Get up at five o'clock on the second day.
After sorting everything out, Zhang Xian came with a guard named Liu Qi. Liu Qi is Zhang Xian's fellow villager and the best martial artist among the guards. He is a profound person. Yue Pengju carefully selected them and asked them to follow Hua Rong.
After sending the three people to Sanhezi, Yue Pengju stopped, handed a package to Zhang Xian, and smiled mysteriously: "Take it with you, maybe you can use it."
Hua Rong asked in surprise: "What is this?"
"You'll know when you get there. You don't need to open it on the way."
Seeing his mysterious look, Hua Rong smiled and said, "Okay, I won't take a look until I get there. Pengju, you don't have to see us off."
Yue Pengju warned him again and again: "Be careful in everything."
"Yes, I will."
As soon as Hua Rong hit the horse, he turned around and left. Yue Pengju watched the three figures disappear completely before returning, and immediately began to deploy. Unlike Hua Rong, he did not have an overly optimistic attitude, for fear that if something unexpected happened, he would be fine. Now that I am here, I can still control everything.
Sanhezi Inn.
Only then did Hua Rong realize the size of the team on this mission to the Kingdom of Jin.
Led by the scholar Yu Wenxuzhong, there was a group of nearly a hundred people, carrying a large amount of silver, silk, pearls, tea, ceramics and many other gifts that the Jin people liked.
It was the first time for Yu Wenxuzhong and others to meet Hua Rong, but they saw that she was dressed in men's clothes, petite and mixed in the crowd, and she looked inconspicuous at all.
Hua Rong took a step forward: "Master Yuwen, I'm sorry for the long wait."
Yu Wenxu remembered the emperor's instructions before leaving, but he did not dare to neglect them and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Mrs. Yue."
When Hua Rong heard the word "Mrs. Yue", she felt extremely happy, as if she had received some kind of praise. She held her hands in joy and said, "Sir, can we set off now?"
"Okay, let's go."
Yu Wenxuzhong answered this, but when he saw her smile and her face glowing, he vaguely understood why the emperor had to appoint her as an envoy to the Kingdom of Jin.
The huge team set off, and after half a day's march, they had already entered the borders of the Kingdom of Jin.
Hua Rong rode on his horse and took a distant look at the ice and snow in the northern country. It was so bitter and cold, which was very different from the Central Plains. He thought of Jin Wushu unexpectedly in his mind. When he came to the Kingdom of Jin, could he avoid him
The worries that had been suppressed forcibly resurfaced. This trip seemed to be like the fate of the Song Dynasty. It was difficult to predict whether it would be good or bad. Along the way, she carefully observed Yu Wenxuzhong's actions. Yu Wenxuzhong was 49 years old and was a Jinshi. Hua Rong felt that when he handled things, he was more than talented but not strong enough. He suddenly thought of Su Wu Muyang, if he was really going to be detained by the Jin people, could he keep his integrity
Thinking about this, she became even more worried. Anyway, the core goal of the emperor's peace negotiation was to bring back his mother, and other considerations could be postponed. In this way, she also had a plan in her heart, and she was not like Yu Wenxuzhong who always tried to "welcome back the second son". "Saint" was on his lips, and he just thought, it doesn't matter whether those two foolish kings come back or not.
The Jin people had long known about the arrival of the Song envoy, and the journey was smooth. However, as soon as they arrived southwest of Yanjing City, they were stopped by local officials.
The official's rank was not high, but his attitude was very arrogant. He only ordered everyone to go to the post house to rest, and was not allowed to do anything random without being summoned.
Yu Wenxuzhong did not dare to say anything more and immediately ordered everyone to stay in the post house.
That night, the Jin people did not hold a banquet to entertain everyone, but a group of envoys dispersed to see this unique and exotic customs.
Hua Rong lived alone in a simple room. It was said to be a room, but in fact it was just a layer of tent wall, which was transformed from the original palace of the Liao Dynasty.
