Lanting prelude

Chapter 43
In the early morning of the next day, Yuan Gongwang brought more than a dozen capable men, together with Xi Yan and his men, a group of more than [-] people, dressed as business travelers, surrounded Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang and marched towards Qizhou.

A group of people went north by boat from the canal in Yangzhou, arrived in Chuzhou about two days later, turned to Surabaya, landed in Yanzhou seven or eight days later, and transferred to horses.On this day, just beside the official road in the north of Yanzhou City, they rescued a young girl who was being bullied by hooligans.The girl was dressed in rags and her hair was disheveled. Chu Lisang felt sorry for her, so he took some money and dry food from the horseback to give to her.But when Chu Lisang saw the girl's face through the dirty and unkempt sideburns, he was shocked, and the money and dry food dropped to the ground.

This girl turned out to be a green sleeve!
Lu Xiu was stunned for a short moment, then threw herself into Chu Lisang's arms with a wow, and burst into tears like no one else was there.Chu Lisang hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks like a spring.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Junmo, Yuan Gongwang and the big men couldn't help but have red eyes.

Staying at the inn that night, Chu Lisang and Lu Xiu chatted for a whole night in the room, telling each other what happened after parting.Luxiu said that since Chu Lisang was captured by Xuanjiawei, she locked herself in the room and cried for several days. Finally, she calmed down and thought about it. At the beginning, Xiao Junmo gave them the money to leave Yique and go to Baima County in Huazhou to join a distant cousin.The cousin wanted to take her in, but the aunt just rolled her eyes and refused to agree to anything. It wasn't until she brought out a few copper coins that the aunt turned her anger into joy.

She stayed like this, helping them with housework and housework every day. She thought she could live in peace, but within a month, her aunt made various excuses to "borrow" the remaining five or six pennies of her money. Then they talked about marrying her, who was a widower in his fifties.Lvxiu couldn't be angry, so she stole the money cheated by her aunt one night, and then ran away overnight.From then on, she had no relatives, so she had to work as a maidservant in a large family in a neighboring county. Unexpectedly, after only a few days of work, the master tried to moles her, so she had to run away again.

After several months, she wandered around in Puzhou, Caozhou and other places, working as a servant everywhere, but she couldn't do it for long.Until more than ten days ago, she heard that a government-run brocade workshop in Yanzhou was recruiting weaver girls, so she came to Yanzhou.Unfortunately, misfortunes never come singly. A few days ago, when I passed by Onozawa, I ran into a group of bandits, who also took away the last three coins left on me. Fortunately, she ran fast and jumped into the water, so she was not insulted.

Then, she wandered to Yanzhou like a beggar.Seeing her like this, the brocade workshop kicked her out without saying a word.Lvxiu had no way out, so she had to ask people around where there was a nunnery, planning to escape into Buddhism and end her life.Yesterday, a kind person gave her two steamed buns and told her that there is a nunnery in the north of the city.So she found her early in the morning, but unexpectedly, she was molested by some hooligans on the road.She was hiding a pair of scissors on her body, and she was about to commit suicide if she couldn't fight. Fortunately, at this time, Chu Lisang and his party happened to pass by...

After listening to Lu Xiu's narration, Chu Lisang's eyes were red and swollen from crying.She hugged Luxiu tightly, and murmured: "Good Luxiu, it's all over, thank God for bringing you back to me. From now on, our sisters will never be separated again."

That night, they embraced each other and slept, tears quietly wet their pillow covers.

The next day, a group of people rode their horses northward, and arrived at the foot of Mount Tai at dusk.According to the distance, they only need to walk another day before they can reach Qizhou.

As the sun goes down, a straight post road stretches on the open and open plain, and Mount Tai, the "Five Sacred Mountains", stands on the right front of the road, becoming more majestic in the vast twilight.

Xiao Junmo walked side by side with Yuan Gongwang, and asked him about Yu Shiqi's situation.

"Old Yu is a few years younger than me, and he is a shrewd and capable person." Yuan Gongwang said, "At the beginning, the leader of Zhiyong entrusted me with a few errands, and Lao Yu and I did them together. We can be regarded as a fateful friendship."

"So, Yu Shiqi shouldn't have to test me again, right?" Xiao Junmo laughed.

