I want to embrace the moon for nine days

Chapter 112: Clouds are turning on all sides and winds are coming from all over the world

After Jia Sidao returned to the imperial city, the imperial troops returned to their posts. He himself got off the carriage and went straight to the palace. When he arrived outside the imperial garden, he met Dong Songchen first.

Dong Songchen has a broad face, thick white eyebrows, and frost-colored hair. The skin on his face is plump and shiny, with not many wrinkles visible.

He is slightly chubby, wrapped in a brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a fly whisk in his hand. However, the whole person does not appear bloated, but appears stocky and powerful.

As soon as people see him, they will think that he is a kind-hearted old man with a strong body and a kind heart.

"The official is accompanying the two ladies to enjoy flowers and drink tea. It would be inconvenient for you to go in at this time. Please wait for half an hour before reporting."

Dong Songchen led Jia Sidao around the main entrance of the Imperial Garden and arrived at a warm pavilion. He smiled and said, "You might as well tell me what the outcome of today's fight between Kuanggu Hall and Fuyao Mountain will be."

Of course, it was impossible for an ordinary chamberlain to find an excuse to leave when the emperor was having fun, but Dong Songchen's status was completely different.

As early as when the emperor was first selected by Shi Miyuan and sent to the palace, Dong Songchen was already with him and was extremely senior.

In the first ten years, when the emperor was living at night and working hard to revive, there were many remnants of the Jin Kingdom and Mongolian assassins who came to assassinate him. Thanks to Dong Songchen's dedicated efforts, he protected the people around him and saved him many times.

He also relied on his martial arts skills to allow the emperor to secretly communicate with left prime minister Fan Zhong and others many times, and gradually seized power from Shi Miyuan's gang members.

In recent years, the emperor indulged in pleasure, and the left prime minister Fan Zhong and others repeatedly advised him, which made the emperor bored. Dong Songchen was the only one who was still considerate and made everything go as he wished.

The emperor wanted to go to the Forbidden Garden to enjoy the lotus flowers, but there was no pavilion to cover the sun. Dong Songchen figured it out and built a pavilion within one day, which made the emperor feel that he was very capable and praised him greatly.

In winter, the emperor went to appreciate plum blossoms again, and Dong Songchen had built a pavilion in the plum garden in advance.

Maybe the emperor still had some clarity in his mind and blamed him for wasting the people and money and wasting the treasury. However, Dong Songchen said that he did not build another snow pavilion, but just moved the summer pavilion here and modified it slightly.

Such words were really funny, and the emperor actually laughed. He happily deceived himself and others, and trusted Dong Songchen even more afterwards.

Today, Dong Songchen is in charge of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Office of Correspondence to the State, the Armory Storehouse in Tongti Point, the Hanlin Academy, the Office of Compilation of Imperial Orders, and other departments. He holds many positions and has great power, covering the palace and city. Internally and externally, one can legitimately intervene in civil and military matters.

With such an identity, not to mention leaving for a while while the emperor was having fun, even if he said in front of the emperor that he had something to do and wanted to go back first, the emperor would not blame him.

In fact, this warm pavilion was specially given by the emperor to Dong Songchen, so that he could rest here instead of waiting in the imperial garden.

In the Nuan Pavilion, the small stove is smoking, the aroma is lingering, the red sandalwood tables and chairs, and the wooden frame of the screen are all the first-class expenses in the palace. There are paintings and calligraphy in the porcelain jar, and there is a mahogany sword hanging on the wall.

A young eunuch had already prepared fragrant tea and was waiting for Dong Songchen and Jia Sidao to sit down.

Dong Songchen naturally sat at the main seat. After tasting two sips of tea, he felt contented and took a tangerine that was hot by the stove to peel.

His palace is deep and his concentration is high. As early as when Ding Daquan proposed to summon Zhang and Su, he had already guessed the follow-up development. There was nothing to make a fuss about today's fight not far from the palace. .

No matter how the two major gangs argue, there is no reason to attack the palace. As long as the palace is stable, the situation will be under control.

However, as Jia Sidao succinctly talked about the process and results of this dispute.

Dong Songchen's hand peeling the oranges stopped unconsciously.

"Zheng Dao...is dead?"

Dong Songchen slowed down and looked down at the orange in his hand, as if this delicious gadget suddenly turned into something he didn't recognize.

"That Su Hanshan, before killing Zheng Dao, also killed a master at the master level alone?"

Jia Sidao also looked a little strange: "Yes, I think that person's methods should be the sect leader of the old Tang Sect, Demon Dragon Tang Hun, a genuine grandmaster. Although it may not have been long before he broke through, his Qi veins are unbelievably long. Almost from the beginning to the end, my internal strength was maintained at [-]% of its peak."