She took out the big package that Yue Pengju had given her before leaving, opened it, and immediately burst into laughter. She saw that there were three sets of Jin people's costumes inside, as well as some fake beards, masks and other disguise items. She really didn't know where he was. Found it.
She was overjoyed and called Zhang Xian and Liu Qi, changed their clothes, explained briefly, and took them out at dusk. Unlike the Central Plains, the cities of the Jin Kingdom were not very prosperous. In the evening, there were not many people on the streets. Pedestrians were also dressed strangely, with their upper bodies exposed, regardless of gender.
Along the way, Hua Rong taught the two of them some simple Jurchen dialect. They knew that this trip was of great importance, so they studied hard. Although they spoke awkwardly, they were able to understand some of the local language.
In front is a small shop selling "fried fruits". The three of them walked in and Hua Rong said, "Let's have three portions."
The owner of the shop is a local "Han'er" - the Jin Kingdom calls local Han people "Han'er". Although the boss saw that these three people were behaving a little strangely, under the night, he saw that they were all dressed as Jin people, only wearing local clothes on their heads. The thick leather hat didn't take it seriously, running around and bringing fried fruits.
While the three of them were eating, he chatted enthusiastically, speaking half Jurchen and half Chinese: "You three seem to be in business too? Are you selling tea or horses?"
Hua Rong said casually: "Tea leaves."
"Haha, little brother, you are going to get rich..."
Because Hua Rong is also half-Jurchen and half-Chinese, he thought they were also "Han'ers" from far and near, and immediately became friendly: "Brother, you really know how to choose the right time..."
"oh?"
"Three days later will be the 'Willow Shooting Festival'. Warriors from all over the Jin Kingdom will come here to compete in archery..."
It's already mid-March, it's cold in the north, and "the spring breeze in February is like scissors" in the south, but it's not until this time that the willows here send out their first buds.
The "Willow Shooting Festival" was originally a traditional festival of the Jin Kingdom. Every year during the Flower Festival in March, the Chongwu Festival in May, the Hungry Ghost Festival in July and the Double Ninth Festival in September, people would have fun shooting willows and hitting balls. In fact, this custom is not native to the Jin Kingdom, but learned from the Liao Kingdom. After the Jin people destroyed the Liao Dynasty and attacked the Song Dynasty, they learned many customs from these two countries, especially entertainment and hedonistic festivals as well as some playing, playing and singing. , playing football, etc., quickly became popular among the military, and also spread to the civilian population.
The Flower Festival in the Kingdom of Jin is a little different from that in the Central Plains. It is based on the blooming time of a local flower they like, which is exactly these days.
Naturally, Hua Rong and others didn't know about these customs. They could only hear the shopkeeper talking non-stop: "This 'Liu Shooting Festival' is different. I heard that the fourth prince will get engaged here. He is the daughter of the deputy prime minister of the Kingdom of Jin. The Prime Minister's tribe is here, and people from all over the place come to congratulate you. Brother, think about how lively it will be then, and your tea will definitely sell for a good price... "
Isn’t the fourth prince exactly Jin Wushu
Jin Wushu is getting engaged
Do the people of Jin also arrange betrothal engagements? What is the difference between engagement and marriage in the Kingdom of Jin
Hua Rong was very curious and felt slightly happy. Originally, she was worried about what to do if she met Jin Wushu along the way. But now, now that he is getting married, he has also gone through a heartache. He It's too late to be happy when you're newlywed, so how can you bother yourself again
Hua Rong was very happy after getting this useful information. He bought some fried fruits and returned to the post house with Zhang Xian and others. As soon as he returned, he saw Yu Wenxuzhong pacing at the door, looking uneasy. When he saw Hua Rong When the others came back, they didn't recognize them for a while. Hua Rong quietly shook his hand, and Yu Wenxuzhong finally woke up. The two quickly entered the house and closed the door.