Yuan Gongwang laughed: "I can't, I can prove your status as the leader, and Lao Yu will never say anything."

"What does Yu Shiqi do for a living?"

"I'm in the same business as me, and I'm also in the silk business." Yuan Gongwang said, "I reckon, this old man's life is probably going to be hard these days."

"Why is that?" Xiao Junmo was a little surprised when he heard that he used the word "also".

Yuan Gongwang realized that he had made a slip of the tongue, and hesitated for a while: "Uh, I mean, in the past two years, more and more young people have been engaged in this industry, and many people don't follow the rules. The whole business is in a mess..."

"Old Yuan," Xiao Junmo knew that he was not telling the truth as soon as he heard it, "We are now brothers who eat together, can't you be honest with me?"

Yuan Gongwang smiled shyly and sighed: "To tell you the truth, the leader, not long ago, I almost got a lawsuit."

"Why?" Xiao Junmo was surprised, "What lawsuit?"

"It's the prohibition of silk brocade. You also know that although the imperial court has banned this for a long time, it has become useless after a long time. For us, as long as the customer likes it and can afford the price, the government will arrange it. What pattern?" We all weave. We have always done a good job, but two months ago, the governor of Yangzhou suddenly came to me and said that the imperial court had issued a death order to fully investigate the prohibited silk brocade, and told me to quickly take back all the silk brocades that are on the market. Destroyed together with the inventory. I was dumbfounded when I heard it. The two add up to 10,000+ pieces, worth thousands of gold! I hurriedly sent a large sum of money to the governor and asked him to help. He told me the inside story He said that the imperial court intends to suppress the descendants of the Jiangzuo gentry, and I, Yuan Gongwang, was one of the main targets. He also said that the imperial court gave him an order to directly raid the family and seize people. He blocked it for me because of his many years of friendship. He said that as long as I destroy all the prohibited goods as soon as possible, and spend some money to stop the mouth of the supervisory censor, he will try to deal with the court..."

Xiao Junmo frowned: "Then have you destroyed it?"

Yuan Gongwang smiled bitterly: "That's more than half of my net worth, how can you tell me to bear it? I can only pretend, burn a part, and then hide most of it."

Xiao Junmo was thinking about something, and smiled apologetically: "I'm sorry, Lao Yuan, I don't know these things at all, but I happened to force you to show up with the forbidden silk brocade that day, didn't it scare you?"

"Isn't that right!" Yuan Gongwang's expression of lingering fear still persisted, "I thought that the matter of private possession was reported, and I also heard that people from the Xuanjiawei of the imperial court came to the door. At that time, it was like five thunders! , before I went to see you that day, I already said hello to my subordinates, if I can’t buy you with money, I will never let you go out of Yuan Ji again!"

"Haha!" Xiao Junmo laughed, "Fortunately, I revealed the identity of the criminal in time that day, otherwise, wouldn't I have been hacked by you?"

"That's right, the Dragon King Temple was almost washed away by the flood." Yuan Gongwang smiled, "By the way, leader, there is one thing that I have always wondered about. Why did the imperial court suddenly suppress the Jiangzuo gentry?"

Xiao Junmo smiled: "In my opinion, the reason is also very simple. After I rescued the Zuoshi, the emperor had no way of cracking the secret of the Tianxing League, so he had to think of this trick. The purpose is to shake the mountain and force the people of the alliance to show up."

Yuan Gongwang was stunned.

Xiao Junmo continued: "If Xuanjiawei really came to you that day and was killed by you, then you will be automatically exposed. This is exactly what the emperor and the court want."

Yuan Gongwang nodded solemnly.

Xiao Junmo looked at the horizon in the distance, thoughtful: "Old Yuan, if Yu Shiqi encountered the same suppression as you, what would he do based on what you know about him?"

Yuan Gongwang thought for a moment, and only said one word: "Reverse."

Xiao Junmo and him looked at each other, and the same worry was revealed in their eyes.

On the post road in the northwest of the foothills of Mount Tai, a group of horses and horses galloped forward, raising yellow dust all over the sky behind them.

The first rider was dressed as a woman, wearing a veiled hat and a black veil on her face, and she looked back frequently while galloping the horse, looking quite frightened.She was followed by more than a dozen black-clothed knights, all of them were burly and should be accompanying bodyguards, but everyone's faces could not hide the color of fear.