"However, after Su Hanshan exploded with all his strength, he was always at a disadvantage until he was beaten to death by Su Hanshan."

"In addition, Zheng Dao seemed to have shown signs of attacking the Grand Master at the last moment, but he died at the hands of Su Hanshan before he succeeded."

Dong Songchen murmured: "Could it be that he is really a descendant of the Xunlong Sword Sect? Except for the founder Lai Buyi, no one in the history of the Xunlong Sword Sect can have such a record."

Jia Sidao said: "If he is really a member of the Xunlong Sword Sect, he has finally found an origin, but he has no attachment to Lai Buyi's old mansion, and his palm skills are indeed different from those of the Xunlong Sword Sect. It’s huge.”

"There's absolutely no place to control him. That's the hardest part."

A master in the world, no matter which country he comes from, must have a lot of deeds to find, and must have something he cares about, such as power, achievements, family sect, etc.

Being able to find out the origin and background of the other party makes it easier to analyze their mentality, mediate with them, and even take advantage of them.

However, when Su Hanshan first appeared, he had already killed all the masters and disciples of Leng Youming, and overthrown the elites of the Kuanggu Third Hall and the seven factions of the Xiangfu.

Now, in just over a month, his strength has improved by leaps and bounds, and he can kill a master-level master who is in perfect condition.

It seems that the news about him is that he is either killing people or on the way to kill people. There is too little that can be analyzed.

"Fortunately."

Dong Songchen said these two words slowly, then peeled off the remaining pieces of the orange, stuffed them into his mouth one by one, and chewed them.

Jia Sidao understood, nodded and smiled: "Fortunately now, it's not our turn to face this big trouble."

"He has to go head-to-head with Kuang Gutang and the Prime Minister's Mansion. The ones who have the biggest headaches are Shi Miyuan and Zhao Lizong. Let's sit on the mountain and watch the fight. In the process, we can slowly figure him out."

Dong Songchen couldn't help but laugh: "Shi Xiangye has always been good at planning. Even people like Meng Zhaoxuan and Li Qiumian, when they were young, had to submit to his group for the sake of fighting and doing business, but now they meet In such a situation, we can finally see the headache that the old prime minister looks like."

Just as they were talking, a little eunuch came silently outside, bent down, and handed over a book.

"Oh?"

Dong Songchen opened it and looked at it, and said in surprise, "The prime minister actually took the initiative to invite the official family out for fun?"

Jia Sidao asked curiously: "Could it be that Shi Miyuan wants to completely surrender to the officials in order to resist the current situation?"

"Not that Prime Minister."

Dong Songchen said, "It's the left prime minister, Fan Zhong. Haha, Mr. Fan is more than seventy years old, and he is only a few years younger than Mr. Shi. After all, he has matured with age and is well versed in human nature."

"In the past few years, he has repeatedly advised the officials in memorials, which has made the officials quite impatient. It seems that he has noticed it and finally figured out a different method."

Jia Sidao smiled: "No matter how he changes, he will never be as good as Dong Gong in the hearts of officials."

Dong Songchen sighed: "The official family is like this now, and those who are our ministers are the best. In the past ten years, the official family worked hard, and it was difficult for us to get any benefits. It's not like in recent years. If everything goes well, the chickens and dogs will ascend to heaven.”

"At Mr. Fan's age, he should have recognized the situation long ago and sought some benefits for himself. He just keeps doing it and makes everyone unhappy. Why bother."

Jia Sidao was deeply convinced and said: "This group of people are suffering every day, worrying about the country and the people, as if the Song Dynasty will be destroyed tomorrow if they leave them. In fact, with the current situation of the Song Dynasty, If our generation enjoys enjoyment, how can it harm the overall situation?"

"but……"

Jia Sidao changed the subject, "This time when Meng Zhaoxuan comes back, whether it's him, Fan Zhong, Li Qiumian and others, or even the officials, they will definitely find a cure for him."

"The dignified Marshal Meng has friends all over the world and enemies all over the world. Those who don't want him to live longer will definitely not miss this opportunity. There will definitely be a big storm in Lin'an City."

"Dong Gong, it would be best if we can pick the fruits afterwards and reap the benefits. If we cannot have the best of both worlds, we must at least protect the official family and stabilize the palace. Otherwise, if the government is in chaos, it will not be convenient for us to enjoy in the future. .”

Dong Songchen greatly agreed.

"I am responsible for the affairs inside the palace. Some of the imperial troops outside the palace will require you to worry more."

Dong Songchen looked into the distance and said leisurely, "I wonder who will catch up with this strong wind and waves."

………………

A hundred miles outside Lin'an Mansion, a large ship with full sails was sailing in the strong wind.

There are two kinds of flags hanging on the ship, one of which is embroidered with green clouds, which is the flag of Kongmeng Pavilion in the East China Sea.

