Under the sky

Chapter 267

Gao Leqi prepared the invitation and sent someone to deliver it to Potu.Instead of hiding, it would be better to enter the priest's house and visit Potu openly without arousing suspicion.

Zhao Ying is really a smart girl and a very suitable mistress. It's a pity that if she were more noble, Gao Leqi might consider marrying her.Gao Leqi has not yet gotten married. Unlike the customs in Guanhai, the Saha religion does not allow concubines. The "Sabhava Sutra" says that each man only allows one woman to be his official partner. They must be loyal to each other and live and die together. But this There is no stopping a person of status from having several mistresses.

Neither Gao Leqi nor Tucker planned to get married so soon.Gao Leqi felt that he was more dedicated than Tucker. Tucker had more than a dozen mistresses, and sometimes he would even call them by the wrong names, while Gao Leqi always kept one or two and never wanted more.

Thinking too far.At noon, Gao Leqi came to the priest's courtyard to visit Potu Daji.

Gao Leqi has been familiar with Potou Daiji since he was a child. When he was addicted to chess, his father introduced him to Potou Xiaoji. Potu couldn't bear to let him lose so miserably at such a young age, so he only let him lose a few points every time. This made him mistakenly believe that he was only a little behind Botu in chess skills.Seven or eight years later, Gao Leqi knew that it might be easy to win against Jin Yunjin, but it was impossible to win against Botu.

If Potu's wisdom in the power struggle was as superb as his chess skills, it would not be Hilidegg's turn to be the heir.Potu had no enterprising spirit. His original wish was to serve as a small sacrifice in a poor place.

"What do you want from me?" Potu asked.

"Kind Potu Grand Priest, I would like to meet a few Sassi, any one will do, but it is best to be Da Ke." Gao Leqi said curiously, "I would like to ask you to make arrangements."

Potu replied: "I can arrange it for you, but you must ask Gulthas for this matter."

Although many things happened yesterday, the Priesthood and Arien Palace were still peaceful on the surface. Potu did not have a specific position. He was a person who truly served God.

"Of course." Gao Leqi said, "Arian Palace must know how the Son of God was injured, not through a third party's report, but what was said on the spot."

"You can meet Gulthas, he was also there."

"I also want to know what other Sasi think of the Son of God." Gao Le asked curiously, "So I hope to see Da Ke. Yesterday, Da Ke carried Ha Jin out of the priest's courtyard. If even Da Ke surrenders to Yang Yan and Ha Jin, then Not only can the five major buses be unified, but the ban on the Holy Mountain can also be lifted."

"And talking to Gurthas..." Gollach continued, "I will be afraid."

Botu showed a knowing smile: "Gao Leqi, you are a smart child. You have been smart since you were a child, but you are making an unwise move."

Of course Gao Leqi understood what Potu meant.

"As long as Arien Palace manages the people well, Gulthas will not interfere too much with you. Power needs to be distributed appropriately. Power without checks and balances will turn into violence."

"Then who will check and balance the Priesthood?" Gao Leqi asked.

"The Priesthood has a Discipline Department, and Kong Xiao's Discipline Department will manage the Priesthood."

"What if Hillidegg broke the law, will Priest Kong Xiao punish him?"

"Yes, but how could you have such an idea?" Potu wondered, "Do you think he sent someone to assassinate the Son of God?"

"If I'm not mistaken, Hilidegg should be in charge of the Temple Guard Army. The guards protecting the Son of God were also dispatched by Hillidege. He hates nobles."

"This is a very serious accusation." Potu looked solemn.

"So I must ask clearly." Gao Leqi said, "The son of God is still awake until now. May God Sa bless his child."

"I will convey your words to Gulthas." Potu said, "Gulthas is resting and we won't be able to meet him until later. Before then..." Potu leaned over and took out the dusty paper from the drawer. Chess box, "We haven't played chess for a long time." He smiled and indicated with his eyes.

"Speaking of playing chess, I think of an old friend." Gao Leqi placed the pieces on the chessboard.

"Jin Yunjin?" Potu put the last child away, "What an impressive child."

"Well, he's quite an indifferent person. No matter how close I get to him, I can't get to know him well. I've never seen such an indifferent person. If he were still here..." Gao Leqi made the first move and made a foreboding start, "Gol Will the heir of Sasi still be Hillidegg?"

