Except for the little discordant factor of Xu Bin, this reception banquet was generally a joy for the guests and hosts.
Because of Fan Zhifu's orders, the gentlemen outside did not dare to come in and disturb them easily, so they dispersed after the meal. Tang Fan and the others were very enthusiastic at the table because of the wine. At the end of the banquet, everyone was a little drunk.
Fan Zhifu personally helped Tang Fan onto the carriage, and instructed the coachman to take the imperial envoy back to the official post.
The driver never met the magistrate's dignified condescension to talk to him, so excited that he couldn't say enough, he nodded and bowed in agreement.
Tang Fan wasn't actually that drunk, he just wanted to end the banquet earlier by taking advantage of his drunkenness.
After waiting for the carriage, he let go of Lu Lingxi's hand, and his slightly hazy eyes returned to clarity.
"Yiqing, before the person has gone far, you can catch up with the sedan chair in Jizhi County and let him go to the official post. I want to see him."
Lu Lingxi: "Didn't we chat a lot at the banquet just now? Are you still chatting?"
Tang Fan knocked on his head: "Just now, it was an entertainment. I have other business affairs to ask him."
Lu Lingxi was a little reluctant, but he couldn't say no, so he could only jump out of the carriage and call for someone.
After a while, he brought Ji Min over.
Tang Fan lifted the curtain of the car and smiled at the latter: "Ziming, if you don't dislike it, how about going to the official post for a rest tonight? We'll meet again after a long time. I have a lot to say to you."
Ji Min also laughed: "It's a coincidence, I have a lot of things to say to your lord, I wonder if your chariot can squeeze another person?"
Tang Fan beckoned: "Don't say one, two more can be accommodated, come up quickly, just drink and blow your hair, be careful to catch a cold!"
Ji Min was not hypocritical, and leaned over Tang Fan's hand to get into the carriage.
Fan Zhifu was very courteous to Tang Fan, and the carriage was naturally decorated in every way. Not to mention, in order to prevent bumps, the carriage was padded with three layers of thick cotton mattresses, and because it was summer at this time, the cotton mattresses There was another bamboo mat on it, so instead of feeling the bumps of the carriage walking on it, it was quite comfortable.
The head here is also very spacious, more than enough for an adult man to lie down on it, and it is not difficult to have another Ji Min.
Tang Fan glanced at Lu Lingxi, who was about to sit outside with the driver, and asked curiously, "Why are you sitting there, why don't you come in?"
Lu Lingxi thought Ji Min was here, Big Brother Tang must have wanted to whisper to him. In order not to wait until he was driven out, he might as well get to know him and leave first. He didn't expect Tang Fan to let him sit in. After a moment's surprise, Lu Lingxi was happy again. When he got up, he agreed, turned around, and nimbly slipped into the carriage.
Ji Min smiled and said, "Is Young Master Lu a trainer?"
Lu Lingxi: "I can't talk about it, it's just that I played two sets of boxing with my elders when I was a child to strengthen my body."
Ji Min jokingly said, "Young Master Lu is quick-witted and has good skills. He is really good at both literary and martial arts. I don't know if he will take the Wenju exam or the martial arts exam in the future?"
Lu Lingxi lowered his head and smiled, hiding half of his body behind Tang Fan, as if a little shy.
Although Tang Fan knew that his nature was not like this, he did not expose him, but instead helped to speak: "Yi Qing is a son of mine who has never been friends. Treat him like a younger brother."
The implication is that Lu Lingxi is not an outsider.
Ji Min sighed: "I haven't seen you for a few years, Runqing is as good as before, always so kind to friends!"
Tang Fan laughed: "Zi Ming has won the award. Since we are friends, we must treat each other with sincerity. Then again, you and I haven't seen each other for five or six years?"
Ji Min nodded: "It has been more than five years since I left Beijing."
Without the people from Fan Zhifu, Tang Fan was able to look at each other in a big way. The other party no longer had the sadness he had when he was in the capital. Although he was slightly older than him by two years, he looked the same as before, with black hair on the temples. Lustrous, in other words, this official robe itself has a great effect. Once worn, the charm of power will also make people look younger.
Tang Fan smiled and said, "It seems that Jiangxi's soil and water support people. After you came here, you are more energetic than before!"
