Lanting prelude
Chapter 6 Profound Armor
Chapter 6 Profound Armor
It took Wu Tingxuan a whole day to complete the temporary writing of Wang Xizhi's cursive script "Seventeen Posts".
He shut himself in the study room, and sat quietly for an hour before writing, watching his nose and nose, watching his heart, until his chest was free, his mind was clear, and all worldly thoughts were discarded, and then he laid out the paper and wrote down the ink calmly.
One hundred and seven lines, 940 words, as if written in a flash.
From the beginning to the end, Wu Tingxuan felt that he was completely in a state of forgetting both things and himself.The moment he abruptly finished writing, his body was almost exhausted, but his heart and soul felt an unparalleled sense of ease, as if ascending to the heavens, as if ascending to bliss.
It has been many years since I had such a vivid experience.At the moment when he finished writing the copybook, Wu Tingxuan felt that instead of saying that he was helping Zhou and his son, it was better to say that they gave him a precious opportunity to be his young self again.
"Zhou Lang, you must promise me that no one can see this copy except you and your father!"
When he decided to help Zhou Lugui, Wu Tingxuan proposed this condition to him.
Zhou Lugui was naturally overjoyed and agreed.
At this moment, although Wu Tingxuan still couldn't help feeling anxious, but thinking of Zhou Lugui's sincere eyes, he still told himself: This young man will definitely keep his promise, as long as Linben keeps secret, there is nothing to worry about.
After finishing the copybook, Wu Tingxuan spent another day on mounting and making it old.In the early morning of the third day, he asked the guy in the store named Da Zhuang to deliver the almost authentic copy to Zhou Lugui.
Zhou Lugui was very grateful, and repeatedly said that he would come to the door to thank him in person.
"Thank you, no need!" Da Zhuang said angrily, "Our shopkeeper said that as long as you cheer up, make a decent living, be able to settle down and take good care of your father, that is the best way to thank him."
Zhou Lugui suddenly smiled: "Naturally! Please tell Mr. Wu that when Zhou visits him again, he will definitely impress him!"
Da Zhuang snorted coldly and left.
I don't know why, until he walked out of the Bodhi Temple, Da Zhuang suddenly felt that the smile of the down-and-out scholar just now seemed a little weird, but he couldn't say where the weirdness was.
At around three quarters in the morning, Wei Zheng's carriage entered the East Palace.
Today, Wei Zheng's mood is quite joyful.Because just now, Xiao Henian told him the latest piece of information in the Wangchuan teahouse: the emperor has withdrawn his order and does not intend to allow King Wei to live in the Hall of Wude.
Wei Zheng didn't expect the emperor to accept his advice so quickly, so he was naturally overjoyed.He decided to tell the prince the good news immediately, and at the same time tell him more about how to cultivate himself and improve his morality, so as to change the bad impression of the prince and the emperor as soon as possible.
As usual, the prince received Wei Zheng in the study in the West Wing of the Lizheng Hall.
At this time, a pair of eyes were hiding in the small bamboo forest opposite the back door of the study, observing the surroundings very vigilantly.
Almost at the same time that Wei Zheng entered the study from the front door, a light blue figure also came quickly from the east corridor, and disappeared into the back door of the study in a flash.
The pair of eyes in the bamboo forest suddenly lit up.
As soon as he was seated, Wei Zheng told Li Chengqian the news that the emperor had taken back his order.
"So fast?" Li Chengqian couldn't believe his ears, "How did the grand master make the emperor change his mind?"
"To be honest, this old man also feels a little surprised." Wei Zheng smiled and said, "This old man just remonstrated a few words. I didn't expect His Majesty to make a decision so quickly."
Li Chengqian was thoughtful, but involuntarily glanced at the screen.
Wei Zheng was slightly surprised when he saw it, but he didn't point it out. Instead, he talked with the prince nonchalantly about the many essentials of self-cultivation and moral advancement.Li Chengqian tried his best to look like he was listening attentively, but in fact he was a little absent-minded.
At this moment, the light blue figure behind the screen was obviously impatient, and after listening to a few more words, he quietly turned around and slipped out from the back door.
Suddenly, this person almost bumped into a person in brocade clothes. When he looked up, Li Yuanchang was standing in front of him with his hands behind his back, and a dozen guards of the Eastern Palace stood in the corridors on both sides of the back door, all staring at her fiercely.
It was Li Yuanchang who was hiding in the bamboo forest and watching.
"Xiao Cui, I'm leaving now? Why don't you listen for a while?" Li Yuanchang said with a smile.
This court lady named Xiaocui knew that she could not escape, her face turned pale and she fell to her knees with a plop.
At this time, Li Chengqian and Wei Zheng walked around the screen together and walked behind Xiaocui.
Seeing this scene, Wei Zheng understood everything without asking.This Xiaocui is obviously a secret agent of Wei Wangfu, and the many conversations he had with the prince here before must have been reported to Wei Wang by this secret agent.
Li Chengqian squatted in front of Xiaocui, lifted her chin with an index finger, and smiled charmingly: "Xiaocui, is it fun to be a little crafty?"
Xiao Cui's face was already distorted by fear.She could only shake her head desperately, unable to speak.
"If it's not fun, why do you still do it?"
"Your Highness, this servant knows that I cannot escape death, but..." Xiaocui calmed down in despair, and two lines of tears flowed from the corners of her eyes, "However, please read this, Your Highness, because this servant has served you for many years, give this servant one." The whole body!"
"Okay, I'll help you." Li Chengqian said with a smile, "I'm soft-hearted, and I hate people crying, especially women." As he said, Li Chengqian's right hand suddenly grabbed Xiaocui's throat.
As the hand strength gradually increased, Xiao Cui's face turned purple, her eyes gradually protruded, and her limbs began to twitch non-stop.
"Your Highness, this man cannot die." Wei Zheng's faint voice came from behind.
Li Chengqian sneered and said nothing, but his strength increased instead.
"Your Highness, the dead are worthless, but the living are useful." Wei Zheng's voice was still calm.
Li Chengqian still did not let go, but hesitation appeared in his eyes.After a while, he suddenly let go of his hand.Xiaocui collapsed to the ground, laying on the ground and retching, gasping for breath.
Li Chengqian got up and quietly looked at Xiaocui on the ground.He knew that what Wei Zheng meant was to use Xiao Cui to infiltrate.
At this moment, Wei Zheng appeared to be as calm as still water, but his heart was full of turmoil.
Since the East Palace has King Wei's detailed works, it means that the last conversation he had with the prince has already been grasped by King Wei.But Wei Wang didn't know who leaked the news, so he would definitely release false information to Xiao Henian and other suspects, so as to identify the person who leaked the news.If Xiao Cui hadn't been caught today and asked her to send out the information again, King Wei would have known immediately that Xiao Henian had leaked the two news, and Xiao Henian would definitely die!
Thinking of this, Wei Zheng couldn't help feeling chills running down his back.
So hanging!
Just after noon that day, Li Tai took a nap in the Chunnuan Pavilion in the back garden, and just fell asleep in a daze when Du Chuke gently woke him up.
Li Tai half-opened his sleepy eyes, and said displeasedly: "How many times have I told you, don't disturb me during lunch break..."
"Your Highness!" Du Chuke looked happy, "'Yellow Dog' just sent back the news that the inner ghost has appeared!"
Li Tai suddenly woke up, and sat up from the couch: "Who is it?"
"Guess?" Du Chuke said with a smile.
Li Tai became inexplicably angry, and stared at him: "If you don't say anything, believe it or not, I'll throw you off this pavilion?"
Du Chuke was embarrassed, and hurriedly said, "Liu Ji."
"Liu Ji?!" Li Tai had an unbelievable expression.
"It's this old boy!" Du Chuke said with a smug smile, "I knew it was him from the beginning, as expected!"
Li Tai frowned, and remained silent.
"Stop all action immediately! Do nothing during this time!"
In the middle of the night, Wei Zheng took the initiative to invite Xiao Henian to the elegant room of Wangchuan Tea House for the first time, and gave him this order.
Xiao Henian looked confused, he didn't know why he just gave the grand master a good news this morning, but now he said such words to himself with such a solemn face.
Without waiting for him to ask questions, Wei Zheng told him everything about the capture of the "yellow dog" in the East Palace today.
Xiao Henian was dumbfounded, and after a while he said: "So, the so-called retraction of the Holy Majesty's order is purely false news that the King of Wei deliberately gave me?"
"Does it need to be said? If the prince wasn't astute and noticed that there was a secret operation around him, he deliberately set up this trick and successfully captured the 'yellow dog'. Both of you and I will be killed this time!"
Xiao Henian smiled wryly.If so, it would really be a capsize in the gutter!
"Then what news did the Grand Master ask 'Yellow Dog' to send back to King Wei?" Xiao Henian asked.
"I discussed this matter with the prince for a long time today." Wei Zheng said, "Because I don't know how many people the king of Wei gave false information, let alone the specific content of the information, I hesitated. Later I thought, since The news from the King of Wei is that the Holy Majesty has withdrawn his order, so the easiest way is to do the opposite and let the "yellow dog" report to the King of Wei, saying that what I told the prince today is that the Holy Majesty has decided to make it public. If my guess is correct, at this moment, Liu Ji or someone else has already become your scapegoat."
Xiao Henian had lingering fears in his heart: "Sir, thanks to your strategizing, otherwise this subordinate might be decapitated now."
"You are not in danger for the time being. However, King Wei is suspicious and quite strategic by nature. I am worried that he will not be so easily fooled and will definitely take precautions against you. Therefore, I will ask you to stop all actions in the near future."
Xiao Henian remembered that the last time he was here, Wei Zheng gave him an order to do everything possible to obtain the latest information on the Biancai case.He has been paying close attention these days. Although there is no new news from Los Angeles, he believes that it must be in the next few days.But now, in order to protect him, Wei Zheng suddenly ordered him to give up his actions. In this way, wouldn't it be impossible to prevent the court from finding debaters?
"Sir, since you have passed on the object of King Wei's suspicion to Liu Ji, then I should be safe, so... I don't want to give up."
"No, absolutely not!" Wei Zheng said without doubt, "Even if there is only one ten-thousandth danger, I can't let you take this gamble."
"Sir, according to my subordinate's judgment, the latest information on the Biancai case is likely to be presented in the next few days. If I let go at this juncture, my subordinate will be very unwilling!"