Hua Rong asked him first: "Do you have any news, sir?"
"The official learned that the eldest prince Zong Han will come to the south of Yanjing in the next few days..."
Yu Wenxuzhong was mature and prudent. When he came to a foreign land, he did not dare to wander around. He only secretly sent people to bribe several local Jin people. He learned that a large number of dignitaries from the Jin Kingdom would come here in the past few days, so he ordered them Don't act haphazardly.
Hua Rong was naturally not surprised and only whispered: "Is there any news from the Queen Mother?"
Yu Wenxuzhong didn't seem to dare to answer, and after a while he whispered: "Those Jin people are all low-level officials. They said they had met the Queen Mother at the 'Laundry Bureau'..."
Hua Rong knew what was going on and didn't ask any more questions. She pondered for a moment, wondering whether this "Willow Shooting Festival" was an opportunity or a disaster.
Before leaving, Yu Wenxuzhong suddenly said: "Mrs. Yue, before leaving, I have been told by the emperor to pay attention to your safety. You are a woman after all, so it is best not to act lightly..."
Hua Rong heard that he was accusing her of going out today, so she smiled slightly and bowed: "Thank you, sir, for reminding me. Hua Rong will definitely act carefully in the future and not expose his identity."
Yu Wenxuzhong had seen her well-disguised appearance when she came back. At this time, someone who knew Jurchen language was also needed to go out and inquire. He just sighed helplessly: "Mrs. Yue, you just have to be careful anyway. This place is no better than other places. , it’s always better to be careful.”
"Thank you for your concern, sir."
Go to Beijing.
The fourth prince's residence.
What was lit in the room was not the horse lanterns common among Jin people, nor the local smoky oil lamps, but a fragrant candle.
Such candles were one of the trophies plundered from the Song Dynasty palace. At that time, the generals were busy searching for gold, silver, treasures and beauties, but few people paid attention to such candles and the books on the ground.
Only he likes it, more than treasures.
These things have now become trophies in Jin Wushu's study.
This huge study is different from the common scholar's study in the Southern Dynasties. It has no screen, only a white birch desk, and opposite it is the weapons of the Eighteenth Class, including swords, guns, swords and halberds, all of which are complete.
He held a book in his hand, sat down beside the desk, and took a look at the fragrant candle. When he was in Liujia Temple, he always lit eight candles a night; but now, only the last box is left, and there is no more. I don't know how long it will last.
He liked things from the Southern Dynasty, so he started to use them sparingly.
There were knocks at the door, three times, as is Wu Qimai's habit.
"Come in."
Wu Qimai hurried in: "Report to the fourth prince that the envoys from the Song Dynasty have arrived in the south of Yanjing City. They are led by Yu Wenxuzhong, a scholar from the Song Dynasty. There are more than 100 people in the group, and they have brought a lot of property..."
"What's the news from the eldest prince?"
"The eldest prince has asked them to stay where they are. Moreover, the villain also got news. It is said that the eldest prince has sent people to invite the wives and concubines of Song Huizong's father and son who live in Yanshou Temple, saying that he wants them to enjoy the 'She Willow Festival' together. Performance."
Jin Wushu walked to the window, looked at the vast night, and pondered for a moment, feeling very surprised.
"Fourth Prince, this 'Willow Shooting Festival' is also your wedding day. I don't know if the eldest prince has any intention in arranging it like this..."
"Continue to inquire. Don't pay too much attention to the movements of the eldest prince. Pay attention to who is in the Song envoy group. It is best to find out everyone's identity and status."
"yes."
After Wu Qimai left, Jin Wushu returned to the desk and sat down. He sneered in his heart, what kind of trick is Zong Han trying to play? My engagement was specially made for him to see. Wouldn't it be a pity if he didn't see it
He regarded the engagement as a show, but unexpectedly, that familiar face still appeared in his mind, especially at this moment when he was lighting Nanchao candles and holding a book bound with Nanchao thread.