Ji Min laughed and said, "Actually, I still have to do something. When I get busy, I naturally don't have time to think about it. In the past, if I tried many times, it was easy to get into the horns, and I always felt that this was not pleasing to the eye. I'm sorry for that, but now I've seen and heard a lot. If I think about the past, it's like a dream. I'm extremely ashamed. I don't know if Brother Yu Qiao and the others still remember me. I'm still in the capital, I have to come to my door to apologize!"
Tang Fan: "They will remember you naturally. Besides, you were not in a bad mood before, everyone can understand that, whoever is in your situation will not be in a better mood. Luck on the field is also very important. We were just lucky to be one step ahead of you, you can come out now, Yu Qiao and the others will be happy for you when they know about it!"
Ji Min sneered: "You still know how to say that..."
Before the word "word" came out, the carriage suddenly vibrated violently and stopped moving forward abruptly. Then there was the sound of horses neighing outside, and the carriage they were in shook violently. Tang Fan and the others had to hold the carriage. Four walls to stabilize the body.
"Sir, don't come out! Young Master Lu protect your lord!" Xi Ming shouted from outside.
Ji Min was shocked: "What happened?"
In fact, there is no need for Xi Ming's special explanation. Lu Lingxi has already drawn his sword and is holding it tightly in his hand, while listening to the movement outside vigilantly.
The sound of swords being connected came from the outside, and occasionally there were voices from Xi Ming and others: "Good thief, dare to stab in the street, if you have one, leave your name!"
Naturally, the other party wouldn't answer him. Judging from what Tang Fan and the others heard inside, the fight outside should have been quite intense.
Tang Fan was relatively calm, and even had time to comfort Ji Min: "Zi Ming, don't worry, Xi Ming and the others can handle it."
Even though he said that, he couldn't help frowning.
You must know that the four of Xi Ming are the elites of the original West Factory. With Wang Zhi as a person, he would definitely disdain to send a few people with mediocre skills to his side. Even Lu Lingxi said that if the four of them attacked together, he would be alone in the They can't get past a few tricks.
However, now the time has passed bit by bit, and the battle outside shows no signs of stopping, and the handover of Jin Ge has become more and more intense like a storm.
At this time, night has fallen outside. Although Luling County is not a small place, there must be no one on the street after nightfall, unless it is a watchman or a soldier on patrol. There is so much movement here, patrolling The soldiers came quickly after hearing the news, but saw a carriage parked in the street. Unidentified men and horses were fighting fiercely. Visually, they were still in an endless posture. Several people were lying on the side of the carriage. Judging from the clothes , not only the driver, but also the servants of the county government.
As soon as the guards saw it, they knew that there must be a certain official in the carriage, and they didn't dare to retreat rashly, and they didn't dare to step forward to join the fight. They only dared to ask for help while bluffing. Shouting: "Who dares to fight here, knowing that the officers and soldiers are coming, don't hurry to put down their weapons and surrender!"
The night raiders seemed determined to attack the carriage, and they were ruthless and merciless. Wherever they would control the shouts of soldiers, their attention was focused on Xi Ming and a few people outside the carriage.
At this moment, a shout came from inside the carriage: "I am Jimin, the magistrate of Luling County, and there are still ministers in the carriage, so don't hurry back and report to me!"
When the patrol officers and soldiers heard it, they were instantly terrified.
Luling County itself is the seat of Ji'an Prefecture, and these people must have much better information than other places. They knew about the fact that they were sent to Ji'an to investigate the imperial examination case. As a result, they encountered assassins as soon as they arrived at the border of Luling County. The people above are to blame, and the first group of people to be unlucky must be these people.
Several soldiers looked at each other in dismay, and immediately did not dare to sit on the sidelines and watch, so they had to bite the bullet and slowly approach the carriage, for fear that they would accidentally become cannon fodder like those unlucky ghosts lying on the ground.
However, if the masters are fighting each other, how can there be room for them to intervene
There were as many as eight people who came to attack at night. Xi Ming and other four people surrounded the carriage in four directions, one by two, and it was very difficult to deal with it.
Hearing that the movement outside became more and more intense, and the reinforcements had not yet arrived, Lu Lingxi in the carriage couldn't bear it any longer, and said to Tang Fan, "Brother Tang, I'm going out to help", then raised the sword and opened the curtain and jumped away. jumped out.
With his participation, Xi Ming and others' pressure was suddenly relieved. Even so, the situation was still not optimistic.
Lu Lingxi didn't talk about it. He was a student of Shaolin, and he had a history of traveling around the world. His actual combat experience was not weak. The four of Xi Ming were also first-class masters, but these five people still couldn't get a good deal from the other side.