"Stop talking. Telling you to stop, I'm not discussing with you, it's an order!"
"However, you also said that once Biancai is found, the secret of "Lanting Preface" may be revealed, and then there will be bloody storms from the ruling and opposition parties! Sir, as long as you can stop all this, even if you gamble This subordinate's life, this subordinate still feels that it is worth a thousand dollars..."
"Shut up!" Wei Zheng suddenly changed his face, "If you disobey the order, I will transfer you out of Chang'an tomorrow!" After speaking, Wei Zheng stood up and walked out.
When he reached the door, Wei Zheng stopped suddenly, but he didn't look back: "Also, I won't meet with you again in the near future. I will notify the shopkeeper of the teahouse that this communication channel is temporarily closed to your line. When will it be reopened?" Wait for my order!" After speaking, Wei Zheng's figure disappeared from the door.
Xiao Henian knew that the reason why Wei Zheng was so "unfeeling" and even issued a death order to close the communication channel was because he was worried that he would disobey the order and take risky actions.In other words, this is to make him give up completely and give up his actions. In the final analysis, it is still to protect him.
Xiao Henian was greatly moved.
However, it was precisely because of this emotion that Xiao Henian became more determined to continue to act and obtain information.
A scholar dies for a confidant.
From the day he followed Wei Zheng, Xiao Henian had been prepared for this.
In the early morning, when the sun had just risen and the mist had not yet cleared, a group of heavily armed cavalry roared past the main street of Yique County, scaring the passers-by on both sides to dodge.
The knights on horseback are all wearing black armor, black knives on their waists, and riding black horses, looking like a black torrent.
There had never been such a black-armored knight on the ground in Yique. Passers-by all looked at them with wide-eyed eyes, with the same surprise and curiosity written all over their faces.
When the clatter of horseshoes came from the other end of the long street, Da Zhuang had just removed the first door panel of Erya's pawn shop.Sunlight slanted in from the door opening, forming a narrow beam of light, and some dust flew messily in the beam of light.Wu Tingxuan lifted the curtain behind the counter and walked out slowly as usual.At this time, the door panels were removed one by one, and the bright sunlight filled the whole pawnshop bit by bit.
Wu Tingxuan walked outside the door, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.
He had no idea that the team of flying riders on the street was coming towards Erya's pawn shop, so when those expressionless black-armored knights rode their horses to the door of the pawn shop and surrounded the pawn shop in a half-moon shape, Wu Tingxuan Still did not open his eyes.He thought that the passing business travelers were going to stop at the opposite restaurant.
A tall and straight knight in black armor got off his horse.
A pair of tall black leather boots stepped steadily on the bluestone slab, walking towards Wu Tingxuan step by step.
It wasn't until the footsteps gradually approached that Wu Tingxuan realized something and suddenly opened his eyes.As he was facing the sun, Wu Tingxuan felt a little dazzling. He couldn't see who was coming, and he only vaguely felt that the figure in front of him seemed familiar.
The black-armored knight stood about five steps away from Wu Tingxuan, and then looked at him quietly.
Wu Tingxuan squinted his eyes and finally saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face in front of him clearly.
Zhou Lugui? !
This knight in black armor, black knife, and black boots turned out to be Zhou Lugui!
Wu Tingxuan couldn't react at all.No matter what, he didn't dare to associate the tall and heroic knight in front of him with the impoverished and down-and-out scholar a few days ago.
"Mr. Wu, stay safe!"
The knight spoke, and the voice was both familiar and unfamiliar.
It wasn't until now that Wu Tingxuan finally realized what had happened to him—he changed his appearance and hid in the dark for 16 years, but he still couldn't escape this ending after all!
A sad smile slowly bloomed on Wu Tingxuan's face: "This general, what should Wu call you?"
"The title is not important. A person's title can be changed, but no matter how he changes, he can't become another person." The knight smiled, "Am I right, Master of Arguments?"
Wu Tingxuan was shocked.
It has been many years since he was called that by anyone. When "Wu Tingxuan" heard it, countless past events came to his mind in an instant, which almost made him unable to restrain himself.
"Master, although the title is not important, for the convenience of the future, it is better for us to get to know each other formally. My surname is Xiao, and my name is Junmo. I serve in the court and I am a general. This time I came here for one purpose only. It is to find you, the mage, and then respectfully invite you to the capital to face the saint."
The debater heard the words, and then remembered that there was a special army in the imperial court, which was directly ordered by the emperor to investigate serious and special cases, and it was called "Xuanjiawei".It seems that the man in black armor who claims to be Xiao Junmo in front of him is undoubtedly Xuanjiawei.
"General Xiao," Biancai calmed down, and said calmly, "Wu has never heard of the Master Biancai you are talking about, let alone knows him. I don't know why the general confuses Wu with him?"
Xiao Junmo smiled slightly: "Master, until now, you still refuse to admit your true identity, so you have worked so hard for so many days, isn't it a waste of work?"
"The general's play is really good, but Wu still doesn't understand what you are doing all this for."
"Of course I want to return your true colors! The mage has been hiding for so many years, isn't it hard?"
"Wu is a humble businessman from Beihai, Qingzhou. He inherited his father's family business and made a living by running a pawnshop. He moved here in the ninth year of Wude. All of this is written in black and white in the household books of Yique County. It's clear and well documented. Therefore, Wu really doesn't understand what the general said."
"What I mean is very simple. Your identity, native place, and origin are all forged!" Xiao Junmo looked directly at Wu Tingxuan and said slowly, "Of course, there is indeed Wu Tingxuan in Qingzhou Beihai, and this person is indeed a pawnshop owner. In the ninth year of Wude, due to poor management, it closed down. In the same year, he left Beihai and planned to go to Shanzhou to visit his relatives. Unfortunately, Wu Tingxuan's luck was not good, and he fell ill and died on the way back then. He died very bleakly. He didn't have any relatives and friends around him, so No one knew that he was dead. As a result, Wu Tingxuan was still a living person in the government records, but Master, you took the opportunity to pretend to be Wu Tingxuan, allowing a dead person to live for another 16 years! Am I right, Debate Master?"
Xuanjiawei really deserved his reputation, it seems that he still underestimated his opponent.The debater smiled wryly: "General Xiao, even if what you said is true, you can only accuse me of forging household registration, but it still cannot prove that I am the so-called debater in your mouth."
"Of course, based on these alone, I can't prove that you are a debater. It is precisely because of this that I have to incarnate as a down-and-out scholar Zhou Lugui, and after so many days of tragic drama in front of you, I finally got your cursive handwriting. Master , now my drama has come to an end, and your 16-year makeover drama should also come to an end, right?"
Debate closed his eyes helplessly.
Xiao Junmo looked at Biancai, and a trace of guilt suddenly flashed in his eyes.
In fact, from the moment he played Zhou Lugui, this feeling of guilt has been haunting him.Because, using this method to defraud "Wu Tingxuan"'s handwriting is to take advantage of his kindness and compassion.To do so, at best, it is called unscrupulous, at worst, it is despicable!For this reason, when Wei Wang Li Tai, who was remotely controlled in the capital, issued a warrant ordering him to act according to this plan, Xiao Junmo's first reaction was to disobey the order.However, as a Xuanjia guard general, shouldering the great trust of the emperor and the court, his sense of duty and mission finally overcame his conscience, forcing him to obey orders.But it was also from that day that Xiao Junmo spent almost every day in anxiety and self-blame...
"General Xiao," Bian Cai tried to make a final struggle, "Although you have tried everything possible to get my handwriting, what can this prove? There are many people in the world who are good at copying Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. Why can I be recognized as my calligraphy? Am I that eloquent?"
"Yes, the mage is right." Xiao Junmo nodded, "I really can't confirm it based on this alone. But I don't know if the mage still remembers that when you studied calligraphy with your master Zhiyong at Yongxin Temple in Yuezhou, you left behind There are a lot of writing papers imitating Wang Xizhi's cursive script, with your signature and seal on them." Speaking of this, Xiao Junmo gave the subordinates behind him a wink, and someone immediately took out a stack of yellowing writing paper and handed it to him.
Xiao Junmo shook the writing paper in his hand: "Master, you should still recognize the handwriting written by yourself back then, right? This is what I got when I went to Yongxin Temple to investigate not long ago. It is a pity that the hundreds of years old temple Yongxin Temple , is now dilapidated. I originally wanted to find your senior brothers and bring them to identify them. Unfortunately, those people are no longer there. There are only a few young monks left who have never seen you. Fortunately, they were in your year. I found these things in my hands in the meditation room where I live. I have read books for several years, and I am quite proficient in writing and ink, and I have also dabbled in calligraphy. When comparing the two, a conclusion was quickly drawn—the two handwritings were all written by one person! Mage, what else do you have to say now that the matter has come to an end?”
The eloquent was speechless.
"Master, if I'm not mistaken, Wang Xizhi's masterpiece "The Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" should also be in your possession, right?"
Biancai sighed: "I saw it a few times when I was young, but it's a pity that I disappeared afterwards."
"Didn't your master Zhiyong give it to you before he died?"
Biancai smiled wryly: "I hope so too, but unfortunately not."
Xiao Junmo observed the eloquence: "Master, before I left Beijing, the Holy Majesty specifically told me that if you are willing to hand over the "Lanting Preface", you don't have to make a hard trip to Chang'an."
The debater was silent for a long time, and then smiled desolately: "General Xiao, can I let you enter the house to say goodbye to my wife and daughter, and then go with you?"
Xiao Junmo smiled helplessly, and immediately nodded: "Of course, you are a guest of the imperial court, not a prisoner."
He knew very well that Biancai had been hiding under his name for 16 years, and it must be to protect the "Lanting Preface", how could he hand it over easily now?
At this moment, there was a stern voice from the pawnshop: "Why do you want to go with him?!"
Following the voice, Chu Lisang strode out. Chu Yingniang and Lu Xiu tried to pull her back, but she threw them away. "Don't pull me! I just want to ask this despicable and insidious guy!"
As soon as Xiao Junmo and the others arrived, the buddy Da Zhuang recognized him, and was immediately frightened, and after recovering, he hurried to report to Chu Yingniang.When Chu Lisang heard it from the side, she was startled and angry, and was about to rush out with a sword. Chu Yingniang and others hurriedly grabbed her and took her sword away.Just now, Chu Lisang listened to Xiao Junmo's conversation with Biancai for most of the time. The more he listened, the more furious he became, and finally he broke free from Chu Yingniang's pull and came out.
