〖In the sixteenth year of Xiande, Suiyun wanted to take the imperial examination, so he left Jiangxia and went to Jianye.
— "The History of Chu in the Southern Dynasties: The Biography of Jiang Suiyun"〗
In the sixteenth year of Nanchu Xiande, the world was still in turmoil, but the situation was much clearer. Most of the south of the Yangtze River was occupied by Southern Chu, and the north of the Yangtze River was the world of Dayong. Jiangxia was a strategic place to defend Dayong, and the guard Jiangxia's Zhenyuan Hou's Mansion is an important military area, so it is heavily guarded at all times. Although my position is not low, I have to obey orders obediently, hide in the study and try not to go out, so as not to get into trouble. As I flipped through the book, I was thinking about when I would be able to eat. There was no way. Lu Xin, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, was an important military official. According to Nan Chu's practice, his family had to stay in Jianye. Only the fifteen-year-old son Lu Can was arrested. Lu Xin was appointed as a bodyguard to stay by his side, but the court allowed it. Although Lu Can studied literature with me, the children of the family of military generals also had to study military affairs. Today is the day when Lu Xin, the governor of Jiangxia, held a military meeting. The attendant was taken to the audition, so I had to wait for him in the study. We had agreed to have dinner together, but today's military conference was not over until noon, and all the people who participated in the military conference did not have any meals. If Xixi is full by himself, when Lu Can comes back, he will definitely shout jealously, and then he will find a chance to plot against me, so I should wait for him. Thinking of this, I patted my flat stomach and sighed helplessly. You said how the father and son are so different. Lu Xin is generous and generous, but Lu Can cares about everything. The last time he was punished by Mr. Lu, I couldn't help snickering when he saw him, and the next day he tricked me into going out to relax. , what do you say I have been filial piety for three years and should go out for a walk, but I was tricked into Yanyuelou, if I hadn't slipped quickly, my first time would have been robbed. While thinking wildly, I flipped through the book boredly, sigh, although the study in Zhenyuan Hou’s mansion is good, I have almost finished reading it in the past three years, and after all, it is a family of military generals, so it is a relatively easy-to-read book. The bookstore gave a copy of all the books, otherwise there are even yellow calendars, but there are no real treasures.
I was there watching Riying to calculate the time when Lu Zhong, Lu Can's attendant, came and told me that the military meeting was over. Lu Xin invited his subordinates to a banquet and asked Lu Can to accompany him, and told me not to wait for him. I happily agreed, even though the food was cold, I went to gobble it up. I was happily eating when suddenly there was a commotion in the hall in front of me. At first, I didn't pay attention to it, but then the sound became louder and louder, and I only heard the deafening sound of "catch the assassin, catch the assassin". I was shocked, bad, there are assassins here, and in all likelihood, the Marquis of Zhenyuan was assassinated. He is my backer now, so he can't be killed by assassins. I knew that I had no ability to protect the Marquis of Zhenyuan, so it was better to hide, but I felt uneasy and picked up a delicate crossbow from the bookshelf. A crossbow arrow, which was originally a gift from Lu Xin to Lu Can, but Lu Can didn't like to use the crossbow because it was not bright enough. Instead, it was cheap for me. Who told me that I can't use martial arts? It's my favorite, put the crossbow bolt on, open the window a crack and look out, the study I stayed in is not very far from the front hall, I saw a forest of swords and guns outside, and a large group of red-clothed sergeants were surrounding it. Two men dressed as servants were fighting. After a while, I saw the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Lu Xin, accompanied by his generals. His right arm was wrapped in a white cloth, and the blood was dripping heavily, but Lu Ping, a trusted bodyguard who was always by his side, was nowhere to be seen. I saw that Lu Xin's face was pale, and the man on his left was Lu Can, who looked very angry. Seeing this, I guessed that the two assassins must have sneaked into the Hou's mansion. According to the situation, it may be that Lu Xin entertained his subordinates. When he pretended to be a servant who was serving the food, and then suddenly assassinated, I guess Lu Ping 80% has done his duty.
I was looking at it, and I saw that the two assassins suddenly made a color on each other, and suddenly took out two black balls from their arms and fell to the ground. Suddenly, white smoke billowed, covering the space of more than ten meters in a short time. Stopped, at this moment, I saw a fierce light flashed in the eyes of a general wearing a general uniform not far from Luhou, and a dagger slipped from the cuff into his hand. He hurriedly shouted: "Master Hou, be careful." While shouting, he fired a crossbow arrow, and a scream sounded. When the smoke cleared, the frightened people saw that the two assassins were still surrounded, and behind Lu Hou, a general fell to the ground with an arrow in his heart, and he still held a dagger tightly in his hand. , the edge of the dagger glowed with blue light, and it was less than half a step away from Lu Hou. Even the blind know what's going on.
