Aspirations

Chapter 25 Fighting wits and courage
The lancet is named for its shape like a willow leaf. The blade is as graceful as the curve of a willow leaf, with a blood groove in it. It has both the bravery of a knife and the lightness of a sword.The Lancet Knife, also known as Wu Gou, is exactly the Wu Gou in "Why don't men wear Wu Gou and collect the fifty states of Guanshan".

With Yan Hao and Wu Hook in his hands, his killing intent soared, his whole body seemed to be puffed up, even his sleeves suddenly swelled a bit, his eyes were fierce, and his steps were slow and firm, even though Xia Cun asked him to kill Xiao Wu first To kill Xia Xiang, he walked towards Xia Xiang first step by step.

Xiao Wu stood up and stood in front of Xia Xiang. He would never allow Yan Hao to hurt Xia Xiang at all.At this time Zhang Hou and Shen Bao were already frightened and stupid, they stood on the spot dumbfounded, unable to take a step.On the contrary, Shi'er was not afraid, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Wu, wanting to protect Xia Xiang Zhouquan.

Xia Xiang became calmer now, his face changed, and then he returned to normal, took a step forward, separated Xiao Wu and Shi'er, and walked towards Yan Hao.

On the contrary, Yan Hao was surprised. Xia Xiang suffered his death so calmly, which really made him hesitate for a moment, and the sword in his hand slowed down a bit.

At this time, countless people were already watching around, surrounded by Xia Xiang and others, three floors inside and three floors outside, there were as many as hundreds of people.Not only were there many people watching, but even in the restaurants and teahouses on both sides of the street, there were also many good-natured people who opened their windows to watch from a high position.

On the second floor of a tea shop called Hao Hua Chang Kai, the windows were wide open, and several people stood in front of the windows, looking down at the scene downstairs.Since the location is right in front of Xia Xiang, Xia Xiang's every move can be seen very clearly.

A woman's face was as calm as water, her eyes were as calm as water, and she stared at Xia Xiang intently, with a look of fun, interest and expectation in her eyes. She was wearing a blue green shirt with water mist, a long skirt scattered with flowers and mist, and her shoulders were cut into waists. Yuesu, with muscles like fat and orchids, slender waist, slender neck, face like spring water, skin like fat, is a shocking beauty.Standard oval face, big eyes, rounded but not too sharp chin, cheeks showing a perfect arc from top to bottom, with a stunning beauty.

When she is quiet, she is like a beautiful flower shining in the water, and her actions are like a weak willow supporting the wind. She is really a peerless beauty. She is not inferior to Cao Shuli in beauty, but Cao Shuli is more demure and dignified than her, but she is more beautiful than Cao Shuli. Shuli has a trace of coldness that makes people alienated.

"I'm afraid Xia Xiang won't be able to pass the test..." The woman's eyes didn't show the slightest pity, nor did she gloat, she turned around and said, "What's your opinion, Mr. Wen?"

The man called Wen Gong by the women was an old man who often watched Zhang Houxuan's inscriptions in the Taipingju restaurant in good times. The old man shook his head slightly and sighed: "Unfortunately, Xia Xiang is a rare talent. I thought he could be a high school scholar." I don't want to die on the street today, it is really sad. From my point of view, Xia Xiang, Zhang Hou, and Shen Bao are as talented as the four heroes of the early Tang Dynasty, but they are as proud of their talents as the four, even if they are not as talented as they are today. I am afraid that in the future, he will not be allowed to be in the officialdom because of his high talents and low morals."

The woman remained calm, walked lightly with lotus steps, and took a step forward: "If the three of Xia Xiang pass the test today, and the achievements of the three in the future, who does Duke Wen think is more outstanding?"

Wen Gong supported his long beard and pondered for a moment: "Zhang Hou is the first, Shen Bao is second, and Xia Xiang is the last."

"Why do you know that?" The woman seemed to disagree with Duke Wen's conclusion, and her gaze flicked on Xia Xiang, Zhang Hou and Shen Bao.

"Just now living in Taiping, Zhang Hou hangs the inscription, and his courage is extraordinary. Just now when they met Jian Wang Zaolu, Zhang Hou and Shen Bao moved forward bravely, fearless of death, and Xia Xiang, no matter whether he was living in Taiping or in the conflict with Jian Wang, At that time, I didn't see any superiority, but I felt that I was shrinking back. With such a temperament, even if you are talented, it is difficult to do anything. A man should do something and not do something. How can he accomplish anything? Han Son, what do you think?" Duke Wen's eyes showed worry, "If Xia Xiangcai is as imposing as Zhang Hou and Shen Bao, it's impossible to say that the king will be preempted by several people, so I dare not make such a mistake."