Chu Lisang walked to stand between Xiao Junmo and Biancai, staring at Xiao Junmo with inexplicable grief and indignation.
Xiao Junmo suppressed his guilt, and saluted: "Miss Chu..."
"My surname is Xiao, has your conscience been eaten by a dog? Why did you resort to such despicable means?!" Chu Lisang glared at him, his eyes almost bursting into flames.
As soon as the Xuanjiawei knights heard this, they immediately stepped forward to scold them, but Xiao Junmo stretched out his hand to block them.
"That's the only way to do it." Xiao Junmo said coldly, "Besides, Xuanjiawei always only seeks the result when handling cases, not conscience."
"What a shameless one!" Chu Lisang sneered loudly, "Then let me ask you, what happened on February [-]th was all arranged by you, right? You deliberately pretended to be a good person and gave money to the bum, and even acted Show me a good show of being brave, just to make me believe that you are an honest gentleman, so that I can speak for you in the future, right?"
At this time, among the Xuanjiawei knights behind Xiao Junmo, the bearded and others who pretended to be gangsters that day were all impressively listed.
Xiao Junmo was silent, and said after a while: "There are one or two details, which were not arranged in advance, but purely... purely accidental."
When Chu Lisang heard it, the embarrassing scene of Xiao Junmo grabbing her chest on the roof that day flashed before his eyes, and his cheeks were flushed again.
Xiao Junmo remained expressionless and looked away.
Chu Lisang held back his anger, thinking about something, his eyes suddenly turned red: "That night at the Bodhi Temple, you took an umbrella to cover me, and it was all hypocrisy, trying to deceive my trust and favor, right? ?”
Xiao Junmo was taken aback, he never expected that she would mention this matter, admitting or denying it was obviously inappropriate, he was at a loss for words for a while, and could not speak.
"Let me ask you again, even if my father is the eloquence you keep saying, why should he leave with you?"
"This is an imperial decree, and no one shall disobey it."
"Doesn't the imperial decree need a reason?"
"The Holy Majesty naturally has his reasons for doing this. As a subject, I have no right to ask."
"Then if the emperor asks you to kill, set fire, and harm innocent people, will you do it without asking your conscience?"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone present was shocked.This sentence alone is enough to warrant decapitation.Bearded Hu and the others couldn't bear it any longer, they drew out the dragon head saber in a snap, and all surrounded them.Xiao Junmo suddenly turned his head, his sharp eyes swept over their faces one by one.Bearded beard and the others were stunned, so they had no choice but to stop.
Just as Xiao Junmo turned his head, Chu Lisang suddenly pulled out the dragon head knife from his waist, and pressed it against his throat.
Everyone present was shocked.
Hu and others wanted to rush up, but were stopped by Xiao Junmo's gesture again.
Chu Yingniang and Biancai yelled at the same time: "Sang'er, don't mess around!"
Xiao Junmo looked down at the gleaming dragon head knife, and said in a low voice: "Miss Chu, do you know what crime it is to threaten Xuanjiawei with a knife?"
"Everyone who told you to back off, immediately!" Chu Lisang held the knife steadily and said every word.
"If you do this, you will only hurt yourself and your family."
"I'll say it again, tell your people to back off!" Chu Lisang said sharply.
Xiao Junmo smiled faintly, and said loudly without turning his head: "Captain Luo is listening to orders! Get the brothers on the horses, and immediately retreat to a stone's throw away to wait for orders!"
Luo Dui is exactly the bearded man, and his name is Luo Biao.He was startled when he heard the words: "General..."
"I said, immediately!" Xiao Junmo still didn't look back.
Luo Biao had no choice but to put his saber back into its sheath, and led all the knights to gallop to a place an arrow away, watching from afar.
"And then?" Xiao Junmo spread his hands and looked at Chu Lisang with a smile in his eyes.
Chu Lisang was irritated by his smile, and raised the dragon head knife in his hand: "Don't think that I dare not kill you!"
"Of course you dare, but you are reluctant."
"You—" Chu Lisang was greatly ashamed.
"Don't get me wrong. I mean, I'm your hostage now, and you have to make good use of me, don't you?"
Chu Lisang was at a loss for words.
Xiao Junmo smiled again: "What should I do next, have you thought about it?"
Chu Lisang just snatched Xiao Junmo's knife in a moment of impatience, but he didn't know what to do next, and stood there for a while, not knowing what to do.
Xiao Junmo sighed: "Miss Chu, since you haven't thought about it, then I won't wait for you." As he spoke, his body flickered, his head tilted, and at the same time he shot like lightning, and the three fingers of his right hand clasped Chu Lisang's wrist , twisted slightly again, and the dragon head knife returned to his hand without anyone noticing, and the tip of the knife pointed at Chu Lisang instead.
However, Chu Lisang's reaction also exceeded Xiao Junmo's expectations.
The moment Xiao Junmo snatched the knife, Chu Lisang's left hand that had been hanging down suddenly raised, and a cold light spewed out from his sleeve, a delicate and sharp dagger was deeply inserted into Xiao Junmo's right arm, and blood gushed out immediately.
All of this happened in a flash, and even Chu Lisang was stunned by his subconscious violent reaction, looking at the scene in front of him at a loss.Chu Yingniang rushed forward, blocked Chu Lisang behind her, and faced Xiao Junmo's knife resolutely.
Not far away, Luo Biao and others saw that the situation was not good, and immediately galloped over and got off their horses.Luo Biao drew his knife and yelled angrily: "Brothers, take down this wicked woman who knows nothing about her heights!"
The debater was shocked, and immediately took a big step forward, standing side by side with Chu Yingniang.Five or six fellows, including Luxiu and Da Zhuang, also rushed forward one after another, protecting Chu Lisang behind him.
"It's reversed!" Luo Biao was furious, "Arrest all these troublemakers!"
All the knights shouted "De Ling" and drew their knives to surround them.
"Luo Biao," Xiao Junmo said suddenly, "I'm not dead yet, how dare you give orders for me?" He put the knife into its sheath, but was not in a hurry to pull out the dagger on his right arm.
Blood flowed down his arm, dripping onto the bluestone slab on the ground.
"General, I saw that you were injured..."
"A little flesh injury, is it worth your fuss?" Xiao Jun gave Luo Biao a blank look, "Miss Chu clearly wanted to give me this dagger, but she was a little urgent and her method was not right." Pulling out the dagger, he didn't even frown.
Chu Lisang couldn't help gasping for him.
Xiao Junmo looked at the dagger inlaid with red and green gemstones on the handle, clicked his tongue a few times in admiration, and said to Chu Lisang with a smile: "Miss Chu, thank you for giving such a precious gift, Xiao will not Be polite. If there is a chance in the future, Xiao will definitely reciprocate." After speaking, he inserted the dagger into the high leather boots on his feet.
Chu Yingniang knew that Xiao Junmo intended to exonerate her daughter, so she said, "I'm sorry, General Xiao, it's all because of my recklessness, I accidentally injured the general, please move to the house and apply some hemostatic medicine."
"Thank you aunt! There is no need to apply medicine, this injury is nothing to me, nothing to worry about." Xiao Junmo smiled, and then looked at Biancai, "Master, it's getting late, should we go on the road? "
The debater smiled wryly, and turned to look at Chu Yingniang: "Yingniang, the emperor invited me into the palace as a guest, so he won't embarrass me, don't worry, and don't do anything out of the ordinary. Do you understand me? "
Chu Yingniang obviously heard his implication, and nodded with difficulty.
The debate turned to Chu Lisang again, and patted her head: "Sang'er, daddy is only away for a while, and he will come back when he goes. You must listen to your mother at home, and you must not make up your own mind. You should think twice before doing anything. Promise dad?"
With tears in his eyes, Chu Lisang was about to ask more questions, but was stopped by the kind and stern eyes of the evangelists, so he could only say: "Father, I promise you, my mother and I are waiting at home, you must come back!"
Biancai smiled, waved to Lu Xiu, Da Zhuang and others, and then calmly walked in front of Xiao Junmo: "Let's go."
Luo Biao and all the knights put their swords back into their sheaths.A knight immediately brought a horse over and helped Biancai onto the horse's back.
Xiao Junmo turned around and walked towards his mount. Halfway there, he suddenly looked back.Chu Lisang was also looking at his back, and the two looked at each other with complicated eyes, and they immediately bounced off each other.
Surrounded by Xiao Junmo and a group of mysterious knights, Biancai slowly left Erya's pawn shop.
At this time, neighbors and passers-by were already gathered around to watch the excitement.Until Xiao Junmo and his party walked away, the crowd of onlookers were still pointing and whispering.
Chu Yingniang held Chu Lisang's hand and found that her hand was cold.
"Mother, you should have a lot to say to me, right?" Chu Lisang looked steadily at the end of the long street, where Biancai, Xiao Junmo and others were no longer there.
Chu Yingniang smiled bitterly: "What do you want to know?"
"Everything." Chu Lisang turned to look at his mother with cold eyes, "You and father have kept everything from me for so many years!"
The wooden latch of a long carved window was gently lifted by a thin wire, and then the window was slowly pushed open from the outside in.
Under the dim moonlight, a figure jumped in lightly.
This person is Xiao Henian, and the room he entered is the study of King Wei.On weekdays, as long as King Wei is not around, this study is closed and locked, and the only key is hung on King Wei's waist.Therefore, if you want to enter the study with King Wei on your back, the only way is to open the window.
An hour ago, the Luozhou side rushed to send a memorandum at [-] li, and it was sent directly to the king of Wei.Originally, the memorial table was to be submitted to the emperor through the two provinces of Menxia and Zhongshu, but Xuanjiawei's memorial table was of a close nature and could be submitted directly to the emperor.Since King Wei was in charge of the debate case, all the memorials of the case were sent to him first, and then he entered the palace to report.
That night, King Wei was overjoyed after reading the memorandum.Xiao Henian, who was on duty at the mansion at night, knew very well that the memorial must be the latest information on the debate case.If this information was delivered during the day, King Wei would definitely enter the palace and present it to the emperor immediately, but because it was late at night, King Wei temporarily locked the watch in the study.