Seeing that the two assassins struggled to break through and finally died in battle, Lu Hou ordered his generals to take care of the aftermath, and summoned me to the White Tiger Hall where he handled military affairs. He looked at me with a complicated expression, and asked, "Thank you Suiyun for saving my life." I said humbly, "It's all Marquis who has a lot of good fortune and can avoid being framed by a traitor. Being late is just a fluke." Lu Hou asked suspiciously, "How did Suiyun know that that person was going to assassinate Ben Hou?" This was a question he couldn't understand. How do I know? Of course I saw it, but I can't say that. This is my self-defense magic weapon. My six senses are naturally different from ordinary people. Let me put it this way, my ear can hear leaves within a hundred paces. Feihua, my eyesight can be seen within a few miles, my sense of taste, anything, as long as it touches my lips, I can clearly distinguish it, and my sense of smell, as long as a smell, I can follow him for ten miles, Sometimes I doubt whether I am a human being, but I also know that if those things are known to others, they will inevitably be hated by others, and you don’t want someone who can eavesdrop on your whispers. In order to keep them as self-defense weapons, these I never told anyone about it, except my dead father. So I made up a lie and said: "It just so happens that Wansheng was originally defending himself with a crossbow, and seeing the two assassins releasing smoke, I couldn't help but feel strange, thinking that no matter how skilled the two assassins were, it would be difficult to escape from this situation. , let out the smoke must be to create opportunities for others, so the late life will think that there must be assassins hiding around the Hou Ye, and shouted out in a hurry, remembering that there was no one behind the adults at that time, presumably if the assassin wanted to assassinate, and then come from there, So I shot an arrow indiscriminately, but fortunately Hou Ye was virtuous and could kill the assassin."
Lu Xin nodded suspiciously and let me out. Later I heard that Lu Xin was assassinated by Dayong. They bribed the general and wanted to assassinate the Marquis of Zhenyuan, and then attacked when Jiangxia was without a leader. Who knows that the foolproof plan to assassinate failed, so their army again back. Afterwards, Lu Xin saw that I was smart and wise, and wanted me to enter his shogunate, but I thought about it, he is across the river from Dayong, and he often has to fight. If he is unfortunately defeated, what can I do? , and what if Dayong knew that I rescued Lu Xin and sent assassins to kill me, so I refused. Of course, I can't use this reason. Deciding to participate in the imperial examination is a high-sounding reason, and no one can stop me from making progress. Therefore, Lu Xin not only sent someone to Jiaxing, my hometown, to obtain the qualification for the examination for me, but also sent me around two months before the start of the Enke examination, and asked me to go to Jianye to take the examination. For my personal safety, he also They asked me to go with their military personnel. In desperation, I had no choice but to follow those people on the road. Fortunately, I thought of a way on the way, saying that I occasionally felt a cold, and there was still time, so I took a two-day rest before leaving. So I finally regained my freedom. I'm not an idiot. Nanchu became a minister to Dayong in the ninth year of Xiande, and went to the emperor to call himself the lord of the country. Now there are rumors that the lord of the country wants to restore the title of emperor, which will definitely be annoyed. Dayong's future will definitely be a series of military disasters. Although I don't want to go to war, I know a lot about the art of war. Others Dayong is a strong soldier, but Nanchu is a monarch and a minister who is drunk with life and dreams, and the school is greedy for life and fear of death. It is the famous and famous general Lu Hou. My subordinates, I heard that there are quite a few cowards, and Lu Hou was so angry that he would kill them several times, but due to the power of their family, they could only be raised. At this time of the imperial examinations, I still do not want to be a minister of the subjugation of the country.
Sitting tucked on the deck of a passenger-cargo ship, I comfortably enjoyed the fresh river breeze at night. In this medium-sized ship, the bottom cabins are full of cargo, and the upper cabins are divided into small rooms. It is definitely more comfortable than a special passenger ship for guests, but the price is also much more expensive. However, now I have a few hundred taels in my waist, which is enough, so I will spend it on luxury. Looking at the cold bright moon and the starry sky, I couldn't help but burst into poetry and recited: "The fine grass is on the shore with the breeze, and the danger is a single night boat. Retire from illness. What is it like fluttering, there is a sea gull in the world." While I was chanting repeatedly, I heard someone clapping and applauding behind me. When I looked back, I saw a young man standing there. Although the moon was dark, he could rely on it With my eyesight, I could clearly see that there was a handsome and mighty young man standing there. Although he was wearing casual clothes, he had an extraordinary aura. No matter how I looked at it, I felt that he was more majestic than Lord Lu, and he seemed to have an amazing charm. It makes me feel like a spring breeze, and I look at myself a little ashamed. I have an ordinary body, but it just collapses without the wind blowing. Although my appearance is still beautiful and handsome, no matter how I look at it, I am a weak scholar. A handsome young man with both civil and military skills, he is a military man. Even if he doesn't know a few words, as long as he is a little more polite, he can attract girls' eyes more than me. Ask me how I know, of course, because the maids in Luhou's mansion have never been upright. For my sake.