If Shen Bao was here, he would definitely be surprised, because although he didn't know the woman called Han'er, he had met him once, she was the one who talked to him through the window in the incense car by the Hutuo River that day.

The woman smiled slightly, like melting ice and snow, bright and bright: "Did Wen Gong ever think that Xia Xiang would make a late move?"

However, Duke Wen shook his head again and again: "With Xia Xiang's too indecisive character, it's impossible. Why, Han'er, do you like Xia Xiang?"

"Not very sure." The woman hesitated for a moment, but then she strengthened her confidence, "But I think that Xia Xiang is not an incompetent person, nor is he restrained in everything, but he likes to think twice before deciding on everything."

"It's too arbitrary. Xia Xiang is so young, how can he have the attitude to make decisions before acting?" Wen Gong chuckled, quite confident that everything is under control, "If you don't believe me, let's see, next thing, Xia Xiang will either Beheaded on the spot, or be rescued by Zhang Hou."

"Not necessarily. Zhang Hou seems to have extraordinary courage, but in fact it's just a moment of bravery. He only knows how to act on his own will and has no plans. Now that he has no clue, how can he save Xia Xiang?" The woman insisted on her opinion, He didn't want to argue with Duke Wen about this matter, so he changed the subject without a trace, "I heard that the emperor is quite dissatisfied with Yang Di's tribute, and Xing Wang and King Jing jointly impeached Yang Di. In this year's competition, Yang Di's chief examiner He should be replaced. As the minister of the Ministry of Rites, Duke Wen should be the best candidate to succeed Yang Xueshi in the emperor's mind."

The old man who is called Wen Gong by the women is Wen Changju who is in the Ministry of Rites.

Wen Changju had a complacent look on his face, but it was fleeting, and he returned to normal in a moment: "Scholar Yang is a talented scholar, and I feel inferior to him. As for whether he has engaged in favoritism or fraud, don't talk nonsense. If the emperor Appointing this official to preside over this year's Grand Competition, this official should work hard and dare not slack off."

The woman took advantage of the situation and said: "If only in terms of the temperament of the three of them, who will Wen Gong make come out on top?"

"Naturally, Zhang Hou is the first, Shen Bao is the second, Xia Xiang is the third." Wen Changju was amazed at Lian Ruohan's curiosity about the three of them. Even Ruohan had seen too many princes and grandchildren, and it was difficult for even the little prince to catch her eyes. , Why do you pay so much attention to Xia Xiang and the three today, and can't help asking, "Han'er, you just came back from Quanzhou, and you didn't take good care of the business of Haojing Changzai, why do you care so much about Xia Xiang and the three?"

Lian Ruohan smiled lightly, although the coldness remained, but her eyes and teeth were bright, like the spring breeze of willows: "Speaking of which, the three of us really have our own origins."

"How do you say that?" Wen Changju looked surprised. He knew very well that Lian Ruohan went to Quanzhou a few months ago and just returned to Shangjing today. He should have no intersection with Xia Xiang and the other three. It is said that Xia Xiang and the three are students rushing for the exam, and even the three of them are high school Jinshi. To her, they are just unknown people. How could the three of them have a relationship with her.

"It's a long story, but things in the world are quite interesting." Lian Ruohan's eyes were blurred, thinking of the past, his mind was slightly turbulent, "Ling'er and I had nothing to do along the way, so we just talked about homework, and I overheard Some anecdotes..."

Saying it was unintentional, Lian Ruohan understood in her heart, with her good times all over the world, what news could be hidden from her eyes and ears?Although the incident in Zhongshan Village was a trivial matter, and even the local officials were not alarmed, it had already reached her ears.She is very well informed, and has already learned that Li Dingshan escaped and Xia Xiang went to Beijing to rush for the exam.She also knew a thing or two about Xia Xiang's origin and life experience.

She had heard about Zhang Hou and his affairs when she was in Quanzhou, but she had nothing to do with him.However, he is very clear about Zhang Hou's experience from childhood to adulthood and the second time he went to Beijing to rush for the exam, and he also knows a lot about Zhang Hou's personality.

As for Shen Bao, it was Zhending Hutuohe's brave rescue of the old man who fell into the water that made her look at Shen Bao differently.Of course, among them, she wanted to tell Zhang Hou one or two about the fact that she was desperate to save Lu Dongdong who fell into the water, but after thinking about it, she didn't disclose it.