At this time, it was the second quarter of Yin time, and after more than half an hour, the morning drum on the Chengtian gate would sound, and the king of Wei would enter the palace with a watch.Therefore, in order to obtain intelligence, this is the last chance.
Therefore, Xiao Henian hardly hesitated—after King Wei turned off the lights in the study room, closed the door and left for a while, he entered the study room through the back window.
Li Tai, king of Wei, loved literature and calligraphy very much, so there are many books in his mansion.In the huge study room, apart from the doors and windows, there are bookshelves standing against the walls on all four walls. On the shelves, there are neatly stacked volumes of silk books, which are classified according to "classics, history, literature, and collections".The bookshelves are full, and many books can only be packed in five or ten volumes in paper bags, piled up randomly on the ground behind the screen.
In the almost complete darkness, relying on his familiarity with the terrain, Xiao Henian stepped over those bulging paper bags, then bypassed the screen, and came to the desk.
He knew that the ordinary letters received by King Wei would be placed on the desk at will, and the important ones would be locked in an exquisite gold-plated copper box.
At this moment, Xiao Henian had fully adapted to the darkness in the room, and he could vaguely see that the copper box was still in its original place - the inner side of the couch where King Wei sat.
Xiao Henian quickly picked up the copper box, walked to the west window where there was a little moonlight, put the copper box on the ground, and took out a small copper key from his sleeve.This is a duplicate key, not the original.
The original key of this copper box was always carried by King Wei.Once, King Wei drank too much and left the key on the lock after opening the copper box.Xiao Henian immediately went to the kitchen to grab a piece of dough, stamped a key on the dough, and successfully copied a key afterwards.
Xiao Henian took a deep breath, then held his breath, and inserted the key into the lock.
With a snap, the lock on the copper box snapped open.
Overjoyed, Xiao Henian immediately opened the copper box, grabbed a stack of documents inside, and quickly flipped through it.Xiao Henian didn't notice at this time, the moment he opened the copper box, a small golden feather was knocked to the ground where the lid and body joined.
Since the color of the feathers is very similar to the color of gilded gold, it is difficult to spot, and the light is extremely dim, so Xiao Henian didn't notice it at all.
Soon, Xiao Henian found the small scroll of silk script that he wanted - under the dim moonlight, one could vaguely see the words "Minister Xiao Junmo Zuo" written on the unfolded silk script.
Xiao Henian read it quickly.The playing list is not long, and it will be read quickly.When rewinding the silk scroll, Xiao Henian's eyes were extremely solemn.
All the documents taken out were put back into the copper box in the original order.The moment Xiao Henian closed the lid of the box, he caught a glimpse of the golden feather on the ground out of the corner of his eye.He picked up the feather, thought for a while, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then opened the lid again, carefully placed the feather in the gap between the lid and the body of the box, then gently lowered the lid and put it on. Lock.
Li Tai only lay down for half an hour, and got up and got out of bed almost without closing his eyes.After washing up a bit, he hurried to the study.It was still dark at this time, and the accompanying eunuchs hurriedly lit up all the lamps and candles in the study.
Li Tai ordered the eunuchs to wait outside the door, and then went straight to the couch.
The gold-plated copper box was still on the inside of the couch as it was when he left.Li Tai didn't open the copper box directly, but lay down on the couch, gently moved the copper box out an inch, and carefully inspected what it was.
The bottom of the back of this couch has some carved and hollowed-out decorative patterns, and the back of this gilt copper box also has hollowed-out patterns.Just before Li Tai left, he deliberately tore off a piece of his hair, and tied the two hollows of the couch and the copper box together.Therefore, as long as someone moves the copper box, the hair will be easily torn off.
At this moment, that long strand of hair has been broken!
Li Tai's face changed drastically, and he immediately took out the key to open the copper box.I saw that the canary feather was still there at the gap between the lid and the body of the box, but the position was slightly different, and it was originally with the feathers facing inwards and the feathers facing outwards, but now it has the feathers facing outwards. The barbs face inward.
Obviously, in the short half hour since he left the study, someone not only sneaked into the study, but also successfully opened the copper box.And this person's purpose, of course, is to see the memorabilia that Xuanjiawei just sent from Luozhou.
Thinking of this, Li Tai got up immediately, walked out of the study, quickly walked through most of the mansion, and came to Sima's office on the west side of the main hall.At this time, a scribe was dozing off on the desk.
Li Tai's face darkened, and he stood in front of the desk.
The accompanying eunuch hurried up to wake up the scribe.
The clerk opened his eyes in a daze, and when he saw Li Tai, he was terrified, and hurriedly knelt down to salute: "Your Highness, forgive me, I didn't fall asleep, I just squinted my eyes..."
"Where's your Sima?" Li Tai was anxious and didn't bother to argue with him.
"Back... Back to Your Highness, Xiao Sima said he was going out to do some errands, and he just left."
"Is he walking in a hurry?"
The clerk thought about it: "It's true...it's really urgent. Even the humble official wanted to write him an official letter for a night trip, but he said he didn't need it and left in a hurry."
Everything is clear!Li Tai thought, the person who sneaked into the study to steal information was Xiao Henian, and the ghost who leaked the news to Wei Zheng must be him too!
But what puzzled Li Tai was why Xiao Henian stole information about the Biancai case?Who is he in a hurry to send the information to?Could it be Wei Zheng?If so, what is the relationship between him and Wei Zheng with the debate, and what is the relationship with the "Lanting Preface" that the emperor spared no effort to find?
On the way Xiao Henian rode his fast horse to Wei Zheng's mansion, he met three groups of Wuhou guards who were watching the night.
According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, if officials or ordinary people need to go to the streets at night for urgent matters, they must issue an official letter from the government or Fangzheng and present it to the Marquis Wu for inspection.Although Xiao Henian left the Wei Palace in a hurry and did not have time to open the official letter, but by virtue of his status as the Sima of the Wei Palace, he still did not encounter any trouble and rushed to Yongxingfang in one go.
When Xiao Henian knocked on the west gate of Wei Zheng's Mansion, the morning drum on the Chengtian Gate happened to be beating.
Listening to the passionate drumbeat, an inexplicable passion suddenly surged in Xiao Henian's chest.
Wei Zheng, who just woke up, received Xiao Henian in the study.He knew that when Xiao Henian came suddenly, he must have acted against his dissuasion, and then got some important information, so he broke the rules for many years and rushed into his house rashly.
Wei Zheng stared at Xiao Henian for a long time with an unusually stern gaze, and then said, "Henian, how many years have you been with me?"
Xiao Henian understood what he meant, and smiled apologetically: "It's almost 30 years."
"Since it's been almost 30 years, how could you still make such a stupid mistake?" Wei Zheng said with a serious face, "Don't contact me in the agreed way, and ran to my house recklessly, do you know how dangerous this is?"
"Sir, the situation is really urgent, and I dare not delay any longer. Besides, when I came just now, the curfew had not yet passed, and there was no one on the street, and no one saw me."
"No one saw you?" Wei Zheng sneered, "How many teams of Wu Houwei did you meet on the road?"
"Three...three teams. However, I have the identity of the Sima of the Wei Palace..."
"I don't mean this!" Wei Zheng interrupted him bluntly, "What I want to say is that if someone wants to check your whereabouts today in the future, they only need to find the three teams of Wuhouwei, and after verification, they can roughly infer Find out the route you walked, and then it may be deduced that you came to find me!"
Xiao Henian blushed for a long time before saying: "Sir, this subordinate knows his mistake and is willing to be punished."
"Punishment is definitely necessary, but not now." Wei Zheng said coldly, "You shouldn't stay here for a long time. If you have anything to report, tell me!"
Xiao Henian knew that Wei Zheng had always been stern and kind, so saying this was actually tantamount to forgiving him, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then briefly explained the main points in Xiao Jun's silent melody.
"Yique County, Luozhou, Erya Pawnshop, Wu Tingxuan?" Wei Zheng repeated these key words, bowing his head in thought.
"Yes, this is the disguised identity of the debater. Sir, when do you plan to send someone there?"
"I will arrange it as soon as possible." Wei Zheng said, suddenly thought of something, he hesitated to speak.
Xiao Henian noticed: "Do you want to say something, sir?"
Wei Zheng sighed: "We are going to snatch someone from Jun Mo this time. If we succeed, it will be like delaying this kid's career."
Xiao Henian smiled wryly: "He is still young, and he will have plenty of opportunities in the future. Besides, he has only been in Xuanjiawei for three years, and he has become a general of the fifth rank in one breath. The second one! In my opinion, even if it really delays him for a while, it’s okay, just give him a little setback, experience and experience!”
Wei Zheng smiled: "Listening to your tone, you seem to be quite jealous as a father."
Xiao He pretended to be confused: "Is there?"
"You still don't admit it? After nearly 20 years, you have been promoted from a fifth-rank Chang'an order to a fourth-rank Sima of the Wei Palace. But look at your son, who has passed away in only three years." How many levels have you been promoted? Maybe in two years, the official will be older than you, dare you say that you are not jealous at all?"
Xiao Henian chuckled: "You can't hide anything from Mister."
After talking and laughing a few words like this, the originally heavy and oppressive atmosphere relaxed a little.But as soon as the silence fell, the two of them were preoccupied at the same time.
"You took such a risk last night, can you go back to Wei Wangfu?" Wei Zheng said.
"Don't worry, sir! This subordinate is still doing it secretly, I believe King Wei will not notice."
"This kind of thing can't be taken lightly. If you think about it again, is there any detail that you have overlooked?"
Xiao Henian thought for a moment, but still shook his head: "No, there is no omission."
Wei Zheng remained silent, as if he was still not at ease.
"Sir," Xiao Henian got up, "the morning drum has been ringing for a while, if you don't have other orders from the sir, this subordinate will leave."
Wei Zheng didn't say anything.
Xiao Henian bowed, turned and walked outside.
"and many more."
Xiao Henian turned his head back: "What else can you order, sir?"
Wei Zheng hesitated for a moment: "Also...it's nothing, just take care of yourself."
Xiao Henian smiled, cupped his hands again, and strode out.
Looking at the empty door, Wei Zheng felt a sense of loss for some reason.
Of course, Wei Zheng at this time could not know that this was the last time he and Xiao Henian saw each other.