I stood up and said apologetically, "I'm sorry to disturb your rest."
The young man shook his head and said, "There, if I didn't have a rest, wouldn't I miss a good poem like the son, is it the work of the son?"
I was happy in my heart, but I said humbly on my face: "It's hard to make an elegant gesture, Your Excellency laughed."
The young man looked at me up and down for a long time before he said, "Young master is so young and his literary talents are so outstanding. I really admire him. Under Li Tianxiang, he is a businessman under the rule of the king of Shu. This time he is going to Jianye to do business. What's the business for?"
I murmured in my heart, although this person has a Shu accent, I always hear something awkward, but I take care of other people's affairs so much, so I politely said: "Later born Jiang Zhe, the words follow the clouds, this time to Jian The industry is to go to the examination.”
A strange look flashed in Li Tianxiang's eyes, and he said, "Young master's talent is unparalleled, it must be Toad Palace's laurels, it's easy."
I smiled embarrassedly. If it wasn't for the sake of lying, I wouldn't want to take the exam. Anyway, I have a way to avoid the middle class, and let others say nothing. Seeing that I was embarrassed, Li Tianxiang didn't talk about the scientific expedition, and said with emotion: "Oh, this time I came from Shu, and I saw that the situation in the Central Plains was tense, and there was almost a war in Jiangxia, and now the business is getting worse and worse. Yes. A while ago, the Lord of the Kingdom of Chu ordered to increase tariffs. Fortunately, the Lord of the Kingdom of Shu sent an envoy to Nanchu to negotiate, otherwise our cargo ship would lose money!" I said casually: "Actually, the Lord of the Kingdom of Shu doesn't have to bother, Nanchu. , Shu is interdependent, as long as this relationship is explained thoroughly, the lord will definitely reduce tariffs, and even offer trade concessions?"
Li Tianxiang asked with a smile: "How do you say this, I don't understand it."
It is rare to meet someone who wants to know my opinion, so I proudly said: "This starts with the situation in the world today. In today's world, Nan Chu and Dayong are confronting the north and the south, but this is only a superficial matter. They are not as good as Dayong, they can only defend and are powerless to attack. The so-called rigid can't last long and soft can't be defended. Everyone knows that if this continues, Nanchu will die sooner or later, so the current state lord will seek peace with Dayong, go to the emperor, and say The lord of the country, in order to seek peace, but the situation is different now. Shuzhong is under the rule of your country, and there are enough soldiers and food. Although the country of Shu can only be a partial and peaceful pattern due to geographical constraints, it is condescending to our southern Chu. If the state of Shu and Dayong unite, Dayong will attack the Yangtze River, and the state of Shu will go down by the river, our southern Chu will surely perish. Once Yong's army attacked Southern Chu, the Northern Han would respond to Southern Chu from the north, and Dayong faced the natural danger of the Yangtze River, as long as he defended it for more than three months, Dayong would definitely retreat."
Li Tianxiang looked solemn, and it took a long time to say: "If this is the case, it will be difficult for the world to be unified forever, but it will only hurt us ordinary people."
I comforted him and said, "I'm just talking about the ideal situation. Now the monarchs and ministers of Southern Chu are a little arrogant. They think that the Yangtze River is very dangerous and the crisis is looming. If Dayong has a wise person, there is still a possibility of unification."
Li Tianxiang seemed a little curious and asked, "Young master said that Dayong was unsustainable, why did he say that Dayong might still dominate the world?"
I rationalized my thoughts and said, "Although Dayong is in a field of hundreds of battles, its advantages are obvious. There are wise rulers and worthy ministers above, and millions of troops below. As long as the strategy is correct, the world will be dominated within 20 years. The layout of Shu is the key, but the middle of Shu is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If you want to seize the world, you must first form a good relationship with the Northern Han, stabilize the rear, and then divide Shu and Chu."
Li Tianxiang asked suspiciously: "There is still a way to form a good relationship with Northern Han.
