Dao Fruit

When the envoys entered the city, Qiu Yan had already caused an uproar in the city.

Dingchang City is located on the border, outside the Great Wall to the north. It is not suitable for farming, but there are merchants coming and going, and people have settled down. However, compared with the Central Plains, the folk customs here are more sturdy, and the people in the city seem to be more strongmen than farmers.

People in the city usually don't pay much attention to poetry and songs, but they care about military affairs and are very concerned about authority. Every move of Jiedu Commander Xiao Lan affects people's hearts. Today, he went out to greet Qiu Yan in person. Of course, he can't hide it. Live.

Not long after, there was a lot of discussion in the streets, but I don't know who revealed Qiu Yan's identity, saying that he was the number one scholar in the imperial examination and he was very knowledgeable.

"It turns out that he is the number one scholar in Jinke. No wonder the general Jiedushi would greet him personally."

"I think that even if you are the number one scholar, there is no need for the general to come forward in person. There may be some reason behind it."

"What could be the reason? Most likely they are here to grab credit again. Don't forget Pan Xiang!"

"Oh, that's right. How many civil servants have come over these years. They who read the books of saints and sages, it's okay to say something like 'Zhezheye', but they are always blind when marching and fighting. The good situation has been delayed by these people, and it has become what it is now. The situation!”

"That's right. Let's not talk about other things. Let's just talk about that six months ago, that new party cadre Pan Xiang. What's the matter? He was obviously the one who rushed in and was ambushed by the barbarians. If General Du hadn't led the army to rescue him, Pan Xiang would have definitely killed him. The army was defeated and people were killed, but in the end, Pan Xiang was not only fine, but also made meritorious service. All the barbarians killed by General Du were his merits, and the blame for the crime was placed on the old general, who was demoted and punished..."

"I hope this champion is not another Pan Xiang."

…

Similar discussions were circulated in crowded places such as wine shops and taverns, reflecting complaints and distrust of the civil servants of the imperial court.

However, it is more or less mixed with respect for the position of number one scholar. After all, anyone who lives in this world knows how difficult it is to obtain this title. No matter how resentful you are towards civil servants, you all know that that position is not accessible to ordinary people.

"Qiu Yan has just arrived here, and his reputation has actually spread. Marquis Maishan personally received him? What kind of drama is this? Is he alone more important than the entire envoy?"

Members of the envoys who came to the city were also walking on the street. Di Ai was among them, and there were two people beside them. They heard the pedestrians talking. There were words of dissatisfaction.

Dee Ai also had similar thoughts, but didn't show it.

Because it was necessary to maintain confidentiality to a certain extent, when the envoys entered the city, they specifically chose an entrance that would not attract attention. The Marquis of Maishan did not show up either. Compared with Qiu Yan's treatment, of course there would be gap.

After all, there are barbarians coming and going in this city, and it's hard to say which one of them might be a spy. Have to guard against it.

In fact, a convoy like this would be easily discovered as long as it walks onto the grassland. But from being discovered to being attacked, there is a time lag in between, so there can be arrangements.

But if you just entered Dingchang City. The barbarian spies found out that those waiting on the road were not temporarily intercepted. But a well-prepared ambush, the situation will inevitably be worse.

The current level of covert behavior is all to reduce variables and grasp information, but it makes the members of the envoy feel resentful.

Faced with the complaints from the two people, Di Ai helped Qiu Yan to clarify seemingly casually: "Brother Qiu is the number one scholar after all, so it is normal for him to have a great reputation. Not to mention others, we all aspired to that title when we took the imperial examination, right? Is it because he is respected?”

"That's true." The expressions of the other two people changed slightly, and then they remembered that Di Ai and Qiu Yan were Jinshi in the same year, and they also served as errands in the Hanlin Academy. They may have a good relationship. If they say this in front of him, it is likely that Qiu Yan will hear it. , I couldn't help but secretly regret it, and my expression became a little unnatural.

But at this moment, Di Ai changed the topic and said with some worry: "However, we are cautious for fear of being exposed, but Qiu Yan is so grand, if he is targeted by barbarians, it will be unjust. We should mention it to Mr. Meng."

When the other two people heard this, their eyes lit up, and their hearts suddenly felt like a mirror.

That "Master Meng" was Meng Qingbin, the envoy of the mission. Before he came, he had just taken over the position of Minister of Rites. This move was proposed by Li Kun and the officials nodded in order to reflect the standards of the Sanshui Ministry. Sincerity.

Meng Qingbin had visited the Hu tribe many times in the past. The Meng family behind him was a prominent family in Hedong and was very powerful in the Three Jin areas. His family's business involved border trade and he had certain contacts with the Hu people. He knew the situation in the desert very well, so he was asked to lead the team. , has its own advantages.

However, in order to prevent some unspeakable hidden dangers, the imperial court also monitored the Meng family after granting them benefits, and both parties tacitly understood it.

What Di Ai said was an opportunity for the other two to belittle Qiu Yan.

Many of the people who participated in the mission came to gain political capital. Even Meng Qingbin was promoted to Minister of Rites as soon as he was confirmed as an official envoy, and may take over the Ministry of Rites in the future.

Therefore, in the eyes of everyone, Qiu Yan, who was favored by the emperor, undoubtedly became a thorn in the side. It is possible that their achievements were attributed to Qiu Yan due to the emperor's slightest thought.