Without exception, he lost to Potu by a thrilling two-step margin. At Shenshi, Gao Leqi met Da Kesasi.

This is the second time he has met Da Ke.Yesterday's meeting was too hasty and he didn't even say hello. It wasn't until today that he could take a closer look at this madwoman who is notorious among the five bus companies.Da Ke was not as strong as he expected. Except for the two scimitars at his waist, nothing was as expected.Unexpectedly, she was not ugly, but her wild tattoos, towering hair, bronzed skin, and the noisy "clang, clang, clang, clang, clang" all made Gao Leqi stunned.

"What do you want to ask?" Dake asked.

"Honorable Dakosas." Gao Leqi touched his heart with his left hand and knelt down on one knee, "Allow me to ask an offended question, what happened at the time?"

"Didn't the people from the Nabu Batu Priesthood tell you?" Dake sneered, "Someone attacked the Son of God secretly, and I cut off his hand."

"Well, you really don't need to bother Dakosa with this matter. After all, there were many people present at the time." Gao Leqi asked again, "What I also want to ask is, on November 12... almost [-] years ago, Kayasa A hunt while Si was still here."

Gao Leqi noticed that Da Ke was on guard. Why was she so guarded?
"What do you want to ask?" Dake sneered, her hand already on the knife.

Gao Leqi asked bravely: "Did you catch a small sacrifice during that hunt?"

Dakko chuckled and said, "That little priest who claims to be Gulthas' pen attendant?"

Gao Leqi's eyes shone with light, he found a pen and paper, and said, "I would like to ask Dakosas to speak more clearly."

■

For the next two days, Yang Yan was in and out of consciousness, and Wang Hong and Huck took turns taking care of him.The doctor told Yang Yan not to drink too much water. When Yang Yan woke up, he could only eat porridge made from highland barley and dried meat torn into pieces.

Huck prayed beside his bed every day. He asked Wang Hong: "Doesn't the Son of God have his own mission? Shouldn't he turn disaster into good fortune?"

Wang Hong said: "Salhajin also had a mission, but he still died. It was because the people who protected the Son of God were not dedicated enough, not because God Sa did not bless him."

Huck said: "I should enter Arien Palace with the Son of God, so that if someone hurts him, I can block the knife for him."

Yang Yan's condition did not relapse. Although Wang Hong thought he was going to die a few times, Yang Yan still survived.On the fifth day, he finally woke up.

At the same time, Tucker's coronation ceremony was still in full swing. Wang Hong suggested postponing the coronation to wait for Yang Yan to recover, but Gao Leqi disagreed.Fortunately, Yang Yan woke up in time and could not get out of bed until about ten days later.

At the priest's court, Gultha summoned four Sars. Due to the assassination, the Son of God could not attend the meeting.Gulthas once again proposed the unblocking of the Holy Mountain and the unification of the Five Great Badu. Both Getata Badu and Walter Badu agreed. Dakko asked the Son of God to practice the Oath of Fire Scroll. Suma Badu seconded the meeting. Although there has been progress, it is still unsatisfactory.

The assassin was unable to revive him, and no one knows who was behind the assassination of the Son of God.

On the sixth day of November in the year 90 of Kunlun, at the winter solstice, Yang Yan dragged his pale and sick body to personally crown Takar Yarian.At this time, the battle between Hengshan and the Diancang Beggar Clan in Guan Nei was still stalemate, and the battle in Bazhong was fiercely unfolding. Shen Yayan died in the battle, and Huashan also lost its third son Yan Xuting and many generals.

■

"One of my sons went to save people and I got two sons back. I should be happy that I have a useful son back." Yan Feixi had a cold face, unable to see the pain of losing his son.

"Your brother is dead, and there is no body. Xuancheng, are you still thinking about that girl in Qingcheng?"

Yan Xuancheng knelt on the ground and said nothing.

"When you helped Miss Qingcheng save her brother in Wudang last year, did you ever think about killing your brother and your uncle and cousins?!" Yan Feixi shouted angrily, "Have you ever thought about it?!"

"The third brother was not killed by Qingcheng." Yan Xiangcheng was heartbroken over his brother's death, and his grief and anger overcame his fear of his father, "Dad, it was you who thoughtlessly attacked Qingcheng in a war that killed your third brother and uncle. Qingcheng If they don’t invade us, we don’t have to fight this war at all.”