With a whizzing sound, more than a dozen feathered arrows pierced through the billowing yellow dust behind them, and caught up with them with a sharp sound piercing through the air.

The black-clothed knights turned around one after another, swung their knives to block, and blocked most of the feathered arrows, but two knights were still shot by the sharp arrows and immediately fell off their horses.

At the same time, more than 20 masked knights in gray came galloping from behind, and their horseshoes trampled mercilessly on the two knights in black. And the tragic end of death.

Since half an hour ago, the assassins behind had bitten this group of black knights tightly, and more than ten people had been shot off their horses.If they continued to escape like this on this unobstructed plain, before night fell, the remaining people would probably become living targets for the pursuers.

Finally, a dense cypress forest appeared on the left front of the road.

The leading knight in black glanced at him, and immediately said to the two knights beside him: "You two, escort the guests into the woods, hurry up!" The seven knights sternly said: "Brothers, the time to be loyal to the court has come, follow me!"

At this moment, the masked knights behind have swarmed over.The knights in black roared and rushed forward, and the two groups of men and horses instantly became a mass.Taking advantage of this gap, two knights escorted the rider known as the "guest" and galloped towards the woods.

At the same time as this fight took place, Xiao Junmo and his party happened to come to an inn at the foot of Mount Tai.As soon as the mount under him stepped into the gate of the earth wall outside the inn, Xiao Junmo suddenly took the reins.

The strong wind in the wilderness whistled past his ears, but he keenly caught a trace of noise in the wind.During the few years in Xuanjiawei, Xiao Junmo has already developed a hearing that is far superior to that of ordinary people.

"What's wrong, ally?"

A group of people followed Xiao Junmo and reined in, Yuan Gongwang asked puzzledly.

Xiao Junmo frowned slightly, subconsciously looking in the direction of the cypress forest.From here you can overlook a corner of the woods condescendingly, but most of the woods and the further post road are blocked by the wall of the inn.

"Didn't you hear anything?" Xiao Junmo said.

Everyone listened attentively, but they didn't hear anything. They looked at each other for a while, and then looked at Xiao Junmo.

"Old Xi, Sang'er, you go to the inn." Xiao Junmo said, and then said to Yuan Gongwang, "Old Yuan, let's go and have a look." After speaking, he lifted the reins, turned around and galloped towards a piece of soil beside the inn.Yuan Gongwang and his men followed closely behind.

After that unforgettable night in Yangzhou, Xiao Junmo changed his address to Chu Lisang, from "Li Sang" to "Sang'er".This subtle change made Chu Lisang feel very warm.But to Luxiu at this moment, the meaning contained in this statement makes her very interested.

"Sang'er..." Luxiu played with these two words, and looked at Chu Lisang with a narrow smile, "Lady, how did Xiao Lang change you from Miss Chu to Sang'er, can you tell me?" say?"

"Damn girl!" Chu Lisang smiled and gave her a blank look, "You have too many things to do, so I can talk to you later, okay?"

Last night, Chu Lisang told Luxiu all about what happened after the breakup, except for the emotional story between her and Xiao Junmo.

"Lady, you said this, you have to keep your word." Lu Xiu proudly said, "Tell me honestly when you turn around, and you are not allowed to hide a single word."

"All right, all right, don't be poor." Chu Lisang was a little absent-minded, and looked up at the high slope not far away, where Xiao Junmo was standing on top of his horse.

"Why, Xiao Lang only left for a while, and the lady lost her mind?"

Hearing this, Chu Lisang was angry and funny, and was about to reach out to pinch her, but saw Xiao Junmo, Yuan Gongwang and others suddenly galloped down the slope on their horses, as if something had happened.She looked terrified, ignored the green sleeves, and was about to catch up as soon as she raised the rein, when Xi Yan suddenly stretched out her hand to stop her: "Miss Chu, the leader has ordered us to stay here."

"Didn't you see them running so fast? Something must have happened, aren't you afraid that the leader is in danger?" Chu Lisang rode his horse to avoid him, but he firmly blocked him.

"I'm sorry Miss Chu, we can't go anywhere unless the leader orders us."