I don't know where these eight black-clothed masked men came from. The first shot was a tactic that killed people. They were very vicious. The people on Xi Ming's side were caught off guard and were almost beaten, but they knew that inside the carriage There is no resistance, so try your best to hold the line of defense of the carriage and not let the opponent break through.
Tang Fan and Ji Min lived in the carriage like a year.
In order not to cause trouble to Xi Ming and the others, the two of them could not probe out to check the situation of the battle, they could only stay where they were and look at each other.
Tang Fan has not known how many dangerous situations he has experienced since he went out to travel that year, but it can't be regarded as the most critical at the moment, so his face is calm, but his eyebrows are furrowed, and he is worried about the safety of Lu Lingxi and the others.
Ji Min thought about it because she didn't want to show her timidity in front of Tang Fan. Although her face was pale, she still managed to remain calm, but her fists were clenched tightly.
Tang Fan in turn comforted him: "Don't worry, Yiqing and the others are all good, it's fine."
Ji Min smiled at him reluctantly, and then frowned tightly: "Luling County used to be very peaceful, and I have never heard of any bandits. Why did you just arrive with your front foot and then assassinated you with your back foot? Could it be that you were there before? Have you encountered it in Suzhou too?"
Tang Fan shook his head: "No."
Ji Min guessed: "Then... could it be related to the case you want to investigate?"
Tang Fan's heart moved.
To say that whoever wants him to come to investigate the case the last time, is undoubtedly only Shen Kunxiu, but how could Shen Kunxiu, a student of politics, be associated with those assassins outside
Isn't there a secret to this case
Just as his thoughts were spinning, in the distance, there seemed to be horseshoes kicking, accompanied by the clamor of human voices.
And those guards who could only watch on the side and were helpless were overjoyed when they saw the fire from far and near.
The reinforcements finally arrived.
The imperial envoy and the magistrate of Luling were trapped in the carriage together, and the soldiers who went to report the letter had to go directly to Fan Lezheng, the prefect of Shangji'an.
Just after the banquet was over, the prefect Fan was drunk and was on his way back to the prefect's yamen. As soon as he arrived at the gate, he saw the out-of-breath guards coming to report the news, saying that the imperial commissioner had encountered a problem on the way back. In the same car, there was also the magistrate of Luling.
No matter how high Fan Zhifu drank, when he heard this, he was sober up for seven or eight minutes, and he was about to rush over in a hurry.
In the end, the aide was still clever, and he stopped him quickly, saying that it was useless for you to go like this, not to mention that you couldn’t save the imperial envoy, even if you would get in by yourself, it is better to hurry and move the rescuer.
When Fan Zhifu heard that it was reasonable, he hurriedly turned the carriage around and went to find Tan Qianhu of Ji'an Qianhu Institute.
Ji'an Qianhu Office has nothing to do with Jinyiwei, but a place where troops are stationed under the jurisdiction of the Jiangxi Metropolitan Commander Division, but even if it has nothing to do with Jinyiwei, when the other party heard that Fan Zhifu said that the imperial envoy was attacked in Ji'an, he had to bring someone to rescue.
Because it is said that the opponent is highly skilled and numerous, Tan Qianhu specially brought a small team of soldiers carrying firearms.
The twists and turns of this back and forth have caused a lot of time delay.
Fortunately, Xi Ming and others supported them long enough, because they knew that if Tang Fan was wrong, they would protect Qin Cha from defeat. Even if Wang Zhi didn't blame them, they would also be punished by the court, so a few people tried their best to block it. The opponent's attack has long been scarred.
Of course, the other party didn't get any better. Those eight people were more or less painted. Although their target was the person in the carriage, they also had to guard against being caught and revealing their identities. When they arrive, they know that the best time to kill has been missed, and it is difficult for them to find another chance to start.
I saw one of the people who looked like the leader made a gesture, and the other seven immediately flew back in the opposite direction from the arrival of the officers and soldiers. After retreating for a distance, they turned and ran forward.
Lu Lingxi wanted to catch up, but was held down by Xi Ming: "Do you want to die!"
Judging from the opponent's skill, they are probably even better than Xi Ming and the others, so after this fight, all five of Lu Lingxi and the others were seriously injured, and two of them were seriously injured. But they were only slightly injured. If Lu Lingxi catches up, there is no chance of returning.
Lu Lingxi had no choice but to give up after hearing this.
The officers and soldiers had already rushed over, and Fan Zhifu could not help being horrified when he saw them all in a state of embarrassment: "How is Master Tang, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Tang Fan got out of the carriage, followed by Ji Min.