"Why are you so stupid!" Yan Feixi shouted angrily, stood up and kicked Yan Xuancheng down.Yan Xangcheng fell to the ground, still unable to speak: "What's wrong with the 90 years of peace? Even if Huashan is weak, it is still the dominant force in the north. If we conquer Qingcheng, aren't we also a vassal of Dian Cang? Why should we listen to Dian Cang, why should we help Do you want to fight this battle?"

Yan Xuancheng felt his body float up and he was lifted up by his father. Then there was a sharp pain on his face, he was slapped many times, and he was thrown to the ground so hard that he was hit with stars in his eyes. "If you don't bully others, won't they bully you? Will they give up the land to you? The Fenyang night attack has not taught you enough? Look at Wudang, look at Songshan, haven't you learned? When will you? Success?" The more Yan Feixi spoke, the angrier he became, and he kicked Yan Xuangcheng in the chest. Yan Xuangcheng felt a strong force pouring in, and he vomited blood.Yan Feixi was about to hit him again, but Yan Zhaochou took a step forward and grabbed his father's hand: "Dad! If you keep hitting me, you will beat me to death!"

"Get out! Get out!" Yan Feixi shouted angrily.Yan Xuancheng felt aggrieved and helpless, and was heartbroken that his younger brother had died tragically. He couldn't help but shed tears. He managed to get up and was about to leave the hall when he heard his father murmur behind him: "Why wasn't you the one who died? Why wasn't you the one who died?" He felt even sadder in his heart. .

"Without eldest brother, we can't come back. Without eldest brother, our three brothers would have died in Shen Yayan's hands long ago." Yan Zhaochou said, "Even if eldest brother is not alive, it is a thing of the past. He trapped Bazhong, he has merit but no fault, it is my long-term responsibility We couldn't capture it. It was my third brother who lost Hanzhong that led to Huashan's disastrous defeat. Dad, you taught me to distinguish rewards and punishments."

"Am I still going to reward you as my eldest brother?" Yan Feixi roared angrily, but Yan Zhaochou said nothing.

Yan Xuting's body was trapped in Bazhong and could only be buried in an empty coffin. Yan Xuancheng personally selected a few clothes that his third brother liked to wear and put them into the coffin.Except for Fang Jingjiu and Du Yinsong, almost all the generals who participated in the war were punished. Huashan's vitality was severely damaged. In addition to the disciples who died in the battle, they also lost a large number of horses, equipment, and food. They could not recover for several years.

Yan Zhaochou has confirmed his position as the crown prince.After the war, he was busy with official duties. Even so, when Yan Xuangcheng was laid to rest, Yan Zhaochou visited his elder brother almost every day and talked with Yan Xuting together with Yan Xuangcheng.

On this day, Yan Xuancheng, his mother Ma and his sister Yan Yingping kept vigil at the funeral, and then they came to offer a toast and offer incense.This is his second time here. The first time was as a courtesy to his ministers, but he came again after a few days.He had worked with Yan Xuting in both Jiangxi and Hanzhong, and he probably came back because of his old friendship.

Fang Jingjiu had finished kneading incense and offered sacrifices. Yan Xuancheng stepped forward to thank him. Fang Jingjiu did not say any words of condolences and only said: "My brother-in-law wants to see the eldest son. Tonight, Lao Yu Ji."

Yan Xuangcheng was stunned. As we all know, when the fight between Yan Zhaochou and Yan Xuting was fiercest, they both wanted to win the Dragon Slayer Sword under their command. Fang toasted and thanked both sides without offending them.He doesn't socialize and rarely interacts with others. Why did he specially ask for a private meeting with himself today?This is strange.

That night Yan Xuancheng still attended the appointment, and all the guest seats on the second floor of Lao Yuji were reserved.As soon as he saw Yan Xuancheng, the shopkeeper immediately invited him to the second floor.

Fang Qingjie was not seen, only two middle-aged people.One of them had a beard and had some businessman air, and the other was slender, elegant, and scholar-like. Yan Xuangcheng had a vague impression of him, but he couldn't remember who he was.

"I'm Qin Ziyao." The gentle-looking scholar raised his hands and said, "This is Brother Wen Jingren, a businessman."