Regarding Xiao Junmo's sudden departure, Xi Yan was actually quite worried and puzzled, but he still had to carry out the leader's order to the letter.This is Xi Yan.Once he decides to follow a person, he will be determined without any reservations.

Chu Lisang was helpless.

Along the way, she knew that Xi Yan was a very determined person, but Chu Lisang also had to admit that his loyalty to Xiao Junmo was unmatched.

Perhaps because of this, Xiao Junmo asked Xi Yan to protect her all the time.

Thinking of this, Chu Lisang felt a little moved.

Just now on the high hill, Xiao Junmo and others watched the fight on the post road from a distance, and at the same time saw the three riders quickly sinking into the dense cypress forest down the slope.

"Is it a woman?"

Xiao Junmo squinted at the three people who drove into the woods.Even though it was already dusk and they were far apart, he still made a judgment at a glance.

"The leader has good eyesight, so it's at least a mile away." Yuan Gongwang couldn't help but admire.

While they were talking, the fight on the post road had become clear: the side with fewer people was obviously outnumbered, and several horses fell to the ground one after another; while the side with more people besieged the few remaining horses, they quickly divided their troops and chased them towards the woods .

"Masked?"

Xiao Junmo made another discovery.

Yuan Gongwang tried his best to open his eyes wide, but he couldn't see anything.

"Those three people are in danger." Xiao Junmo frowned slightly, looking straight ahead, "Old Yuan, a group of masked men are chasing and killing a woman, do you think we should save her?"

"This..." Yuan Gongwang originally wanted to say that the matter was none of his business, and there was no need to cause trouble, but he swallowed the words and changed his words, "It is always the rule of this alliance to draw swords to help when the road is injustice."

He knew that this was what Xiao Junmo thought in his heart.

"Okay, then let's go over and join in the fun."

Xiao Junmo rode his horse and raised his whip, and galloped down the slope first.Yuan Gongwang led his men to follow closely.

Seen from the hilltop, the cypress forest below is not very big, but when I came in, I realized that the forest is really not small.Yuan Gongwang ordered his men to light the torches, and followed Xiao Junmo to gallop in the forest.

After traveling tens of feet in the forest, he heard the sharp sound of feather arrows piercing the air not far away.Xiao Junmo quickly identified the position, and rushed over at the head of the horse.

"Leader, be careful." Yuan Gongwang hurriedly followed, "Those guys are not good at trouble, why don't you let the brothers go and have a look first?"

"Have you forgotten which line of work I am from?" Xiao Junmo smiled faintly, "How can I be left behind when there is a good show going on?"

While talking, the crowd drove another ten feet, and suddenly heard several painful groans from behind a big tree on the left.Xiao Junmo immediately got off his horse, took a torch from one of his men, and ran over quickly.

The three people who had just fled for their lives were lying on the ground at this moment, and two of the knights were silent, and the one who was moaning was the one wearing a veiled cap, a black veil, and a woman's attire.

However, when he heard the first groan just now, Xiao Junmo already knew that this person was not a woman, but a man.

Xiao Junmo handed the torch to his subordinates, squatted down and gently helped the wounded, and then lifted his veil.

A sharp arrow shot from the back of his neck and passed out from his throat, blood gushing out.He stared at Xiao Junmo with blood-red eyes, as if he wanted to say something, but he could only make a muffled sound from his mouth.

Looking at the face in front of him, Xiao Junmo suddenly felt familiar.He ordered his subordinates to bring the torch closer, and instantly recognized the person:
"Quan Changshi?!"

This person is the long history Quan Wanji of Anzhou Dudufu, that is, the person who repeatedly submitted secret petitions to impeach Wu Wang Li Ke.Xiao Junmo had met him two years ago, but he never expected to meet him here, and it was under such circumstances.

Quan Wanji struggled in vain for a few more times before dying, and he couldn't say a word from the beginning to the end.

Xiao Junmo helped him close his wide-open eyes, and stood up with a heavy expression.

"Leader, do you recognize this person?" Yuan Gongwang asked.

Xiao Junmo nodded and revealed his identity.

"Governor of Anzhou?" Yuan Gongwang was very confused, "Then why did he come to Qizhou and...was shot to death?"

Xiao Junmo frowned and thought: "Perhaps, his current identity is not An Governor's History."

"what is that?"