(End of this chapter)
It took Wu Tingxuan a whole day to complete the temporary writing of Wang Xizhi's cursive script "Seventeen Posts".
He shut himself in the study room, and sat quietly for an hour before writing, watching his nose and nose, watching his heart, until his chest was free, his mind was clear, and all worldly thoughts were discarded, and then he laid out the paper and wrote down the ink calmly.
One hundred and seven lines, 940 words, as if written in a flash.
From the beginning to the end, Wu Tingxuan felt that he was completely in a state of forgetting both things and himself.The moment he abruptly finished writing, his body was almost exhausted, but his heart and soul felt an unparalleled sense of ease, as if ascending to the heavens, as if ascending to bliss.
It has been many years since I had such a vivid experience.At the moment when he finished writing the copybook, Wu Tingxuan felt that instead of saying that he was helping Zhou and his son, it was better to say that they gave him a precious opportunity to be his young self again.
"Zhou Lang, you must promise me that no one can see this copy except you and your father!"
When he decided to help Zhou Lugui, Wu Tingxuan proposed this condition to him.
Zhou Lugui was naturally overjoyed and agreed.
At this moment, although Wu Tingxuan still couldn't help feeling anxious, but thinking of Zhou Lugui's sincere eyes, he still told himself: This young man will definitely keep his promise, as long as Linben keeps secret, there is nothing to worry about.
After finishing the copybook, Wu Tingxuan spent another day on mounting and making it old.In the early morning of the third day, he asked the guy in the store named Da Zhuang to deliver the almost authentic copy to Zhou Lugui.
Zhou Lugui was very grateful, and repeatedly said that he would come to the door to thank him in person.
"Thank you, no need!" Da Zhuang said angrily, "Our shopkeeper said that as long as you cheer up, make a decent living, be able to settle down and take good care of your father, that is the best way to thank him."
Zhou Lugui suddenly smiled: "Naturally! Please tell Mr. Wu that when Zhou visits him again, he will definitely impress him!"
Da Zhuang snorted coldly and left.
I don't know why, until he walked out of the Bodhi Temple, Da Zhuang suddenly felt that the smile of the down-and-out scholar just now seemed a little weird, but he couldn't say where the weirdness was.
At around three quarters in the morning, Wei Zheng's carriage entered the East Palace.
Today, Wei Zheng's mood is quite joyful.Because just now, Xiao Henian told him the latest piece of information in the Wangchuan teahouse: the emperor has withdrawn his order and does not intend to allow King Wei to live in the Hall of Wude.
Wei Zheng didn't expect the emperor to accept his advice so quickly, so he was naturally overjoyed.He decided to tell the prince the good news immediately, and at the same time tell him more about how to cultivate himself and improve his morality, so as to change the bad impression of the prince and the emperor as soon as possible.
As usual, the prince received Wei Zheng in the study in the West Wing of the Lizheng Hall.
At this time, a pair of eyes were hiding in the small bamboo forest opposite the back door of the study, observing the surroundings very vigilantly.
Almost at the same time that Wei Zheng entered the study from the front door, a light blue figure also came quickly from the east corridor, and disappeared into the back door of the study in a flash.
The pair of eyes in the bamboo forest suddenly lit up.
As soon as he was seated, Wei Zheng told Li Chengqian the news that the emperor had taken back his order.
"So fast?" Li Chengqian couldn't believe his ears, "How did the grand master make the emperor change his mind?"
"To be honest, this old man also feels a little surprised." Wei Zheng smiled and said, "This old man just remonstrated a few words. I didn't expect His Majesty to make a decision so quickly."
Li Chengqian was thoughtful, but involuntarily glanced at the screen.
Wei Zheng was slightly surprised when he saw it, but he didn't point it out. Instead, he talked with the prince nonchalantly about the many essentials of self-cultivation and moral advancement.Li Chengqian tried his best to look like he was listening attentively, but in fact he was a little absent-minded.
At this moment, the light blue figure behind the screen was obviously impatient, and after listening to a few more words, he quietly turned around and slipped out from the back door.
Suddenly, this person almost bumped into a person in brocade clothes. When he looked up, Li Yuanchang was standing in front of him with his hands behind his back, and a dozen guards of the Eastern Palace stood in the corridors on both sides of the back door, all staring at her fiercely.
It was Li Yuanchang who was hiding in the bamboo forest and watching.
"Xiao Cui, I'm leaving now? Why don't you listen for a while?" Li Yuanchang said with a smile.
This court lady named Xiaocui knew that she could not escape, her face turned pale and she fell to her knees with a plop.
At this time, Li Chengqian and Wei Zheng walked around the screen together and walked behind Xiaocui.
Seeing this scene, Wei Zheng understood everything without asking.This Xiaocui is obviously a secret agent of Wei Wangfu, and the many conversations he had with the prince here before must have been reported to Wei Wang by this secret agent.
Li Chengqian squatted in front of Xiaocui, lifted her chin with an index finger, and smiled charmingly: "Xiaocui, is it fun to be a little crafty?"
Xiao Cui's face was already distorted by fear.She could only shake her head desperately, unable to speak.
"If it's not fun, why do you still do it?"
"Your Highness, this servant knows that I cannot escape death, but..." Xiaocui calmed down in despair, and two lines of tears flowed from the corners of her eyes, "However, please read this, Your Highness, because this servant has served you for many years, give this servant one." The whole body!"
"Okay, I'll help you." Li Chengqian said with a smile, "I'm soft-hearted, and I hate people crying, especially women." As he said, Li Chengqian's right hand suddenly grabbed Xiaocui's throat.
As the hand strength gradually increased, Xiao Cui's face turned purple, her eyes gradually protruded, and her limbs began to twitch non-stop.
"Your Highness, this man cannot die." Wei Zheng's faint voice came from behind.
Li Chengqian sneered and said nothing, but his strength increased instead.
"Your Highness, the dead are worthless, but the living are useful." Wei Zheng's voice was still calm.
Li Chengqian still did not let go, but hesitation appeared in his eyes.After a while, he suddenly let go of his hand.Xiaocui collapsed to the ground, laying on the ground and retching, gasping for breath.
Li Chengqian got up and quietly looked at Xiaocui on the ground.He knew that what Wei Zheng meant was to use Xiao Cui to infiltrate.
At this moment, Wei Zheng appeared to be as calm as still water, but his heart was full of turmoil.
Since the East Palace has King Wei's detailed works, it means that the last conversation he had with the prince has already been grasped by King Wei.But Wei Wang didn't know who leaked the news, so he would definitely release false information to Xiao Henian and other suspects, so as to identify the person who leaked the news.If Xiao Cui hadn't been caught today and asked her to send out the information again, King Wei would have known immediately that Xiao Henian had leaked the two news, and Xiao Henian would definitely die!
Thinking of this, Wei Zheng couldn't help feeling chills running down his back.
So hanging!
Just after noon that day, Li Tai took a nap in the Chunnuan Pavilion in the back garden, and just fell asleep in a daze when Du Chuke gently woke him up.
Li Tai half-opened his sleepy eyes, and said displeasedly: "How many times have I told you, don't disturb me during lunch break..."
"Your Highness!" Du Chuke looked happy, "'Yellow Dog' just sent back the news that the inner ghost has appeared!"
Li Tai suddenly woke up, and sat up from the couch: "Who is it?"
"Guess?" Du Chuke said with a smile.
Li Tai became inexplicably angry, and stared at him: "If you don't say anything, believe it or not, I'll throw you off this pavilion?"
Du Chuke was embarrassed, and hurriedly said, "Liu Ji."
"Liu Ji?!" Li Tai had an unbelievable expression.
"It's this old boy!" Du Chuke said with a smug smile, "I knew it was him from the beginning, as expected!"
Li Tai frowned, and remained silent.
"Stop all action immediately! Do nothing during this time!"
In the middle of the night, Wei Zheng took the initiative to invite Xiao Henian to the elegant room of Wangchuan Tea House for the first time, and gave him this order.
Xiao Henian looked confused, he didn't know why he just gave the grand master a good news this morning, but now he said such words to himself with such a solemn face.
Without waiting for him to ask questions, Wei Zheng told him everything about the capture of the "yellow dog" in the East Palace today.
Xiao Henian was dumbfounded, and after a while he said: "So, the so-called retraction of the Holy Majesty's order is purely false news that the King of Wei deliberately gave me?"
"Does it need to be said? If the prince wasn't astute and noticed that there was a secret operation around him, he deliberately set up this trick and successfully captured the 'yellow dog'. Both of you and I will be killed this time!"
Xiao Henian smiled wryly.If so, it would really be a capsize in the gutter!
"Then what news did the Grand Master ask 'Yellow Dog' to send back to King Wei?" Xiao Henian asked.
"I discussed this matter with the prince for a long time today." Wei Zheng said, "Because I don't know how many people the king of Wei gave false information, let alone the specific content of the information, I hesitated. Later I thought, since The news from the King of Wei is that the Holy Majesty has withdrawn his order, so the easiest way is to do the opposite and let the "yellow dog" report to the King of Wei, saying that what I told the prince today is that the Holy Majesty has decided to make it public. If my guess is correct, at this moment, Liu Ji or someone else has already become your scapegoat."
Xiao Henian had lingering fears in his heart: "Sir, thanks to your strategizing, otherwise this subordinate might be decapitated now."
"You are not in danger for the time being. However, King Wei is suspicious and quite strategic by nature. I am worried that he will not be so easily fooled and will definitely take precautions against you. Therefore, I will ask you to stop all actions in the near future."
Xiao Henian remembered that the last time he was here, Wei Zheng gave him an order to do everything possible to obtain the latest information on the Biancai case.He has been paying close attention these days. Although there is no new news from Los Angeles, he believes that it must be in the next few days.But now, in order to protect him, Wei Zheng suddenly ordered him to give up his actions. In this way, wouldn't it be impossible to prevent the court from finding debaters?
"Sir, since you have passed on the object of King Wei's suspicion to Liu Ji, then I should be safe, so... I don't want to give up."
"No, absolutely not!" Wei Zheng said without doubt, "Even if there is only one ten-thousandth danger, I can't let you take this gamble."
"Sir, according to my subordinate's judgment, the latest information on the Biancai case is likely to be presented in the next few days. If I let go at this juncture, my subordinate will be very unwilling!"