Fan Zhifu introduced to Tang Fan: "This is Tan Qianhu from Ji'an Qianhu Institute. After the lower official heard the news, he hurriedly asked Tan Qianhu to come with him!"
There is no lack of gratification in his words. This kind of behavior is very common in the officialdom. Usually Tang Fan is still in the mood to be polite with him, but now he just surrenders to Tan Qianhu: "Thank you Tan Qianhu, this is my love. I got it, another day I will come to the door to thank you in person!"
Tan Qianhu is much more knowledgeable and interesting than Fan Zhifu. He saw that the people around Tang Fan were seriously injured, so he said: "Xiaguan knows a few doctors who specialize in traumatic injuries. If Mr. Tang needs it, Xiaguan will send someone. Go find them!"
Tang Fan was not polite, and took all the orders: "Then there are thousands of Laotan households."
Tan Qianhu hurriedly said, "Your Excellency, you are not welcome. This incident happened in Ji'an. Xiaguan is not to blame. Please let Xiaguan escort you back."
Fan Zhifu also said, "Xiaguan also escorts the adults!"
Xi Ming and others were seriously injured, two of them were already shaky, Tang Fan did not refuse, so Xi Ming helped the two injured men onto the carriage, borrowed a few horses from Tan Qianhu, and returned them to himself and Lu Lingxi. If you can walk, go back on horseback.
Of course the assassin would not go and return, so Tang Fan and his party arrived at the official post safely under the personal escort of Tan Qianhu and Fan Zhifu.
Xi Ming and Lu Lingxi, except for two serious injuries, the rest had more or less stab wounds. Lu Lingxi was also slashed on his arm, and his bones were clearly visible. After returning home, he hastily tore the strips of cloth and tied it up to stop the bleeding. It was not until the doctor came to give him medicine that everyone saw how deep his wound was.
Although they were injured to protect Tang Fan, strictly speaking, this was their responsibility, but Tang Fan did not take it for granted, but instead gave up his house to the seriously injured patient, and watched by himself. The doctor took the pulse and asked Xi Ming and the others in detail about their injuries. After learning that several people were not in danger, he instructed Xi Ming and the others to take a good rest, and instructed the staff at the official post to give Xi Ming and the others some time to recover. millet porridge.
Xi Ming and others saw it in their eyes, although it was not obvious on the face, they were naturally moved in their hearts.
There are many officials who can do superficial kung fu, and more of them don’t even bother to do superficial kung fu. These people are masters, but in fact they are eagle claws driven by people, either wandering the world or joining the official family. Even if he becomes a military general, his status is not as high as that of a civilian.
Xi Ming and the others originally thought that with Tang Fan's status, he must be the kind of person with eyes on the top of his head. In this matter, Tang Fan's performance greatly changed their minds, and no matter what he thought, just being so attentive and thoughtful wouldn't have chilled the hearts of Xi Ming and others.
An hour or two had passed after the placement of the wounded, Fan Zhifu and Tan Qianhu had also been sent away by Tang Fan, and only Ji Min remained in the official post.
Since the main courtyard was handed over to Xi Ming and the others, Tang Fan moved to the side courtyard. Although the people from the official station made some temporary arrangements, the conditions were definitely worse.
Tang Fan said apologetically, "Brother Ziming, forgive me, you see this is a riot tonight, and I almost bothered you to say no. I even left you in the cold for a long time, so I couldn't say a few words to you alone!"
Ji Min waved his hand: "It's okay, I will rest tomorrow, so I don't need to get up early."
After saying that, he sighed, "It's just that this fact is strange tonight, I was envious of your quick promotion before, I never thought you would be so dangerous as an official, no wonder you still have a few good kung fu men. , without them, wouldn't you be even more dangerous!"
Tang Fan smiled and said, "Actually, this kind of thing doesn't happen very often. I never encountered it in Suzhou."
In fact, it has also been encountered in Suzhou, but it is only a beauty trick and money bribes. The so-called wine is a medicine for piercing the intestines, and the color is a bone scraping knife. It is also another form of danger.
When Ji Min heard the words, her face did not hide her concern for him: "Then now Young Master Lu and the others are injured, what should you do with your safety these days, or should I transfer the officers from the county government?"
Tang Fan jokingly declined: "Thank you for your kindness, but if the other party's skills are the same as those of the others tonight, I'm afraid that no matter how many people there are, it's useless, why don't you ask Tan Qianhu to lend me a fire gun team!"