"Chairman of Qi Prefecture." Xiao Junmo said, "If my predictions are correct, he should be the chief history of Qi Wang Li You and the Governor's Mansion of Qi Prefecture."

Qi Wang Li You is the fifth son of Li Shimin. In the eighth year of Wude, he was granted the title of Yiyang King. In the same year, he was promoted to be the King of Chu. collar.It wasn't until the tenth year of Zhenguan that Li You, who had reached the age of 16, was changed to king of Qi, appointed governor of Qizhou and governor of Qizhou, and officially took office.

According to Xiao Junmo's knowledge, Qi Wang Li You is a typical dude with a surly temper and moody. He often beat and scolded servants for no reason since he was a child in the palace, and he was also ignorant when he grew up.Since coming to the feudal land, the fifth prince, who has single-handedly controlled the Qizhou army and political power, has never done a single job. He only learned how to fly eagles, walk horses, cruise and hunt, and tortured and killed his servants at every turn.For this reason, Xue Dading, the chief historian, repeatedly advised him, but the king of Qi just ignored it and always went his own way.

Xiao Junmo had heard about these things a long time ago when he was in Xuanjiawei.He also knew that Xue Dading disappointed the emperor because of his lack of control.Now it seems that Quan Wanji, who is strict in nature and good at making small reports, must have been highly valued by the emperor after he successfully impeached Wu Wang Li Ke, so he was transferred to Qizhou and replaced Xue Dading's post of long history—his task , on behalf of the emperor to discipline the incompetent Qi Wang Li You.

However, at this moment, Quan Wanji was lying in this place disguised as a man, dying so miserable and unbearable.

As a dignified member of the third rank, such a death is undoubtedly a great shame.What happened to cause Quan Wanji to die suddenly in this wilderness in such an unimaginable way?
"Leader, what...what is going on here?" Yuan Gongwang looked puzzled, "If this Quan Wanji is really the governor of Qi Prefecture, then why would he appear here disguised as a woman and be chased all the way? "

"A dignified long history wants to escape in this way, it can only show that he offended a certain person with great powers." Xiao Junmo said calmly.

"A person with great supernatural powers?" Yuan Gongwang frowned, "In Qizhou, isn't the king of Qi the only person who is bigger than Chang Shi?"

"That's right. Quan Wanji will make such a move only if he and King Qi are at odds." Xiao Junmo said, "In my opinion, he must want to go back to Chang'an and personally impeach King Qi to the emperor."

"However, if Quan Wanji wants to go back to Chang'an, he should go west. Why would he flee south?"

Mount Tai is located in the south of Qizhou, and to go to Chang'an, the normal way of walking is indeed not to go in this direction.

Xiao Junmo smiled: "If you knew that someone would hunt and kill you, would you still take the usual path? Whether it was a man disguised as a woman or going to the south, it was just Quan Wanji's blindfold. It's a pity that he still didn't Escape from King Qi's clutches."

While talking, Xiao Junmo walked to the corpse of another knight, knelt down and observed carefully.Yuan Gongwang hurriedly lit a torch to illuminate it.Like Quan Wanji, this person was shot by an arrow, and a sharp arrow pierced his chest from his back.

The weapon used by this person is an ordinary horizontal knife.Xiao Junmo took a look at the horizontal knife, threw it aside, and then turned up the dead man's palm.

Suddenly, Xiao Junmo frowned, as if he had discovered something.

Yuan Gongwang noticed that there was something strange in his expression, and hurriedly took a closer look, but there was nothing else except seeing a few thick calluses on the palm of the corpse.Just as he was about to ask a question, he saw Xiao Junmo quickly dig out the waist of the corpse, and then took out a piece.

It was a shiny copper waist plate with three words printed on it.

Yuan Gongwang took a closer look and shouted: "Xuanjiawei?!"

Xiao Junmo frowned.

"Leader, you... how did you see it?"

Obviously, Xiao Junmo only took one look at the palm of the deceased and concluded that it was the Xuanjiawei, so he directly took out his waist card.

Xiao Junmo spread out his palm and asked Yuan Gongwang to take a look: "Did you see it? The calluses on the dead man's hand are similar to mine in both position and size. This is enough to prove that the weapons he usually uses are dragons, just like mine. For the first knife, the horizontal knife was used only to hide the identity. But the handle of the dragon head knife is slightly wider than the horizontal knife, so the position of the cocoon will be slightly different."