"Stop talking. Telling you to stop, I'm not discussing with you, it's an order!"
"However, you also said that once Biancai is found, the secret of "Lanting Preface" may be revealed, and then there will be bloody storms from the ruling and opposition parties! Sir, as long as you can stop all this, even if you gamble This subordinate's life, this subordinate still feels that it is worth a thousand dollars..."
"Shut up!" Wei Zheng suddenly changed his face, "If you disobey the order, I will transfer you out of Chang'an tomorrow!" After speaking, Wei Zheng stood up and walked out.
When he reached the door, Wei Zheng stopped suddenly, but he didn't look back: "Also, I won't meet with you again in the near future. I will notify the shopkeeper of the teahouse that this communication channel is temporarily closed to your line. When will it be reopened?" Wait for my order!" After speaking, Wei Zheng's figure disappeared from the door.
Xiao Henian knew that the reason why Wei Zheng was so "unfeeling" and even issued a death order to close the communication channel was because he was worried that he would disobey the order and take risky actions.In other words, this is to make him give up completely and give up his actions. In the final analysis, it is still to protect him.
Xiao Henian was greatly moved.
However, it was precisely because of this emotion that Xiao Henian became more determined to continue to act and obtain information.
A scholar dies for a confidant.
From the day he followed Wei Zheng, Xiao Henian had been prepared for this.
In the early morning, when the sun had just risen and the mist had not yet cleared, a group of heavily armed cavalry roared past the main street of Yique County, scaring the passers-by on both sides to dodge.
The knights on horseback are all wearing black armor, black knives on their waists, and riding black horses, looking like a black torrent.
There had never been such a black-armored knight on the ground in Yique. Passers-by all looked at them with wide-eyed eyes, with the same surprise and curiosity written all over their faces.
When the clatter of horseshoes came from the other end of the long street, Da Zhuang had just removed the first door panel of Erya's pawn shop.Sunlight slanted in from the door opening, forming a narrow beam of light, and some dust flew messily in the beam of light.Wu Tingxuan lifted the curtain behind the counter and walked out slowly as usual.At this time, the door panels were removed one by one, and the bright sunlight filled the whole pawnshop bit by bit.
Wu Tingxuan walked outside the door, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.
He had no idea that the team of flying riders on the street was coming towards Erya's pawn shop, so when those expressionless black-armored knights rode their horses to the door of the pawn shop and surrounded the pawn shop in a half-moon shape, Wu Tingxuan Still did not open his eyes.He thought that the passing business travelers were going to stop at the opposite restaurant.
A tall and straight knight in black armor got off his horse.
A pair of tall black leather boots stepped steadily on the bluestone slab, walking towards Wu Tingxuan step by step.
It wasn't until the footsteps gradually approached that Wu Tingxuan realized something and suddenly opened his eyes.As he was facing the sun, Wu Tingxuan felt a little dazzling. He couldn't see who was coming, and he only vaguely felt that the figure in front of him seemed familiar.
The black-armored knight stood about five steps away from Wu Tingxuan, and then looked at him quietly.
Wu Tingxuan squinted his eyes and finally saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face in front of him clearly.
Zhou Lugui? !
This knight in black armor, black knife, and black boots turned out to be Zhou Lugui!
Wu Tingxuan couldn't react at all.No matter what, he didn't dare to associate the tall and heroic knight in front of him with the impoverished and down-and-out scholar a few days ago.
"Mr. Wu, stay safe!"
The knight spoke, and the voice was both familiar and unfamiliar.
It wasn't until now that Wu Tingxuan finally realized what had happened to him—he changed his appearance and hid in the dark for 16 years, but he still couldn't escape this ending after all!
A sad smile slowly bloomed on Wu Tingxuan's face: "This general, what should Wu call you?"
"The title is not important. A person's title can be changed, but no matter how he changes, he can't become another person." The knight smiled, "Am I right, Master of Arguments?"
Wu Tingxuan was shocked.
It has been many years since he was called that by anyone. When "Wu Tingxuan" heard it, countless past events came to his mind in an instant, which almost made him unable to restrain himself.
"Master, although the title is not important, for the convenience of the future, it is better for us to get to know each other formally. My surname is Xiao, and my name is Junmo. I serve in the court and I am a general. This time I came here for one purpose only. It is to find you, the mage, and then respectfully invite you to the capital to face the saint."
The debater heard the words, and then remembered that there was a special army in the imperial court, which was directly ordered by the emperor to investigate serious and special cases, and it was called "Xuanjiawei".It seems that the man in black armor who claims to be Xiao Junmo in front of him is undoubtedly Xuanjiawei.
"General Xiao," Biancai calmed down, and said calmly, "Wu has never heard of the Master Biancai you are talking about, let alone knows him. I don't know why the general confuses Wu with him?"
Xiao Junmo smiled slightly: "Master, until now, you still refuse to admit your true identity, so you have worked so hard for so many days, isn't it a waste of work?"
"The general's play is really good, but Wu still doesn't understand what you are doing all this for."
"Of course I want to return your true colors! The mage has been hiding for so many years, isn't it hard?"
"Wu is a humble businessman from Beihai, Qingzhou. He inherited his father's family business and made a living by running a pawnshop. He moved here in the ninth year of Wude. All of this is written in black and white in the household books of Yique County. It's clear and well documented. Therefore, Wu really doesn't understand what the general said."
"What I mean is very simple. Your identity, native place, and origin are all forged!" Xiao Junmo looked directly at Wu Tingxuan and said slowly, "Of course, there is indeed Wu Tingxuan in Qingzhou Beihai, and this person is indeed a pawnshop owner. In the ninth year of Wude, due to poor management, it closed down. In the same year, he left Beihai and planned to go to Shanzhou to visit his relatives. Unfortunately, Wu Tingxuan's luck was not good, and he fell ill and died on the way back then. He died very bleakly. He didn't have any relatives and friends around him, so No one knew that he was dead. As a result, Wu Tingxuan was still a living person in the government records, but Master, you took the opportunity to pretend to be Wu Tingxuan, allowing a dead person to live for another 16 years! Am I right, Debate Master?"
Xuanjiawei really deserved his reputation, it seems that he still underestimated his opponent.The debater smiled wryly: "General Xiao, even if what you said is true, you can only accuse me of forging household registration, but it still cannot prove that I am the so-called debater in your mouth."
"Of course, based on these alone, I can't prove that you are a debater. It is precisely because of this that I have to incarnate as a down-and-out scholar Zhou Lugui, and after so many days of tragic drama in front of you, I finally got your cursive handwriting. Master , now my drama has come to an end, and your 16-year makeover drama should also come to an end, right?"
Debate closed his eyes helplessly.
Xiao Junmo looked at Biancai, and a trace of guilt suddenly flashed in his eyes.
In fact, from the moment he played Zhou Lugui, this feeling of guilt has been haunting him.Because, using this method to defraud "Wu Tingxuan"'s handwriting is to take advantage of his kindness and compassion.To do so, at best, it is called unscrupulous, at worst, it is despicable!For this reason, when Wei Wang Li Tai, who was remotely controlled in the capital, issued a warrant ordering him to act according to this plan, Xiao Junmo's first reaction was to disobey the order.However, as a Xuanjia guard general, shouldering the great trust of the emperor and the court, his sense of duty and mission finally overcame his conscience, forcing him to obey orders.But it was also from that day that Xiao Junmo spent almost every day in anxiety and self-blame...
"General Xiao," Bian Cai tried to make a final struggle, "Although you have tried everything possible to get my handwriting, what can this prove? There are many people in the world who are good at copying Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. Why can I be recognized as my calligraphy? Am I that eloquent?"
"Yes, the mage is right." Xiao Junmo nodded, "I really can't confirm it based on this alone. But I don't know if the mage still remembers that when you studied calligraphy with your master Zhiyong at Yongxin Temple in Yuezhou, you left behind There are a lot of writing papers imitating Wang Xizhi's cursive script, with your signature and seal on them." Speaking of this, Xiao Junmo gave the subordinates behind him a wink, and someone immediately took out a stack of yellowing writing paper and handed it to him.
Xiao Junmo shook the writing paper in his hand: "Master, you should still recognize the handwriting written by yourself back then, right? This is what I got when I went to Yongxin Temple to investigate not long ago. It is a pity that the hundreds of years old temple Yongxin Temple , is now dilapidated. I originally wanted to find your senior brothers and bring them to identify them. Unfortunately, those people are no longer there. There are only a few young monks left who have never seen you. Fortunately, they were in your year. I found these things in my hands in the meditation room where I live. I have read books for several years, and I am quite proficient in writing and ink, and I have also dabbled in calligraphy. When comparing the two, a conclusion was quickly drawn—the two handwritings were all written by one person! Mage, what else do you have to say now that the matter has come to an end?”
The eloquent was speechless.
"Master, if I'm not mistaken, Wang Xizhi's masterpiece "The Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" should also be in your possession, right?"
Biancai sighed: "I saw it a few times when I was young, but it's a pity that I disappeared afterwards."
"Didn't your master Zhiyong give it to you before he died?"
Biancai smiled wryly: "I hope so too, but unfortunately not."
Xiao Junmo observed the eloquence: "Master, before I left Beijing, the Holy Majesty specifically told me that if you are willing to hand over the "Lanting Preface", you don't have to make a hard trip to Chang'an."
The debater was silent for a long time, and then smiled desolately: "General Xiao, can I let you enter the house to say goodbye to my wife and daughter, and then go with you?"
Xiao Junmo smiled helplessly, and immediately nodded: "Of course, you are a guest of the imperial court, not a prisoner."
He knew very well that Biancai had been hiding under his name for 16 years, and it must be to protect the "Lanting Preface", how could he hand it over easily now?
At this moment, there was a stern voice from the pawnshop: "Why do you want to go with him?!"
Following the voice, Chu Lisang strode out. Chu Yingniang and Lu Xiu tried to pull her back, but she threw them away. "Don't pull me! I just want to ask this despicable and insidious guy!"
As soon as Xiao Junmo and the others arrived, the buddy Da Zhuang recognized him, and was immediately frightened, and after recovering, he hurried to report to Chu Yingniang.When Chu Lisang heard it from the side, she was startled and angry, and was about to rush out with a sword. Chu Yingniang and others hurriedly grabbed her and took her sword away.Just now, Chu Lisang listened to Xiao Junmo's conversation with Biancai for most of the time. The more he listened, the more furious he became, and finally he broke free from Chu Yingniang's pull and came out.