Ji Min also knew that what the other party said was the truth, and shook his head: "It's useless for me, I heard that you were coming, I was very happy, I thought that when I met this time, I must have a good reminiscence with you, I didn't expect you As soon as I arrived at the Luling realm, I was assassinated, and speaking of it, it was my parental official who was negligent."
Tang Fan smiled and said, "This has nothing to do with you, don't feel guilty, can't we catch up now? Speaking of which, since I saw you, I wanted to ask, did you participate in the test again? Why did you enter? Jing is not looking for me either?"
Ji Min said: "Afterwards, I didn't go to Beijing to take the exam. After returning to my hometown, I met a rich man. He appreciated my hard work and progress in studying, so he gave me money to clear up the relationship between the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Housing, so that I won the title of Luling County Chancellor. After the position of the magistrate of Luling was relocated when he was fully appointed, he recommended me to the top, so I filled up the position of the magistrate."
In this dynasty, Juren could be an official. When Tang Fan helped his brother-in-law He Lin to run the position of the Miyun County Teaching Order, it was also because of He Lin's fame as Juren.
But with Ji Min's pride, Tang Fan always thought that he would not give up until he passed the jinshi exam.
Seeing what he was thinking, Ji Min laughed at himself: "At that time, my old mother was sick, and I just wanted to have a job to make a living, and I didn't want to worry about the old man. Don't worry about it, it's not that I don't want to go to you, it's just that Son, you have only just established a firm foothold in Shuntian Mansion, so even if you want to help, you are powerless, and no one else can intervene in these matters, so I can only solve it by myself, so I didn't tell you, so as not to let you worry about it."
Tang Fan said, "No wonder I wrote you two letters in succession, but there was no response. You must have been away from your hometown at that time?"
Ji Min sighed, "Yes, since I came to Luling, I was so busy with trivial matters that I couldn't find time to go back to my hometown. It's really unfilial to say it!"
Officials in this dynasty had few vacations, and it was even more difficult for lower-level officials to get a vacation. An example like Ji Min was not surprising. In Daming, there were thousands of officials who had similar experiences to him.
Ji Min said: "Runqing, I think that day, you and I made a big wish to be named on the gold list. In the end, not only did I not make persistent efforts, but instead I became a deserter and took a shortcut. I know this is not the right way..."
Tang Fan interrupted him: "I don't like to hear what you say. The so-called right and crooked ways are not based on the merits of the imperial examination. As long as you become an official and decide for the people, that is the righteous way. Most of them came from Guozijian, not from scientific examinations. Among them, there are many famous ministers and ministers. Are these seniors not walking the right way? Ziming, you just think too much about everything and your mind is too heavy, as long as you still Now you, we will always be best friends!"
Ji Min's heart became hot, and she felt that it was inappropriate to say anything. She had to lower her head to hide her excitement. When her mood slowly calmed down, she said, "At today's banquet, Xu Bin is always targeting you. Do you know why?"
Tang Fan said, "I'm feeling a little strange about this. Could it be that you know the inside story?"
Ji Min said: "I know a little bit..."
Just as he was about to continue speaking, there was a knock on the door.
Tang Fan wanted to get up to open the door, but Ji Min pressed him and walked over to open it by himself.
The one standing outside was not an assassin, but Lu Lingxi with most of his arms tied.
He smiled and said: "Brother Tang, I heard that you are here to talk at night, so I came here, so I didn't disturb you?"
Tang Fan frowned: "You are injured, don't take a good rest, what are you doing when you get up, don't make a fool of yourself!"
Lu Lingxi said: "I can't sleep, the wound keeps hurting, just let me sit here for a while!"
The coquettish tone made it impossible to refuse, and Tang Fan couldn't bear to refuse as long as he thought that he suffered this injury for himself.
The problem is that Xi Ming and the others are all lying in their own rooms, and they won't come here to act like a spoiled child, but Lu Lingxi is unwilling to stay calm.
It seems that he is still too young with a child's temperament. No wonder Wynn wants him to come out and train with him, Tang Fan thought.
Although he thought so, his heart softened: "Okay, then you sit here and talk when you feel uncomfortable."
Lu Lingxi answered happily, dragged the chair with his uninjured hand in Tang Fan's direction, and sat down next to him. When he saw Ji Min looking towards him, he couldn't help but reply with a slightly provocative voice. The eyes, on the contrary, made the other party slightly stunned.