Yuan Gongwang was stunned, and couldn't help admiring Xiao Junmo's observation ability.

"In such a short period of time, in such a dark forest, I can shoot and kill three people and get away..." Xiao Junmo looked serious, "These killers are not easy!"

Yuan Gongwang thinks so.

Xiao Junmo quickly walked back to Quan Wanji's body, broke the arrow shaft around his neck, picked up the arrowhead and looked at it.Yuan Gongwang also came over to have a look.Just now, he was paying attention to Quan Wanji, but he didn't pay attention to the arrow left by the killer. At this moment, Yuan Gongwang looked carefully, and suddenly let out an exclamation in his heart.

What Xiao Junmo held in Xiao Junmo's hand was a bronze triangular arrowhead with a triangular body and a streamlined body.Compared with ordinary two-winged arrowheads, this kind of arrowhead has less resistance during flight, better directionality, and stronger lethality.

What interested Xiao Junmo was not the shape of the arrowhead, but its material.Bronze arrowheads were popular in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, and were basically replaced by steel arrowheads in the early Western Han Dynasty.Who is still using this kind of arrowhead today?
Yuan Gongwang obviously saw something, but he restrained himself from saying it.

Xiao Junmo glanced at him, put the arrowhead in his sleeve, and said nonchalantly: "Let's go, go to the post road and have a look."

Everyone rode their horses out of the cypress forest and came to the post road.At this time, the night had already enveloped the wilderness, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of blood.The corpses of eight black-clothed knights lay quietly on the post road, but the other party did not leave half of their bodies behind.

Of course, Xiao Junmo knew very well that this was not because the other party had no casualties, but because they were calm and took their own dead and wounded away when they evacuated.

There is no doubt that this is a group of well-trained killers.

Xiao Junmo said this judgment to Yuan Gongwang, and then he saw the other party's eyes flicker.Xiao Junmo didn't say anything, and dismounted to examine the corpses one by one.When he saw the face of the leading black knight, he was stunned.

"What's the matter, leader?" Yuan Gongwang asked.

"This is my former subordinate." Xiao Junmo sighed, "My surname is Duan. I was a team leader. I didn't expect to die here."

Xiao Junmo clearly remembered that on the way Pei Tinglong led his troops to chase and kill him, this team was also a member of his team, and they had met several times before.Since even he has arrived in Qizhou, it obviously means that Pei Tinglong and Huan Dieyi probably came here first by themselves.If so, why did they come here?

No matter what purpose they came to Qizhou, Xiao Jun thought to himself, they must have something to do with Qi Wang Li You.

"Leader, now it seems that something big is going to happen in Qizhou City!" Yuan Gongwang said.

"Isn't this already out?" Xiao Junmo smiled wryly, "The majestic governor of Qi fled in a hurry, and the entire team of Xuanjia guards who escorted him were all killed. Isn't this big enough?"

"Of course. What I mean is that the next thing may be bigger."

"Old Yuan," Xiao Junmo looked at him suddenly, "In your opinion, who killed Quan Wanji and these Xuanjia guards?"

"According to the leader's judgment just now, this person should be King Qi, right?"

"King Qi must be the mastermind. What I'm asking is, who did King Qi order to do this?"

"This old man can't tell." Yuan Gongwang laughed a few times, "This king of Qi is a local emperor, why don't his subordinates support a bunch of dead soldiers?"

"The dead are just brave and fearless. But today's gang of killers act decisively, advance and retreat freely, and are clearly well-trained. Don't you think they are more like a well-disciplined organization?"

Yuan Gongwang's gaze flickered again, but he didn't answer.

Xiao Junmo looked at him and smiled softly: "If someone told me now that these killers are members of our Heavenly Punishment Alliance, I would definitely not doubt it."

Yuan Gongwang was startled, he muttered and couldn't speak.

Xiao Junmo took out the arrowhead in his sleeve, and gently twirled it in his hand: "Old Yuan, tell me the truth, do you already recognize its owner?"

Yuan Gongwang finally couldn't hold back any longer, bowed his head, and said panickedly: "Leader, forgive me, this old man... This old man definitely didn't hide it on purpose, it's just..."