The other flag is embroidered with auspicious clouds and five tigers. The five tigers form a circle. In the circle is a strange beast that looks like a glutton or an elephant. It is solemn, ancient, and angry.

That was the flag that represented Chen Shouzhi, the top master of Annan Kingdom and the emperor's uncle.

In the past 20 years, when these two flags appeared together on the sea, the bandits on the East China Sea Islands all stopped and let them go safely.

"White gulls are flying in the blue sky thousands of miles away..." On the bow of the boat stood a Confucian scholar in white clothes wearing a square scarf. He had a thin face and five long beards. He was meticulous. His clothes were slightly fluttering in the wind. He looked up at the sky and looked down at the water.

"Although the beautiful scenery here is different from that on the sea, it also has a unique flavor. The smoke from the cooking pots on both sides of the strait is particularly touching. Isn't it not far from Lin'an?"

Shen Weiran was wearing a purple-red embroidered robe, with a wide forehead and big ears, and a beard as red as iron. He was adjusting the strings of the piano in the cabin. Hearing the words, he looked out and said with a smile: "You have been to Lin'an many times in the past. I am a great master. You have such a memory." Poor?"

Chen Shouzhi turned sideways and smiled: "When I was young, I was not an imperial uncle. I admired the cultural heritage of the Song Dynasty and just traveled alone. But I was not so majestic. Taking a fleet to Lin'an, the route is very different."

While talking, he looked at the people on the shore again and felt a little emotional.

"But even if we take the same route, the scenery we see will probably be very different. The cityscape along the way is much more prosperous than what I saw back then."

When Chen Shouzhi came to the Southern Song Dynasty, it was a time when the previous emperor was ineffective. Shi Miyuan controlled the government and sued for peace with the Jin Kingdom without a bottom line. Many of his own party members wanted to make money wantonly. The demand for money was simply astronomical. number.

It was too slow to oppress the people by taxation and other means alone, so Shi Miyuan began to issue "Huizi" on a large scale.

Huizi is a kind of paper currency that was originally issued in the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty. It also had a tendency to depreciate, but fortunately, it was saved by the then Emperor Xiaozong.

However, after Shi Miyuan came to power, he stipulated that people were not allowed to use Huizi to exchange gold, silver, and copper coins with the government, but were only allowed to exchange between new and old Huizi, and the old Huizi was discounted by half.

At the craziest time, the government issued 4000 million huizi in a short period of time, causing the currency to be flooded, the currency value to fall, prices to soar, and the people to live in dire straits.

Chen Shouzhi once exchanged his money for a while, only to find that every time the item went out of a county, the price would drop again, which made him unforgettable for the rest of his life.

However, in the past ten years, the value of Huizi has rebounded and stabilized. Even though there has been a war on the border, there has been no more random printing and issuing.

Chen Shouzhi was deeply impressed by this, and he imitated and implemented certain political orders of the Southern Song Dynasty in recent years in Annan many times.

"In the past few years, the imperial court has indeed done a good job, but people's hearts are fickle, and the emperor's heart is perishable. Once the top is rotten, the ups and downs will be like mountains and rolling stones, floods and avalanches. It will deteriorate much faster than revitalization."

Shen Weiran walked out of the cabin with Qin in his arms and sighed, "Sometimes I envy you. Although Annan Kingdom is just a corner of the country, deep in the mountains and swamps and jungles, there will not be so much external pressure. If it is managed internally, it will be It’s easier.”

"You were just a concubine back then, but after you returned as a master, the whole country could not resist you. You were worshiped as the emperor's uncle and guided the government. How comfortable it is!"

Chen Shouzhi shook his head: "We also have our own difficulties. The Mongols were defeated more than [-] years ago. If the Song Dynasty is unstable, will their troops retreat at the Annan border without a fight?"

"Annan has inherited the Han culture since the Qin and Han Dynasties. It can be said that he has the same ancestors as the Song Dynasty, and his martial arts are also very similar. I especially sincerely admire Marshal Meng. If the emperor is really corrupt, at least we must find a way to make him Marshal Meng will continue for a few more years."

After Shen Weiran listened, he plucked the strings lightly and remained silent. After a long time, his gentle tone was scattered in the wind.

"Hopefully we can be of some help."

………………

On the water, when Donghai Kongmeng Pavilion's fleet sailed towards Lin'an, there was also a team of hundreds of people on the shore, each riding a horse and escorting a carriage, going in the same direction as the fleet.

Most of the people in this convoy were dressed as monks in yellow clothes, but they were all strong and skilled in horseback riding. They had been riding horses for many days, and they were still breathing smoothly and had rosy complexions. It was obvious that they had considerable martial arts skills.