Chu Lisang walked to stand between Xiao Junmo and Biancai, staring at Xiao Junmo with inexplicable grief and indignation.
Xiao Junmo suppressed his guilt, and saluted: "Miss Chu..."
"My surname is Xiao, has your conscience been eaten by a dog? Why did you resort to such despicable means?!" Chu Lisang glared at him, his eyes almost bursting into flames.
As soon as the Xuanjiawei knights heard this, they immediately stepped forward to scold them, but Xiao Junmo stretched out his hand to block them.
"That's the only way to do it." Xiao Junmo said coldly, "Besides, Xuanjiawei always only seeks the result when handling cases, not conscience."
"What a shameless one!" Chu Lisang sneered loudly, "Then let me ask you, what happened on February [-]th was all arranged by you, right? You deliberately pretended to be a good person and gave money to the bum, and even acted Show me a good show of being brave, just to make me believe that you are an honest gentleman, so that I can speak for you in the future, right?"
At this time, among the Xuanjiawei knights behind Xiao Junmo, the bearded and others who pretended to be gangsters that day were all impressively listed.
Xiao Junmo was silent, and said after a while: "There are one or two details, which were not arranged in advance, but purely... purely accidental."
When Chu Lisang heard it, the embarrassing scene of Xiao Junmo grabbing her chest on the roof that day flashed before his eyes, and his cheeks were flushed again.
Xiao Junmo remained expressionless and looked away.
Chu Lisang held back his anger, thinking about something, his eyes suddenly turned red: "That night at the Bodhi Temple, you took an umbrella to cover me, and it was all hypocrisy, trying to deceive my trust and favor, right? ?”
Xiao Junmo was taken aback, he never expected that she would mention this matter, admitting or denying it was obviously inappropriate, he was at a loss for words for a while, and could not speak.
"Let me ask you again, even if my father is the eloquence you keep saying, why should he leave with you?"
"This is an imperial decree, and no one shall disobey it."
"Doesn't the imperial decree need a reason?"
"The Holy Majesty naturally has his reasons for doing this. As a subject, I have no right to ask."
"Then if the emperor asks you to kill, set fire, and harm innocent people, will you do it without asking your conscience?"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone present was shocked.This sentence alone is enough to warrant decapitation.Bearded Hu and the others couldn't bear it any longer, they drew out the dragon head saber in a snap, and all surrounded them.Xiao Junmo suddenly turned his head, his sharp eyes swept over their faces one by one.Bearded beard and the others were stunned, so they had no choice but to stop.
Just as Xiao Junmo turned his head, Chu Lisang suddenly pulled out the dragon head knife from his waist, and pressed it against his throat.
Everyone present was shocked.
Hu and others wanted to rush up, but were stopped by Xiao Junmo's gesture again.
Chu Yingniang and Biancai yelled at the same time: "Sang'er, don't mess around!"
Xiao Junmo looked down at the gleaming dragon head knife, and said in a low voice: "Miss Chu, do you know what crime it is to threaten Xuanjiawei with a knife?"
"Everyone who told you to back off, immediately!" Chu Lisang held the knife steadily and said every word.
"If you do this, you will only hurt yourself and your family."
"I'll say it again, tell your people to back off!" Chu Lisang said sharply.
Xiao Junmo smiled faintly, and said loudly without turning his head: "Captain Luo is listening to orders! Get the brothers on the horses, and immediately retreat to a stone's throw away to wait for orders!"
Luo Dui is exactly the bearded man, and his name is Luo Biao.He was startled when he heard the words: "General..."
"I said, immediately!" Xiao Junmo still didn't look back.
Luo Biao had no choice but to put his saber back into its sheath, and led all the knights to gallop to a place an arrow away, watching from afar.
"And then?" Xiao Junmo spread his hands and looked at Chu Lisang with a smile in his eyes.
Chu Lisang was irritated by his smile, and raised the dragon head knife in his hand: "Don't think that I dare not kill you!"
"Of course you dare, but you are reluctant."
"You—" Chu Lisang was greatly ashamed.
"Don't get me wrong. I mean, I'm your hostage now, and you have to make good use of me, don't you?"
Chu Lisang was at a loss for words.
Xiao Junmo smiled again: "What should I do next, have you thought about it?"
Chu Lisang just snatched Xiao Junmo's knife in a moment of impatience, but he didn't know what to do next, and stood there for a while, not knowing what to do.
Xiao Junmo sighed: "Miss Chu, since you haven't thought about it, then I won't wait for you." As he spoke, his body flickered, his head tilted, and at the same time he shot like lightning, and the three fingers of his right hand clasped Chu Lisang's wrist , twisted slightly again, and the dragon head knife returned to his hand without anyone noticing, and the tip of the knife pointed at Chu Lisang instead.
However, Chu Lisang's reaction also exceeded Xiao Junmo's expectations.
The moment Xiao Junmo snatched the knife, Chu Lisang's left hand that had been hanging down suddenly raised, and a cold light spewed out from his sleeve, a delicate and sharp dagger was deeply inserted into Xiao Junmo's right arm, and blood gushed out immediately.
All of this happened in a flash, and even Chu Lisang was stunned by his subconscious violent reaction, looking at the scene in front of him at a loss.Chu Yingniang rushed forward, blocked Chu Lisang behind her, and faced Xiao Junmo's knife resolutely.
Not far away, Luo Biao and others saw that the situation was not good, and immediately galloped over and got off their horses.Luo Biao drew his knife and yelled angrily: "Brothers, take down this wicked woman who knows nothing about her heights!"
The debater was shocked, and immediately took a big step forward, standing side by side with Chu Yingniang.Five or six fellows, including Luxiu and Da Zhuang, also rushed forward one after another, protecting Chu Lisang behind him.
"It's reversed!" Luo Biao was furious, "Arrest all these troublemakers!"
All the knights shouted "De Ling" and drew their knives to surround them.
"Luo Biao," Xiao Junmo said suddenly, "I'm not dead yet, how dare you give orders for me?" He put the knife into its sheath, but was not in a hurry to pull out the dagger on his right arm.
Blood flowed down his arm, dripping onto the bluestone slab on the ground.
"General, I saw that you were injured..."
"A little flesh injury, is it worth your fuss?" Xiao Jun gave Luo Biao a blank look, "Miss Chu clearly wanted to give me this dagger, but she was a little urgent and her method was not right." Pulling out the dagger, he didn't even frown.
Chu Lisang couldn't help gasping for him.
Xiao Junmo looked at the dagger inlaid with red and green gemstones on the handle, clicked his tongue a few times in admiration, and said to Chu Lisang with a smile: "Miss Chu, thank you for giving such a precious gift, Xiao will not Be polite. If there is a chance in the future, Xiao will definitely reciprocate." After speaking, he inserted the dagger into the high leather boots on his feet.
Chu Yingniang knew that Xiao Junmo intended to exonerate her daughter, so she said, "I'm sorry, General Xiao, it's all because of my recklessness, I accidentally injured the general, please move to the house and apply some hemostatic medicine."
"Thank you aunt! There is no need to apply medicine, this injury is nothing to me, nothing to worry about." Xiao Junmo smiled, and then looked at Biancai, "Master, it's getting late, should we go on the road? "
The debater smiled wryly, and turned to look at Chu Yingniang: "Yingniang, the emperor invited me into the palace as a guest, so he won't embarrass me, don't worry, and don't do anything out of the ordinary. Do you understand me? "
Chu Yingniang obviously heard his implication, and nodded with difficulty.
The debate turned to Chu Lisang again, and patted her head: "Sang'er, daddy is only away for a while, and he will come back when he goes. You must listen to your mother at home, and you must not make up your own mind. You should think twice before doing anything. Promise dad?"
With tears in his eyes, Chu Lisang was about to ask more questions, but was stopped by the kind and stern eyes of the evangelists, so he could only say: "Father, I promise you, my mother and I are waiting at home, you must come back!"
Biancai smiled, waved to Lu Xiu, Da Zhuang and others, and then calmly walked in front of Xiao Junmo: "Let's go."
Luo Biao and all the knights put their swords back into their sheaths.A knight immediately brought a horse over and helped Biancai onto the horse's back.
Xiao Junmo turned around and walked towards his mount. Halfway there, he suddenly looked back.Chu Lisang was also looking at his back, and the two looked at each other with complicated eyes, and they immediately bounced off each other.
Surrounded by Xiao Junmo and a group of mysterious knights, Biancai slowly left Erya's pawn shop.
At this time, neighbors and passers-by were already gathered around to watch the excitement.Until Xiao Junmo and his party walked away, the crowd of onlookers were still pointing and whispering.
Chu Yingniang held Chu Lisang's hand and found that her hand was cold.
"Mother, you should have a lot to say to me, right?" Chu Lisang looked steadily at the end of the long street, where Biancai, Xiao Junmo and others were no longer there.
Chu Yingniang smiled bitterly: "What do you want to know?"
"Everything." Chu Lisang turned to look at his mother with cold eyes, "You and father have kept everything from me for so many years!"
The wooden latch of a long carved window was gently lifted by a thin wire, and then the window was slowly pushed open from the outside in.
Under the dim moonlight, a figure jumped in lightly.
This person is Xiao Henian, and the room he entered is the study of King Wei.On weekdays, as long as King Wei is not around, this study is closed and locked, and the only key is hung on King Wei's waist.Therefore, if you want to enter the study with King Wei on your back, the only way is to open the window.
An hour ago, the Luozhou side rushed to send a memorandum at [-] li, and it was sent directly to the king of Wei.Originally, the memorial table was to be submitted to the emperor through the two provinces of Menxia and Zhongshu, but Xuanjiawei's memorial table was of a close nature and could be submitted directly to the emperor.Since King Wei was in charge of the debate case, all the memorials of the case were sent to him first, and then he entered the palace to report.
That night, King Wei was overjoyed after reading the memorandum.Xiao Henian, who was on duty at the mansion at night, knew very well that the memorial must be the latest information on the debate case.If this information was delivered during the day, King Wei would definitely enter the palace and present it to the emperor immediately, but because it was late at night, King Wei temporarily locked the watch in the study.