Lu Dongdong was originally a handyman who often lived in peace and contentment in Zhending Mansion in good times. Because of his natural gambling habits, he owed a thousand gambling debts.With Lu Dongdong's income, the one-thousand-guan gambling debt will be repaid all his life. The debt collector chased him home, claiming that if Lu Dongdong didn't pay back the money, he would sell Lu Dongdong's youngest daughter.When Lian Ruohan returned to Shangjing from Quanzhou, he happened to pass by Zhending. Hearing about this, he helped Lu Dongdong out of his urgent need.

But Lian Ruohan behaved properly and would not help Lu Dongdong in vain.Lu Dongdong has two options, one is to sell his youngest daughter Lu Huanhuan to Lian Ruohan as a slave for life, and the other is to pay off the debt with death, and the debt is empty after death.Lu Dongdong thought over and over again, and decided to pay off the debt with his death.

Naturally, Lian Ruohan would not just watch Lu Dongdong jump to death by jumping into the river. She and Ling'er watched from a distance without lending a helping hand. She wanted to wait for Lu Dongdong to pass out before someone rescued him. Lu Dongdong died once and regained his life. The previous debt was written off.It was also she who wanted Lu Dongdong to remember the pain of falling into the water, and to change from evil to righteousness.

Not wanting Shen Bao to pass by, he rescued Lu Dongdong seven times.Lian Ruohan has met many persistent people, but this is the first time she has seen a scholar as stubborn as Shen Bao.After talking with Shen Bao, she felt a sudden love for talents.Good times are always spread throughout the territory of Daxia. If it wants to grow further, it must rely on the power of the local governments.Not to mention Shen Bao's talent and learning, but his character, he is a trustworthy person.With the talent of Shen Bao, it is no problem to pass the Jinshi examination.After being a Jinshi, he will definitely serve as an official.

"What anecdote?" Wen Changju asked with great interest. The three of Xia Xiang could make Lian Ruohan very interested. At the exit, the scene downstairs has changed drastically, and the change was so fast that he was far beyond his expectations. He couldn't help but exclaimed, "Ah, how could this be?"

"It should be like this!" Lian Ruohan also noticed the change in the scene downstairs, and nodded slightly, "This is the bearing you Xia Xiang should have."

What kind of tolerance Xia Xiang should have, Xia Xiang himself can't say clearly, but what he knows is that at this moment, he can't shrink back in the slightest, and must face up to difficulties, otherwise he will die.

Xia Xiang separated Xiao Wu and Shi'er, Shi Shiran appeared in front of Yan Hao, facing Yan Hao's gleaming sword tip, he smiled calmly, and said loudly: "The law of Great Xia has six crimes of killing, one of which is murder. The second is fighting. The third is killing on purpose. The fourth is manslaughter. The fifth is manslaughter. The sixth is killing by mistake... Taiwei Yan, if you want to kill me, which kind will it be?"

Although Xiao Wu was worried about Xia Xiang's safety and didn't want to get out of the way, Xia Xiang couldn't help but push him aside, making him extremely depressed and angry, and quietly came two feet behind Xia Xiang, bowed slightly, ready to jump at any time The determination to block Xia Xiang's sword in one leap.Xia Xiang didn't give orders, he couldn't perform martial arts, but he thought he could do it by blocking the sword with his body.

Yan Hao was about to stab him with a sword, but his killing intent was awe-inspiring, believing that his sword could pierce Xia Xiang's heart and kill Xia Xiang on the spot.Unexpectedly, when he was about to stab with a sword, Xia Xiang suddenly threw a question, and his aura couldn't help but stagnate.

"The crime of six killings?" Yan Hao thought for a moment, his face turned cold, how could he think that Xia Xiang deliberately dug a trap for him. In his opinion, Xia Xiang is already a person who must die, so he said coldly, " If I kill you, it will be a fight."

Murder is premeditated murder, so killing refers to murder without premeditation, manslaughter is killing the wrong person, manslaughter is killing by mistake, joking killing is killing by mistake while playing, and fighting killing is killing in anger.

Xia Xiang cupped his fists and rushed to the surrounding crowd and said: "Fathers and folks, you can also hear clearly what Yan Haoyan Taiwei said just now. He didn't kill people on business, but by fighting. The crime of fighting and killing, according to the laws of Great Xia, should be Beheaded! After my death, when the governor of Shangjing interrogates this case, I would like to ask all the fathers, old folks and folks to take pity on the tragic fate of being beheaded and killed on the street at a young age, and be a personal witness for me."