"So, its owner is indeed Yu Shiqi?"

Yuan Gongwang looked terrified and had no choice but to nod.

"Then can you tell me why Yu Shiqi used this rare bronze arrowhead, and why is he not afraid of being recognized?"

"Reporting to the lord, this matter... this matter is a long story."

"It's okay, just speak slowly."

Yuan Gongwang coughed in embarrassment: "To tell the truth, Yu Shiqi has always had a special liking for bronze objects. In his opinion, bronze carries the culture and spirit of the Spring and Autumn Period. The ancients at that time were both elegant and elegant. Graceful gentlemen, but also the chivalrous spirit of generosity and elegy, they value promises, despise life and death, respect morality, and uphold integrity, not like today's people who are ungrateful for profit, despicable and wretched. Therefore, all ancient bronze wares, Yu Shiqi They all have collections, and they love Wu and Wu, and have cast a lot of bronze arrowheads, but they are only used for viewing, or occasionally used in ritual shooting activities, and they are rarely shown to others..."

"Hearing what you said, I really want to get acquainted with this Mr. Xu Zhou." Xiao Junmo smiled, "In today's world, it is really rare for people to pursue ancient styles so much. But having said that, although there are many worthy The spirit that future generations admire, but it is also an era when princes are fighting for hegemony and rituals are collapsing, and it is not as noble and elegant as he thinks."

"Yes. Just as the leader said, Yu Shiqi just hates the other side of Chunqiu, so...so he has been quite critical of Jinshang."

"Today?" Xiao Junmo was a little surprised, "You mean the matter of Xuanwumen?"

"Yes. Yu Shiqi has always believed that today, for the sake of the throne, killing his brother and forcing his father by all means is a typical example of winning by domineering and deceitful. I'm sorry, I always feel that the one who sits in the world should be Prince Yin..."

"In this way, he and Mingzang agree on this point."

"Yes, leader. Because of this, when you asked me on the way, what would Yu Shiqi do if he was suppressed by the court, the old man would answer you directly with that word."

Xiao Junmo was stunned.

At that time, Yuan Gongwang said the word "anti" after a little thought. He was still a little puzzled, and felt that such a speculation was too hasty.At this moment, after listening to it like this, I realized that Yuan Gongwang's speculation really made sense.

"You just said that the bronze arrowheads cast by Yu Shiqi are generally not used, but now he dares to use them to kill people. Isn't he afraid that others will use this as evidence to find him?"

"The leader doesn't know something." Yuan Gongwang smiled wryly, "Yu Shiqi once told me that if one day he doesn't want to bear it anymore, he will definitely rise up, and the first arrow he shot when he raised his righteousness must be a symbol of this. The bronze arrow of the spirit of Spring and Autumn."

"I understand." Xiao Junmo nodded with emotion, "Not only is he not afraid of people knowing, but he wants to show his ambition with this."

"Correct."

"So it seems..." Xiao Junmo stared at the bronze arrowhead in his hand, "Yu Shiqi has already decided to turn against him, and Quan Wanji is just a sacrifice he brought to sacrifice the flag."

"That's right, judging from the situation, Lao Yu should join forces with King Qi."

Xiao Junmo glanced at the bronze arrowhead again, put it back into his sleeve, and then looked in the direction of Qizhou City: "Old Yuan, we must stop Yu Shiqi. Now that the world is in chaos and the world is at peace, rebellion is a senseless act. In the end It can only lead to self-destruction, and once the imperial court sends troops to suppress it, not only the brothers who are at the helm of the empty boat will die in vain, but even the common people in Qizhou and nearby counties will also suffer."

Yuan Gongwang's expression was gloomy, and he sighed heavily: "The lord gives an order, what should we do?"

Xiao Junmo pondered for a while: "Send a brother back to the inn and tell Xi Yan to let them stay in the inn temporarily and not go anywhere, protect Miss Chu well, and don't allow them to leave the inn for half a step without my order. Also, let Xi Yan brought a few people over to bury Quan Wanji and these Xuanjiawei brothers, and let them have a burial place."

"Yes." Yuan Gongwang immediately called one of his subordinates to go back to deliver the order, and the subordinates went away applauded.

"Then, what about us?" Yuan Gongwang asked.