At this time, it was the second quarter of Yin time, and after more than half an hour, the morning drum on the Chengtian gate would sound, and the king of Wei would enter the palace with a watch.Therefore, in order to obtain intelligence, this is the last chance.
Therefore, Xiao Henian hardly hesitated—after King Wei turned off the lights in the study room, closed the door and left for a while, he entered the study room through the back window.
Li Tai, king of Wei, loved literature and calligraphy very much, so there are many books in his mansion.In the huge study room, apart from the doors and windows, there are bookshelves standing against the walls on all four walls. On the shelves, there are neatly stacked volumes of silk books, which are classified according to "classics, history, literature, and collections".The bookshelves are full, and many books can only be packed in five or ten volumes in paper bags, piled up randomly on the ground behind the screen.
In the almost complete darkness, relying on his familiarity with the terrain, Xiao Henian stepped over those bulging paper bags, then bypassed the screen, and came to the desk.
He knew that the ordinary letters received by King Wei would be placed on the desk at will, and the important ones would be locked in an exquisite gold-plated copper box.
At this moment, Xiao Henian had fully adapted to the darkness in the room, and he could vaguely see that the copper box was still in its original place - the inner side of the couch where King Wei sat.
Xiao Henian quickly picked up the copper box, walked to the west window where there was a little moonlight, put the copper box on the ground, and took out a small copper key from his sleeve.This is a duplicate key, not the original.
The original key of this copper box was always carried by King Wei.Once, King Wei drank too much and left the key on the lock after opening the copper box.Xiao Henian immediately went to the kitchen to grab a piece of dough, stamped a key on the dough, and successfully copied a key afterwards.
Xiao Henian took a deep breath, then held his breath, and inserted the key into the lock.
With a snap, the lock on the copper box snapped open.
Overjoyed, Xiao Henian immediately opened the copper box, grabbed a stack of documents inside, and quickly flipped through it.Xiao Henian didn't notice at this time, the moment he opened the copper box, a small golden feather was knocked to the ground where the lid and body joined.
Since the color of the feathers is very similar to the color of gilded gold, it is difficult to spot, and the light is extremely dim, so Xiao Henian didn't notice it at all.
Soon, Xiao Henian found the small scroll of silk script that he wanted - under the dim moonlight, one could vaguely see the words "Minister Xiao Junmo Zuo" written on the unfolded silk script.
Xiao Henian read it quickly.The playing list is not long, and it will be read quickly.When rewinding the silk scroll, Xiao Henian's eyes were extremely solemn.
All the documents taken out were put back into the copper box in the original order.The moment Xiao Henian closed the lid of the box, he caught a glimpse of the golden feather on the ground out of the corner of his eye.He picked up the feather, thought for a while, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then opened the lid again, carefully placed the feather in the gap between the lid and the body of the box, then gently lowered the lid and put it on. Lock.
Li Tai only lay down for half an hour, and got up and got out of bed almost without closing his eyes.After washing up a bit, he hurried to the study.It was still dark at this time, and the accompanying eunuchs hurriedly lit up all the lamps and candles in the study.
Li Tai ordered the eunuchs to wait outside the door, and then went straight to the couch.
The gold-plated copper box was still on the inside of the couch as it was when he left.Li Tai didn't open the copper box directly, but lay down on the couch, gently moved the copper box out an inch, and carefully inspected what it was.
The bottom of the back of this couch has some carved and hollowed-out decorative patterns, and the back of this gilt copper box also has hollowed-out patterns.Just before Li Tai left, he deliberately tore off a piece of his hair, and tied the two hollows of the couch and the copper box together.Therefore, as long as someone moves the copper box, the hair will be easily torn off.
At this moment, that long strand of hair has been broken!
Li Tai's face changed drastically, and he immediately took out the key to open the copper box.I saw that the canary feather was still there at the gap between the lid and the body of the box, but the position was slightly different, and it was originally with the feathers facing inwards and the feathers facing outwards, but now it has the feathers facing outwards. The barbs face inward.
Obviously, in the short half hour since he left the study, someone not only sneaked into the study, but also successfully opened the copper box.And this person's purpose, of course, is to see the memorabilia that Xuanjiawei just sent from Luozhou.
Thinking of this, Li Tai got up immediately, walked out of the study, quickly walked through most of the mansion, and came to Sima's office on the west side of the main hall.At this time, a scribe was dozing off on the desk.
Li Tai's face darkened, and he stood in front of the desk.
The accompanying eunuch hurried up to wake up the scribe.
The clerk opened his eyes in a daze, and when he saw Li Tai, he was terrified, and hurriedly knelt down to salute: "Your Highness, forgive me, I didn't fall asleep, I just squinted my eyes..."
"Where's your Sima?" Li Tai was anxious and didn't bother to argue with him.
"Back... Back to Your Highness, Xiao Sima said he was going out to do some errands, and he just left."
"Is he walking in a hurry?"
The clerk thought about it: "It's true...it's really urgent. Even the humble official wanted to write him an official letter for a night trip, but he said he didn't need it and left in a hurry."
Everything is clear!Li Tai thought, the person who sneaked into the study to steal information was Xiao Henian, and the ghost who leaked the news to Wei Zheng must be him too!
But what puzzled Li Tai was why Xiao Henian stole information about the Biancai case?Who is he in a hurry to send the information to?Could it be Wei Zheng?If so, what is the relationship between him and Wei Zheng with the debate, and what is the relationship with the "Lanting Preface" that the emperor spared no effort to find?
On the way Xiao Henian rode his fast horse to Wei Zheng's mansion, he met three groups of Wuhou guards who were watching the night.
According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, if officials or ordinary people need to go to the streets at night for urgent matters, they must issue an official letter from the government or Fangzheng and present it to the Marquis Wu for inspection.Although Xiao Henian left the Wei Palace in a hurry and did not have time to open the official letter, but by virtue of his status as the Sima of the Wei Palace, he still did not encounter any trouble and rushed to Yongxingfang in one go.
When Xiao Henian knocked on the west gate of Wei Zheng's Mansion, the morning drum on the Chengtian Gate happened to be beating.
Listening to the passionate drumbeat, an inexplicable passion suddenly surged in Xiao Henian's chest.
Wei Zheng, who just woke up, received Xiao Henian in the study.He knew that when Xiao Henian came suddenly, he must have acted against his dissuasion, and then got some important information, so he broke the rules for many years and rushed into his house rashly.
Wei Zheng stared at Xiao Henian for a long time with an unusually stern gaze, and then said, "Henian, how many years have you been with me?"
Xiao Henian understood what he meant, and smiled apologetically: "It's almost 30 years."
"Since it's been almost 30 years, how could you still make such a stupid mistake?" Wei Zheng said with a serious face, "Don't contact me in the agreed way, and ran to my house recklessly, do you know how dangerous this is?"
"Sir, the situation is really urgent, and I dare not delay any longer. Besides, when I came just now, the curfew had not yet passed, and there was no one on the street, and no one saw me."
"No one saw you?" Wei Zheng sneered, "How many teams of Wu Houwei did you meet on the road?"
"Three...three teams. However, I have the identity of the Sima of the Wei Palace..."
"I don't mean this!" Wei Zheng interrupted him bluntly, "What I want to say is that if someone wants to check your whereabouts today in the future, they only need to find the three teams of Wuhouwei, and after verification, they can roughly infer Find out the route you walked, and then it may be deduced that you came to find me!"
Xiao Henian blushed for a long time before saying: "Sir, this subordinate knows his mistake and is willing to be punished."
"Punishment is definitely necessary, but not now." Wei Zheng said coldly, "You shouldn't stay here for a long time. If you have anything to report, tell me!"
Xiao Henian knew that Wei Zheng had always been stern and kind, so saying this was actually tantamount to forgiving him, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then briefly explained the main points in Xiao Jun's silent melody.
"Yique County, Luozhou, Erya Pawnshop, Wu Tingxuan?" Wei Zheng repeated these key words, bowing his head in thought.
"Yes, this is the disguised identity of the debater. Sir, when do you plan to send someone there?"
"I will arrange it as soon as possible." Wei Zheng said, suddenly thought of something, he hesitated to speak.
Xiao Henian noticed: "Do you want to say something, sir?"
Wei Zheng sighed: "We are going to snatch someone from Jun Mo this time. If we succeed, it will be like delaying this kid's career."
Xiao Henian smiled wryly: "He is still young, and he will have plenty of opportunities in the future. Besides, he has only been in Xuanjiawei for three years, and he has become a general of the fifth rank in one breath. The second one! In my opinion, even if it really delays him for a while, it’s okay, just give him a little setback, experience and experience!”
Wei Zheng smiled: "Listening to your tone, you seem to be quite jealous as a father."
Xiao He pretended to be confused: "Is there?"
"You still don't admit it? After nearly 20 years, you have been promoted from a fifth-rank Chang'an order to a fourth-rank Sima of the Wei Palace. But look at your son, who has passed away in only three years." How many levels have you been promoted? Maybe in two years, the official will be older than you, dare you say that you are not jealous at all?"
Xiao Henian chuckled: "You can't hide anything from Mister."
After talking and laughing a few words like this, the originally heavy and oppressive atmosphere relaxed a little.But as soon as the silence fell, the two of them were preoccupied at the same time.
"You took such a risk last night, can you go back to Wei Wangfu?" Wei Zheng said.
"Don't worry, sir! This subordinate is still doing it secretly, I believe King Wei will not notice."
"This kind of thing can't be taken lightly. If you think about it again, is there any detail that you have overlooked?"
Xiao Henian thought for a moment, but still shook his head: "No, there is no omission."
Wei Zheng remained silent, as if he was still not at ease.
"Sir," Xiao Henian got up, "the morning drum has been ringing for a while, if you don't have other orders from the sir, this subordinate will leave."
Wei Zheng didn't say anything.
Xiao Henian bowed, turned and walked outside.
"and many more."
Xiao Henian turned his head back: "What else can you order, sir?"
Wei Zheng hesitated for a moment: "Also...it's nothing, just take care of yourself."
Xiao Henian smiled, cupped his hands again, and strode out.
Looking at the empty door, Wei Zheng felt a sense of loss for some reason.
Of course, Wei Zheng at this time could not know that this was the last time he and Xiao Henian saw each other.
(End of this chapter)
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