"it is good!"

"Your Majesty, don't worry, even if I risk my life, I will uphold justice for you." A white-haired peddler was filled with righteous indignation, and he put the pole on his shoulder across his chest, looking like he wanted to rush over to protect Xia Xiang comprehensive.

"Killing people in the street is clearly murder. How can it be fighting? Ladies and gentlemen, the sky is bright and the sky is clear, do we have to wait until we die?" A young man with the appearance of a scholar but a hulking back put a fan behind his chest in his collar In the middle, he rolled up his sleeves and was about to rush over, "Great Xia has established a country for more than a hundred years, and the world has risen to peace, and there are still murders in the streets in Shangjing. Is the governor of Shangjing a poor man?"

"Murder and fighting are both capital crimes. What's the difference?" Another frail young man dressed as a scholar squinted his back, "Is this the time to stick to words? Saving people is the most important thing."

"Why don't you save people?" The hulking and weak scholar's disdainful eyes were irritated, and he pushed the other party, "With your small body, let alone save people, I'm afraid you won't even dare to fart."

"Who says I don't dare?" The weak scholar blushed, and strode up to Xia Cunxian, "Seeing Your Highness, the prince broke the law and committed the same crime as the common people, and I hope the prince will strictly control his subordinates and refrain from killing people in the street. To humiliate the state, and second, to damage the reputation of the prince..."

"Snapped!"

Before he finished speaking, the frail scholar received a solid slap on the face, and half of his face was swollen immediately.Secretary Wen Ruo was stunned for a moment, covered his right face with his hands, and looked aggrieved, but then said discouragedly: "A gentleman who speaks but does not move, is insulting to the gentlemen, and is insulting to the gentlemen."

Xia Cunxian didn't have the mood to listen to his ramblings, he raised his leg and kicked the weak scholar to the ground: "Get out! If you dare to talk too much, I will kill you together. Yan Hao, if you don't do anything, do you want me to teach you how to do it?" kill?"

It wasn't that Yan Hao didn't want to do it, but Xia Xiang's remarks just touched him. The law in Daxia is very strict. Although he has the support of the prince, killing people in the street is a capital crime. After Xia Xiang's trap, it is extremely stupid to admit that he was the crime of fighting in the street.There are now hundreds of onlookers. In the future, the Yin of the Beijing government will try the case. As long as there is evidence, he will definitely be sentenced to be executed. Even Xia Cunxian cannot save him.

Although the name of the Shangjing prefect is held by the three kings, Xingwang, but Xingwanggui is the king, and he does not ask about specific affairs.The Shaoyin of the Shangjing government is the deputy of the Shangjing government, similar to the current executive deputy mayor, who presides over the overall work.Fu Ran was an upright person, judged cases fairly, and did not rely on the Star King, but only obeyed the emperor.If it falls into his hands, he will surely die.

A few years ago, Hai Zizhi, the son of Hai Renfu, who was the prime minister at the time, was arrested and imprisoned by Shangjing Fu Yin for manslaughter in a street fight.Hai Renfu personally visits Fu Zhuo, hoping that Fu Zhuo will give Haizi a way out.Fu Zhuo was unmoved at all, and later in the interrogation, it was found out that Hai Zizhi was charged with another crime. Manslaughter was originally a crime of exile, but he was punished for several crimes, and Fu Zhuo sentenced Hai Zi to beheaded.

Hou Hairenfu went to the emperor crying and begging for mercy, the emperor softened his heart for a while, so he dealt with it leniently, and finally exiled Hai Zizhi to Lingnan.Haizi couldn't bear the humidity in Lingnan, so he died of illness soon after arriving in Lingnan.Hai Renfu lost his beloved son, and he hated him deeply.Later, Hai Renfu ordered the censor to impeach Fu, and Fu was exiled to Hainan.

In Daxia, exile to Lingnan is a major crime, and exile to Hainan is a felony second only to the capital crime.Hai Renfu's original intention was to let Fu Zhuo die in Hainan, but he didn't want Fu Zhuo to be strong and safe. He was recalled after a few years and once again served as Quanzhi Shangjing.

Such an upright person, Yan Hao does not want to fall into his hands.He thought bitterly, Xia Xiang was so cunning, let him jump into the trap in public, it's too late to regret now, what should I do?
(End of this chapter)