The man with two beards stood up and handed over his hands: "I have seen the eldest young master."

Yan Xuancheng thought of Qin Ziyao, the owner of the largest weaving mill in Shaanxi and Fang Jingjie's brother-in-law.Wen Jingren had never heard of it.He was puzzled. If he wanted to do something unpalatable, he would definitely not be approached. Besides, who in Huashan didn't know that he, Yan Xiangcheng, was not powerful?So he asked: "What do you two want from Yan?"

"Brother Wen is from Tianshui, Longdi, and had some dealings with Qinfu Zhifang in the past. He had a big business, and he had no way out for a while, so he asked Qin to come up with an idea, and then he invited Mr. Yan to discuss it."

"If you want to do business, just do it. If you have to pay taxes and tolls by water, Huashan will not be in trouble. Or is there any difficulty?" Yan Xiangcheng asked doubtfully.

Wen Jingren said: "There are a group of prisoners in Qingcheng who want to be redeemed. They are worried about being rude and dare not go to see Master Yan. They want to ask Master Yan to introduce them."

Yan Xuancheng understood immediately and said in surprise: "Are you here to exchange prisoners on behalf of Qingcheng?"

Wen Jingren said: "This is really not true. I am from Tianshui, and later moved to Xiangdi. Because my younger brother has some friendship with Master Shen, I can make some small profits as an intermediary."

This is really a beheading business.Yan Xuancheng knew how angry his father was. When the intermediary came, he accidentally lost his head. Only then did he understand why he went through such a big circle and asked Fang to toast and invite him.But since you want to invite, why not invite Yan Zhaochou?Isn’t the second brother more important and more talkative?So he asked: "Why don't you discuss it with my second brother?"

Qin Ziyao said: "The second young master is smart and capable, but the eldest son has a kind heart. If the eldest son comes forward, more people can be saved."

"What do you mean?" Yan Xuancheng asked.

Qin Ziyao said: "There are five thousand disciples of Huashan trapped in Qingcheng. Not every disciple can afford the ransom. If Huashan comes to redeem people, it will also be a big expense. Brother Wen and I have been thinking about it for a long time, trying to rescue the Huashan disciples as much as possible. Therefore, we must need Mr. Yan."

"To show my sincerity, I brought a meeting gift." Wen Jingren said, "It's just that it's not convenient to deliver it at the inn, so I would like to ask Mr. Yan to come over."

In the Battle of Bazhong, thousands of Huashan disciples were captured. This was a tragedy of countless human relations. Yan Xuancheng had a generous personality and felt sad every time he thought about it. It would be best if he could be redeemed. The so-called thank you gift was really unnecessary, so he said: "Thank you. There is no need for a gift, but this matter needs to be decided by the head, and..." This will be a huge sum of money. He doesn't know if his father is willing to pay it. Even if his father is willing, Huashan will be very energetic if he pays this huge sum of money. hurt.

"Master Yan will see the gift first before talking." Wen Jingren said, "There are many details to discuss. If you are not busy for a while, Master Yan will come with me."

When he saw Yan Xuting's body, Yan Xuancheng burst into tears. He had to accept this gift.

"Young Master Yan was redeemed by Brother Wen with a large sum of money." Qin Ziyao said, "I hope Young Master Yan can help me."

Yan Xuancheng immediately agreed, and the two sides negotiated a price. The ransom was 20 taels for each ordinary disciple, 50 taels for the squad leader, 300 taels for the general, and 10 taels for the general. If there was a disability, the ransom would be halved. Five thousand disciples would have to spend [-] taels.

Yan Feixi may not be willing to pay this huge sum of money. Wen Jingren suggested to Yan Xuancheng: "If you are willing to redeem, Huashan will pay half and the captives' families will pay half. Huashan only needs to pay 5 taels."

Yan Xuancheng said: "There are many poor people among the ordinary disciples. The Hanzhong area is also suffering from war. I am afraid that the people will be impoverished and cannot even afford ten taels of silver."

Qin Ziyao said: "This is the reason why I invited the eldest son. I want to ask the eldest son to join me as a guarantee, and borrow money from the Huashan Bank to redeem the poor people. The annual interest is two cents. With the eldest son as a guarantee, the bank will definitely Yes, the annual interest rate of [-]% is much lower than that of free warehouses and pawn shops, and it will not be difficult to pay it back in installments later."