"Rushing to Qizhou overnight, we can't delay for a moment. Since this matter has been bumped into by us, we have no reason to stay out of it. No matter what the price is, we must prevent King Qi and Yu Shiqi from rebelling!" After Xiao Junmo finished speaking, he slapped his ass hard , the mount under his body galloped out like an arrow from the string.

Yuan Gongwang and his men followed closely behind.

A group of people galloped on the post road.The night ahead is pitch black, as thick as ink that cannot be melted.

Qizhou City is located at the intersection of the hills in central Shandong and the North China Plain, with Mount Tai to the south and the Yellow River to the north.

Xiao Junmo and his party ran non-stop all night, and entered Qizhou from the south gate at the next day.

At this time, the outside of Qizhou City is loose and the inside is tight.Xiao Junmo noticed that although there was nothing unusual about the defense at the gate of the city, there were many groups of soldiers patrolling inside the city, and there were even many plainclothes spies cruising around.Although the latter were well disguised, Xiao Junmo could see through them at a glance.

Yu Shiqi lived in the west of the city. When everyone came to the crossroads in the city, Xiao Junmo suddenly reined in.Yuan Gongwang was puzzled: "What's the matter, leader?"

Xiao Junmo pondered for a moment, and said, "Old Yuan, we may split up and act."

"Why?"

"The situation is urgent right now. I think King Qi may do something at any time. If we go to see Yu Shiqi together, I'm afraid it will delay time."

"The leader means..." Yuan Gongwang was puzzled.

"You go to see Yu Shiqi, and I will go to see King Qi."

"What?!" Yuan Gongwang was taken aback, "You're going to meet King Qi? Then...then what identity do you want to use to meet him?"

"I have my own idea." Xiao Junmo smiled silently, took out the bronze arrowhead in his sleeve, and handed it to Yuan Gongwang, "After you see Lao Yu, you can open the skylight with him and tell him that rebelling with King Qi will only lead to death One thing. It’s best for him to listen to advice, if he still persists, don’t turn against him, find an excuse to leave quickly, and don’t stay with him for long.”

"Then, what's next?"

Xiao Junmo thought for a while, then lowered his voice and said: "Tomorrow at this time, we will meet at the Town God's Temple in the south of the city. If I don't show up at that time, you will leave Qizhou immediately and go back to meet Lao Xi and Miss Chu..."

Yuan Gongwang felt that he was going to explain the funeral, he felt very uncomfortable, and rushed to say: "Leader, no matter what happens, this old man will not leave you alone..."

Xiao Junmo raised his hand to stop him: "No need to say more. I have two things to tell you, listen carefully."

Yuan Gongwang was helpless: "Yes, this subordinate obeys orders."

"First, do your best to take good care of Miss Chu, and please tell me that I hope she will stay away from the rivers and lakes and live a stable and peaceful life. Second, you and Lao Xi must shoulder the mission of the League and contact other branches as much as possible. The rudder, gather more power, and prevent Mingzang from causing disaster to the world." After Xiao Junmo finished speaking, he added, "By the way, I have already handed over the seal of alliance and "Lanting Preface" to Lao Xi, and you two must protect these two holy things together. As a thing, share the responsibility of the leader. As long as Mingzang's ambition is not dead for a day, you can't give up your mission for a day."

When he left Yangzhou, Xiao Junmo secretly handed over the seal of alliance and "Lanting Preface" to Xi Yan, because the target on himself was too big - although he did not doubt Yuan Gongwang's loyalty at all, he did not dare to guarantee Yuan Gongwang's loyalty. The people under Gongwang will not use their brains.At that time, Xi Yan was taken aback, and waved his hands again and again, not daring to take it.Xiao Junmo told him that this was an order, and said that now he is the only person he trusts most.Xi Yan was so moved that he took the things over.

Yuan Gongwang was quite moved after hearing Xiao Junmo's account of the "funeral affairs", and said with emotion: "Leader, don't worry! Even if the old man is smashed to pieces, he will never dare to insult his mission."

"Okay, then please, let's leave it alone."

Xiao Junmo patted him on the shoulder, looked back at his subordinates, and immediately patted his horse and galloped towards the east street.

Yuan Gongwang watched him disappear into the crowd in the distance, his eyes felt moist.

(End of this chapter)