A monk saw the flag of the fleet from a distance and came to the carriage.

"National Master, it seems that there are people from Kongmeng Pavilion and Annan Kingdom in the East China Sea. They should also be rushing to Lin'an. Do you want to say hello?"

The curtain on the side of the carriage opened, revealing an old monk with sparse eyebrows and beard, and saggy skin. His body was like an old tree, but his eyes were very good. Looking far into the water, he recognized the two people on the bow.

"The portraits of those two people have been seen by poor monks. They should be Shen Weiran, the master of Kongmeng Pavilion, and Chen Shouzhi, the emperor's uncle of Annan. It would be good to go with them."

The old monk stepped out of the carriage and didn't move much. His body had moved sideways and landed on the water.

The river is surging and its surface is vast.

The old monk, who was wearing red and yellow monk robes, only tapped his toes on the water twice before he had already crossed half of the river and floated to the bow of the boat.

Shen Weiran also felt something and turned to look.

Chen Shouzhi took a closer look and suddenly said with a smile: "Dali Dragon Tea Monk, I haven't seen him for ten years!"

………………

Deep in the mountains, an old black carriage moved slowly.

Dozens of strong men, like bodyguards, were walking in the mountains.

After crossing the vast jungle again and reaching the official road, the driver immediately reported inside the car.

"Prince Zong, general, if we go further, we will go deep into the territory of the Song Dynasty."

Someone in the carriage hummed.

After a while, the man spoke.

"I want to end my relationship with Meng Zhaoxuan. After the Battle of Bashu, he made me unable to see a sword for several years. I didn't dare to command the army. It was a shame and a great humiliation. If I can't clear it up, I won't be able to do it even if I wait a hundred years." Be willing.”

"But the prince is of high status, and he should be in the capital now to control the overall situation, lest the kings who disobey the Queen Mother and the new Khan take the opportunity to stir up undercurrents. Why should he come here personally to take risks?"

The second person in the car had an older and richer voice. After hearing this, he smiled.

"Our territory in Mongolia is large enough. Even if the kings are restless, they won't really use weapons now."

"But in the past few years after the death of Ogedai Khan, Meng Zhaoxuan repeatedly led small groups of elites to roam around Yuzhou and other places. They came and went like the wind and were invincible."

"I think many generals in Yuzhou and other places are already frightened by him. If this continues, there will be no guarantee that there will be any big changes."

The king of that sect sighed softly, "I can live to this day thanks to Ogedai Khan who spared no expense in collecting treasures from the treasury and recuperating for me, but I still can't hold on much longer."

"Before I die, instead of wasting my time in the capital, it is better to go find my sworn brother and ensure that he goes to hell with me."

"On the contrary, it's you, General Shi. You are one of the few masters and a rare talent in Mongolia. Now that you have completely gotten rid of the fear he left you, you will have great potential in the future, so you should look back."

Both the king and the general fell silent, knowing that they could not persuade each other.

"what!"

After a while, Shi Tianze smiled and said, "After I kill Meng Zhaoxuan, I want to return to Mongolia. Who can catch me or stop me?"

"Prince Zong, if you are alive then, I will escort you back. If you die, I will take your remains back to the capital for burial."

The king said happily: "General, you are so heroic."

………………

"The two commanders who destroyed our country in the past were Tacha'er, the Mongolian sect king, and Meng Zhaoxuan from the Song Dynasty."

The mountains in western Guangdong are supposed to be a place where snakes, insects, rats, and ants live everywhere.

Today, when this loud voice sounded, all the poisonous snakes and birds within a two-mile radius were silent and did not dare to move.

The man who had been living with them in the jungle for many years looked like the most common woodcutter in the past, with messy hair, high brown eyes, a wide nose, a beard like iron, he was wearing sackcloth, and his arms were bare.

Today, he released his momentum without any scruples, which was completely different from before.

"Young Master, Tacha'er, an old man, was said to have died of illness a few years ago, which made Wo Kuotai cry for him. He can't wait for us to take revenge, but Meng Zhaoxuan is still here."

"It is said that he is seriously ill now. He dares to leave his military camp and return to Lin'an. He is seeking death."

"Young Master, you have accomplished your magic, so we will kill Meng Zhaoxuan as the beginning of making your name famous and restoring your country."

The young man in a crimson robe sitting on the big rock was also aroused by the woodcutter's words, and his murderous intention and ambition were aroused.

"Okay, I will do what you said, Uncle Hengshan. If the big handle is in my hand and the breeze fills the world, I have long wanted to stand on the top of the mountain and overlook the scenery of the West Lake and Lin'an Palace."

In the jungle, more than 2000 people dressed as traders and porters followed orders and dispersed into the town. Without anyone noticing, they gathered towards Lin'an City like a trickle.

(End of this chapter)