, from the chief priest to the refugee slaves, as long as they are selected by the chief priest, are the new Sasi.

But usually the predecessor Sasi will designate an heir. Although it is not a written rule, there is a tacit understanding that this thing is like an expensive porcelain pot. No matter whether you look at it or not before breaking it, it is best not to touch it, because once it is broken, you have to be careful. To clean it up, it can stab your hands, cut your hands, or even cut your throat if used as a weapon.

Priest Mengde is 41 years old this year and became the successor appointed by Gursas ten years ago.He is responsible for monitoring the sound of insects. He is smart, strict and strict, and refuses to relax the rules at all. If a scholar does not dress neatly or steps into his study without permission, he will be severely reprimanded. The people of Batu will be severely reprimanded. The fear of Mende's chief priest is sometimes even higher than that of Gulthas.

“Atulie Batu killed 23 of our holy guards, saying that they were too close to the Holy Mountain.” Chief Priest Mengde reported, “The sacrificial guards were very angry because they were trying to prevent Atulie Batu’s people from approaching the Holy Mountain. It’s the mountains that get hurt.”

"Atulie Batu, madman's Batu." Xie Yunjin often heard this sentence before entering the priest's courtyard.Since the ownership of the Holy Mountain has not yet been determined, it is currently classified as a forbidden area. All the five major cities have sent holy guards to prevent anyone from approaching.

Gulthas flipped through the files presented by Priest Mengde and remained silent for a long time.

"We should take back the Holy Mountain." Priest Meng De said, "If the Holy Mountain is not open to the public, it should belong to Nabu Batu."

"Let Potu send someone to inform Kayasas that I want to meet with him." Gursas said, "I will let them repay with equal lives and blood for blood."

Xie Yunjin admired Gursasi's wisdom in handling matters.

After the chief priest Mengde left, Gursas asked Xie Yunjin: "Do you know why I made an appointment with Kayasas?"

"If there are only 23 lives, there will be many Atulie's holy guards around the holy mountain." Xie Yunjin replied, "There is no need for you to come forward in person. But this will deepen the conflict between the two capitals, and they will continue to attack each other, which may It resulted in the death of more people. If it is just to condemn, ask them to hand over the murderer, and just send a messenger to deal with it."

"The wise Sasi wants to make Kayana madman uncomfortable." Xie Yunyan said, "If Kaya insists on starting a war, it will be the other party who provokes the war. Kaya is cruel, but Atulie is not Nabu Batu's opponent. , if Kaya surrenders the same number of lives, it means surrender. Kaya will lose his dignity. In order to maintain his dignity, he will roar, get angry, and be disrespectful to Sasi, but it doesn't matter. Afterwards, Sasi will send someone to take away 23 of them. He could only endure it silently.”

"Watch your words. You are very smart, but you often say frivolous words." Gursasi said, "You are just a school priest. Even if you are an enemy, you must respect their Sasi."

"The Sasi of Atuli may not even understand the teachings." Xie Yunyan said, "As long as they read the "Yanavata Sutra" several times, they would not want to occupy the holy mountain and kill their companions."

Gulthas nodded: "Hilidege is very smart, and you are also very smart. Nabuba can have two smart children like you at the same time. He is the protection of God Sa."

(End of this chapter)