There is a precedent for this kind of thing, and of course it cannot be taken lightly. Invisibly, there are many people in this mission who are vaguely hostile to Qiu Yan. The two people traveling with Di Ai are named Zhao Shen and the other is Zhong. Yan was an official of the Ministry of Rites, and his official rank was still higher than Qiu Yan's, higher than Di Ai's, but he was upstaged by Qiu Yan, so he naturally felt dissatisfied.

Di Ai's trip this time can only be regarded as an ordinary entourage, with increased authority and no official promotion. However, he has a foster father who is a minister. He is not without foundation in Xingjing. Zhao Shen and Zhong Yan know this. Only when things happened, did he deliberately make friends and go with him. Now when Qiu Yan was mentioned, he had a vague hatred of the same enemy, but the more he talked, the more speculative he became.

As he walked, Di Ai looked around and talked with Zhao and Zhong. Finally, he said: "Okay, we understand the situation almost. I'd better return to the inn so that I can give a reply to Master Meng."

"It makes sense, then go back quickly."

These members of the envoy did not go out aimlessly. They were ordered by Meng Qingbin to go to the city to take a look and walk around to familiarize themselves with the situation in Hu.

Although Dingchang City is the territory of Darui, it is located on the border, on the edge of the desert. The folk customs are close to those of the Hu land, and there are Hu people walking around. For those who have never been out of the customs, it is a good place to adapt in advance, and it is convenient to do things. Be mentally prepared.

In fact, keeping the itinerary secret does not mean being secretive, but trying to control the variables. For example, right now, a few people from the envoys are scattered in the city, but in fact there are people following them secretly, paying attention to the expressions of passers-by.

This is also a method of asking for directions. If you are lucky, you can lead out possible hidden dangers in advance and catch them in one fell swoop.

On the other hand, Qiu Yan was brought to Jiedushi by Xiao Lan and sat in the main hall.

A series of scrutinizing eyes fell on him, but they couldn't move his mind at all.

After looking around, Qiu Yan's attention first focused on Xiao Lan. He caught the masculine blood all over the body of the Marquis. It was surging like the sea. It was already beyond the level of foundation building. He was clearly a master of destiny cultivation!

"It seems that the original guess was wrong. The military strategist seems to be different from the officialdom. It's just that Song Yuan..."

After thinking about it, Qiu Yan's eyes fell on the old man Zuo Shou, feeling a bit of danger.

"This old man..."

The old man nodded slightly, smiled at him, and then raised his hand to grasp in vain. The scene in the void suddenly changed. The spirit of a military strategist surged out, turned in the air, and landed around Qiu Yan. It aroused literary thoughts and spiritual consciousness, and dozens of gods The consciousness is about to burst out, and the spirit of the saints integrated into the consciousness is also faintly pulsing.

However, the spirit of these sages was not complete. It was formed by Qiu Yan's insights. The real spirit had already gone to Zhou Rao through the hole in the soul, and was used by the spirit body to induce Zhou Rao's human order.

Under this situation, Qiu Yan had no choice but to calm down, focus his mind, be alert to his surroundings, and be ready to take action, and his own military order was faintly revealed.

boom!

In the senses, Dingchang City seemed to be shaking for an instant, and blood was being pulled over, bringing with it illusory scenes, falling into Qiu Yan's heart, causing memories to emerge in his heart, and the aura on his body suddenly changed!

The indifferent scholarly aura cultivated by studying for learning dissipated, and was later replaced by an awe-inspiring murderous aura!

However, what is reflected in this murderous aura is not brutality, wantonness and bloodshed, but is full of solidity, stability, and orderliness, with millions of soldiers vaguely appearing behind them!

But the next moment, the breath disappeared.

"Huh?" the old man exclaimed, "Sure enough, Duke Zhuangyuan has magical powers and cultivation, but his military aura really surprised me. He uses perfect combinations and unexpected victories, neither angry nor angry, just like a general who leads an army to conquer countless conquests! You are worthy of it. He is a wise man who wants to unite military order!"

"Um?"

Hearing the old man's words, everyone present looked surprised. Even Xiao Lan's eyelids twitched. He looked at Qiu Yan with a hint of solemnity in his eyes, and then asked a few questions.

Qiu Yan was neither humble nor arrogant. In the face of many looks, he talked as usual, leaving a little impression on everyone. These people have been on the battlefield for a long time and have an aura. Sitting here, they have the aura of decisive killing. They came here before. Most scholars are either submissive or have high self-esteem. They are all affected by the aura and lose their normal state. Only those who have successfully cultivated their minds can maintain their original minds.

Of course, such people who have cultivated their minds may not necessarily be wise men or loyal ministers, but without exception, they are all influential figures in Dali and the grasslands.

Now, among these people, there are more Qiu Yan.

As he talked, Qiu Yan saw that Xiao Lan had no ill intentions, so he made a suggestion: "The mission will stay here for one day. Qiu wants to take this opportunity to see the Dingchang military camp and the surrounding scenery, and also I hope Jiedushi will allow it.”

"What's so difficult about this?" Xiao Lan's eyes flashed, and she turned around and called, "Xiao Jian, come here." (To be continued...)

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