"What's so difficult about this, I heard that some people in the Southern Chu Dynasty wanted to restore the emperor's title recently. If Dayong behaves at the moment, it is difficult to fight, the monarchs and ministers of Nanchu will be confused. If Dayong sends a meticulous work, he will bribe with kind words and generous gifts. Favorite ministers, prompting Southern Chu to restore the title of emperor, then the estrangement between Southern Chu and Shu will inevitably increase, and even the Northern Han will have doubts in their hearts. At that time, Dayong temporarily recognizes Southern Chu as emperor, and the two countries will be governed by a river. , and then join forces with Southern Chu to attack the State of Shu. The rulers and ministers of Southern Chu are short-sighted and must be fooled. Although it is difficult to attack in the middle of Shu, it is also difficult to resist the offensive of the two countries. At that time, the State of Shu will definitely hate Southern Chu. If you get most of the central part of Shu, then Dayong will attack from both sides, and you will definitely be able to destroy Southern Chu. By this time, you will be able to recharge your batteries and destroy the Han in one fell swoop.
Li Tianxiang was very excited when he heard this, and said: "It seems that as long as I have a good relationship with Nan Chu, it is Dayong's ability, and there is no way. Fortunately, Brother Jiang, you are not a child of Dayong. If you go to Dayong, you will get If it is reused, our Shu Kingdom will be in danger."
I said lazily: "I don't go to Dayong, I heard that military merit is the most important thing there, and a weak scholar like me can't eat there. After a few years, I will earn more money and go to the countryside to buy some Is it the joy of life to marry a gentle and virtuous wife?"
Li Tianxiang smiled and said, "Then I congratulate Your Excellency on your wish, but listening to your plan, Dayong shouldn't need twenty years."
I was already feeling sleepy and said, "I didn't need it at first, but if it takes five or six years to capture Nanchu, I heard that the Emperor of Dayong is already high in spring and autumn, and the crown prince Li An Although he is the prince, his military achievements are far inferior to that of his second son, King Yong Li Zhi. When Dayong established the country, Emperor Yong Li Yuan gave him the title of King Yong because of his second son Li Zhi. However, after the Dayong regulations were completed, Li Yuan established Li An as the heir, according to the system of establishing a direct descendant and establishing a chief, so the Xiao Qiang Rebellion would inevitably start because of this, and it may not be possible for Dayong to fall apart because of this. I said two Ten years is still under the premise that the scope of civil unrest will not be too large.”
Li Tianxiang lowered his head slightly, and said for a long time, "Yes!"
I didn't understand what he meant, and I didn't bother to think about it, so I left and went back to the cabin. When I woke up the next day, I heard that Li Tianxiang had disembarked ahead of schedule, which was strange.
Originally, my plan was good, but who knows that God's will is unpredictable, and I became a pauper on the first day I arrived at Jianye.
Looking back at that time, I saw Jianye for the first time, and I was stunned when I saw the capital city with tigers and dragons. So I went out to play after leaving the store. At the Confucius Temple on the Yonghuai River, I met a lucky star. , of course for me at the time, he was my scourge.
I was walking along the street when I suddenly saw a group of people gathered in front of me. I couldn't help but get in curiously, but it turned out to be a child selling his body to bury his father. I suddenly remembered that when my father died, I was completely empty. When I entered the Marquis of Zhenyuan, I was afraid that I could only sell my body to bury my father. Impulsively, I took out one hundred taels of silver and gave it to the child. With a grateful look on his delicate face, he said respectfully, "Sir, wait for the funeral of the little one. After my father goes to serve the son, where does the son live?" I smiled awkwardly, looking at the jealous eyes from the people around me, thinking that I have already broken the old adage that money is not revealed, so why not tell others about me? where do you live. Without answering, I hurriedly ran away. In order to return to the inn quickly, I walked quickly with my head down. When I reached an alley, I felt someone leaned up behind me, and I didn't have time to turn around. I felt something hard against my waist, so I honestly was taken into the alley, and then I felt like a stick was hit on the back of the head, when I woke up, I was lying on the ground empty, and went back to the inn with a sad face, I am very fortunate to have saved 10 taels of silver in the cabinet, but I can live for a month at most with this money. What should I do, what should I do? I tossed and turned for a whole night, and then I thought of the only solution, that is, I will take the scientific examination seriously, and then get a ranking, and then I will have the official salary to spend, and the mansion given by the government to live in. I think I should come to Nanchu. I won't be destroyed soon. When I earn enough silver taels, I can resign and go into seclusion. At that time, there should be no one who can't live with me, who has no official position.