In this way, Huashan can redeem more disciples. As an intermediary, Wen Jingren will naturally make more profits. Qin Ziyao will help others and earn a small interest.The disciples can also return safely, which is a good thing that benefits everyone.

Yan Xuancheng had heard that Qin Ziyao from Qinfu Zhifang was a benevolent businessman, but it was hard to imagine that someone like Fang Jingjiu could have such a kind brother-in-law.I can’t help but wonder what kind of girl Fang Jingjiu’s wife is?
Yan Xuancheng planned to go to his father to discuss prisoner exchange the next day, and Yan Feixi agreed. After that, he ran back and forth and ordered people to register, but the matter was settled in just ten days.Wen Jingren added, "Qingcheng fought with Huashan, and Huashan also captured many Qingcheng prisoners. Can we also return them to Qingcheng? The price is the same as the Huashan prisoners."

Huashan captured many prisoners in several battles in Yinghu and Jinzhou, and the number was about [-]. However, Huashan treated prisoners of war harshly. After the defeat, more of them were tortured to death, leaving only more than a hundred prisoners.Yan Xuancheng informed Wen Jingren, and Wen Jingren said: "Let me take a look."

Yan Xangcheng led Wen Jingren to the prison, which was extremely smelly and contained 80 people.Yan Xuancheng covered his nose and said, "I'm sorry, my father's treatment of prisoners..." He wanted to say something, but swallowed it.

Wen Jingren saw that most of the prisoners were wounded, and most of the wounds were rotten. They were mentally depressed and whining endlessly. He said to Yan Xuancheng, "I have to check the wounds to know the price. Mr. Yan will stay away for now. I will pay him a visit later."

Yan Xuancheng couldn't bear to see such a miserable situation, and he couldn't ask for it, so he said: "I will wait for you sir outside the prison."

After Yan Xuancheng left, Wen Jingren walked around the prison and said loudly: "I am Wen Jingren here to redeem you."

When everyone heard that there was redemption, they became energetic and threw themselves on the cell fence and shouted for help.Wen Jingren asked everyone to be quiet and said: "There are so many people here that it will be difficult to save them for a while. We have to return to Qingcheng to recover before we can save everyone."

A trip to Qingcheng and Huashan shouldn't take ten days and a half?They had been suffering in prison for a long time. Although they could be saved, they had to suffer so much more. Some of them couldn't help crying.

Wen Jingren paused and asked: "I want to ask something. Two years ago, Master Shen went to Tangmen to propose marriage and brought a fleet. Is there anyone present who was in the fleet at that time? If so, you can give priority. Redemption.”

Wen Jingren secretly thought that this group of people was a team rushing to attack Hanzhong along the Han River. They were all naval forces and were very likely to join the fleet heading to Tangmen. More than 100 people looked at each other and no one spoke. Wen Jingren was disappointed when someone shouted: "I didn't go to Tangmen, but my brother did!"

Wen Jingren perked up and asked, "Did he tell you anything?"

■

"My brother said that he didn't know what happened. The original Mr. Xie died." The prisoner rescued by Wen Jingren said, "Then Mr. Xie's book boy suddenly became the new Mr. Xie."

Wen Jingren asked: "What's your brother's name? Where does he live?"

"Living in Ba County, the Yushui fleet is called Guo Tong."

Wen Jingren wrote down the name.It was the twelfth lunar month when he returned to Qingcheng. He found Guo Tong and asked about what happened on the ship.

"That Mr. Xie was indeed ill for a few days on the ship." Guo Tongtong said, "Some people say that he was poisoned to death, but this kind of thing, well, we are all servants, how dare we ask, do you think it is true?"

Wen Jingren listened quietly.

The third brother died of illness. If his death was not related to the Tang Sect, it was related to Qingcheng.Why does Qingcheng hide the truth?Why did Ruoshan fake his name?Did he die for Xie Gubai?This silly brother...

He knew he was getting closer to the truth.

When leaving Guo Tong's home, a stagecoach passed him by, bringing a letter from Hubei. It was a congratulatory letter sent by Yu Jien, the leader of the Xiangyang Gang, to Shen Yuqing.

(End of this chapter)